OAKLAND, Calif. (Diya TV) — Several players from the Cleveland Cavaliers opted against purchasing tickets for the first two games of the NBA Finals, after they became upset to learn the price the Golden State Warriors were charging for tickets and the location of the seats.
The Warriors offered Cavaliers lower-level tickets, located in the corners of Oracle Arena, to purchase for their friends and family for $1,300 each. According to an ESPN report, that price is double what the same seats went for during last year’s Finals tournament. However, the figure is still $300 less than the price season-ticket holders paid themselves.
A Warriors spokesperson said the price increase is a direct result of supply and demand. The prices have been increased for fans and players on both teams, the spokesperson said.
Ticket prices for Warriors games have been on a meteoric rise over the past few seasons, as the team has developed into one of the finest the game has ever seen. Golden State has historically never had much of an issue filling the seats of their arena — the current waitlist for season tickets sits at over 20,000. Additionally, the Warriors have sold out 175 straight regular-season games at Oracle Arena, which has a capacity of 19,596.
Bay Area sports fans are riding a tidal wave of emotions at the current moment — the NBA Finals, Copa America soccer tournament and Stanley Cup Final are all in town simultaneously. The latter of three, believe it or not, is currently the hottest commodity in all of the Bay Area.
The lowest-priced ticket on Stubhub for Thursday’s Warriors game was $359 for three seats in Section 215. Compare that to NHL, where the lowest price on Ticketmaster for Saturday’s Sharks game was $677 for three seats in Section 217. StubHub’s best deal for Saturday’s game was $629.95 for one seat in Section 224.
Steve Itelson, a Warriors season-ticket holder, shared with the San Francisco Chronicle ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Finals that his ticket prices have increased dramatically — he said he ticket prices for the Western Conference Finals were increased 55 percent, and the cost increase for the NBA Finals was 150 percent.
