That is correct. But the casual fan doesn't want to sit through 4 games.

 

You'll be there and you know it.

 

Watch 2 games.

 

Grab a bite at Skyline.

 

Watch 2 more!

 

As I said in the story Ryan wrote for the paper, I'll head south to New Castle and the 8th Region. As GatorFan said, "Will never happen in 8th Region. That is the longest running facility to hold the tourney. High school basketball at its best in a high school atmosphere!" Anyone else want to come??? Some good ball down there too!!!:thumb: Colonel, save a seat for me!!!

 

I've always said that I'd prefer to continue having it at Holmes/Conner despite the shortcomings. Its a much better atmosphere. Its how high school basketball should be. 9500 seat coliseums are NOT high school basketball.

 

But I digress....

Mo Egger is going to talk about it on 1530Homer this morning. Not sure if he is having someone on to talk about it, but he has mentioned it as a topic this morning.

 

Here is a link to the station. You can click the listen live if you are out of the listening area.

 

http://Http://www.1530homer.com.

Thank you Mr. Molley for all of the fans who might live far enough away we can"t casually attend games but love to follow the 9th region, we want to really 'THANK YOU" FOR MAKING HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL ABOUT THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR. The pros and the college game have already ruined it for me because that's all it's about "DOLLARS". What has happened to the LOVE OF THE GAME it's about the kids not the Money.

 

I fully respect Chad's answer. Budgets are tight. It looks to me attendance is down at high school basketball which is a major revenue generator. I get it.

 

I just think they are grossly overestimating the financial impact that allowing radio/webcasts will have.

 

Just my opinion - the casual fan isn't going to spend eight bucks on a game, four bucks for a hot dog, etc. That's why s/he is a casual fan.

 

Astute

I have also sent an email to President Votruba at NKU. He may not have anything to do with the decision, but it reflects negatively on NKU, as the building is located on the campus, which seems to always be talking about being community driven.

So at the end of the day, what you are saying is that you want the schools and the BOK to place your interests ahead of the schools, the kids and the fans that can attend the game in a very nice venue. Isn't that kind of being selfish on your part? I don't mean to be offensive, but when it was first announced that the regionals were going to be held at BOK, I read a whole lot of posts saying what a great place it was for the kids to play and how it was going to be great watching the game in a gym where you weren't packed in like sardines, etc., etc. In order for it work financially, BOK must make sure that enough tickets are sold. You may call that selling out for the dollars, but BOK cannot afford to lose it's shirt on this or any other event. That's just living in the real world. If you can't make it to the game and can't follow it on the radio, I'm sure your life will go on just fine. But the kids will get the benefit in playing in a great facility and the fans able to attend will be able to watch the game in a much nicer venue than they otherwise would.

 

At times when I read this board I think we've turned into a nation of whiners when we don't get what we want. Sort of sad. I'm obviously in the minority on my thinking, but it's nonetheless the way I feel.

 

I too wish the games could be broadcast; it would be great. But in case folks haven't noticed, the university isn't aflush with money these days and I'm sure the management of BOK has to be careful in its management of the facility. Given the fact this will be the first year it's being held at BOK, there are a lot of unknowns attendance wise. Perhaps if each school guaranteed a certain number of tickets being sold so that the BOK was certain of the amount of ticket revenue to be generated the BOK would change it's position this year. If not, perhaps they will next year if enough tickets are sold for this year's event.

I really don't see how "the kids" will be adversely affected by allowing radio broadcast coverage ... I always thought such stuff enhanced interest in the event.

So at the end of the day, what you are saying is that you want the schools and the BOK to place your interests ahead of the schools, the kids and the fans that can attend the game in a very nice venue. Isn't that kind of being selfish on your part? I don't mean to be offensive, but when it was first announced that the regionals were going to be held at BOK, I read a whole lot of posts saying what a great place it was for the kids to play and how it was going to be great watching the game in a gym where you weren't packed in like sardines, etc., etc. In order for it work financially, BOK must make sure that enough tickets are sold. You may call that selling out for the dollars, but BOK cannot afford to lose it's shirt on this or any other event. That's just living in the real world. If you can't make it to the game and can't follow it on the radio, I'm sure your life will go on just fine. But the kids will get the benefit in playing in a great facility and the fans able to attend will be able to watch the game in a much nicer venue than they otherwise would.

