Attendance

[SoFla Steve]

Love the Worcester song they always play.

Wow! The only Grammy he will ever see is in a rocking chair.

 

[cellocgg]

Do neutral site games ever sell out massive NBA arenas? I think 16k is fantastic

 

[BFieldHusky]

That’s the issue we have a population that ordinarily goes to both football and basketball games but it’s not very feasible for most people to do both given timeframe on same day hence maybe a couple less thousand people at both games because of logistics.

Chief I don't understand why this is a big deal. The football game was scheduled first. The BYU game was set up through a 3rd party last spring. UConn was guaranteed almost 700k for the game. It was also scheduled for a Saturday night because of our TV Partner, FOX.

Attendance was 16k. I believe the building seats 18k. Are we really arguing that if there wasnt a football game we would have gotten another 2,000 people at the game? Remember UConn wouldn't have gotten a bigger cut.

Seems like a strange argument.

 

[HooperScooper]

Chief I don't understand why this is a big deal. The football game was scheduled first. The BYU game was set up through a 3rd party last spring. UConn was guaranteed almost 700k for the game. It was also scheduled for a Saturday night because of our TV Partner, FOX.

Attendance was 16k. I believe the building seats 18k. Are we really arguing that if there wasnt a football game we would have gotten another 2,000 people at the game? Remember UConn wouldn't have gotten a bigger cut.

Seems like a strange argument.

Do you know how much BYU was guaranteed? Just curious. Do both teams get anything above the guarantee based on gate revenue? With the prices they charged for tickets whoever owned the rights to the game made a lot of money. I expect UConn will be playing in Boston again next year.

 

[Waquoit]

25k. The season ticket seats at midfield were 50% empty. I guess season ticket holders just didn't go or resell their seats.

Those tickets aren't all sold, I'm pretty sure.

 

[BFieldHusky]

Do you know how much BYU was guaranteed? Just curious. Do both teams get anything above the guarantee based on gate revenue? With the prices they charged for tickets whoever owned the rights to the game made a lot of money. I expect UConn will be playing in Boston again next year.

My understanding is that both teams got the same payout. Not sure if there is a bonus for attendance. This is also the case with Illinois this year (and next year in Chicago). The AD loves this because they make more than Maui, less expenses, etc.

 

[ctchamps]

My understanding is that both teams got the same payout. Not sure if there is a bonus for attendance. This is also the case with Illinois this year (and next year in Chicago). The AD loves this because they make more than Maui, less expenses, etc.

I got the impression from what I read we lost money from that Maui tournament. Travel, hotels and the promoters of the event ended up making us pay for the national exposure of the event.

 

[BFieldHusky]

I got the impression from what I read we lost money from that Maui tournament. Travel, hotels and the promoters of the event ended up making us pay for the national exposure of the event.

We did. That's why Hurley, and the AD prefers home and homes, and neutral court games with high payouts.

 

[Chief00]

Chief I don't understand why this is a big deal. The football game was scheduled first. The BYU game was set up through a 3rd party last spring. UConn was guaranteed almost 700k for the game. It was also scheduled for a Saturday night because of our TV Partner, FOX.

Attendance was 16k. I believe the building seats 18k. Are we really arguing that if there wasnt a football game we would have gotten another 2,000 people at the game? Remember UConn wouldn't have gotten a bigger cut.

Seems like a strange argument.

Chief I don't understand why this is a big deal. The football game was scheduled first. The BYU game was set up through a 3rd party last spring. UConn was guaranteed almost 700k for the game. It was also scheduled for a Saturday night because of our TV Partner, FOX.

I am not coming at this via a short term money outlook but it is definitely a loser that way too. But I can live with that.
Right now given we are on the outside looking in regarding conference alignment, brand exposure and strategic positioning is vital.
It would be beneficial to be able to say we sellout our TD North and MSG games, and NY / Boston is part of our conference related footprint. I don’t care if UConn fans buy their tickets from UConn or other third parties.
Competing with a home football game less than 100 miles away that drew 31k would have substantially or entirely filled that 2k TB North gap.

 

[Chief00]

You have it backwards. The Air Force game was scheduled in very early February 2025. The BYU game was scheduled in late May of this year.

