Empty seats in college basketball arenas

[Emp]

I've benen meaning to introduce this topic for awhile, but Saturday brought it into focus.

I had two tickets, my buddy had to bail with family commitments, so I gave my tix away thinking I could get a single easy. At the box office an hour before game time, "SRO" sign. Wow, great I'm thinking. So I'm standing up on the catwalk behind the students, and I can see several hundred unoccupied seats, and some Entire rows in the lower arena vacant. The upper deck corners were half empty.

It's a beautiful Saturday afternoon, highly ranked opponent.....how can there be that many no shows for a sold out game?

At other BE arenas, it's much more dire. There couldn't have been 4000 live customers at the Georgetown game I attended in DC. My college classmate went to see X at providence, and guessed there were less than 2000. I see masses of empty seats at the televised Creighton home games.

It's not just the BE. You can get a ticket to any Ohio State game by just walking up. I'm seeing half filled arenas in the major conferences every night.

Is it TV? Has the college game peaked? The recession is over, people are spending discretionary money again, I'm at a loss to explain this.

[XMuskieFTW]

I have noticed this too. There couldn't have been more than a few thousand at Depaul(which I know it's Depaul), but every time I've watched Georgetown, the stadium is empty. I live in Michigan and went to the SMU and Wisconsin game there and those weren't even full. Michigan Wisconsin was the big prime time game for that week and there were still a good amount of empty seats up top.

Honestly, I think it's just pure laziness. A lot of the incentive in going to a game for the "casual fan" is gone. Let's take Xavier for example. 5 years ago it was not nearly as common for us to be nationally televised, now it's pretty much every game. I live in Michigan and have been able to watch all but one or two games this season on tv. I think the fact that the team is on tv so often may take away from those who actually come to the game. Why leave your house if you're not a diehard when you can sit at home and watch for free, not have to deal with parking, traffic, weather, etc. Personally if I lived in town I'd be at every game, but I think for the casual fan it has become laziness.

[RoseyMuskie]

I've benen meaning to introduce this topic for awhile, but Saturday brought it into focus.

I had two tickets, my buddy had to bail with family commitments, so I gave my tix away thinking I could get a single easy. At the box office an hour before game time, "SRO" sign. Wow, great I'm thinking. So I'm standing up on the catwalk behind the students, and I can see several hundred unoccupied seats, and some Entire rows in the lower arena vacant. The upper deck corners were half empty.


It's a beautiful Saturday afternoon, highly ranked opponent.....how can there be that many no shows for a sold out game?

At other BE arenas, it's much more dire. There couldn't have been 4000 live customers at the Georgetown game I attended in DC. My college classmate went to see X at providence, and guessed there were less than 2000. I see masses of empty seats at the televised Creighton home games.

It's not just the BE. You can get a ticket to any Ohio State game by just walking up. I'm seeing half filled arenas in the major conferences every night.

Is it TV? Has the college game peaked? The recession is over, people are spending discretionary money again, I'm at a loss to explain this.

Season ticket holder myself. Unable to attend Saturday's game because I recently moved from Cincinnati. Tickets are in the upper corner. There's just no resale value on my seats. I may get $5, but at that point, it's not worth the time to drive and drop them off, etc.

I do my best to give them away, but once again, after a couple people say no, I don't expend the effort to hunt down users.

Lazy, sure, but the last thing I feel like doing is spending on an hour when the market is saturated with free seats in the section.

[xu82]

I think this is why the NFL had to go to a black out rule. The NFL experience is actually better at home due to the cost, time commitment and hassle of dealing with drunken fools at the stadium. College hoops is still much better at the arena, but it's also easier at home. I've been to 2 games this year and spent a combined 17 hours or so in the car to do it. Most people would have just caught it from the couch. Hey, it's on TV, why bother?

[paulxu]

Georgetown/Villanova did put 20K into Wells Fargo the other night.

[Juice]

I think this is why the NFL had to go to a black out rule. The NFL experience is actually better at home due to the cost, time commitment and hassle of dealing with drunken fools at the stadium. College hoops is still much better at the arena, but it's also easier at home. I've been to 2 games this year and spent a combined 17 hours or so in the car to do it. Most people would have just caught it from the couch. Hey, it's on TV, why bother?

The NFL has had the blackout rule since 1973 and has actually loosened the rules on it.

[xubrew]

I think it's fairly obvious.

There is something that die hard fans and administrators who literally live college athletics need to realize, but don't. Casual fans outnumber diehard fans by about ten-to-one, and in a lot of ways they've been completely alienated.

Conference realignment destroyed a lot of traditional and regional rivalries that appealed to the casual fans. Increased ticket prices have also played a role. When you raise ticket prices for games that aren't as intriguing, of course attendance is going to drop. You're seeing it all over the country, and it is a very predictable result to having Missouri in the same conference as Vanderbilt and Georgia, but not in the same conference as Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, and their other traditional and regional rivals. Officials at Missouri were shocked when their attendance dropped over 25%. I'm rather amused by their surprise.

People like to say it's TV. Well, then why are TV ratings also dropping??

College sports, and college basketball in particular, is a lot more boring than it used to be. And, it's also more expensive than it used to be. The ten percent of the fan base is still there, but the ninety percent that isn't diehard just isn't as interested anymore. I wish they were, but I completely understand why they're not.

[xubrew]

I think this is why the NFL had to go to a black out rule. The NFL experience is actually better at home due to the cost, time commitment and hassle of dealing with drunken fools at the stadium. College hoops is still much better at the arena, but it's also easier at home. I've been to 2 games this year and spent a combined 17 hours or so in the car to do it. Most people would have just caught it from the couch. Hey, it's on TV, why bother?

Look at the TV ratings compared to a few years ago. They're not staying at home and watching the games on TV. They're just staying home.

[bobbiemcgee]

Season ticket holder myself. Unable to attend Saturday's game because I recently moved from Cincinnati. Tickets are in the upper corner. There's just no resale value on my seats. I may get $5, but at that point, it's not worth the time to drive and drop them off, etc.

I do my best to give them away, but once again, after a couple people say no, I don't expend the effort to hunt down users.

Lazy, sure, but the last thing I feel like doing is spending on an hour when the market is saturated with free seats in the section.

Next time try calling Big Brothers in Cincy. I took my "Little Bro" to many Magic games when I lived in Orlando back in the "heydays" . I'd pick up tickets at the office sometimes an hour before tip. Not to mention you can write off the donation.

[nuts4xu]

This is the first season where I can recall seeing the corners empty for conference games. We would have a tough time filling those seats in the A-10, or for a lousy opponent in the non con part of the schedule. I was surprised to see the empty seats for both Creighton and Providence. I knew the attendance in other college basketball programs is down, but didn't think Xavier was affected.

The face value of tickets is now $25-$30 per ticket during the Big East. There were a number of free tickets to be had outside of Cintas on Saturday, but it is a little sad to see the Cintas at anything less than capacity for a Big East game.

[Milhouse]

Couple things:

It wasn't a highly ranked opponent. Not from an outsiders perspective. Providence wasn't in top 25 AP/Coaches. They probably should have been...but still there wasn't a # next to their name. That makes a BIG difference to casual fans.

It was by FAR the nicest day since November or maybe even October. For a 1 p.m. game that makes all the difference.

I do think X pre emptively gives away tickets to local charities in the top corners when it's super close to a sell out and obviously those don't all get used.

