Wintrust

[Turk]

Well ok then your fine with DePaul building a 10,000 seat arena and NU building one about half that size. Why NU why?

I think there are 5,700 actual fan seats minus students, media, etc. At least that was how many were for sale. Of which there are around 4,000 sold and about 1,700 not sold. The school is obviously holding on to some for comps or maybe single game tickets, dunno, but if 4,000 are sold to season ticket holders, then that's between 70%-80% STH which is pretty good. The limitation of seats drove the price up insomuch that we paid a hefty price for the tickets, and will have to pay that hefty price each year. Without a tax haven, this is worst than a one time PSL for a NFL team. IMO, they will have to either win solidly this year or lower the price of donation because, even at 4,000 seats sold to STH (prolly 2,000 or so STH who purchased 2 seats a piece) they overpriced the tickets imo.

I mean, at the time, it appeared to be a bit high but reasonable but we didn't know the team would be so awful, and we didn't know that we wouldn't get a tax break. The only thing that can sustain the inflated yearly prices is a run on the big 10. Otherwise, a seat is severely overpriced, especially with a small fan base.

With 10,000 seats for sale, there will be a lot of empty seats in any scenario unless maybe Indiana games. Why would anyone want that?

BTW, I think the actual 'seat for sale" is 5,700 for W/R, and over 9,000 for Wintrust, so your original statement was reasonably close, i.e., about half.

 

[willycat]

I think there are 5,700 actual fan seats minus students, media, etc. At least that was how many were for sale. Of which there are around 4,000 sold and about 1,700 not sold. The school is obviously holding on to some for comps or maybe single game tickets, dunno, but if 4,000 are sold to season ticket holders, then that's between 70%-80% STH which is pretty good. The limitation of seats drove the price up insomuch that we paid a hefty price for the tickets, and will have to pay that hefty price each year. Without a tax haven, this is worst than a one time PSL for a NFL team. IMO, they will have to either win solidly this year or lower the price of donation because, even at 4,000 seats sold to STH (prolly 2,000 or so STH who purchased 2 seats a piece) they overpriced the tickets imo.

I mean, at the time, it appeared to be a bit high but reasonable but we didn't know the team would be so awful, and we didn't know that we wouldn't get a tax break. The only thing that can sustain the inflated yearly prices is a run on the big 10. Otherwise, a seat is severely overpriced, especially with a small fan base.

With 10,000 seats for sale, there will be a lot of empty seats in any scenario unless maybe Indiana games. Why would anyone want that?

BTW, I think the actual 'seat for sale" is 5,700 for W/R, and over 9,000 for Wintrust, so your original statement was reasonably close, i.e., about half.

Still think they are short changing themselves and those extra 3,000 or so seats bring in cash, not only for an Indiana game but also when, Purdue, Michigan, MSU, Io-a and Illinois visit.

 

[Turk]

Still think they are short changing themselves and those extra 3,000 or so seats bring in cash, not only for an Indiana game but also when, Purdue, Michigan, MSU, Io-a and Illinois visit.

What is your hangup with 10,000 seats. I mean, let's for a minute say that Phillips agreed with you, I don't think that means any more cash. Far too much supply. I may be wrong, but the marketing of the new arena was all about "Get your seats now before it sells out". That sorta created a mini frenzy, at least for me, and I ponied up.

 

[willycat]

What is your hangup with 10,000 seats. I mean, let's for a minute say that Phillips agreed with you, I don't think that means any more cash. Far too much supply. I may be wrong, but the marketing of the new arena was all about "Get your seats now before it sells out". That sorta created a mini frenzy, at least for me, and I ponied up.

I know it was before you followed NU but the old McGaw Hall did seat around 10,000 and I was there many times when it was filled with 90% plus NU fans. Hell they had standing run only for games against Kentucky, Kansas and others. Phillips has said from day one that he wanted to attract the average Chicago-land sports fan and turn then into NU fans. So if NU gets to be a regular conference contender and NCAA tourney team, 5,500 seats just won't be enough to accommodate those bandwagon folks. So ok I'll lower my number. How does 9,999 sound.

 

[thewildcat2011]

I know it was before you followed NU but the old McGaw Hall did seat around 10,000 and I was there many times when it was filled with 90% plus NU fans. Hell they had standing run only for games against Kentucky, Kansas and others. Phillips has said from day one that he wanted to attract the average Chicago-land sports fan and turn then into NU fans. So if NU gets to be a regular conference contender and NCAA tourney team, 5,500 seats just won't be enough to accommodate those bandwagon folks. So ok I'll lower my number. How does 9,999 sound.

This arena keeps getting smaller!!!

 

[willycat]

This arena keeps getting smaller!!!

In case you missed a day or month that is about the number of seats that are available to the general public, after the student, visitors and VIP are taken care of.

