Yep, exactly my thoughts. The mark-up on tickets plus hospitality and shop purchases must be quite good.
What I don't get is the following. From memory, last year's revenues were split as follows: 45% TV rights, 45% commercial deals and only 10% tickets.
Does it pay off to massively annoy loyal local fans when all you're getting as a club is 10% of the total??? Don't you want to keep your local fanbase happy? Especially if you're so keen on local charity (e.g. schools, etc.). The two things should go hand in hand, in my view.
The same local fans who show up mid-week in cold November or February for a game against Copenhagen or Young Boys... and of course the light show before the match! :-(