FiatSlug;603651 said:

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Serious questions:

Where do you come up with 20K people?

And what percentage of those 20K would you expect to be season ticket holders?

What data would you want to see that would cause you to re-evaluate your position?

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The 20k was some guesstimation based on attendances of ATT and Memorial. But I just read an article that says we went from around 35-40k season ticket holders to around 25k. So it's more like 10k-15k short in terms of season tickets, so that leaves 5-10k in single game seats.

There will be no data, other than a capacity crowd at every remaining game, that can convince me that we are not a totally apathetic fanbase. =)

philly1121;603041 said:

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I certainly appreciate your enthusiasm for our team. However, you can't really expect other fans to match the same level that you have. If I was the couple next to you, I probably would have asked you to lower the volume.

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I would have politely told you to F-off. Surely a "fan" with the city of brotherly love in your handle wouldn't be too offended by this I trust.

Vandalus;603669 said:

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I would have politely told you to F-off. Surely a "fan" with the city of brotherly love in your handle wouldn't be too offended by this I trust.

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Are you kidding? Philly fans booed Santa Claus.

march2397;603685 said:

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Are you kidding? Philly fans booed Santa Claus.

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I was trying to be ironic.

:beer:

Spazzy McGee;603664 said:

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The 20k was some guesstimation based on attendances of ATT and Memorial. But I just read an article that says we went from around 35-40k season ticket holders to around 25k. So it's more like 10k-15k short in terms of season tickets, so that leaves 5-10k in single game seats.

There will be no data, other than a capacity crowd at every remaining game, that can convince me that we are not a totally apathetic fanbase. =)

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Where does apathetic fan base = 20K drop in ticket sales per game from on season to the next, on average?

Sounds to me as if the fan base was turned off, not apathetic.

So the same fan base that bought tickets in 2010 to the tune of an average attendance of 57867 per game is now buying an average of 20,000 fewer seats because they're apathetic?

You're treating them as a monolithic group. Some were turned off by a 5-7 record in 2010. Some were also turned off by the prospect of traveling to San Francisco (in spite of the marketing to the contrary). Some were turned off by the price of seats. Others were priced out.

Most of the cheapest seats were sold before the bulk of fans with less than 40 priority points had a chance to select seats. That's a fact. Those were fans who were priced out while many seats that carried significant donations ($300 per seat and greater) were left unclaimed.

I call that being priced out. You still think that is apathy in action?

And by the way, the data does exist to bolster the point.

Vandalus;603669 said:

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I would have politely told you to F-off. Surely a "fan" with the city of brotherly love in your handle wouldn't be too offended by this I trust.

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lol well I'm not from Philadelphia, but in the spirit of their fandom, I would have spilled my beer on you in response.

philly1121;603817 said:

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lol well I'm not from Philadelphia, but in the spirit of their fandom, I would have spilled my beer on you in response.

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You would waste beer? I buy that you're not from Philly.

march2397;603991 said:

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You would waste beer? I buy that you're not from Philly.

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If someone told me to eff off? Absolutely. It must be a SoCal thing I suppose. I used to go to Raiders and Chargers games alot. It was a frequent occurrence.

I've been avoiding this thread because it seems everything has been discussed before and it's not all that unexpected. The real problem is that changing the pricing for a couple of games at AT&T will send the wrong message about buying tickets at CMS - specifically that not buying expensive seats will be 'rewarded' with lowering the price.

What the ATO/AD needs to do is use this year as learning experience - it's just 1 year of lost revenue while CMS is at least 30 years of required bond payments.

That said, I thought the Utah attendance would be better (what if our record were the SAME, but the losses to Oregon and USC had been by less than two scores, and the offense somewhat competent?), but this may be lesson on expansion too. New teams mean no tradition, so the masses don't really cares about the game if it doesn't provide a good opponent. Utah is really just another Fresno or Colorado State to Cal fans at this point - not that interesting, not that good of a team, and not standing in the way of a good bowl game (mostly due to Ca's performance). Utah of a few years ago may have been a different story, but to price the tickets at USC level means less sell. far less.

I'm still reading about b12/SEC expansion and the whole saga, though less than when it actually affected Cal and the Pac. My new thinking is that these conference are creating a lot of new matchups that are just not all that exciting to their fan bases. Attendance could really suffer. ACC brought in a lot of random teams 10 years ago and look at them now. Pitt and Cuse are going to make even more crap football games. SEC is doing great, but is arky really a equal member?

All I know is that in terms of games I will go to, UCLA, USC and Stanford are games I would probably go to any year regardless of either team's record. Washington and Oregon are maybes depending on their record. Hell I'm coming out to see freaking Oregon State just because they have owned us and I want to see that change.

But the Az's.... those are 'meh' games unless they are top teams. Cal just hasn't really developed a rivalry with them and they were admitted to the Pac before I was born.

So maybe CCG: good. TV contract: good. attendance against new P12 teams: meh.

Quote:

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It's a straw man. Since you've read through the thread, I think it has been pointed out repeatedly that the CAL sideline could have been on that side. You know, just like it is at Memorial. Why this is so hard to grasp is beyond me.

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The student section is behind the Home team at memorial, not the visiting team...

CousinVinnieB;604603 said:

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The student section is behind the Home team at memorial, not the visiting team...

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Precisely. And that could have happened at AT&T: put the students in the bleachers, and the Cal team on the bleacher side of the field. (Why is this such a difficult concept?)

:headbang

JSC 76;604617 said:

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Precisely. And that could have happened at AT&T: put the students in the bleachers, and the Cal team on the bleacher side of the field. (Why is this such a difficult concept?)