 

At times when I read this board I think we've turned into a nation of whiners when we don't get what we want. Sort of sad. I'm obviously in the minority on my thinking, but it's nonetheless the way I feel.

 

I too wish the games could be broadcast; it would be great. But in case folks haven't noticed, the university isn't aflush with money these days and I'm sure the management of BOK has to be careful in its management of the facility. Given the fact this will be the first year it's being held at BOK, there are a lot of unknowns attendance wise. Perhaps if each school guaranteed a certain number of tickets being sold so that the BOK was certain of the amount of ticket revenue to be generated the BOK would change it's position this year. If not, perhaps they will next year if enough tickets are sold for this year's event.

 

How Many of the other 15 regions restrict the broadcasting of their regional tournament games? Please let me know if you have an answer. I'd bet probably none to the extent of what's going to happen at the BoKC. What's next pay per view for High School regional tournament? This is HIGH SCHOOL for heaven's sake not professional sports.

Edited February 18, 200917 yr by mcpapa

Just listened to Mo and Buttels on 1530 Homer. Awesome, just awesome. Mo came back from the break and had another entire segment on how greedy BOKC is to do this.

I may alienate myself by doing this, but this is the response from the 9th Region Representative Chad Molley on the e-mail I sent to him and Superintendent Strong this afternoon:

 

"All of the broadcasts that were done in the past were in an effort to bring the games to people who may not have been able to see them in person because of the limited seating in our gyms. That is no longer part of the equation now that we are playing in a 10,000 seat arena. In order for this to work the Bank of Kentucky Center has to generate enough money through ticket sales to cover the guarantee with the 9th Region. We have never felt it was unreasonable for them to hold the broadcast rights to these games.

 

As 9th Region schools we want to encourage people to come to the arena and watch the games. We want to bring back that casual basketball fan that has stayed away for many years because they did not want to fight the long lines and crowds to maybe get in the gym. If we were to broadcast these games via TV, radio, or internet the casual fan may decide to stay home instead of coming to the arena. We have entered a three year partnership with The Bank of Kentucky Center and want to make this endeavor as successful as we can. This is the right thing to do financially for the schools in the 9th Region and for the scores of student-athletes that will get an opportunity to play a Regional tournament in this arena.

 

I am sorry that you will not be able to broadcast the games this year, but again, our decisions were influenced by what was best for our schools and the student-athletes that represent them."

 

I understand there was an athletic director meeting that was held this afternoon and this was brought up as one of the leading reasons for the meeting. Superintendent Strong has invited me to come to his office to discuss.

 

So, was this decision entirely Molley's when the contract was signed, or was the contract discussed amongst all 9th region officials before signing the contract?

 

Also, why wasn't the AD from Conner, Ryle, or Holmes the 9th region representative? They know what it takes to run a successfull region tournament. To put someone in charge that probably has never done this is absurd on the 9th regions part.

Just listened to Mo and Buttels on 1530 Homer. Awesome, just awesome. Mo came back from the break and had another entire segment on how greedy BOKC is to do this.

He'll keep this up. Probably until 11:00.

Ok, the "Sports Kitten" Mo is talking to doesn't have a clue!

Ok, the "Sports Kitten" Mo is talking to doesn't have a clue!

 

and she went to Holy Cross??

I believe this decision would be a good case study for public relations and marketing students at NKU - on what not to do, on how to ruin a great public relations opportunity, on how to put a blight on a new business venture. The manager at BOK Center has made a terrible first impression on many basketball fans in N. Ky. They better be perfect in handling the event itself because fans are now looking for more mistakes and will cut them no slack.

I believe this decision would be a good case study for public relations and marketing students at NKU - on what not to do, on how to ruin a great public relations opportunity, on how to put a blight on a new business venture. The manager at BOK Center has made a terrible first impression on many basketball fans in N. Ky. They better be perfect in handling the event itself because fans are now looking for more mistakes and will cut them no slack.

 

 

Have Tom Gamble add this to his Sports Marketing class over there!!!