Kirk Wessler on the decision to play a game at Renaissance Coliseum

[Da Coach]

Kirk's first column about Bradley in over 2 months. He doesn't seem to like the move-

http://www.pjstar.com/bradleyhoops/x1009570190/Wessler-BU-takes-big-risk-by-going-cozy

[lefty]

Kirk's first column about Bradley in over 2 months. He doesn't seem to like the move-
http://www.pjstar.com/bradleyhoops/x...-by-going-cozy

He does make some good points. I don't see this game meaning much one way or the other really

[tornado]

I have a friend who is in the resturant business - he and his wife manage two of the very best known and busiest restaurants in our area.
He tells me that one solid rule in the industry is to be sure your plans and your structure always mean there will be DEMAND for your product -- in fact more demand that you can fill much of the time..

In the restaurant business that means make sure you don't build your place so big that there's always empty tables and immediate seating -- instead build SMALL ENOUGH so the place is packed much of the time with a waiting line stretching all the way out to the parking lot as often as possible...

In the college basketball industry -- I can translate that to...
"how can it hurt to produce a game where the demand would outstrip the supply??"
Wouldn't it possibly make tickets a HOT commodity and as Da Coach said - even scalping going on??
If it happens to make a few people mad that they weren't consulted about all this and their wishes weren't honored -- then tough break -- the school is doing what it has to do to stay competetive..


As for KW's article -- I have a couple points of opposition...

--1st he implies that it's stupid to host a guarantee game where we pay the opponent $70,000 but sell only 3000 tickets and thus don't make much more than $70K in ticket sales.
Well, then how much stupider would it be to sell only 6000-7000 tickets had we hosted the game downtown and then ALSO be on the hook for an extra $60-80,000 in fees payable to the Civic Center?? Duhhh...

BUT KW is failing to mention that not only is Bradley getting to keep ALL the ticket revenue ON CAMPUS instead of paying a hunk to the Civic Center...but BU also gets the concessions money, any extra money from radio or TV (if it ever gets done), and if games of this nature are held at Renaissance - then BU can also expect additional revenue from advertising on the scoreboard and from other sponsorships....also somewhere down the road they'll likely be charging for parking (I'm sure the gates & booths aren't just for show) and 1500 cars at $5 each can help a bit, too.


--Kirk himself has written on getting more students and getting them more active -- now Bradley's trying JUST THAT and suddenly Kirk forgets he was one who was nagging BU to do something like this..
PLUS -- recall how biased KW was all along about this on-campus project as he wrote a whole series of columns ripping Bradley about their secrecy and his own family home was bought and demolished. So he's already exposed himself as having an intense bias on this issue.


--KW also seems to say there's ALREADY A MASSIVE NUMBER of "UPSET FANS" over this issue.
I don't see that -- just a few here and there, and you can count on little more than one hand the number on the message boards who have even implied they wouldn't go to this game or would give up their season tickets.
In fact, I'll bet not one would -- NOT ONE.


--then he says "Other schools..split their home schedules between the campus and a civic arena. For the most part, though, those schools never stopped playing games on campus.."
But the single most widely cited example given is DePaul -- and they certainly DID do what he's saying they didn't.
They moved all their games to the Rosemont Horizon at almost the EXACT same time BU moved to the Civic Center -- and only recently have they moved some games back onto campus into their tiny, old McGrath Arena to get campus fans involved - an arena that seats only 3000 (and 3500 with standing room) -- and it's been so successful with NO complaints, that now this coming year they will have FOUR games there -- 2 exhibitions and 2 regular season games.
Wichita is also doing the alternate site thing and so are numerous others exactly what KW says is NOT happening.

[patrick_o'brian]

My only thought is that the women's table crew should be able to work this game. It is our place we should be working it! Just saying!

[tornado]

I agree --

[Chico]

T, if the University is making so much money by playing on campus, why not just play all the games there and the hell with the loyal season ticket holders? IMO, play all the exhibition games in the gym and let the students show their loyalty to the team.

[BeBrave]

Beating a dead horse: They should have just found a way to make the arena an 12,000 seater....problem solved.

[bigjimmy]

Not really a fan of limiting how many people can watch a regular season game when you have a consistent 7,000 fan base, 9 to 10,000 when we're winning. The exhibition games should be the ones played at the Renaissance Coliseum. I do understand it'll be a great atmosphere because of what should be a sell out crowd, especially if the students show up. I'll be curious to see what BU makes for this game as oppossed to a similar type game at the Civic Center.

[lefty]

It's SEMO....who really cares if the play at RH...I'm not breaking a neck to get a ticket. I think KW is thinking there are more negatives than positives, that's all. It doesn't bother me but you have more risk losing fans that can't get a ticket than you do of increasing your fan base in my opinion.
If the students really want to go see BU they will go the Civic Center

[BradleyJD]

I have a friend who is in the resturant business - he and his wife manage two of the very best known and busiest restaurants in our area.
He tells me that one solid rule in the industry is to be sure your plans and your structure always mean there will be DEMAND for your product -- in fact more demand that you can fill much of the time..

In the restaurant business that means make sure you don't build your place so big that there's always empty tables and immediate seating -- instead build SMALL ENOUGH so the place is packed much of the time with a waiting line stretching all the way out to the parking lot as often as possible...

