Football tix e-mail to UM faculty/staff
Athletic Department e-mail from this afternoon re: UM faculty/staff about football tickets:
U-M Faculty/Staff,
A limited number of season tickets are available for the 2014 Michigan Football Season to U-M Faculty/Staff. As a U-M Faculty/Staff member, season tickets are offered at a 10% discount ($409/seat vs. the regular price of $455/seat). Each Faculty/Staff member is allowed a maximum of two (2) season tickets at this reduced rate, with any additional tickets being regular price. If you already hold Faculty/Staff season tickets, any new season tickets under this offer will be regular price.
Additionally, the required donation typically associated with the opportunity to purchase Michigan Football season tickets is $500, but for a limited time, U-M Faculty/Staff can take advantage of a special offer of an entry donation of only $100. Keep in mind, the Preferred Seat Donation (PSD) associated with season tickets will be applicable for the renewal of these additional tickets for the 2015 season.
For only $818 (plus a $15 service charge), U-M Faculty/Staff can be the proud owners of two (2) season tickets for the 2014 Michigan Football Season with the opportunity to renew season tickets as long as you like.
You may also opt to have your season ticket cost deducted from your paycheck in three installments (July, August, September - entry donation not eligible for payroll deduction).
Only U-M Faculty/Staff have been offered this combined ticket price discount and donation discount.
I don't remember receiving such an e-mail in recent years so I'm guessing the AD is really sweating about season ticket sales for 2014.
April 22nd, 2014 at 10:37 AM ^
but I suppose I'm still just a bit offended that I feel the AD is out to maximize their cashflow. Obviously this is a running argument that sounds like "think of the children!" but college sports used to feel different to me. The players were student-athletes and college sports just had a much purer feel to it than the pro-sports world of moneymoneymoney. College sports (esp. football) just seems to be creeping closer and closer to a pro sports in how they treat everything and I don't like it
In the long term I think PSDs go away.
If it is true what was stated above, that PSDs are not shared with the visiting team like the gate from ticket prices, then I would say that PSDs are here to stay and that the prices will start to be discounted under some kind of promotional attendence drive or some such thing.
You are gaining no position. The people who bought basketball tickets for the decade prior to John Beilein's arrival had to pay up or move back to the cheap seats. You will too if Dave Brandon thinks he can squeeze an extra buck out of someone else.
I don't know why you would see this as a point of pride. Loyalty should work both ways, otherwise you are just a guy with his wallet open. But I guess someone in the athletic department is grateful.
April 22nd, 2014 at 10:03 AM ^
Oh for me it is definitely about the money. I am sick and tired of paying for the privledge of buying season tickets and then seeing similar tickets on stub hub discounted sometimes over 50%. If I want to support other michigan sports then I will donate accordingly to the general fund. I couldn't care less about premium features, such as free ticket transfers or first shot at the Michigan allotment for bowl tickets (which can be bought on stubhub for a massive discount). Basically I am tired, as someone said earlier, being treated like a john and not as a loyal season ticket holder especially whent the product sucks.
April 22nd, 2014 at 12:40 PM ^
You definitely make a good point
Describing it as "a commitment not a transaction" is a lot different than saying "paying a few extra bucks is not a big deal."
You're free to do whatever you want with your money and hopefully you have a great time at the games this coming season. Just realize that Dave Brandon and Co. only appreciate you so long as the checks keep coming (and getting bigger). That is why some people are upset with how things are being run. They made (or thought they made) a commitment that was not reciprocated once the AD felt it was financially advantageous to try and screw them out of more money.
Just so we're clear - when we have fewer than 100k at a game - it's not because the fans care less - it's because Michigan stopped caring about the fans. I don't want to hear anyone harping on the fans, they didn't change.
For you econ guys - what do you think the proper pricing should be this year? I'd say$45-50 per game.
For what it's worth the "one time extension" was just sent out to non-superfan former student ticket holders. The email was sposered by Xfinity....
Time to start the door to door campaign.
From the latest student email campaign:
"As you are aware, the deadline to purchase student season tickets has passed (Tuesday, April 15), however, due to the introduction of the new student football reserved seating policy and the opportunity to form groups, we have extended the deadline to purchase season tickets in order to allow additional time for you to purchase season tickets or create or join a group. Extended Deadline: Friday, April 25 at 5 p.m."
Bolded part should read, "lack of interest."
"required donation "
First of all, there is no such thing. If it is required, it's a fee. Donation suggests an option. Secondly, I just looked at the schedules for the next few years. Maryland and Rutgers. Every damn year. Yawn and yawn. http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/081809aab.html So frustrating to not see traditional opponents - I won't get to see a traditional opponent , Iowa, at Michigan Stadium, until 2019. Oh hi! Iowa! I remember you! You used to be in the Big Ten, right?