Mark Cuban on Selling Tickets

[RE Tycoon]

Talking with the Musers on The Ticket this morning, Cuban explained how they pushed group sales to keep their consecutive sell out streak intact last year in spite of the [deleted] economy and competition from the new Cowgirls Stadium.

"I'd rather have 1,000 cub scouts (@ $1 a ticket) in the building screaming than 1,000 empty seats."

It's not an earth shattering business approach, but it just goes to show that even one of the most successful franchises in sports can have trouble moving tickets. You've got to figure that $1 ticket turns into $10+ if they buy a hot dog, soda, candy, foam finger, t-shirt, mini football, etc.

Another area SMU lacks is pushing merchandise in our venues. If you set up a quality display, kids go ape [deleted] and the stuff sells itself. The few times I've seen a merch table it's a folding table with a bunch of boxes of stuff and maybe a t-shirt and polo shirt laying out. Not exactly exciting.

[RGV Pony]

Talking with the Musers on The Ticket this morning, Cuban explained how they pushed group sales to keep their consecutive sell out streak intact last year in spite of the [deleted] economy and competition from the new Cowgirls Stadium.

"I'd rather have 1,000 cub scouts (@ $1 a ticket) in the building screaming than 1,000 empty seats."

It's not an earth shattering business approach, but it just goes to show that even one of the most successful franchises in sports can have trouble moving tickets. You've got to figure that $1 ticket turns into $10+ if they buy a hot dog, soda, candy, foam finger, t-shirt, mini football, etc.

Another area SMU lacks is pushing merchandise in our venues. If you set up a quality display, kids go ape [deleted] and the stuff sells itself. The few times I've seen a merch table it's a folding table with a bunch of boxes of stuff and maybe a t-shirt and polo shirt laying out. Not exactly exciting.

group sales is the single most important position for minor league hockey, baseball teams etc. That's how they put people in their seats.

As for the merch, that's something we could learn from TCU. Anyone recall last year how they rolled kiosks onto the concourse just outside of the tunnels? Brilliant

[CalallenStang]

There was an SMU Merchandise kiosk set up in the concourse near the student section last game. Semi-impressive display, but wrong location, IMO.

[smusic 00]

Isn't that trailer thing on top of the grass hill a retail unit? Seems like that is a good spot since the kids all want to hurl themselves down that thing for 2 hours straight.

[Charleston Pony]

Now...if we could just find a way to sell 10,000 seats at $1 each

[smupony94]

If you pay retail value, you get half your money back if you stay until 4th quarter

[BIGHORSE]

They didn't even have any kiosk set up on the west side last Saturday.

[Bergermeister]

Cuban:

"I'd rather have 1,000 cub scouts (@ $1 a ticket) in the building screaming than 1,000 empty seats."

It's not an earth shattering business approach, but it just goes to show that even one of the most successful franchises in sports can have trouble moving tickets. You've got to figure that $1 ticket turns into $10+ if they buy a hot dog, soda, candy, foam finger, t-shirt, mini football, etc.

Guys, we've been here before. Is this not the Russ Potts' Mustang Mania approach? You want butts in seats? Give away tickets. Why not? He proved "they will come." We're a whole new ballgame - but potential fans aren't the underprivileged bus riders or $10 discount ticket buyers - we need HYPE on a grand scale. Advertising to PF, Lettermen and Alums ain't gonna cut it.

[Pony_Fan]

gave away my 4 seats to customer this week. -

$1 a ticket rather than $10 would be great