 

[Fitz51]

In case you missed a day or month that is about the number of seats that are available to the general public, after the student, visitors and VIP are taken care of.

Really?! Man, 5,500 is a lot to fill from that remaining population for NU basketball.

 

[willycat]

Really?! Man, 5,500 is a lot to fill from that remaining population for NU basketball.

You do understand that they have already sold 4,000 or so ST's right?

 

[Fitz51]

You do understand that they have already sold 4,000 or so ST's right?

Really?! Man, 1,500 is a lot to fill from that remaining population for NU basketball.

 

[willycat]

Really?! Man, 1,500 is a lot to fill from that remaining population for NU basketball.

If that is true, then NU has some major marketing problems. Boarding a world class city with close to 3 million people and they can't fill 1,500 seats is just unimaginable.

 

[Fitz51]

If that is true, then NU has some major marketing problems. Boarding a world class city with close to 3 million people and they can't fill 1,500 seats is just unimaginable.

I can imagine it. I've been to a lot of NU basketball games.

 

[willycat]

I can imagine it. I've been to a lot of NU basketball games.

Guess it's time then to join the MAC or Div.II then? NIU seats 10,000, Miami Ohio over 9,000, Ball State seats 11,000 + and then there is often compared Cameron Indoor Stadium over 9,000.

 

[Fitz51]

Guess it's time then to join the MAC or Div.II then? NIU seats 10,000, Miami Ohio over 9,000, Ball State seats 11,000 + and then there is often compared Cameron Indoor Stadium over 9,000.

Nah. We can keep it nice and cozy and hopefully sell out a bunch!

 

[hdhntr1]

I think there are 5,700 actual fan seats minus students, media, etc. At least that was how many were for sale. Of which there are around 4,000 sold and about 1,700 not sold. The school is obviously holding on to some for comps or maybe single game tickets, dunno, but if 4,000 are sold to season ticket holders, then that's between 70%-80% STH which is pretty good. The limitation of seats drove the price up insomuch that we paid a hefty price for the tickets, and will have to pay that hefty price each year. Without a tax haven, this is worst than a one time PSL for a NFL team. IMO, they will have to either win solidly this year or lower the price of donation because, even at 4,000 seats sold to STH (prolly 2,000 or so STH who purchased 2 seats a piece) they overpriced the tickets imo.

I mean, at the time, it appeared to be a bit high but reasonable but we didn't know the team would be so awful, and we didn't know that we wouldn't get a tax break. The only thing that can sustain the inflated yearly prices is a run on the big 10. Otherwise, a seat is severely overpriced, especially with a small fan base.

With 10,000 seats for sale, there will be a lot of empty seats in any scenario unless maybe Indiana games. Why would anyone want that?

BTW, I think the actual 'seat for sale" is 5,700 for W/R, and over 9,000 for Wintrust, so your original statement was reasonably close, i.e., about half.

Not all of the seats require the donation. Maybe half to 2/3s. Some are overpriced with the new donation requirement and that may be forced to change. But every seat is not overpriced. In the corners where we are, the donation of $600 (a bit high) also goes for the requirement for FB parking if you have enough points so it isn't a total loss but when you get to $1500-6000 for a pair, I agree with you.

 

[hdhntr1]

I know it was before you followed NU but the old McGaw Hall did seat around 10,000 and I was there many times when it was filled with 90% plus NU fans. Hell they had standing run only for games against Kentucky, Kansas and others. Phillips has said from day one that he wanted to attract the average Chicago-land sports fan and turn then into NU fans. So if NU gets to be a regular conference contender and NCAA tourney team, 5,500 seats just won't be enough to accommodate those bandwagon folks. So ok I'll lower my number. How does 9,999 sound.

That was before the time when every game is on tv. And in the words of Wrasler, that comfy couch is pretty inviting for a lot of people. Other than a couple teams in the BIG, you are not getting those top teams to Evanston and there are not enough f those games to justify a10K stadium. Were you there at Allstate? Sorry but a 10K stadium gets you ore of that cavernous feeling with NU fans overwhelmed when teams like IN and the like come to town

 

[willycat]

That was before the time when every game is on tv. And in the words of Wrasler, that comfy couch is pretty inviting for a lot of people. Other than a couple teams in the BIG, you are not getting those top teams to Evanston and there are not enough f those games to justify a10K stadium. Were you there at Allstate? Sorry but a 10K stadium gets you ore of that cavernous feeling with NU fans overwhelmed when teams like IN and the like come to town

Then guess it's time to downsize the new, tiny W-R to maybe two or three thousand.

 

[hdhntr1]

Still think they are short changing themselves and those extra 3,000 or so seats bring in cash, not only for an Indiana game but also when, Purdue, Michigan, MSU, Io-a and Illinois visit.

