Reversing the U's sagging ticket sales a complex issue

[From the Barn]

The good news is that the next two games are near sell-outs, with only single tickets or obstructed seats available.

 

[Deleted_User]

I'ld go to every game if they were not 45 miles from my house. I hate winter driving.

 

[skoalvikings]

We dropped our season tickets before last year due to the ridiculously unimpressive non-conference schedule. To me, this is the biggest issue, but it wasn't even mentioned in the article.

 

[BleedGopher]

Shama weighs in:

U Needs Big Ten Attendance Boost

The Gophers men’s basketball team ranked ninth among Big Ten Conference schools in home attendance averages through games of last week, according to figures from the league office. Minnesota is averaging 10,501 fans per game for seven nonconference games.

That announced figure of 10,501 is larger than actual fans in attendance, with some games probably having 6,000 to 7,000 patrons inside Williams Arena. The arena’s capacity is 14,625 and during recent seasons the Gophers typically haven’t come close to filling the building for nonconference games, while Big Ten games may sell out.

But this fall’s no-shows by season ticket holders and minimal interest among single game buyers has been startling. To see so many empty seats despite having an exciting nationally ranked top 20 team to watch isn’t a good sign for a program that historically was among the Big Ten leaders in largest home attendances and gross ticket receipts.

New Gophers athletic director Norwood Teague talked with Sports Headliners about the lack of interest this fall, and also included the ticket selling challenges of home football games in the conversation. “In the offseason I want to do some real research in finding out where we are with the tickets for football and basketball,” he said. “I’ve only been here five months so I am trying to figure it out, but the offseason will be a time when we can take a step back and really look at it, football and basketball.”

The Gophers sold 7,136 public season tickets and 1,182 student season tickets for this season, according to a story in yesterday’s Star Tribune by Mike Kaszuba. The combined total of 8,318 was the lowest shown on a season tickets graphic dating back to 2007.

Some public customers didn’t renew their tickets because of the new preferred seating charges placed on tickets. Other fans may have not renewed because of seven consecutive second division finishes during Big Ten seasons (ninth and 10th the last two years). And certainly an unattractive schedule of home games that included American, North Florida and Lafayette didn’t entice potential buyers for either season tickets or single game tickets. “I agree we need to add quality opponents best we can,” Teague said.

The Gophers finish their nonconference schedule with a game on Saturday night at home against Lafayette. Then it’s all Big Ten games including a much anticipated league opener at Williams Arena on December 31 against Michigan State. Teague said single game ticket interest “going forward has been phenomenal,” referring to conference opponents coming here.

Starting with the Michigan State game the Gophers will be announcing attendances much closer to the numbers of fans in the building than was true this fall. The Gophers, though, averaged 12,723 in Big Ten games last season, the first time that figure was under 13,758 since 2006-2007. In all home games Minnesota averaged 11,794 last season, the lowest since 10,974 in 2006-2007.

If the Gophers fulfill predictions of being a Big Ten title contender, Minnesota won’t have a problem besting last season’s attendance numbers. And a winning season will likely boost offseason ticket sales and announced attendances next fall during nonconference games.

http://shamasportsheadliners.com/

Go Gophers!!

 

[SelectionSunday]

If Norwood needs a reference point

“I agree we need to add quality opponents best we can,” Teague said.

Translation: "I know we need to significantly improve our nonconference slate @ Williams Arena, but we'll continue to find an excuse why we can't get it done. And do you really think I'm going to give Tubby Smith a directive to spice up the (home) schedule?"

Have heard this before. Will believe it when I see it, and I'll be the first to pat them on the back when it happens.

With regards to playing BCS opponents on your home turf. ... if Norwood needs a reference point on how the Gophers have scheduled in comparison to their conference brethren since 2007-08, here's a sample:

