Ticket Sales - what is it going to take??

[JasonB]

This is tooting our own horn but...MLS keeps increasing its attendance averages and they are doing it by promoting "Supporters Sections"...special areas where fans can be more spirited with signs, cheers and flags...it's entertaining, welcoming to everyone and generates super-fans that help your stadium atmosphere.

http://www.fcdallas.com/fans

That is not 100% accurate.

MLS always had supporters sections, they were just full of nerds who were into soccer because it was anti-establishment as much as anything else. MLS allowed that one section of supporters and then promoted the rest of the stadium to families.

The investors in new franchises realized that with the expansion of the EPL in the cable market, there was actually a real soccer market out there. So, they increased the cap, invented the designated player rule to make a larger virtual cap, which essentially allowed them to significantly increase the quality of play. Then they advertised to the same market most sports advertise to - 21 year old males instead of 8 year old kids.

Those changes have increased the size of supporters sections significantly as well as the size of the crowd in the rest of the stadium, to the point where average attendance in MLS is greater than that of basketball or hockey.

The changes in marketing strategy and vast improvement in the quality of play are what increased attendance in MLS. Not the supporters section thing. The reason FCD hasn't caught the rest of the league in attendance is because they only promote the one one section to the 21 year old male, but the rest of their marketing strategy is still geared towards kids. That and they haven't had a super star player in ages. FCD's strategy year on year is to break even in soccer and then rake in tons of money during edge fest and the buffet concert.

The only way SMU is going to increase attendance is to increase the quality of product on the field. 10 win season with a star player and a couple of upsets, followed by continued winning is how TCU did it and that is the only way SMU is going to get it done. You can advertise the hell out of the Stars, but they still aren't going to pack the AAC when they are a .500 team.

I have predicted 9-3 this year, but the only way that really gets on the radar with DFW is if we beat Tech, have a respectable outcome against A&M, blow out Montana State, and GG puts up huge numbers in the new offense while getting us to the TCU game. We can still increase attendance towards the end of the year if we perform well in conference and again, GG puts up huge numbers. But they have to be able to advertise a really good team and a star player.

[GreenbeltPony]

If this (an FCS team) or this or this can happen then we should be able to win those games. JJ has led us out of the dark ages, but his record is pretty abysmal against quality competition. Four straight bowl games is more than impressive, but it takes marquis wins to make a difference for the casual fans; for what it's worth, we haven't played against notable P5 teams other than Pitt in any of our bowl games.

[GiddyUp]

Lets beat Tech!

[CalallenStang]

The reason FCD hasn't caught the rest of the league in attendance is because they only promote the one one section to the 21 year old male, but the rest of their marketing strategy is still geared towards kids.

That, and the summer league schedule means that FC Dallas plays a lot of games in 100 degree heat, and unlike the stadium in Houston, FC Dallas Stadium does not have shade structures to try and keep the fans comfortable. BTW, with the season starting earlier this year, FC Dallas is averaging 15,060 this year, up from 14,199 last year and less than 10,000 in 2009. FCD's average this year is 12th out of 19 teams...so there is still quite a ways to go, but they are no longer bottom like they were a few years ago.

[SMU89]

GG for Heisman

[SMUer]

they increased the cap, invented the designated player rule to make a larger virtual cap, which essentially allowed them to significantly increase the quality of play....Those changes have increased the size of supporters sections significantly as well as the size of the crowd in the rest of the stadium, to the point where average attendance in MLS is greater than that of basketball or hockey.

I've taken 7-8 completely non-soccer interested friends to MLS games and purposely sat next to the Supporters groups...and they had a blast and can't wait to go again. They still won't watch MLS on TV but they'll go for the live atmosphere they create. I'm sure that happens all the time in Supporter's group sections...they generate fresh season ticket holders that advertising wasn't able to hook. You have to be fairly soccer-savvy already to appreciate players like Thierry Henry and David Ferreira...sure, they elevate overall play but they don't generate new season ticket holders from previous know-nothing fans...the point is, SMU should be appealing to non-alumni communities from many angles. A tremendously cheap one would be to create and promote strategically placed rowdy fan sections...which also happen to be a great way to teach non-alums SMU traditions and lore to make them feel a part of what is often considered a exclusionary atmosphere.

[ponyinNC]

Rick Hart - are you reading this? You should be.

Some great ideas fellas (and soccermom).

[JasonB]

they increased the cap, invented the designated player rule to make a larger virtual cap, which essentially allowed them to significantly increase the quality of play....Those changes have increased the size of supporters sections significantly as well as the size of the crowd in the rest of the stadium, to the point where average attendance in MLS is greater than that of basketball or hockey.

I've taken 7-8 completely non-soccer interested friends to MLS games and purposely sat next to the Supporters groups...and they had a blast and can't wait to go again. They still won't watch MLS on TV but they'll go for the live atmosphere they create. I'm sure that happens all the time in Supporter's group sections...they generate fresh season ticket holders that advertising wasn't able to hook. You have to be fairly soccer-savvy already to appreciate players like Thierry Henry and David Ferreira...sure, they elevate overall play but they don't generate new season ticket holders from previous know-nothing fans...the point is, SMU should be appealing to non-alumni communities from many angles. A tremendously cheap one would be to create and promote strategically placed rowdy fan sections...which also happen to be a great way to teach non-alums SMU traditions and lore to make them feel a part of what is often considered a exclusionary atmosphere.

