from Rosie DiManno of the Toronto Star,

The greediness of the franchise knows no bounds. There was nary a blush in the spring when the Leafs jacked ticket prices by up to 75 per cent. Did you see an empty seat in the house — by the start of the second period, I mean. We know the platinum 1 per centers don’t settle in until midway through the first.

Supply-demand economics are seriously askew at 40 Bay. The franchise operates in an environment that defies real world verisimilitude. For regular folks, that means their cherished Leafs will never be any closer that the sports pages or the TV broadcast.

As a kid, I used to sneak into Maple Leaf Gardens and hide in secret places for hours before venturing out in search of an empty seat or, at worst, standing room only spots. I hope — yet doubt — that urchins are still finding a way to breach the ramparts at the ACC.

That might be against the law but so is extortion — except when it masquerades as best business practice.

One platinum seat, pre-mark-up: $270.

Or .005 per cent of Phil Kessel’s salary for next season.

more