Terry Foster: How Can Fans Complain About Beer Prices?
I am not one who complains about high beer prices at stadiums.
There are two ways to look at it. It is an awful tax fans pay to help pay for a team on the field. And secondly, if you don't like it then don't pay for it. That is what I choose most times I go to games.
These comments come on the heels of a USA Today report saying the Lions charge more for beer than anybody else in the NFL. And it isn't even close. The Lions charge an average of 67 cents per ounce according to teammarketing.com.
It adds up to a lot of jack considering the Lions beer price is 14 cents more than the Dallas Cowboys, which came second in the survey. Jacksonville came in last at 27 cents per ounce.
I can understand why the Cowboys charge so much. They play in Jerry Dome and are one of the highest profile teams in the NFL. People roll into that stadium throwing their money away. The Lions history, especially recently, isn't as rich. The Lions have been one of the bottom feeders in the league so how do they get away with it?
The Lions say the report is "entirely bogus," adding their cheapest offering, a 16-oz bottle for $8.50, comes out to 53 cents an ounce, and their $9 20-oz draft comes out to 45 cents an ounce.
That's still a lot of money -- so why is it happening?
Well, first of all they do not set the prices. The firm that has the beer contract at Ford Field does. The most important thing is you are willing to pay it. People complain about $8 and $10 beers. But they still buy them. Most men feel they need to get a brew or two at the stadium to make their visit complete, no matter how expensive.
If you want a deal go to Comerica Park. The Tigers charge 42 cents per ounce, which is tied for 11th in Major League Baseball with Tampa Bay and San Francisco. The Red Sox lead the way at 60 cents per ounce.
So when you see the Lions' prices does it tick you off or do you simply shrug and pay it?
(Foster can be reached via email at Terry.Foster@cbsradio.com . Twitter: TerryFoster971.)
