PREFERRED SEATING

• How it works: Season ticket-holders in Gophers men's basketball and men's hockey are slotted based on a points system, which determines the seats they can purchase for their respective sports. The point system combines several factors but weights heavily toward loyalty. For example, points earned from one year of season-ticket history is equal to the number of points earned for a $2,000 donation to one of the arenas, $4,000 of current-year giving to athletics, $10,000 of lifetime giving to athletics or $30,000 of university academic lifetime giving.

• The financial impact: Men's hockey season ticket-holders in preferred seating areas will see an increase in prices starting next season. Season tickets are staying the same as last year at $724, but now 75 percent of the seats will include a required donation, which starts at $100 per seat per year and goes up to $200 and $300 as the seats get better. Likewise, men's basketball season-ticket prices are remaining constant at $627, but now 46 percent of seats will include a required donation, which starts at $100 per seat per year and goes up to $250 and $400 as the seats get better.

• The intent: The university expects to generate $1.1 million in additional revenue next season from the new plan, which it is re-investing to make improvements at Mariucci Arena and Williams Arena.

AMELIA RAYNO