College sports at UW-Madison (and elsewhere): We're only in it for the money

The upper-most row seats are pricey enough as it is.

Photo by Retiring Guy

Headline:  Wisocnsin State Journal, 11/7/2024

It costs about $775 per game to watch the University of Wisconsin men's basketball team from the most expensive new seats at the Kohl Center this season. 

The five-year commitment asked for as part of obtaining a first-row spot in courtside ledge seating added this offseason will set buyers back nearly $87,000 per seat over the length of the term. 

It's getting more expensive to sit near the Kohl Center court as Wisconsin tries to generate more revenue for an era in which it'll share some of it with players. 

An opportunity to downsize the width of the arena's hockey rink to the NHL standard also let Wisconsin replace regular seats with premium areas for both hockey and basketball. There are 188 new premium seats for basketball and 134 for hockey, all carrying a much higher price than what had been available in those spots before.  [emphasis added]