Penn State @ MSU football game moved to Ford Field

Submitted by GoBlue96 on May 24th, 2023 at 12:18 PM

I guess the aircraft carriers were all booked?  CJ Stroud would approve.

 

https://twitter.com/MSU_Football/status/1661401719195189249

 

goblu330

May 24th, 2023 at 12:22 PM ^

I can't figure out why they had to move the game, or if they just thought it was a good idea.  It's a night game, but I doubt there are any other events happening at the trash heap.  

In any event, I think this will move the Class A high school championship game to Sunday.  I can never go to that because of The Game.  So this works out.

jmblue

May 24th, 2023 at 3:08 PM ^

East Lansing isn't that far from Metro Detroit, and the game's on a Saturday.  It's hard for me to imagine that there is a large segment of the MSU fanbase that could attend this game in Detroit but not in East Lansing.  

It strikes me as a publicity stunt.  Maybe they think some neutral fans in Detroit will show up out of curiosity.

Regardless, to play Senior Day - your end-of-season rivalry game - at Ford Field is cringy.

oriental andrew

May 24th, 2023 at 2:55 PM ^

I, for one, would much rather be in a dome for a night game at the end of November. Average low/high  for that date in EL is approx 28F/41F respectively. 

I'm sure that also has a lot to do with it, since the Big Ten apparently promised so many night games to NBC, much to Warde's surprise. 

 

Alton

May 24th, 2023 at 12:23 PM ^

Wait, aren't they usually playing HS football championship games at Ford Field the day after Thanksgiving? 

(EDIT:  Never mind; it looks like they are moving HS championships to Saturday-Sunday instead of Friday-Saturday).

Qmatic

May 24th, 2023 at 12:42 PM ^

This will be good background entertainment as I get my layers ready and hydrate for the next morning/afternoon. I hope there is snow again this year.

michchip

May 24th, 2023 at 12:44 PM ^

Last year one of their entire upper decks was shut down for their last game and relocate all fans... Could you imagine having that much empty room!? Smart move...

NittanyFan

May 24th, 2023 at 2:15 PM ^

Hey hey now ........................... that's not funny!

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How about this?  Say what one will about Penn State, but they've at least won some division/league/National Championships over the years.

So maybe that can rub off in reverse on the Detroit Lions?!?!?!?

mGrowOld

May 24th, 2023 at 12:47 PM ^

So I have to ask this.....why?   What reason does MSU have to move their home game to a nearby but still neutral field?  Is it financial and if so, how do they benefit?  

I get why the networks and the B1G would want this - a prime time game indoors late in the season - but I'm at a loss as to why MSU would agree to it.

Any ideas?  Seriously.....what's in it for them?

FB Dive

May 24th, 2023 at 1:06 PM ^

The press release has more information

The game at Ford Field will be sold as a standalone contest, with details, including on-sale dates, to be announced in the near future. Season ticket holders and student season pass holders who have already paid for the 2023 ticket package will be refunded for tickets and parking to the previously scheduled game vs. Penn State at Spartan Stadium. There will be designated sections in the lower bowl for Michigan State students, with priority going to 2023 student season pass holders.

I'm baffled how that's financially advantageous for MSU. Curiously, it seems the Big Ten proposed this.

The Big Ten Conference approached Michigan State about the athletic department's willingness to consider moving the final game of the regular season to a national television window on Friday night, and the potential of moving the contest from Spartan Stadium to Ford Field.

mGrowOld

May 24th, 2023 at 1:14 PM ^

The B1G asking for this to happen makes a lot of sense to me.  MSU agreeing to it, unless there's a signficant financial gain for doing so, does not.

This is easily the 2nd biggest home game on their calendar this year, why they would want to give it up and move to a neutral field, albeit one relatively close to home, is a head-scratcher.