Poll: Did you renew your FB tickets this year?

Submitted by Bluegriz on

I know the mgoblog audience is not necessarily a representitive sample of the overall Michigan Football ticketholder universe, but it seems like there are enough people here to provide an indication about 2014 football renewals.  There have been several times in the last couple years when people on this site confidently declared they will not renew season tickets anymore (due to losing games, ticket price increases, dynamic pricing, The Noodle, Dave Brandon, etc). 

So I'm curious, now that we are past the renewal deadline ... did you ACTUALLY give up your tickets?  Either you did or you didn't. 

Not sure if we'll get enough responses to draw conclusions, but I'll suggest a template for responses and include my own responses as an example.

  1. Student/Alum/Did not attend:  Alum
  2. Number of previous seasons you purchased season tickets, as student or not, excluding 2014:  9
  3. Number of tickets renewed for 2014:  2
  4. Number of tickets NOT renewed for 2014:  4
  5. Bonus question:  Did the Nuss hire or the Penn State night game announcement sway your decision?  (No for me)

I thought about letting all 6 go but just couldn't do it.

ThadMattasagoblin

April 24th, 2014 at 2:17 PM ^

I hate how people talk about product like they're buying a pizza. I get it if you can't afford it but if you are thinking about not going because of the "product" then good ridance. Go root for the Heat and Yankees. I hate losing and love winning as much as anyone but Michigan football isn't a product to me, it's a tradition that goes back to the 40s in my family of having season tickets.

WolvinLA2

April 24th, 2014 at 3:32 PM ^

That excuse flies for maybe 5% of college kids, if that. You could find a way to cut 25 bucks a month out of your budget if you wanted to. I'd bet half the kids who complain about ticket prices smoke 300 bucks worth of weed or drink 300 bucks worth of booze in football season alone.

I paid for my own tickets, and although they were about half then (10ish years ago), I made sure the first $150 bucks I made over the summer went to that. So it's not that students today can't afford, it's that they'd rather spend money on other stuff.

tbeindit

April 24th, 2014 at 4:22 PM ^

These are the kind of attitudes that are why so many in the fanbase are amazed when students don't show up on time or skip.  You hit it right on the head, it's simple economics.  If students really want to find the money, 95% of them can do it.  The problem is that there are a ton of other forces that are making it less and less valuable to go.  

This is more of a general comment, but as times change, that comparison on whether the tickets are worth it or not will move back and forth.  Right now, it's not swinging in the right direction.

Rolster

April 25th, 2014 at 11:19 AM ^

I don't think this generation of UM students values the football program like many of us older people do. Think about it. This year's seniors have seen UM beat OSU only twice since they were in 3rd grade and MSU has won on a more regular basis in recent years. Until UM defeats it's rivals more regularly expect the student body to be ambivalent towards the football program. Hate to say it but in their lifetime as a UM football fan, the program has been, dare I say it, mediocre at best.

gwkrlghl

April 24th, 2014 at 9:14 PM ^

I was poor in college - many of us were. My parents were kind enough to buy me season tickets every year, but otherwise I'm not sure if I would've gone. $300 is a ton of money to college student. That would've been spending money for me for a whole semester

And it's not like you can only be a fan if you go to the games. You can sit at home and cheer and also have spending money.

Mike Kenn

April 24th, 2014 at 10:40 PM ^

Exactly. Who are these kids kidding? lol

 

If you can afford to attend U of M you can afford football tickets. Isnt it like $50,000 a year to go there nowadays? Quit crying about another $300. Thats pennies compared to tuition. (Although I am suprised they arent just included in the price of tuition)

 

And this is coming from a 20 year old college student. So its not like I dont know what its like.

Mike Kenn

April 25th, 2014 at 1:19 AM ^

I dont have enough money to afford tuition, but that wasnt my point. If you can afford to attend Michigan for the ridiculous price of tuition, you probably can afford tickets too. Im not saying anyone has to buy the tickets. Its their money and they can do whatever they want with it. I was just saying that if you can afford to go to U of M, then you can afford the tickets. Using the price as an excuse is bull. Just say you dont wanna go. Thats fine. Im just saying nobody should make it sound like they wanted to go but the prices were too much.

