i think thats reasonable.
You think $400/year is reasonable? For something you can do for free?
If you make the US median individual wage of ~27k/year, then that $400 investment is about 1.5% of your total income. Remember that at low savings rates, each extra 1% of income that you divert to savings instead of spending buys you over two years of earlier retirement. So that $400/year sports subscription commits you to working about three extra years.
It's pricey but as with a lot of things (cost benefit analysis) it can be worth it.
I have a hard time seeing how ANY sort of entertainment option is worth three years of your life, but we each get to make our own cost-benefit analysis, I guess. If you are prepared to work three extra years in order to watch live hockey while wearing a new hockey jersey every year, that's a choice you get to make. Personally, I'd take the three years of paid vacation and give it up.
Now if you already save 50% of your income and you make more than the median wage, the penalty should be smaller. I'd still be hard pressed to give up any paid vacation time to watch people play sports on television.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the articles on MMM and have kicked my savings up to a new level. Having read all of the articles in no time flat I ventured to the forums. I just registered to reply to what I see as a common theme...judgement. I get it. Most of us are here for helpful tips to cut costs, accelerate our path to financial independence, etc. However, there seems to be a significant subset that takes it a bit too personally.
What I mean is...if I save Xx% of my income (about 45%) and spend $Xx on cable, because I enjoy live sports, I don't think I require a lecture for that. I know damn well what it costs. Isn't part of being financially independent having the ability to choose where you spend your money? Not all spending is evil, as long as you are cognizant of it and weigh the cost/benefit, including opportunity costs. Fair?
There seems to a bit more "holier than thou" attitudes than I had hoped for on this forum after reading every post since the beginning of time
I believe the mustachian himself said you could choose your luxuries as you see fit. Not sure why a sports package that provides entertainment for somebody can't fit into this category. In fact, I'm quite sure being able to watch out of market games saves me money, as otherwise I would have to go to a local establishment to see them.
Full disclosure I'm a huge sports fan and pay much more than the OP for subscriptions, travel to sporting events (home for me) etc. It serves as a much needed stress reliever and something the family looks forward to. Is it okay then?