The Dodgers sell hot dogs for $7.99. The Diamondbacks sell them for $2.99. Why?
In the seventh inning, fans rise and sing about buying peanuts and Cracker Jack at the ballgame.
But what if the concession prices have risen so much that fans have to think twice about buying? At Dodger Stadium, a Dodger Dog costs $7.99.
As ticket prices have soared, a small but growing number of teams in all sports are offering a limited menu of basic concession items at fan-friendly prices. At Chase Field, the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, a hot dog costs $2.99.
Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall said team executives discussed whether discounting a handful of concession items would cost the team some revenue. It turns out, he said, they make more money that way.
'People feel like they're getting a bargain,' Hall said, 'and they buy more.'
The Chase Field $2.99 menu includes hot dogs, sodas, peanuts and popcorn. The Baltimore Orioles offer seven food items at $4 or less, including hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, pretzel bites and desserts. Nine other teams have value menus or $1 hot dogs for selected games, based on the fan value page on the league website.
At the Delta Center, home of the NBA's Utah Jazz and the Utah Hockey Club, the $3 menu includes hot dogs, nachos, popcorn and ice cream.
The Atlanta Falcons, the NFL team credited with starting the trend, offer hot dogs, sodas, popcorn and pretzels at $2 each, with $3 items including sweet tea, peach shakes, nachos and vegan dogs.
The Dodgers have studied whether to introduce a value menu at Dodger Stadium, team president Stan Kasten said.
'We will increase the number of transactions if we have lower prices,' he said. 'They say they make more money that way.'
That would be great, Kasten said, except for what he said was an insurmountable obstacle.
'I hate to say this,' he said. 'It's a terrible thing to say. I wish it wasn't true.
'We can't physically handle more transactions.'
The fan experience would be worsened that way, Kasten said. The notoriously long Dodger Stadium concessions lines would get even longer, and the notoriously crowded concourses would get even more crowded.
Dodger Stadium is built into the side of a hill, which cramps space for existing concession stands and kitchens and complicates any plans to widen the concourses. In 2013, the Dodgers needed to remove seats in order to expand concourses.
The Dodgers allow fans to bring in their own food and drink, provided the food is in a small clear bag and the drink is in a factory-sealed bottle, no larger than one liter, and non-alcoholic.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Braves Ace Spencer Strider Searching for Answers as Struggles, Team Skid Continue
Braves Ace Spencer Strider Searching for Answers as Struggles, Team Skid Continue originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The former Clemson Tigers' ace, Spencer Strider that hitters once dreaded, the flamethrower who mowed down batters with a record-setting pace? He's currently a man searching for himself on the mound. And the Atlanta Braves, mired in a deepening slump, are feeling every bit of his pain. Advertisement Strider's latest outing was another gut punch, as the Arizona Diamondbacks tagged him for three home runs in an 8-3 drubbing Tuesday night at Truist Park. The loss marks another frustrating chapter in the right-hander's quest to recapture the dominant form that made him a sensation before a torn UCL in his right elbow derailed his 2024 campaign. "Command without stuff is batting practice," a visibly frustrated Strider said postgame. "That's about what I offered up today. I've got to be better, just to give us a chance." The D-backs certainly treated it like BP. Ketel Marte launched two missiles off Strider within the first three frames, and Corbin Carroll added his own solo shot in the fifth. All told, Strider bled five earned runs on six hits over five innings. The numbers are grim: a 5.68 ERA through four starts this season, ballooning to 6.43 in his three outings since returning from a right hamstring strain that further complicated his comeback. "It just doesn't come back overnight," Braves skipper Brian Snitker lamented. "I wish it would. I know [Strider] does, but it's a tough process." Mar 29, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (99) in action against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Tough is an understatement, especially with the Braves' season spiraling. Atlanta has now dropped a staggering nine of their last 12 contests. They're looking up from a 10-game deficit in the NL East, now glancing nervously over their shoulder as the last-place Marlins are only four games behind. The slide is so pronounced, the unthinkable is being whispered: Could the perennial contenders actually become sellers at the July 31 Trade Deadline? Advertisement "We've got to win games, and when it's my turn to pitch, I've got to give us a chance to win," Strider stated, shouldering the responsibility. "If I can't do that, then I don't know what value I'm providing, besides getting reps." This is a far cry from the Strider who was arguably the game's most electric arm from 2022-23, leading the Majors in strikeouts despite starting his rookie season in the 'pen. His record-breaking 281 strikeouts in 2023 seemed like just the beginning before an elbow injury (a compromised UCL due to a bone spur, not a full tear, leading to an internal brace procedure with a 12-month rehab) halted his ascent after just two starts in 2024. A brief return to Atlanta's rotation on April 16 this year was quickly stymied by that hamstring strain just five days later, costing him another month. There are glimmers, albeit faint. His four-seamer averaged 95.2 mph Tuesday, a tick up from last week. The slider, his signature weapon, still induced whiffs on 8 of 14 swings (57%) from Arizona, and an even better 60% against the Phillies previously. Advertisement But the command, or lack thereof, is killing him. An elevated changeup to Marte in the first. A 3-0 "cookie" to the same batter in the third. Another middle-middle fastball that Carroll deposited into the seats. "Regardless of the hitter in the big leagues, they're going to do damage on those," Strider acknowledged. "I thought there were some streaks where I was really executing pitches and commanding the ball the way I wanted, but it doesn't take but one mistake to change the game." Drawing inspiration from teammate Chris Sale, who battled back from his own early-season struggles to post a dominant 1.42 ERA in his last seven starts, Strider remains hopeful but realistic. He knows it's on him to force the change. 