Cowboys Classic allotment SOLD OUT

Submitted by bigmc6000 on

Well, that was quick...

 

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Due to an extremely high level of demand, the University of Michigan Athletic Ticket Office announced today (Tuesday, Feb. 7) that the University's allotment of tickets to the Cowboys Classic against Alabama is sold out. Michigan received just less than 25,000 tickets for the football team's 2012 season opener and sold out before a public sale could take place.

"We have received unprecedented interest in tickets for the Cowboys Classic game with Alabama," said chief marketing officer Hunter Lochmann. "The demand is on par or greater than our athletic department has ever seen."

If the athletic department receives standing room tickets, those will be offered in the following order:

  1. Victors Club members with 1-49 priority points without previous Cowboys Classic orders
  2. Michigan football season ticket holders with no priority points
  3. General public

Standing room ticket availability will not be known until late April. All individuals within the aforementioned groups will receive M-mail communication if and when standing room only tickets become available.

 
http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/020712aaa.html

bigmc6000

February 7th, 2012 at 11:49 AM ^

That's if they bring in the temp seats and keep the endzone doors open - I don't know if they are going to do that or not but I think they've only done it once (the superbowl) and the results were, shall we say, less than desireable.  I'd say they'll probably get about 90k for this game w/ the standing room only tickets but not bringing in the temporary seats.

snoopblue

February 7th, 2012 at 11:57 AM ^

I don't believe this at all. They just sold out of their first release. This is just a way to keep this game within our frame of minds and in the news. That way, when more tickets "magically appear" and go on sale, they go just as quickly. Anyone else agree with me? I think it's a sly and smart move, because in the end if we don't sell all our tickets, bama fans will eat em up.

UAUM

February 7th, 2012 at 12:28 PM ^

how many M fans can really afford to buy the tickets and make the trek.  Here's my thoughts:

To have had enough priority points to get tickets via the sale yesterday morning, you would have to have donated at least $1,000 to the AD.

Then, you have to pay $260 for a pair of noseblead seats.

Then, you have to find lodging, which, if you want to be anywhere near the stadium at a half-decent hotel is $250 per night and up.

Then you have to spend at least $400 per person on a flight to Dallas that weekend.

Exclusive of the ability to even purchase the tickets, the total for 2 tickets is over $1,500.

I mean, come on $750 per person to see one game.  Trust me, I would really love to go, but I just can't stomach that.  I don't mind paying $75 on average per home game though my season tickets, but 10 times that much just to be in a different (and I would say lesser) stadium against a good opponent.  That sucks and excludes all but the rich and extremely flexible/diehard fans.  Just do a home-and-home with Alabama.

bigmc6000

February 7th, 2012 at 3:30 PM ^

The hotel/lodging is way off.

1) You don't want to be near the stadium because there's isn't that much there and even if you did it's not going to run you $260 a night.

and 2) If you're going to come down here for the weekend stay in FW or Dallas - whichever sounds more fun to visit and stay near that city.  Hotel prices down here really aren't that bad if you don't care the name of the hotel you're staying and just want a certain part of town Hotwire is certainly the way to go.

 

In the end I'd say it's closer to $150 - $175 a night.  Also, DFW is THE AA hub and tickets at the MOST are going to be $400 round trip. More than likely you're looking at $300 and if you watch the sales probably less than that.

 

As others have said you have to treat this as a vacation - if you don't think Dallas or FW is worth visiting that's fine but a lot of people do so it's not a stretch for them to consider it a vacation.

GoBlueKC

February 7th, 2012 at 12:34 PM ^

I found this little tidbit:

"LSU was initially guaranteed a ticket allotment of approximately 24,000 for the matchup with Oregon, but vice chancellor and director of athletics Joe Alleva was able to negotiate with the promoters of the game to secure an additional allotment of nearly 13,000 tickets running the total to 37,000 tickets for the contest."   

http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=205151669

I'm not sure if those extra 13k came from unpurchased Oregon tickets or what, but it seems there may be a small glimmer of hope remaining. If Joe Alleva got 13k for LSU, I'm sure DB can swing some our way as well.

 

All_In_For_Michigan

February 7th, 2012 at 3:53 PM ^

 

LSU fans quickly gobbled up the school's allotment of 37,000 tickets, breaking a school record for a regular-season road game. Oregon sold out its 15,000-ticket allotment.

 

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/ncf/news/story?id=6715802

Given the misbalance between the schools' allotments last year, I don't expect there is room for Mr. Jones to give more tickets to Michigan.  This year, we aren't the equivalent of LSU facing a distant, nascent fanbase.  We are matched against the defending national champions who are located within driving distance of Dallas.

I suspect Jones will use the remainder of the tickets for local/Cowboys purposes, and the best we could hope for is a small group of seats or a large allotment of standing room only seats.

kylewds18

February 7th, 2012 at 12:38 PM ^

Was really hoping to get to watch the team in person for the first time. Finally have enough money to afford tickets and travel, and the game is a 3 hour drive away... damnit. Guess I'll either have to make a trek to Lincoln, NE, or move back to Michigan sometime soon. How is the job outlook in the state nowadays?

snoopblue

February 7th, 2012 at 12:40 PM ^

You should try Dallas Love field airport. It's actually closer to downtown Dallas and right off the campus of SMU, should you feel like killing five hookers.

Don

February 7th, 2012 at 12:58 PM ^

or some other big-name program not named Notre Dame, there's no doubt that the exposure that Michigan and Hoke will receive will be absolutely gigantic. As long as this is not a yearly occurrence, it doesn't bother me. I certainly don't have the $$ to go, but I'm fine watching it on the tube.

