After taking on record-setting payrolls in recent seasons, the Los Angeles Dodgers have delivered two straight World Series championships to their fans with a good chance of capturing a third.
But along with the exorbitant spending by the front office, the team has passed on something a little less welcomed to its fans.
“According to the ticket site TickPick, prices for the team’s Opening Day game … against the Arizona Diamondbacks are hitting record highs, with an average purchase price of $392 on the resale market,” Jack Harris reported for the New York Post. “That marks the highest price for an MLB home-opener on record, according to TickPick. It is also the most expensive price ever for a regular-season game played at an MLB ballpark.”
Los Angeles Dodgers Spark Outrage With Shohei Ohtani Souvenir Cup
In addition to rising ticket prices, Dodgers fans face head-turning costs for parking, concessions and apparel. Most recently, the team introduced a souvenir cup designed to replicate superstar Shohe Ohtani’s uniform, which caused some outrage among Los Angeles faithful.
“Dodger Stadium is offering a ‘limited edition souvenir’ commemorating the All-Star. The cup is made of a textured plastic to resemble Ohtani’s jersey,” Ross O’Keefe noted for the Post. “Visitors predictably called out the cup’s outrageous price tag.”
After taxes, the cup costs about $82, as one fan on TikTok pointed out in a video that has garnered more than 23,000 likes.
Though the cup cost more than some game tickets, it should be noted that the souvenir comes with unlimited refills. After six refills, the cost would become equivalent to purchasing that number of individual drinks at the stadium.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Sold-Out Shohei Ohtani Souvenir Sells For $250 Online
And as a collectible featuring the Dodgers’ most popular player, the cup might actually be worth much more than its sticker price to some fans.
“While the exact number of Ohtani souvenir cups produced is unclear, they reportedly sold out during Saturday’s game,” according to The Athletic’s Brooks Peck. “By Sunday, several were listed on eBay, with two quickly selling for $250 each. A third sold at $290.”
After the cups seemed to find their collectible price of $250 online, those fans who did manage to buy one for about $80 at Dodgers Stadium might have gotten themselves a steal. And those who were outraged by the price after already paying so much to see the team in person might be feeling like they inadvertently passed up one of the few deals they could have found at a Dodgers game this season.
