This is interesting. I wonder how long before other teams, and other leagues, follow suit. http://www.usfans.com/today/today.cfm?id=848&lead=y Paying to watch practice By: Joe Frisaro, UsFANS.com Managing Editor May. 26, 2000: A little warning for Washington Redskins’ fans planning to attend training camp in July: Watch out for the “squeeze play.” Bring lots of cash to camp, folks, because the Redskins are putting a squeeze on your wallet. The Redskins plan to slap spectators with a $10 parking fee and a $10 ticket. Washington becomes the first team in NFL history to charge admission to training camp practices. Many places charge for parking, usually in the $3-$5 range. And teams commonly sell merchandise and concessions, which fans expect. But charging to watch 7-on-7 contact drills? Fees to see players stretch and run around is uncalled for and unwarranted. Training camp is the best time of year for fans to get up-close and personal with the players. It’s intimate. It’s outdoors. It’s a wonderful opportunity to get autographs. People get to see the roster trim down from 80 players to the final cut of 53. Fans get to sit outside, take in some sun and watch some informal football. Most people don’t even know exactly what they are watching. Those of us who regularly attend training camp are watching teams work on specific drills that don’t translate to even the avid fan. Coaches look for certain things and conduct their practices accordingly. Much of what transpires on the field is isolated and not necessarily entertaining football. The Redskins, though, feel compelled to charge the public to offset camp costs. The team is moving camp from Frostburg, Md., to the club’s headquarters in Ashburn, Va. Not everyone is being hit with the $10 admission fee. Just people 12 years of age and older. Small consolation. The Redskins’ $74.28 average ticket price is the highest in the NFL. This year, the team spent loads of money bringing in top free agents, making it a preseason Super Bowl favorite. It’s nice that the team beefed up the roster. But it’s not like the fans aren’t doing their part. They are selling out despite the high ticket prices. And what does the NFL have to said about charging admission for training camp: Commissioner Paul Tagliabue says the fans will determine if the move is fair. What’s “fair” to at least one NFL is a $10 training camp admission fee. I wonder how many other teams will follow? ------------------ Stay Cool... [This message has been edited by dc sports (edited May 29, 2000).]
