By Scott Weiss

The Jets and Giants opened their new stadium last night to the delight of the two organizations. The $1.6 billion stadium, which is the most expensive stadium in the country, was built on the backs of loyal fans, who were forced to cough up a king’s ransom in seat license fees. The Jets were generous enough to spare some fans with upper deck seats from having to pay the seat license fee. However, the Jets are banishing these fans to outer parking areas nowhere near the stadium. The philosophy is that the fans who have contributed toward the building of the stadium through the seat licenses should get special parking perks. The situation creates an even greater gulf between the haves and the have-nots.

Sometimes I get the idea that the owners of sports teams are trying to create the new Candid Camera Show. You know the show where a hidden camera captures people subjected to more and more ridiculous things until finally they are told they’re being duped for television. First, seat licenses. Then, crazy ticket prices. Now, parking hierarchies. I think the next thing will be a fee paid for being allowed to stay and watch the second half of the game. As a fan, I’m okay with all of this as long as it is followed by Woody Johnson jumping out and shouting, “Smile, you’re on Candid Camera!”

Humor aside, all of this is real. Woody won’t be jumping out and shouting anything other than “Show me the money, Jets Fans.” If fans are not represented, the latest parking dis will just be another in a never ending cycle of abuses.

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Scott Weiss is the Local Chapter Chair for SFC-New York/New Jersey. He has been involved in the sports fans advocacy movement since 2000. He is a life long fan of the Mets, Jets, Knicks, and Rangers.

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