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re: Do you think that expanding stadiums beyond 100,000 is a good or bad thing...
Posted on 6/10/15 at 11:13 pm to theGarnetWay
Posted on 6/10/15 at 11:13 pm to theGarnetWay
I think that, unless something changes to make games not loaded with commercial breaks, you're going to see schools like Alabama, LSU, and Florida whip out tarps for upper decks during games against shite-tier teams like ULM and Georgia Southern.
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Posted on 6/10/15 at 11:13 pm to The Boat
At least they have that huge jumbotron! 
Posted on 6/10/15 at 11:14 pm to Mister Tee
The only thing that makes it bad is the shite non conference games that most big 5 teams play and 50,000 show up.. 
This post was edited on 6/10/15 at 11:15 pm
Posted on 6/10/15 at 11:16 pm to bherm1988
I feel the same way for those, brother. I don't understand those either.
Posted on 6/10/15 at 11:20 pm to cardboardboxer
quote:
That's what she said.
Well ... look at it this way.
Both Michigan and Tennessee have looked plenty silly at times over the past ten years when they've had 40k or less in their stadiums for games. It looked far less because their stadiums are so big.
I've been going to games in both places for decades, big games, and I've seen them both claim sellouts when there were 1000s and 1000s of empty seats.
Posted on 6/10/15 at 11:26 pm to Mister Tee
Well the Falcons, and Braves for that matter, are downsizing with their new stadiums
Posted on 6/10/15 at 11:35 pm to Mister Tee
It's great if you have the fans to fill the seats but not everyone does. UT, for example, is helped out immensely by Knoxville and our fans' willingness to travel from both out of state and in-state.
That said, I also think it may turn out to be shortsighted, especially if it's a new thing for a program. I don't know how much longer high stadium attendance will last for several reasons but namely boomers are getting up there and the rest of us couldn't replace them in numbers if we tried and of course HD TV and a lot of folks (again non-boomers) who never caught the stadium bug and don't know what they're missing - even when they're stuck with shitty seats, it's somehting else to be in a 100k+ stadium but they don't know that.
All this is a constant worry for ADs across the country and even in the SEC despite our attendance being still being strong across the board. But we and others outside the SEC are living on borrowed time unless ADs can appeal to non-blue hairs and replace what they'll be losing.
It will be interesting to watch and could change easily but those are the current projections/worries.
That said, I also think it may turn out to be shortsighted, especially if it's a new thing for a program. I don't know how much longer high stadium attendance will last for several reasons but namely boomers are getting up there and the rest of us couldn't replace them in numbers if we tried and of course HD TV and a lot of folks (again non-boomers) who never caught the stadium bug and don't know what they're missing - even when they're stuck with shitty seats, it's somehting else to be in a 100k+ stadium but they don't know that.
All this is a constant worry for ADs across the country and even in the SEC despite our attendance being still being strong across the board. But we and others outside the SEC are living on borrowed time unless ADs can appeal to non-blue hairs and replace what they'll be losing.
It will be interesting to watch and could change easily but those are the current projections/worries.
Posted on 6/10/15 at 11:37 pm to Prof
Extremely great post.
Posted on 6/10/15 at 11:45 pm to Prof
quote:
That said, I also think it may turn out to be shortsighted, especially if it's a new thing for a program. I don't know how much longer high stadium attendance will last for several reasons but namely boomers are getting up there and the rest of us couldn't replace them in numbers if we tried and of course HD TV and a lot of folks (again non-boomers) who never caught the stadium bug and don't know what they're missing - even when they're stuck with shitty seats, it's somehting else to be in a 100k+ stadium but they don't know that.
excellent insight, a lot of the older ticket holders, let`s say 50 and up started attending games when you might only get to watch your team on TV once a year.
Posted on 6/10/15 at 11:54 pm to AU66
Tickets were also a lot more affordable when the boomers first started out buying them, and there weren't all the fees for season tickets, $50 to park, $8 hotdogs and small cokes..... It seems like it's a lot harder these days for young people who don't have a ton of disposable income to justify paying for all of that, but there are still wait lists for season tickets all over the country. That's what the AD's see, and that justifies the expansions, knowing they have those seats already sold for 10+ years...
Posted on 6/10/15 at 11:55 pm to Prof
quote:
All this is a constant worry for ADs across the country and even in the SEC despite our attendance being still being strong across the board. But we and others outside the SEC are living on borrowed time unless ADs can appeal to non-blue hairs and replace what they'll be losing.
2 separate issues
#1) money - While they have grown size, they have also driven prices outside the family of 4 comfort zone. If you want to fill big venues you have to price accordingly.
