"Protect the Nest Plan"

[AZ Sports Native]

Just got a postcard in the mail from the Cards regarding their newly instituted "Protect the Nest Plan." I'd show the card if I had a scanner that worked...so I'll go ahead and type what it says verbatim:

"Dear Season Ticket Holder:

In anticipation of strong demand for tickets to the Dallas Cowboys game on Sunday, October 12th, the Arizona Cardinals will be launching the "Protect the Nest Plan." This two-game ticket plan will include the New Orlean Saints game on Thursday, August 7th, and the Dallas Cowboys game on Sunday, October 12th. This plan has been developed in order to protect the home field advantage created by our loyal season ticket holders. This will be the only opportunity to purchase Dallas game tickets until further notice. Dallas game tickets will not be available for purchase when individual game tickets go on sale later this month.

As a season ticket holder, we are please to offer you an exclusive opportunity to purchase the "Protect the Nest Plan" before the go on sale to the general public. Prices will start at $100 per two-game plan, plus applicable facility fees. Plan and availability subject to change.

To take advantage of this special pre-sale offer, contact the Cardinals Ticket Office at (602) 379-0102 beginning Friday July 18th at 8:30am. You will need to provide your season ticket holder account number. This offer is valid for all current Cardinals season ticket holders. A maximum of eight (8) two-game plans may be purchased per account. Ticket plans will go on sale to the general public on Saturday, July 19th at 9:00am."

 

[jaguarpaw81]

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/showpost.php?p=1768870&postcount=1

 

[azsouthendzone]

Good for the Cards. I personally would have added another game. I heard they were 95% close to selling out the whole season. This is probably a way to help the sales of the Saints game and to piss off a few Cowboys fans in the process.

 

[CardLogic]

They should have made the other game a real game, not pre-season, and they would get a much better response.

 

[Skkorpion]

They should have made the other game a real game, not pre-season, and they would get a much better response.

No, no. azsouth is right. This isn't really about protecting the nest. It's about making cowscum pay full price for a meaningless Cards pre-season game in addition to the felons game.

The Cards can't legally keep cowpatties from buying tickets but they can make it cost more as long as the package is open to everybody. Good stuff.

 

[DaisyCutter]

The Cards can't legally keep cowpatties from buying tickets but they can make it cost more as long as the package is open to everybody. Good stuff.

Maybe they can. It says that Dallas tickets won't go on sale with the other individual tickets. Amazing that the Cards can do that, but good to see.

 

[football karma]

No, no. azsouth is right. This isn't really about protecting the nest. It's about making cowscum pay full price for a meaningless Cards pre-season game in addition to the felons game.

The Cards can't legally keep cowpatties from buying tickets but they can make it cost more as long as the package is open to everybody. Good stuff.

couple reasons for packaging it with a preseason game--

1. They feel confident that they will sell out the regular season games -- so make em buy a game you know you wont sell out.

2. Brokers and other resellers know that the N.O. preseason game is worth pennies on the face dollar of the ticket --- so -- to resell the Dallas game, you will have to double the face value to get your money back. If they made you buy a regular season game -- odds are you could sell that for face or close to it.

 

[Darth Llama]

Good.. anything to keep douche bag Cowboy fans away. Dallas fans are asses and they deserve to pay double. I hope this helps keep some of those pricks out of our stadium. I usually have fun talking with fans of other teams, but Dallas fans are drunken fools who deserve to be over charged.

Good for the Cardinals!

 

[ajcardfan]

Love it. I wish they would charge the bastards double for the Saints game.

 

[SouthEndZoner]

If I hadn't gotten rid of my season tickets, I would buy a couple sets of these tickets. I think it's a great idea although considering how many ticket brokers own season tickets, I'm sure there will still be alot of cowgirls in the stands.

 

[Scott MS]

No, no. azsouth is right. This isn't really about protecting the nest. It's about making cowscum pay full price for a meaningless Cards pre-season game in addition to the felons game.

The Cards can't legally keep cowpatties from buying tickets but they can make it cost more as long as the package is open to everybody. Good stuff.

Unfortunately he's right. The Cards are doing nothing to protect the nest except making Cowboys fans buy a pre-season game they probably won't go to anyways. Cowboys fans will still be there in huge numbers, but the Cardinals will now sell out a meaningless preseason game as well.

Not only are both games full price, but they may be priced even higher than the regular prices. I saw prices start at $100 per seat, which would be $50 per game and much higher than season ticket holder prices.

 

[Scott MS]

Of course this whole thing would not be an issue if the Cards sold out the stadium in the first place to season ticket holders. For those speculating on season ticket sales, I don't think it looks that great.

 

[azsouthendzone]

Of course this whole thing would not be an issue if the Cards sold out the stadium in the first place to season ticket holders. For those speculating on season ticket sales, I don't think it looks that great.

