Cardinals confused by fan's anger over waiting list scheme

[HeavyB3]

Boo freaking hoo for this guy. Yeah i'm really sad that opposing teams fans will not outnumber us anymore.

 

[NEZCardsfan]

It's ridiculous that a stupid article like this is getting read so much. It's an editorial piece...it's what EJ Montini wants. Better to be read, and hated...than ignored.

 

[Redheart]

...Maybe that crappy paper should write a POSITIVE article about all the REAL Cards fans from outta town who got season tickets this year to ensure that they'd be guaranteed a seat in the new stadium on opening day. Morons.

That's my Jersey Girl.

 

[Lex]

What a complete BS article. Way to go Montini. The Steelers fan that can no longer buy tickets on gameday once every few years to cheer against the Cards

I've been laughing about this all morning...

 

[Faithful]

I also emailed the bozo:

Mr. Montini, did you read the column you wrote? You stated that the Cardinals organization is treating their fans shoddy. However, the same column states right from the start that the gentleman you are writing about isn't a fan of the Cardinals, but a fan of football.
Why shouldn't the people on the waiting list for season tickets get the first shot at single game tickets? You have made fun of the Cardinals' fan base for so long, one would think you would be happy the season tickets are sold out.
As for single game tickets, oh well. There are supposed to be approximately 1000 per game, have Mr. Stillers' Fan call in and buy one of those!
Will you ever be nice? God bless and have a great day!


And this is the response he emailed back:

I'm not certain if your intent was to ask a question or simply to insult me. I'll "be nice," as you suggest, and presume the former.
I'm sorry, but I don't believe that one's pocketbook determines whether he or she is a loyal fan. My family were very serious Steeler fans who never in a million years could have afforded season tickets.
We could -- and did -- buy the occasional single game ticket. But that is something we also could not have afforded to do if there was a big fat "deposit" required just to stand in line.
Therefore, what the Cardinals have done is to create a situation where no family on a tight budget will ever be able to afford to attend a game.
Which makes that $455 million stadium the personal playground of a select group of about 60,000 Valley residents.
That hardly seems fair. Even the poorest of the poor contributed their tax dollars.
As for the tone of your note, perhaps next time you write to someone you will "be nice" and lay off the put downs.


I thought I was being nice

 

[abomb]

I also emailed the bozo:

Mr. Montini, did you read the column you wrote? You stated that the Cardinals organization is treating their fans shoddy. However, the same column states right from the start that the gentleman you are writing about isn't a fan of the Cardinals, but a fan of football.
Why shouldn't the people on the waiting list for season tickets get the first shot at single game tickets? You have made fun of the Cardinals' fan base for so long, one would think you would be happy the season tickets are sold out.
As for single game tickets, oh well. There are supposed to be approximately 1000 per game, have Mr. Stillers' Fan call in and buy one of those!
Will you ever be nice? God bless and have a great day!


And this is the response he emailed back:

I'm not certain if your intent was to ask a question or simply to insult me. I'll "be nice," as you suggest, and presume the former.
I'm sorry, but I don't believe that one's pocketbook determines whether he or she is a loyal fan. My family were very serious Steeler fans who never in a million years could have afforded season tickets.
We could -- and did -- buy the occasional single game ticket. But that is something we also could not have afforded to do if there was a big fat "deposit" required just to stand in line.
Therefore, what the Cardinals have done is to create a situation where no family on a tight budget will ever be able to afford to attend a game.
Which makes that $455 million stadium the personal playground of a select group of about 60,000 Valley residents.
That hardly seems fair. Even the poorest of the poor contributed their tax dollars.
As for the tone of your note, perhaps next time you write to someone you will "be nice" and lay off the put downs.


I thought I was being nice

Hmmm, I'm pretty sure a "family on a tight budget" could afford a 10 game for $100 season seat if they got on the waiting list in February, not July. Idiot!

