By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Here is the announcement from the team:
Current Tampa Bay Lightning partial and full season ticket holders will receive no price increases for the 2011-12 National Hockey League season if they renew their season ticket accounts by March 25, chief executive officer Tod Leiweke announced today. Leiweke also announced that those renewing by March 25 would freeze their current pricing for any potential Stanley Cup Playoff games to be played in 2011. This would include purchases for all rounds of the playoffs.
"As we position the Lightning franchise for long-term growth and look to deepen our relationship with season ticket holders, we felt a complete price freeze was the only way to go," said Leiweke upon making the announcement. "The price freeze combines with other great benefits like our micro-chipped jersey and an improved St. Pete Times Forum to bring our best fans the greatest value and experiences possible for their dollars. We are proud to introduce this pricing policy today."
All full-season, half-season and 10-game season ticket holders are eligible for the price freeze for the 2011-12 season and the 2011 playoffs if they make a 20 percent deposit before the March 25 deadline. In addition to the price freeze, these account holders would also have the option to "Cheer Now and Pay Later" for the playoffs, meaning they can pay for their playoff tickets following the end of each round played.
Those who invest in season tickets will be able to choose from any of three options to pay for their tickets, including a paid-in-full plan that rebates three percent of the net account value in "Forum Funds" which can be spent on concessions and merchandise at the Times Forum. Six-month and 12-month payment plans will also be available to fans wishing to spread out their payments.
Premium seat and full season ticket holders also will receive one personalized, micro-chipped, home jersey for each seat in their respective accounts (up to six per account), saving them 25 percent on all food and beverage purchases as well as 35 percent on all merchandise purchases made while wearing the jersey at Lightning home games. Free tickets to a season-opening concert and All In Access for concert ticket-ordering priority is also included for these fans.
Single game tickets for any potential playoff games will go on sale at a later, to be determined date. Those with priority (i.e. existing season ticket holders looking to make additional playoff purchases) will be able to purchase single game tickets before the general public.