Isles revamp season-ticket prices

The Islanders Monday announced revised season-ticket pricing for 2011-12 designed to give existing subscribers relief and, perhaps more importantly, attract new ones.

"We're obviously trying to rebuild the season-ticket base and create the excitement in the arena to watch the team as it grows next season," said Michael Picker, the team's senior vice president.

First things first, though: The Islanders guaranteed that every renewing season-ticket holder will pay the same as or less than in 2010-11.

For more than 60 percent of those subscribers, the per-game ticket price will fall. But Picker stressed that nearly 80 percent would see a direct financial benefit. That is because of a new perk for those in the Elite Club that encompasses many of the best seats: The $90-per-game ticket will include free parking in the VIP lot, which costs $25 per game.

Because of the variety of different current plans, it is difficult to make direct price comparisons. But Picker said on average, 2011-12 rates will drop about 16 percent from those charged for new subscriptions sold at the start of this season.

Picker declined to say what the Islanders' season-ticket base is, but the team has struggled with attendance for years. Its average of 10,650 ranks last in the NHL, even with a 22-percent rise since the All-Star break.

"We couldn't give the fans everything they want, but we've spoken to a good portion of them," he said. "We've created a plan that we believe addresses the hockey marketplace for Long Island to not only renew our season-ticket holders but to attract a significant number of new season subscribers."

The Rangers recently announced a 23-percent price rise, one driven mostly by the ongoing renovation of Madison Square Garden. (Knicks prices will increase an average of 49 percent.)

But the Islanders, who have not won a postseason series in 18 years, remain in the antiquated Nassau Coliseum, with no new or renovated facility in sight.

Picker said fans polled on tickets were more likely to ask about the future of the franchise than complain about the state of the arena.

"What we've clearly told everyone is that the team's commitment is here through the end of the lease, which is the 2015 season," he said. "We are actively working with local government to come up with a plan for keeping the Islanders on Long Island. That is absolutely the No. 1 priority."

Picker said fans who have been contacted were upbeat about the near future on the ice. "You're looking at a relatively young group of players who had a phenomenal period from December to now," he said.

The team has not announced individual game prices for 2011-12, but they are likely to be lower than the beginning of this season and closer to where they have been since a reduction in February.

The least expensive season ticket will cost $630 next season, or $15 per game, down from $25 in 2010-11. The most expensive, excluding limited premium seats, will cost $90 -- and come with parking -- down from $110 for people who first subscribed at the start of this season.

There are 16 other price points in between.

"We believe," Picker said, "that we now have a seat for everybody."