The hottest commodity at Pauley Pavilion may not be the UCLA
men’s basketball team.
Bruin fans are lining up to snag courtside seats that allow them
to view the game up close. While the student section offers a fun
experience and cheap tickets at seven dollars each, courtside spots
are $10,000 a seat.
It’s expensive, but people are buying into it.
“I like them, because they have a softer seat,” said
Tony Thompson during the season’s first game.
“It’s worth it and it’s a good deal to be in
front of the best fans, the students.”
Thompson has been a Bruin basketball fan for the last 40 years.
Years ago he watched games in the last row, up in nose-bleeds, and
slowly moved his way down to the arena level over the years.
Price was never an issue for him.
“If you have a passion for something, you get it,”
he said. “It’s a faster game down here, but it’s
a fundraiser for the school too.”
Boosters with Thompson’s attitude are exactly the type of
fan that the athletic department targets with the new row of
seats.
“It’s a win-win situation because the people who
have the seats are long-time season ticket holders, and have had a
significant contribution to the school,” said Rick Purdy,
associate athletic director.
“We’re trying to replicate the pros and other
universities that have courtside seating,” he said.
This is the first time ever UCLA has offered such a prestigious
seating format. Originally the media occupied desks on the court,
but now the press section is above the band. Currently, all 44
seats are purchased for the 2002-2003 season and there is a
waitlist of eight people.
The ultimate goal of the project is to give the fans an
opportunity to see a game from the best view ““Â and to
generate a lot more revenue for the school and the basketball
program. The seats provide several thousand more dollars and could
continue to be a permanent part of Pauley Pavilion and UCLA
basketball.
“Nothing lasts forever, but we look to continue with the
seats,” Purdy said.