As if Cleveland Browns fans needed any more bad news to deal with, they got another dose of it on Wednesday.
The Browns announced that ticket prices for the 2022 season are going up.
Couple that with a disappointing 2021, and the social media reactions were as could be expected under the circumstances.
Here is a sampling of those social media reactions to this latest Browns news.
Wins Vs. Ticket Prices
One mathematical mind compared the average number of wins per decade of the Haslam ownership with the number of times ticket prices were raised.
The ratio is not favorable to ticket holders.
Browns have averaged 5.2 wins over the decade that Jimmy has owned the team…only the Jaguars have averaged less and yet he has now raised tickets prices 5 times…what a disgrace
— Adam the Bull (@adamthebull) February 23, 2022
Another person said the same thing a different way with the bottom line being ticket prices have been raised 5 times since the Haslams took ownership of the team in 2012.
Since purchasing the Cleveland Browns in 2012 the Haslams have increased season ticket prices 5 times. The Browns have one (1) winning season and have averaged roughly 5 wins a season during their ownership. Only the Jaguars have averaged less wins.
— Rusty Shackleford (@noluckneal) February 23, 2022
2021 Disappointment Lingers
The #Browns raised their season ticket prices for the 4th straight year. I only found out because I logged and looked at my invoices. I hate to be a complainer, but it kinda sucks considering how disappointing last year was.
— The Sports Freak (@TheSports_Freak) February 24, 2022
Not the Browns raising season ticket prices while the wound is still fresh from a disappointing 2021 season
— John (@JohnHillbery) February 23, 2022
@Browns raising tickets prices is comical. Where’s my rebate Jimmy?
— Jeff Stacy (@jstacy98) February 24, 2022
https://twitter.com/ktroth21/status/1496684348438978565
One fan noted the complaints about the rising ticket prices will be a welcome relief from the ongoing #Browns Twitter complaints about the team.
https://twitter.com/FanoftheLand13/status/1496504225882382341
Ticket Price Increase Put In Perspective
Associated Press writer Tom Withers put the increased prices in perspective by saying the Browns are still one of the most affordable NFL teams to watch in person.
#Browns making moderate raises to season-ticket prices, still among lowest in NFL.
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) February 23, 2022
Writer Daryl Ruiter reinforces this point.
Even with the ticket price increase, #Browns expect to remain in the lower third of the NFL for 2022. Statement from Senior Vice President of Communications Peter John-Baptiste on 2022 season ticket prices: pic.twitter.com/QzMW3B6pXv
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) February 23, 2022
Browns are in the bottom third of ticket prices and wins are going up, so I don't see what the problem is plus all the bad years they either stayed the same or some were lowered. #Browns
— Hokeamania (@Stogey35) February 23, 2022
There Are Alternatives
One fan noted that if ticket holders are not happy with the price increase, they could watch the Browns on television.
This person also stated that “spending more than a car payment to go to a Browns game” is not an attractive option.
I support my team by watching it on tv. The only way to ensure that ticket prices are not increased is for less people to go to the stadium, until that happens, big ticket prices for everyone. I'm not spending more than a car payment to go to a browns game.
— Love Life (@Strangebrew73) February 24, 2022
Conclusion
Cost increases are never positively received no matter when the news is delivered.
The timing on the Browns ticket price increases is not great given how bad 2021 was, but fans should remember the NFL is a big-money business.
No one will speak a word about rising ticket prices if the Browns put together a winning season in 2022.
Just as with anything else in football, winning cures everything.
NEXT: Browns Nation News And Notes (2/24/22)
