50/50 PRICES TO BE INCREASED

A minor announcement made by the Saint John Sea Dogs today is stirring some debate.

Via a team press release, the Sea Dogs released a new pricing system by which their 50/50 ticket draws will operate this season.

“Throughout the Sea Dogs' exhibition schedule, regular season, and 2011 playoff run, single 50/50 tickets will be sold by the Shriners at various locations inside Harbour Station for $5 apiece,” states the teams website. “Fans may also purchase a set of three tickets for $10 or a group of ten for $20.”

Saint John hopes to set a new team record for the highest 50/50 total amounted in their history this year. The previous record was set on April 30, 2010 with $12,369.

Basically, this means that although the jackpot will be larger, fans will be dishing out more dough. All of this for a team that already has above average 50/50 winnings for a QMJHL team.

It will be interesting to see if this new plan works out and the jackpot continues to increase. On the one hand, a bigger pot could make more folks buy tickets. But on the other hand, by having increased ticket prices, it could become a turnoff.

The Sea Dogs website states that the pricing adjustments are “modest” which would indicate that neither the Sea Dogs or the Shriners organization believes that the modifications will have a huge negative effect.

For all the debate that this discussion will raise, the money will still go towards a good cause. All proceeds from 50/50 draws at Sea Dogs home games go towards the Sea Dogs Foundation as well as Shriners Hospitals for Children.

The Foundation is also committed to help former Sea Dogs players continue their post secondary education through a bursary program. Furthermore, the Sea Dogs Foundation supports local high school students achieve their post-secondary academic goals through a generous bursary program.