Home BCS Opponents Since 2007-08 (all)
Wisconsin (10): Cal, Colorado, Duke, Georgia, Marquette x 3, NC State, Texas, Virginia
Michigan (9): Arkansas, Boston College x 2, Duke, Iowa State, Kansas, NC State, UCLA, UConn
Northwestern (8): Baylor, DePaul, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Stanford x 3
Ohio State (8): Duke, Florida x 2, Florida State, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia
Indiana (7): Georgia Tech, Kentucky x 3, Maryland, North Carolina, UConn
*Nebraska (7): Arizona State, Oregon, Oregon State, Rutgers, USC x 2, Wake Forest
Iowa (6): Clemson, Iowa State x 3, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest
*Michigan State (6): Florida State, Kansas, NC State, South Carolina, Texas x 2
Penn State (6): Boston College, Maryland, Ole Miss, Seton Hall, Virginia Tech x 2
Purdue (6): Alabama, Duke, Miami-Florida, Wake Forest, West Virginia x 2
**Illinois (4): Clemson, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Vanderbilt
Minnesota (4): USC, Virginia x 2, Virginia Tech,

Home BCS Opponents (excluding required Big Ten/ACC Challenge and Big 12/Pac 10 Hardwood Series)
Wisconsin (7): Cal, Colorado, Georgia, Marquette x 3, Texas
Michigan (6): Arkansas, Duke, Iowa State, Kansas, UCLA, UConn
Northwestern (5): Baylor, DePaul, Stanford x 3
Ohio State (5): Florida x 2, Kansas, South Carolina, West Virginia
Indiana (4): Kentucky x 3, UConn
Michigan State (4): Kansas, South Carolina, Texas x 2
*Nebraska (4): Oregon, Oregon State, Rutgers, USC
Iowa (3): Iowa State x 3
Penn State (3): Ole Miss, Seton Hall, Virginia Tech
Purdue (3): Alabama, West Virginia x 2
**Illinois (1): Vanderbilt
Minnesota (1): USC

*Totals do not include 5 games that were "quasi home games" for a current Big Ten member:
1. Illinois vs. Arizona in 2007 @ the United Center.
2. Michigan State vs. Texas in 2007 in Auburn Hills.
3. Nebraska vs. Oregon in 2007 in Omaha.
4. Michigan State vs. North Carolina in 2008 @ Ford Field as part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
5. Illinois vs. Auburn @ the United Center in 2012 (Dec. 29).

Beat State.

 

[scher215]

“I agree we need to add quality opponents best we can,” Teague said.

Translation: "I know we need to significantly improve our nonconference slate @ Williams Arena, but we'll continue to find an excuse why we can't get it done. And do you really think I'm going to give Tubby Smith a directive to spice up the (home) schedule?"

Have heard this before. Will believe it when I see it, and I'll be the first to pat them on the back when it happens.

I'm curious why Teague allowed Kill to dump a quality opponent while at the wants to tell Tubby he needs to schedule tougher home games? Seems like he's talking out of both sides of his mouth a bit.

 

[GopherInPittsburgh]

I'm curious why Teague allowed Kill to dump a quality opponent while at the wants to tell Tubby he needs to schedule tougher home games? Seems like he's talking out of both sides of his mouth a bit.

It may have to do with one team being ranked #13 in the country while the other is mediocre.

 

[gopherbadgerman]

It may have to do with one team being ranked #13 in the country while the other is mediocre.

Agree with this 100% althouth I think Kill was weak to drop NC from the schedule. As for attendance, I still believe that a 12 or 13 B10 win season will fill the barn, but the one issue I see is there are no "sexy" recruits signed for next year, and with Williams and Trevor off to other things in 2013 will the fans come back to make it a sustained recovery.

 

[brucekaupa]

If the problem is "sagging ticket sales" the solution is not "give free tickets to students".

 

[FanSinceTheFifties]

ESPN.com: "League officials say the teams that have had the greatest increase in season ticket sales, in no particular order, are the Brooklyn Nets, the Charlotte Bobcats, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Philadelphia 76ers."

 

[bleedsmaroonandgold]

I'm curious why Teague allowed Kill to dump a quality opponent while at the wants to tell Tubby he needs to schedule tougher home games? Seems like he's talking out of both sides of his mouth a bit.

I think the difference in the current state of the two teams. We are at a point in the Tubby-tenure where we are able to expect competitiveness in conference, and in Kill's rebuilding process, we are trying to get there.

I also think the physicality of the two sports is relevant. I hated the NC move as much as anyone, but I think an argument can be made that we play in a physical conference, and scheduling more quality out of conference opponents will beat up our team in terms of injuries before we even get to the conference season. I think basketball is a sport where, as we know all to well, injuries can happen, but I don't think playing quality out of conference opponents makes those injuries significantly more likely.