I haven't seen them sell out many of those games and you do not get them every year. Out of the 5 you might get 3 a year. 3 out of 18. 8 of 9 Preseason games it would generally be a morgue. 6 of nine conference games might be a bit better but still nowhere near a sellout.

We had the funding to rebuild in the existing footprint and with the improvements, that is what limited the capacity. For all we know, doing something that would have gotten us to 10k might have cost significantly more and lost much of the funding we got. So unless you were willing to pony up a few hundred $mill, this is what we have. Would an extra 1K seats be better? Maybe. An extra 3K? Likely too much. Was it possible in the existing footprint when the new building requirements were taken into consideration? No

 

[Turk]

I know it was before you followed NU but the old McGaw Hall did seat around 10,000 and I was there many times when it was filled with 90% plus NU fans. Hell they had standing run only for games against Kentucky, Kansas and others. Phillips has said from day one that he wanted to attract the average Chicago-land sports fan and turn then into NU fans. So if NU gets to be a regular conference contender and NCAA tourney team, 5,500 seats just won't be enough to accommodate those bandwagon folks. So ok I'll lower my number. How does 9,999 sound.

With 5,300 seats for sale, I'm sure the open concourses can include an additional 1,000 SRO tickets if things busted at the seams.

 

[Fitz51]

Then guess it's time to downsize the new, tiny W-R to maybe two or three thousand.

Nah, the size right now is just fine. Maybe it’s perfect!

 

[ubercat]

Not all of the seats require the donation. Maybe half to 2/3s. Some are overpriced with the new donation requirement and that may be forced to change. But every seat is not overpriced. In the corners where we are, the donation of $600 (a bit high) also goes for the requirement for FB parking if you have enough points so it isn't a total loss but when you get to $1500-6000 for a pair, I agree with you.

I paid $700 (season ticket price) for two seats in Section 220. Second row in the upper bowl, close to the aisle, free throw line extended opposite the NU bench. Great sight lines, pretty much the same location of my previous seats in the original WR. And, wait for it... NO donation required. For the life of me, I can't see how people can legitimately claim they're being priced out of the market.

 

[hdhntr1]

I paid $700 (season ticket price) for two seats in Section 220. Second row in the upper bowl, close to the aisle, free throw line extended opposite the NU bench. Great sight lines, pretty much the same location of my previous seats in the original WR. And, wait for it... NO donation required. For the life of me, I can't see how people can legitimately claim they're being priced out of the market.

For many many who complain, it is about the difference. My ticket agent indicated that many that were in coveted seats that now require huge donations have opted to not renew (or maybe have moved) Sideline lower bowl now requires a minimum donation of something like $1500 (for up to 2)and tickets are significantly higher as well ($450-500 each). Compare that with no donation and $300 per seat before the renovation and it is a huge difference. Even the seats you used to be in (I thought lower bowl corner) are now $600 donation and $400 each so still a big increase going from $600 to $1400 but to be fair, the $600 donation also counts as what is required for parking in E or W lot for FB

 

[Turk]

For many many who complain, it is about the difference. My ticket agent indicated that many that were in coveted seats that now require huge donations have opted to not renew (or maybe have moved) Sideline lower bowl now requires a minimum donation of something like $1500 (for up to 2)and tickets are significantly higher as well ($450-500 each). Compare that with no donation and $300 per seat before the renovation and it is a huge difference. Even the seats you used to be in (I thought lower bowl corner) are now $600 donation and $400 each so still a big increase going from $600 to $1400 but to be fair, the $600 donation also counts as what is required for parking in E or W lot for FB

Whatever the case, I felt the price was fair to sit behind the NU bench. row 3 or 4. It's gonna be fun. Almost exactly where your seat was hdhntr1. I cut my cost as I bog bumped out of my courtside. So although I don't have courtside anymore, I still have good seats at 1/3 of the cost.

 

[hdhntr1]

Whatever the case, I felt the price was fair to sit behind the NU bench. row 3 or 4. It's gonna be fun. Almost exactly where your seat was hdhntr1. I cut my cost as I bog bumped out of my courtside. So although I don't have courtside anymore, I still have good seats at 1/3 of the cost.

And the courtside seats you got bumped out of require what kind of donation now? The seat I had cost $300 or $600 for two. Now that same seat would be $450 each plus a $1500 donation for a total of $2400. Sizable increase for those seats

 

[Fitz51]

And the courtside seats you got bumped out of require what kind of donation now? The seat I had cost $300 or $600 for two. Now that same seat would be $450 each plus a $1500 donation for a total of $2400. Sizable increase for those seats

Yes, but they're very comfy seats.

 

[hdhntr1]

at donation

Yes, but they're very comfy seats.

They had better be. I opted for the corner behind the NU bench.