Bernie Sanders Criticizes NBA Ticket Prices Amid League's Opening Week
The senator argued that the high cost of tickets prevents average families from attending games.
Senator Bernie Sanders has directed criticism toward National Basketball Association (NBA) owners regarding the escalating cost of game tickets, coinciding with the league's 2026-27 season opener.
Sanders, an Independent from Vermont, stated on X (formerly Twitter) that "26 out of 30 NBA owners are billionaires – getting richer every day." He highlighted that the average ticket price for the New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers game on opening night was $1,894, asserting, "No. You should not have to be rich to take your kids to a ball game."
This is not the first time Sanders has addressed the affordability of professional sports. Earlier in August, he pointed to taxpayer contributions for sports venue construction and the subsequent high ticket prices. "31 out of 32 NFL owners are billionaires. 26 out of 30 NBA owners are billionaires. 26 out of 30 MLB owners are billionaires. Your tax dollars helped build their stadiums," Sanders wrote at the time. "But today, the average person can't afford the price of a ticket to a sporting event. That must change."
The NBA season commenced with matchups including the Boston Celtics against the Detroit Pistons, the Philadelphia 76ers playing the New York Knicks, and the San Antonio Spurs facing the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Sanders' comments come amidst financial scrutiny for some NBA owners. Steve Ballmer, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, is reportedly the wealthiest NBA owner with an estimated net worth of $166 billion. However, Ballmer is currently serving a one-year suspension from league activities following an NBA investigation into the Clippers' alleged circumvention of salary-cap rules during the acquisition of Kawhi Leonard. The team was fined $30 million and forfeited multiple first-round draft picks as a result.
Ticket prices for the Clippers' opening night games on the secondary market ranged from $51 for terrace-level seats to $163 for lower-level club seats, before taxes and fees. Similarly, tickets for the Portland Trail Blazers vs. Phoenix Suns game were listed as low as $50 on Vivid Seats, excluding additional charges.
Some teams, like the Golden State Warriors, have implemented personal seat license programs. This program, also used in the NFL, requires fans to pay an upfront fee for the right to purchase season tickets in specific locations. Seat locations influence the license fee, with the Chase Center's seating options split between those with license fees of $15,000 or less and those costing more.