 

[NEZCardsfan]

Hmmm, I'm pretty sure a "family on a tight budget" could afford a 10 game for $100 season seat if they got on the waiting list in February, not July. Idiot!

FWIW....I don't think the Cardinals should be taking a non refundable $200 deposit. I know what they are doing.....but scalpers have half the tickets in that stadium anyways.

 

[JeffGollin]

My family were very serious Steeler fans who never in a million years could have afforded season tickets. We could -- and did -- buy the occasional single game ticket. But that is something we also could not have afforded to do if there was a big fat "deposit" required just to stand in line.
Suggest Mr. Montini check out other NFL cities - for example, New York - where, $200 upfront fee or not - single season seats are practically impossible to come by.

Therefore, what the Cardinals have done is to create a situation where no family on a tight budget will ever be able to afford to attend a game.
Correction - no non-Cardinal fan on a tight budget will ever be able to afford to attend a game.

Which makes that $455 million stadium the personal playground of a select group of about 60,000 Valley residents.
Well...not exactly. For example, the selling out of season tix guarantees that the rest of the Valley will be able to follow the Cardinals on local TV.

That hardly seems fair. Even the poorest of the poor contributed their tax dollars
Fair point, but it overlooks the jobs created by the expansion of existing businesses, addition of new businesses and the stadium itself. In terms of tax dollars, you have to put a value on this aspect of the stadium as well.

That said - the StL baseball counterparts of the football Cardinals have an intriguing ticket wrinkle that they publicize regularly on TV - where you can call a number or go to a website to (a) unload tickets if you can't make it to a game and (b) buy those same tickets as they're made available. Sounds like a plan.

 

[Scott MS]

Which makes that $455 million stadium the personal playground of a select group of about 60,000 Valley residents.

Last time I checked, sporting events are entertainment and most entertainment costs money.

Families "on a tight budget" should probably spend money elsewhere like on clothes and food, instead of pro football games . . . give me a break.

Then again, this is the team with $10 seats!!

That hardly seems fair. Even the poorest of the poor contributed their tax dollars.

That's right, even the poorest of the poor that rented cars and visited this state, contributed . . . facts are all so wrong.

.

 

[Faithful]

Families "on a tight budget" should probably spend money elsewhere like on clothes and food, instead of pro football games . . . give me a break.

Love it!!

 

[RON_IN_OC]

Montini is just a typical liberal,

Watch what you say! I'm a typical liberal...living in CA and a huge supporter of the Cards and all other AZ sports...I bought my 2 season tickets to only be able to attend 3 games this year!

Being a liberal or conservative has nothing to do with team allegience or being a sports fan.

 

[NuttinButTDs]

Mr Montini -



It seems that you and the non-cardinal fans are miffed about your chances of getting a single ticket to a game and hence your write up on Cardinals. While you have the right to bash any organization you want to, you also have the moral responsibility, as a journalist, to represent facts and not twist them to your liking. I know it is an idealistic perspective but .....



Below are the fallacies in your article:



1. Randy Walters just found out the Arizona Cardinals had cooked up a scheme to charge fans $200 per seat not to watch a game.



I am not going to watch some games and I am not paying $200 to "not" watch games. As the population of Phoenix is greater than 60,000 and assuming that 30% of the folks do not watch the game - I am sure that they are not paying the Cards 200/=



2. The perfect Cardinal fan.



Your define a perfect fan (does not matter which team) as one who occasionally watches the team. According to your article, the perfect fan does not want season tickets but occasional tickets. Basic business states that you first attempt to sell the complete package before selling the parts that make up the package.



3. Greedy grabby management



If you really want to imply that Cardinals are greedy/grabby organization, then please compare the actual costs of viewing the game. What is the cost of the ticket, parking, concessions etc. Does it cost you to watch the practice game (ala Redskins).



