📰 Why is that $95 ticket now $360?

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: Nothing says “quiet offseason” like $273 million and a fresh round of LeBron rumors 🏀💰

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John Petkovic & Jude Perez

Three-hundred sixty dollars for a $95 ticket?

Cleveland music fan John Corral was shocked when he went online to buy tickets to see one of his favorite bands, Pavement, at the Cleveland Agora, July 23.

“I waited in the queue to get tickets and the prices kept shooting up,” he says. “It was nuts.”

Some would call this price gouging.

It’s also known as “dynamic pricing” -- the practice of adjusting ticket prices in real time based on supply and demand. More people in the queue = higher prices.

And it’s reshaping the live music experience.

The practice goes back to the 1980s, when airlines took advantage of deregulation to adjust seat prices in real time. It accelerated with the NBA and MLB, which prices tickets differently based on games and opponents.

It’s a controversial feature of the concert market – with prices adjusting in real time based on demand, much like Uber fares during peak hours.

There are no federal laws banning or regulating the practice, but the landscape is shifting:

Venues, resellers and online marketplaces must disclose fees and surcharges in the total cost of a ticket throughout the purchasing process – and can’t change prices during a single buyer’s session after first display.

Reseller platforms vary in transparency and fees:

Today is the 16^th anniversary of ‘The Decision’ – when LeBron announced, ‘I'm going to take my talents to South Beach.’

Donovan Mitchell was in attendance, as a 19-year-old LeBron fan.

Yesterday, he made his own announcement — agreeing to a four-year, $273 million contract extension with the Cavs.

Mitchell could have waited until next summer for an additional fifth season worth an extra $80 million. He committed early and has made it clear he would embrace LeBron.

So has James Harden, who has said he’s willing to make his contract work.

So, what’s next:

The wheels are turning…

“So, this is it, Lake Erie.”

The iconic line from Jim Jarmusch’s classic 1984 film ‘Stranger Than Paradise’ is a legendary scene in Cleveland, especially in the dead of winter.

Musician and actor Eszter Balint remembers uttering it between chattering teeth, while staring at the frozen tundra as an 18-year-old.

“It’s hilarious that it’s so popular in Cleveland,” she says, via phone from NYC. “I remember it was unbearably cold that day.”

Balint is returning on warmer days for three appearances:

It weaves stories, songs and scenes to trace her journey from communist Hungary to the creative energy of late-1970s and 1980s New York

“I came with my 1977 with my parents, who ran a theater in Budapest,” she says. “Working under the regime was hard – then we came to this amazing downtown art scene in NYC with so much happening.”

Balint hit the ground running, living with the avant-garde Squat Theatre Troup and recording with Jean-Michel Basquiat. She’s also worked with musicians Michel Giro, Marc Ribot and John Lurie – and acted with David Bowie, Woody Allen, Steve Buscemi and Louis CK.

“My show explores coming from Budapest to NYC, how that scene ended and where we are now,” she says.  “So many people from Cleveland played roles in that scene – it’s a cool city.”

WEDNESDAY

Puppeteers for Fears: The Oregon-based comedy troupe brings its horror and science fiction rock ’n’ roll musicals (performed with puppets!) to the Beachland Ballroom. 7 p.m. Info.

The Lion King: The Tony-winning musical adapted from the Disney flick featuring songs by Elton John hit the State Theater. 7 p.m. It runs through Aug. 13. Info.

THURSDAY

Cleveland Metroparks Summer Concert Series: The summer bash with live music hits Euclid State Beach at 5 p.m. Info.

John Armstrong: One of Cleveland’s most insightful – and fast-rising – observations of every day live in the city brings his stand-up routine to Hilarities. 7:45 p.m. Info.

COMING UP: WEDNESDAY, JULY 15

Kent Blossom Music Festival Faculty Concert: Members of The Cleveland Orchestra — violinists Stephen Tavani and Yun-Ting Lee, violist William Bender and cellist Dane Johansen — join guest pianist Orion Weiss and Cleveland Orchestra musicians Genevieve Smelser, Gareth Zehngut and Charles Paul for a faculty concert marking the festival's 58th season. Kent State's Ludwig Recital Hall. 7 PM. Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

Blocks of Cleveland looked like an urban ghost town – and much of the West Side was shuttered in darkness over the weekend.

Which added up to thousands of dollars lost for bars and restaurants.

“This is devastating to our business,” reported Rood in Lakewood. “Losing a whole week of service is a financial burden we were not ready for.”

Several spots, from Proof Public House to Brewella to Happy Dog to Cleveland Bagel, were impacted by the loss of power.

More than 11,200 Cuyahoga County residents and over 70,000 FirstEnergy users lost power amid one of the worst heatwaves in years.

LeBron James went on ESPN to announce, “I’m taking my talents to South Beach,” on this day in 2010. Cavs fans are now waiting for his next decision — to see if he’s coming to Cleveland.

Ooh and don’t forget! Tag @The216Scoop on Facebook & @scoopcle on Instagram to get your photos in the Scoop!

81 °F 🌡️ 72 °F | ☀️ (Mostly Sunny) | 20% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 7 mph N (≈ 6 knots)

85 °F 🌡️ 72 °F | ☀️ (Mostly Sunny) | 16% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 11 mph W (≈ 10 knots)

77 °F 🌡️ 71 °F | ⛈️ (Thunderstorms) | 86% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 10 mph WNW (≈ 9 knots)

_{Please note that weather conditions can change rapidly. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking a reliable local weather service.}

Away vs. Pacers, 4:30 PM July 10 (Friday) — NBA Summer League

Away vs. Pistons, 4 PM July 12 (Sunday) — NBA Summer League

Away vs. Twins, 7:40 PM July 8 (Wednesday)

Away vs. Twins, 1:40 PM July 9 (Thursday)

Away vs. Marlins, 7:10 PM July 10 (Friday)

Away vs. Marlins, 4:10 PM July 11 (Saturday)

Away vs. Marlins, 1:40 PM July 12 (Sunday)

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