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re: Question for all SEC fans: Are you having trouble with football attendance?
Posted on 10/15/13 at 2:27 pm to LSUdm21
Posted on 10/15/13 at 2:27 pm to LSUdm21
Everybody is having the same issues.
Stadium comfort should be the priority of ADs moving forward.
At Arkansas, our traffic is a clusterfrick after games. Plus, our team sucks. That holds attendance down here.
Stadium comfort should be the priority of ADs moving forward.
At Arkansas, our traffic is a clusterfrick after games. Plus, our team sucks. That holds attendance down here.
1
Posted on 10/15/13 at 4:08 pm to wmr
I cannot speak for other teams so comments are mostly LSU.
1. I will no longer go to LSU games. I can't stand the disgusting gratuitous profanity from the few "students." And I cannot take the personal challanges that are becoming more and more frequent. And I don't feel I have to put up with the physical danger from drunks at the end of a night game ... and this is not limited to opposing fans, plus the mardi-gras like trash and stench... vomit, stale alcohol, etc.
2. Many State schools have changed their enrollment profile significantly. Florida is now a school for academic geeks... have to have a 4.0 to get in. LSU and others are also limiting admitance to those with very top academics. These type students do not tend to go to football games.
3. Habit - you get out of the habit of going and then the excuses become real. Truth is, the game in person is better than the game on TV in many ways because you see the whole field all the time. Sit down close to the field and the incredible full-speed of the game, sounds, etc., are way beyond what you see on TV. But get out of the habit of going and you begin to think the game you see on TV is truly the game.
Cure? I don't know. LSU has some specific issues with a low-class obnoxious student behavior culture that other schools don't - YET. Blackouts of local games used to the the rule. Perhaps that should be revived.
1. I will no longer go to LSU games. I can't stand the disgusting gratuitous profanity from the few "students." And I cannot take the personal challanges that are becoming more and more frequent. And I don't feel I have to put up with the physical danger from drunks at the end of a night game ... and this is not limited to opposing fans, plus the mardi-gras like trash and stench... vomit, stale alcohol, etc.
2. Many State schools have changed their enrollment profile significantly. Florida is now a school for academic geeks... have to have a 4.0 to get in. LSU and others are also limiting admitance to those with very top academics. These type students do not tend to go to football games.
3. Habit - you get out of the habit of going and then the excuses become real. Truth is, the game in person is better than the game on TV in many ways because you see the whole field all the time. Sit down close to the field and the incredible full-speed of the game, sounds, etc., are way beyond what you see on TV. But get out of the habit of going and you begin to think the game you see on TV is truly the game.
Cure? I don't know. LSU has some specific issues with a low-class obnoxious student behavior culture that other schools don't - YET. Blackouts of local games used to the the rule. Perhaps that should be revived.
Posted on 10/15/13 at 5:34 pm to We_Need_Cam
I'm not saying it is the primary factor, but it is underrated: Game time announced less than two weeks before the game. For me, I can go to a day game and get home at a reasonable hour. A night game requires a hotel. I have wasted tickets holding them hoping for a day game and failed to get the planning together when it is announced as a night game.
Posted on 10/15/13 at 6:37 pm to 2Tigs
Here's what they need to do:
1. Make an effort to sell tickets to people who actually go to the games, rather than just whoever's been on a list longest.
2. Improve the game day experience (more comfortable seats, better cell phone service, better and faster concessions)
1. Make an effort to sell tickets to people who actually go to the games, rather than just whoever's been on a list longest.
2. Improve the game day experience (more comfortable seats, better cell phone service, better and faster concessions)
Posted on 10/15/13 at 6:42 pm to IAmReality
"When you factor in tickets, concessions, parking, tailgating, and possibly hotels, a football game is pretty expensive for your average joe.
When every single game is on high def tv I can see why non-diehards choose to watch it at home"
it is nothing about the average Joe. Tix are being sold, just not used. Totally different issue. We have a 20000 person waiting list, yet 20000 people missing from the game. Fix the cell service, fix the jumbotron and sell some beer.
