Economy dips and fans react
— -- USA TODAY asked sports fans how rising ticket prices and the slumping U.S. economy is impacting their sports budgets. Some say they are dropping out of live sports completely to save money. Others are dropping season tickets or spending less on concessions and merchandise.
Other die-hards say nothing beats live sporting events. They'll go to games no matter what. Here's what 10 sports fans are saying:
"The economy is hurting the sports budget." —Ted Gryfinski, Chicago
"My spending on my personal sports tickets will remain unchanged, which is Florida Gator sports such as football and basketball. Spending once I get there will depend upon the current economy relative to other factors ... gas, hotel, and related travel costs. I will not cancel!" —Kevin Rinker, Orlando
"I'm originally from Attleboro, Mass., and I'm a huge sports fan of all Boston teams both college and pro. The one team that is closest to my heart is the Red Sox. Each year my wife, Annette and I try to make it back to New England to catch either a Red Sox or Patriots game. My first game at Fenway was back in 1957. I have an extensive collection of Red Sox memorabilia which I've collected over the past 50 years, including a ticket from the 1948 World Series between the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Braves. I have no intention of letting the current economic conditions alter my plans for the future. Both my wife and I were in attendance of the 2008 Opening Day game this year and I'm already in the process of to acquiring tickets for Opening Day of the 2009 season at Fenway." —Alan Magnin, Hill Air Force Base, Utah
"I won't attend another Detroit Lions game until they prove to me that they are competitive. Matt Millen did not fair well up in Detroit, but that organization stunk long before Mr. Millen arrived at the scene. I wish they would dissolve the whole team!! The Detroit Lions are an embarrassment to the NFL. I was born a little too late I suppose, because if you were to look at the Detroit Lions history during the 1950s ... they dominated. The Lions won four division titles and three world championships, which are now referred to as Super Bowls. I was born in 1957 so I did not get the pleasure of seeing a winner." —Brian Blight, Peoria