The bottom line is that folks wanting a single ticket will have to wait till the prospective season ticket holders are satisfied. The real fans will buy a season ticket and hence are willing to pay a deposit. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush. Cardinal's response to accurate as it cannot respond to the so called one game perfect fan.



Regards



A poor cardinal fan that cannot afford tickets, but will get to see all the games as they will be televised.



------------------

My email to ed

 

[DeAnna]

Time for an email blitz.

Done.

 

[NuttinButTDs]

Mr Montini -



It seems that you and the non-cardinal fans are miffed about your chances of getting a single ticket to a game and hence your write up on Cardinals. While you have the right to bash any organization you want to, you also have the moral responsibility, as a journalist, to represent facts and not twist them to your liking. I know it is an idealistic perspective but .....



Below are the fallacies in your article:



1. Randy Walters just found out the Arizona Cardinals had cooked up a scheme to charge fans $200 per seat not to watch a game.



I am not going to watch some games and I am not paying $200 to "not" watch games. As the population of Phoenix is greater than 60,000 and assuming that 30% of the folks do not watch the game - I am sure that they are not paying the Cards 200/=



2. The perfect Cardinal fan.



Your define a perfect fan (does not matter which team) as one who occasionally watches the team. According to your article, the perfect fan does not want season tickets but occasional tickets. Basic business states that you first attempt to sell the complete package before selling the parts that make up the package.



3. Greedy grabby management



If you really want to imply that Cardinals are greedy/grabby organization, then please compare the actual costs of viewing the game. What is the cost of the ticket, parking, concessions etc. Does it cost you to watch the practice game (ala Redskins).



The bottom line is that folks wanting a single ticket will have to wait till the prospective season ticket holders are satisfied. The real fans will buy a season ticket and hence are willing to pay a deposit. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush. Cardinal's response to accurate as it cannot respond to the so called one game perfect fan.



Regards



A poor cardinal fan that cannot afford tickets, but will get to see all the games as they will be televised.



------------------

My email to ed

his reply --

I don't believe that one's pocketbook determines whether he or she is a
"serious" fan. My family were very serious football fans who never in a
million years could have afforded season tickets.

We could -- and did -- buy the occasional single game ticket. But that
is
something we also could not have afforded if there was a big fat
"deposit"
required just to stand in line.

Therefore, what the Cardinals have done is to create a situation where
no
family on a tight budget will ever be able to afford to attend a game.
Which makes that $455 million stadium the personal playground of a
select
group of about 60,000 Valley residents.

That hardly seems fair. Even the poor contributed their tax dollars.
---------------------------

 

[NEZCardsfan]

Montini has a canned response. Now, he'll probably be able to make a second article printing out some of these emails.

My solution to the Republic is to igore it.

 

[Brighteyes]

Montini sent me a very similar reply. Here's my response - he hasn't answered this one yet.

RE: PLEASE

I don't think you understand the point, Ed.

The Cardinals were faced with the same choice other teams are faced with: demand exceeding capacity. It's actually a good thing.

This means decisions must be made on the allocation of the limited single game tickets available. Whatever is decided, someone's going to be unhappy. The Steelers, by the way, handle that by having everyone submit mail-in requests, and going purely on a first come, first serve basis.

As for the 'poorest of the poor', I wish you would stop using deliberately provoking and misleading phrases. The poorest of the poor are in Calcutta, not emailing you because they can't see a Steeler's game this year. By the way, the other phrase you keep using is also incorrect -- taxes for the stadium came from visitor's taxes on hotel and rental cars. NOT Phoenix residents.

I have no problem with your suggesting another way to allocate these tickets might be better. What annoys me no end is your 'hyping' of the situation, trying to make the Cardinals seem stupid or evil, and deliberately overstating facts.

But then if you didn't, your editor would never have printed it, would he?

 

[JasonKGME]

his reply --

I don't believe that one's pocketbook determines whether he or she is a
"serious" fan. My family were very serious football fans who never in a
million years could have afforded season tickets.

