I don't subscribe to the notion that simply dropping prices will significantly raise attendance. Maybe you would see a small uptick in buys, but I don't think the crux of the issue is economics. It's getting people to commit to spending the better part of their Saturday at your game.
JMO people will pay for a good product, or at the very least an entertaining one. Give them little to show for their commitment and it won't matter much if it cost them 10 dollars or 100 to attend, they won't make coming back a priority.
Unfortunately your fans have been conditioned to believe that they can buy a ticket in the lot for 5 bucks and sit wherever they please. Why are they going to commit to a season ticket package? Do they want to become the guy trying to unload unwanted tickets in the lot?
There are promotions and tweaks that can be done to enhance the live game day experience, and I'm sure your AD is exploring all of them. However it will always comes down to winning and losing. Win and casual fans will care again. Win a lot and you will create demand. Do it in an entertaining manner and you will have repeat customers. It's on the coaches and players to rebuild the fanbase.
This is a vicious cycle, and a lot plays into attendance, not just the players, coaches, price(s), but the fans also play a big part.
I don't disagree that in this lousy Connecticut economy, prices do have an effect. Less personal discretionary spending available to allocate to various entertainment venues. And the only thing the State thinks is a solution is to raise taxes and/or cut spending. So our wallets may be thinner for some time going forward.
We have a large inventory of unused seats. Operating expenses don't go down when no one shows up. Looking at it in very simplistic terms, how does any business get rid of a large inventory of goods.........prices are adjusted. Buy two, get the third one free. Or a unit price of $1.00 each, get 3 units for $2.50. Those are very simplistic examples, but you get what I'm trying to suggest.
How about "honoring" pop warner football teams on a given day........let the teams parade on the field at halftime. Reduce GA tickets for coaches, fans, parents. How about a game where first responders were honored?
Fireworks/concert after a night game?
I agree that in this lousy economy, season ticket prices should be reduced, and then gradually rise back to FBS levels as the team performance and winning becomes more relevant.
But know comes the fan part. I've never been a good athlete, and always played on not too good little league teams. But if our Moms/Dads/ grandparents were on the sidelines, win or lose we always seemed to play harder when someone was behind us cheering and rooting for us as individuals or a team. Fewer errors, unexpected results. Even when, by todays rules, the game would have normally ended early because of the 10 run rule, we unexpectedly had some upsets.
There are holes UConn, players, coaches can plug, ........ but there are things fans can also do better to put a cork in a sinking ship.
Happy Holidays to everyone!
