Nothing about an arena but intresting just the same.
Cha-Kings!
Cost to see game at Arco isn't deterrent
By Melody Gutierrez -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, November 20, 2005
If you need something to cool yourself off at Arco Arena, vendor Tim Taylor is just the man to see. He sells snow cones for $6 and lemonade for $4.50.
It's five minutes before tipoff on opening night, and the cash registers are still humming that familiar tune as fans filter into Arco Arena, picking up Kings dogs and 24-ounce Bud Lights on the way to their seats.
In a one-show town, Sacramento fans say they are willing to pay the inflated prices of concession stand food and the ever-increasing cost of tickets to see the Kings take the court.
On average, it costs $310.70 for a family of four to attend a game, when considering ticket prices, parking, food and souvenirs, according to a recent study by Chicago-based Team Marketing Report Inc.
Sacramento is the sixth-most expensive venue for fans of the NBA's 30 teams, according to the study, which concluded that the Golden State Warriors are the least expensive team.
A family of four can catch a Warriors game for $174.27.
So, how do impassioned Kings fans afford attending games these days? Here's a look:
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While some people set aside money for Christmas shopping, others save for Kings tickets.
"That's Ben," said Pamela Wald of her husband, Ben Wald. The arena has special meaning for the Carmichael couple. They went to a Kings game on their first date in 1999.
"She wasn't a hard-core fan then, but she's getting there," Ben said.
He has been going to Kings games since they arrived in Sacramento in 1985, sitting in the same Section 121 every game.
"He got the tickets (back then) by pushing (on the phone) redial over and over," Pamela said.
Ben said he used to pay $18 to $20 for tickets that now retail at $140.
"Every year it's been a 10 percent increase," Ben said. "It's a lot, but I put aside money for it."
He shares two season tickets, valued at about $12,000, with three other people.
To split up the tickets, the foursome meet annually to have a draft.
"This year I had the first pick, and I chose the opening game," said Ben, an accountant.
He said they usually sell the tickets during the first round of the playoffs.
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Feeling the material of an authentic Kings jersey at a counter outside the team store at Arco Arena, Ershad Ali debates whether he'll purchase one of the customized items, which go for $190 a pop.
Ali is a regular at Kings games, has been for years. He owns two season tickets, which he has had for four years, spending some $8,000 each season for them.
It's not chump change, Ali says, but he can't help himself.
"For me, it's hard to spend that much money," Ali said. But the business owner looks at it as an investment. His company, F.A. & Sons in Rancho Cordova, outfits some of the Kings with rims and tires, in "Pimp My Ride" fashion.
Ali said he sometimes fills the second seat with his 14-year-old son, one of his three daughters, his 65-year-old mom or a buddy.
"I try to go to every game, but it's a long season," Ali said.
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Natasha Rice, 17, asks for the same birthday present every year - tickets to opening night. Sure, she's also fancying a new Kings jacket at the moment, a $100 black nylon one embroidered with purple jewels on the Kings lettering.
But at least she's a bargain shopper. Noticing a few jewels missing, she summoned a store employee to ask about a discount, while her parents looked on.
"Every opening game for the last five years, for her birthday that's all she wants," said mom Gaye Rice.
The Elk Grove family purchased four tickets on eBay, "nosebleed seats" said Gaye, for $119 on Nov. 3.
The seats are $10, but when sold on eBay, they retail for more. The Rice family paid three times face value and expected to spend around $300 total for the evening.
"It's worth it. We always have fun," Gaye said.
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Loading up the fixings on a hot dog, Russ Williams of Granite Bay just spent $22.75 to cover dinner for two. His 11-year-old son, Aaron, is feasting on a slice of pizza. Along with his hot dog, Russ has a $9.25 Bud Light.
"It's crazy," Williams said of how much he spent on his draft beer.
The two are in $40.50 seats, and Williams said he expected to spend some $200 during the evening.
He said he scrapes up the money wherever he can.
"It's hard," he said.
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The hour-and-a-half commute from Brentwood doesn't keep Tom Burt from attending about 10 games a season.
Standing behind his seats on the top tier, Burt was especially excited about the season opener.
He brought his twin 5-year-old daughters to their first game.
"That's one of the neat things about coming here for parents," he said. "How cool is it to bring them to their first game when my parents used to bring me here?"
He also brought a co-worker, spending $65 on tickets he purchased from TicketMaster. He said he expected to spent about $150 after food, beer and souvenirs.
He said the price of attending a game is getting too high.
"Especially tonight, because it's opening night," he said. "The beers went from $8 to $10 in the offseason. It's amazing."
He said he has purchased tickets to nine games for this season.
"I'd say I have about $1,000 invested so far," he said. "It's pretty much you know when the tickets go on sale. You have to put money aside for it."
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Roma Vilash, 27, found a way to pay for her Kings addiction.
"I forgo shopping," said Vilash, of Sacramento.
She bought a packet of 10 games for $700, something she has done the last three years.
Seated next to her friend Valiant Ravarra, a first-time visitor to Arco Arena, she called the purchase of Kings tickets a "necessity."
As far as giving up shopping?
"No, she doesn't," Ravarra said.
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Enrique Gonzalez found a way to keep the cost down when it comes to Kings games.
"I drink at home," he said, laughing.
In $25.50 seats, Gonzalez and Edgar Barajas, both of West Sacramento, said they usually spend about $50 each to attend a game.
Barajas said it's not the price that keeps them away.
"It's harder to get the tickets than it is to get the money," he said. "You'd spend just as much doing anything these days, like the movies."
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In the Cantina Bar on the fourth floor, Richard Iseger and Jeff Dagnault of Folsom drink beer served by a waitress as they watch the game on a projection screen.
Although they have seats on the upper level, the two remain planted at the bar, which overflows with beer-clenching fans before the game and at halftime.
Dagnault said if they don't have courtside seats, they will watch the game from the bar, which, on opening night, featured a variety band called Push Play.
With its purple walls, buffet-style food choices, full bar and Corona mini-bar stations, what's not to like?
"I just really don't like to walk to buy my beer," Dagnault said. "We socialize, too, aka meet women."
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Walking gingerly through a garlic fries-scented concourse, Darin Moore is what some would call a fanatic.
He has three season tickets and is currently trying to buy two more.
The developer from Fair Oaks uses the tickets to entertain clients. He also has season tickets for the Raiders.
Ask him what he spends, and his mind begins to add up the numbers, his eyes looking up as if asking his brain to calculate.
Not sure of the exact number, he shows his five tickets, which cost $89.50 each.
"It's the only game in town," he said to justify his obsession.
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A Kings game on just $40? Jason Taylor can do it. He gets $10 seats, pays the $10 parking, and then he has $20 for food.
The Kings fan in a Pistons jersey said he likes it when he can make it to Arco.
"The atmosphere is better than TV," Taylor said.
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