This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
After rolling up 10 wins last season for its best season ever in the Pac-12, Utah is rolling up football season ticket prices, too.
The Utes began season ticket renewals in January and sent out a notice to ticket-holders ahead of time letting them know that season tickets will cost a little bit extra for the 2016 slate, despite Utah playing six home games instead of seven (as it did in 2015).
Most fans will see a rise of between $15 and $25 per season ticket, with only the premium bleacher seats unaffected, according to the athletic department. But it's a big jump from Utah's last six-game schedule in 2014. Prices have climbed in the last two years between a $49 rise per redzone seat to a $135 rise per seat in the lower bowl by the 50-yard line — before taking into account Crimson Club donation raises put into effect in 2015.
By percentage, prices have risen between 23 percent (premium bleachers) to 36 percent (reserved bleachers) for every section since 2014.
Mandatory Crimson Club donations for season tickets are holding steady this season, lessening the kick to the wallet. But it still adds up to fans paying more for fewer games.
Utah athletics is pouncing on recent on-field success: The Utes are 19-7 in the last two seasons, with a 6-1 record at Rice-Eccles Stadium last year. Associate athletic director Ann Argust, who oversees ticket sales and operations, said the rise reflects Utah's rising costs for cost-of-attendance stipends and retaining coaches.
Most notably, the department announced Friday football coach Kyle Whittingham's contract was extended through 2020, a deal that is expected to be worth about $17.5 million over the next five seasons. Utah athletic director Chris Hill said Whittingham's contract is just one of several costs of staying competitive in the Pac-12 — costs that many fans are willing to pay.
"People know the costs associated with staying competitive," Hill said. "There's compensation, facilities, stipends, lots of expenses. There's no question it's all linked."
The department added over $1 million in spending to its budget when cost of attendance stipends kicked in this academic year. The Utes also gave men's basketball coach Larry Krystkowiak a multi-million dollar extension in 2015.
USA Today's database of athletic expenses ranked Utah second-to-last in revenue last fiscal year among Pac-12 schools. Hill said beyond ticket prices, the Utes are looking to up donations, and are expecting TV revenue to be boosted by 4 percent. Last year, Hill said, the department came in under budget.
"We're always looking at how to spend our money," Hill said. "We're going to keep working at it. We've gotten a lot of feedback, which is good. But people are still positive and excited, and we expect some good sales again this year."
Utah is also continuing a $2 stadium enhancements fee on every ticket, which began last year to pay for facilities upgrades at Rice-Eccles. After installing improved restrooms along the concourse this past year, the Utes are working on a $13.5 million project to add a 10,502-square-foot video board and new sound system slated for a midsummer finish.
Argust said fan feedback has mostly been positive — at least as far as price hikes go. Her office is handling more requests for added seats and upgrades than complaints. Utah also offers multiple payment plans and tries to accommodate those who wish to find less expensive seats.
Twitter: @kylegoon