Really don’t understand the hate for this. I think it’s a great idea. It’s obviously not for everyone- but it’s only a few hundred people max. It doesn’t have to be for everyone.
As for the pricing, it’s cheaper than a standard tailgate setup from Southern Tradition and it’s AT the game. It’s less than half the price of the gridiron club per person and not nearly as crowded, plus you can actually SIT and watch the game. In your own comfortable tailgate chair. Obviously the gridiron includes food and drinks and air conditioning, they’re not directly comparable. But the cost is really not directly compatible either.
This is middle class premium.
Edit: before anyone questions it, the comparison to Tailgate setup cost does not factor the cost of the tickets, only the 2700 vs the 3500.
I won’t say that I hate it. But I strongly dislike it, mainly because its a half-measure. First off, financially you’re replacing the revenue potential of about 2,000 seats at $225 each ($450,000 annual revenue potential) with room for about 500 people paying somewhere from $300–$600 each ($150,000-$300,000 revenue potential). So less revenue potential per season, and you’re spending $2.5 million to do it. Yes, its true that those seats often go unused so it could be argued that its a net positive, but even if so its about a 10 year payback on that $2.5 million, and that’s assuming you never sell any seats for any games in any of those sections…..for 10 years. If, heaven forbid, we return to a level of 2014-2018 where we are winning 8+ games per year and the demand for those seats returns, we can no longer fill it.
The concept as a whole isn’t flawed. This would be a great thing to do in the south end zone, which is the first big eyesore and missing revenue opportunity. M-Club should have been brought to the ground a bare minimum of 10 years ago. The second biggest is the West Side upper deck and club level / press box are dated as hell, and honestly both need to be completely demolished and rebuilt from scratch to more modern standards. This current project accomplishes neither, and actually delays both by putting lipstick on a pig and wasting money that could be used on a more thorough renovation….even if it has to happen a few years down the road.
