Toronto Maple Leafs have NHL’s most expensive fan experience; Ottawa Senators, cheapest

Team Marketing Report’s rundown of the NHL fan experience is out for 2013, and hey, glad we had that lockout because these teams are basically in abject poverty:

If you’re not familiar with the Fan Cost Index, it’s a somewhat controversial economic assessment of the fan experience at a game. It “comprises the prices of four (4) average-price tickets, two (2) small draft beers, four (4) small soft drinks, four (4) regular-size hot dogs, parking for one (1) car, two (2) game programs and two (2) least-expensive, adult-size adjustable caps.”

In other words, it computes the cost for the single most gluttonous and materialistic family in the arena, without taking into account the expected discounts on tickets and other items that might entice that family to actually attend a game.

Anyhoo, the new Fan Cost Index indicates that you basically have to be one of the richest families in Canada to attend Toronto Maple Leafs games on a regular basis; i.e. the typical family you see on “Love It Or List It.”

Here’s the NHL Fan Cost Index for 2013, from highest-priced family experience to the lowest, via Team Marketing Report:

[Visit Team Marketing Report For The Full List]

So it costs $615.62 (US) for a family of four to buy all that convoluted stuff that TMI calculates they’ll buy at a Leafs game – well over $100 more than a game in Vancouver would cost them, as the second highest FCI team.

The Ottawa Senators with the cheapest night at the rink? Color us surprised.

But the Sens have cheap parking at the rink and don’t have a program to purchase, even though their average ticket prices ($43.51) are above those of the Anaheim Ducks ($42.24), Tampa Bay Lightning ($42.23), Colorado Avalanche ($40.62), Florida Panthers ($40.85) and Dallas Stars ($37.28, cheapest in the NHL).

(By and by the way: Maybe it’s time to drop the “Game Programs” from the FCI, considering 12 of the 30 teams listed don’t seem to have them for sale. Welcome to the digital media revolution, Team Marketing Report!)

Again, check out the FCI; do the numbers sync up with your experiences?

(And stay tuned to Puck Daddy for our annual Beer Cost Index!)

- - - - - - -

Greg Wyshynski

is the editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

Follow @wyshynski