Islanders Season Tickets: Why?

I know, it's been a long time since I have last posted something and a lot has gone on in Islanders country (i.e. Scott Gordon being fired, Chris Botta losing his street cred, etc.), but this isn't what I want to air out. Trust me, if you aren't sick of these two stories already, give it another 24 hours...

My biggest issue with the New York Islanders organization this year is the treatment of their fans, namely season ticket holders like myself. Now, I understand that when the team is doing poorly (like, say, an 11-game losing streak) you need to get seats filled in the arena. I also understand that in order to do so, prices must be lowered. I get it. HOWEVER, it prompts my question of: Why the heck is the general public getting better seats at better prices than I am? When I have committed myself to a full 40-game home season?

The New York Islanders were selling tickets to Wednesday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning for $18 to the general public to sit in the lower bowl (200's) of the arena, $14 if you were a student! I pay more per game to sit in the upper bowl behind the goal. 313 row G to be exact. I couldn't even break even selling these tickets if I wanted to.

I am not looking to bitch and moan about the cost of ticket prices, I know that if I were a Rangers fan, I'd be paying double. And if you wanted to hear bitching, refer back to the Chris Botta story mentioned earlier. It just seems like the real fans who are committing themselves to this team are getting the shaft by the organization now. As a season ticket holder who truly loves this team (despite how they test that love), there is no chance I would even consider renewing my season tickets if this is what they are going to do. If the current trend prevails, I can attend all forty games for half the price I am paying now just by buying tickets at the box office.

On a final note, I just want to express my hope that the Islanders understand that investing in season tickets is not just a "no big deal" thing for a lot of people. Yeah, you get the corporate guys who entertain clients and whatnot, but the people I see 40 times a year are not those guys. They are real fans. People like me. I am a full-time student, a part-time worker who had to struggle to put aside the necessary funds to do the full season. I am not rich. A lot of times, I can barely afford to buy a beer at the game. But I am there. Every game. I only wish the organization could appreciate such things from their fans, and return the favor.