A perfectly great autumn Saturday

[BGGrad01]

For me, I hate these weeknight games. I get the exposure and the massive pile of cash we get from ESPN, but, selfishly, I would much rather tailgate and see it live. I was a season ticket holder until a couple years ago and a Falcon Club member until this year, but I dropped them because I can't make it to the games and I don't feel as connected to BGSU as a result. My only hope for BGSU is that they've made up for the loss of my ticket revenue, parking, concessions, and merchandise in enrollment and alumni reconnecting with BGSU. The additional exposure obviously has not helped the quality of MAC football.

[Falcon Commander]

anybody know how much BGSU gets from the ESPN contract (or from the MAC) for these weekday games (I think someone said it was an $8 mil contract with the MAC) and then . . .

where does that money end up at BGSU (an Athletic dark hole or slushfund somewhere)??? .











Fact-man maybe you could ask GC the next time you're having a beer together

[hammb]

Everybody keeps saying how great the exposure is for the MAC and the university by playing these weeknight games yet I continue to watch the MAC get worse and worse since we started these. The MAC gains next to nothing by playing these weeknight games and you're kidding yourself if anybody gives a damn. Sure the game will be on in the bars, and nobody will be watching. I was in Las Vegas for one of them once, and the game was on in the sports book and I was the only soul there watching. In fact, I've never seen a sportsbook so dead as it was that night. It was a similar night with the BG game as the only sporting event really on.

As for the piles of cash that we get from ESPN? PLEASE. I can't find anything recent but in 2000 our contract earned the entire conference $250-300k and that was for ALL sports, not just football. We've re-upped that contract a few times since then but the quality of play in both men's hoops and football has gone drastically since then so I really doubt that it's much higher now. Even if you doubled it or tripled it you're still talking about under a million bucks annually split up among all the schools in the conference.

The fans get screwed in these weeknight games and they have done nothing but hurt the conference, despite what the esteemed "leadership" tries to shovel down your throat. I've got tickets tomorrow night so I'll be there, but I'm really not sure I even want to pay the money to park and justify going.

Oh and I think I've got 3 extra tickets if anybody wants them since I don't know a soul that actually wants to go to this game.

[hammb]

anybody know how much BGSU gets from the ESPN contract (or from the MAC) for these weekday games (I think someone said it was an $8 mil contract with the MAC) and then . . .

where does that money end up at BGSU (an Athletic dark hole or slushfund somewhere)??? .

I can't find the financial numbers on the current ESPN contract but I can find that it is 8 years. So if it was $8 million that'd be a million/year divided among all the schools.

And let's not forget that the contract is encompassing all sports, not just football.

At the end it probably ends up being maybe $80k a year for each school (I'm assuming full members make more than football only Temple?). That's not exactly a windfall for the budget...it only really covers the salaries for a couple of our drastically underpaid assistant coaches.

In the end I still think what we lose in fan support, tradition, and overall attendance far dwarfs whatever "benefit" we see in exposure and this measly sum of money.

[Flipper]

If someone can show me verifiable data...actual hard numbers...that support selling out the fanbase to become a reality show...I'll agree that playing during the week is a good idea. Great...some alum in Nebraska or kid in Texas sees a game, does that really help us?

[Ydfalcon]

If someone can show me verifiable data...actual hard numbers...that support selling out the fanbase to become a reality show...I'll agree that playing during the week is a good idea. Great...some alum in Nebraska or kid in Texas sees a game, does that really help us?

It probably doesn't. But if it means I can watch a BG game here in Knoxville without having to watch through the Xbox, I am not really going to complain too much. (In fact, my wife and I have a standing gathering with some friends at a sports bar on Tuesday nights that I don't work, so I am looking forward to catching the game while with them tomorrow night.) Not saying if it came to it, I would definitely vote for keeping the mid-week games, but I don't have any strong complaint at the moment about being able to see my team play.

[kdog27]

Great...some alum in Nebraska or kid in Texas sees a game, does that really help us?

I use to like these games for that sole reason but with the internet I can watch us just about every week now anyway. Sure it isn't good as watching it on cable but I am more than satisfied watching it on my computer. We played a couple meaningful weeknight games that might have spawned some national interest back in 2003 and 2004 (Miami and NIU maybe) but since then it's me, some other BG alums and some bar's 7th television with it on.

[Globetrotter]

I am not sure we are not all correct. The logic behind doing it certainly is there and we get a ton more exposure. Whether or not that really matters I am not sure. Maybe we can get a sports enterprise masters student to do some research into it.

[BGFalconfromCincy]

I am not sure we are not all correct. The logic behind doing it certainly is there and we get a ton more exposure. Whether or not that really matters I am not sure. Maybe we can get a sports enterprise masters student to do some research into it.

If I didn't already have a topic for my sport and higher ed masters class I would definitely consider taking that up, I would love to see the numbers, maybe I can find a way for a class I take next semester

[AyZiggy97]

I support playing weeknight games for the simple reason that nobody but die hard MAC fans notices the MAC on Saturdays. That is perfectly fine for what it is, but some of us prefer a bigger stage.

ESPN would prefer to have live games in November instead of taped programming. They could easily opt for the Sun Belt or FCS games, one would guess, if the MAC passes. I prefer us taking that programming.

It's an inconvenience for many fans and that can't be denied either. But we have just such a relatively small season ticket and dedicated fan base that it really does not have an affect on the decision making. As always, it would be nice if the students on campus would support their teams more.