I know for a fact that they are very close to selling out the whole stadium. They will sell out every regular season game guaranteed. With this deal they will probably sell out the preseason as well. This is a great move by the Cardinals. They know they will have no problems selling out the regular season but because this game is the first preseason game, the hardest sell, and an ESPN nationally televised game, they decided to implement this strategy. They could have tagged this deal onto the Giants game but it is better to stick it to Cowboys fans. For those upset that they haven't sold out season tickets early, don't feel that bad because many teams in the league don't sell out with season tickets alone. Not too bad for a team with one winning season in 20 years. Remember they have until the close of business the Thursday before each game to lift the blackout.

 

[ajcardfan]

Of course this whole thing would not be an issue if the Cards sold out the stadium in the first place to season ticket holders. For those speculating on season ticket sales, I don't think it looks that great.

They've sold over 55K in season tickets. With the raise in prices, they've already pocketed more money than they made last year. And, they've never sold out the stadium to season ticket holders. They've held out about 5,000 seats for single game tickets.


The regular season will sell out, they just had to work a little harder this year.

 

[CardLogic]

Maybe they can. It says that Dallas tickets won't go on sale with the other individual tickets. Amazing that the Cards can do that, but good to see.

I missed that when I read it the first time.

That is excellent! Anything that can be done to keep the 'puke fans out of the Nest is great to me.

Note to all Cardinal season ticket holders: DO NOT SELL your tickets to Cowboys fans!!! I would rather throw away a couple hundred dollars than to sell to a 'puke fan.

 

[Duckjake]

If I hadn't gotten rid of my season tickets, I would buy a couple sets of these tickets. I think it's a great idea although considering how many ticket brokers own season tickets, I'm sure there will still be alot of cowgirls in the stands.

There's the problem and the reason why its about making Cowboys fans pay more rather than protecting the home field advantage. This just gives the brokers and corporate ticket holders a chance to buy more seats to sell/give to Dallas fans.

The only way to counter that is for hard core fans to buy tickets and give them to Cards fans who otherwise couldn't go to the game. I may do that so if any serious Cardinal fan is interested in a couple of free tickets to the Cowboys game let me know.

 

[Scott MS]

They've sold over 55K in season tickets. With the raise in prices, they've already pocketed more money than they made last year. And, they've never sold out the stadium to season ticket holders. They've held out about 5,000 seats for single game tickets.


The regular season will sell out, they just had to work a little harder this year.

I'm pretty aware of where they are at in selling out the tickets. In previous years they held back 3,000 tickets for individual games, now it's 5,000. I guess that's 2,000 more opposing fans buying the tickets.

If this were the Cowboys or Raiders, etc. they would sell out all 65,000 seats to season ticket holders. There would be no "individual seats", except for expensive club and luxury boxes, and we wouldn't have to protect the nest.

I just see this as a money making ploy for the Cardinals. As a 10 year ticket holder, I would seriously consider buying some extra Cowboys tickets to fill up the nest, but I really have absolutely no interest in being forced to buy a lame August 7th preseason game against the Saints at a premium. Why not just sell the Cowboys tickets to season ticket holders and forgo the revenue in pre-season?

Check eBay, StubHub, etc. prior to pre-season games, there are thousands of tickets available. Although I pay $95 a seat for pre-season they aren't worth much more than $20 on the street.

 

[ajcardfan]

I'm pretty aware of where they are at in selling out the tickets. In previous years they held back 3,000 tickets for individual games, now it's 5,000. I guess that's 2,000 more opposing fans buying the tickets.

If this were the Cowboys or Raiders, etc. they would sell out all 65,000 seats to season ticket holders. There would be no "individual seats", except for expensive club and luxury boxes, and we wouldn't have to protect the nest.

I just see this as a money making ploy for the Cardinals. As a 10 year ticket holder, I would seriously consider buying some extra Cowboys tickets to fill up the nest, but I really have absolutely no interest in being forced to buy a lame August 7th preseason game against the Saints at a premium. Why not just sell the Cowboys tickets to season ticket holders and forgo the revenue in pre-season?

Check eBay, StubHub, etc. prior to pre-season games, there are thousands of tickets available. Although I pay $95 a seat for pre-season they aren't worth much more than $20 on the street.

Oh, I know the "value" of preseason games. As for 5,000, I guessed, to be honest.

Look, the problem is that even 80-90% of season ticket holders who would buy tickets to the Dallas game would pass them onto Cowboys fans. In the long run, I don't think this will dent the number of Cowpoke fans in the seats. I do hope it will lower the number to pond scum, "tent city is my second home" gang-banger type Dallas fans.

 

[BigRedRage]

I see it as a way to make me think I am keeping dallas fans out when really I am not only buying my overpriced usless preseason tickets but extra ones on top of it.

 

[azsouthendzone]

I'm pretty aware of where they are at in selling out the tickets. In previous years they held back 3,000 tickets for individual games, now it's 5,000. I guess that's 2,000 more opposing fans buying the tickets.