'I don't think things are just going to get better on their own,' Strider said. 'I think you've got to intervene deliberately... I do have the ability and the knowledge to make things better in the next five days.' Advertisement The Braves, and their fanbase, are desperately hoping he's right. The clock is ticking, on Strider's return to form, and potentially, on Atlanta's season. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Clayton Kershaw Makes Strong Statement After Major Dodgers News
Clayton Kershaw Makes Strong Statement After Major Dodgers News originally appeared on Athlon Sports. It has been a long, storied career for Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw. Since joining the active roster in May 2008, he has remained with the franchise ever since. Advertisement Over his MLB career, Kershaw has won a National League MVP, earned three Cy Young Awards, made 10 All-Star appearances and helped lead the Dodgers to a World Series title in 2020. In his latest outing, the 37-year-old added another milestone. With seven strikeouts, Kershaw moved into 20th place all-time in MLB strikeouts, passing Zack Greinke. He now sits just 17 strikeouts shy of reaching 3,000 for his career. After the game, a 7-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals, Kershaw reacted with his usual wit. "I like that one. That's good. I need to beat Zack. That's good. Hopefully, he finds out that I beat him and he texts me," Kershaw said. The win was also his first of the 2025 season. It tied him with Hall of Famer John Smoltz for 95th on the all-time wins list, giving Kershaw 213 career victories. Advertisement Los Angeles backed its veteran ace early, scoring three runs in the second inning. Tommy Edman drove in two and added another RBI with a double in the fourth. That four-run cushion proved to be more than enough for Kershaw. Kershaw threw five innings, allowing six hits and just one earned run. He struck out seven and didn't walk a single batter. It was his second five-inning start of the season in five chances. Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22).Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Later in the game, Mookie Betts launched his ninth home run of the season. Shohei Ohtani went 1-for-4 but was otherwise quiet at the plate. The Dodgers remain atop the National League West at 39-27. However, the division is tight with the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants close behind. Advertisement Next up, Los Angeles heads to San Diego to open a three-game series against the Padres starting Monday. Related: Shohei Ohtani Reacts to Dodgers' Max Muncy Announcement Related: Juan Soto's Behavior Toward Starling Marte Catches Attention on Friday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Yankees Trade Pitch Lands Aaron Judge a 292-Home Run Third Baseman
Yankees Trade Pitch Lands Aaron Judge a 292-Home Run Third Baseman originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As it turns out, maybe New York Yankees star Jazz Chisholm Jr. is better off at third base after all—and that could pose a slight change of plan for Aaron Judge's latest title chase. Advertisement Chisholm opened the season as the Yankees' second baseman and hit the IL in early May batting .181 with a .714 OPS. However, DJ LeMahieu's return and Oswaldo Cabrera's severe ankle injury forced Chisholm back to third base, where he spent most of last season. All Chisholm did in his first four games was go 8-for-16 with two homers and six RBI. His average is up to .223, his OPS has skyrocketed to .797, and he's, at least temporarily, silenced the questions about his fit in New York. Chisholm's recent hot streak also raises questions about the Yankees' trade deadline plans, specifically adding a second or third baseman. Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller suggested the inconsistent Arizona Diamondbacks could potentially trade veteran third baseman Eugenio Suárez if they pivot to 2026. Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio SuarezBrett Davis-Imagn Images Miller listed the Yankees as a fit for Suárez, who owns 16 homers and a .809 OPS for the 31-31 D-backs. Suárez turns 34 in July and is a free agent after the season. Advertisement We've heard that idea before, but that was before Chisholm took over the hot corner and finally looked comfortable at the plate again. Suárez remains a dangerous home run hitter, entering Saturday only eight bombs shy of 300. A lineup featuring Suárez, Judge, Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Bellinger, and a consistent Chisholm is very bad news for opposing pitchers come October. However, Suárez has only played third base since 2022—Suárez initially played shortstop earlier in the majors—and the Yankees don't have room for another DH, especially if Giancarlo Stanton avoids an injury setback. Plenty can change before the July 31 deadline, and Chisholm can easily enter an extended hitting slump. But if he continues hitting well and doesn't mind staying at third base, the Yankees may want to look elsewhere for infield help. Advertisement Related: Yankees Must Pursue Marcus Stroman Trade After Injury Update Related: Blockbuster Yankees Trade Pitch Lands Aaron Judge a $38 Million Ace This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
