Why ticket prices and UCAT donations must by raised

[ralph1950]

There is a $20 million revenue gap between UC and the top of the Big East. Schools like UConn and Louisville have dedicated fans who will show up win or lose, UC has about 5,000 dedicated fans and a bunch of bandwagon frontrunners. Shows what great coaches Kelly and Cronin are that they can compete with a whole lot less cash to work with.

Here are the rest of the Big East revenue rankings:

44. Louisville: $52.2 million

45. Rutgers: $50.2 million

54. Syracuse: $44.7 million

61. Pittsburgh: $39.7 million

66. South Florida: $34.7 million

67. Cincinnati: $33.9 million

[BearcatAlum1]

Impressive for Syrcause. Obviously 18,000 people at the Carrier Dome for basketball games can carry the entire sports program.

[bearcatbret]

I do not think that you need to raise prices. That may end up driving away the fan who just purchased a season ticket for the first time because of the recent fb success or to see LS play. You need to win and you will sell more tickets. The bandwagon will be back this year in bball and you will see near sold out every game at Nippert. We need to schedule 7 home games each year.

[Cincinnati Burrcats]

My response to this is simple. Cincinnati won the BE last season while ranking last in BE financially. Just do what you have to do, it doesn't matter what the other schools are doing. Put a winning team on the floor/field and those numbers will rise. Raising the prices is a terrible idea, there's zero justification for it at this point in time not even considering the economy.

[Josh Rexhausen]

39. Connecticut: $54.7 million.
40. West Virginia: $54.3 million

[vabearcat]

The only reason ticket prices have not been raised more is that UC will have not many more season ticket holders in 2009 than they had in 2008. Of course the economy is a factor, but isn't it rather pathetic that a school which won a BCS conference championship and went to the Orange Bowl has sold only 15,000 season tickets. Louisville has sold 22,000 and what did they do last year? WVU virtually sells out their season with season tickets. Just read this board to see why, even with the increased enthusiasm, achievement and excitement of the team's performance over the last several seasons, people still have all kinds of excuses why they can't attend the games--chance of rain, soccer preactice, day after Thanksgiving, workday evening game, unattractive opponent, blah, blah, blah. 15,000 season tickets? Frankly, it is shameful for a BCS conference champion to be supported so poorly. I know we do not have the state-wide draw of an Ohio State, Michigan, WVU, Tennessee, Georgia, etc., but there is no reason why 25,000-30,000 season tickets should not have been sold this year.

[shaunsimpson]

Impressive for Syrcause. Obviously 18,000 people at the Carrier Dome for basketball games can carry the entire sports program.

don't forget lacrosse at Syracuse

[bearcatbret]

"but there is no reason why 25,000-30,000 season tickets should not have been sold this year."

But keep in mind that just four years ago the average attendance was 19k and six yrs ago was probably more like 15k. It will take a few more winning seasons for people to see if UC is for real. I agree with you though, I am disappointed in the numbers so far.

[catscratchfever]

"but there is no reason why 25,000-30,000 season tickets should not have been sold this year."

But keep in mind that just four years ago the average attendance was 19k and six yrs ago was probably more like 15k. It will take a few more winning seasons for people to see if UC is for real. I agree with you though, I am disappointed in the numbers so far.

Don't forget that there are 5,000 tickets allotted for students and 2,000 allotted for the visiting team. Add that on to the possible 17k season tickets and you have 24k total already accounted for. I agree though, I would have really liked to see at least 22 or 23k season tickets sold this year....

[juckerrules]

There is a $20 million revenue gap between UC and the top of the Big East. Schools like UConn and Louisville have dedicated fans who will show up win or lose, UC has about 5,000 dedicated fans and a bunch of bandwagon frontrunners. Shows what great coaches Kelly and Cronin are that they can compete with a whole lot less cash to work with.