 

[gopherbadgerman]

ESPN.com: "League officials say the teams that have had the greatest increase in season ticket sales, in no particular order, are the Brooklyn Nets, the Charlotte Bobcats, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Philadelphia 76ers."

If the Gophs had Rubio, they would sell out every game

 

[GoGophers2005]

I can't stand people blaming the new seating policy's on poor attendance. I'm a bb, hockey, and FB season ticket holder and pay $0 in additional fees for my seats. I'm row #1 upper deck for football and am row #3 upper deck corner for bb. I pay less this year for hoops tickets than I paid last year. I think the U did a fantastic job with their reseating of Williams and Mariucci and I think the real problem is that people don't know how to select seats.

 

[brucekaupa]

I can't stand people blaming the new seating policy's on poor attendance. I'm a bb, hockey, and FB season ticket holder and pay $0 in additional fees for my seats. I'm row #1 upper deck for football and am row #3 upper deck corner for bb. I pay less this year for hoops tickets than I paid last year. I think the U did a fantastic job with their reseating of Williams and Mariucci and I think the real problem is that people don't know how to select seats.

Goo, when you've had 8th row sideline for 40 years and now your only option for "no additional cost" tickets is the corner of the balcony, you kinda feel crapped on.

 

[gophertime]

I blame (at least partially) the Big Ten Network. There was a time when you could get every game and always on the same channel. When people watch on TV they get to know the players and get invested in the team and pretty soon want to go to a game themselves and if they are having fun they decide to go again. Of course having a decent team that's fun to watch is pobably still the number one reason.

 

[Holy Man]

I blame (at least partially) the Big Ten Network. There was a time when you could get every game and always on the same channel. When people watch on TV they get to know the players and get invested in the team and pretty soon want to go to a game themselves and if they are having fun they decide to go again. Of course having a decent team that's fun to watch is pobably still the number one reason.

Not said anywhere yet, but it is not just searching for them on TV, but also the manipulation of the schedule by BTN that makes being in the arena less convenient and attractive. Game times all over the map, and, I believe, none on Saturday afternoons, really mess up any kind of planning to attend games. 6:00 on weekdays is terrible for work; 8:00 makes for a late arrival home, and those bloody late afternoon/early evening Sundays crash into family and prep time for the week. Selling out for the cash has damaged the environment in the arena. I suspect it is almost everywhere. I am seeing a lot of games with empty seats pretty near the floor. May as well play the games in a movie studio and put in sound effects.

 

[station19]

Not said anywhere yet, but it is not just searching for them on TV, but also the manipulation of the schedule by BTN that makes being in the arena less convenient and attractive. Game times all over the map, and, I believe, none on Saturday afternoons, really mess up any kind of planning to attend games. 6:00 on weekdays is terrible for work; 8:00 makes for a late arrival home, and those bloody late afternoon/early evening Sundays crash into family and prep time for the week. Selling out for the cash has damaged the environment in the arena. I suspect it is almost everywhere. I am seeing a lot of games with empty seats pretty near the floor. May as well play the games in a movie studio and put in sound effects.

Agreed. Nothing like a Sat afternoon game at the Barn in the day.

One of the biggest draws for college sports is the game day atmosphere. Hard to maintain a game day atmosphere when you make the times inconvenient and confusing, flood the arena with tacking ads and promos, then top it off by substantial price increases.

 

[Hates Monikers]

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.

"Stole?" TCF Bank paid $35 million for the name. For that I thank them.

If TCF -- or U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo or Bremer Bank -- wants to pay millions to help build a practice facility, I hope we put their name on that, too.

 

[station19]

"Stole?" TCF Bank paid $35 million for the name. For that I thank them.

If TCF -- or U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo or Bremer Bank -- wants to pay millions to help build a practice facility, I hope we put their name on that, too.

$35 million.........................yes, stole.

 

[Sports_Realist]

This program, to an extent, still hasn't recovered at the gate from the academic scandal. Gopher Basketball drew tremendous crowds in the 1990s, especially from 1993-94 onwards, after renovations cut the capacity from 17,000 or so to about 14,250 right at a peak time of demand. Although Clem Haskins had his critics for a variety of reasons, the majority of the fans strongly backed him and always stood behind his teams. The idea that Clem would oversee a conspiracy to enable academic cheating simply wouldn't have entered anyone's mind prior to his fall. Even people that disagreed with his in game tactics believed he was of strong moral character.

