WASHINGTON – D.C. sports fans know all too well that paying incrementally more for a ticket doesn’t necessarily mean the game is going to be any better.
Well, until the Nationals win the World Series, RGIII leads the Redskins to victory or the Caps finally shake their playoff curse, take solace in the fact that it could be worse.
MSNBC has compiled a list of the most expensive seats in the four major professional sports, and many of the teams that charge top dollar aren’t necessarily performing proportionally higher in the arena.
The Chicago Bears are the third-most expensive ticket in the NFL, but have the 13th highest win percentage over the last 10 seasons. They share that win rate with the Toronto Blue Jays, who have the second priciest tickets in baseball. The Chicago Cubs have the fourth highest prices, contrasted against their 15th worst playing record.
Then there’s the flash-in-the-pan-thanks-to-Linsanity New York Knicks who have the sixth worst record in the NBA for wins in the last decade, but have the second- most expensive tickets.
There are some teams who have earned their ticket office prices. The Yankees have the highest win record and have the third most expensive tickets, behind the second winningest Boston Red Sox with the priciest seats.
And, of course, there is the Patriots and the New York Giants. That’s probably enough said about them.
So beware, fans of the Redskins, Wizards, Capitals and Nationals: With power comes great responsibility, in the form of ticket gougers.
Check out the full top 5 lists, courtesy of MSNBC:
NHL:
- Vancouver Canucks (Average ticket price: $158.09)
Win-loss past 10 years: 921 (third highest) - Pittsburgh Penguins (Average ticket price: $160.28)
Win-loss past 10 years: 802 (13th lowest) - Montreal Canadiens (Average ticket price: $186.67)
Win-loss past 10 years: 812 (15th highest) - Winnipeg Jets (Average ticket price: $197.26)
Win-loss past 10 years: N/A - Toronto Maple Leafs (Average ticket price: $199.62)
Win-loss past 10 years: 785 (11th lowest)
MLB:
- New York Mets (Average ticket price: $63.56)
Win-loss past 10 years: 49.1 percent (14th lowest) - Chicago Cubs (Average ticket price: $65.24)
Win-loss past 10 years: 49.4 percent (15th highest) - New York Yankees (Average ticket price: $70.81)
Win-loss past 10 years: 60.2 percent (highest) - Toronto Blue Jays (Average ticket price: $71.89)
Win-loss past 10 years: 49.9 percent (13th highest) - Boston Red Sox (Average ticket price:$88.26)
Win-loss past 10 years: 57.5 percent (second highest)
NBA:
- Boston Celtics (Average ticket price: $99.43) Win-loss past 10 years: 56.6 percent (fifth highest)
- Chicago Bulls (Average ticket price: $111.12)
Win-loss past 10 years: 51.9 percent (12th highest) - Miami Heat (Average ticket price: $123.35)
Win-loss past 10 years: 53.6 percent (11th highest) - New York Knicks (Average ticket price: $161.93)
Win-loss past 10 years: 40.6 percent (sixth lowest) - Los Angeles Lakers (Average ticket price: $169.80)
Win-loss past 10 years: 62.7 percent (third highest)
NFL:
- Green Bay Packers (Average ticket price: $213.43)
Win-loss past 10 years: 61.9 percent (fifth highest) - Dallas Cowboys (Average ticket price: $214.71)
Win-loss past 10 years: 53.8 percent (11th highest) - Chicago Bears (Average ticket price: $219.82)
Win-loss past 10 years: 51.3 percent (13th highest) - New York Giants (Average ticket price: $238.45)
Win-loss past 10 years: 55 percent (eighth best) - New England Patriots (Average ticket price: $241.86)
Win-loss past 10 years: 76.9 percent (highest)
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