Ancillary revenue streams, or Popcorn & Peanuts are nothing to scoff at

[BSpringsteen]

In the concert industry, there is a term called papering the house. The idea is if you are going to lose money on the show, let people in for free. Sure you don't get the ticket revenue, but they have to park. They have a couple beers, maybe a hot dog, and if you are really lucky, they buy a t-shirt.

The point? Iowa's attendance issues do not just affect the bottom line on ticket sales.

• It affects the Hawk Shop
• It has a huge impact on Aramark which likely pays the university for the concession rights. When the deal comes back, it will be worth significantly less.
• Less parking revenue
• Ask any of the restaurants on the Coralville Strip how many points their game day revenue is down.

The current attendance issue is having a MAJOR impact on the University and Iowa City economy that has NOTHING to do with ticket sales.

Lick will almost certainly get another year, and I think he should, but the university can not afford to have this problem again next year.

Frankly it is really inexcusable that they didn't see this coming and cut their losses. Students, faculty and staff should have been given free season tickets. Out of conference games should have ben reduced to $7 a ticket, to make it comparable to seeing a movie. Middle of the week Big 10 games should be $12 a ticket, and weekend games $15.

To not see this coming and do nothing about it really speaks volumes about the inability of Iowa sports marketing to adequately figure out aw ay to get people inside CHA.

 

[DDThompson]

"Iowa sports marketing" often seems to be an oxymoron.

 

[imported_ankle23]

be careful here talking business on the basketball board. you'll get scoffed at by the 'are you not entertained' crowd.........I made the same case pricing out a game taking my family of 5. No chance I make that 2 hour one-way trip with current pricing.

 

[HeneryHawk]

Winning generates fans. Its not the marketing depts problem the coach isnt producing a product to sell.

 

[HawkDad]

agree with the OP. Butts in the seats is the very least we can do for those hard working players. It is absolutely embarrassing to see all the empty seats.

I took my sons to Tenn State. Received free tickets from a family member, we still managed to drop at least $20 in concessions.

 

[imported_ankle23]

Winning generates fans. Its not the marketing depts problem the coach isnt producing a product to sell.

yeah, but lets be real, there is a lot of white space between this current team, and a winning program. Lots of white space is a big problem for that bottom line, if you know what I mean.

 

[JonDMiller]

I do agree on the 'free' student ticket front....most ACC schools do this, and pass along the costs in higher fees to students...this way, you are getting the money..Want at least 3000 seats for students? Total the cost of the ticket, average it out amongst the entire student population, and add that to their fees.

 

[fflMTPHawk2]

They should have more home wrestling matches to help make up the difference.

Speaking of concessions .... wow, could they jack prices up a bit more? $8 for a basic hot dog and coke. If I had kids, I'd have to take out a loan to be able to experience CHA with them.

 

[NewMexHawk]

Eight bucks...that is crazy. And if I remember correctly the dogs aren't even anything special.

 

[BSpringsteen]

The point is that it is almost more important to have 15,500 people in the arena than it is to actually sell 15,500 tickets. It is absolutely imperative that they figure out a way to do this next year.

 

[JonDMiller]

The point is that it is almost more important to have 15,500 people in the arena than it is to actually sell 15,500 tickets. It is absolutely imperative that they figure out a way to do this next year.

Right now, they could make every ticket free for the rest of the season, and I wonder if they'd have one sellout. I am being serious.

 

[BSpringsteen]

You're right, because the product needs to be rebranded and reinvented.

The people who are going to the games would go to the games regardless. They need to rebrand to the students, and that kind of campaign takes time to amp up.

They need an entire off season to use the recruiting class as a way to generate excitement. They need to beat it in people's ears all year that we are dropping ticket prices to basically nothing, or in some cases nothing, because we want you to experience this team.

And then you know what... if the team actually is really competitive next year, it will work.

Because something new and exciting is always an easy sell. I would bet that the first home game next year would be full if it were free. And a big win, with a full arena, and people suddenly had a really good time.

Yes, winning cures all, but if you market the team the right way, being competitive will be enough to put butts in the seats.

This is also NOT about the entertainment dollar. Despite the concert industry reference, to most people Iowa athletics is not entertainment, it is an experience.

You need to create the experience.

 

[burky247]

I've said this before. I'm a season ticket holder. And there are several games I have chosen not to attend this year. Even though I know it's a complete loss for me(financially speaking). I don't consider myself a bandwagon fan, although I'm sure there are plenty of people on this site who would disagree with me because of my actions. I have loved Iowa basketball my whole life. I just have a hard time associating this product with Iowa basketball. And when my daughter, who used to absolutely love going to Carver and had become a huge huge fan, looks at me and tells me that she'd rather not go to games this year, I know my assessment is right.

My point is that free tickets wouldn't necessarily do anything. They have lost some of my business regarding parking, concessions, etc., and that's with me already having tickets. There are plenty of people who don't want to deal with the traffic, parking, prices just to see this style of basketball. Free tickets or not.

 

[storminspank]

Eight bucks...that is crazy. And if I remember correctly the dogs aren't even anything special.

Yeah, with a Coke that's about right.
Pretty sure dogs are $3.50, then the pop is $2.50, $3.50, or $4.50 for the souvenir cup off the top of my head.

 

[burky247]

Yeah, with a Coke that's about right.
Pretty sure dogs are $3.50, then the pop is $2.50, $3.50, or $4.50 for the souvenir cup off the top of my head.

Agreed. And it's not any more expensive than other college venues I have attended.

I spent $8 for every beer at the Budweiser Tailgating Party in Miami. Everything else seems cheap compared to that day.

 

[DeanMarshall]

I do agree on the 'free' student ticket front....most ACC schools do this, and pass along the costs in higher fees to students...this way, you are getting the money..Want at least 3000 seats for students? Total the cost of the ticket, average it out amongst the entire student population, and add that to their fees.

Give 'em a voucher for a Free Hot Dog, or Ice Cream cone, as well.