Daily Bruin File Photo A ticket to a WNBA Sparks game is a less expensive alternative to a NBA Lakers ticket.
By Will Whitehorn
Daily Bruin Reporter
Contrary to popular belief, the Los Angeles Lakers are not the only show in town – just the most expensive.
The Los Angeles area hosts a bevy of professional sports franchises, and hidden behind the luster of Tinseltown’s darling Lakers are some of the best ticket deals in town.
For those with ambitions of stargazing at the Staples Center, the Lakers’ historic success had made ticket availability tighter than a Britney Spears outfit, and the prices reflect it. Tickets start at $21, if the average spectator doesn’t mind altitude, and top out at $160 for mid-court seating.
For courtside seats, find an agent.
“The Laker games are for the elite people to go to,” said Loida Begley, a UCLA graduate student and a late-season Clipper ticket purchaser. “The (Lakers fans) who are actually from the city are kind of left out. I knew I wouldn’t be able to get any Laker tickets.”
However, the Lakers’ success has inadvertently made attending a game by L.A.’s “other” NBA team, the Clippers, more feasible. Despite playing in the shadow of the champs, the Clippers, featuring burgeoning stars Lamar Odom and Darius Miles, improved by 16 games to a promising 31-51 record in the tough Western Conference last season. For half the price of Laker tickets, basketball fans are likely to see an exciting game with the same caliber competition the Lakers play.
Clipper tickets start at $10 for upper-deck seating and climb to $26 for primo views. Loge, or lower level seating, begins at $35 and climbs to $100 at mid-court.
“The Staples Center is a nice place,” said Begley, who purchased seats in the building’s upper tier. “I don’t really think there are that many bad seats.”
However, if you would rather watch a pro basketball team that has a chance to raise a championship banner this season, The Sparks of the WNBA may be the ticket for you.
The Sparks, who established a new WNBA record by opening this season with nine straight wins, are Staples Center’s newest tenants. Their tickets range in price from a bargain $7.50 to a reasonable $35 for floor seats.
Compared to basketball prices, game tickets for Los Angeles’ oldest professional sports institution, the Dodgers, are arguably a better deal. Led by Cy Young candidate Kevin Brown and All-Star Gary Sheffield, the Dodgers are currently in the thick of the race for the NL West’s top spot, promising competitive baseball at a reasonable price this summer. Game tickets for the Boys in Blue start at $6 for outfield and upper-deck chairs, and with 81 home games per season, ticket availability is usually a non-issue. The best field views, according to the Dodgers, are in the Blue-Preferred section between home plate and first base and run a still-affordable $15. The most expensive individual seat in the house is $32.
Reasonably priced attendance also includes Los Angeles’ Major League Soccer team, the Galaxy. Boasting a roster loaded with Olympic athletes, the Galaxy is a perennial contender for the MLS Cup. Tickets are $11 at the gate, $16 for reserved and $20 for preferred seats. Their season runs through September. For the best deal, the Galaxy recommends buying tickets in groups. The Galaxy family package runs $59, and includes tickets, drinks, food and souvenirs for four people.
Last but not least, the Los Angeles Avengers, L.A.’s Arena Football League representative, is a team that also offers great deals for admission. For the true football buffs, the AFL combines high scoring with limited defense, and tickets run considerably less then the average $50 nosebleed seat for a National Football League game.
“I think it’s a game for sports fans as well as entertainment fans,” said Valerie Lindeman-Shaw, vice president of sales and marketing for the Avengers. “It’s much quicker than an NFL game with a lot more scoring and more touchdowns.
“Even if you’re not a fan of the sport, there are video clips, music clips and a great dance team,” Lindeman-Shaw added. “It’s a lot of entertainment.”
Avenger tickets start at $9 and run upward of $45. A season ticket for all seven Staples Center home games can be purchased for as little as $52.50. The Avengers are also considering offering student discounts for the 2000-2001 season.
“On a college budget, $52.50 for seven games is a great deal,” Lindeman-Shaw said.
The scrutinizing sports fan will notice that there are quite a few great deals available in L.A.