Browns tickets available but fees aren’t low

Cleveland football fans can get season tickets if they pay for seat licenses.

GATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICE

BEREA — The Browns have something to sell. They will be charging more for it and they will be collecting sooner.

Ticket prices throughout the stadium have been raised from their 2007 levels. For example, lower-tier Dawg Pound seats that cost $40 a game in 2007 will cost $50 in 2008.

Upper-tier Dawg Pound seats have increased from $40 to $45.

Thus, the total bill for better Dawg Pound seats jumps from $400 to $500, based on a 10-game home schedule. Season ticket holders also pay for two preseason games.

A 10-6 season emboldened the team not only to raise prices, but to require earlier payment. Last year, money was not due until after the draft. This year, it is due April 1.

At this point, the only tickets available are for renewing season-ticket holders and for people wishing to buy new season tickets.

The lower bowl and the Dawg Pound are sold out. The available season tickets are at the back of the mezzanine and upper levels.

Five examples of what is available, according to the Browns:

U The cheap seats. At the top of the upper deck, behind the ends zones, two new season tickets cost $1,500. The breakdown is $40 a seat per game and a one-time charge of $375 for each of two personal seat licenses (PSLs).

U Opposite the Dawg Pound. At the top of the stands directly behind the west end zone, two new season tickets cost $2,400. The breakdown is $45 a seat per game and a one-time charge of $750 for each of two PSLs.

U The better nosebleeds. Between the 40-yard lines at the top of the upper decks, two new season tickets cost $4,400. The breakdown is $70 a seat per game and a one-time charge of $1,500 for each of two PSLs.

U Lesser luxury. In club seats at the back of the stadium’s middle level, off the back of the end zone, two new season tickets cost $5,520. The breakdown is $126 a seat per game and a one-time charge of $1,500 for each of two PSLs.

U Impress the neighbors. In club seats at the back of the stadium’s middle level between the 30-yard lines, two new season tickets cost $8,600. The breakdown is $280 a seat per game and a one-time charge of $1,500 for each of two PSLs.

Single-game seats at this point have been reserved for the corners of the upper deck on the Lake Erie side, in Sections 524, 525, 526, 541, 542 and 543. When those seats can be purchased will be announced after the schedule is released, probably in April. In the past, that sale has opened in July. These seats cost $32 last year.

Dawg Pound seats are attractive in part because there is no PSL charge, but those seats are sold out as season tickets. Some became available in January but were quickly snapped up.

A ticket-office representative said Tuesday that the new waiting list has grown so rapidly that it is unlikely anyone joining the list now would be able to buy in the Dawg Pound in 2009.

For more information, the direct line to the ticket office is (440) 824-3434. The team’s automated toll-free number is (888-) 891-1999.