Seat Licenses Come With Territory

BRACE YOURSELF GAMECOCK fans, permanent seat licensing is on the horizon. The test market for such financing at South Carolina will be the new baseball stadium along the Congaree River. Eric Hyman, USC's athletics director, says PSLs are necessary to help cover the ever-escalating cost of the new stadium. Ray Tanner, USC's baseball coach, says it is part of the cost of the Gamecock community wanting a top-notch facility. For the uninformed, PSLs have become the rage in professional athletics. In recent years, the practice has filtered to the college ranks, mostly in football. (Rest assured, it is coming soon to those who purchase tickets to games at Williams-Brice Stadium). Here is how it works. A fan can purchase the rights to a permanent seat. In the case of the new baseball stadium, a fan can pay approximately $1,000 over a five-year period and be assured of having that particular seat for the next 15 years. On top of the PSL, the fan also must purchase the season ticket for that particular seat.