G0B1U3

April 25th, 2014 at 1:22 AM ^

It's pretty crazy seeing yours and other comments insinuating how easy it is for "most" kids to buy tickets. Being at this school alone is an insanely large debt for most kids I know, let alone gathering up $300 to buy tickets. Before this year I found it absolutely necessary to ask my parents if they could spend money on these tickets. This year, it simply fell down the list. I need rent/books/food/other things every week of the year, so I didn't feel like adding on 300 bucks when I'm going to be able to buy them so much cheaper on the day of the game from drunk kids. So if all of you would like to donate to buying student tickets that'd be pretty cool, but otherwise we're going to find other ways to get there.

Blue Durham

April 25th, 2014 at 9:21 AM ^

Sorry, but your statements are ridiculous.

Using your logic, that same student should be able to afford a $300 bottle of wine, a $300 dinner at Escoffier (if that is still there in Ann Arbor), $300 for the newest video games, etc., etc., etc. The line eventually has to be drawn somewhere, and a person's priorities are subjective and up to each individual.

And the price of even the most inexpensive of things can be complained about if it does not deliver, or promise to deliver, value. Again, up to the individual.

And yeah, if I was going into debt to the tune of $25K a year for an education, my priorities would be on my studies and keeping all of my costs down, not on entertainment.

Mike Kenn

April 25th, 2014 at 3:49 PM ^

All Im saying is that people arent being "priced out" of the games. I totally understand if you dont want to spend $300 a year on tickets. Its your money and I could care less what you do with it. I was just saying that the $300 price isnt what is stopping people. $300 is nothing when you are already in debt $25,000 a year. 

"And the price of even the most inexpensive of things can be complained about if it does not deliver, or promise to deliver, value. Again, up to the individual."

So basically what youre saying is that the product on the field sucks so you dont wanna go. That is fine and that is your choice to make. All Im saying is that a bad product is different than a bad price. The price isnt bad at all, its just that the team sucks. 

Blue Durham

April 25th, 2014 at 5:32 PM ^

Regarding your last paragraph, no, I am not putting any of it on the team. There are a lot of factors that go into peoples game day experience - from parking, tailgating, getting into the stadium, seat comfort, restrictions in what can be brought into the stadium, rawk music, inaudible band music, the team, its opponent/schedule, etc. Some of these are important to people, others not so much.

To some people, the quality of play of their team is not the overriding factor. I know a couple that have not missed a Duke football home game for over 3 decades. Now that is a real supporter of a school and its team.

All Im saying is that a bad product is different than a bad price. The price isnt bad at all, its just that the team sucks

This doesn't make much sense as price cannot be separated from quality; consumers are trading one for the other. A good deal is when one gets more perceived quality for their dollar. There are plenty of successful businesses that sell cheap goods for even cheaper dollars, so to speak. However, the product in this case can be considered more than just the team's performance, but rather the overall experience in Michigan Stadium.

cigol

April 24th, 2014 at 6:38 PM ^

Have you seen SEC student sections?  They are bare.  LSU plays conference night games and you'd think it was an hour before kickoff against Tennessee-Chattanooga. 

It's more of a function of wanting to drink and the ability to watch games on TV while having sex with sorority girls at half time rather than sweating / freezing your nuts off to watch games that are broken up by TV timeouts ad nauseam all while paying $300 bucks.  Students come out for the big games, but for the blow hard games? I can't blame them.

umumum

April 24th, 2014 at 3:03 PM ^

but right now that is about all there is.  I renewed again for the umpteeth plus year.  But the "product" gets worse every year (of late) and I'm not talking about only wins and losses.

I get why some are letting their season tickets go.  It doesn't necessarily mean they are less of a Michigan alum or "Man".  Otherwise, we should just get out rulers and start measuring.

CharlesCarmichael

April 24th, 2014 at 8:12 PM ^

Agreed.  It isn't the wins and losses or the quality of the team, but it is the product.  Games are much longer than they used to be, the music is loud and played often enough that it isn't easy to actually have a conversation in between plays, and the cost of tickets and food/water continues to increase.  At home, I have a bathroom, a fridge, all the free water I want, a comfortable seat and plenty of room to jump up and down or run around in circles when the game is exciting.  It gets harder and harder to get up to go to games every year- and it really sucks that that's the case.   

gbdub

April 24th, 2014 at 4:26 PM ^

The "real fan" chest beating is almost as tiresome as the posters who continually deploy "I'm not renewing my seats". In both cases it's pointless self-aggrandizement meant to claim unearned moral authority.



