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

[Buesch N Chips]

I'm happy to say that I don't care very much about this topic. I won't be attending the game, won't even try. Too many horror stories about the ticket booth and the parking. D & D will bring it home for me.

First off, KW said nothing wrong in his article, because he said nothing. "Yeah well, might be a good idea, might not. We'll see." Fantastic attitude to have, but not something an article is usually made of.

Two, I've never been to the new place, but aren't all seats good? Are people really going to drop loads of cash for PSLs to sit in a particular seat in a place where everyone is so close? You guys have that money sitting there burning a hole in your pocket, send it to me for crying out loud. I have diapers and legos to buy. I also need to get some stuff for the kids.

[jrish12]

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!

Yes, put a good product on the floor and they will come. But to open a new era in Bradley history, and get the students reved up for the new staff and all that putting a game on campus might be a good way to start that. You can put as many exhibitions, red whites, hooplas, etc. etc. in the RC and I GUARANTEE you, I would put almost anything on the line that you would get fewer students there for that because in all honesty, an exhibition doesnt matter to the casual fan. Students/casual fans care about games that count. If its an exciting game, then maybe they do come down to Carver, until they realize that its more like a morgue than a raucous college basketball game. Liven the game up on campus and transfer that energy downtown. Yeah, yeah winning solves everything, but you have to do something to jumpstart that winning, a lively home crowd environment could do just that.

Now, is it a smart idea to do this with so many season ticket holders? maybe, maybe not. But let me pose this question: How many of those 7,000+ are corporate owned seats that go unused for a majority of the games? Because that 7,000 number is number of seats sold, not necessarily a number of season ticket "holders". I would have to guess that Cat, Pearl, Velde, etc. arent just considered 1 season ticket, since they probably have bunches all across the arena. I know the number wouldnt be significantly different than that 7,000 number, but if I had to guess I would say the number is slightly smaller than 7,000.

[Chico]

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?

Thought it was obvious I was being sarcastic, especially when I said the hell with the loyal season ticket holders.

[tornado]

nobody knows the exact break-even point for BU at Carver - but it is obvious that some games are good revenue makers and others are not..
What smart businessman wouldn't try to identify the parts of his business he makes the least on or loses the most on and eliminate those money-losers?
Then how much better if you can take your biggest money loser and turn it into one of your bigger money makers?
Remember, unlike ISU, BU cannot just reach deeper into taxpayers' pockets then dishonestly claim their athletic department is self-supporting...

Here's just one of many articles proving ISU draws heavily on taxpayers' funds...note the first graph in the study...
Note that the AVERAGE I-AA Athletic Deprtment (I-AA is D-I who have football but not BCS, this is ISU's status)
..gets $6.9 million per year from sources that are taxpayer sources (student fees, institutional support, admin. support, and direct government support)...
and that it offset by ONLY $2.1 million in revenue that comes from the Athletic Department's activities..
IN OTHER WORDS -- they get more than 70% of all their revenue from the taxpayers.

http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/100xx/doc10055/MainText.4.1.shtml

http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED506793&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED506793

[CubbieBear]

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

No question about it, and many of us said it from the very beginning

[Beninator]

It's SEMO....who really cares if the play at RH...I'm not breaking a neck to get a ticket.

My thoughts exactly.

Personally I welcome the attempt to get students involved again, but I think that the Athletic Department will drop the ball in that area.

[SFP]

CC has BU over a barrel so to speak in their negotiations but this novel idea though change the equation a bit. Imagine that!

[Chico]

CC has BU over a barrel so to speak in their negotiations but this novel idea though change the equation a bit. Imagine that!

11,000 seats versus 4500. No contest. Even if the CC isn't filled there are more season ticket holders than seats at the gym.

[SFP]

11,000 seats versus 4500. No contest. Even if the CC isn't filled there are more season ticket holders than seats at the gym.

It all has to do with profitability and flexibility! BU now has the ability to play somewhere else when the demand to be profitable is not there or perhaps the CC will not give BU priority. Yes when there is a huge demand for a ticket it is a no brainer but for all the other times.

[AZ BU Fan]

Bu moves all games to new arena: Will get 100% of all revenue streams!

BU's future on campus bb facility....



BU gets to keep all ticket, concession, and parking revenue!

Intimate setting on campus will draw students in like free beer at Sully's...

[Chico]

BU's future on campus bb facility....



BU gets to keep all ticket, concession, and parking revenue!

Intimate setting on campus will draw students in like free beer at Sully's...

Not that far off.

[BU RICK]

BU's future on campus bb facility....

Not that far off.

Get out of that hot sun and cool off...deep breathing exercises help

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHWg0Vo75H0

[SFP]

AZ is just trying to ruffle a few feathers and make friends.

I'd have to believe he understands what the intentions are for BU in playing one game at the Renaissance Coliseum. The ones who do not like the idea are the ones that believe they will be left out of the party. I'm betting those are in the minority right or wrong. Decisions like these are calculated in creating the biggest benefit to The University not the individual.

[shaunguth]

The ones who do not like the idea are the ones that believe they will be left out of the party.

You're wrong.....I don't know this far ahead if my schedule will allow me to go to that game. If so, then I'll be lining up to get tickets. I don't know for sure if I'll "be left our of the party" or not, but someone will! If not, then our men's basketball program has far bigger problems than this.

I don't like the idea because the AD says it's to create a greater student interest in the men's basketball program, while also saying things like "We don't want to limit people's ability to see games".

Well......that's exactly what you're doing when you have around 7,000 season ticket holders and only 2,850 tickets available to the public!

[shaunguth]

It all has to do with profitability and flexibility! BU now has the ability to play somewhere else when the demand to be profitable is not there or perhaps the CC will not give BU priority. Yes when there is a huge demand for a ticket it is a no brainer but for all the other times.

Like an exhibition game against the College of Wooster, which IS part of the Carver Arena season ticket package?