LSU Athletic Department recently launched a proposal to the LSU Board of Supervisors of a funding plan that would raise the prices of football tickets during the next three years. The proposal intends to increase revenue by raising the Tradition Fund levels, and it will be discussed at the Jan. 17 Board meeting.
The increase has been under discussion since September, and it is intended to raise revenue levels to those of other athletic departments across the nation.
The intent behind the increase is to help fund operating expenses such as coaches’ salares, travel and utilities.
Half of the first-year $5 increase would contribute to the construction costs of a new band hall for the Tiger Marching Band.
The Athletic Department uses no state tax revenues or student fees to pay for the continued operation of varsity sports.
“We first introduced the Tradition Fund in 2003 at contribution levels much lower than other schools with which we must compete on a regular basis,” LSU Athletic Director Skip Bertman said in a news release. “At that time it allowed us to address some critical facility needs.
Part of the three-year plan includes a $5 increase in the price of individual game tickets for the 2008 season. General admission prices would go from $40 to $45 for non-conference games and from $45 to $50 dollars for Southeasten Conference games.
In the proposal, there would be no increase in the price of student tickets.
Under the proposal, the cost of sideline seats between the 20-yard line will increase $150 per year during the next three years. The current $500 contibution level would be increased to $950 by 2010.
Sideline seats outside the 20-yard lines will be increased by $100 per season.
End zone seats will be raised by $35 per season.
Upper deck seats will also see an increase under the proposal increasing to $950 and $900 for Tiger Terrace seats, $500 and $400 for bench seats and $225 for prime bench back seats by 2010.
Tiger Terrace seats are currently $500 and $450 dollars, $300 and $250 for chair back seats and and $120 for prime bench back seats.
—–Contact Johanathan Brooks @ [email protected]