Just my $0.02

[rally]

Everyone has made valid points. I guess my concern is with the whole direction that college football has taken. Points of exposure, recruiting, revenue are all fine, but it tells me that the sport has taken on a life of it's own and no longer exists as an "enhancement" of the college experience. If I'm a student and some of my fees are going to support the varsity athletic program, and yet those games are being played on class nights or weekends when I'm away (especially the biggest rivalry game .. thankfully moved back to October this year) I'd question the value of my investment.

[BGGrad01]

Some data that I would love to see:

- Related to enrollment applications - did ESPN's coverage of BGSU athletics (and related BGSU commercials) play a significant role in your selection of BGSU as a potential college of choice? Did ESPN's coverage make you more likely to apply for admission to BGSU?

- Related to attendance and revenue - what is the butts in seats total for the average Saturday game (November dates) versus the average mid-week game? what is the total revenue (tickets, programs, 50/50, merchandise, concessions, parking, etc.) for those same games?

- Related to reconnecting alumni - how many new Falcons Club members do we gain by our non-Ohio alums seeing a BGSU football game on TV? How many people watch a game on TV and then decide to make a trip to BGSU for a future game?

I'll admit that I look at these games very selfishly. I can't stand watching games on TV when I could be there to tailgate and watch it live; however, as I've thought about it, I realized that these games save me $40 on tickets, $150 on a Falcon Club contribution, $10 on parking, $20 on concessions, and probably $50 on a new BGSU sweatshirt every year. I'm glad that BGSU doesn't want my money. If there are 300 people like me, then the ESPN money doesn't cover the lost revenue.

[Globetrotter]

Some data that I would love to see:

- Related to enrollment applications - did ESPN's coverage of BGSU athletics (and related BGSU commercials) play a significant role in your selection of BGSU as a potential college of choice? Did ESPN's coverage make you more likely to apply for admission to BGSU?

- Related to attendance and revenue - what is the butts in seats total for the average Saturday game (November dates) versus the average mid-week game? what is the total revenue (tickets, programs, 50/50, merchandise, concessions, parking, etc.) for those same games?

- Related to reconnecting alumni - how many new Falcons Club members do we gain by our non-Ohio alums seeing a BGSU football game on TV? How many people watch a game on TV and then decide to make a trip to BGSU for a future game?

I'll admit that I look at these games very selfishly. I can't stand watching games on TV when I could be there to tailgate and watch it live; however, as I've thought about it, I realized that these games save me $40 on tickets, $150 on a Falcon Club contribution, $10 on parking, $20 on concessions, and probably $50 on a new BGSU sweatshirt every year. I'm glad that BGSU doesn't want my money. If there are 300 people like me, then the ESPN money doesn't cover the lost revenue.

So you dont go to any games becuase they put some on TV? I don't quite understand the last point. It screams of "I didn't get things exactly my way so I am not playing"!

Also I view the first point is pretty over the top. No one would answer it like that, but you might become more aware of BG just because they are on tv. The reality is that bg on tv leads to better recruits (atleast I assume thats the reality because recruits like to say they will be on tv for the nation to see them) which leads to a better program which has been shown at the highest levels (After you win achampionship your school improves scholastically as well) to lead to more applications to the school and more applications leads to better overall students. It's a big cycle.

To be completely open, I have never even considered joining the falcon club. I know next to nothing about it so I don't see how it can benefit me in anyway. I won't be attending a BG home game this year but if they were on tv and playing well I would probably consider it. I would never be able to attend a game during the week.

[AyZiggy97]

Some data that I would love to see:

- Related to enrollment applications - did ESPN's coverage of BGSU athletics (and related BGSU commercials) play a significant role in your selection of BGSU as a potential college of choice? Did ESPN's coverage make you more likely to apply for admission to BGSU?

- Related to attendance and revenue - what is the butts in seats total for the average Saturday game (November dates) versus the average mid-week game? what is the total revenue (tickets, programs, 50/50, merchandise, concessions, parking, etc.) for those same games?

- Related to reconnecting alumni - how many new Falcons Club members do we gain by our non-Ohio alums seeing a BGSU football game on TV? How many people watch a game on TV and then decide to make a trip to BGSU for a future game?

I'll admit that I look at these games very selfishly. I can't stand watching games on TV when I could be there to tailgate and watch it live; however, as I've thought about it, I realized that these games save me $40 on tickets, $150 on a Falcon Club contribution, $10 on parking, $20 on concessions, and probably $50 on a new BGSU sweatshirt every year. I'm glad that BGSU doesn't want my money. If there are 300 people like me, then the ESPN money doesn't cover the lost revenue.

Playing TV games is much more about reaching recruits than alumni. It's hoped that alumni have more of a connection to the school they attended than prospective student-athletes with multiple choices.

FWIW, the first home game of the season has recently been moved to a Thursday night when it would have normally fallen on Labor Day weekend. There seems to be less criticism of those weeknight games that aren't on national TV than those in November which are.

[Flipper]

Thursday before Labor day is a great night for football...it's a great excuse to take an extra day off and even if you can't get the time off, typically the Friday before a Monday off is a bit...lighter...in most of the places I've worked. in the past, a number of schools weren't in session by the either...although that has changed a bit.

I think that sacrificing...perhaps even alienating...your core fans...the locals, students who have classes and area alums who can make it to the games logistically, to cater to people outside of the community is a bad idea. It's like trying to build a city by focusing on the suburbs...