I totally get what you are saying. I am also saying that I was there in '96 and took folks to a game, introduced them to what was (at the time) a great atmosphere at the Cotton Bowl, but watching a fat 50 year old Hugo Sanchez wasn't entertaining for anyone.

Now, I can take anyone to the Beer Garden for a game, and they will enjoy the atmosphere, but will come back because the play is good, because of Henry, Ferriera, Nagbe, the entire KC frontline, etc.

The product on the field has to be above average, then you can worry about atmosphere, a party section, and beer in the stadium. Until then, it is just a bit that people will go once for. The conference improvement will help, because the super crappy teams won't come in anymore. That helps the overall product on the field, which is just as important as the SMU improvement is.

I love what June Jones has done with the program. I would much rather be .500 in a crappy conference and go to a bowl than finish in last place in a crappy conference. But, a third party just looks at the product on the field and thinks, wow, I am glad SMU won, but that was not a great game.

The upgraded recruits that are ready this season are going to elevate the team to another level, and I think that will start things. Once we have a winning record in a decent conference, then worry about the marketing and atmosphere.

[Stallion]

Does anybody know what "upgraded recruits" he's talking about?

Rivals:
2012 Class; Total Points- 89 Average-85
2013 Class: Total Points; 70 Average-78

[Mustangsabu]

You only have to look at our recruits to know they are better. This game is about size, strength and speed. Our guys are bigger than our previous teams, and they are stronger. Speed we sometimes lack a little, but as our stars in the NFL have shown, coaching kids to be in the right place helps a lot.

[JasonB]

Does anybody know what "upgraded recruits" he's talking about?

Rivals:
2012 Class; Total Points- 89 Average-85
2013 Class: Total Points; 70 Average-78

The upgraded recruits I speak of are from the 2010 and 2011 classes, which were very solid. Those are the players who are upper classmen next year, more highly rated than the people who left, and should make us better.

I don't think anyone could argue that the players the last two years are more highly regarded than the two previous (especially 2012).

Have fun rooting for Tech when we beat you guys in the opener.

[SMU 86]

You only have to look at our recruits to know they are better. This game is about size, strength and speed. Our guys are bigger than our previous teams, and they are stronger. Speed we sometimes lack a little, but as our stars in the NFL have shown, coaching kids to be in the right place helps a lot.

I think that our defensive line does not weigh as much as the previous year's. That is probably the area we are kind of lightweight in.

[Stallion]

Watching Letterman tonite and didn't notice how much Kliff Kingbury looks like Luke Bryan now. Maybe its new haircut and his all black outfit. Vince Gill out-Luke Bryan in

[froglicious]

Slightly differnt view. I am shopping up here in Arkyland a week or so ago. Some random guy says to me,You did good last year. I don't think he is talking to me at first then I realize I have a SMU t-shirt on. I make a comment about we are doing better and he goes on to say that we have won 2 bowls in a row and kicked some team in a bowl this last year. He ends the conversation by saying we are finally back. This guy knows about SMU and our recent success which is very unusual up here in Arkyland.

We that are close to the program may not realize that we are starting to catch other fans' attention. It may not mean more fans in the stands but it might mean better ratings which is important as well. And maybe just maybe we could start getting more casual fans to show up.

On an equally relevant note, A couple weeks ago I was in the smu bookstore and heard one college aged kid (male) ask the other if we had a football team. He then asked incredulously if we were in division 1...

They had to be holding hands.

[froglicious]

they increased the cap, invented the designated player rule to make a larger virtual cap, which essentially allowed them to significantly increase the quality of play....Those changes have increased the size of supporters sections significantly as well as the size of the crowd in the rest of the stadium, to the point where average attendance in MLS is greater than that of basketball or hockey.

I've taken 7-8 completely non-soccer interested friends to MLS games and purposely sat next to the Supporters groups...and they had a blast and can't wait to go again. They still won't watch MLS on TV but they'll go for the live atmosphere they create. I'm sure that happens all the time in Supporter's group sections...they generate fresh season ticket holders that advertising wasn't able to hook. You have to be fairly soccer-savvy already to appreciate players like Thierry Henry and David Ferreira...sure, they elevate overall play but they don't generate new season ticket holders from previous know-nothing fans...the point is, SMU should be appealing to non-alumni communities from many angles. A tremendously cheap one would be to create and promote strategically placed rowdy fan sections...which also happen to be a great way to teach non-alums SMU traditions and lore to make them feel a part of what is often considered a exclusionary atmosphere.

In the monsoon last year there were a bunch of kids having a blast sliding down the SEZ hill. Didn't take long for the fun police to show up and put a stop to it. My guess is, it wasn't too much longer when the kids talked their parents into leaving. What a miserable game. Also, why the "no leave and comeback" rule?

I think you have to whore to the fans (like we did and still do) until demand is close to supply.