We could -- and did -- buy the occasional single game ticket. But that
is
something we also could not have afforded if there was a big fat
"deposit"
required just to stand in line.

Therefore, what the Cardinals have done is to create a situation where
no
family on a tight budget will ever be able to afford to attend a game.
Which makes that $455 million stadium the personal playground of a
select
group of about 60,000 Valley residents.

That hardly seems fair. Even the poor contributed their tax dollars.
---------------------------

The cheapest single game ticket for the Steelers I can find on Stub Hub was $143. So Montini is saying his family could afford a $143 ticket, but not a $200 deposit with $143 being spent on the ticket if that was the ticket cost??????

 

[DeAnna]

LoL, I got his canned response back so I sent him another:

Fair? Big business has always been about money and sports is no different; this is, after all, a capitalist society.

What is wrong with watching the game on television? If my family was on a 'tight budget' that would be our first option.

I don't see how the poor contributed their tax dollars; I don't know many 'poor' people that are able to afford a vacation in Phoenix and rent a car (since the stadium was funded with a tourist tax).

I guess all those other franchises that have waiting lists for season tickets don't need to charge a deposit since they list is many years long (ie, NY, Green Bay, Wash DC). Presumably if you are willing to wait that long, you are a true fan (perhaps they are trying to weed out the 'casual' fan only looking to re-sell their seats?)

Lastly, I don't think it keeps out Cardinal fans. By most accounts, loyal Card fans numbered only in the 30,000 range so I have to conclude that all 30K of us will be at the new stadium come Sundays, along with 30K more who had the foresight to purchase the $10 seats season package. The only thing a 'serious' fan had to do was put down a deposit last year; but, in all fairness, most people who put down their deposits last year did so on blind faith since they didn't know $10 seats would be available.

 

[Redheart]

Montini sent me a very similar reply. Here's my response - he hasn't answered this one yet.

RE: PLEASE

I don't think you understand the point, Ed.

The Cardinals were faced with the same choice other teams are faced with: demand exceeding capacity. It's actually a good thing.

This means decisions must be made on the allocation of the limited single game tickets available. Whatever is decided, someone's going to be unhappy. The Steelers, by the way, handle that by having everyone submit mail-in requests, and going purely on a first come, first serve basis.

As for the 'poorest of the poor', I wish you would stop using deliberately provoking and misleading phrases. The poorest of the poor are in Calcutta, not emailing you because they can't see a Steeler's game this year. By the way, the other phrase you keep using is also incorrect -- taxes for the stadium came from visitor's taxes on hotel and rental cars. NOT Phoenix residents.

I have no problem with your suggesting another way to allocate these tickets might be better. What annoys me no end is your 'hyping' of the situation, trying to make the Cardinals seem stupid or evil, and deliberately overstating facts.

But then if you didn't, your editor would never have printed it, would he?

Some serious feather-ripping going on here.

 

[Redheart]

The reality...

...Martini, the Stealer fan working at the Repulsive (I am SO glad I cancelled my script to that rag), just woke up and found out he can't buy a cheap / last-minute ticket for his buddy and him to see the Steelers play the Cardinals in pre-season.

Then he takes a cheap-shot using bad facts and grandoise writing through his journalistic privlege.

I can't remember that last thing he wrote that I really agreed with.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Never even heard of the guy till today.

 

[Jersey Girl]

I haven't gotten a response from him at all, which is fine. Guess in-state Steelers fans are more worthy of his time than outta-state Cards fans.

 

[BigRedRage]

i got my tickets and was ready to get them, 1st year ticket holder and in the 11th row. you snooze you lose, jackass

 

[NEZCardsfan]

I haven't gotten a response from him at all, which is fine. Guess in-state Steelers fans are more worthy of his time than outta-state Cards fans.

Rip into this fool. Teach him not to mess with Jersey.

 

[O]

I just send EJ the Cardinals press release regarding single game tickets.