2008 NFL Regular Season Thread.

[Bobblehead]

When all these stadiums were being built with additional luxury boxes and super expensive lower bowl seating, I wondered what would happen when the economy tanked. The average fan has been priced out of being able to attend more than a few games of year, and with discretionary spending being one of the first things to go, I think people with a few extra dollars may find seats much easier to come by for any sporting event.

It really will be interesting seeing how the new seat licensing sells at the new stadiums in New York (well, Jersey) and Texas do.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by transplant99

No question.

I listened to one of the sports radio shows a few days ago and they were addressing this very topic.

Obviously there are places that will be hit harder than others and those in more dire situations will be the most up front about price cutting. Others not so much.

One team to watch is the NY Yankees IMO. New stadium to pay for and fill up, new gazillions on the books for players, etc etc. Now they have there own revenue producing abilities that 99% of other teams in all sports dint. That helps them, but its gonna be a while before they see any gains from years past, yet they have continued on like nothing has changed. This could really come back and hount them.

The Yankees are one of the few teams that drew well during the Great Depression. The difference this time being that they didn't move into a new stadium the 1930's. As far as salary, Brian Cashman claims the Yankees are paying less for salaries this year than they did last year. They signed three big contracts, but they had a lot of salary come off the books as well. I also hear that all the luxury and premium seating that the Yankees were bragging about in the new Yankee Stadium are not selling as well as the Yankees would have hoped. Like you mentioned, that is where they could see a hit in income.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

It really will be interesting seeing how the new seat licensing sells at the new stadiums in New York (well, Jersey) and Texas do.

In a thread about a new rink in Calgary somebody mentioned that the Flames should use seat license's to help pay for the new stadium. I know that would eliminate me as a season ticket holder. Maybe last year that would seem like a good idea here in Calgary. By next year the Flames could find it very hard to find season ticket holders willing to shell out big dough for a seat license. Obviously we are 6-7 years away from a new rink, still it makes you think.

[flames_1987]

Peyton Manning wins the MVP. Could've gone to a few other guys but very happy to see it land up it in Peytons hands. I don't see another player in this league who this year, if you had taken them off there respective team, would've had a bigger impact then Peyton. Not his best statiscal year, but the more we learnt about the injurys he was playing through at the start makes this year rank among the best in my mind

[Bobblehead]

I can't see many people disputing this choice.

Other guys had great seasons, bit Manning seemed to drag his team to more than a few wins this year.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

And the Vikings might not sell out, and may have the playoff game blacked out locally?


http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200....ap/index.html

There were 20,000 available a few days ago and apparently Eagles fans have been making a pretty solid effort to get to Minnesota. Would not be surprised to see a good chunk of green at the Metrodome this weekend.

[burn_baby_burn]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned in the article's about unsold tickets in Minnesota is how much of an increase are the Vikings asking for playoff tickets. Sirius 124 stated on Monday that 45% of Vikings season ticket holders did not take playoff tickets. Why is that? Sure some of it can be attributed to a slow economy. Yet if a fan is willing to shell out money for 10 games (2 preseason games) you would think that you could come up with the money for one playoff game. Isn't that the whole reason a fan goes to every game? To see his team succeed and play in the post season? The atmosphere in the post season is 10 times more intense than in the regular season (anybody that goes to Flames playoff games can see a noticeable difference vs the regular season). There must be more to the story here. Did the Vikings price themselves out of the market?

[Pagal4321]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

One thing I haven't seen mentioned in the article's about unsold tickets in Minnesota is how much of an increase are the Vikings asking for playoff tickets. Sirius 124 stated on Monday that 45% of Vikings season ticket holders did not take playoff tickets. Why is that? Sure some of it can attributed to a slow economy. Yet if a fan is willing to shell out money for 10 games (2 preseason games) you would think that you could come up with the money for one playoff game. Isn't that the whole reason a fan goes to every game? To see his team succeed and play in the post season? The atmosphere in the post season is 10 times more intense than in the regular season (anybody that goes to Flames playoff games can see a noticeable difference vs the regular season). There must be more to the story here. Did the Vikings price themselves out of the market?

I've been asking myself this same question for a few days. Why so many season ticket holders declined is completely beyond me. I mean this is the first time the team has won the division since 2000, you'd think STH would be extatic and shell out some cash to support this team, no?

If I was in or around the Minnesota area, you'd be damn sure I'd have my tickets in hand.

[burn_baby_burn]

Jared Allen urges fans to purchase playoff tickets.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn...c.php?t=502752

"I'm asking you, I'm begging the people of Minnesota," Allen said on the video. "Buy up these tickets. Spend a little cashish. We just had Christmas, [you] probably got a little Christmas bonus. Go buy some tickets."

I think that a pro athlete that just signed a record contract has no idea how hard things are for the average american. Usually after Christmas people are short on cash. Not flush with it.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Did the Vikings price themselves out of the market?

Or did most people pay for their seasons tickets in the summer before the economy collapsed (which really took hold in Sept), and now things like football tickets are not a priority.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Or did most people pay for their seasons tickets in the summer before the economy collapsed (which really took hold in Sept), and now things like football tickets are not a priority.

Depends. I think demand for season tickets in Minnesota has been high for some time. The stadium always looks full to me, although I don't watch every Vikings home game. If the Vikings are like the Flames, they will ask for a commitment or renewal near the end of the season. Commiting to season tickets a year ago, supports what you are saying. I wonder how many of the season ticket holders who did not take playoff tickets, didn't renew their season tickets as well?

[Sylvanfan]

Arizona also had a hard time selling tickets and this is the Cardinals first home playoff game in how many years? Just shows that things in the US are in really tough shape right now. When your choice is feed your family for three weeks or go to a football game....I think most opt to feed their family.(which is the option everyone should chose!)

[burn_baby_burn]

Cards sell out, Vikings given another extension to sell 3100 tickets.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...BxE&refer=home

[Montana Moe]

If you were a business, wouldn't you buy up those tickets and give them away to a charity or something?

Free advertising, tax write off, happy kids, no blackout, what's not to like?

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Montana Moe

Free advertising, tax write off, happy kids, no blackout, what's not to like?

Not having enough money to make payroll for your employees come next month?

[Montana Moe]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Not having enough money to make payroll for your employees come next month?

Bah, they'd just spend it on lefse and new ice fishing huts anyway.

[KTown]

My latest creation the Miami Dolphins Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOZzsAM5Hac

[Flickered Flame]

Awesome video Ktown!

[rubecube]

Do you learn from your past mistakes? Apparently Randy Lerner doesn't. Mangini is the leading candidate for the vacant position in Cleveland.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3807748

[troutman]

Originally Posted by troutman

Don't laugh - Colts are going to lose in the 1st round.

How you like those apples?