Average attendance at games in 2014 was 44,603 fans, a drop of 2.3 percent, or more than 1,000 fans per game from the previous season.

 

The Wolverines had the sixth-biggest drop of any FBS school, as an average of 6,683 fewer fans showed up to games last season versus the previous year. The 104,909 fans per game put Michigan behind rival Ohio State (106,296) -- which saw an increase of more than 1,300 fans per game during its national championship season

 

I say ticket prices are the top reason.

^ You combine ticket prices with the comfort of watching from home in high definition and it's easy to see. I've heard stories about empty sections during games at Oklahoma, Texas, even Alabama. It's a problem all over the country.

Games are too long with all the media time-outs. Late August and early September games can be very uncomfortable with the heat.

It would be interesting to see how attendance changes from the hot to cold weather. I don't know if having a few bunny teams on the schedule affect the numbers since I don't know how long that's been going on. Probably forever.

^ You combine ticket prices with the comfort of watching from home in high definition and it's easy to see. I've heard stories about empty sections during games at Oklahoma, Texas, even Alabama. It's a problem all over the country.

 

Many attribute it to large hd tv's like you say. Ticket prices, lines, parking etc don't help but when you have the choice between a great view from your Lazy Boy or view where cannot even make out jersey numbers, it is hard to argue staying home.

I much prefer to watch a game in the stadium over the best TV but ticket prices are getting ridiculous. My 1 season ticket on the 30 yard line for UofL is over $300. I'm sure that's a bargain compared to some other schools.

 

And the current system that's all the rage in colleges where you have to make a "donation" before you're allowed to buy your ticket is nothing more then extortion.

I disagree. Regular season TV ratings were flat in most markets and down in SEC markets. Student attendance is down as well.

 

Simply, the 30 and under crowd are much less interested in football than their elders were at their age, or are now. The proliferation of online gaming and social media is the cause, not HD TV. College football is losing fans, period.

Student attendance is down. I'M won't have issues this season as Harbaugh hung the moon.

I much prefer to watch a game in the stadium over the best TV but ticket prices are getting ridiculous. My 1 season ticket on the 30 yard line for UofL is over $300. I'm sure that's a bargain compared to some other schools.

 

And the current system that's all the rage in colleges where you have to make a "donation" before you're allowed to buy your ticket is nothing more then extortion.

 

Up until this season, to get 30 yard line tickets for a USF game in Raymond James, would require you to donate $5000 to the Bull Club, regardless of how many tickets you bought at $350 at pop. Is that what you are describing?

 

According to the UofL web site, all season tickets for the upcoming academic year in PJCS are $324 per seat with an attached per seat donation. The amount of the per seat donation varies depending on where the seat is. The per seat donation for seats in sections 129 and 132, which would put one in the lower tier on the 30, are $350 each, so seasons tickets in those sections are $674 each. Not bad considering the level of competition being seen there.

 

Most universities do this, now.

 

At UK, all seats in the new CWS are $320, now, with a per seat donation based on seat location. Lower section 30 yard line seats will cost $620 to $770 per seat on the North sided of the stadium and $1570 to $1820 per seat on the south side (Club Seats).

 

USF applied this system for the first time this year. 30 and 40 yard line seats are, now, $250 each with a $150 seat per seat donation. I was on the 10. Because of new pricing, I moved to the 40. Even with men's and women's basketball tickets, which also have per seat donations, now, I will still have to cut a check to the Bulls Club to maintain my former donation level. Obviously I don't consider it extortion. It is tax deductible, after all.

Up until this season, to get 30 yard line tickets for a USF game in Raymond James, would require you to donate $5000 to the Bull Club, regardless of how many tickets you bought at $350 at pop. Is that what you are describing?

 

According to the UofL web site, all season tickets for the upcoming academic year in PJCS are $324 per seat with an attached per seat donation. The amount of the per seat donation varies depending on where the seat is. The per seat donation for seats in sections 129 and 132, which would put one in the lower tier on the 30, are $350 each, so seasons tickets in those sections are $674 each. Not bad considering the level of competition being seen there.

 

Most universities do this, now.

 

At UK, all seats in the new CWS are $320, now, with a per seat donation based on seat location. Lower section 30 yard line seats will cost $620 to $770 per seat on the North sided of the stadium and $1570 to $1820 per seat on the south side (Club Seats).

 

USF applied this system for the first time this year. 30 and 40 yard line seats are, now, $250 each with a $150 seat per seat donation. I was on the 10. Because of new pricing, I moved to the 40. Even with men's and women's basketball tickets, which also have per seat donations, now, I will still have to cut a check to the Bulls Club to maintain my former donation level. Obviously I don't consider it extortion. It is tax deductible, after all.

 

Luckily I meet a certain criteria so I'm allowed to purchase my ticket without making a "donation".

 

And frankly I don't care if it's deductible, if you're forced to make a "donation" for the privilege of buying a ticket that's extortion. Guess that they have to pay those head coaches salaries somehow. Heaven forbid they have to try to get by on a 6 digit income.

16 weeks until college football, but who's counting. :thumb:

The new fad is have multiple TVs so you can watch more than one game at home.

Parking, concession prices along with fighting the crowd has to factor in too.

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Nebraska just called and laughed at this thread.

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Nebraska just called and laughed at this thread.

 

That's because they have nothing else to do in Nebraska.