I don't know what the current donation is, $1000? The people who are already paying a $1k donation before the cost of the tickets most likely are able to pay more if need be. By the standards of many other schools, our prices are bargains. My current seasons require $100 per seat plus the tickets and will be going up $50. I imagine we'll pay it and stay where we are. I like my seats, and I support UAB Athletics.
There will be people who unable or unwilling to pay more. The department knows that, they're just betting that the majority of the fans will cough up a bit more. Bottom line is that we gripe, but on the scale of things our prices are pretty low.
Go look at Louisville's tickets. The bad nosebleed seats are $19 each purchased singly. Season tickets are on a waiting list to get the chance to pay a whole lot more than we do. Yes, National Champions, but their prices have been huge for years. In their case, basketball subsidizes football.
There are four tiers of donations, plus the faculty/staff/ former lettermen level. Brace yourself. Hit the seating chart link at the bottom to get a sense of what that money buys, particularly Tier 3 and 4.
* Priority I: 4 Seats: $1,600 Annually + Minimum Gift of $150,000 (payable over 5 years); 2 Seats: $1,600 Annually + Minimum Gift of $100,000 (payable over 5 years)
** Priority II: $900 Annually + Minimum Gift of $25,000 (payable over 5 years)
*** In order to obtain seats in the faculty/staff & L-Club sections, you must first be a full-time faculty or staff member at the University of Louisville, retired from the university with full benefits or be a former U of L letterwinner with proper L-Club Membership.
Seating Priority Levels Annual CAF Donation Ticket Price
Priority I * $1600 per seat TBD
Priority II ** $900 per seat TBD
Priority III $500 per seat TBD
Priority IV $150 per seat TBD
L-Club *** $400 per seat TBD
Faculty/Staff *** N/A TBD
http://louisville.edu/athletics/developm...l2_bw2.PDF