Asheville News

Ticket prices slashed for Grand Slam Asheville event, no longer featuring Andre Agassi

Jason Sandford August 21, 2009

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

The Lincoln Tribune has the story:

Asheville, NC – The promoter of the upcoming Grand Slam Asheville is well aware that the sluggish economy is making it difficult for many people to attend big-ticket events. Therefore, he’s revamping the August 28 tennis extravaganza to make it accessible to more people, which was his goal when he began planning the event eight months ago.

“From the start, our goal was to host a sporting event that affords everyone the opportunity to attend,” he said. “However, with Andre Agassi and Marat Safin as headliners, we were forced to set ticket prices high, which priced much of the public out of being able to attend.”

As a result, he’s replaced Agassi and Safin with rising ATP stars Rajeev Ram and Rubén Ramírez Hidalgo while keeping the opening showdown between the WTA’s Ashley Harkleroad and local tennis star MayaBlue Stauffer-MacDowell.

The revised lineup has allowed him to slash ticket prices in half, with lower-level seats going for $25 and upper-level going for $20. Existing ticketholders can request and will receive a full refund from the point of purchase. Patrons can then purchase tickets at the reduced rate.

The event will still take place at the Asheville Civic Center on Friday, August 28.

For more information about Grand Slam Asheville, visit www.grandslamasheville.com, or join the Grand Slam Asheville group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=96718441029.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

On the streets of Ashvegas: Cash for Clunkers

What’s up with Cowboy’s Nightlife building in West Asheville?

5 Comments

Jeremy August 24, 2009

For the record, The Brite Agency is the press representative for this event, NOT the organizer. Ticket holders can get a full refund from the point of purchase. If they still want to attend the event, they have the option of purchasing a ticket at the reduced rate.

Reply
restless August 21, 2009

Curiously the "promoter’s" name isn’t mentioned in this press release. Is the promoter the Brite Agency or Grandslamasheville.com? I never bought my tix. Glad i hesitated.

Reply
greenashevilleblogspot.com August 21, 2009

So I paid way too much to see Agassi, and now he’s not going to be there and the tickets are now half of what I paid, but the Ticketmaster website states policy as: "We make every effort to be accurate, but we cannot be responsible for changes, cancellations, or postponements announced after this email is sent. © 2009 Ticketmaster. All rights reserved."

So I guess those of us who paid full price are screwed and will get to see Aston Park Tennis for $150 a pop!

The group who organized this is the Brite Agency, 29 Montford Avenue 200, 350-9500

God, I need to stay away from Asheville!

Reply
Ash August 21, 2009

Yes. I shall correct.

Reply
? August 21, 2009

looks like this event is no longer featuring andre agasse. Am i reading it wrong?

Reply