I live in AZ, so season tickets aren't really an option, but I'm jealous of everyone that gets to go every week. It's a tremendous privilege I definitely miss. That said, I'm not going to crap on somebody for finding that this year's slate of games, particularly given the likely quality of the team, is not worth the $1000 per ticket + travel and opportunity costs. Not all "real fans" go to games in person, and it's especially unfair to gripe about it when season tickets are so damn expensive relative to the average family's disposable income.

goblue20111

April 24th, 2014 at 5:14 PM ^

I generlly prefer watching sports at home.  I have my own traditions on game Saturdays now with some close friends.  Rotate houses.  Big comfy couches, fridge full of beer, safe from the elements, tons of food and snacks, all the rest of the games on big screen TVs.  I can pass out from drinking fairly easily.  Love the life.  

bluebrains98

April 24th, 2014 at 6:44 PM ^

You nailed it on the head. I couldn't imagine not going to every second of every game, as I did when I was a student way back when. But, that doesn't mean I was right and everyone else was wrong. Regardless of the reasoning/rationalization, people have a right to choose not to go to games. If I had to guess, a good chunk of the alleged "boycotters" are people who don't really enjoy the games in the first place and are just using the current fodder as an excuse not to renew/purchase. But, in the end, it's each person's choice to make.

MGoBlueFan90

April 25th, 2014 at 11:31 AM ^

The "real fan" chest beating is almost as tiresome as the posters who continually deploy "I'm not renewing my seats". In both cases it's pointless self-aggrandizement meant to claim unearned moral authority.

No, it isn't. We have a lot of "fans" who claim to support the football team, yet don't back it up in the stadium. Our team works their @$$ off every week and the students disrespect them with their attendance is Horrible.

I live in AZ, so season tickets aren't really an option, but I'm jealous of everyone that gets to go every week. It's a tremendous privilege I definitely miss. That said, I'm not going to crap on somebody for finding that this year's slate of games, particularly given the likely quality of the team, is not worth the $1000 per ticket + travel and opportunity costs.

I have no issue with this, especially if you are out of the state.

Not all "real fans" go to games in person, and it's especially unfair to gripe about it when season tickets are so damn expensive relative to the average family's disposable income.

No, but the support could be much better than it is now. If anything, those who don't go/support the program don't deserve a right to complain about anything (i.e, coaching, not beating rivals, etc.)

bakerrd

April 25th, 2014 at 2:37 PM ^

You are kidding right? Yeah, the student attendence is horrible... but I can't figure out if you are just ignorant or hypocritical. The alumni are just as bad.  Look at the admittedly few students in the crowd, and look at the rest of the crowd.  Pull out the excessive amounts of red in the "real fans" section and pack them down like they did with the students and you are going to get the same thing if not worse. 

MGoGrendel

April 24th, 2014 at 5:14 PM ^

I was in training class today and we learned about Jet's Pizza, which was started in Sterling Heights, MI. This got me to thinking about Buscemi's and the great pizza I remember from the early 80's (I worked there). I Googled Jets and they look like they make same pizza and sandwiches as Buscemi's. As luck would have it, they have Jet's in the Atlanta area. Going to have it for dinner Friday.

/squirrel

Please continue with your ticket poll.

the_benjy_vortex

April 24th, 2014 at 2:17 PM ^

1. alumnus

2. 17

3. 4.

4. 0

5. no

 

Further, I understand that many people have been priced out by the ramped up costs and PSD requirement but I am pretty surprised about the vitriol within this "loyal" fan base about their reasoning for not wanting to renew. Financial disparities aside, as long as I am able to, I will continue to renew and support the program as much as I possibly can. There will be up years and down years, good scheds and bad scheds but it is still M. 

 

And, I live in SoCal and am only able to attend 2-3 games a year. 

Zone Left

April 24th, 2014 at 2:54 PM ^

Those tickets run about $1K per, with the seat license, right (depending on tax bracket)? Why not just buy tickets on StubHub when you can go and pocket the difference?

You could probably buy any two home games (including the night game) and a trip to the Ohio State game on StubHub and a good chunk of a plane ticket from LAX to DTW for $1K.

the_benjy_vortex

April 24th, 2014 at 3:24 PM ^

While this is true, I would much rather spend the extra money on the PSD to support the school and program I love, (while receiving a write off).  It's a choice I make for myself and fully understand others may not be able to. I will always give back to M for what it has done for me and my family in regards to preparing me for life after school and for countless years of athletic entertainment.