Here are the rest of the Big East revenue rankings:

44. Louisville: $52.2 million

45. Rutgers: $50.2 million

54. Syracuse: $44.7 million

61. Pittsburgh: $39.7 million

66. South Florida: $34.7 million

67. Cincinnati: $33.9 million
Other than Pitt and S. Fla, none of the BE schools have to compete with major league baseball and the NFL in their cities - UC should still be supported better, but I'm sure season ticket sales for college football would be a lot higher without the Bengals.....probable no Reds would help too as that would free up some sports fan's dollars

[aronius]

I agree that the pricing is sensitive right now. Keep the prices as is for the next two seasons and try to build on the momentum. Make no mistake though....they aren't going to give football tickets away at those prices for much longer.

I was shocked that more football season tickets haven't been sold. Any increase is good but I thought they would at least break the 20k mark.

[Scheids21]

Impressive for Syrcause. Obviously 18,000 people at the Carrier Dome for basketball games can carry the entire sports program.

More than 18,000...

[CatAttack]

UC has about 5,000 dedicated fans and a bunch of bandwagon frontrunners.

Don't forget the many formerly dedicated fans turned off by the Zimpher/Huggins fiasco. A whole bunch of them haven't spent a dime since in support of UC and probably never will. All so unnecessary.

[Bearcat_DF]

Other than Pitt and S. Fla, none of the BE schools have to compete with major league baseball and the NFL in their cities - UC should still be supported better, but I'm sure season ticket sales for college football would be a lot higher without the Bengals.....probable no Reds would help too as that would free up some sports fan's dollars

I imagine that UC receives less revenue from other sources than ticket sales to individual fans. UC has to compete with the Bengals and Reds for advertising dollars, corporate tickets/luxury boxes, and social capital (while the Reds and Bengals don't received donations like UC, they do have friends of the organization that have influence to get a new stadium and other things . . . ).

[franzeal]

Don't forget the many fans turned off by the Zimpher/Huggins fiasco. A whole bunch of them haven't spent a dime since in support of UC and probably never will. All so unnecessary.

Fixed that for you.

[CincySuperFan]

I agree about the Reds and Bengals. Corporations in Cincinnati have to have a box at the Reds/Bengals because it's the thing you have to do. We are lucky to have pro teams here but it hurts the colleges. You also have to remember that Xavier has a lot of big donors a couple of miles up the road. It hurts when there's another DI school that close.

[Thegreatone]

We also compete with Xavier for fans. Take out XU and we will be close to selling out IMO. This town is big enough for all these teams but UC cant afford to having their biggest PR problems and basketball problems in the worst economy in years. Terrible luck.

[HeThun]

There is a $20 million revenue gap between UC and the top of the Big East. Schools like UConn and Louisville have dedicated fans who will show up win or lose, UC has about 5,000 dedicated fans and a bunch of bandwagon frontrunners. Shows what great coaches Kelly and Cronin are that they can compete with a whole lot less cash to work with.

Here are the rest of the Big East revenue rankings:

44. Louisville: $52.2 million

45. Rutgers: $50.2 million

54. Syracuse: $44.7 million

61. Pittsburgh: $39.7 million

66. South Florida: $34.7 million

67. Cincinnati: $33.9 million

I'll comment on your thread title: Why ticket prices and UCAT donations must by raised

First we fill up for football and basketball with people paying full price for tickets and even more money because they also have to join UCATS, only then you should you come around and increas ticket prices.

[BearcatAlum1]

Supply and Demand.

I hope the people running the athletic program understand this concept.

It's simple.

[ralph1950]

It is a good thing Mick Cronin is a great coach with a total commitment to his alma mater, UC, and will not leave for larger $$$$$ elsewhere. Those who bash Mick should realize UC does not have the cash to pay for a big name coach and get 100% behind him.

