6.8.2026 – not a transaction …

not a transaction …
a values test – what would you
pay that money for …

Based on the article, The insanity of ticket prices is matched only by our own by Mitch Albom where Mr. Albom writes:

Even the nosebleed seats at the Garden are selling for thousands of dollars. The lower-level good seats are reportedly asking in the $40,000-$100,000 range. Some premium seats have been listed at above $200,000.

All of which makes ticket buying today not a transaction, but a values test. What would you pay that kind of money for?

I can safely say I have never paid anywhere near $1,000 a ticket for any event, of any kind, and I can only think of one thing that would tempt me to go that high, and that would be if all four Beatles reunited (mostly because, at this point, I’d want to ask George and John how they did it).

I live in a resort community.

The type of community where folks own million dollar homes that they use for a week or two out of the year.

The owners fly in on their private jets and are met by their valet driven rental cars.

I see them in their cars and I say, couldn’t afford the car insurance.

Insurance?

I couldn’t afford their gas.

I see the ladies with their styled hair and I say, I couldn’t afford their hair cut.

$200,000 for a ticket to a basketball game?

What would I spend $200,000 on if I had an extra $200,000 laying around?

What would I spend $100,000 on if I had an extra $100,000 laying around?

What would I spend $10,000 on if I had an extra $10,000 laying around?

What would I spend $1,000 on if I had an extra $1,000 laying around?

What would I spend $100 on if I had an extra $100 laying around?

What would I spend $10 on if I had an extra $10 laying around?

I think I have $20 in my wallet but I am afraid to look as I like thinking I got $20 in my wallet and I would feel bad if I found out I didn’t.

Sure sure sure all easy to say.

Truth be told, those who got it, got it and can do with it what they want.

I am reminded of the great Orson Welles on a talk show being asked, “If some gave him an ungodly amount of money … what would he do with it?”

“Give it all away,” Mr. Welles shot back without needing a moment to think of response.

He was quiet for a moment.

Then he said in a very quiet voice, “Of course my answer would most likely be different should someone ever give me an ungodly amount of money.”

But still, oh come on.

Sure it’s exclusive and sure it’s not about seeing the game but a values test.

What do you value?

I am also reminded of something I said to my wife this weekend.

We were at the beach in our beach chairs looking out at the Atlantic Ocean, bright sunshine, fresh breeze and surf and for that moment no one walking in front of us.

It was just us and the ocean.

I said to my wife, doesn’t matter who you are or where you are but if this is your view right now, it’s just like mine.

And it might be good to remember WDJS or What Did Jesus Say?

He said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

If your treasure is in Madison Square Garden … well, so be it, but be warned .. there your heart is also.