#2) demographics - Family sizes have been shrinking but so has the folks going to games for the sake of the experience. Parents may be engaged in a game but the kids are playing games on their cell phones, texting, or taking selfless instead of being engaged in the game atmosphere.
Posted on 6/10/15 at 11:58 pm to scrooster
quote:
Both Michigan and Tennessee have looked plenty silly at times over the past ten years when they've had 40k or less in their stadiums for games. It looked far less because their stadiums are so big.
Say what? Even under Dooley attendance was close to 100k - right around 96k at the very end.
ETA: BOBri says it was at 90k but with sold out games as well during Doolz final season. However, the point stands. Your 40k thing is sheer fantasy and that was the lowest point in Vol history in 100 years.
This post was edited on 6/11/15 at 12:23 am
Posted on 6/11/15 at 12:10 am to scrooster
quote:
Both Michigan and Tennessee have looked plenty silly at times over the past ten years when they've had 40k or less in their stadiums for games. It looked far less because their stadiums are so big.
That has never happened. And Neyland has held over 91,000 since 1980. No fads here, just a Badass fanbase
Posted on 6/11/15 at 12:12 am to Prof
quote:
Say what? Even under Dooley attendance was close to 100k - right around 96k at the very end.
Our last year under Dooley we averaged a little under 90,000. Still sold out multiple games though
Posted on 6/11/15 at 12:15 am to Cheese Grits
quote:
2 separate issues
#1) money - While they have grown size, they have also driven prices outside the family of 4 comfort zone. If you want to fill big venues you have to price accordingly.
#2) demographics - Family sizes have been shrinking but so has the folks going to games for the sake of the experience. Parents may be engaged in a game but the kids are playing games on their cell phones, texting, or taking selfless instead of being engaged in the game atmosphere.
Ok I'll address those separately.
1. That's where I really think newer additions/stadiums can hurt the most because they money is often owed even with donors it hits the AD. BUT it's also a matter of leadership and understanding where families are at. When we were tying to drive up attendance during the economic downturn which largely coincided with an economic slump and tons of heartbreak we offered block games which were cheaper. You could pick a few games instead of just one and folks loved it. Those who were never able to afford tix to good games were able to grab at least one in their package at a reasonable price. Now that demand is up that's pretty well gone.
Demand always dictates what a school can charge and if your nosebleed seats have no view, you're really stuck. But not all nosebleeds are created equal.
2. Demographics matter but I do think there's enough interest *if* you live in a city area that can support it. I'm not sure but I doubt parents have a problem if their kids are playing with their phones so long as they get to watch the game. Kids have short attention spans and always have. BUT it's worrisome that it may be a problem for those who would buy tix later. I think that's why so many stadiums include wifi now. Later they'll likely include even more tech features.
I don't disagree these can be big problems UM has been rightly criticized for having ridiculously high prices but I do think there are ways to make an appeal (assuming football is still popular).
Posted on 6/11/15 at 12:15 am to Prof
This is where college football is different from pro. No NFL stadium seats more than 83,000 and yet many of the teams have waiting lists for season tickets. The owners like to keep the pool of tickets smaller to drive up demand and overall profits.
Colleges won't do that because it would piss off the alumni bases and the state governments (for state schools). They are also more conscious of the business the extra people bring to the college towns.
Colleges won't do that because it would piss off the alumni bases and the state governments (for state schools). They are also more conscious of the business the extra people bring to the college towns.
Posted on 6/11/15 at 12:16 am to BigOrangeBri
quote:
Our last year under Dooley we averaged a little under 90,000. Still sold out multiple games though
Thanks for the correction. Must be thinking of his average overall?
That said, the point still stands regarding Scrooster's post.
Posted on 6/11/15 at 12:21 am to Mister Tee
I know it may seem like the right thing to do for some, but with the rising costs of attendance, travel, and the way TV is improving. I predict more and more people will choose to hold game day events at home, and attendance will eventually suffer overall. You will probably always be able to attract 50-80K though.
Just my opinion is all.
Just my opinion is all.
Posted on 6/11/15 at 12:26 am to Mister Tee
How could it be a bad thing? All they care about is money so even if the stadium isn't full the tickets are still being sold. They still get the money.
Posted on 6/11/15 at 12:29 am to Prof
quote:
h Thanks for the correction. Must be thinking of his average overall? That said, the point still stands regarding Scrooster's post.
Yeah, his post is flat out wrong.
On the plus side, UT was one of only a few schools to increase attendance in 2014 without stadium expansion. We increased attendance by 4%. That number will rise again in 2015.
Also, UT is one of the few schools experiencing attendance increases from the student fanbase.
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