Here's an idea for attendance problems

[docabel]

Dallas Stars are having attendance problems, so what do they do? Groupon?

They are lowering prices on seats to levels on par with their last season in Reunion Arena (~2001-2002). Lowest price tickets are now going from $15 to $9 (40% reduction). Best seats in arena at center ice are going from $150 to $110 (almost 25%).

I know we have tried this as a one time/game promotional thing, but why not season long? How many times over the last few seasons have we seen a bump in MC donations and/or season ticket prices? If we start selling out THEN raise prices, not on the anticipation of selling out.

[East Coast Mustang]

I could be totally pulling this out of my [deleted], but isnt there some NCAA thing where tickets sold have to be at least $10 to count towards attendance?

[Dutch]

haha. we did a groupon or living social this season. tickets were $17 each (school has to net $10 for it to count for attendance)

when i looked at it mid afternoon, it had sold 8.

[reddevil]

I think interest is more of an obstacle than ticket price, which has never been voiced as a complaint to my knowledge.

One though, albeit extreme, would be to restrict access to the Blvd., require the showing of a game day ticket to enter the Blvd. and shut the Blvd immediately at kickoff. Might be worth a try. It would not guarantee that all go, but everyone having a ticket would only help get more people in the stands.

[OR-See-Nee]

Good idea, but that works only if there is a fan base that is interested.

Right now, most of our fans are PonyFans. We already buy tickets.

We don't have enough goodwill or excitement for the average Dallas County sports fan to want to buy tickets.

If this offense starts to sizzle and we win 9 games a year, then the average sports fan will be interested in attending games, but not before then.

This is a town that likes winners. The average sports fan will be interested in SMU sports once we win on a consistent basis.

The 25 year drought is extraordinarily difficult to overcome, even with 3 bowl games in the last 3 years.

We're not there yet, but it's a heck of a lot better than where we were.

[SMUer]

It's not the price into, it's the experience inside that deters fans.

[ponyte]

I bought extra tickets this year and was fortunate to have all used. I had several guests that in no way were SMU fans and all loved the experience. I have no answer to our attendance woos. All I can do is show up and bring folks.

Jones and our Mustangs have done more to improve attendance in the last 3 seasons than any marketing. Hopefully we will have much better attendance next year. Better schedule and a better team (we do have some good young players).

[SMUer]

but imagine the results WITH marketing

[SMULaxer]

What is the best way to win over the dallas bandwagon fan?

Ask Jerry what the attendance was like when the cowboys were 1-7.

Ask the Rangers what the attendance was like five years ago.

Ask the Mavs what the attendance was like before Cubes.

Jim Lites is on the right path for the stars, but our issue isnt high priced tickets. Its putting a product on the field that competes with the Houston, So. Miss and Tulsas in spite of injuries (see Houston last year)

[SMU_Alumni11]

I think interest is more of an obstacle than ticket price, which has never been voiced as a complaint to my knowledge.

One though, albeit extreme, would be to restrict access to the Blvd., require the showing of a game day ticket to enter the Blvd. and shut the Blvd immediately at kickoff. Might be worth a try. It would not guarantee that all go, but everyone having a ticket would only help get more people in the stands.

I had that particular idea, and most of Pony fans will label you a hater. Though some of their arguments are reasonable, because by making it exclusive people might see us as more snobby than before. It would sure kick out the freeloaders from coming and getting food & drinks than departing to watch their shorthorns.

[Topper]

I don't think that our season tickets are very price sensitive. The first problem we have to address is fan lethargy among what should be our base. Alums, etc. The friend that buys season tickets with me also buys 4 season tickets around the 35 yard line on the west side right below the windows to give out free. The TCU game last year was the only time he could give them away. The rest of the time they go unused even though he offers them to employees, family and friends for free. What Ron Meyer said is true: Dallas is a tough nut to crack. We need to get good enough to be ranked so that it will become fashionable to attend the games again.

[ojaipony]

I wonder how many alums we have currently in the DFW and outlying areas. And then how many of them are sports fans. I know it's been mentioned before, but our alums are spread out (a good thing). So, obviously, the draw can't just be alums. Here's the marketing:

- SMU is an exciting team to watch live.
- Parking is easy, cost is low, facilities are clean, and the atmosphere is safe and family friendly.
- Beautiful/safe/friendly location, top rate stadium. Bring a picnic on the Blvd. Stop at GWB library/museum, other libraries/museums/art galleries on campus before/after game.

We have SO much to offer, I can't WAIT for the BE money to kick in and this team is top 25. The TCU rivalry will really help and has become a REAL rivalry. Time to get those season tickets/box seats now while you still can!! Come 2014 it's going to be a tough ticket to get!

[StangEsq]

Sell beer.
Market the team and the beer.
Win.
Stir.
Enjoy.

Note: "Sell beer" could also be replaced, on a less effective level, with "allow re-entry to the stadium."

[ender3]

a) Attendance is better than it was just a few years ago. Winning helps.
b) The home schedule this year BLEW.
c) <crossing my fingers on this one> The offense cannot be that bad two years in a row.


The run of the mill casual football fan does not appreciate defensive oriented games. Mason's boys win some games (sometimes on their own) but they are never going to sell tickets.

The offense (whether it's the Run and Shoot, the Spread, or the freaking Wishbone) needs to score some points and make some big plays.

THEN you'll have something to market, and you won't have to do it all on your own. Score 40-45 points a game with some 50+ yard plays, and you'll get shown on local TV highlights and possibly ESPN.

The team lost interest (and you could tell even from the stands) when the coach lost interest. At that point, the offense went into the pooper. I wish I felt better about that situation going into next year.

[maize'n'blue]

Free Beer and polish sausage at selected Boulevard tents with a game ticket in hand? Get a longhorn and have Peruna kick it till it dies at halftime then spit roast it for the next home game? Convince the coach to wear school colors to the games?

By the way your ticket prices are a STEAL. you know where you sit with a 25 dollar ticket at the Big House? Outside the stadium in the parking lot.