Shama: Gophers Football Season Ticket Sales Down Slightly from 2024; third consecutive year of decline in public season tickets

[Breakin' The Plane]

Thanks, I wasn't aware of how NWST got on the schedule. More concerned about the non conference basketball schedules the last several years.

Basketball is a totally different scheduling process. Those are mostly built closer to the season. Football is built years in advance.

But you're 100% correct that BB schedules need to get much more challenging.

 

[Ope3]

All I know is that I got in a line, opened a refrigerator door, grabbed a can of Coors Light and walked it myself to a worker who had me tap a card on a reader (which asked me to include a tip) and that one self serve beer cost 13 bucks. Someone is making money, and it sure ain't me.

It's not the Gophers making bank either.

That $13 gets split up by the vendor (contracted), distributor, labor, taxes etc. A relative small percentage goes into the Gophers coffers when all is said and done. $2 each might be pushing it.

 

[60's Guy]

Coyle has his flaws but he has made some really good hires, most notably PJ. Ben was an obvious miss but I will go to my grave certain that Coyle didn’t make that choice.

I'll give you PJ. After that it's undetermined at best. Basketball...it's been awhile sine we played in an NCAA Tournament. Hockey? We expect titles...haven't gotten any...fair or unfair?
Baseball and softball are not ascending. Volleyball? Maybe, maybe not.
I agree he didn't hire Ben.

 

[Ope3]

I remember when some here thought that was a good thing at the time.

I don't know that it's a bad thing, still.

What's at least given me pause the past 2 seasons has nothing to do with the cost.

It's how College sports in general have changed as well as the transformation of the Big 10 into a coast-to-coast 18 team division-less Goliath.

NIL & Portal means the roster turns more constantly. Less regional games and slimmer chance to play banner (Big 10 West). No more Rose Bowl aspirations.

I have to think at least a few fans have bailed for similar sentiment.

I'm still rolling along...for now.

 

[Spaulding!No!]

The Ben hire for HC was fine but 4 years? Ridiculous.

 

[60's Guy]

It's not the Gophers making bank either.

That $13 gets split up by the vendor (contracted), distributor, labor, etc. A relative small percentage goes into the Gophers coffers when all is said and done. $2 each might be pushing it.

I agree but who is responsible for negotiating the setup that leaves them with no money?
Done skillfully, in house, there is a boatload of money in concessions. I know that as a fact from experience in high school events and summer softball tournaments.

 

[bonin21]

Cuz they don't know how to run a business. How are we not seeing the theme.

 

[Ope3]

I agree but who is responsible for negotiating the setup that leaves them with no money?
Done skillfully, in house, there is a boatload of money in concessions. I know that as a fact from experience in high school events and summer softball tournaments.

I don't think that the Gophers handle it any differently than any NCAA program or Pro Sports franchise.

 

[Word]

I don't think that the Gophers handle it any differently than any NCAA program or Pro Sports franchise.

From some Googling I'm seeing most teams pull 35%-50% when using a 3rd party. If we are making a lot less than that, it's on Coyle.

 

[Ope3]

From some Googling I'm seeing most teams pull 35%-50% when using a 3rd party. If we are making a lot less than that, it's on Coyle.

Right off the bat over there's an over 10% haircut for state/city/county sales & liquor taxes.

I am not sure it's Coyle that's negotiating. Back in the day it was part of the University's overall contracts for food/beverage providers.

 

[Whytetale]

We have 31500 student and public season ticket holders. Adding another 10,000 or so game sales equals around the usual per-game attendance of 40000-43000 that we normally see. So the stadium is usually 80% full. We have occasional sellouts for the rivalry games or when we have a blue blood in the house. The only way we sell out the other games, no matter if the opponent is rated number 1 or are the Little Sisters of the Poor, is to be viewed by the public as something special. A must-see attraction. We are a nice little team in a little boutique stadium with little chance of a National Title. Nothing changes unless the way we are viewed by those beyond the 43000 changes. It has little to do with parking, ticket, or concession prices.
Why do the Vikings sell out? The makeup of the NFL allows the Vikings fans to always believe that there's a chance for another Super Bowl.

 

[60's Guy]

From some Googling I'm seeing most teams pull 35%-50% when using a 3rd party. If we are making a lot less than that, it's on Coyle.

It's been some years ago but there was a fairly in depth story of how the Gophers were losing money on concessions in the "new" stadium. Don't remember the particulars other than too many people taking a percentage greater than was available.
Here is the thread: Losing Money On Beer Sales
Nearly a $1million in sales and lost $16,000

 

[Some guy]

And, IDK the answer but does the increase in ticket prices total more revenue with less total sold than the higher total number at less money?
Coyle is the AD...I assume he is responsible for guy whose job it is to market and sell season tickets ? Same is true for the fundraising guy. We sre not good in either area...let alone elite.
Northwestern State should not have been an approved opponent...the men's and women's basketball schedules shouldn't be allowed to rank well over 100th each preseason in strength of schedule. This is a factor in ticket sales. The coaches are responsible to Coyle...obviously he is allowing them to schedule bad, bad teams.
What does Coyle do well?

I don’t know but they are not running a sell out the stadium model of pricing
Maybe they should (I think they should)
But my point is referencing season tickets sold is pretty pointless because their goal isn’t to sell more

 

[Some guy]

Big rematch?

from what?
The most recent time they played the gophers won?

 

[Some guy]

Bodies in seats = concession and merch revenue. You want the stadium full every game

I agree but that’s not the model the U of M has been using for years.
I disagree with it, they simply aren’t pricing season tickets to sell out the stadium.

It’s a fact
I’m not saying it’s a good strategy, I’m saying it’s a fact

 

[60's Guy]

I don’t know but they are not running a sell out the stadium model of pricing
Maybe they should (I think they should)
But my point is referencing season tickets sold is pretty pointless because their goal isn’t to sell more

I can see an argument for taking advantage of selling high price tickets for desirable games
But that number isn't at 50& capacity. and what are there in a typical year? One or two max games like that each year? What about the other 4 or 5 games at 50% capacity.
Sell the tickets to Gopher fans.

 

[Some guy]

I can see an argument for taking advantage of selling high price tickets for desirable games
But that number isn't at 50& capacity. and what are there in a typical year? One or two max games like that each year? What about the other 4 or 5 games at 50% capacity.
Sell the tickets to Gopher fans.

I am 100% in
I think it’s stupid strategy
I’m just saying their strategy isn’t to sell out the stadium

They’re using a different model

 

[Pompous Elitist]

Someone could probably cobble together stadium revenue over the years before/since Mega Tongue. Higher, lower, similar. It’s published every year. It won’t be me.