Ay-Ziggy-Zoomba.com

Given that this was in Roger Brown's column today, it probably means that the Patriot Bowl is a sure thing:

"Things now look bleak for an annual Patriot Bowl college football game at Cleveland Browns Stadium, pitting one of Ohio's Mid-American Conference teams against Army or Navy. Word is the Browns' new management is taking a harder line on giving financial discounts to the teams, which would make it affordable for them to play in the stadium. Organizers wanted to debut the Patriot Bowl next September as a showcase honoring victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. "

But if it's true, it's another reason why the NFL sucks.

I love that quote at the bottom of your signature.

Well, look at the other side of it, the BG vs. Wisconsin game may be the first college football game in Cleveland Brown Stadium. That could be pretty cool.

Lord Byron:

Agreed on the NFL's greed sucking.

Wouldn't the city pitch in to ease the financial burden, though? It would be a great windfall for the city's merchants.

Yeah, I'm not a reaal big NFL fans anymore. I love my Chicago Bears and I don't mind the Cleveland Browns since they're close to my hometown, but I could sometimes care less about the NFL. I'd watch about any I-A college football game over an NFL contest that doesn't involve the Bears.

1987alum wrote:Lord Byron:

Agreed on the NFL's greed sucking.

Wouldn't the city pitch in to ease the financial burden, though? It would be a great windfall for the city's merchants.

What really sucks about this is that I know for a fact the people of Cleveland want it to happen.

Cleveland Browns Stadium was built largely with tax dollars that came from a new tax that was voted on in Cleveland, a Sin Tax. Money from Cigarettes & alcohol was what built that stadium. When the tax was passed it was promised that the stadium would be used for more than just Browns games, including College and possibly HS playoff games. Of course concerts, etc, in the offseason as well. I don't think they do too many (if any?) concerts their either, and as far as I know no football game but the Browns has ever been played there. I know that the citizens of Cleveland loved the idea of the BG-WI game, and were hoping that it would be a sign of more to come.

Its just a shame that the city & taxpayers can pay to build this stadium then the team gets to decide how its used. The ownership group that is with the Browns wasn't even known or in place at the time the tax was passed and the stadium construction had began. You would've thought that the city would've stipulated somehow in their contract with the Lerner group how the stadium could be used beyond just Browns games.

I'm not too much into the greed of the NFL either. I also don't like some of their rules that try to curtail the emotions of the game and disallow celebrations (NCAA has the same rules). That said, I LOVE the NFL. Every Sunday from February to September I wish there were NFL games to watch. If it was a year long sport I would still spend every Sunday glued to the TV watching 2-3 games, then the Monday nighter as well. I prefer college for the pageantry and what not, but I the NFL is still the biggest & best players.

I love the NFL, too.

And I love Cleveland. That's why I think the city should be proactive in making it happen. An annual college football game would become a major boost for the city financially, as well as elevating its profile. I can tell you that my visit to Detroit definitely put it on my list of places to go back to - to see the Ford Museum again and the Automotive Hall of Fame, etc. The same could happen for Cleveland.

1987alum wrote: Wouldn't the city pitch in to ease the financial burden, though? It would be a great windfall for the city's merchants.

In my mind, that's the wrong question.

The question should be: Why aren't Cleveland city council members calling the Browns front office and angrily asking why the Browns are trying to keep this $289 million stadium (much of it taxpayers' dollars) from being used more than once a month?

Schadenfreude:

I guess that's part of what I'm saying ... maybe pitching in isn't the right phrase and applying pressure is. A college bowl game is in the city's best interests and would not negatively impact the Browns in any appreciable way. Since the city, through taxes, paid for the facility, it should be used to the city's best interests.

Thanks for making me clarify myself!

1987alum wrote:I love the NFL, too.

And I love Cleveland. That's why I think the city should be proactive in making it happen. An annual college football game would become a major boost for the city financially, as well as elevating its profile. I can tell you that my visit to Detroit definitely put it on my list of places to go back to - to see the Ford Museum again and the Automotive Hall of Fame, etc. The same could happen for Cleveland.

And do not forget that they now have Hold 'em at the Motor City & The Greektown, so perhaps you won't have to wait 3 hours to play anymore!

hammb wrote:And do not forget that they now have Hold 'em at the Motor City & The Greektown, so perhaps you won't have to wait 3 hours to play anymore!

Hammb,
Maybe we could start a "Ay-Ziggy-Zoomba" Hold'em night. Get everybody together on a Friday night and donate like 10% of each pot to support the website.

Warthog wrote:

hammb wrote:And do not forget that they now have Hold 'em at the Motor City & The Greektown, so perhaps you won't have to wait 3 hours to play anymore!

Hammb,
Maybe we could start a "Ay-Ziggy-Zoomba" Hold'em night. Get everybody together on a Friday night and donate like 10% of each pot to support the website.

That would actually make the poker night illegal as I interpret the rules Warthog.

The fine line between a legal group of guys getting together and playing cards, and running a casino operation is the "rake" If there is no rake it is perfectly legal, but a "rake" ensures a guaranteed profit by some party and makes it illegal. Unless of course it is for something deemed as a charity.

It would still rock. I love to play poker. Play some no limit $50+$5 to the website

BGSU33 wrote:Yeah, I'm not a reaal big NFL fans anymore. I love my Chicago Bears and I don't mind the Cleveland Browns since they're close to my hometown, but I could sometimes care less about the NFL. I'd watch about any I-A college football game over an NFL contest that doesn't involve the Bears.

Guys, I can't remember WHICH 2 teams played, but last year, there were two traditional black colleges who played each other at the stadium... if I remember correctly, they drew over 45,000, said the game would possibly be alternated between Cincy and Cleve. based on that successful crowd... The band shows etc. were part of the festival like atmosphere they wanted to create over several days....

Class of 61 wrote:

BGSU33 wrote:Yeah, I'm not a reaal big NFL fans anymore. I love my Chicago Bears and I don't mind the Cleveland Browns since they're close to my hometown, but I could sometimes care less about the NFL. I'd watch about any I-A college football game over an NFL contest that doesn't involve the Bears.

Guys, I can't remember WHICH 2 teams played, but last year, there were two traditional black colleges who played each other at the stadium... if I remember correctly, they drew over 45,000, said the game would possibly be alternated between Cincy and Cleve. based on that successful crowd... The band shows etc. were part of the festival like atmosphere they wanted to create over several days....

They already played this year's version of the Ohio Classic at Paul Brown Stadium. It was Grambling vs. Bethune-Cookman.

Last year, they moved the game to Browns Stadium, and it was such a success that they plan to keep alternating between the cities.

The Cleveland Fusion (Woman's pro football) also played a game at Browns stadium last year. It was the first professional woman's football game played at an NFL facility. The Fusion normally play at BW. One of my co-workers is a linebacker for them....I know she can beat me up.