MSU vs PSU on Thanksgiving Friday

I don't see MN/WI moving off the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Minnesota was scheduled to play their regular season finale against Nebraska on Black Friday for 2020 and 2021, but the schedule changed with COVID. We also used to end our season with Iowa sometimes in the 2000’s.
 


Why would"the networks" want the game in the US Bank stadium?
If HBS is full and packed, then it would look great on TV.

But you risk it being Iowa last season. No matter how good the teams are, some just won’t show up. And when it’s that bad it potentially degrades the quality of the game by making it harder to pass.

Far less risk to the atmosphere/appearance of their big game by having it in USBS.

My guess
 

Why would any Black Friday game have to be indoors? I'm confused. The Gopher-Badger game has been played outdoors on Thanksgiving Weekend for awhile now and finished in the dark a lot.
That’s just fine … for BTN.

This is prime time in front of the whole country.

Snow ball, three yards and a cloud of frozen breath is boring to watch.
 



Also, national prime time game is going to be a huge recruiting opportunity.

Probably not a great idea for Florida, Georgia, Texas kids to see us playing snow ball in 10 degrees (Iowa last year) and/or a blizzard (Wisc 2019).
 
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If HBS is full and packed, then it would look great on TV.

But you risk it being Iowa last season. No matter how good the teams are, some just won’t show up. And when it’s that bad it potentially degrades the quality of the game by making it harder to pass.

Far less risk to the atmosphere/appearance of their big game by having it in USBS.

My guess
Bigger stadium so we can have more Iowa fans? Maybe see if they can try to steal goalposts again?
 



If the money works, the chances are greater than ZERO, even if it's a small to miniscule possibility.

I would have thought the same about Mich St moving a game from E Lansing to Detroit, but it happened. That's a much greater distance than UofM/Stadium Village to the Zygi Dome. I've walked it. Many times.

Part of why Michigan State plays that game in Detroit is to connect with alums in that area (as you mentioned it is not next door). They have played in Ford Field a few times over the years.
 

That’s just fine … for BTN.

This is prime time in front of the whole country.

Snow ball, three yards and a cloud of frozen breath is boring to watch.

You are overthinking it. Cold weather games make for great theatre. C'mon. Lambeau Field in the cold is great TV. It is exactly why NBC/FOX/CBS/ESPN/NFL schedule outdoor games there in January. Playoff games in prime time, too.
 


Part of why Michigan State plays that game in Detroit is to connect with alums in that area (as you mentioned it is not next door). They have played in Ford Field a few times over the years.
True, but they have not moved conference games there. I think the games they have moved there have been against other Michigan MAC schools.

Interesting article with Pros/Cons.

 



Prime time games in November is 100% the school's choice. In fact, both schools (home and away) have to agree to it.
In the past yes, the new TV/Broadcast agreement that does not appear to be the case.
 

That’s just fine … for BTN.

This is prime time in front of the whole country.

Snow ball, three yards and a cloud of frozen breath is boring to watch.
You are overthinking it. Cold weather games make for great theatre. C'mon. Lambeau Field in the cold is great TV. It is exactly why NBC/FOX/CBS/ESPN/NFL schedule outdoor games there in January. Playoff games in prime time, too.

Agree with tjgopher, if anything cold/snowy weather drives ratings up.
 

Where will the extra money come from? The Vike’s stadium seats just 16,055 more than the Gopher’s. If the extra tickets sold for an average of $100 more, that’s only $1.6 million more revenue, and they won’t get a cut of the concessions or parking. Plus Wisconsin might want a cut too, and then add rent, probably $500,000 or so.

I doubt there will be more TV money available, because the network makes money on viewers and adds, not butts in the seats.
For a regular season game, I am not sure there would be any "extra money", which is why I said "money works" meaning to at least break even.

Specifically with the Gophers not getting a concession cut, that's not necessary true at all. They certainly could negotiate a slice as part of the entire agreement including the rent, just as they did with the played in the HHH Dome.

I do wonder how last years Iowa game impacted concession sales. My first beer got slushy pretty quickly, so I gave up on that. Hot chocolate sales I am sure were robust.

Parking revenue would take a major hit as well, though the Gophers could encourage fans to park on campus and then shuttle bus/train it over. That would still result in some/substantial lost revenue though.

PROS - Likely more comfortable experience for fans on a late November evening
Potential to sell more tickets
Less University staff needed to stage the game (on a Holiday)

CON - Upset fans that want on campus experience
Less of a home field (though they have only beat the Badgers once the Bank)
More Badger or Hawkeye fans
Less parking revenue
Less concession revenue (potentially)
Rent/Staff expense
Conflict with Prep Bowl

Regardless, I would guess the Gophers Athletic Dept will be taking notes as to how it works out for the Spartans as far as the finances, blow back, positive feedback and the game itself thus can make a better informed decision than any Gopherholer speculation (which is still interesting, IMO).
 


You are overthinking it. Cold weather games make for great theatre. C'mon. Lambeau Field in the cold is great TV. It is exactly why NBC/FOX/CBS/ESPN/NFL schedule outdoor games there in January. Playoff games in prime time, too.
Agree with tjgopher, if anything cold/snowy weather drives ratings up.
Sorry but this is fan fiction.

