Winning cures everything, but there are a few side effects. Well, we won't call them side effects because they aren't necessarily bad things, but winning certainly changes a few things about a franchise.
Ticket sales increase, and when capacity is reached and supply runs out, demand runs rampant. Which gives the team the opportunity and the justification it needs to raise ticket prices. It seems like the Capitals have taken that opportunity, and will be raising the prices of season tickets for the fourth straight year, according to Dan Steinberg at the D.C. Sports Bog.
For people who renew their existing packages by the deadline, prices are increasing anywhere from 4 percent to 21 percent. For people who sign up after March 16, prices are increasing anywhere from from 6 percent to 19 percent.
Steinberg also notes that it will be more expensive to buy seats on the end of the ice where the Capitals shoot in the first and third periods than it will be to get seats on the other side of the ice. They are calling them "attacking" and "defending" seats, respectively.I have to say, I think that's a pretty good idea.
Winning cures everything, but more than anything, it brings fans to the arena. So while raising season ticket prices is kind of unfortunate, it's certainly better than paying less money to see a horrible team.