Paying $500 for a ticket is conspicuous consumption, and I have no problem at all with Ticketmaster, or anybody else, gouging people as much money as they possi

Paying $500 for a ticket is conspicuous consumption, and I have no problem at all with Ticketmaster, or anybody else, gouging people as much money as they possibly can. The problem I have, is that most of these facilities are publicly owned, while the team is a for-profit adventure, and thus heavily subsidized under the fake notion that it's good for the community, when in fact the community is being screwed over. If this were really anything approaching free market, there'd be none of that. But the massive public subsidy is why there's downward pressure on ticket prices and why you see scalping. I suggest looking for junior clubs, college games, or one of many pro sports leagues you've never heard of (lacrosse, rugby, arena football). I pay $35/game for 4th row from the glass seats at one of the best college hockey teams in the country, and it's way more interesting than NHL hockey where that same ticket would cost $250.