[ChicagoCat]

Lets take a little deeper look at where we are in 2009.
Basketball is down $3-4 million as a result of the debacle and the intervening five years to restock the program. This is going to be a great year and basketball revenues will start to trend up sharply. Once were at 11,000 fans again, expect a sincere push for a new arena.
Football is continuing to trend upward at 30-35% a year. That will continue, we will build the practice facility and move on to adding 7,000-10,000 seats to Nippert with emphasis on club seating and boxes. That can double football revenue.
Of course UC will continue raising prices and UCATS fees as the market and economy allows. Even with no price increases during the Obama depression over the next three or four years, UC can pretty easily get to $45-50 million of revenue.
We are in pretty good shape heading in the right direction looking a two very good upcoming seasons.
BE HAPPY!

[TheDog]

Too many options for the entertainment dollar in the area (Reds, Bengals, etc.) compared to other schools. I would be disappointed if there aren't at least $20K season tickets this year (the value is incredible). At least the number of season ticket holders has been increasig.

[bearcated]

I agree! Ralph, I think UC should raise your ticket prices immediately!

This is like people who complain that taxes are too low. If it bothers you that much, go ahead and send in another check.

As for me, as far as I'm concerned I'm paying enough, thank you very much. There is a point where the amount of money spent on athletic budgets is simply absurd. With college tuition going up at 3 to 4 times the rate of inflation, the amount of waste on the average college campus is obscene. There is a point beyond which I refuse to be a party to it.

[ChicagoCat]

The point I was trying to impress on you is that ticket prices don't have to go up for UC to get to $50 million in revenue.
They are doing it the right way and building the franchise for the long, rather than short, term.
But if you insist, I'm perfectly fine raising prices and fees for Ralph and anyone else who is flush!

[BearcatAlum1]

If UC wants to build for the long haul in football, give BK whatever he wants.

[catsfan32]

If UC wants to build for the long haul in football, give BK whatever he wants.

Amen, in BK we trust. Soon I believe that will be in MC we trust!

[ralph1950]

I agree! Ralph, I think UC should raise your ticket prices immediately!

This is like people who complain that taxes are too low. If it bothers you that much, go ahead and send in another check.

As for me, as far as I'm concerned I'm paying enough, thank you very much. There is a point where the amount of money spent on athletic budgets is simply absurd. With college tuition going up at 3 to 4 times the rate of inflation, the amount of waste on the average college campus is obscene. There is a point beyond which I refuse to be a party to it.

If you consider yourself to be paying enough then do not get down on Mick when the team cannot compete well in the Big East against the schools that have much larger budgets. You cannot buy a Cadillac (UConn) for a Chevrolet (UC) price.

[ChicagoCat]

There is just a little more to this than budgets.
If Mick can't win with this talented a team, you bet he will get blasted by fans and media alike. But, you seem to be the only one worried about that.

[LongTimer]

A big reason why there were only 5,000 fans showing up was because of the price increase they implemented last year. Many great fans told me they were leaving after they herded us all down to the Lindner Center a year or so ago for the "Dog and Pony" show where they asked us all to bend over and then they stuck us with the huge increase in fees and ticket prices. Half of the peole I have been sitting around for 20 years gave up their seats and did not return last year. These were great loyal fans.

They're never going to be able to price gouge the fans here because the arena sucks. If we had a fan friendly arena, where people would be willing to move upstairs, it would be different. Nobody wants the crappy upstairs seats at the Shoe. When they jack up prices, you have this choice...go to a cheaper seat upstairs, or save a ton of money, go buy yourself a nice big HDTV and recline in your rocker in front of it and enjoy the game. The people they have run off the last few years are choosing the HDTV option and have left the arena. The upper arena is now empty.

Another price increase for basketball fans would be disastorous. Football is on the rise. The potential for future price gouging lies there and those fans should get prepared because it's coming.

[Bearcat Otto]

Too many options for the entertainment dollar in the area (Reds, Bengals, etc.) compared to other schools. I would be disappointed if there aren't at least $20K season tickets this year (the value is incredible). At least the number of season ticket holders has been increasig.

That's a BS excuse!

This box isn't big enough to list all the college teams that have professional teams in their city competing for the dollars.

It is just a convenient excuse for the people of Cincinnati.

I have lived many places and have been a season ticket holder for both pro and college teams. I have bought tickets when the team was down and continued as they got better. Because I was a fan! And I sat with many fans like me.

