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    Michael Traikos
    Michael Traikos
    Jun 5, 2024, 12:46

    Only 10,000 seats will have an unobstructed view of the ice surface.

    Only 10,000 seats will have an unobstructed view of the ice surface.

    Move over, Mullett Arena.

    If you had thought that Arizona's temporary home was not suitable to host NHL games, then you're probably not going to like where the Utah team is going to be playing next season.

    On Tuesday, Utah owner Ryan Smith released "full season ticket pricing" to see the as-yet-to-be-named NHL team at Delta Center. And fans were quick to criticize everything from the high prices to the obstructed views in what is a basketball-first arena.

    "Partial ice view," tweeted one hockey fan. "Why would anyone ever buy those?"

    "Only 34 tiers of pricing?" tweeted another. "Should have went with an even hundred."

    "Going to be a terrible atmosphere with all those club seats in the lower bowl," tweeted another. "Yeesh."

    Indeed, having the Utah hockey team share a home with the NBA's Utah Jazz presents challenges. Maybe not as many challenges as what the Arizona Coyotes faced, when they were forced to play in a college-size rink with about 5,000 seats. But with both ends of the upper bowl basically unusable because of partially obstructed views, the Delta Center is going to feel small — and empty.

    If that weren't bad enough, the lower bowl will be almost entirely made up of premium club seats. That means that the average fan will be fighting over seats that will cost as much as $290. And you won't even be that close to the action.

    That being said, 34,000 people have reportedly already placed a deposit for season tickets. That is more than the arena can hold. So the high prices and questionable views do not appear to be detracting anyone from wanting to cheer on the team next season.

    According to sources, there will be 10,000 seats with clear and unobstructed views of the ice surface. An additional 6,000 seats will have a "partial ice view." Those tickets will reportedly be discounted at a price of $19.

    It's not at the level you would expect from an NHL team. However, compared to what fans put up with when the team was in Arizona, it is an upgrade.