I saw somewhere that this is the first time since 1958-1962 that the Sweet 16 hasn't made 100,000 in total attendance for 5 years straight. They switched to Sunday finals games 7 years ago, and 5 of those years the total tournament attendance has been

The W-F sessions need to begin earlier, 10:30 and Noon and 4:30 and 6:00.

 

Saturday can be something like 2:00 and 3:30. Championship begins at Noon Sunday. If your attending any of the games you are likely off work anyway so moving the times up doesn't hurt.

 

OR just go back to the old Saturday Night Championship.

 

As someone that's been attending every game for close to the last 10 years the new format is not only costlier but more exhausting. With the times I proposed people that are staying for the entire tournament would have their evenings more available to enjoy themselves. Also they wouldn't have to wait around for a 2:00 championship game on Sunday.

 

I also believe that the NCAA Tournament didn't hurt the Sweet 16 as much as it may have helped it. This year there was nothing to watch on TV between sessions or in the evenings after the Sweet 16 games conlcuded. I think having the Sweet 16 during March Madness creates an awesome atmosphere in Lexington.

KHSAA and Sunday have hurt the Sweet 16. I have a theory on how the 2013 Sweet Sixteen(Mad. Cent and Ballard) doomed KHSAA leadership. But I'll save it for next year.

 

2012 Sweet Sixteen Finals

March 17, 2012

Saturday Night 8:10 Tip

Trinity vs Scott Co.

Attendance 14,000+

 

2012 March Madness

March 17, 2012

Saturday Night 7:55pm tip

UK vs Iowa State

Regional in Louisville

 

2019 Sweet Sixteen Finals

March 10, 2019

Sunday 2:00pm Tip

Trinity vs Scott Co.

Attendance 12,000

 

UK game? Nope

Session 1: 10,850

Session 2: 10,404

Session 3: 12,205

Session 4: 10,311

Session 5: 14,448

 

Sadly for me, these were the last sessions I got to attend during the tournament. I came down with some kind of bug and spent the rest of the tournament in my hotel bed while my brother attended the games and sold my ticket for me. I felt so bad I didn’t even turn the UK-Florida game on the TV, just wanted a dark quite room.

What’s weird about this scenario is it’s identical to what happened to me last year at the state tournament, came down with some kind of sickness and came home early.

Sadly for me, these were the last sessions I got to attend during the tournament. I came down with some kind of bug and spent the rest of the tournament in my hotel bed while my brother attended the games and sold my ticket for me. I felt so bad I didn’t even turn the UK-Florida game on the TV, just wanted a dark quite room.

What’s weird about this scenario is it’s identical to what happened to me last year at the state tournament, came down with some kind of sickness and came home early.

 

I got sick at the Friday night session last year. Was taken by ambulance to Baptist Health and stayed there until Monday afternoon.

After a series of tests, nothing serious was found.

At least I got to watch March Madness on Saturday and Sunday from noon to midnight while lying in the hospital bed.

Basketball attendance at the Sweet 16 has not hit 100K for five straight years. You have to go back to 1958-62 for the last time that happened. It's the worst it's been since making Rupp the permanent home. KHSAA has to schedule around UK for Rupp, which is why we now have the Sunday afternoon championship.

 

The declining basketball attendance means the Board of Control is thinking of ways to tinker with and tweak the football, soccer, volleyball, baseball, and softball postseasons as we speak.

I think there is very little the KHSAA can do to "fix" the attendance problem. It used to be an week long event where fans, coaches, ex-players, etc. got together to catch up with each other and take in a sporting event. But unfortunately social media, TV, costs, other activities, the aging of a lot of the die-hards, etc. the desire to attend has faded.

 

I for one used to attend at least 1 - 2 full days with my dad every year. He loved the "catching up" part with all the people he hadn't seen since the prior year. Since he's no longer able to attend, I don't go unless our local school is playing. I think my situation is probably similar to many others.

The state already has a proposal for classification. You would have a final four for each classification followed by the 4 class champions playing for the outright champion. Its time.

The state already has a proposal for classification. You would have a final four for each classification followed by the 4 class champions playing for the outright champion. Its time.

 

That could be played in 3 days.

 

You could have 3 classes with 8 coming from each class and play in the 5 days they have now.

The state already has a proposal for classification. You would have a final four for each classification followed by the 4 class champions playing for the outright champion. Its time.

 

Too much. No way there should be 4 classes in basketball in Kentucky.

I believe we are looking at the wrong numbers when considering attendance and equating it to whether the tournament is declining or not. Follow the money.

 

With the NFHS network televising games for a fee, media members being charged to cover games, saved cost from putting program online instead of printing, etc. etc. the KHSAA may be making more or equal money when compared to previous years.

 

Point: It's unlikely the KHSAA will make any changes as long as the total revenue is comparable or increasing from year to year. Despite decreased attendance in the arena, there may be increased exposure when you factor in all the other ways people can get their sweet sixteen experience. This increased exposure could still be filling the coffers for the KHSAA.

I'd also be interested in what the viewing numbers/revenue are like for the fans that sit at home and watch the tournament. Obviously $10 isn't going to equal the $14/session ticket cost at Rupp but I'd still be interested in seeing how many people paid to see the tournament.

What was total attendance this year?

What was total attendance this year?

 

96,048