When the new Yankee Stadium was on the drawing boards the economy was so revved-up it was obvious that high rollers on expense accounts were more than willing to pay any price for seats at the old stadium for the privilege of being 'in the house' for games. The new stadium may have enough elements of the original House That Ruth built and a lot more creature comforts than the old ballpark, but it's hard to compete with L.E.D. HDTV, multiple hi-def replay angles and beer from your own fridge to say nothing of not having to deal with traffic and all the other headaches of an honest to goodness live baseball experience in the Bronx. Even with several thousand fewer seats than the old park and the Red Sox in town there are vacancies among the prime seats between the dugouts.
Concert business is in a similar slump. Many fans reject the idea that acts are worth paying several times over the amount paid just a few years earlier to see the same artist.
But what if it is apt to be a truly historic occasion? Team officials and Paul McCartney hope that the opportunity to be in attendance when the former Beatle takes the stage July 15 at the new Yankee Stadium will make the show a nearly instantaneous sell-out.
Now 68, McCartney first played a New York Stadium in 1965 when The Beatles staged a triumphant show at Shea Stadium. Sir Paul helped open the Mets new park, Citi Field, with a series of SRO performances at the NL team's new home, CitiField.
