The Edmonton Oilers are implementing a new feature for season ticket holders.
In what’s being called “The Overtime Flex”, fans will be charged extra for games that go past regulation time so that the team can offer other discounts throughout the season.
“While we realize that this sounds like a price increase on the surface, this exciting new feature will allow our fans to pay less for games that aren’t as exciting,” the team said in a statement. “This isn’t so much about the more exciting games costing more, it’s the less thrilling games costing less. It’ll actually allow fans to save on games that aren’t as exciting.”
Fans will have the option to pay the overtime fee immediately upon leaving Rogers Place or they can have the cost of each overtime game throughout the season added up and rolled over onto the cost of their playoff tickets. Those who choose to pay at the game will receive a voucher for 5% off parking and those who pay at the end of the season will receive a 1% credit rebate that can be used on concessions or merchandise.
“Nobody wants to pay more for less, which is why we are ultimately only upping the charge for games that end up going longer,” the team’s statement continued. “There are costs associated with games going to overtime or a shootout from employee hours to keeping the lights on. This will allow us to cover our overhead fees associated with what customers will consider a premium game without having to charge more throughout the entirety of the season.”
Other than the parking voucher, the Oilers haven’t announced in detail what other discounts will be offered throughout the season as a result of the Overtime Flex, though there’s been speculation that both popcorn and Dasani water bottles could be slashed up to 10% during the overtime period.
April Fools!
