Despite NBA teams raking in the dough, your ticket prices increase 3.4%

With NBA teams selling in the billions and a new NBA TV contract worth $24 billion shattering the previous contract, you'd think that maybe, just maybe, the NBA might not raise ticket prices this one year. Well that would be wishful thinking as according to the AP, The average price of an NBA ticket increased 3.4 percent this season to $53.98.

TMR also calculated a Fan Cost Index -- four average-price tickets, two small draft beers, four small soft drinks, four hot dogs, parking, two programs and two adult-size caps. The index rose 2.6 percent to $333.58 for the NBA. The Knicks were the high team at $676.42 and Charlotte the low at $212.40.

Look I understand the NBA is a business. When you hear about record team sales and TV deals, the focus immediately then shifts to the next collective bargaining agreement and how much more NBA millionaire players will demand from their NBA billionaire owners. The point is the NBA justifies raising ticket prices (and cable TV prices. Trust me the new TV deal will hit you in the wallet as well) to pay for the players. But reality is they don't need to raise prices. Owners and players could make just as much as they do now and families that support the NBA by going to games, buying NBA licensed apparel and concessions could still pay the same (or less). But instead, owners will make much more, players will make much more, and the fans will continue to pay more.

Families really lose out in this system as most can't afford to pay $676 to take their family to a game. But at least the NBA owners are making more and the players will make more in the coming years right? I mean 3 houses, 2 boats, and 5 cars really isn't a good enough life for them? Got to charge the fans an additional 50 cents on those hot dogs to give the billionaires and millionaires a better life.