This past offseason — despite price increases and signs of stock-market slippage — Utah managed to renew more than 90 percent of its season-ticket commitments from 2007-08, which included another Northwest Division championship and a Western Conference semifinal appearance.

The Jazz cap individual season-ticket sales for EnergySolutions Arena at 14,900 — leaving about 5,000 tickets available for single-game purchases and other packages — and they've already reached that limit for the 2008-09 campaign.

"From our side, people seem to be very — even with the economy where it's at right now — interested in coming and being part of the games," Jazz president Randy Rigby said. "I have to say our market appears to be stronger economically than maybe some of the other markets in the country. Maybe we have not felt that pinch maybe as much as some of the other markets, and hopefully it won't."

Still, the Jazz are being forced to deal with higher expenses, ranging from costly gas prices to skyrocketing salaries, including $65.3 million this year. Larry H. Miller's franchise isn't going to lay off employees similar to the NBA, but budget belts are being tightened. The Jazz are trying to minimize energy expenditures and are evaluating expenses.

Additional sources of revenue are also being pursued by the Jazz. Fans will directly feel that with increased ticket prices, a premium charge on single tickets for 10 home games and a 60-percent reduction of free over-the-air broadcast games (only 16 this year) on KJZZ-TV.

"With what is happening in the economy, we are constantly looking at issues and initiatives we can pursue that will help continue to reduce costs for us," Rigby said. "As an organization, we have always run pretty lean and mean.... Larry has always preached to all of us to be cautious of hard times."

Rigby admits what has happened most recently — leading up to the historic government bailout — is an "anomaly" but one that could have lasting repercussions. Most of the Jazz's season-ticket renewals came before this happened, so one can only guess what will transpire by the time NBA consumers are asked to pony up again next year.

"I think all of us as citizens are crossing our fingers. Nobody wants to see what's going on," Rigby said. "Sports becomes a release valve for people to get away from all those problems."