Dave Brandon: "would be good to have big events every year"

Submitted by Wolverine Devotee on

Angelique piece on Det News with Dave Brandon.

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140802/SPORTS07/308020054/

“It would be good to have a big event once a year or every other year and stage a big event in the stadium, as long as it’s a big event,” he said. “I view these things as a wonderful opportunity to bring new people to the stadium. I walked in today with fans, and there were people taking pictures all over the place. A lot of them were experiencing this stadium for the first time. That can only be a positive.

“We have to figure out what’s next.”

He hinted there’s a strong chance soccer will return to the stadium next year.

“I know the promoters would like to talk to us about doing this again,” he said. “We’ll consider it. We’ll have to go through all the approvals and checking on timing and the availability of the stadium, but the spectacle was terrific.”

 

I was a little worried on how this game would do when it was announced being it was a preseason game. Although, Michigan did draw over 91,000 for an NFL preseason game in 1971.

Gotta say, DB is 3-for-3 with these non-Michigan Football events. Every single time, they've been incredible leaving the outside media raving.

 

ThadMattasagoblin

August 3rd, 2014 at 12:06 AM ^

I agree with him as long as it's not wrestlemania or monster trucks or stuff of that caliber. Soccer, basketball, hockey events or ok as long as you don't overdue one sport. Maybe you could somehow configure the stadium for baseball and have the tigers play there like they did at the coliseum.

acnumber1

August 3rd, 2014 at 12:11 AM ^

I went to the game.  Bought my tickets on the street moments before kickoff.  Paid a bit less than face value ($35 for $45 tix).  Atmosphere was as good as it could be for an event featuring teams without local fan bases.  The athletic ability on the pitch (!) was clear.  It was obvoius we were watching world class athletes, though it was also obvious that many were going at 'preseason who the fuck cares speed;.  

All in all, fun stuff.  Glad I didnt pay more than I did, but happy with the result.

Halftime show/concert:  good lord fuck what the hell trampoline umbrella speakers no sound seriously?

WindyCityBlue

August 3rd, 2014 at 12:44 AM ^

I've been to a couple America Cup games here at soldier field. USA v Mexico. There was Columbus type shit going on. I felt very unsafe and outnumbered. I couldn't believe the anti-American feelings going on with the Mexicans, especially since we (America) provide them with so much opportunity.

BlueCE

August 3rd, 2014 at 7:11 PM ^

Do you get the same from Chicago fans? I mean you are in their state, they provide so many opportunities for you and yet you root for a team from another state and hate on their local teams.  Come on, completely self-absorbed post.

CarrIsMyHomeboy

August 3rd, 2014 at 1:40 AM ^

Are there any concerts that could sell it out that fans would be likewise proud to mention? A music festival with multiple artists of the correct names could, but that seems somehow beneath the AD and inconsistent with the 3 hour target length.

The glutton in me wouldn't mind seeing DB going all Roman and pulling off the otherwise inconceivable: a flooded lower bowl playing home to a mini-naval tournament where each ship is fitted with a battering ram.

But as far as realistic possibilities are concerned, what are the remaining fresh ideas?

Should we just go for the quintfecta and host a baseball and basketball game too?

Jacoby

August 3rd, 2014 at 3:33 AM ^

Goddamn. There is nothing wrong with U2. Stop being such a whiney bitch. If you don't like U2, you are free to stay in your basement and pout about it.

Prince Lover

August 3rd, 2014 at 2:32 AM ^

But he has to wait and see what all the other schools are doing first, since you know, all he knows is copying other people's ideas. Now hand me another one of those Chipotle 2 burritos, they're delicious.

Tater

August 3rd, 2014 at 4:21 AM ^

Maybe DB should worry more about keeping the people he has instead of using the typical "scorched eartn," "turn em and burn em" philosophy that has worked so well for him elsewhere.

ryebreadboy

August 3rd, 2014 at 4:50 AM ^

Host another Lions preseason game. If they could get a game against Green Bay, Pittsburgh, Cinci or Cleveland that'd bring in local fans of those teams as well. Last (and only) one was in the 70s. I'm sure Brandon could "wow" it up.

bacon

August 3rd, 2014 at 5:15 AM ^

It's a good way to make extra money for the program. It would be awesome if they used the revenue to offset the loss of a michigan home game to get a good home/ away series vs a team like USC, Texas, Bama, etc. Very few schools could do that and be successful, it's a great opportunity. The other thing he could use the money for is lowering the prices of tickets to maintain attendance.

I dumped the Dope

August 3rd, 2014 at 6:26 AM ^

I bet its 1/3 to 1/2 as good as a normal home game.

The 'Rock is the one I question to fit with that.  My guess is that won't be nearly as lucrative.  History is bound to repeat itself as the next generation forgets what the previous generation knew/learned.

bluebyyou

August 3rd, 2014 at 7:35 AM ^

A definite win-win.  Yesterday was an opportunity to see some of the top soccer players in the world in our backyard.  I suspect it brought a ton of positive publicity to Ann Arbor to say nothing about how the money helps our sports programs and the local economy.

And it happened early in the month of August when absolutely nothing was happening in the way of Michigan athletics.

Be a critic of DB when he does something wrong, but praise him when he does something right.