Band Not Going To Dallas Comment Count

Brian

scientist[1]

Dave Brandon creates the future: the tag: the picture

The Michigan Marching Band has been informed that they won't be going to Dallas, presumably because it puts a dent in the pile of money Michigan will get by selling a home game. Sorry, people who bought tickets. Yes, seats for the band are in the contract. Yes, you've been duped. No, you can't get a refund unless you pay $500 to get on the refund waiting list.

Think about that as you look at a home schedule on which Michigan State is the featured attraction. Dave Brandon couldn't even get the Nebraska game to not be on the road in the same year OSU and ND are. He sold a home game to Jerry Jones because it sounded like a lot of money, then we found out that because the minimum ticket price was $125 he could have scheduled a home and home instead. Jerry Jones is probably laughing his ass off somewhere.

Anyway. I think we should start a Dave Brandon for Governor fund. I'd vote for him! With no ulterior motives whatsoever! #DB4MGov!

Comments

Elise

April 19th, 2012 at 4:49 PM ^

No disrespect meant towards the dead, but I'm going to pretend for a moment that "The Band" trending on twitter has very little to do with Levon Helm.

JJJ

April 19th, 2012 at 9:16 PM ^

I always thought it was short-sighted not to have the marching band attend every away football game. Shouldn't we take every advantage we are allowed? I'm sure we can afford it with the war chest Martin and now Brandon have accumulated.

At any rate if they are just going to the big games playing the defending champs is about as big as it gets, don'tcha think?

mvp

April 19th, 2012 at 9:30 PM ^

The band has a *very* full schedule in the fall.  It isn't practical for them to go to many more games.  As a M alum and a former MMB member, I have often marveled that the band doesn't go to more games (and that so many visiting schools bring their bands), but the reality is tough.

This situation, however, is a major exception.  ARGH.

M-Wolverine

April 19th, 2012 at 9:38 PM ^

They send them to MICHIGAN consistently, because it's Michigan. It just means it's almost always one of the road team's 2 two band road trips, because it's the biggest audience they'll play in front of in their lives. And usually a noteworthy game, even if the visitor is going to get smoked.

DetroitBlue

April 20th, 2012 at 9:57 AM ^

I saw his show at the State Theater just over a month ago.  He looked pretty frail but I figured that was just because he was over 70.  Really sad that he's gone. Going to have to watch the Last Waltz this weekend.   

Blazefire

April 19th, 2012 at 4:50 PM ^

DB would find every single penny dropped between the cracks in the state capitol couches. He'd be a great governor for a cash strapped state.

He's done good things for us. He brought us Brady Hoke! But man... Bill Martin made plenty of money for the athletic department WITHOUT screwing over the fans.

Feat of Clay

April 20th, 2012 at 1:34 PM ^

I wouldn't be concerned about making that threat a major part of the communication.  There is some research out there that shows that the alums who quickly threaten to "never give again" are the people who tend to not give much anyway.  I'm guessing Brandon has seen that.

No offense to anyone here; that's the conventional wisdom about supporters. The ones who emotionally brandish their $$ support as a threat typically overestimate the importance & significance of their withheld dollars.

By all means let Brandon know of your disappointment, but I think our letters will be taken more seriously, and at face value, if they leave off the threats.

If by chance you are a wealthy influential donor, then by all means use your influence.  Otherwise leave it to the big fish.

justingoblue

April 19th, 2012 at 4:53 PM ^

How long until the AD either caves or some type of compromise is made? I'm giving it about three days.

Also, how smart do you have to be to not look at a potential payday, subtract expenses, and see if it's a good deal? If someone offered me a ten percent raise to work in Alaska half the time with no travel covered, I'd probably sit down and figure out how much I might spend to get the raise. Apparently I'm in the minority though.

PatrickBateman

April 19th, 2012 at 6:13 PM ^

...uhhhh did you read "Three and Out"?  There's a page which describes a backroom deal done between Mary Sue, DB and RR in which the former ask RR to remind them about the $500,000 per year they would knock off his buyout of WV. 

Remind them of a deal which could've amounted to $1.5 million of the University's money... so yeah, they are pretty casual about a few pennies.

chunkums

April 19th, 2012 at 4:58 PM ^

You guys wait until holographic Bo rides in on a wolverine mascot and plays the victors on an electric guitar at halftime during the Pop Evil show.  You won't even care about the band anymore.

Nick Sparks

April 19th, 2012 at 5:01 PM ^

Next year all of the focus be on our Big Ten and possiby MNC winning team (as it should be) - but at the same time the people who should be enjoying it the most, the longtime season ticket holders and the rest of the fans who pack the house that Yost built every Saturday, get their 1st-hand looks at a once-in-a-lifetime team (and the friggin' band) cut down for a few extra dollars...

Football is still important around here, but it's no longer our God.

 

(If i'm a little overdramatic I blame Brian for getting me fired up)

MGoNOLA

April 19th, 2012 at 5:00 PM ^

How many people have bought tickets yet? I have not... neither have my friends. I am thinking about emailing the AD and stating that I am not doing this unless the band is included.

MGoBender

April 19th, 2012 at 8:07 PM ^

Really?  I think if I'm going to spend mega-bucks on a shitty ticket, a flight, a hotel that I'd want an experience better than the one I can get right in front of glorious humongous HD TV.  I was on the fence about whether I was going to go, but this would have made staying an easy decision.

MGoNOLA

April 19th, 2012 at 5:00 PM ^

How many people have bought tickets yet? I have not... neither have my friends. I am thinking about emailing the AD and stating that I am not doing this unless the band is included.