[Cheesehead]

This is the first season where I can recall seeing the corners empty for conference games. We would have a tough time filling those seats in the A-10, or for a lousy opponent in the non con part of the schedule. I was surprised to see the empty seats for both Creighton and Providence. I knew the attendance in other college basketball programs is down, but didn't think Xavier was affected.

The face value of tickets is now $25-$30 per ticket during the Big East. There were a number of free tickets to be had outside of Cintas on Saturday, but it is a little sad to see the Cintas at anything less than capacity for a Big East game.

I agree. There were also a fair amount of missing students which I don't understand. Even if I was hungover, I'd still get my ass over there for a 1:00 game.

[MD Muskie]

Georgetown is notoriously known for two types of well attended games. Anything on Saturday when most of their fans can get there and any game they would have against Syracuse. That's about it. And most long time Hoya backers are still stuck in the days of nostalgia for the old big east.

[xubrew]

This is the first season where I can recall seeing the corners empty for conference games. We would have a tough time filling those seats in the A-10, or for a lousy opponent in the non con part of the schedule. I was surprised to see the empty seats for both Creighton and Providence. I knew the attendance in other college basketball programs is down, but didn't think Xavier was affected.

The face value of tickets is now $25-$30 per ticket during the Big East. There were a number of free tickets to be had outside of Cintas on Saturday, but it is a little sad to see the Cintas at anything less than capacity for a Big East game.

This may be the first season you've noticed it at Cintas, but on a macro level regular season attendance has been declining all across college basketball for the last several years. I love college basketball more than any other sport, and it's really sad. But, I also understand it. They've ruined it in a lot of ways, and it just isn't as exciting to as many people any more, and it doesn't matter as much any more. Outside of the NCAA Tournament, people just don't care as much.

You care. I care. Everyone reading this cares. But, the casual fans don't care anymore, and it makes sense why they don't.

[Kahns Krazy]

So on Wednesday, the bad weather made for empty seats and on Saturday the good weather made for empty seats.

I dropped my season ticket a couple years ago because I was missing too many games. I occasionally buy one on stubhub well under face or I'll just go stand in front of the arena with my finger in the air until someone comes with one extra. I haven't been shut out of a game yet, though I will make an advanced effort for bigger games. I thought the crowd filled in pretty nicely about 1:15.

That's beside the point. What I am fairly sure it comes down to is cost. The free seat I scored saturday was an upper deck endzone seat, and it was $23.00 face price. I don't know if there are cheaper seats, but if you're looking at a c-note to get a family of 4 in the door, that is no longer a cheap seat. The concession prices have increased dramatically as well. A slice of LaRosas is $4.50. That's Kings Island pricing.

I fully appreciate why the prices have gone up. New ribbon boards aren't free, and Learfield has to make money somehow. All that costs money. But when you combine the price increase with an economic downturn, 100% of our games televised in HDTV and increasing costs, you are going to have a good chunk of people who no longer find going to the game "worth it".

All in, I think what you find is that the economics are working right. If every game is priced right, you should have 98% of the seats sold.

[xubrew]

So on Wednesday, the bad weather made for empty seats and on Saturday the good weather made for empty seats.

I dropped my season ticket a couple years ago because I was missing too many games. I occasionally buy one on stubhub well under face or I'll just go stand in front of the arena with my finger in the air until someone comes with one extra. I haven't been shut out of a game yet, though I will make an advanced effort for bigger games. I thought the crowd filled in pretty nicely about 1:15.

That's beside the point. What I am fairly sure it comes down to is cost. The free seat I scored saturday was an upper deck endzone seat, and it was $23.00 face price. I don't know if there are cheaper seats, but if you're looking at a c-note to get a family of 4 in the door, that is no longer a cheap seat. The concession prices have increased dramatically as well. A slice of LaRosas is $4.50. That's Kings Island pricing.

I fully appreciate why the prices have gone up. New ribbon boards aren't free, and Learfield has to make money somehow. All that costs money. But when you combine the price increase with an economic downturn, 100% of our games televised in HDTV and increasing costs, you are going to have a good chunk of people who no longer find going to the game "worth it".

All in, I think what you find is that the economics are working right. If every game is priced right, you should have 98% of the seats sold.

I agree with this, and although I'm only in my 30s, I know I'm about to sound like a lot of people's grandfather right now, but....

Do we really need ribbon boards?? Do we really need scoreboards that cost more than a house?? A college basketball game is about the atmosphere. You don't need all the splash and plush of a Vegas floor show. Ticket prices have gone up, rivalries have gone away, and they wonder why there are fewer people in the stands. With fewer people, three's less atmosphere, which furthers the decline. Seems kind of obvious to me.

...and I'm not just talking about Xavier. I'm talking about everywhere.

[paulxu]

You probably do when you are competing for people's "entertainment" dollar.

[Kahns Krazy]

It's the evolution of the fan base.

If you go to a rollergirls bout, you find fans there that love the event for what it is. You go to an NBA game, and you have at least half the fans who are more interested in the time-out promotions, Kiss-Cams, free cheeseburger for 100 points, flash and glitter.

Big time college basketball, which Xavier is now part of, is closer to the NBA end of the spectrum than the Rollergirls end, though many of us remember fondly our days in the Gardens.

[muethibp]

While not directly relevant, this article says the Big East ratings are falling short of hopes and expectations.
http://awfulannouncing.com/2015/big-east-basketball-scoring-foxfox-sports-1.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=big-east-basketball-scoring-foxfox-sports-1

[fellahmuskie]

I agree with most of the points here, but to me the biggest factor for Xavier games is the state of the program over the last three years. If X was competing for a conference championship and consistently in the Top 25, I think these Big East games would be rocking. But we haven't really had any momentum for a long time and that hurts. The casual fan wants to be part of something exciting. While Xavier basketball is still really fun, I don't think it has been exciting for a few years. Say we win the next 3 games against Marquette, St. Johns and UC. I'll bet the atmosphere at the Butler game would be terrific and every seat would be full.

[xubrew]

You probably do when you are competing for people's "entertainment" dollar.

I think it's safe to say college basketball is losing that competition. Hence, the empty seats. Again, you have to put yourself in the position of a casual fan, which I know isn't that easy to do. I think the appeal for most people was that they wanted to be a part of the atmosphere, not look at fancy ribbon boards or scoreboards. I mean, think about it. The casual fan doesn't need to be updated with each player's field goal percentage and assists. Many of them probably need it explained to them how a player gets credited for an assist.

The atmosphere isn't as good, and the casual fans aren't there anymore. At least not nearly as many of them. Tickets cost more and there are fewer rivalries. Therefore, there are fewer people, and less atmosphere. Both seems to be driving attendance down. Kind of like how it used to be the cool place to go, but isn't anymore because no one goes there.

[Kahns Krazy]

I agree with most of the points here, but to me the biggest factor for Xavier games is the state of the program over the last three years. If X was competing for a conference championship and consistently in the Top 25, I think these Big East games would be rocking. But we haven't really had any momentum for a long time and that hurts. The casual fan wants to be part of something exciting. While Xavier basketball is still really fun, I don't think it has been exciting for a few years. Say we win the next 3 games against Marquette, St. Johns and UC. I'll bet the atmosphere at the Butler game would be terrific and every seat would be full.

There you have it. Our fans are fair-weather, and it hasn't been sunny enough.

[muethibp]

There you have it. Our fans are fair-weather, and it hasn't been sunny enough.

Same as it ever was...everywhere...

