However, the Maple Leafs have been the butt of many jokes due to their history of playoff disappointments, although they have had exceptional seasons, particularly during the Matthews-Marner era.
The old saying goes, "There's always next year," and with new General Manager Brad Treliving at the helm and the recent changes he has made to the team, there is hope for a successful season and a long playoff run.
Nevertheless, the reality remains that ticket prices, food prices, and all other associated costs are exorbitant, making it challenging for the average family of four to attend a game.
According to a report by the US Betting Report, they conducted a study using the "Fan Cost Index," which measures the total cost of taking a family of four to a game. This index factors in ticket prices, two small beers, four small soft drinks, four hot dogs, one-hour parking, two game programs, and two cheap adult-size hats.
The Maple Leafs had a Fan Cost Index of $631.15 in 2012, which increased to $697.75 in 2022, representing a percentage change of 11%. Following the Leafs in the rankings were two expansion clubs, Seattle ($672.89) and Vegas ($649.72), with the New York Rangers ($645.42) and the Chicago Blackhawks ($573.76) rounding out the top 5.
MLSE, backed by Canada's two major telco companies, Rogers and Bell, possesses substantial financial resources. Despite this, many feel that their ticket prices should be lowered to allow more people to enjoy the experience of attending games.
POLL | ||
Would you pay those kinds of prices to watch a hockey game? | ||
Yes | 6 | 6.9 % |
No | 81 | 93.1 % |
List of polls |