Attendance down 15%

#1
M

mgv

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#1
Just wanted to get thoughts from everyone about the attendance for UT, which is down about 3k or 16%. I realize there are some obvious factors such as win-loss record and no big wins so far this year, but my concern is fan attrition over this year and next. Tennessee ranked 5th in the NCAA last year in attendance, which IMO UT will not maintain or come close to over the next few years. So aside from winning I am hoping Martin continues Pearl's scheduling philosophy of adding big teams to our home schedule. I hope Martin keeps bringing in the Kansas like teams to keep fans excited about going to games at TBA. Not interested in Pearl vs Martin argument or bashing Martin, just want to know what everyone thinks about how Martin can keep UT from bringing back the days where we couldn't even fill the lower level.
 
#3
#3
mgv said:
Just wanted to get thoughts from everyone about the attendance for UT, which is down about 3k or 16%. I realize there are some obvious factors such as win-loss record and no big wins so far this year, but my concern is fan attrition over this year and next. Tennessee ranked 5th in the NCAA last year in attendance, which IMO UT will not maintain or come close to over the next few years. So aside from winning I am hoping Martin continues Pearl's scheduling philosophy of adding big teams to our home schedule. I hope Martin keeps bringing in the Kansas like teams to keep fans excited about going to games at TBA. Not interested in Pearl vs Martin argument or bashing Martin, just want to know what everyone thinks about how Martin can keep UT from bringing back the days where we couldn't even fill the lower level.
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Would surprise me if it wasn't near capacity for Florida, Kentucky and Uconn.
 
#4
#4
I think Dave Hart is going to evaluate how this team plays against SEC caliber. If we lose the majority of the SEC games, there is NO WAY bigger fish will be coming.

Bottom line, we just need to WIN.
 
#5
#5
maybe his could show his ignorance as his predesessor did and paint his chest orange at a u t women's game. just kidding, he has too much class to do that silliness. winning some big sec games will really help, and the debut of jarnell stokes can't hurt. GBO !!!!
 
#8
#8
Attendance will be better once the SEC schedule starts. IMO, it would have gotten better even if we hadn't signed Stokes. I would expect an average of 15-17k for the rest of the season.
 
#9
#9
Drivebye said:
Build it and they will come. Same for FB.
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Yep, build a winner and the seats will be filled. Play .500ball and you have less interest and a lot more empty seats. People will scream out that true Vols show up whether they winning or losing. And that may be true. But our stadium and gym were built to seat both the 'true fans' and the 'fair-weather fans'. Bottom line...need to win. The coaches understand that fact.
 
#10
#10
3000 X 15 games X $20/per seat = $900K

This does not even factor in gear/attire and concessions.
 
#11
#11
Is this 15% figure comparing the games this year to ALL games last year?

The only way the figures are even worth discussing is if we look at last years pre-Christmas numbers as opposed to this years. I would be curious to see how much difference those numbers would show.
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#15
#15
IF UT can beat UF, I bet the fans will come back.

Also, the fanbase is down. They lost the best basketball coach in 30 years. That's tough for a program to overcome. Not too mention that while I like Cuonzo, his hire was a little underwhelming to people.
 
#17
#17
WesternKyVol said:
3000 X 15 games X $20/per seat = $900K

This does not even factor in gear/attire and concessions.
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Not sure about basketball, but in football, many of the empty seats are paid for by season ticket holders. They just don't go to the game and the scalping business hasn't existed in recent years.

Anyone know how many season tickets are sold in mens' basketball?
 
#19
#19
BruinVol said:
Is this 15% figure comparing the games this year to ALL games last year?

The only way the figures are even worth discussing is if we look at last years pre-Christmas numbers as opposed to this years. I would be curious to see how much difference those numbers would show.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
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It is last year average vs. attendance average so far this year - I couldn't find anything online with YTD average last year. It would give us a better picture, and we SHOULD get better attendance when the SEC schedule starts unless some apathy sits in with our fans. For better or worse over the Pearl era we had a lot of publicity on ESPN on shows like PTI which created excitement even when we didn't have the best team in the SEC. Not sure if I feel any excitement with exception of the Stokes commitment...maybe we will blow through the SEC schedule, that might do it!
 
#20
#20
Jackson_Harris said:
Yes, I think that is hurting a little bit more each and every year.
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I would have to say I would rather sit down with a beer in my hand watching my 150" projector than pay for over-priced football tickets sitting on a bleacher where the seat numbers are designed to pack you in like sardines. As for basketball, I actually like it better in person at TBA, especially if you are on the lower half of the arena.
 
#21
#21
Those were your bandwagoners who didn't give a crap about basketball in the first place. They'll be back when we start winning again.
 
#22
#22
mgv said:
It is last year average vs. attendance average so far this year - I couldn't find anything online with YTD average last year. It would give us a better picture, and we SHOULD get better attendance when the SEC schedule starts unless some apathy sits in with our fans. For better or worse over the Pearl era we had a lot of publicity on ESPN on shows like PTI which created excitement even when we didn't have the best team in the SEC. Not sure if I feel any excitement with exception of the Stokes commitment...maybe we will blow through the SEC schedule, that might do it!
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Thanks. I might go back and average the before Christmas games last year and compare them to this year to see if there is much of a difference sometime today. I bet its not near 15% .
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#23
#23
Tough to expect a full house for opponents like the citadel as well. The only game compelling enough to lure many fans so far has been Pitt. That would explain some of it.
 
#24
#24
mgv said:
It is last year average vs. attendance average so far this year - I couldn't find anything online with YTD average last year. It would give us a better picture, and we SHOULD get better attendance when the SEC schedule starts unless some apathy sits in with our fans. For better or worse over the Pearl era we had a lot of publicity on ESPN on shows like PTI which created excitement even when we didn't have the best team in the SEC. Not sure if I feel any excitement with exception of the Stokes commitment...maybe we will blow through the SEC schedule, that might do it!
Click to expand...

Obviously with the students gone for X-mas break, the student section has basically been empty for the past month. THat will change Dec. 11 when they return. At the same time, winning would definitely increase attendance, but let's not hang the expectation that this team, even with Stokes, will finish above .500 this year. Next season, they should be much improved (only lose Woolridge and Tatum) and could add another high profile recruit (Charles Mitchell maybe??). Still need a PG though.....
 
#25
#25
The games before the SEC season usually aren't attended all that great with the exception of big non conference games like Texas and Gonzaga.
 
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