Reversing the U's sagging ticket sales a complex issue

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GopherLady

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Some very interesting points here:

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/184050091.html?page=1&c=y

Non-student season-ticket sales at Williams Arena have fallen from 9,286 in 2007 to 7,136 this year, and student season-ticket sales have also slumped. Student season-ticket sales -- only 1,182 were sold for this season -- are at a six-year low.
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I am not a big "I told you so" person, but I got absolutely crucified for using logic and basing ticket sales on a pattern in my Strib blog on Football ticket sales: http://www.startribune.com/local/yourvoices/166589686.html and said I expected 3400 student tickets to be sold for football. This article says this....

School officials said that after selling 10,248 student season tickets for football in 2009, the team's first season in on-campus TCF Bank Stadium, they sold only 3,888 this year.
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Another interesting tidbit in this is:
University officials say new revenue raised by the preferred seating program instituted this year was about $815,000 for men's basketball ($401,000) and men's hockey ($414,000). The increased revenue from the two sports is close to making up for the loss in ticket revenue resulting from the drop in season tickets, said Garry Bowman, director of athletic communications.
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I know people had asked about that when I did the bball ticket blog.
 

I have a crazy idea. How about lowering the price of their overpriced tickets. Love paying $35 for one of the lower level seats are obstructed and cannot see the scoreboard.
 

GopherLady said:
Some very interesting points here:

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/184050091.html?page=1&c=y




I am not a big "I told you so" person, but I got absolutely crucified for using logic and basing ticket sales on a pattern in my Strib blog on Football ticket sales: http://www.startribune.com/local/yourvoices/166589686.html and said I expected 3400 student tickets to be sold for football. This article says this....



Another interesting tidbit in this is:

I know people had asked about that when I did the bball ticket blog.
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The timing of starting a premium seating program in the wake of a couple of bad seasons (other than the nice NIT run) and a lousy economy was obviously a big problem. Season tickets down over 2000 since Tubby arrived is kind of an amazing fact. But again, hard to lay total blame due to the economy. Tubby has done a decent job, but he also does little to promote enthusiasm about the program. As you say- it's complex.
 

I was waiting for this article to be written, as outside of the great start to the year, the crowds at Williams Arena have to be the other storyline of the season so far. No doubt that the tickets sold numbers cited are quite generous compared to actual butts in seats, which has been much lower than announced attendance for some games this year.

I hope like heck that the article is correct that Indiana is sold out and that Michigan State and Michigan are close to being sold out. It would be quite disappointing if the Barn isn't at capacity for the Spartan game.

No doubt that Teague has to be concerned about the attendance numbers.

Go Gophers!!
 

I agree its complex, but I think a couple of factors are significant.

1) I always like going to Gopher games, but there was not a single out of conference home game that I pointed to and thought specifically "boy I wish I were at that one." Toledo, Lafayette, and American aren't exactly going to fill the barn to the rafters.

2) The last two years were worse than the two before. We can make whatever excuses we want for why that is, but the fact of the matter is 6-12 is disappointing, and considering that we were a tournament team before the two 6-12 seasons suggests to the casual fan that we are heading in the wrong direction. I think this will be a better year, but for that to translate to ticket sales, I think the proof will have to be in the pudding. At this juncture, all we actually have to show that this will be a better year is some dominating wins against teams that won't be good enough to get at-large tourney berths and the comforting notion that we hung with the only really quality team we played. If we finish the season ranked as high as we are right now, I bet ticket sales aren't a problem next year.

3) The premium seating deal. This has an interactive effect with #2. A price increase is pretty easy to accept if you are taking steps in the right direction and can be sold on the idea that more revenue will generate the better facilities or whatever the department thinks is needed to really get to the next level. When a price increase comes after two years which were worse than the two before, fans don't like being told that they have to pay more for a worse product.
 


