CLEVELAND — Cleveland Browns season ticket holders who planned on seeing quarterback Baker Mayfield throw passes to receivers Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. and game-breaking runs from Nick Chubb during the 2020 season are going to notice a change in their billing statements.
The Browns were unable to break their nearly two-decade playoff drought during the 2019 season, and yet, it will cost season ticket holders more to see this year’s team at FirstEnergy Stadium.
A source confirmed to WKYC.com Thursday that the Browns have raised season ticket prices for the 2020 season and another confirmed a 13 percent increase for their tickets.
“With the latest pricing structure, season ticket prices at FirstEnergy Stadium will increase for only the third time in any capacity since 2008 while a significant number of sections also decreased prior to the 2017 season,” the renewal notice said.
“Browns season ticket prices are estimated to remain among the four lowest totals of all NFL teams next season.”
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This is the second consecutive year and third time in the last 12 seasons that the Browns have raised their season ticket prices.
Last year’s increases affected “a segment of per-game season ticket prices, including those sections that decreased before the 2017 season.
Prices for 43 percent of the Browns’ season ticket holders did not change or decreased for the 2019 season, which was expected to allow the organization “to rank in the bottom four in average per-game ticket price.”
In six of the past seven seasons, Browns tickets were one of the four most affordable in the NFL, even after the club and city partnered on a $125 million renovation of FirstEnergy Stadium. Not including club levels, season ticket prices are capped at $150 per game for seats located in prime rows of sections at the 50-yard line.
According to the Browns, nearly 40 percent of the stadium will change by $5 or less per game, while close to 67 percent of the stadium per-game fees will increase by $10 or less. Furthermore, more than 18,000 seats in the upper bowl remain less expensive than or equal to their respective prices during the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
“We have a deep appreciation for the support of our season ticket members and fans,” said Peter John-Baptiste, the Browns’ senior vice president of communications. “We will always prioritize providing affordable options for all, while looking at ticket prices throughout the NFL to determine our structure.
“The last 12 years, our ticket prices have remained flat in many areas. After careful consideration and discussion, we created a moderate increase that will still fall within the four least expensive season tickets in the NFL. We fully understand that our results on the field have not met expectations, either ours or our fans, and we are working hard to create the success that our fans truly deserve.”
The Browns increased their season ticket prices despite another offseason full of changes after the talent on the roster never fully came together under coach Freddie Kitchens and the team posted a disappointing 6-10 record in 2019.
Since Dee and Jimmy Haslam purchased a controlling stake in the organization, the Browns have posted a 32-89-1 record with no more than seven victories in a single season (2014, 2018), five double-digit loss totals and five last-place finishes in the AFC North Division.
The Browns have not had a winning season since the 2007 team posted a 10-6 record and extended the NFL’s longest active playoff drought to 17 straight years with the disappointing finish to 2019.
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