Photo Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Photo Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

“The Sixers are going to suck and then they’re just gonna jack up the ticket prices because of these guys they draft.” Some form of that argument has been tossed around a bunch by those who oppose the Sixers’ current plan. And it’s a genuine concern. If the team is bad now, and the tickets aren’t really that cheap, they’re only going to get more expensive as the team gets better. Let’s face it, that’s probably what’s going to happen. But if you’re a season ticket holder, you’re safe.

According to an email sent out to season ticket holders, the Sixers are guaranteeing that season ticket prices will not go up until after the 2016-2017 season, as long as you renew by April 15th. The email says:

“During the past two NBA Drafts, we’ve seen Sam Hinkie’s eye for talent start to materialize through his four first-round selections. The league’s coaches recognized reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams and Nerlens Noel as being among the best young players in the NBA when they were selected to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star Weekend. Joel Embiid – the consensus top prospect in the 2014 NBA Draft – continues to progress with our coaching staff in preparation for his NBA debut, showing them he is everything and more than the hype that had the basketball world in a pre-draft frenzy. And then there is 19 year-old point forward, Dario Saric, who was named the FIBA Europe Young Player of the Year, the second consecutive season he has earned the award. He was also named the Euroleague Player of the Month in November, becoming the youngest player to ever earn that honor. And, of course, the two first-round picks in the 2015 NBA Draft have us even more excited and encouraged as the draft class is starting to get real attention. The plan is working.

Everyone in our organization – from co-Managing Owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer to our interns – lives, embodies and believes in this plan and appreciates your commitment to being a part of this. We want to recognize and reward your dedication and support with two years of loyalty pricing as a thank you for this past year and the growing pains that come with a tear down and building of a foundation.

Quite simply, the price of your 2014-15 season tickets will remain unchanged for the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons if you renew by April 15, 2015.”

It’s a smart move by the team to have people lock in to two more seasons right now, and a solid goodwill move towards the loyal fans. Next year, it’s likely the Sixers will be a better team, but they still won’t be great. That’s pretty much guaranteed. And it’s nice of the organization to not ask you for any extra money just for a handful of extra wins. Once that 2017-2018 season starts though? They’re just going to jack them prices right up.