Thursday, October 15, 2009

Blue$hirt$ United

The Rangers have promoted the heck out of their new money grab, called Blueshirts United. Tonight I received an e-mail invitation to join. And, oh yes, it is quite the money grab. Unless you spend a lot of it, you don't get very much. And season subscribers get all of a 15% discount. Guess we haven't spent enough already to be Fanatics, Captains or Legends - the three levels of membership. And is it any wonder that they launch this in the middle of a recession when they raised ticket prices and have trouble selling out home games?

The Legends level is where it's at, and of course it costs you two grand. You get to actually interact with the players - something regular season subscribers are not given the chance to outside of those controlled, no-autographs-allowed forums. It also gets you on the ice at the Garden for a pickup hockey game, something that normally costs three or four hundred bucks alone. Neat stuff, but worth an extra two grand? Personally I don't think so. But you can look at the three for yourself:

Legends:


Captains:


Fanatics:


Now this is different than the official New York Rangers Fan Club. That club doesn't seem to be much of late. I was a member last season (for $25) and half of the meetings were cancelled (and, of course, I couldn't make the others). There was supposed to be some other things - a holiday party if I recall and something with the Maven - but those were cancelled too. So, for my money I got a flimsy membership card and a monthly newsletter with old Ranger news. Kinda sad, especially when they show that old photo of the legion of members together from back in the 40s or 50s in the opening montage at the Garden.

Keep in mind, there are plenty of unofficial 'clubs' - the folks who hang out at Harringtons, the various bands of blue seaters who meet up at the other Garden bars, the Play-by-Play people, the autograph seekers, etc. - but those are just friends hanging out and having a good time around the Rangers, which is what this is supposed to be about. It isn't supposed to be a shameless money grab, a way to cash in on the undying passion of the fanbase.

But if you want guaranteed Ranger gifts and the chance to empty your wallet for the benefit of the Dolans, click below to see the official invite and sign up!

13 comments:

The Dark Ranger said...

this crap infuriates me, but at least they didn't make it mandatory fees, like the Yankees did with the Legends Seats...

Soon enough, and last night was evidence, there will be three sections empty for most of the games -- even I, The Dark Ranger, willing to spend great large amounts of hard cash on okay seats -- cannot sell them below cost, which means I may give up tickets next year and just buy the top 10 games last minute from corporate schmucks...

tdr

NYR34 said...

And wow, the top level costs $1994. Bet some cubicle-sitting hack patted themselves on their backs pretty heavily over that one for a few days... yuk yuk yuk.

Scotty Hockey said...

TDR - I had that issue yesterday, couldn't get anyone to take my extra ticket for face. Actually had a scalper offer me a seat in section 55 for my pair in 329 because my pair would be easier to sell. But, seeing as I never give up my seat, I passed. Luckily last second a buddy was able to come along so it wasn't wasted and he covered some beers. But it is just sad being in that building now and seeing all those rows of empty seats.

Sammael said...

you don't have to be a season ticket holder to get this "offer" it seems...

I think I got it because I bought a package through MSG direct sales 2 years ago for xmas. I think it was Dec 23rd vs the Sens. 12 seats. It was an ok game, but having the whole family go was well worth it.

I wish I could do that again, but I have been barely making it in fron tof my TV to catch games lately, let alone making it to the Garden.

Unknown said...

Yeah, I brought this up over at Kuklas Korner when they posted something about how great the Caps treat their fans. It's bad enough they doubled the price of their playoff viewing parties the last year or so, making money off AWAY games. Sorry, I'm not shelling out $20 each playoff away game and hauling my butt to MSG if the team is not there (unless it's the finals...totally different). I'm having enough trouble paying bills and they decide to try to take more of my money for being a fan? I've been to more away games than home games in the last 3 years because it's cheaper and easier to get those tickets.

Anonymous said...

scotty, if your so offended by the Rangers, why don't you do something about it and stop giving them your money each year. either that or get over it and shut up.

Pete said...

You definitely don't have to be a current season ticket holder to be receiving this offer. I got it a few days ago, and I cancelled my seats this year.

Come to think of it, I have been inundated with offers claiming "Great Seats Still Available," etc, etc. I even got a text message from the Rangers about seats last week.

I was angry because, having shelled out the $2,100-$2,500 per seat for the past 3 years, I never expected to shake hands with the Rangers, I never expected to skate on the ice, I never expected to have my own private cocktail party, and I was fine with all that. But, in all that time, I never got a free TEE SHIRT, much less a super special secret decoder ring jersey. So, the putz who throws down nearly 2 grand for a few nights of hob-nobbing and a game in the box seats gets acknowledged for being a true fan with a jersey and a grand old "welcome to the fold" pat on the back. But the guys who commit their time, money, and voices to coming to every game and being a hard core fan? They get a 15% discount and a kick in the ass, when ticket prices go up each year.

Balls.

Jim said...

Scotty,

Could not agree with you more on this. The balls it takes for an organization with more money than God to ask their fans for $50 in this economy just for the chance to win something?

Gutsy. I'll give them that.

Send me a stamp, I'll mail you a picture of the Rangers saluting the fans for free.

Jim-Blueshirt Banter

Sal said...

Wow...this is lame. Especially the Fanatics Club. You get a $20 t-shirt, a $15 matted photo and a $5 lapel pin. A $40 value for only $49. Though even saying a "$40 value" is pushing it.

Sal said...

Hey "Anonymous", if you're going to talk tough, why not grow a pair and sign your name? Scotty has his right to freedom of speech (1st Amendment) and this is his blog.

Andrea said...

You know, if they GAVE the season subscribers the $42 level free with their purchase, then marketed it to out-of-state fans, it might make more sense. Maybe if you live far away, some of the party perks would be cool and you could plan to come to MSG annually or something. But I agree with Pete: GOOD GRIEF how much more do we have to pay to support this team?

Today's the year anniversary of my getting laid off. I had to think long and hard about re-upping this season. So I'm selling a lot of games to friends, to keep my costs down. No more pregame meals at Ginger House or Stout. But that's cool. That's my choice. It shows how much the team and the comraderie of the fans at MSG mean to me.

NYR can't control the recession, but they sure can do their part to at least make a nod in the direction of fans. ($5.25 for a box of stale popcorn? Disgraceful.) Introducing this money-grab right now is in poor taste.

Pete said...

Oh Mandie, well you posted some picture quite naughty, on a webblog devoted to hockey...

Sorry...I had to.

Jimmy S. said...

I disagree...I think the packages are priced pretty well for what they are offering. The fanatics package includes a team photo, an exclusive blueshirts t-shirt, and a pin.

Sure, people might not care about a pin, but if you were to purchase all these items regularly, I think they would definitely be over $50 since they are all collectibles even if its just a pin.

As far as the Captains and Legends packages, they pricing sounds about right if you're a die-hard hockey fan and have some money to spare...you're still getting a lot such as clothing, autographs, the opportunity to attend exclusive events with your Hockey LEGENDS! Suite tickets, cocktail events, and dinner cruises!!? Sounds pretty good to me if you're a real hockey fan..this would make it all worth it..I'd probably do the Captains package!