[GoMuskies]

SOME of our fans are fair weather. We've still done pretty well attendance wise. It's been nothing like what happened to UC's fan base/attendance.

[blueblood]

Maybe people have kids and don't want to bring them and have to listen to the student section chanting obscenities like they have the last two games. Very odd, first time I remember the students cursing in nearly a decade it seems.

Anyway, more seriously, too many other entertainment options (sports and otherwise). The whole sports and entertainment marketplace is just oversaturated IMHO. No different than having a dozen news channels and a lot of 24/7 coverage.

That said, I'm also willing to go along with decrying scoreboards and entertainment hoopla. I feel sorry for the cheerleaders frankly. They were so much better/effective in the Gardens, but back then they weren't competing with non-stop commercials and music during the breaks and were actually able to get the crowd involved. These days nothing penetrates the commercials/hoopla other than the band with their occasional X-A-V-IER! song.

[fellahmuskie]

SOME of our fans are fair weather. We've still done pretty well attendance wise. It's been nothing like what happened to UC's fan base/attendance.

In a city of fickle, fair-weather sports fandom, Xavier basketball is a beacon of light.

[muskieindent]

I saw on This Week in the BE that Creighton is 5th in the country over the last few years in average attendance-over 17,000.That's pretty impressive.Obviously Omaha is like Dayton in that they are the only ticket in town.Xavier has had a fair number of empty seats even at games that are sold out.I don't doubt that some of the older BE schools' fans are suffering from the death of the old BE still.Hopefully they will embrace the new league because Syracuse and Pitt ain't coming back thru that door.

[NY44]

Obviously Omaha is like Dayton in that they are the only ticket in town..

If you're not a corn husker fan I would imagine it's the only ticket in the state.

[blobfan]

So on Wednesday, the bad weather made for empty seats and on Saturday the good weather made for empty seats.

I dropped my season ticket a couple years ago because I was missing too many games. I occasionally buy one on stubhub well under face or I'll just go stand in front of the arena with my finger in the air until someone comes with one extra. I haven't been shut out of a game yet, though I will make an advanced effort for bigger games. I thought the crowd filled in pretty nicely about 1:15.

That's beside the point. What I am fairly sure it comes down to is cost. The free seat I scored saturday was an upper deck endzone seat, and it was $23.00 face price. I don't know if there are cheaper seats, but if you're looking at a c-note to get a family of 4 in the door, that is no longer a cheap seat. The concession prices have increased dramatically as well. A slice of LaRosas is $4.50. That's Kings Island pricing.

I fully appreciate why the prices have gone up. New ribbon boards aren't free, and Learfield has to make money somehow. All that costs money. But when you combine the price increase with an economic downturn, 100% of our games televised in HDTV and increasing costs, you are going to have a good chunk of people who no longer find going to the game "worth it".

All in, I think what you find is that the economics are working right. If every game is priced right, you should have 98% of the seats sold.

I agree for the most part. I'm not sure ribbon boards are a problem though as they are supposed to be supported by ad revenue, and to bring in ad revenue. They shouldn't affect ticket or concession prices.

I don't get the concession prices. XU concession options are not special and it's atrocious to ask people to pay those prices for the same items that can be bought for pocket change at your average church festival. I'm wondering if X has any influence on pricing at all and perhaps the vendor is 'maximizing profit' by increasing prices beyond what's reasonable.

[xubrew]

There you have it. Our fans are fair-weather, and it hasn't been sunny enough.


Same as it ever was...everywhere...

I think with the exception of a very few programs, college basketball has always been the ultimate fair weather sport. Teams with seemingly no history and no fan support at all will pack the place if they're in the NCAA Tournament picture (SMU and Miami FL are recent examples). On the flip side, successful programs will suddenly be in front of half empty houses if the team is not in the discussion. In their down years, Maryland doesn't fill the place. Even before the decline in attendance started, unless the team was good, or unless it was either a showcase game or a rivalry game, the fans stayed away.

The thing is, they seem to be staying away even when the teams are good, or when it is a showcase game now. There are far fewer rivalries than there used to be and that doesn't help, but the other night when Oklahoma State was at home against Baylor, the upper bowl was empty. It was two ranked teams in a conference game, and no one was there. That place used to be sold out every night, and it was one of the loudest arenas in college basketball. What happened??

Not as many people care as much as they used to. I think a lot of it has to do with higher ticket prices and fewer historical and regional rivalries in conference play now. Again, the casual fan that wants to have a fun night out and get excited and yell and scream isn't going to buy a ticket to see West Virginia play TCU. It's ridiculous that is even a conference game. Those schools have absolutely nothing in common in any way, shape or form. What is now Rivalry Week, and they're having to get OOC games on the schedule just to fill that out, used to be Rivalry Season. Now that's been slashed, I think that's at least partially responsible for the sudden lack of interest.

[GoMuskies]

Obviously Omaha is like Dayton in that they are the only ticket in town.

This is a vile and incorrect comparison. Omaha is a great city (not town). Dayton is...not.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

I went to the Arizona vs. ASU game this weekend. Wells Fargo has 14k seats of which only 11k or so were even sold much less occupied. Absolutely embarrassing considering it's a rival game.

[xubrew]

I went to the Arizona vs. ASU game this weekend. Wells Fargo has 14k seats of which only 11k or so were even sold much less occupied. Absolutely embarrassing considering it's a rival game.

How much are tickets at Wells Fargo?? Just curious.

[RoseyMuskie]

Bobbie - Thanks for the idea. Will look into it for future games. Will be coming in town for St. John's and Villanova, so empty seats no more!

Growing up in Chicago, and currently living in Chicago, I never had a problem with concession prices at Cintas. Simply comes down to perspective. Relatively speaking, Xavier is still cheaper than most concession stands at arenas. The beer options, especially considering a collegiate venue, are outstanding. With that being said, I'm a single guy with a lot more discretionary income than someone with a family of four. It makes a difference.

And it truly is a matter of diehard/casual. A majority of my close Cincinnati friends/XU grad are unwilling to pay $150-$200 for full season tickets. That's a steal in my eyes, but I'm also willing to go to a game myself. For most, watching on FS1 is just an easier option, along with a cheaper one. Sad, but true.

[bleedXblue]

Ticket prices are reasonable. Concessions are a bit high in my opinion. $8.00 for a beer is steep anywhere. Thats why we frequent Dana's or Ryan's prior to the game. if you want a really good beer, Listerman's isn't a bad value either.

[RoseyMuskie]

Ticket prices are reasonable. Concessions are a bit high in my opinion. $8.00 for a beer is steep anywhere. Thats why we frequent Dana's or Ryan's prior to the game. if you want a really good beer, Listerman's isn't a bad value either.

Steep compared to a bar or the grocery store? Absolutely.

Steep relative to other stadiums? Not really.

I'll never be able to produce any sort of statistical breakdown, but in my estimation, beer prices at X are probably right at the mean across the country. +/- $.50.

Going to the game tomorrow in Milwaukee, and I'll take a glance. DePaul is running $10 or so.

I just don't think beer prices are anything to gripe about. You know what you're getting when you buy at a stadium.

But yes, that's why I'll check out Dana's or Listerman's as well!

[JTG]

I agree for the most part. I'm not sure ribbon boards are a problem though as they are supposed to be supported by ad revenue, and to bring in ad revenue. They shouldn't affect ticket or concession prices.

