Glad it sounds like the issues above has been resolved.
That being said, Mason basketball is experiencing similar impacts of price inflation that the rest of us are feeling personally. Also we are always hoping for the program to step up its game. To some degree, that will require money. So, we shouldn't be surprised when the day comes that they do have to raise prices to keep things moving forward.
It is ultimately very much like a business, and people should make choices based on if the product and your commitment to the program are meeting your needs/wants/goals/etc. I just wonder how everyone expects the program to grow (raise money/keep up/improve program and experience) without eventually asking for more money from the long term fans. Maybe it isn't a betrayal that is hinted at above, but just trying to maintain/improve the overall program.
Sports is no different than most industries right now. Mason is especially similar to government as a public school where lots of new spending is being incurred to the point where costs have to inevitably rise.
Some are by necessity, some by choice (or stupidity), whether it is paying out NIL, rebranding, etc.
People are re-examining whether sport costs in general are worth the squeeze, and that's a good thing. Whether it's paying ridiculous parking, concessions, ticket fees, whatever...
In Mason's case, you have a non-conference home schedule that excites no one, plus most A10 opponents who most of us have minimal connection to. Season tickets make less sense, the Gold Room experience is watered down, and everybody wants more money from us now.
Not all Mason's fault, but maybe a bold re-imagining of costs/game day/hospitality room experience is/was needed before the rebranding, another cost we pay for either through taxes or Mason prices...
Baby steps like scheduling JMU are important. My plan would be to give (only) top donors more benefits inside and promote more student-oriented and tailgating activities outside. (Local businesses/food trucks can pay Mason to provide food outside) Knock down the costs of all but the best seat donations slightly (increase those slightly), also ticket costs. Still give gold benefits, but with more private events, less GameDay gold rooms...
You can't Market the team itself to casuals, nobody knows who the team is in the NIL era. Market crazy ____ Nights and Tailgate/carnival stuff, etc. Highlight how going to a Mason game is ___% less expensive than doing something else...etc, etc.
I like the new Mason people but they've got a helluva job they need to pull off...
