Excited by a jaw-dropping touchdown run by your favorite New York Jets player? You'll be close enough to tell him all about it. Think New York's coaching staff blew it with a bad call? Your voice will be heard, too -- literally.
The Jets announced a partnership Wednesday with online ticketing Web site StubHub to auction off 2,000 seat licenses that will put big-spending fans 5 yards behind the team's bench in the new Meadowlands stadium, scheduled to open in 2010.
"It's really about getting their feet on the field," said Thad Sheely, the Jets' executive vice president of stadium development and finance. "To be on the field, it's the kind of access only coaches and players get."
The fans who win the bidding, conducted on StubHub's Web site from Oct. 19-27, will have the choice of watching from a railed-off section of the field called the Coaches Club -- complete with its own security personnel -- or from a bar and lounge area directly behind them.
"They better be on their best behavior," Matt Higgins, the Jets' executive vice president of business operations said with a big laugh.
In addition to complimentary food and beverages, Coaches Club members will receive free VIP parking next to the stadium and can buy tickets to other events. Fans will also be able to stand in the tunnel before games and listen in to the coach's postgame press conference from a few feet away.
"We want to create a really unique experience," Sheely said. "You're on the inside."
This is the first time a U.S. sports team has auctioned off personal seat licenses. Last month, the Jets announced their PSL plan, which will cost some season-ticket holders between $4,000 and $25,000, but spares 27,000 upper-level seats from the new fee.
"I think it's an attempt to strike a balance," Higgins said....

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