I did not say they scheduled BB first, of course I knew that. What I am saying is why did we not succeed in scheduling basketball another day.
Seems like too often we schedule in silos and not do an over all filter. Again, as I said a lot of variables in scheduling so things are not always ideal but that needs to be our goal.

 

[Flipside]

I got the impression from what I read we lost money from that Maui tournament. Travel, hotels and the promoters of the event ended up making us pay for the national exposure of the event.

Had we won the Maui like 2010, this would be a non-convo

Been to 3 Maui Invitationals ... it's such a special place, even post-fire. Ticket sales are not what drive that event - you can show up in the morning, get a wristband for a standby list, and pay $50-100 to get ushered in to a gym smaller than many High Schools (only 12 rows). With the timezones and the way the've shifted the games to earlier (ala the Midnight games for Great Alaska Shootout, etc. back in the day, even if you're the last game of the day, you still have plenty of daylight.

The whole tournament vibe is unreal - eight teams and their fans all packed into one tight slice of paradise. All teams' players and coaches just hanging around the pool and oceanside, stopping to chat and take pics with opposing fans, and hang around town like regular people (well, except our coach in 2016). You can literally walk along the coastline to the games. When we win, it’s magical. When we lose, the ocean has a way of curing all. There’s truly nothing else like it.

Rick Barnes, 2016 - just stopped to chat, and give his regards for Terry Larrier who tore his ACL that morning

 

[Flipside]

Yeah way more full than I thought it would be.

Same

 

[Flipside]

Do neutral site games ever sell out massive NBA arenas? I think 16k is fantastic

Sellout, as in no tickets available, no ... and most times tickets are below sticker prices near gameday

The annual State Farm Champions Classic (Duke, Kentucky, Kansas & Michigan State), which rotates annually from Chicaco, NYC, DC, Atlanta, Charlotte, etc. consitently gets the most - and that's because Kentucky fans travel like crazy!

2010 Maui ... we had 27 people there!

 

[BFieldHusky]

I am not coming at this via a short term money outlook but it is definitely a loser that way too. But I can live with that.
Right now given we are on the outside looking in regarding conference alignment, brand exposure and strategic positioning is vital.
It would be beneficial to be able to say we sellout our TD North and MSG games, and NY / Boston is part of our conference related footprint. I don’t care if UConn fans buy their tickets from UConn or other third parties.
Competing with a home football game less than 100 miles away that drew 31k would have substantially or entirely filled that 2k TB North gap.

I dont even understand your point. TD Garden had an opening on a Saturday night in November. It hosts an NHL team, an NBA team, and concerts, etc. So there are not unlimited dates for this.

But no, let's not play it the same day as the football team. Let's move it to another day. Let's move it to a Tuesday night. I am sure we could get the same amount of fans in Boston on a weeknight. BYU also wouldnt mind playing during the week.

750 grand is not insignificant money. It was well done. Again, you are complaining about 2k. Its silly.

 

[Flipside]

Let's move it to a Tuesday night ...

I live in Florida, brought 14 people (that wouldn't have gone) to the pregame, and 11 to the game, not to mention the branding through the airports and along the way

Been to many away/neutral site weeknight games, but go more often when they're on the weekend - works best for even casual fans that may not have attended

 

[Rocktheworld]

Tim McKone, the 3rd guy on the show, is a huge UConn fan. He's from Worcester and went to Roger Williams so I'm not sure why. Zolak and Bertrand always laugh at him when he gets UConn into the Sports Flash updates. He did it on Friday mentioning the game.

Tim McKone Named Headline Anchor and Co-host of 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Zolak and Bertrand Show - Beasley Media Group, LLC

Beasley Media Group announces Tim McKone has been named the new Headline Anchor and Co-host on 98.5 the Sports Hub’s “Zolak & Bertrand” Show, effective

bbgi.com

Well Worcester is as close to UConn as it is to Boston, and of course we’ve been the dominant program in New England for 30+ years now

 

[ctchamps]

Had we won the Maui like 2010, this would be a non-convo

Been to 3 Maui Invitationals ... it's such a special place, even post-fire. Ticket sales are not what drive that event - you can show up in the morning, get a wristband for a standby list, and pay $50-100 to get ushered in to a gym smaller than many High Schools (only 12 rows). With the timezones and the way the've shifted the games to earlier (ala the Midnight games for Great Alaska Shootout, etc. back in the day, even if you're the last game of the day, you still have plenty of daylight.