I don't get the concession prices. XU concession options are not special and it's atrocious to ask people to pay those prices for the same items that can be bought for pocket change at your average church festival. I'm wondering if X has any influence on pricing at all and perhaps the vendor is 'maximizing profit' by increasing prices beyond what's reasonable.

I don't understand your logic. ..X games are major college basketball featuring the #2 conference in the country. How do you compare that to a church festival ?. That like comparing OSU to a Cyo game. Its the price of being Big Time...like it or not.

[casualfan]

While not directly relevant, this article says the Big East ratings are falling short of hopes and expectations.
http://awfulannouncing.com/2015/big-east-basketball-scoring-foxfox-sports-1.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=big-east-basketball-scoring-foxfox-sports-1

Wow, although not directly related to the threads premise I found this very interesting.

I paid pretty close attention to this stuff last year, but I kind of stopped when things were looking up early this season with all the teams playing well.

I know the early thought was thet FS1 was struggling with ratings while people were still finding the channel, but the article seems to indicate games on the big Fox network are really struggling as well.

This is the part that really caught my attention:

Two Big East games on Fox proper (Providence-St. John’s in late January and Northwestern-Butler in December) have drawn fewer than 400,000 viewers, the lowest audiences ever for college basketball on broadcast television.

Now, part of me is wondering just what the hell they were thinking when they decided to broadcast those games on Fox.

[Nildogg]

Wow, although not directly related to the threads premise I found this very interesting.

I paid pretty close attention to this stuff last year, but I kind of stopped when things were looking up early this season with all the teams playing well.

I know the early thought was thet FS1 was struggling with ratings while people were still finding the channel, but the article seems to indicate games on the big Fox network are really struggling as well.

This is the part that really caught my attention:

Two Big East games on Fox proper (Providence-St. John’s in late January and Northwestern-Butler in December) have drawn fewer than 400,000 viewers, the lowest audiences ever for college basketball on broadcast television.

Now, part of me is wondering just what the hell they were thinking when they decided to broadcast those games on Fox.

More importantly, why did they sell the rights to Butler vs. Villanova to CBS for this weekends game?? Arguably the best game of the year in conference play...

Northwestern - Butler is not the typical Big 10 vs. Butler game you would see from just about any other team in that conference. I'm not sure what else was on that day, but it doesn't surprise me that it struggled with viewers. It just wasn't sexy, and Northwestern had something to do with that. Not to mention, it was earlier in the year, before Butler had really established itself, and people were still associating them with last years anomaly.

[Muskie]

More importantly, why did they sell the rights to Butler vs. Villanova to CBS for this weekends game?? Arguably the best game of the year in conference play...

Northwestern - Butler is not the typical Big 10 vs. Butler game you would see from just about any other team in that conference. I'm not sure what else was on that day, but it doesn't surprise me that it struggled with viewers. It just wasn't sexy, and Northwestern had something to do with that. Not to mention, it was earlier in the year, before Butler had really established itself, and people were still associating them with last years anomaly.

Nil,
Did they sell that game to CBS before you guys got hot? That's the only thing I can think of.

[xu82]

Steep compared to a bar or the grocery store? Absolutely.

Steep relative to other stadiums? Not really.

I'll never be able to produce any sort of statistical breakdown, but in my estimation, beer prices at X are probably right at the mean across the country. +/- $.50.

Going to the game tomorrow in Milwaukee, and I'll take a glance. DePaul is running $10 or so.

I just don't think beer prices are anything to gripe about. You know what you're getting when you buy at a stadium.

But yes, that's why I'll check out Dana's or Listerman's as well!

I didn't blink at the prices, but I was disappointed with the quality. That has very little, if anything, to do with whether I'd attend. I'm sure if I were in town I might struggle to make time for every game (life gets in the way). As an out of towner it's a big deal and I'm on vacation dollars so I don't care much about prices, just the experience.

[xubrew]

While not directly relevant, this article says the Big East ratings are falling short of hopes and expectations.
http://awfulannouncing.com/2015/big-east-basketball-scoring-foxfox-sports-1.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=big-east-basketball-scoring-foxfox-sports-1


Wow, although not directly related to the threads premise I found this very interesting.

I paid pretty close attention to this stuff last year, but I kind of stopped when things were looking up early this season with all the teams playing well.

I know the early thought was thet FS1 was struggling with ratings while people were still finding the channel, but the article seems to indicate games on the big Fox network are really struggling as well.

This is the part that really caught my attention:

Two Big East games on Fox proper (Providence-St. John’s in late January and Northwestern-Butler in December) have drawn fewer than 400,000 viewers, the lowest audiences ever for college basketball on broadcast television.

Now, part of me is wondering just what the hell they were thinking when they decided to broadcast those games on Fox.

When this contract is up, I wouldn't expect the Big East to see anything close to a half-billion dollars the next time. Most conferences won't get the kinds of TV deals they currently have because the ratings are dropping. I feel that is relevant because I think they're dropping for a lot of the same reasons attendance is dropping. It's just not that interesting to the casual fan anymore.


More importantly, why did they sell the rights to Butler vs. Villanova to CBS for this weekends game?? Arguably the best game of the year in conference play...

Northwestern - Butler is not the typical Big 10 vs. Butler game you would see from just about any other team in that conference. I'm not sure what else was on that day, but it doesn't surprise me that it struggled with viewers. It just wasn't sexy, and Northwestern had something to do with that. Not to mention, it was earlier in the year, before Butler had really established itself, and people were still associating them with last years anomaly.

Fox has a vested interest in both the Big East and the Big Ten. I'm guessing that's why they put the Northwestern v Butler game on the flagship network.

[GoMuskies]

Fox has a vested interest in both the Big East and the Big Ten. I'm guessing that's why they put the Northwestern v Butler game on the flagship network.

OK, but why not try to arrange a Villanova vs. Wisconsin matchup? Nothing against Butler, but CBS probably wouldn't even broadcast a Northwestern game if they were playing Kentucky.

[casualfan]

When this contract is up, I wouldn't expect the Big East to see anything close to a half-billion dollars the next time. Most conferences won't get the kinds of TV deals they currently have because the ratings are dropping. I feel that is relevant because I think they're dropping for a lot of the same reasons attendance is dropping. It's just not that interesting to the casual fan anymore.



Fox has a vested interest in both the Big East and the Big Ten. I'm guessing that's why they put the Northwestern v Butler game on the flagship network.

That doesn't explain why they picked that game specifically though.

Indiana-Butler, 'Nova-Michigan, Nova-Illinois, St. John's- Minnesota, G'Town-Wisconsin, G'Town-Indiana would all have been far better options than anything involving Northwestern.

[xubrew]

That doesn't explain why they picked that game specifically though.

Indiana-Butler, 'Nova-Michigan, Nova-Illinois, St. John's- Minnesota, G'Town-Wisconsin, G'Town-Indiana would all have been far better options than anything involving Northwestern.

Every single one of those games was either an exempt tournament, or part of a made for TV event that already had its own TV deal. Butler v IU was part of the Crossroads Classic, Battle 4 Atlantis (Georgetown v Wisky), the Preseason NIT (Johnnies v Minney), The Legends Classic (Nova v Michigan) and the Jimmy V Classic (Nova v Illinois).

[xubrew]

OK, but why not try to arrange a Villanova vs. Wisconsin matchup? Nothing against Butler, but CBS probably wouldn't even broadcast a Northwestern game if they were playing Kentucky.

