Waiting List Update

by Ryan D on Dec 8, 2009 12:49 PM CST

Since the Cubs have announced that they will create 700 new season tickets from former Tribune seats, thought I'd check the progress of the season ticket waiting list.

It took the Cubs a long time to update the numbers, but from last December to now, they have cleared 94 spots (I went from 3,561 to 3.454). That's pretty impressive -- in the midst of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, the Cubs cleared less than 100 customers from the waiting list.

Given that context, I wouldn't expect many more than 700 to clear this year. Prices in the secondary market and the slow moving list clearly indicate that season ticket holders in financial distress are choosing to make up for shortfalls by selling some (or all) of their tickets in the secondary market rather than abandon their tickets altogether.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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That makes sense...

… the selling of tix in the secondary market, since it is now legal and sanctioned by MLB (through StubHub). People who want to keep the ticket rights for future are smart to do this.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Dec 8, 2009 12:55 PM CST reply actions

so were all moving up 700 spots?

sweet. only ~39,000+ to go. Of course my dad is ~25,000 so we’d probably all just go in on his.

---AC 00 00 00 - Believe

by mjk83 on Dec 8, 2009 1:31 PM CST reply actions

The problem with the secondary market

is that its financial viability depends on how well the team on the field is.

For most of September tickets on Stub Hub were selling at 50% face value. I’m sure people made a lot less money on the secondary market this year than in the past two. If (and it pains me to even suggest it) the Cubs do poorly in 2010, fewer people will look at season tickets as an investment.

"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella

by El Borto on Dec 8, 2009 1:55 PM CST reply actions

this brings me to about

16,900 for my numebr to be called.

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Dec 8, 2009 4:23 PM CST reply actions

The renewal form isn't due until Dec 18th

I wouldn’t be surprised that more than the usual number will be given up. Heck, a lot of the businesses that owned seats aren’t around and those that are have slashed expenses.

by cubswin on Dec 8, 2009 4:48 PM CST reply actions