If this were the Cowboys or Raiders, etc. they would sell out all 65,000 seats to season ticket holders. There would be no "individual seats", except for expensive club and luxury boxes, and we wouldn't have to protect the nest.

I just see this as a money making ploy for the Cardinals. As a 10 year ticket holder, I would seriously consider buying some extra Cowboys tickets to fill up the nest, but I really have absolutely no interest in being forced to buy a lame August 7th preseason game against the Saints at a premium. Why not just sell the Cowboys tickets to season ticket holders and forgo the revenue in pre-season?

Check eBay, StubHub, etc. prior to pre-season games, there are thousands of tickets available. Although I pay $95 a seat for pre-season they aren't worth much more than $20 on the street.

Why should they forego the revenue in preseason? This is a business first and foremost and kudos to the Cardinals for coming up with a way to make more money and sell out the game. How many season ticket holders were going to buy additional Cowboys tickets anyway? This deal basically doubles the price of Cowboys tickets and ensures the Saints game, a national game, is sold out. It doesn't matter what they call it, the crowd would be the same either way. Diehard Cardinals fans or Cowboys fans if they really want into the game, will find a way to go.

 

[Scott MS]

Why should they forego the revenue in preseason? This is a business first and foremost and kudos to the Cardinals for coming up with a way to make more money and sell out the game. How many season ticket holders were going to buy additional Cowboys tickets anyway? This deal basically doubles the price of Cowboys tickets and ensures the Saints game, a national game, is sold out. It doesn't matter what they call it, the crowd would be the same either way. Diehard Cardinals fans or Cowboys fans if they really want into the game, will find a way to go.

Nobody is denying that this is a great way for the Cardinals to make more money. Let's just call it "protecting the nest egg" rather than "protecting the nest".

 

[azsouthendzone]

Nobody is denying that this is a great way for the Cardinals to make more money. Let's just call it "protecting the nest egg" rather than "protecting the nest".

Splitting hairs. Using that logic you could call the whole league the National Let's Make Billions of Dollars a Year Football League. It is the same thing as any other marketing tool used in the NFL or sports. Directv calls the HD upgrade of the Sunday Ticket "Superfan." They don't call it "A Great Way to Tack on $150 More Plan." I think the debate should be on the sales tactic itself rather than the name.

 

[FArting]

Single-game tickets for Cardinals home games will go on sale to the general public on July 26, though season-ticket holders will have the opportunity to purchase them the day before through an exclusive pre-sale.
In anticipation of strong demand for the Oct. 12 contest against the Dallas Cowboys, tickets to that game will only be available through a special “Protect the Nest Plan.” Those tickets will be available for purchase starting later this week.
The “protect the nest plan" is a two-game ticket plan will include the Aug. 7 preseason game against the New Orleans Saints along with the Oct. 12 Cowboys game. They are only available through the Cardinals and not through Ticketmaster or other avenues.

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Season ticket holders will have the opportunity to purchase “protect the nest plan,” starting this Friday at 8:30 a.m. A maximum of eight two-game plans may be purchased per account. The plans will go on sale to the general public on Saturday at 9 a.m.
Individual game tickets (excluding Oct. 12 vs. Dallas) will be available for purchase by season-ticket holders on July 25 and to the general public on July 26 at 10 a.m.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/2008/07/17/20080717cardstix.html

 

[cardsfanmd]

Why should they forego the revenue in preseason? This is a business first and foremost and kudos to the Cardinals for coming up with a way to make more money and sell out the game. How many season ticket holders were going to buy additional Cowboys tickets anyway? This deal basically doubles the price of Cowboys tickets and ensures the Saints game, a national game, is sold out. It doesn't matter what they call it, the crowd would be the same either way. Diehard Cardinals fans or Cowboys fans if they really want into the game, will find a way to go.

A wnning season would bring the organization more revenue than this.
I wonder why they dont they concentrate on that first??

Packing more opposing fans into a stadium already loaded with a predominently weak home crowd does nothing for the homefield advantage. You would think that ownership would learn something from organizations like the Seahawks, Ravens, Redskins, Steelers, Cowboys, Vikes, Colts etc. who all make the most of their 12th man.

 

[Lex]

I purchased 8 of these. The Saints game is a national TV game, and even if I give those away, the cowpie tickets are worth a minimum of 200 each. That's a net profit of 800.00.
The way I look it, instead of a cowpie fan getting in for face value, the Cardinals just made them pay me a profit to get in to the game. I, in turn, helped fill up the stadium for the preseason game on ESPN.
I will do my best to sell the tickets to Cardinal fans, but if brokers sell to them, they will all be in the nosebleeds.
When we were playing at Sun Devil Stadium, whole sections were available to out of town fans, making it seem as though there were more opposing fans there. In the new stadium, that doesn't happen.