They lost a lot of long-time ticket holders with the premium seating deal. Those people wouldn't have kept their tickets forever, but the premium made this the logical time for them to get out. Not that that's the end of the world, but you need now for new long-time season ticket-type people to come in and take their place, and I don't see that happening with the economy the way it is and the overall price of getting in the building the way it is.

The other thing is the apathetic students at this institution. This is not a new thing; I used to be an apathetic student, so mea culpa. Norwood probably didn't know about this chronic, systemic problem when he signed aboard, but he knows about it now. Maybe he'll be the miracle worker who comes in and changes the culture.
 

I doesn't help to have poor Big10 records and cup cake nonconference foes and to some the price increases.
But beat MSU and the Barn will be alive in 2013...
 

Here are my suggestions in no particular order:

1. FR student seating that is free (limited quantity) that is doled out first come, first served at a FR entrance. Would be nice if we had 500 BB & 2,000 FB student tickets to every home game that is only for FR that are willing to wait in line for free seats. Get em early.

2. We need a recent graduate section at both venues for folks that have graduated within the last 5 years to continue their student season tickets at a lower price while they get out into the work world. Again, not the worst seats in the place, but maybe a sliding scale of 75% off, 50% off, 25% off over a 5 year period so they can transition.

3. We need to renovate the barn so we have more quality seats and less "nice pole" seats. Bring the students and recent graduates down one side...remember that student athletics are first for the students...the U has seemed to lose sight of that (IMO). Make it a great student experience and it will be a great fan experience.

4. Get the city of Mpls to lighten up so we can have a game day experience or open up one the lots to student tail gating. Its time the U pushes back on big brother.

5. Win more games. This always helps...but wont be the end all and save all like some think.

6. Keep prices high on premium seating so the people that want to sit the whole game, have perfect everything, and be with others like themselves have a place to sit too....they can afford it and its good for the U...just turn the other side of the court into a party that never stops rockin.

7. Schedule at least 1 AQBCS FB and 2 power conference BB every year so we have something that we want to pay for. Home and Home are fine. That way every other year we get a top FB program in and every year we get a top BB program in the Non-conference. If these games prevent us from bowling or the NCAA then we don't deserve to go anyways.

8. Better booster clubs among the student population...need to engage them more than just ticket/game, they should want to be at the game as part of the experience. How can we get more kids involved? pep rally, viewing parties for away games, student booster awards, honorary team mates, crap like that. I felt it 20 years ago when i was at the U and it has to be worse today, but the college experience has disappeared into vidoe game consoles and smart phones. Just walk around campus and see 80% of the heads looking down at their phones. Need to look at inventive ways of connecting with students...the student has changed!
 

I hate to say this, but the main issue is simple...With virtually all the games accessible on the net or Free TV, in HD quality, people would rather stay home than brave traffic, cold, snow, ice, parking and ticket costs...the issue won't improve until the Gophers play better competition and lower prices.
 



Give it another year or two and it could get much worse. This year has a pretty weak comparable and I think things will look OK by the end of the year (2012-13 vs 2011-12), but still not where they should be.

Winning is the best cure. Style of play, game day experience and connecting with the fan base all help as well. I'm happy to consult with the U for a fair and reasonable fee.

I looked at the YTD numbers (total attendance) a few days ago and compared to Tubby trends. Once again down and not pretty, but the favorable comparable should help as Minnesota gets into Big Ten play.
 

Winning is part of the solution of the attendance issues but it's also about making the barn a "happening" again. How about brain storming on ideas to get the place rocking before the games, in both non conference and conference play? We all know about the pre-game Harlem Globetrotter drills to Sweet Georgia Brown during the Musselman era. Did that stoke the Gophers and fans and instill some doubt in the opposition like, wow, that's fun, man these guys can really play and with attitude? Absolutely. Everyone knew when they went to the barn the place would be filled with enthusiasm.

For those who experienced those days, you know what I'm talking about!