The only downside I can see will be if we crap the bed on the field and end up embarrassed. I don't see that happening.

BlueLotCrew

February 7th, 2012 at 1:17 PM ^

Based upon many factors, including what we saw happen with Sugar Bowl tickets not selling out despite they were priced far lower than this game and there were fewer seats in that stadium, I call bullshit on this whole deal. My thoughts are that DB (Dominos Boy), saw an opportunity to drive demand further by creating an artificial supply shortage. He tried to do this with extra seats to regular season games last season by requiring us (season ticket holders) to buy ticket packs to get extras for UTL, Brasky and O$U. Too bad it didn't work out and all he did was piss people off when the AD had to eventually make individual tickets available once the market refused to buy extras for the shitty non-conference games that the Athletic Dept continues to schedule. Trust me, hold tight and tickets will become available again. DB couldn't market pizza and he sure as hell can't control the secondary market for this or any other marquis game.

Mattinboots

February 7th, 2012 at 1:27 PM ^

How is there secondary market manipulation in a scenario in which the only people eligible to buy tickets are season ticket holders?  There were no ticket brokers involved with these sales.  Not mention Brandon just sold almost 25,000 tickets priced $125 - $285.  Sure, they may become availalbe again if Jerry releases more to Michigan, but don't hold your breath.

cozy200

February 7th, 2012 at 2:06 PM ^

In essence the holders became the brokers right? While i can get tickets the 9th (now impossible) i know a few people who were allowed to buy 10 yesterday. They are now selling those to pay for their trip to dallas. While shitty and i do not agree at all, they became the brokers. Ticket office lady told me they try to satisfy demand for season ticket holders first. What happened to the 4 per person limit? Was this axed for people with more points or did (db) ax it all together once the demand was so high? Obviously im beyond frustrated at the cost i will now have to pay. Im waiting it out but will be there either way (my 30th bday weekend). They should have held some back even for the public sale on the 29th. Unfortunately the dollar reigns supreme again. Sad day.

All_In_For_Michigan

February 7th, 2012 at 3:40 PM ^

http://www.mgoblue.com/tickets/fbl-cowboys-classic.html

Victors Club members with 50 or more priority points did not face a limit unlike those who could order yesterday.  Anyone who ordered more than 4 with less points either will have their order reduced, or the Athletic Department did not enforce their own policy, which is frustrating for those of us who would have ordered 1-2 more but were maxed out.

BlueLotCrew

February 7th, 2012 at 4:35 PM ^

First off, the Internet shod only be for People with an IQ above 9. Second, by creating an artificial shortage now, he is impacting the secondary market by driving up the price. Then, once a bit if time passes, additional tickets will be released at the same ridiculous prices as the Initial offering thus making the higher priced ones on the secondary market substantially higher. This will be done a couple of time to keep demand through the AD high due to its pricing advantage over sites like stubhub. This will tempth buyers to purchase through the AD. Elementary supply and Demand concepts boys and girls. DB is a DB.

Mattinboots

February 7th, 2012 at 5:09 PM ^

If the limited supply of tickets was released to the general public, then I would completely agree with you.  However, I have faith that most of our alumni are not buying tickets purely to sell them on the secondary market.  As these are being acquired by season ticket holders, there will be a way to track who has tickets where.  The AD can and does crack down hard on season ticket holders who sell their home game seats at greatly inflated prices on the secondary market - that's why we have this new relationship with stubhub.  I imagine the same would happen here (at least, I hope it does).

ak47

February 7th, 2012 at 2:22 PM ^

I'm gonna go ahead and lay out the reasons that this game is going to sell out and the secondary market will be more expensive unlike the sugar bowl:

-Its a weekend game

-It is a holiday weekend

-School hasn't started for a lot of people including michigan

-Alabama travels better 

-Fans are more excited to see a matchup with Alabama than va tech

-We actually sold out our allotment as opposed to the sugar bowl

This game isn't going to have  secondary market that is fan friendly.  Furthermore while it is the cool thing to do on this blog to hate dave brandon he is doing what it takes to keep the entire athletic department running smoothly and not in a deficit, the average fan on this board doesn't understand the costs to run an athletic department the size of Michigans and most of that money is directly from football, squeezing football for all it is worth is kind of the key to the viability of the athletic department and I for one am happy that Michigan is able to add sports when most schools are cutting them.

cozy200

February 7th, 2012 at 2:33 PM ^

While i agree with your assesment of the ticket marketmostly, and do not hate on d.b. for doing what he was hired to do. I do however completely disagree with the notion that it takes every dime to run things smoothly. The income from merchandising and tv revenue is more then most ncaa schools get in a year. I do not cry about rising prices, i do however think fans should be able to go to a game on a fair level and it not be such a corporate "event". I dont wanna feel like im at a conference when im at a game. This is taking over the game i love at an alarming rate. The game is nothing without fans in the seats. I understand the need for corp cash infusions to improve facilities etc but do not tell me ticket rev, merchandising, tv rev isnt substantial enough to cover daily expenses and expansion. Its a true shame when an average person willing to pay full face value cant attend a game. Word of advice.. The little guy made this what it is today.. Not the other way around

ak47

February 7th, 2012 at 6:41 PM ^

Yeah they made money but they also made less money, lacrosse was just added, that means more money is being spent, crisler and yost getting renovated means we need more money and the new practice facilities and all that means we need more money.  While I agree we should avoid being corporate I actually think michigan has done a good job of that overall. Especially compared to some other schools.