You have a chance to draw in this town if you win some games. And then there is the anomaly that is the Bengals. Still haven't figured that out.

[LongTimer]

If you consider yourself to be paying enough then do not get down on Mick when the team cannot compete well in the Big East against the schools that have much larger budgets. You cannot buy a Cadillac (UConn) for a Chevrolet (UC) price.

Actually Ralph, I heard today that the new Ford Taurus coming out this month is equal to or better than the equivalent Lexus and will be nearly half the price of the Lexus so you actually can get a better car for far less money.

I agree with bearcated, your ticket prices should immediately be raised, especially since you are so in favor of it. I too pay enough for my seats.

[ralph1950]

Actually Ralph, I heard today that the new Ford Taurus coming out this month is equal to or better than the equivalent Lexus and will be nearly half the price of the Lexus so you actually can get a better car for far less money.

I agree with bearcated, your ticket prices should immediately be raised, especially since you are so in favor of it. I too pay enough for my seats.

Then do not complain when the team is not successful, be very happy that Mick is willing to coach at UC for less money, tough to compete when Louisville and UConn are outspending you by $20,000,000.

[ralph1950]

Actually Ralph, I heard today that the new Ford Taurus coming out this month is equal to or better than the equivalent Lexus and will be nearly half the price of the Lexus so you actually can get a better car for far less money.

I agree with bearcated, your ticket prices should immediately be raised, especially since you are so in favor of it. I too pay enough for my seats.

You going to trade in your Lexus for a Taurus?

[ME80]

Then do not complain when the team is not successful, be very happy that Mick is willing to coach at UC for less money, tough to compete when Louisville and UConn are outspending you by $20,000,000.

Mick will get paid when he is successful.

[Colonel]

Why do Ralph's posts always revolve around money and bathrooms?

Oh yeah because he likes to *pee* away his money under the guise of..{insert your adjective here}

Ralph: Just spend your money. Dont ask questions otherwise you are not loyal and give up your right to complain.
Rest of the Sane world: Uh, sure Ralph.

[Major ----de Coverley]

.Why do Ralph's posts always revolve around money and bathrooms?
Oh yeah because he likes to *pee* away his money under the guise of..{insert your adjective here}

Ralph: Just spend your money. Dont ask questions otherwise you are not loyal and give up your right to complain.
Rest of the Sane world: Uh, sure Ralph.

Freud might have had a pithy responce to your query, however he was also once quoted as saying "sometimes a cigar is just a cigar".

As to The Ralph, he has worked hard to establish his own unique brand on this site, I find him of moderate amusement.

[Colonel]

.

Freud might have had a pithy responce to your query, however he was also once quoted as saying "sometimes a cigar is just a cigar".

As to The Ralph, he has worked hard to establish his own unique brand on this site, I find him of moderate amusement.

While I agree, the solution isn’t always money; he is always a major fan of "driving up prices". I am tired of reading the comments that because "xxx" type fan wont crank out "xxx" dollars he isnt a true fan, wants the program to fail and has no right to be making any comments about how a team is run.

I bet if we really got scientific about mean income of the average fan that attended games, we would not see a lot of money. I would almost bet we would see it below 50K a year. Given the economy and population and population income, I find it beyond humorous to neglect reviewing the basic facts.

We have a good coach. His tenure here, however, will probably be defined within the next 365 days. Whether he is paid 3million, 1 million or 500k does that mean he is best, better or good? If he takes us "so" far does he deserve a raise? Who knows? Are you not supposed to PROVE yourself prior to getting the “money” contract? Sweet sixteen? Elite Eight? Final Four?

The basketball program has been derailed by UC politics in conjunction with a poorly timed dramatic increase in ticket prices. Not everyone is blind. Not everyone has blind faith that “it” will return to stature.

IF the average fan pays 100, 50 or 10 per seat (what they are willing/able to pay) does that mean they are any less a fan? What about the guy who makes 10K a year and get nose bleed seats? He probably pays MORE percentage of his income to get to a game than the “blue hair” that get the premo seats, sits the entire game and yells at people to sit down. Is this stereo typing, yes. Just like the money issue.