Hey, my feelings about Fox, at least from a management standpoint, are pretty well documented. They're not very smart.

[danaandvictory]

Sports are more about milking the corporate teat than the game. The NFL started us down this road and everyone else has followed happily. Until that bubble pops, there will be no impetus to improve the actual experience of watching a game.

[LadyMuskie]

So on Wednesday, the bad weather made for empty seats and on Saturday the good weather made for empty seats.

I dropped my season ticket a couple years ago because I was missing too many games. I occasionally buy one on stubhub well under face or I'll just go stand in front of the arena with my finger in the air until someone comes with one extra. I haven't been shut out of a game yet, though I will make an advanced effort for bigger games. I thought the crowd filled in pretty nicely about 1:15.

That's beside the point. What I am fairly sure it comes down to is cost. The free seat I scored saturday was an upper deck endzone seat, and it was $23.00 face price. I don't know if there are cheaper seats, but if you're looking at a c-note to get a family of 4 in the door, that is no longer a cheap seat. The concession prices have increased dramatically as well. A slice of LaRosas is $4.50. That's Kings Island pricing.

I fully appreciate why the prices have gone up. New ribbon boards aren't free, and Learfield has to make money somehow. All that costs money. But when you combine the price increase with an economic downturn, 100% of our games televised in HDTV and increasing costs, you are going to have a good chunk of people who no longer find going to the game "worth it".

All in, I think what you find is that the economics are working right. If every game is priced right, you should have 98% of the seats sold.

I actually think this is spot on.

I know for certain, among our friends, that the cost is what has changed our viewing habits. For example, 4 years ago 4 couples had a total of 8 seats. Two of those couples dropped their seats completely and the other 2 (including us) now share season tickets for two seats. So, our group of friends went from 8 seats to 2 - and we all had seats where we had to pay for the seat licenses. For us, we were paying way too much money for the seats based on how many games we were missing. I don't mind giving tickets away to friends, but at some point you begin to feel like a charity doling out free tickets to people.

Sharing the tickets now, we still have games where neither family can attend because of activities with the kids. I'm not entirely sure what's going to happen after this season because I don't think our friends want to renew (they'll have 3 kids in parochial school for about $10,000 just in tuition), and the cost is extraordinary for us when we factor in how many games we're actually able to make (if we could attend all the games, I actually don't think the cost is that bad). Additionally, the spouses hardly ever go together because then we'd need to get a babysitter (more money and a logistical nightmare), but when you take a kid with you and buy just the bare minimum of snacks - it's still costly.

Little LM is lucky because her grandparents take her to about half the games. Apparently, those same grandparents who never had any money when they were just parents, have more money than God to buy ridiculous amounts of junk food and crap from the bookstore. But that might be an entirely different issue.

[paulxu]

Apparently, those same grandparents who never had any money when they were just parents, have more money than God to buy ridiculous amounts of junk food and crap from the bookstore. But that might be an entirely different issue.

You broke the code.

[bobbiemcgee]

Best part is loading them up with sugar and foam fingers and dropping them off at naptime lol. Revenge of the grandpops.

[bleedXblue]

I actually think this is spot on.

I know for certain, among our friends, that the cost is what has changed our viewing habits. For example, 4 years ago 4 couples had a total of 8 seats. Two of those couples dropped their seats completely and the other 2 (including us) now share season tickets for two seats. So, our group of friends went from 8 seats to 2 - and we all had seats where we had to pay for the seat licenses. For us, we were paying way too much money for the seats based on how many games we were missing. I don't mind giving tickets away to friends, but at some point you begin to feel like a charity doling out free tickets to people.

Sharing the tickets now, we still have games where neither family can attend because of activities with the kids. I'm not entirely sure what's going to happen after this season because I don't think our friends want to renew (they'll have 3 kids in parochial school for about $10,000 just in tuition), and the cost is extraordinary for us when we factor in how many games we're actually able to make (if we could attend all the games, I actually don't think the cost is that bad). Additionally, the spouses hardly ever go together because then we'd need to get a babysitter (more money and a logistical nightmare), but when you take a kid with you and buy just the bare minimum of snacks - it's still costly.

Little LM is lucky because her grandparents take her to about half the games. Apparently, those same grandparents who never had any money when they were just parents, have more money than God to buy ridiculous amounts of junk food and crap from the bookstore. But that might be an entirely different issue.

I've had season tickets in the upper level since Cintas opened. This year 2 tickets cost a total of $450.00. Section 201 with a bunch of great die hard X fans all around us. It's an absolute steal of a deal in my opinion. We miss at least 5 games a year b/c of other things going on. We simply give the tickets away or if we can't find anyone who wants them it's no big deal. I could swing lower level seats, but I would have the same issues not being able to make all of the games and then feeling like your throwing some serious dollars down the drain. Maybe when the kids get through college I'll splurge and move down but its going to be hard to justify spending the extra money.

[xu82]

I've had season tickets in the upper level since Cintas opened. This year 2 tickets cost a total of $450.00.

Sorry if I missed it somewhere, but what would 2 seats in the lower bowl cost? Upper bowl sounds like a deal! (But I pay Stubhub prices because I'm not leaving the state without good seats - if you do it rarely and drive 7 hours each way you get good seats and pay a Stubhub premium on top.)

[danaandvictory]

Sorry if I missed it somewhere, but what would 2 seats in the lower bowl cost? Upper bowl sounds like a deal! (But I pay Stubhub prices because I'm not leaving the state without good seats - if you do it rarely and drive 7 hours each way you get good seats and pay a Stubhub premium on top.)

This is what is weird. I have tickets near Bleed. They run $200/ticket for the season with no mandatory donation. It's the best deal you can find, and our tickets actually went down 30% in price for this season. Yet (and I've done the research) to move even one row down doubles or triples our spend, and into the lower bowl increases it a ton more. It's kind of a bizarre pricing structure. Although I have to say I'm not complaining and now that they have craft beer right up at the top of the steps, I'm pretty happy where I am.

That being said, our section was a ghost town during the non-conference and is a little - but not much - better since BE play began.

[gladdenguy]

Sorry if I missed it somewhere, but what would 2 seats in the lower bowl cost? Upper bowl sounds like a deal! (But I pay Stubhub prices because I'm not leaving the state without good seats - if you do it rarely and drive 7 hours each way you get good seats and pay a Stubhub premium on top.)

I have premium 2 seats. For 2 seats the donation is $1,150. The seats are roughly 900-1000. Total right around $2,000 give or take.

[danaandvictory]

I have premium 2 seats. For 2 seats the donation is $1,150. The seats are roughly 900-1000. Total right around $2,000 give or take.

It is crazy to me that an upgrade from 6-8 rows up to the lower level is a 500% price hike. That's like going from the View level seats at the Reds to the scout seats or something.

[xu82]

So.... $200 or $2,000. Hmm. That does sound like a crazy pricing structure indeed, especially if one row changes the cost so much! And prices went down 30%? What else goes down 30%? I do love my great seats on my rare visits though.

[MuskiePimp23]

The funny thing is the only game I feel truly had that "sold out" feel to it was the Marquette game and Marquette brought several hundred fans, but aside from that, what is the allure of Marquette who has been down for a few years versus other BE programs. I mean, the Marquette game, truly there really weren't any empty seats. That I don't get why Marquette was such a hot ticket and other games have not been as much. Now I do expect Butler and Villanova, both to be sold out, SRO, but not sure if the same will happen this Saturday versus St. John's.