In the college basketball industry -- I can translate that to...
"how can it hurt to produce a game where the demand would outstrip the supply??"
Wouldn't it possibly make tickets a HOT commodity and as Da Coach said - even scalping going on??
If it happens to make a few people mad that they weren't consulted about all this and their wishes weren't honored -- then tough break -- the school is doing what it has to do to stay competetive..

So why not play every single game there?? If your argument is to hold water, then every single game should be there. Or we could hold them in a grade school or high school game...drive up the number of people who cannot see the game in person. The scalping would be wonderful.

or....

We could just play in the 11k seat arena that we are tied into and sell it out with BU's very loyal and dedicated fan base.


If you want to play on campus, build a 10k-plus seat arena. Satisfies all sides and gets you more of the $-pie.

[Bravesfan]

He does make some good points. I don't see this game meaning much one way or the other really

I don't think he makes any good points. And this coming from a person who was very complimentary towards his last couple of columns!

First of all, I thought "discontent with the program" was on the way down now that Ford is the new coach and Les is gone! So which way is it Kirk?! Typical "double-speak" from him.

Second, just what IS the big deal with playing a game on campus to create some buzz? So some season ticket holders won't be able to attend. So what? It's not like most go to every single game anyway, especially against the likes of SEMO!

And third, if you can't get a team like SEMO in to play you in a small arena, no one else will come since most of the big time programs wouldn't even set foot near a place like this! SEMO may be the best team they will ever get to play there, so I think even if only 1000 people show up, it should be a great experience and atmosphere, and create some well needed buzz for the program.

[tornado]

T, if the University is making so much money by playing on campus, why not just play all the games there and the hell with the loyal season ticket holders? IMO, play all the exhibition games in the gym and let the students show their loyalty to the team.

Chico & JD how can you not see the obvious answer right in front of your eyes on this one.....

Bradley makes little or no money on many games at Carver, they actually lose some on poorly attended games that get NO TV, but they make a nice share of revenue from any game with 9000 or more...or any game with TV revenue - especially if it can get carried on a network. So most games would be MORE profitable at Carver Arena -- some -- way, way more....simple as that!

so why if we can get 11,400 for an ISU game of a Michgan State game and make $100K or more -- why would you give up that?

[lefty]

I don't think he makes any good points. And this coming from a person who was very complimentary towards his last couple of columns!

First of all, I thought "discontent with the program" was on the way down now that Ford is the new coach and Les is gone! So which way is it Kirk?! Typical "double-speak" from him.

Second, just what IS the big deal with playing a game on campus to create some buzz? So some season ticket holders won't be able to attend. So what? It's not like most go to every single game anyway, especially against the likes of SEMO!

And third, if you can't get a team like SEMO in to play you in a small arena, no one else will come since most of the big time programs wouldn't even set foot near a place like this! SEMO may be the best team they will ever get to play there, so I think even if only 1000 people show up, it should be a great experience and atmosphere, and create some well needed buzz for the program.

I agree with you on the first two points especially the second one

Is there more to gain playing on campus than there is at the CC? I doubt this gets more students downtown to see BU play but it is making some others upset...so where's the big advantage. Like I said it doesn't make any difference to me since it's SEMO....so no biggie. They will never have a quality game there

and I guess we will disagree on your third point Bravesfan....I doubt if only 1000 people show up that it would be great atmosphere and well needed buzz.....it would actually be an embarrassment.....in any event there are enough fans that I'm sure it will full when SEMO comes to town

[AZ BU Fan]

Bradley makes little or no money on many games at Carver, they actually lose some on poorly attended games that get NO TV, but they make a nice share of revenue from any game with 9000 or more...or any game with TV revenue - especially if it can get carried on a network. So most games would be MORE profitable at Carver Arena -- some -- way, way more....simple as that!

So why if we can get 11,400 for an ISU game of a Michgan State game and make $100K or more -- why would you give up that?

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So what I am reading is BU is better off playing all games where they expect less than 9000 paid fans at the RC?

Is this true, BU's break even point for playing at the CC is 9000 fans?

I am not counting TV revenue since BU gets the same TV revenue from games at either venue.

Even though BU sells 7000+ season tickets with the seat license fees they charge for season tickets holders prorated to each home game?

If true, BU needs to renegotiate with the PCC, and, with downtown parking lot vendors for a cut of the action.

What do top recruits want....play on campus at an RC type facility, or, at a PCC type facility?

Here's a novel idea, get a better team/program and increase PCC attendance. Problems solved.

PS.....Please eliminate an on campus facility creating significant student interest/greater attendance.....Drake has an on campus facility and draws fewer students to their arena than BU does at the PCC. How many students does ISU draw from their on campus facility vs BU (factoring in the difference in school attendance)?. How many students does CU draw in their off campus facility? Is it a detriment to their student participation?

[bigdaddystuck]

BU missed out when the on campus arena was built. They could have built a 7500-9500 seat arena and built up this demand without really upsetting many of the current season ticket holders. I have to agree with Chico, play the exhibition, red/white, etc..on campus and show off the team to try and get students more excited/interested. I also agree that if we can put a good product out on the floor, it won't matter where we play, students and fans in general will increase!