You'll never be able to prove that it was the cold/snow itself that drove ratings up. A snowy game between two crappy teams that have no shot at the playoffs does nothing ratings wise.
 

For a regular season game, I am not sure there would be any "extra money", which is why I said "money works" meaning to at least break even.

Specifically with the Gophers not getting a concession cut, that's not necessary true at all. They certainly could negotiate a slice as part of the entire agreement including the rent, just as they did with the played in the HHH Dome.

I do wonder how last years Iowa game impacted concession sales. My first beer got slushy pretty quickly, so I gave up on that. Hot chocolate sales I am sure were robust.

Parking revenue would take a major hit as well, though the Gophers could encourage fans to park on campus and then shuttle bus/train it over. That would still result in some/substantial lost revenue though.

PROS - Likely more comfortable experience for fans on a late November evening
Potential to sell more tickets
Less University staff needed to stage the game (on a Holiday)

CON - Upset fans that want on campus experience
Less of a home field (though they have only beat the Badgers once the Bank)
More Badger or Hawkeye fans
Less parking revenue
Less concession revenue (potentially)
Rent/Staff expense
Conflict with Prep Bowl

Regardless, I would guess the Gophers Athletic Dept will be taking notes as to how it works out for the Spartans as far as the finances, blow back, positive feedback and the game itself thus can make a better informed decision than any Gopherholer speculation (which is still interesting, IMO).
Solid post.

Correct that there wouldn't be "extra" money beyond ticket sales. The money is the TV deal. You know, the one that is skyrocketing the check that the Big Ten cuts the Gopher athletic dept from $50M to upwards of potentially $100M per year.

They say jump, we're in the air saying how much higher. #facts


I suspect "losses" in concession and parking would be minor.

Especially parking: tailgaters still have to park somewhere! They could offer free shuttle service from U lots (including Fairgrounds, of course) to USBS. That would be completely appropriate, doable, and probably be pretty slick as opposed to parking in the downtown Viking lots (fewer and $$$$).
 

Sorry but this is fan fiction.

You'll never be able to prove that it was the cold/snow itself that drove ratings up. A snowy game between two crappy teams that have no shot at the playoffs does nothing ratings wise.
I don't think it's fan fiction, but admittedly I was only speaking in terms of NFL ratings which the Networks LOVE bad weather for late season/playoff games. I have heard it repeatedly it spikes ratings.

You are also right, if we are talking about an NCAA regular season game with little or no NCAA or Conference playoff implications, I don't think bad weather would influence ratings much an either direction. Maybe a driving blizzard would attract some curious otherwise non-interested viewers, but depending what else was being televised, meh.
 

I don't think it's fan fiction, but admittedly I was only speaking in terms of NFL ratings which the Networks LOVE bad weather for late season/playoff games. I have heard it repeatedly it spikes ratings.
Sorry, No.

The ratings are good .... because it's a playoff game.

The weather is just a talker. Because that's what (it feels like 90 damn percent of!) the NFL is: talk. Talk, talk, friggin talk. Like get the damn game over with, so we can talk more!

You are also right, if we are talking about an NCAA regular season game with little or no NCAA or Conference playoff implications, I don't think bad weather would influence ratings much an either direction. Maybe a driving blizzard would attract some curious otherwise non-interested viewers, but depending what else was being televised, meh.
All it does is drive down the quality of the football being played.

Tune in for about one minute, go "holy cow, look at that!", realize running the ball every play is boring, tune out.
 

Sorry, No.

The ratings are good .... because it's a playoff game.

The weather is just a talker. Because that's what (it feels like 90 damn percent of!) the NFL is: talk. Talk, talk, friggin talk. Like get the damn game over with, so we can talk more!
I disagree.

The ratings are good because it's an NFL playoff game and they can be even better because of inclement weather. Both statements can be and are true.

Goes back to the Ice Bowl at Lambeau. Raiders/Pats Tuck Game in a blizzard. Both huge rating hits in otherwise very low scoring games.

I looked at articles online and seen it suggested that they can increase viewers as much as 20%, but I am sure you would dismiss as "click bait" so I will refrain from linking. ;)
 



I disagree.

The ratings are good because it's an NFL playoff game and they can be even better because of inclement weather. Both statements can be and are true.
I can't even allow this. It's nothing but a talker.

If the game has to get moved last second due to [insert whatever you want] a dome = exactly the same TV ratings.

I looked at articles online and seen it suggested that they can increase viewers as much as 20%
Pure BS.

You can't compare games between different teams and then declare whatever completely exogenous factor you want to make up as the reason for the difference.
 



I can't even allow this. It's nothing but a talker.

If the game has to get moved last second due to [insert whatever you want] a dome = exactly the same TV ratings.


Pure BS.

You can't compare games between different teams and then declare whatever completely exogenous factor you want to make up as the reason for the difference.
I disagree. Snow/extreme cold does have some impact with casual fans. It may not impact your viewing habits, but it does for others to some degree.

Just personally, I know it impacts my viewing habit. Not for an NFL Playoff game which I would watch regardless, but if I see even a Tuesday night MAC game played in slop, fog or snow, sure it gets my attention. For a while.

I've been in Vegas with multiple games going on the same time. If there any with snow, that's the game my eyeballs are drawn to (regardless of "action").
 






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