What I see in Ralph’s posts is that money ONLY will drive the program to success. And those unwilling to cough up anything extra are causing the program to fail. Its WAY more than money driven issues.

Ignoring facts, the past and historical items do not make one wise. Maybe because I don’t make a gajillion dollars a year, drive a Lexus and have discretionary income out the wazoo make me less of a fan and removes my right to have an opinion about how the program is run.

[oldcat48]

I am not a Ralph fan by any means; I find his posts pedantic and repetitive and embarrassing. But even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while. If you folks don't believe funding is tied to success, just check out the funding of the top programs in the Big Ten, the SEC, and the Big 12, and then think about their athletic success. Huge correlation.

[CincyEngGrad02]

If you consider yourself to be paying enough then do not get down on Mick when the team cannot compete well in the Big East against the schools that have much larger budgets. You cannot buy a Cadillac (UConn) for a Chevrolet (UC) price.

Could not agree more. Mick = Chevrolet. Calhoun = Cadillac. I'm tired of the vehicle that keeps breaking down towards the end of the trip. When are we going to get a Cadillac?

[subflea]

Could not agree more. Mick = Chevrolet. Calhoun = Cadillac. I'm tired of the vehicle that keeps breaking down towards the end of the trip. When are we going to get a Cadillac?

When UConn hired Calhoun he was a Ford Festiva. Give Cronin a chance before you write him off.

[ralph1950]

Could not agree more. Mick = Chevrolet. Calhoun = Cadillac. I'm tired of the vehicle that keeps breaking down towards the end of the trip. When are we going to get a Cadillac?

When fans start showing up at 5/3 Arena 13,176 for every game even if the team is 0-30, when revenues increase by $20,000,000 a year. You cannot be successful with out the cash to make you successful, the cash has to come first, without it you will not be able to compete.

[CincyEngGrad02]

When fans start showing up at 5/3 Arena 13,176 for every game even if the team is 0-30, when revenues increase by $20,000,000 a year. You cannot be successful with out the cash to make you successful, the cash has to come first, without it you will not be able to compete.

Is that how Calhoun became successful? UCONN fans showed up no matter what? He had a huge budget?
Or did he create an atmosphere where fans wanted to show up. Where money was generated.

[subflea]

Nope, he did it by taking his team to the Elite Eight in his fourth year. Just think what would have happened if he had not have been given a chance after that 18-13 record in his third season by UConn fans and administration.

[subflea]

When fans start showing up at 5/3 Arena 13,176 for every game even if the team is 0-30, when revenues increase by $20,000,000 a year. You cannot be successful with out the cash to make you successful, the cash has to come first, without it you will not be able to compete.

Won't ever happen. Which do you want Ralph, to fill the arena or to raise ticket prices and UCATS donations? You can't have both.

[CincyEngGrad02]

Nope, he did it by taking his team to the Elite Eight in his fourth year. Just think what would have happened if he had not have been given a chance after that 18-13 record in his third season by UConn fans and administration.

I think 4 years is a good time-frame to show your worth as a coach at the big level. Although he didn't do too bad his 2nd year either...NIT champs.

[LongTimer]

You going to trade in your Lexus for a Taurus?

Ralph, after seeing and driving a 2010 Ford Taurus, and based on the "experts" reviews of the vehicle, I absolutely would make the trade. The Taurus is "American" and Ford hasn't taken any of my tax money, plus they have passed Toyota in quality now. But, back to the point of this thread....it was incredibly stupid of the administration to raise ticket and UCAT prices last year. We lost a boatload of fans because of it. If they jacked up prices again, this program would be done. Lets concentrate on building a consistant winner, hope the fans eventually come back, and if the loyalty is established through solid success, then the price increases will follow. But, hopefully they will not do what they did this past season, raise prices while performance and demand were down. They violated a basic law of supply and demand principle.