The Numbers Tell a Story

The Bears complain that Soldier Field is too small, with a seating capacity of 61,500. (But they haven’t said how big their hoped-for stadium in Arlington Heights will be. Best not to tick off the fans sooner than you have to.) The Bills, on the other hand, intend to leave a stadium seating just under 72,000 for one that will seat 62,000. I guess the McCaskeys and the Pegulas aren’t in the habit of exchanging numbers. Over in the world of baseball, anything the size of Soldier Field would be considered mammoth. Dodger Stadium has the biggest MLB capacity, topping out at 56,000. Guess how big—or small—the A’s new home will be in Las Vegas? I’ve seen estimates of 30,000 and 35, 000, nothing higher. Gone are the days of close to 80,000 fans watching Bob Feller pitch in Cleveland or over 80,000 cheer Babe Ruth and company in the Bronx. Less is more nowadays. Answer me this, then: If football and baseball owners don’t depend on ticket revenue the way the once did, why is going to a game so incredibly expensive? You’d think teams would hold prices down if only out of pity. But you’d be wrong.