[MuskiePimp23]

So on Wednesday, the bad weather made for empty seats and on Saturday the good weather made for empty seats.

I dropped my season ticket a couple years ago because I was missing too many games. I occasionally buy one on stubhub well under face or I'll just go stand in front of the arena with my finger in the air until someone comes with one extra. I haven't been shut out of a game yet, though I will make an advanced effort for bigger games. I thought the crowd filled in pretty nicely about 1:15.

That's beside the point. What I am fairly sure it comes down to is cost. The free seat I scored saturday was an upper deck endzone seat, and it was $23.00 face price. I don't know if there are cheaper seats, but if you're looking at a c-note to get a family of 4 in the door, that is no longer a cheap seat. The concession prices have increased dramatically as well. A slice of LaRosas is $4.50. That's Kings Island pricing.

I fully appreciate why the prices have gone up. New ribbon boards aren't free, and Learfield has to make money somehow. All that costs money. But when you combine the price increase with an economic downturn, 100% of our games televised in HDTV and increasing costs, you are going to have a good chunk of people who no longer find going to the game "worth it".

All in, I think what you find is that the economics are working right. If every game is priced right, you should have 98% of the seats sold.

I agree with some of this, but if you compare how we are priced versus Reds or Bengals tickets, I think Xavier tickets are a much more enjoyable value and overall experience. I think that is who we are compared against. If you compare versus uc, our value and overall product is so much better going to a game at Cintas versus Shoemaker as well.

[bigdiggins]

I'm in 208, seats 1&2. Last time I looked (before the 2012-2013 season) to move to the other side of the aisle/staircase, maybe 3 ft?, would have basically doubled my cost based. Mainly due to adding in the seat license/donation.

[X-band '01]

The funny thing is the only game I feel truly had that "sold out" feel to it was the Marquette game and Marquette brought several hundred fans, but aside from that, what is the allure of Marquette who has been down for a few years versus other BE programs. I mean, the Marquette game, truly there really weren't any empty seats. That I don't get why Marquette was such a hot ticket and other games have not been as much. Now I do expect Butler and Villanova, both to be sold out, SRO, but not sure if the same will happen this Saturday versus St. John's.

You answered your own question. If that's how well Marquette travels when they don't play well, they'll travel even better when they're up again.

Young whippersnappers like myself cannot comprehend what it was like for Xavier to get hammered like a nail when Marquette was at their peak in the 70s.

[xu82]

I remember a cheerleader named Dawn from Marquette. I think that was the best thing to watch that day... we were in fact getting hammered.

[Nildogg]

More importantly, why did they sell the rights to Butler vs. Villanova to CBS for this weekends game?? Arguably the best game of the year in conference play...

Northwestern - Butler is not the typical Big 10 vs. Butler game you would see from just about any other team in that conference. I'm not sure what else was on that day, but it doesn't surprise me that it struggled with viewers. It just wasn't sexy, and Northwestern had something to do with that. Not to mention, it was earlier in the year, before Butler had really established itself, and people were still associating them with last years anomaly.

Looking back at the CFB schedule that day, I'm sure in large part, Fox was looking to get just a bout anything they could on in an open time slot that was dominated everywhere else by College Football Conference championship games.
http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/scoreboard?confId=80&seasonYear=2014&seasonType=2&weekNumber=15

I don't think the ratings were as influenced by the teams playing, as they were the competitive TV landscape, but who knows.

[MuskiePimp23]

You answered your own question. If that's how well Marquette travels when they don't play well, they'll travel even better when they're up again.

Young whippersnappers like myself cannot comprehend what it was like for Xavier to get hammered like a nail when Marquette was at their peak in the 70s.

Several hundred is one thing, but against Providence, I would say there were a good 700-1,000 empty seats across the arena. Against Creighton, I would doubt there were truly 8,000 people in the overall arena. I think Marquette have have brought 500-600 fans...That is definitely a huge difference, but it also seemed like our own fans were really engaged and pumped for that game for whatever reason. Marquette overall is a bigger name than Providence I would say, but Providence has been a much better team over the past 2 years. Like somebody else said either earlier in this thread or another post, if we can get on a roll and win a couple in a row...both Villanova and Butler will be sold out, SRO and rocking environments.

[xeus]

muskiepimp, where are your seats?

[D-West & PO-Z]

This is what is weird. I have tickets near Bleed. They run $200/ticket for the season with no mandatory donation. It's the best deal you can find, and our tickets actually went down 30% in price for this season. Yet (and I've done the research) to move even one row down doubles or triples our spend, and into the lower bowl increases it a ton more. It's kind of a bizarre pricing structure. Although I have to say I'm not complaining and now that they have craft beer right up at the top of the steps, I'm pretty happy where I am.

That being said, our section was a ghost town during the non-conference and is a little - but not much - better since BE play began.

Since Cintas opened my family had 4 seats in section 202 row D, two years ago my parents decided not to renew because my youngest brother was in 6th grade and playing a lot of basketball and they were missing a lot of games. I then decided to buy my own season tickets. When I looked at taking two of the seats my parents had they were a couple hundred dollars more and there was a seat donation required. I moved back one row and saved hundreds of dollars.

I had them for a couple years before moving to Columbus. This is the first year in over 30 years that no one in my family has season tickets. First year in since '94 that no one in my immediate family has season tickets. I definitely plan on getting them when I return to Cincinnati in 2 years. I will probably get them in upper deck again somewhere in either 204, 202, or 200. Dont think its worth the extra money to me to move down because I am so used to the view from that area and think it is a very good view.

[STL_XUfan]

Against Creighton, I would doubt there were truly 8,000 people in the overall arena.

9:15 pm start on a school night may have knocked out some of the season ticket holders with children.

[bjf123]

9:15 pm start on a school night may have knocked out some of the season ticket holders with children.

That, plus the forecast for snow.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[xu82]

That, plus the forecast for snow.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well, with those two things I think they did pretty well, actually.

[SpectorJersey]

I understand what they are trying to do, but on the topic of money I could do without being asked 4 or 5 times to buy a 50/50 ticket. I get hit up on the way in, and on Saturday at halftime I am trying to talk with my friends and got interrupted 3 times to buy a ticket. Cant they just walk through and yell to buy the 50/50 ticket rather than coming up and constantly interrupting each individual?

[Xavier]

Is this the first year they did 50/50? Can't remember it the past few years....If it is I'm surprised, seems like a logical thing to do to help raise money for the specific sport selling that day.

[bleedXblue]

I understand what they are trying to do, but on the topic of money I could do without being asked 4 or 5 times to buy a 50/50 ticket. I get hit up on the way in, and on Saturday at halftime I am trying to talk with my friends and got interrupted 3 times to buy a ticket. Cant they just walk through and yell to buy the 50/50 ticket rather than coming up and constantly interrupting each individual?

Another reason why upper level seats are great. No one ever comes up there. They attempt to throw a few of the miniature basketballs up and make a half ass attempt to toss a few Skyline gift cards away. Plus, the craft beer bar is up top.

[Cheesehead]

Another reason why upper level seats are great. No one ever comes up there. They attempt to throw a few of the miniature basketballs up and make a half ass attempt to toss a few Skyline gift cards away. Plus, the craft beer bar is up top.

I may never move from 201 with the new bar up there. It is pricey though.

Having said that, I did sit in 110 (wife's aunt's tickets) for Providence game and it was very nice. I am just not in the financial position to move down anytime soon, especially if my son ends up at XU next year.

