Football prices go against common sense

This fall, Husky football fans hope to see new head coach Tyrone Willingham turn the team around from last year's dismal 1-10 record. Many are shying away from season tickets though, as they realize that they'll pay more per game than they would for comparable seats to watch the Seahawks at Qwest Field.

The base price to reserve a seat to all six home games jumped about 30 percent this year to $345, even more with the almost-mandatory Tyee donation, which makes Pac-10 rival USC's tickets seem cheap by comparison. A season ticket to watch the Trojans costs only $271.

Not to mention the Trojans were ranked No. 1 last year, National Champions, Orange Bowl victors and undefeated through 13 games.

Even the professionals are cheaper to watch - Seahawks season tickets work out to $55 per game - just under the $57.50 for each Husky game.

On top of the rise in ticket prices, Husky season-ticket holders will not be granted admission to the first game of the season against the Air Force at Qwest Field. Seat prices for that event will range up to $80 and students will pay $25 for a seat in the end zone bleachers, which is probably why (as of Aug. 9) only about 14,000 of the stadium's 67,000 capacity tickets have sold.

In the mid-'90s, proponents of Safeco Field pushed the idea that if we build it, they will come. They were implying that the dwindling fan base would be replenished if we built an attractive new stadium.

The problem for the UW football fans this year is motivation. Asking the fans to stick around while the team goes through a rebuilding year or two is perfectly reasonable. Asking us to pay 30 percent more to watch that year or two is a bit much.

If we're going to pay that much more, we need good reason to do so. A new proposition should be given to the athletic department: if you build it, we will come.