2014 admission hikes for Belmont, Saratoga: GA $5, Clubhouse $8

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

Did I ask why? I don't think so. I asked if Arlington gets slots money.

I don't mind discussing the reasons, I'm just saying most bettors/fans don't care about the why. Honestly, why should they?

They should care because it matters. I dont expect anyone to like paying more especially when they throw the "better experience" nonsense at you with absolutely no detail as to what that entails. But it is like saying that NBA fans should ignore the salary cap when talking potential trades.

Hell Kay more or less admits what they are doing here.

Personally I'd be for no charge for admission at Belmont and an upcharge for "premium" area's but NYRA can't do that because the state wont let them give the gate away. Not to mention they need the extra revenue to make the books balance for the 2014 budget. This board is acting in the short term because for most of them that is all there is going to be. If the state was serious about growing racing, Kay and this board wouldnt be in charge.

Essentially Cuomo is the villan here, Skolrton is the hatchet man and Kay is Baghdad Bob

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

They should care because it matters. I dont expect anyone to like paying more especially when they throw the "better experience" nonsense at you with absolutely no detail as to what that entails. But it is like saying that NBA fans should ignore the salary cap when talking potential trades.

Hell Kay more or less admits what they are doing here.

Personally I'd be for no charge for admission at Belmont and an upcharge for "premium" area's but NYRA can't do that because the state wont let them give the gate away. Not to mention they need the extra revenue to make the books balance for the 2014 budget. This board is acting in the short term because for most of them that is all there is going to be. If the state was serious about growing racing, Kay and this board wouldnt be in charge.

Essentially Cuomo is the villan here, Skolrton is the hatchet man and Kay is Baghdad Bob

Most NBA fans don't understand the cap, and most racing fans don't care who the villain is.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

Most NBA fans don't understand the cap, and most racing fans don't care who the villain is.

However for people that do understand these things (and pretty much everyone who has posted in this thread gets it or should get it), having a conversation while readily ignoring the political issues is pointless.

Think about why Harden got traded. Can you have a legitimate conversation about that topic without talking about the salary cap implications that precipitated it? This isnt much different.

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

Most NBA fans don't understand the cap, and most racing fans don't care who the villain is.

So anyone capable of abstract thought should simply go along with the mob that isn't interested in or capable of comprehending the motivating factors.. Got it.

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by Kasept

So anyone capable of abstract thought should simply go along with the mob that isn't interested in or capable of comprehending the motivating factors.. Got it.

That isn't what I am saying at all. Even people that understand the WHY don't have to agree with it. Obviously many don't, judging by the board meeting and the Crist article, and several others I've seen from people that do understand.

I was just making the point that 95% or more of the customers that go to Belmont or Saratoga won't know why this happened. When prices go up, consumers make a decision to either still buy, buy less, or buy none at all. The justification of the price raise is not a major factor in the decision for most people.

Like I said, lets see what happens. I think we'll see another decline in attendance at Saratoga. I hope I'm wrong.