Bronco Fans Sue Over Prices

Monday, June 19th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

DENVER (AP) â€” Denver Broncos season ticket-holders have filed a class action lawsuit against the team's owner alleging they were charged excessive ticket prices over a 15-year period.

Robert Heidrick, JoAnn Heidrick and Mike Kanderis filed the suit in Denver District Court against PDB Sports Ltd., the owner of the Broncos, on behalf of themselves and other season ticket-holders.

They claim the Broncos violated a lease agreement with the city and county of Denver for the use of Mile High Stadium by setting season ticket prices above those found at other comparably sized NFL facilities without the mayor's permission. They allege the Broncos consistently violated the agreement from 1984 to 1999 and must now compensate season ticket-holders for the overcharges.

``The Broncos intend to fight this thing and we're preparing as if it will go to trial,'' Rich Slivka, an attorney for the team, said Monday.

According to the court documents, the Broncos contend their ticket prices and administrative fees were not excessive and therefore did not require the mayor's approval.

``It is our position that the ticket prices charged by the Broncos since 1984 have always been in compliance with the contracts with the city,'' Slivka said. ``The city has never said that we charge prices that are not in compliance with the lease.''

Season ticket prices jumped 25 percent from 1998 to 1999, but will not increase for the 2000 season, the Broncos' last at Mile High. Seats in the South Stands sell for $25. That will climb to $50 when the new stadium opens.

Notices are being sent this week to about 50,000 season ticket-holders informing them they may exclude themselves from the class. Slivka said a tentative trial date has been set for February.