[bleedXblue]

I may never move from 201 with the new bar up there. It is pricey though.

Having said that, I did sit in 110 (wife's aunt's tickets) for Providence game and it was very nice. I am just not in the financial position to move down anytime soon, especially if my son ends up at XU next year.

Yes the seats in the lower level are great, but not enough to justify spend 4 or 5 times the amount of money when you have kids in private school and college. In another 5 years, it might make more sense.

[OH.X.MI]

They attempt to throw a few of the miniature basketballs up

Gotta say that one bald cheerleader has a hell of an arm. He threw one up to my group pretty close to the top row.

[bleedXblue]

Gotta say that one bald cheerleader has a hell of an arm. He threw one up to my group pretty close to the top row.

I swear that guys in his 6th or 7th year at X. Seems like he's s been around forever.

[BMoreX]

I swear that guys in his 6th or 7th year at X. Seems like he's s been around forever.

The old Gerry McNamara College Experience

[Juice]

I swear that guys in his 6th or 7th year at X. Seems like he's s been around forever.

He's also a little too intense for my liking. I don't trust him.

[D-West & PO-Z]

The old Gerry McNamara College Experience

Robert O'Kelley from Wake Forest is a guy I remember when I was younger being there forever. My dad and I joke about it to this day.

[Juice]

Robert O'Kelley from Wake Forest is a guy I remember when I was younger being there forever. My dad and I joke about it to this day.

This Robert Kelly?

http://images3.mtv.com/uri/mgid:file:docroot:vh1.com:/sitewide/flipbooks/img/movies/news_features/sex_tape_babylon/r_kelly_2.jpg?enlarge=false&matte=true&matteColor=black&quality=0.85

[xeus]

Gotta say that one bald cheerleader has a hell of an arm. He threw one up to my group pretty close to the top row.

His dramatic exhale after each throw is a bit much.

[LadyMuskie]

This Robert Kelly?

http://images3.mtv.com/uri/mgid:file:docroot:vh1.com:/sitewide/flipbooks/img/movies/news_features/sex_tape_babylon/r_kelly_2.jpg?enlarge=false&matte=true&matteColor=black&quality=0.85

Lets hope not.

[RoseyMuskie]

$8.75 for craft beers at Marquette. $8.00 for the miller/coors products. $.25 and $.50 more, respectively.

[DC Muskie]

$8.75 for craft beers at Marquette. $8.00 for the miller/coors products. $.25 and $.50 more, respectively.

My God, that's almost as bad as Nats games. Just a dollar less.

I can understand people in Cincinnati thinking beer prices are a little much.

Also, I think college basketball overall is not star driven. And the play is not the greatest. Oh and there about a billion other things to be involved with, including sports.

[Snipe]

I pay $200 a piece for season tickets for me and my boys. That is a great deal.

I don't blame the people that watch on TV though. Every game is on national TV and the quality of televised sports in general has gone through the roof in the last few decades.

My biggest wish is that the Big East doesn't expand and remains a traditional round robin conference. We are going to develop some intense rivalries in this league, and I think it is one hell of a league.

My kids have been going to Xavier games since they were in strollers. That $200 season ticket is the best sporting value in Cincinnati. Just get me in the door and i am happy. The future is bright for Xavier, and I am damn glad that my betters in the lower section are paying thousands of dollars to subsidize my cheap seats. Bravo gentlemen.

Although I would like someone to give me their ticket stubs one time so I can take my boys into the Joseph club and cavort with the elite. Never been in the place. Would like to do that. I love it up top.

Would love to see some concession breaks like anyone else, but I am not holding my breath for that. I think that telling people that they can't bring peanuts in is bush league and greedy. I love the new bar up top and they could probably expand the seating area and put some TV's up there. They created a cool space and should take it up another level.

[SpectorJersey]

Snipe, you can probably just walk into the Joseph Club, the guys at the door aren't too tough on entrance

I dont think the view from there is all that great and getting a seat outside is tough.

Good place for a postgame beer

[Masterofreality]

I pay $200 a piece for season tickets for me and my boys. That is a great deal.

I don't blame the people that watch on TV though. Every game is on national TV and the quality of televised sports in general has gone through the roof in the last few decades.

My biggest wish is that the Big East doesn't expand and remains a traditional round robin conference. We are going to develop some intense rivalries in this league, and I think it is one hell of a league.

My kids have been going to Xavier games since they were in strollers. That $200 season ticket is the best sporting value in Cincinnati. Just get me in the door and i am happy. The future is bright for Xavier, and I am damn glad that my betters in the lower section are paying thousands of dollars to subsidize my cheap seats. Bravo gentlemen.

Although I would like someone to give me their ticket stubs one time so I can take my boys into the Joseph club and cavort with the elite. Never been in the place. Would like to do that. I love it up top.

Would love to see some concession breaks like anyone else, but I am not holding my breath for that. I think that telling people that they can't bring peanuts in is bush league and greedy. I love the new bar up top and they could probably expand the seating area and put some TV's up there. They created a cool space and should take it up another level.

My Gawd, brother! You have returned! I was worried that you were pulling a Music City Muskie on us and had gone off the reservation.

By the way, what "ticket stubs" do you need to get in the Joseph Club? Would my 101's work? I thought that you had to have a special pass?

Hope to see you tomorrow.

[bleedXblue]

My God, that's almost as bad as Nats games. Just a dollar less.

I can understand people in Cincinnati thinking beer prices are a little much.

Also, I think college basketball overall is not star driven. And the play is not the greatest. Oh and there about a billion other things to be involved with, including sports.

I'm not so much complaining about Cintas prices for beer as they are pretty much in line with what you would pay at Bengals or Reds game. The upcharge from light domestic beer to the crafts is fine. $8.00 for 20 oz. of any beer anywhere is just stupid. And yes, I'm stupid b/c I almost always have a couple every game.

[xu82]

My biggest wish is that the Big East doesn't expand and remains a traditional round robin conference. We are going to develop some intense rivalries in this league, and I think it is one hell of a league.

I'm with you on this more than ever. There's nothing like a guaranteed home and home to create rivalries and generate interest. Though we've let a few slip away, this has been a really fun season for me and I like knowing we will get another crack at teams at our place after some of those road losses. To not get that chance would be very disappointing. Rivalries are great!

What and where exactly is this Joseph Club I keep hearing about? Is it a bar type area only for certain ticket holders? Can you sit in there and watch the game live? What do you get tbere you can't get elsewhere? I've walked Cintas a few times, but somehow never noticed it.

[danaandvictory]

The Joseph Club is the large luxury box behind the basket opposite the students.

[SM#24]

By the way, what "ticket stubs" do you need to get in the Joseph Club? Would my 101's work? I thought that you had to have a special pass?

Club Seats (basically 1st 15 rows or so of the sideline sections), your ticket stub is your pass (an attendant scans you in, similar to how you're scanned into the arena proper)

[Masterofreality]

Club Seats (basically 1st 15 rows or so of the sideline sections), your ticket stub is your pass (an attendant scans you in, similar to how you're scanned into the arena proper)

Ah, yeah. I knew that. Fading memory.

