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what is the capacity vs. the old stadium? is it about 7-8000 seats less?

Do you know the average ticket price vs. the old?

I assumed the new stadium pricing more than made up for the less capacity.

Luxury taxes paid last few years? Is that the motivation? Is Hal lots more frugal than George?

I think they will be hard pressed to start below $200 but still will be less than LY, right?

Hello Peter, No way they could make that happen..maybe swishers salary {traded} (9mil this year?)that would be 18 mil to play with, still can't get to those #s,if they want to sign, top starter and bats..they will be at 196mil. trust me..

BL- It's about 6,000 less. I talked about it in this post http://yankeesredsox.com/blog/2009/04/wow_5.html and based on the numbers in there, the average ticket price went from $41.40 in 2008 to $72.97 in 2009.

The problem is that average is obviously heavily influenced by the Legends Seats which cost $2500 a pop at the start of the year and $1250 at the end. So, that average is too high.

The big expense is the $1 billion or so in debt they have on the new place. I don't know the exact interest figures, but I believe most of the bonds were issued around 5% with maybe $200 million issued at 7% so I would guess they have around $65 million a year in interest to pay.

But, adding it all up, I still think they are making a lot more money than they have in the past, so I think Hal must be a bit more frugal than his Dad.

Another financial factor to add to the spreadsheet is the food and drinks concessions. That element received a huge upgrade in the new stadium, plus the family is known to have reconfigured their take of the gross revenues taken in by those concessions - to a much higher level.

Net? It's not the seating capacity that you need to look at so much as the avaerage revenues per fan per game.

My guess is that the payroll number will stretch to $195MM +/- and trend downward from there in the coming years.

Also, half the construction costs were "laid off" as municipal bonds - that is, the taxpayers picked up the tab - so the $1.0B figure may be off by 25% or more.

Mitchell

Well they formed "Legends Concessions" with Goldman Sachs and The Cowboys, so I would assume they get a bigger piece of the concessions versus the old place (plus they get a piece of the concessions sold at the new Cowboys place)

As for the bonds, I am pretty sure the Yankees are on the hook for about a billion (a little more) the municipal part just means that the interest is tax exempt. Good for investors, bad for New York City.

The bottom line is we want to win. We'll do what it takes to accomplish our goals. If that means we're FORTUNATE enough to a payroll around 185-190 million, then great.
But if bringing in Matt Holliday or Roy Halladay means repeating for The Boss, we'll pay that price.

Here's hoping we resign both Matsui and Damon, while including Hughes, Cabrera and Romaine in a deal to get Halladay. Then signing Holliday to roam central and hit 5th.

More importantly, who will play the corner outfield spots if you unload Swisher?

I cannot fathom them doing that considering his production (.869 ops).

I agree with Bornwith and blmeanie, there's just no way they get that low especially if they want to sign Pettitte or another starter.

My best is $200mm even.

the boss showing up could spell Doc. melky could be gone, jays want ML ready guys , melky is very cheap ,swisher is too $.i don't think they give romine, joba yes, maybe miranda. Lets stay away from holliday,he stunk in the AL, slow start here again ,would be in his head and disaster for us.. damon for abreu $s, Ajax CF swisher Rf, rotate the dh.Cano will be better with melky gone..what does doc get 20mil for 5?