It's officially been announced that David Beckham will in fact NOT be in Kansas City for LA's game against the Wizards Thursday night. This isn't surprising, it was always gonna be unlikely that the former English captain would be in KC after he hurt his knee in the SuperLiga final.
The Wizards officially announced that today, and to try and ease the back lash the team will take, they've announced a few changes and additions to the pre-game and in game experience for the fans.
The Wizards have gotten rid of the parking charge for the game Thursday, like the rest of this season, parking will be free. They have also instituted a playoff package plan where people can show their Beckhamless game ticket stub and get one free playoff ticket when they buy a playoff ticket. The team will also hold a drawing where 3 kids 14 and under will win the honor of having a Wizards starter come to their school.
The team has also released their full day of activities that will be going on for the game.
• Parking lots open: 3:30 p.m.
• Soccer Celebration: 4-7 p.m.
• Liverpool (A Tribute to the Beatles): 4:30-6:30 p.m.
• Stadium gates open: 5:30 p.m.
• Players warm-up: 6:05-6:43 p.m.
• Cobi Jones tribute: 6:45 p.m.
• Jet-pack delivers game ball: 6:58 p.m.
• Kickoff: 7 p.m.
• Fireworks show: 9 p.m. (approx.)
• Wizards autograph session: 9:15-9:45 p.m. (approx.)
• Post-game celebration at Martini Corner: 10 p.m. - close
Through all this glitz and glamor, though, I have a few problems with what the team is doing here. Of the 3 changes the team has made for the game, how does that benefit season ticket holders? Yes, I know that season ticket holders got tickets to this game at a cheaper price then those that bought their tickets afterwards. But as season ticket holders, we've already paid our $10 parking fee for this game.
Then there is the playoff ticket deal. As season ticket holders, we have our special game A and special game B tickets which as of this posting have not been used for any friendlies. Usually these tickets have doubled as your tickets for playoff games. So there's really no reason for a family that already has season tickets to one more to get one free when they likely already have their playoff tickets with their special game tickets.
As for the children's deal, I don't see much benefit in that for many season ticket holders. Me, I have no kids and I doubt it'd have as much of a WOW impact if a player came to my work.
These 3 benefits for Beckhamless game ticket holders seem to neglect the Wizards season ticket holders who have already paid for the benefits that are being handed out by the team.
Where was it said that there would be benefits to season ticket holders for this game? I am serious about this question. I don't recall them saying that STH would have some benefit for this game...just that they'd do something "special" for those that bought tickets for the game.
ReplyDeleteNo comment from me as to whether or not anything special was done for this game.
Thanks for these comments. Good stuff and good feedback. Season ticket holders were not charged for parking for the September 27th game. Non-season ticket holders were to be charged $10... there was no pre-payment. The playoff game bene is, of course, in addition to the Special Game A. Season Ticket Holders can either use or not, as you choose. Season Ticket Holders will always be a focus of this organization, and benefits for 2008 will eclipse those of 2007.
ReplyDeleteGeorge, there's nothing in there that says that there would be benefits for season ticket holders, but one would assume that the Wizards Front Office would take care of the Season Ticket Holders, and the benefits for the ticket holders don't seem to give much benefit to the STH.
ReplyDeleteGreg, thank you for the comment, but I was under the assumption that the $10 parking was built into the price of season tickets this season.
My point is that the blog questioned what whas done for STH for this game. Why does something for STH's have to be done for this game? They did stuff for ticket holders... do they HAVE to do something for STH's each time? No, I don't think so.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I just wondered why it was questioned that the KCW had to take care of STH's for this game... that's all.
Because the Wizards FO claim to be all about the STH, and I see very little incentive for the season ticket holders with regards to this. And the season ticket holders are ticket holders too. The season ticket holders are the one who have been coming all season, not the little piss ants that are complaining cause Beckham isn't coming. Why shouldn't the Wizards give a benefit to their season ticket holders for this game, seeing as they are the teams most prized customers.
ReplyDeleteJust to clarify, the $10 parking charge was NOT built in to a season ticket. Free parking to the Galaxy game was just one of many STH benefits, along with priority in the new stadium, special and unique merchandise, dedicated entrances, guaranteed giveaways, invite-only parties, etc. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI've agreed about previous STH complaints. But, this is kind of silly, and some of the comments are even worse.
ReplyDeleteIf every little thing the Wizards do don't make you happy, then don't freaking renew your season tickets. There's really little sense in complaining that the organization isn't doing right by you because they didn't give you some great gift because an opposing team's player got injured.