The whole tournament vibe is unreal - eight teams and their fans all packed into one tight slice of paradise. All teams' players and coaches just hanging around the pool and oceanside, stopping to chat and take pics with opposing fans, and hang around town like regular people (well, except our coach in 2016). You can literally walk along the coastline to the games. When we win, it’s magical. When we lose, the ocean has a way of curing all. There’s truly nothing else like it.

Rick Barnes, 2016 - just stopped to chat, and give his regards for Terry Larrier who tore his ACL that morning
View attachment 113339

The event is special. Wish I had the opportunity to go to one. You were so fortunate to go to three.

This is not about how well we did at the tournament. It’s a financial decision by the athletic department. The bb team came back from the Maui tournament with a deficit for its participation. UConn can schedule three neutral site games and come away with $1-2 million. They may not be as romantic as going to Maui, but these games provide the same exposure to the program as long as we can schedule similar marquee teams. And more of our fans get the opportunity to attend.

UConn created its own MTE with New Haven, UMass Lowell and Columbia. It was cost efficient, no travel problems, and team gets the opportunity to develop. Plus we get more control of are scheduling this way.

 

[Flipside]

The event is special. Wish I had the opportunity to go to one. You were so fortunate to go to three.

This is not about how well we did at the tournament. It’s a financial decision by the athletic department. The bb team came back from the Maui tournament with a deficit for its participation. UConn can schedule three neutral site games and come away with $1-2 million. They may not be as romantic as going to Maui, but these games provide the same exposure to the program as long as we can schedule similar marquee teams. And more of our fans get the opportunity to attend.

UConn created its own MTE with New Haven, UMass Lowell and Columbia. It was cost efficient, no travel problems, and team gets the opportunity to develop. Plus we get more control of are scheduling this way.

I think all things can be true/valuable ... going to Maui is like the Super Bowl 1/2 time entertainer that doesn't get paid, but might benefit in other ways

 

[Lafayette]

I dont even understand your point. TD Garden had an opening on a Saturday night in November. It hosts an NHL team, an NBA team, and concerts, etc. So there are not unlimited dates for this.

But no, let's not play it the same day as the football team. Let's move it to another day. Let's move it to a Tuesday night. I am sure we could get the same amount of fans in Boston on a weeknight. BYU also wouldnt mind playing during the week.

750 grand is not insignificant money. It was well done. Again, you are complaining about 2k. Its silly.

Tough going to another city that far away (from me) for a weeknight game.

I can do MSG (and will Florida, we're coming for you!!!) on a weeknight but not Boston.

Then again I live in NJ.

 

[cellocgg]

Sellout, as in no tickets available, no ... and most times tickets are below sticker prices near gameday

The annual State Farm Champions Classic (Duke, Kentucky, Kansas & Michigan State), which rotates annually from Chicaco, NYC, DC, Atlanta, Charlotte, etc. consitently gets the most - and that's because Kentucky fans travel like crazy!

2010 Maui ... we had 27 people there!
View attachment 113340

The Big Bum Nation is like a cockroach

 

[UCLJ0211]

Official attendance: 16,116

Not bad at all. That's more than PBA holds. I think that's enough for UConn to look for another game in Boston next year.

I thought PBA holds 16,294 for basketball.

 

[cellocgg]

My daughter goes to Northeastern. On day one of freshman orientation 4 years ago they had a build a husky (like build a bear) and she made 5 stuffed huskies (it was free), including one for me. I planned to find a way to make it a UConn husky but she and my wife added a t shirt with the red and black one.

There was a Northeastern Instagram post last year that accidentally used the UConn logo. It's reposted deep somewhere in my Reddit history, I wish I could find it

 

[LIUCHusky]

I thought PBA holds 16,294 for basketball.

Used to. More like 15,500 now.

 

[Lafayette]

Used to. More like 15,500 now.

I saw PBA at MSG - held more than that! (Professional Bullrider's Assoc) - drink fest!

 

[I Bleed Blue]

We did. That's why Hurley, and the AD prefers home and homes, and neutral court games with high payouts.

No shot we go for the Players Era tournament next year? Believe they are expanding the field next season