CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The Carolina Panthers’ season-after-season struggles are forcing team owners to drop ticket prices significantly. A recent study from financial analysts says Panthers beer prices have skyrocketed 142% over the last 10 years.
“Charlotte FC season tickets went up 8%. And we’re not making the playoffs even though they’re doing a lot better than the Panthers are. It’s just frustrating from a fan base as a whole, I think,” said Charlotte sports fan Alex Dzierzynski
It’s no secret the Carolina Panthers aren’t doing too hot. The Black and Blue haven’t been a .500 team since 2018. The year before that, the Panthers came in second in their division but lost the wildcard game.
Despite the lull, the Panthers’ overall game experience can be costly.
“The gameday experience has gone up about 62% for the Panthers. In that time frame, which is in the top ten, it’s eighth highest in the league,” Josh Koerbert, a researcher with Finance Buzz.
In 2013, you could buy a 16-ounce beer for $4.36. Now, that same beer would cost you $10.56. A 142 percent increase.
“The highest increase in the entire league was with the Panthers. And part of the reason for that is that in 2013, the Panthers had the most affordable beer in the league by far,” Koebert said.
He says on average, NFL teams have raised their game-day experience price by about 35 percent, just slightly above the rate of inflation. And the Panthers are no different including parking and concessions.
“Panthers hot dogs cost $3.50 ten years ago, $5.99 now. $5.99, still not bad honestly, for a ballpark hotdog, but that’s a 71% increase. Also, double the rate of inflation in ten years,” Koebert said.
Panthers fans tell me they wouldn’t mind paying inflated prices if the team was better.
The team takes on the Los Angeles Chargers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday.
