The NBA Finals feature a star-studded matchup between LeBron James' big-name Cavaliers and the big-market, big-win-total, big-hype Golden State Warriors. As such, ticket prices have skyrocketed year over year and will be the most expensive in several seasons. Here's a comparison of the last three years of average ticket price from our partners at TicketCity.
Something to keep in mind, these prices always start with a significant spike, then settle down prior to Game 1 and subsequent games, but this is still a fascinating jump; a quantum leap, really. Even the games in Cleveland are through-the-roof expensive compared to last year's games in Miami, and the two-year jump of nearly $1,000 for a Game 5 ticket is just crazy.
Ratings have been up significantly for the Warriors; their Western Conference Finals ratings were up big-time over last year's Heat-Spurs matchup. As much as people balk at the idea of the Spurs being "boring," it really is true in the sense that they've simply never created the widespread appeal or interest of teams like Golden State.
Also, with ticket prices this high, can you imagine if the Warriors return to the Finals once they move into a new arena in San Francisco? You'd have to sell your soul and that of your children to get into the upper deck. Either way, this is a pretty good indicator of just how high the excitement level is for these NBA Finals.
