Is there an economic theory behind VIP treatment? The Washington Post today has an article about how well-known media, business, and political people are getting the best seats at Washington Nationals games.
But don’t these people work their way to earn such special treatment? Isn’t that an incentive for those who aren’t well-connected to achieve? Isn’t this just capitalism at work?
All this connectedness has some Nats fans feeling left out. In vitriolic posts on Internet message boards, some have blamed “fat cats” for shoving them out to the outfield or up to the highest decks. “Us super-fans are going to be the lifeblood of this team and they already stuck us with bad seats,” one fan wrote.
Why are the lesser-known, lower-income fans always considered the “lifeblood” of the team and the real “super-fans,” and therefore the ones getting screwed? Other than the fact that their stadium is taxpayer subsidized, is there any reason why the average run-of-the-mill fan should be entitled to the best seats at prices they can afford?
Help me out, economists.