When every single game is on high def tv I can see why non-diehards choose to watch it at home"
it is nothing about the average Joe. Tix are being sold, just not used. Totally different issue. We have a 20000 person waiting list, yet 20000 people missing from the game. Fix the cell service, fix the jumbotron and sell some beer.
Posted on 10/15/13 at 6:47 pm to elposter
quote:
You are getting closer now. Your first post suggested that ADs lower ticket prices as the solution, but I don't think that would have much of an impact. The tickets are being sold and cheap tickets are to be found everywhere if you want them. Concession prices are not driving this either.
It's people's time and other opportunities. A lot of people just don't think it's worth their time to go to a game anymore and that has a lot to do with a shift in our society (we don't like to commit a half day to anything anymore and the attention span of the digital generation is like 30 minutes) and vastly improved technology (many people simply prefer HDTV to being in the stands). Going to be hard to combat.
this. it's not that paid attendance is down, it's that actual attendance is down. as long as the ADs are making money, you're not going to see much change. and i 100% agree that these massive TV deals are to blame as well as the economy. Even if you pay for season tickets, that's just a fraction of what you have to pay to take your family to a football game. With all these games being televised, it just makes the decision easier to just stay at home and watch it rather than spend several hundred dollars for tailgating, lodging, gas, etc.
Posted on 10/15/13 at 6:48 pm to LSUdm21
We aren't at all
Posted on 10/15/13 at 6:50 pm to LSUdm21
Deer season is a big problem here
Posted on 10/15/13 at 6:53 pm to IAmReality
quote:
Here's what they need to do:
1. Make an effort to sell tickets to people who actually go to the games, rather than just whoever's been on a list longest.
the people who donate more money will always get tickets first. all those nice things the athletic department is able to do to keep up with the other programs around the country are due to those people. you're never going to change that, and i quite frankly have never understood how people can think this is actually possible.
This post was edited on 10/15/13 at 6:54 pm
Posted on 10/15/13 at 7:05 pm to LSUdm21
For me, living in Athens, the travel expenses and hassle don't factor in, but that would be the obvious answer for alot of people.
What bugs me most is the length of the game. Minimum four hours, all the TV timeouts. 5 minutes of football, five minutes of sitting on your arse watching AT&T commercials on the jumbotron.
I can deal with sneaking in my own liquor, and I know a spot I can sneak a cig without getting caught. I know my way around and can dodge traffic and park for free.
What I can't do is sit on my arse staring at McDonald's commercials on the jumbotron for 2 hours of a 4 hour ball game. I can't even get on my iphone to check other scores or talk shite to opposing fans on SECR.
Maybe, if they ran some fiber to a UGA Stadium network thingy so people's phones work in the stadium so they have some way of entertaining themselves for the 2 hours of absolutely nothing during the 4 hour game, it wouldn't be so bad.
Also, UGA's stadium concessions suck... and I'm not talking about quality... I'm talking about a 25 minute line just to get your free refill on the $8 souvenir cup you bought on the way in.
Total shite show.
What bugs me most is the length of the game. Minimum four hours, all the TV timeouts. 5 minutes of football, five minutes of sitting on your arse watching AT&T commercials on the jumbotron.
I can deal with sneaking in my own liquor, and I know a spot I can sneak a cig without getting caught. I know my way around and can dodge traffic and park for free.
What I can't do is sit on my arse staring at McDonald's commercials on the jumbotron for 2 hours of a 4 hour ball game. I can't even get on my iphone to check other scores or talk shite to opposing fans on SECR.
Maybe, if they ran some fiber to a UGA Stadium network thingy so people's phones work in the stadium so they have some way of entertaining themselves for the 2 hours of absolutely nothing during the 4 hour game, it wouldn't be so bad.
Also, UGA's stadium concessions suck... and I'm not talking about quality... I'm talking about a 25 minute line just to get your free refill on the $8 souvenir cup you bought on the way in.
