It costs money to go to sporting events. I know, I was as shocked as you are.
In Columbus, Crew games or Blue Jackets games or Clippers tickets (okay, maybe not Clippers tickets) or Ohio State basketball and football are going to set back a family of four upwards of several hundred dollars no matter what discounts you use. Hell, I have a friend who does roller derby in town, and while it's a pretty cool time and I 100% encourage people to go check it out, they're not some hang-dog operation begging for your attention.