New York Giants co-owner John Mara was on WFAN this afternoon explaining why the Giants charge one to twenty thousand dollars for the right to buy a ticket to a Giants game. That's right. You don't get anything for your money except the right to hand over more money. Mr. Mara says it is not a burden on Giants fans because they can take out a bank loan to pay for this "personal seat license". The Giants ownership figures that the fans will suck it up and fork over the money.

My fear is that the USTA brass might listen to the interview. Once they get the idea of how much money you can make off these things they might try it for the Open. Given that they make you go to a "partner" (defined in Webster's dictionary as a scalper in a pin striped suit) to buy tickets, they might try this stunt soon enough. Let's hope they weren't listening.

I don't think you can do that in tennis, except for the Stadium seats. I make it a point never to sit in the Stadium when I go to the Open. I buy a "grounds pass" and roam as much as I can. It's gotten harder in year's past b/c the USTA sells too many tics and it's hard to even get a seat on the outside courts.

Best deal is to come the week before for the free qualifying tournament, and I think the USTA is the only Slam that doesn't charge to see qualis.