Once it became clear the scandal didn't just occur on his watch, but that he was, in effect, the ringleader, it let diehard and casual fans down in the worst way. Gopher Basketball was dead to many people from that point. Other fans put the team at a healthy distance. Too many of those people never returned and never passed down a love of the team to their kids and grandkids. Obviously, other things were at play too. However, to me, ground zero for the decline of Gopher Basketball attendance was the scandal. I don’t think its effects will be negated until the team has a couple of seasons in which it finishes ranked and has at least one Sweet 16 run, basically repeating the runs of 1988-89 and 1989-90 which undid the damage of Madison.

 

[ColNathanJessup]

Goo, when you've had 8th row sideline for 40 years and now your only option for "no additional cost" tickets is the corner of the balcony, you kinda feel crapped on.

Just so I'm straight, you're more concerned about maintaining your seat, than the long-term health, stability and competiveness of the program overall? Got it.

The truth is to stay (or actually become) competitive in the B10 and nationally, revenues have to be increased. (In a format consistent with virtually every other B10 team.) And if someone has to move seats for that to happen, then that is an unfortunate side effect. But some would rather their individual wants are satisfied at the detriment of the program as a whole.

 

[Gopher Warrior]

Just so I'm straight, you're more concerned about maintaining your seat, than the long-term health, stability and competiveness of the program overall? Got it.

The truth is to stay (or actually become) competitive in the B10 and nationally, revenues have to be increased. (In a format consistent with virtually every other B10 team.) And if someone has to move seats for that to happen, then that is an unfortunate side effect. But some would rather their individual wants are satisfied at the detriment of the program as a whole.

I'm not sure everyone would see the new seating program as being a savior to the program's long-term health, stability and competitiveness.

Sell an average of 600 more tickets per game and you generate the same amount of revenue as the new seating policy generated. We're talking $400,000. Small money. The school flips that over to UNC to escape a football game with them.

 

[brucekaupa]

Just so I'm straight, you're more concerned about maintaining your seat, than the long-term health, stability and competiveness of the program overall? Got it.

If you want to be straight, read my response in the context of the post to which I responded.

 

[brucekaupa]

I'm not sure everyone would see the new seating program as being a savior to the program's long-term health, stability and competitiveness.

Sell an average of 600 more tickets per game and you generate the same amount of revenue as the new seating policy generated. We're talking $400,000. Small money. The school flips that over to UNC to escape a football game with them.

Saying the new seating policy "generated revenue" is kind of a stretch based on this comment from the OP:

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.

So, we instituted a new policy which peed off enough people to cause them to not renew...but we're charging those that DID renew enough extra to offset the loss...and we *almost* made up for the loss! Yay for us. What a successful change.

So, we had X season tickets last year and we generated $Y.
We have "less than X" season tickets this year, but we charge more and generate about $Y.

Hmmm...what if...what if...they charged *less* but sold *more*?? They might still make about the same on tickets. But there would be more people at every game. The atmosphere would be better. They'd have more parking revenue. They'd sell more concessions.

 

[jovs]

Raising prices at a time you are offering a less competitive product usually results in less sales and lower revenue, no mystery to that. Two consequative 6-12 basketball seasons has hurt ticket sales, a winning season will turn that around.

 

[Rouser]

I guess I'm the one person who had no issues with the new seating arragement being done this year. The folks who were pissed at paying extra were never going to be long term ticket holders in my opinion. We did not reinvent the wheel, most big schools go this route and over the long run, it should produce more revenue.. so at some point, the snowglobe needs to be shaken up.. I think the season ticket holders are now a stronger and more reliable bunch.. and we should only increase from here.. barring a horrific couple of years for the team.

Bottom line, winning helps everything. The BT season looks to have a lot of sellouts or near sellouts due to our record. Just win baby. Thats the answer to the "complex" issue.

 

[SelectionSunday]

I guess I'm the one person who had no issues with the new seating arragement being done this year.

There's at least two of us, Rouser. No complaints here.