On March 5th we introduced David Levy, a long-time NY Jets season ticket holder to our readers. David has been forced to give up his season tickets because of the exorbitant cost of the PSL (Personal Seat License) that goes along with them. David has been working on a documentary about this issue for quite some time. We brought you some footage from his documentary in his first post on this topic and we've got more here for you today.

I have been asked by a lot of people what made me want to film this documentary.  To be honest, I did not start out with that in mind.  I originally started out to just record peoples' stories of being a season ticket holder and put them on the internet.  Steve Kern is a season ticket holder who held a PSL Rally to raise awareness about what was going on and its effect on Jets fans.  It was held before the Jets/Giants 2008 Preseason game.  Not too many fans showed up.  Some fans told their stories and Assemblyman Anthony Chiappone spoke, as well as myself.  After speaking with the Assemblyman and getting information from others, I saw there was more of a story here.  So what started out as telling fans' stories turned into a fact-finding documentary about PSL's.  Gang Greed was born.

Steve Kern opened my eyes to PSL's and their history.  Taking the research he compiled along with some of my own, one can see a change in professional sports.  Think of the Roman Coliseum.  Those who can afford it with a disposable income will be the ones seated along the 50-yard line.  The individuals who still want to attend the games but cannot afford the best seats will be closer to the top of the stadium.  No one can argue the pricing on any seats in any arena or stadium.  Times have changed and professional sports have become out-priced for some.  Many senior citizens and older fans that have followed teams for decades can no longer afford to do so.  Many long time New York Jets season ticket holders will not be following the team into the new stadium.

Walking from tailgate party to tailgate party during the season something else stuck out.  Many fans don't just come for the game, but for the tailgating.  They get to see people a few days out of the year they would not normally see.  Others build traditions from season to season and add to their pre-game festivities.  Tailgating for some is just as important as the game itself.  It is a part of the package.  Many made their decisions not to get PSL's based on their friends' decisions.  Not being able to spend that quality time with friends made some not continue their season tickets.  This was truly a hard choice for those who had them as long as my family, since the then New York Titans first offered them.

Recently, the Jets have been contacting those wavering on the purchase.  They have been making deals because they know they are in trouble and need to sell them all.  Many fans that were wavering may be able to set their price.  But is it too little too late for some fans who already felt burned?  There are tailgating groups that always meet in the same place for every game.  There were Sal and Carmine in Lot 14D, The Jets Pack in the corner of the bus parking area, Frank Conway and his flags in 5A, Ken Pikowski and his inflatable Gorilla, and other great people.  Everyone was warm and inviting.  It is easy to see why tailgating builds great memories that go beyond the game.  You have others to share in that memory.  This is what brings us all together as fans.  To share in what makes us truly happy, cheering on our team.

The people I have met along the way feel like family.  Sometimes it was hard to keep in mind that I was filming.  On the journey across the pavement many gave us food and water (or beer) like nomadic tribes do to travelers in the desert.  Anthony & I would stay a while, say our thanks and trek on to the next tribe; each one partying their own way, but still there for the same reason.  This documentary is for them, the ones who have been there in the 1-15 seasons.  Where the temperature is 10 below and still they're early enough to tailgate.  The long time ticket holders who have brought future generations to the game and watched it evolve into a business.

Many, like me, in the beginning were angry. Angry with a team we gave our blood, sweat, and dollars to just for them to want more. That is where it became difficult for many.  Over the past few months the Jets have been trying to find a happy medium, trying to appease some of the fans that have turned their back on investing in the team.  During this time my anger has subsided to a mere flickering.  I will always be angry with the management, but not the team.  I am a fan too, not just a filmmaker. Supporting the fans though comes first.  Without them, it would just be a bunch of guys playing ball.

There have also been some people who did not want to be filmed.  Some just do not want to say anything and want to go down without having a voice.  Sad.  In my film clip, you will meet a couple who got married and went to a Monday night game after they got married, an Assemblyman and review a "PSL Bill of Rights." I also had the opportunity to tour the Jets facility and attend fan events, with more stuff to be filmed.  A lot can happen between now and the season.  LT joining the team, Woody Johnson interview on Fox Business and Hard Knocks coming to Jets training camp.  Sometimes reality does the best writing for you.  Filming it just gives you a better picture.

Follow me on twitter @ LevysBakeryProd and at Levy's Bakery Productions for more information or if you want your story heard. - David Levy

David Levy is a life long New York Jets fan. He is also a football documentary filmmaker giving Jets fans a voice in Gang Greed & sports blogger. David is also working on other various media & writing projects for others and himself through Levy's Bakery Productions.

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