Papa John's Expansion Downsized

[CentreRocks]

UofL will have to downsize their planned expansion from 62,000 seats to a projected 56,500 seats now.

[02Ram54]

Cost increases.

[CentreRocks]

Or lack of ticket sales.

[02Ram54]

Only a 6,000 decrease doesn't even make sense on that premise.

[02Ram54]

Excuse me, 5,500.

[CentreRocks]

1. If the tickets sales were going well, or even already sold, why would they downsize the stadium? Think how much money they are losing in the long run.

 

2. What are the 5,500 UL fans who were going to see the games in the original sized stadium going to do now that their seats have been eradicated?

 

I could be wrong, but if TJ had those tickets sold or close to sold, that stadium is being built at 62,000.

[letabrotherspeak]

In general, with any expansion project their is going to be cost increase and you should plan for it.

I think it had to do with a lack of a financial commitment overall to complete the original plan.

[TheDeuce]

Only a 6,000 decrease doesn't even make sense on that premise.

 

:thumb:

[RockPride]

I really don't care, I am glad they are expanding either way. The bball stadium is 100% a go now, so the Cards have EVERYTHING going their way regardless of how some would like to spin it.

[strike-3]

How much is the cheapest ticket (not student tickets) for a UL football game. At say $25.00, that is $137,500 per game. Six or seven times a year, plus concesions, etc. There can't be that much of a difference in constructing and extra 5500 seats. You would probably make up the additional construction cost (assuming sellouts) in 5 to 7 years.

[RockPride]

^ That's assuming all those tickets are sold out for all those games. I don't know how likely that is with the Big East schedule the way it is. It may not sound great, but it is reality.

[CentreRocks]

How much is the cheapest ticket (not student tickets) for a UL football game. At say $25.00, that is $137,500 per game. Six or seven times a year, plus concesions, etc. There can't be that much of a difference in constructing and extra 5500 seats. You would probably make up the additional construction cost (assuming sellouts) in 5 to 7 years.

 

They probably will begin to have 8 home games every other year. But, like RP said, the ticket sales weren't going well. If they were, the stadium would be built at 62,000. With the dearth of travelling fanbases in the Big East (sans WVU), and lack of diehard support here in town, UL can't fill a 62,000 seat stadium consistently. It's just a fact of playing in a non-football conference. RP nailed it, as he so often does.

[letabrotherspeak]

How much do you think last year's season has impacted the stadium expansion?

Over 60k was very ambitious IMO, when in reality selling out what they have now is still somewhat of a chore.

Not flaming or spinning...

I think they could have spent money elsewhere, indoor bubble and so forth rather than trying to expand for the sake of expanding.

What was the impetus to expand to 60k in the first place?

[RockPride]

How much do you think last year's season has impacted the stadium expansion?

Over 60k was very ambitious IMO, when in reality selling out what they have now is still somewhat of a chore.

Not flaming or spinning...

I think they could have spent money elsewhere, indoor bubble and so forth rather than trying to expand for the sake of expanding.

What was the impetus to expand to 60k in the first place?

 

Two things. I really don't think last season impacted it much, as they are still on a pretty good waiting list for tickets in certain levels of the stadium. Sell outs are not a chore anymore in that they sell out virtually everygame now. Which is pretty cool. It does stink, though, that sometimes people come dressed as chair back seats.

[RockPride]

What was the impetus to expand to 60k in the first place?

 

60K puts them near the top in the Big East, I am sure that's what they were looking for.