The Team Marketing Report just released its Fan Cost Index, a summary of what people shell out to attend games at arenas throughout the NBA. Some interesting points: * Average NBA ticket prices are up 1.7% across the league, but the Blazers' average ticket price has dropped 4.4% * Portland's prices for beer, hot dogs and sodas are higher than average, but it could be worse: you'll pay $9.50 for the cheapest beer at Madison Square Garden. * Blazers fans pay less than league average for tickets, parking, programs, and souvenir caps. You'll pay $15 for a program in Miami, and $26 for the least-expensive Nets cap (compared to a free program and $15.99 at the Rose Garden). * The price for a fictitious family of four to attend a Blazers game (including parking, food, drinks, and hats) is $296.58. This is a 0.3% drop from last year. The same family of four would pay $608.78 at a Knicks game, an astounding increase of 20.4% from last season. Mike Tokito of The Oregonian with more here. ed: bumped to front page