While I would love a return of those HGT drills, thinking about other options as well to re-energize the barn and make it a place where students, alum and bball fans alike will really want to be - part of an electric atmosphere - should be part of the equation. Just my $.02.
 

I'm thinking the primary reason for low student support is the skyrocketing tuition cost and they still need to eat and rent so sports tix are a luxury they can do without.
 

What's the cost of a student season ticket package today? That should be made affordable to pack the student section.
 



BOUNDOUTPASSDUNK said:
What's the cost of a student season ticket package today? That should be made affordable to pack the student section.
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$106. That's affordable. It's just not exciting enough until the Big Ten season starts. Most kids don't give a rip about the non-conference games. It's hard for students to put out $106 in October when the first game of interest isn't until December 31st.
 

Always gets back to "just win baby" I guess. Student and fans will turn out for non-conference games almost irrespective of the opponent if it is a part of an "aren't we dominant" mass psychological roar. That's why the Musselman pre-game show worked. We need to restore the sense that a game at Williams is virtually an insurmountable task for any opponent. That spirit was present even during the 80's and 90's through the Clem years. It was fun to watch and intimidating to the opponents. It was also why watching the game on TV was a hollow substitute for being in the Barn. That's why I'm advocating we find a way to update the SHOW for the times.
 

Agree with BGA. If it's $106 for 17 regular-season home games, that's a good deal. That's less than $6.25 per game.

But I understand why the students don't want to fully invest in the season until conference play starts. Unless the student is a diehard, interesting games are way too few and far between in November-December.
 

Cause and effect. Large screen plasma HD TVs makes it much more attractive to watch a game from the couch which has a negative impact on gate revenue. On the other hand TV rights fees continue to skyrocket which has produced greater impact to schools bottom line. Tough to get your cake and eat it too.
 

BOUNDOUTPASSDUNK said:
Always gets back to "just win baby" I guess. Student and fans will turn out for non-conference games almost irrespective of the opponent if it is a part of an "aren't we dominant" mass psychological roar. That's why the Musselman pre-game show worked. We need to restore the sense that a game at Williams is virtually an insurmountable task for any opponent. That spirit was present even during the 80's and 90's through the Clem years. It was fun to watch and intimidating to the opponents. It was also why watching the game on TV was a hollow substitute for being in the Barn. That's why I'm advocating we find a way to update the SHOW for the times.
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One thing they have done to update the show is the sound and the video. The video they run just before the game is really good. So that's a start.

Where they really miss the boat is with the All Star /mid night madness/1st practice. That is an absolute borefest- to be kind. They should have a really good band, player intros, a slam dunk contest and a 40 minute scrimmage. Sell the season passes right at the event, give away 10 season passes to students and make it seem like you have to be there or you might miss out. You have to start the excitement early.
 

Totally agreed bg1. Those are great ideas. Excitement not tradition will sell. The Twins drew 2.5 million fans for a lousy ball club not because people adore baseball (although I do) but rather because the experience is fresh and a potential date night/meeting place. Hardcore fans will show regardless. Williams needs to attact the entertainment dollar.
 

I really don't think there's much they can do for Midnight Madness. The only schools that are going to draw well for those things are the Kentucky, Kansas, Michigan State, and North Carolina-type programs. There just aren't enough people interested in college basketball until at least the Super Bowl is over. That's when the Average Joe starts paying attention to college hoops. It's difficult enough to get them interested in November-December-January, let alone mid-October.
 

