Wildcats take risk on fee rise
Perth Wildcats managing director Nick Marvin has conceded the club has put its ability to attract new fans "at risk" by raising membership prices up to 31 per cent.
Prices for new memberships for the 2015-16 season will increase between 11 and 31 per cent for those buying tickets in the silver, gold, platinum or captain's club categories.
Existing members in the same categories will pay between one and 12 per cent more than last season to renew their memberships.
Mr Marvin said the club's costs were constantly rising and he did not want existing members or those who bought tickets in the lower categories to pay the price.
Those costs include Trans-perth and game night costs and staff wages.
"Our focus has always been to look after our current members and if that means that we put at risk our new members, then so be it," Mr Marvin said.
"It's about who pays, who swallows the bitter pill.
"Do you pass on some cost increases to the most expensive seats, where people have affordability for it, or do you put the club at risk?"
The club has not increased prices for new or existing members in the bronze category or for people in wheelchairs and their attendants.
A platinum membership will go up from $949 to $1249 for new members this season, while an adult in the silver category will pay $559 instead of $459.
The Wildcats ended last season with 9631 members and are hoping to crack 10,000 this year.
The club on Thursday announced owner Jack Bendat had acquired WA's premier women's basketball team, which will now compete under its former name, Perth Lynx. Mr Marvin said the acquisition of the Lynx was not connected to the Wildcats membership price rise.
He said season tickets were still affordable and the club prided itself on making the 14 home games of the season a cheap night out.
"The last thing West Australians want is for the Perth Wildcats to follow the fortunes of other clubs," Mr Marvin said.
"We still have to stay afloat."
Last month, NBL club the Townsville Crocodiles joined the Wollongong Hawks in entering into voluntary administration.
