Longtime 76ers Fans Face Decision Due to Rising Ticket Costs

Philadelphia—Aaron Selkow, a season ticket holder for nearly six decades, faced a challenging decision when basketball icon LeBron James joined the 76ers. Should he renew for a 59th season or let go of the family tradition?

“I’d been thinking about it forever,” recalled Selkow, 56. “Those seats are us. I went from being a baby sitting on my parents’ lap to being next to my dad at games. The Sixers are more than a basketball team.”

Aaron’s father, Don Selkow, bought the first season tickets in 1968. They were priced at $6.50 each and positioned close to the visitor’s bench.

“It’s like watching the ballet,” Don quipped. “They’re right in front of us. We love the sport. We love each other. What could be better?”

Over the years, the family witnessed legendary players like Julius Erving, Charles Barkley, and Allen Iverson. However, by 2026, the cost had soared to over $600 per ticket. Aaron explained the dilemma:

“It wasn’t even just the finances. It just didn’t make common sense. We have a daughter in college who wanted to and now is going to graduate school. And we had wanted to, you know, do some fun things in our life.”

After nearly 60 years, the family decided to end their season ticket tradition. Aaron expressed his thoughts in a letter to his father, which was also published in the Philadelphia Inquirer, resonating with fans across the nation.

“It was Eagles tickets or it was New York Giants tickets or it was Detroit Pistons tickets,” Aaron stated. “The world has changed and the rate of the increase in prices is going faster than the rate of inflation. The Sixers want someone who will pay the price and that’s their product.”

From Family Experiences to Exclusive Offerings

The cost of attending live sports events has skyrocketed by 123% since 2000, according to the Consumer Price Index. The Selkows’ initial season tickets were linked to games at the Spectrum, an arena from the 1960s styled similarly to Boston Garden and Chicago Stadium. The 76ers moved to the Xfinity Mobile Center in 1996, offering more amenities yet reducing average fan seat availability.

LeBron James was seen playing at Xfinity Mobile Arena, showcasing the impact of expansive venue renovations worth $400 million. Despite larger venues, available seats for average fans have dwindled, evident across major sports nationwide.

The CBS News Data Team’s analysis revealed that arenas built since 2000 in top sports cities reduced overall seating by nearly 90,000, favoring clubs, boxes, and suites. In Buffalo, Highmark Stadium’s capacity was reduced by 16%, and more than 3,600 club suite licenses sold for $65 million.

Similarly, Globe Life Field for the Texas Rangers cut over 16% of seats but expanded suite and club seat numbers. Renovations such as Angels Stadium’s conversion, Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium remodel, and Soldier Field’s renovation have also significantly reduced seat counts.

Future arena and stadium plans are evident among teams like the Bears, Chiefs, Stars, Commanders, and 76ers.

“Everything is Getting More Expensive”

While attending games costs more, so does running a sports franchise. Mike Vorkunov, a sports business writer, explained that owners maximize revenues through premium seating and exclusive offerings.

“Everything is getting more expensive,” Vorkunov said. “Player costs are going up, the cost of coaches are going up, the cost of general managers and front office members are going up, the cost of travel is going up, the cost of sending your scouts across the world and across the country are going up, the cost of [research and development] and tech. There’s a lot of costs…”

New owners aim to profit after making billion-dollar franchise purchases.

“The get-in price for a team is so much higher,” Vorkunov stated. “The amount of losses that you can incur are so much higher because there’s so much more money in play. They’re being incentivized to treat it like a business to try to make a profit every year.”

Despite escalating costs, loyal fans like the Selkows remain essential to the franchise. While the Selkows may no longer hold their seats, they will watch the 76ers, hoping LeBron James brings championship success.

“Everybody that knows us knows that the Selkows and the Sixers do sort of go together,” Aaron concluded.