From cable networks to newspapers to angry sports talk radio callers, having actual data has fueled the fire -- with numbers tossed out that easily exceed two hundred dollars. But just how realistic is their calculation?



The coverage hit the Motor City (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/05/10/politics/main2786358.shtml) as well, with the Detroit Free Press reporting:
The average cost for a family of four to attend a Pistons game this season is $282 -- 10 cents more than the league average -- according to the NBA Fan Cost Index.

Averaging Out? - Public Eye (http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2007/11/08/publiceye/entry3473344.shtml)


You see, the Fan Cost Index (FCI) purports to describe what it’s like for us average fans. But then you read the fine print about everything they toss into the equation – inflating the number significantly – and you realize you’ve just been had.

Here’s what the FCI takes into account:

Four average tickets.
Two small beers
Four sodas
Four hot dogs
Two programs
Parking
Two ballcaps

Averaging Out? - Public Eye (http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2007/11/08/publiceye/entry3473344.shtml)

So basically, yeah, if you're a family of four looking to splurge, it will cost you. On the other hand, buy secondhand tickets on Stubhub in the upper bowl, eat before the game, and don't buy the expensive merchandise and you can probably end up paying about 50-80 bucks for 4. That's not bad at all. Thanks for the article Mik.