SelectionSunday said:
I really don't think there's much they can do for Midnight Madness. The only schools that are going to draw well for those things are the Kentucky, Kansas, Michigan State, and North Carolina-type programs. There just aren't enough people interested in college basketball until at least the Super Bowl is over. That's when the Average Joe starts paying attention to college hoops. It's difficult enough to get them interested in November-December-January, let alone mid-October.
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You are right. They will not go for the basketball. But at this last midnight madness I saw the streets chalk fulll of kids- not heading toward the Barn- but toward the football stadium-where the free band was playing. Get them in the door for the free entertainment and get them thinking about the basketball season ahead.
 

bga1 said:
You are right. They will not go for the basketball. But at this last midnight madness I saw the streets chalk fulll of kids- not heading toward the Barn- but toward the football stadium-where the free band was playing. Get them in the door for the free entertainment and get them thinking about the basketball season ahead.
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I saw this as well. Thought the timing of having a free band at TCF was odd. Also, why not have that band in the Barn? (No idea who it was, maybe too big, but you get the point.) Got into the Barn and it was like a morgue. Yawn.
 

bga1 said:
You are right. They will not go for the basketball. But at this last midnight madness I saw the streets chalk fulll of kids- not heading toward the Barn- but toward the football stadium-where the free band was playing. Get them in the door for the free entertainment and get them thinking about the basketball season ahead.
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The concert at the Brickhouse was NOT free. Hockey was also going on at the same time.
 

When did we start calling TCF the brick house?
 

Gold Vision said:
When did we start calling TCF the brick house?
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TCF is the name of the glorified check-cashing parlor that practically stole the naming rights from the U. As such I try to refer to them as little as possible.

I should have specified the New Brickhouse.
 

The student tickets should be made free. If we are only drawing 2,000 for basketball at $100/ticket we're only getting $200K anyway. That's half a game with NC. Make it free. Make the only stipulation that they have to show up to 80% of the games or they lose their ticket. Your payment is getting your but in your seat. These are your future season ticket holder's and donors. I'd probably do the same for football. Take the short-term revenue hit for a better fan base down the road.
 

howeda7 said:
The student tickets should be made free. If we are only drawing 2,000 for basketball at $100/ticket we're only getting $200K anyway. That's half a game with NC. Make it free. Make the only stipulation that they have to show up to 80% of the games or they lose their ticket. Your payment is getting your but in your seat. These are your future season ticket holder's and donors. I'd probably do the same for football. Take the short-term revenue hit for a better fan base down the road.
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I had some friends who went to Gonzaga, and I don't know if they still do it this way, but student admission was free. You should had to show up early enough and wait in line for the single game free tickets. That worked out great, the students who got the limited space were the ones most excited about that particular game and most willing to wait to earn them. This isn't half bad for several minutes to game time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2rAKlcKSvk
 

bleedsmaroonandgold said:
I had some friends who went to Gonzaga, and I don't know if they still do it this way, but student admission was free. You should had to show up early enough and wait in line for the single game free tickets. That worked out great, the students who got the limited space were the ones most excited about that particular game and most willing to wait to earn them. [/url]
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They've integrated technology nicely at Gonzaga. They have ticket distribution dates/times when you need to stop by the Athletics Department.. they activate your student ID for a game(s) at that time.

Specific seating is first come first served, but you've got admission once your card is activated (which generally happens several days before the actual game is played).

Also, I confirmed with Mr. Bowman at the 'U' - the $401k of new revenues for men's basketball is the net increase in preferred seating revenues. Remember, there has been preferred seating for men's basketball for years. My own estimates say that the GROSS revenues under the revised preferred seating plan are more than double the $401k...
 

You'd have to do a wider economic analysis to get the true impact of the premium seating. It starts with ticket sales but affects concessions, parking - even coat check revenue for the spirit squad. And, as I've mentioned previously, fewer people in the seats means a less healthy overall program on a number of levels.
 

Bad Gopher said:
You'd have to do a wider economic analysis to get the true impact of the premium seating. It starts with ticket sales but affects concessions, parking - even coat check revenue for the spirit squad. And, as I've mentioned previously, fewer people in the seats means a less healthy overall program on a number of levels.
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Exactly right Bad. Half full the Barn looks and feels like- well... a barn. Full to the rafters it's nearly incomparable for me. The low attendance really sucks a lot of life out of things. We need a big year on the court to overcome the current situation. Beating Michigan State would be a great start.
 

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