[blobfan]

I don't understand your logic. ..X games are major college basketball featuring the #2 conference in the country. How do you compare that to a church festival ?. That like comparing OSU to a Cyo game. Its the price of being Big Time...like it or not.
I'm not comparing the GAMES but the CONCESSIONS. XU concession food reminds me of the stuff they sell at a church festival: unremarkable. I'm plenty willing to overpay for a beer but not a hot pretzel that is likely to be like warm, hard and unsalted. This is an age where ballparks have executive chefs and pair with Food Network celebs to create healthy and appetizing offerings. What does XU offer? And when they do offer something decent it's only at one location and has a god-awful line. When you are coming straight from work to a 7 pm game, it's nice to be able to eat at the arena, but not if the offering is going to make you so ill that you can't enjoy your beer. And there are very few off-site locations where you can eat then walk to the game.

I feel like we've had more 9 pm games lately too which suck on weeknights. Parking changes every season and I feel like they are trying to squeeze every last drop of money out of people that attend the games. All those things have made the arena experience less than fun but when our section was rocking we overlooked it. Then our friends had families or moved and checked out. And we ended up sitting in empty sections except for a few games. We section hopped for a couple years but last year it was just not fun any more. Either we splurge for tickets that require a donation or we end up sitting alone for most of the season. So we didn't re-up this season and I don't see us doing so again for quite a while. We still try to attend a couple games but only if all the stars align.

[xeus]

muskiepimp, where are your seats?

Bump

[waggy]

Bump


With the other empty ones?

[xu82]

With the other empty ones?

In his mom's basement?

[xu82]

In his mom's basement?

This got me a neg rep. I'm heart broken! I thought it was a fair and reasonable question...

My first ever, I think... I'm so proud!

[bleedXblue]

I'm not comparing the GAMES but the CONCESSIONS. XU concession food reminds me of the stuff they sell at a church festival: unremarkable. I'm plenty willing to overpay for a beer but not a hot pretzel that is likely to be like warm, hard and unsalted. This is an age where ballparks have executive chefs and pair with Food Network celebs to create healthy and appetizing offerings. What does XU offer? And when they do offer something decent it's only at one location and has a god-awful line. When you are coming straight from work to a 7 pm game, it's nice to be able to eat at the arena, but not if the offering is going to make you so ill that you can't enjoy your beer. And there are very few off-site locations where you can eat then walk to the game.

I feel like we've had more 9 pm games lately too which suck on weeknights. Parking changes every season and I feel like they are trying to squeeze every last drop of money out of people that attend the games. All those things have made the arena experience less than fun but when our section was rocking we overlooked it. Then our friends had families or moved and checked out. And we ended up sitting in empty sections except for a few games. We section hopped for a couple years but last year it was just not fun any more. Either we splurge for tickets that require a donation or we end up sitting alone for most of the season. So we didn't re-up this season and I don't see us doing so again for quite a while. We still try to attend a couple games but only if all the stars align.

The only thing really safe to eat at the Cintas is LaRoasas or Skyline. I miss having City Barbacue at the games. I agree the quality of the food is average at best. I know almost all of the concessions are managed by volunteers who are trying to raise money for youth sports teams. No reason why they can't find a decent hot dog and brat offering.

[xu82]

The only thing really safe to eat at the Cintas is LaRoasas or Skyline. I miss having City Barbacue at the games. I agree the quality of the food is average at best. I know almost all of the concessions are managed by volunteers who are trying to raise money for youth sports teams. No reason why they can't find a decent hot dog and brat offering.

No kidding! I get a hot dog at pretty much any game I attend, regardless of sport or venue. It's my thing. I need to remember to do something different next time unless they make some changes at Cintas. A decent hot dog isn't a hard thing to make happen.

[MuskiePimp23]

In his mom's basement?

My mom is dead buddy and haven't lived at home in over 20 years. And you complain about being neg repped for that?

[MuskiePimp23]

Bump

You negative rep me and want me to tell you where my seats are. Funny stuff.

[XU 87]

You negative rep me and want me to tell you where my seats are. Funny stuff.

Has it occurred to you why you have all those red boxes under your name? You act like an a-hole on this board and the Scout Board. Clean it up and people will treat you better. Keep it up and I suspect you'll get banned.

Then again, you bragged on the Scout Board that about all the money you make betting against Xavier.

I honestly think you're just a troll from UD or UC.

[MuskiePimp23]

Has it occurred to you why you have all those red boxes under your name? You act like an a-hole on this board and the Scout Board. Clean it up and people will treat you better. Keep it up and I suspect you'll get banned.

Then again, you bragged on the Scout Board that about all the money you make betting against Xavier.

I honestly think you're just a troll from UD or UC.

You think I am a troll yet have been on this board since its inception and also pay for the Scout board. That is pretty funny stuff. My dots were all green until the last week. The red boxes are simply because people on this board don't like that fact that you disagree with how this team is playing and you don't see a lot of reason for optimism. This board is going the way of censoring people they don't agree with and several other people on here just think I am trying to start something and that is not the case at all. I am a passionate fan, have held season tickets for over 20 years, graduated from this school, I just don't seem to think we will "be just fine", when it comes down to it. This is really the only team I care about and am sick of us pi$$ing away opportunities. I dream of us being at the Final Four and we seem to be going the other direction. I feel there is too much talent on this team and this program has invested too much to be where we currently are. It is frustration, pure and simple.

As far as betting, I don't care about the money, but like some others on here will also tell you, I want to win at least something when Xavier plays as bad as they did yesterday. When I win money over the course of a season, I either put it towards traveling to see Xavier it the postseason or donating that money to the AFO next season. If I lose money, I usually travel and always donate to the AFO anyways. The other point I will make in regards to betting as I started out only betting on Xavier. Many times that was a very good thing, but over the years it got me more ticked than I already was if we lost a game and I lost money. So I thought of the alternative and starting hedging my bets. Now I only bet against Xavier so one way or the other I am going to at least get something out of it. I would gladly trade the money I won yesterday for Xavier winning the game. It isn't even close. I do well financially speaking and Xavier winning the games is what is important to me.

Looking at our remaining games, I don't see much reason for optimism down the stretch. Look at my posts over the years. When Xavier is playing well, I will give them props. When they aren't and I don't see things improving I will say so. That is where I see us at the current moment.

The "casual" fan generally feels the way I do, yet almost none of those fans will come on this board and say so. The only people on here are generally the die-hards. You thinking I'm a "troll" is a joke. This season is just maddening to watch.
I will be in hostile territory on Wednesday wearing Xavier gear. That is how much of a "troll" I am 87.

[xeus]

You negative rep me and want me to tell you where my seats are. Funny stuff.

That's what I thought.

[MuskiePimp23]

That's what I thought.

Is that a threat? Are you saying you want to come to my seats and have words?

I write this reply and this is what you quote. I don't get you buddy and not interested in having words with you in my seats.

[Muskie]

Good Lord People. Maybe I need to post a civil discourse lecture.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[xeus]

Is that a threat? Are you saying you want to come to my seats and have words?

I write this reply and this is what you quote. I don't get you buddy and not interested in having words with you in my seats.

Child please.

Actually, I'm going to POSITIVE rep you for that post. It's easily one of the best of this season.

But seriously. I asked you where your seats were, only in response to your comment about the arena seeming relatively empty. I just wondered from which vantage point you were observing all these thousands of empty seats. Just thought you'd say which section, I didn't want to bring you a beer or anything like that.

But you didn't reply, further confirming two things that many people already believe: 1) You don't attend the games, and 2) You aren't even a Xavier fan.

So when you didn't reply, I pushed it a bit, I admit. I'm sorry to have called you out and embarrassed you like that. It won't happen again.