Total shite show.
Posted on 10/15/13 at 7:14 pm to Stonehog
quote:
Texas A&M's expansion is incredibly shortsighted and outdated, instead of increasing the capacity they should have just increased the amenities and the suites. Right now the nice but smaller stadiums are in, as evidenced by Baylor's plans and Washington's new stadium.
People that can afford suites will still go, but a person making $30,000 a year will be more inclined to stay home and watch on tv instead of fighting the crowds and sitting asses to elbows with 110,000 other people. They are going to have a serious problem filling that stadium.
Oh well, that's what they make these for...
Posted on 10/15/13 at 7:53 pm to AUCatfish
The attendance issues being discussed in here is why I don't want JHS to expand, but improve conditions (upgrade the interior), the exterior completed, better concessions, and bring pricing under control.
Adding 20K seats isn't going to help anyone and 87K fans can be pretty damn loud.
Posted on 10/15/13 at 7:57 pm to sec13rowBBseat28
I live in Seattle and I had to work on Saturday. I can realistically only make one game per year.
Posted on 10/15/13 at 8:31 pm to theGarnetWay
What happens to stadium attendance when the next round of HDTVs come out.
I hear 1350 or 1400 (instead of 1080), is already out. People that have seen it say it's unbelievably breathtaking and makes their brand new samsung look like crap. I also hear they are tens of thousands of dollars.
All that is missing is the support for it. But that will be mainstream in 5-10 years.
I hear 1350 or 1400 (instead of 1080), is already out. People that have seen it say it's unbelievably breathtaking and makes their brand new samsung look like crap. I also hear they are tens of thousands of dollars.
All that is missing is the support for it. But that will be mainstream in 5-10 years.
This post was edited on 10/15/13 at 8:32 pm
Posted on 10/15/13 at 8:35 pm to LSUdm21
None of the above
Tiger fans wanted to tune in to Bama/Kentucky and not miss the kickoff. I don't blame them.
Tiger fans wanted to tune in to Bama/Kentucky and not miss the kickoff. I don't blame them.
Posted on 10/15/13 at 8:36 pm to Tacoma Tiger
We need your parent's signature with lame excuse. 
This post was edited on 10/15/13 at 8:38 pm
Posted on 10/15/13 at 9:03 pm to nc14
This has been an issue for a few years and will continue to be an issue going forward. The two biggest things are cost (both time and money) and HDTV.
Huge screens and HD make the experience at home a closer substitute to being there, while rising prices (tickets, concessions, parking, etc) plus a generally busier society make the cost of attending games higher.
You add higher costs against less of a difference to stay home and I think the universities are going to need to rethink their pricing structure and stadium experience.
Huge screens and HD make the experience at home a closer substitute to being there, while rising prices (tickets, concessions, parking, etc) plus a generally busier society make the cost of attending games higher.
You add higher costs against less of a difference to stay home and I think the universities are going to need to rethink their pricing structure and stadium experience.
Posted on 10/15/13 at 9:38 pm to LSUdm21
quote:
It was too hot...it's been hot before.
Traffic is too bad leaving the stadium...isn't it always?
Parking is bad...also always.
Concessions suck...also always.
Game was boring...and they knew it would be so they stayed home?
Their HDTV at home is a better experience...meh.
Tickets too expensive...as always.
Alabama fatigue meaning the fans only care about the Bama game now (yes, some idiot actually suggested this)...lol
Can't buy beer...have never been able to.
Don't like the music played over the PA...suddenly this year?
LSU doesn't do a good enough job using their video board...and they used to?
I think the reasons must be external to the game and more related to the current economic situation for many people. Are any of the above reasons any different than they were last year, or the year before, or five years before? Doubtful.
Posted on 10/15/13 at 9:39 pm to BamaGradinTn
quote:
more related to the current economic situation for many people
Posted on 10/15/13 at 9:40 pm to dreaux
quote:
What happens to stadium attendance when the next round of HDTVs come out.
I can see the return of TV black outs.
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