:headbang

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Sandy's Marketing Director blundered badly and she should hold him/her to account.

FremontBear;604683 said:

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Sandy's Marketing Director blundered badly and she should hold him/her to account.

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If Sandy doesn't know what's going on in her biggest source of revenue, perhaps the wrong person needs to be held accountable.

JSC 76;604617 said:

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Precisely. And that could have happened at AT&T: put the students in the bleachers, and the Cal team on the bleacher side of the field. (Why is this such a difficult concept?)

:headbang

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THANK YOU! I swear people are posting this stuff just to annoy us.... :beer:

xultaif;604697 said:

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THANK YOU! I swear people are posting this stuff just to annoy us.... :beer:

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Does anyone know of any particular reason as to why the Cal sideline was not on the bleacher side of the field? Admin decision? Coaches decision?

philly1121;604703 said:

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Coach

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somethin' 'bout looking into the sun, sunnyside of the field. less comfortable seats?


http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDYyMzcwMzY=.html

no original vids of this. typical, a real shame. ever hear the lost last verse

philly1121;604703 said:

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Does anyone know of any particular reason as to why the Cal sideline was not on the bleacher side of the field? Admin decision? Coaches decision?

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whatever the decision, it was wrong. someone, anyone, in the department needs to be able to 1) recognize when this is happening and 2) have the backbone to voice it.

I have been avoiding this thread as well, but for different reasons.

I am beyond annoyed with our lame fanbase. I know no one likes to hear it. You take it personal, you think it is irrellevant, or you are just one of the lame arse fans.

From the games I have been to, I can honestly say that I have been told to sit down several times each game. I have a drunk young alum douche who sits behind me constantly yelling about how Tedford's play calling sucks (this would be fine if he wasn't doing it when someone drops a catch, etc.). There are numerous other instances that are not worth getting into.

This season, regardless of our record, is turning out to be a complete nuisance.

And can someone please get the friggin students to do the bear chomp after sacks!!!!!

Pathetic. I can't imagine how the team feels coming out for every game to an empty fan base. The recruits (see Thompson) are starting to feel it to. It's time to stuff your complaints in your pocket and save them for the offseason. Get out, make some NOISE, and GO BEARS!!!

ColoradoBear1;604530 said:

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I've been avoiding this thread because it seems everything has been discussed before and it's not all that unexpected. The real problem is that changing the pricing for a couple of games at AT&T will send the wrong message about buying tickets at CMS - specifically that not buying expensive seats will be 'rewarded' with lowering the price.

What the ATO/AD needs to do is use this year as learning experience - it's just 1 year of lost revenue while CMS is at least 30 years of required bond payments.

That said, I thought the Utah attendance would be better (what if our record were the SAME, but the losses to Oregon and USC had been by less than two scores, and the offense somewhat competent?), but this may be lesson on expansion too. New teams mean no tradition, so the masses don't really cares about the game if it doesn't provide a good opponent. Utah is really just another Fresno or Colorado State to Cal fans at this point - not that interesting, not that good of a team, and not standing in the way of a good bowl game (mostly due to Ca's performance). Utah of a few years ago may have been a different story, but to price the tickets at USC level means less sell. far less.

I'm still reading about b12/SEC expansion and the whole saga, though less than when it actually affected Cal and the Pac. My new thinking is that these conference are creating a lot of new matchups that are just not all that exciting to their fan bases. Attendance could really suffer. ACC brought in a lot of random teams 10 years ago and look at them now. Pitt and Cuse are going to make even more crap football games. SEC is doing great, but is arky really a equal member?

All I know is that in terms of games I will go to, UCLA, USC and Stanford are games I would probably go to any year regardless of either team's record. Washington and Oregon are maybes depending on their record. Hell I'm coming out to see freaking Oregon State just because they have owned us and I want to see that change.

But the Az's.... those are 'meh' games unless they are top teams. Cal just hasn't really developed a rivalry with them and they were admitted to the Pac before I was born.

So maybe CCG: good. TV contract: good. attendance against new P12 teams: meh.

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Imagine you are a UCLA fan (sorry all) your new conference is made up (just like the middle east). AZ,Colo, ASU, UT, SC. I bet they are thanking us for the opportunity to play Bay Area teams every year.

Tedhead94;604844 said:

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And can someone please get the friggin students to do the bear chomp after sacks!!!!!

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A whole 'nother thread (or a repeat of a frequently recurring thread). I believe those "someones" are already in place, and it's not a question of whether the students are on the sidelines, the end zone or the upper deck, or how much somebody paid for a ticket.

touchdownbears43;602520 said:

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It is a disgrace but not b/c of Sandy's doing but b/c of the boring football teams tedford has fielded the last 3 or 4 years.

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Amen, brother!

We need everyone paying and going to these games.If someone asks you to sit, do so. Maybe they will come back next week. I can understand standing on Key plays, but not all the time. Compromise and everyone will be happy.

STANDING HAS NO EFFECT ON THE OUTCOME OF THE GAME.

Down in front!

Sounds to me like you are the "someones" I am referring to. Thank you for helping make my point. YOU are the under excited . . . you need to STAND UP!!! on a third down and make some noise when it matters.

Y'all got to get over your Sandy and Ted issues for the sake of the team and the kids that came to play football here. Get over yourselves. No one likes higher prices, no one likes losing, DUH!!! I come to watch CAL athletics and root for all the student-athletes who followed in our alums footsteps.

Tedhead94;604844 said:

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From the games I have been to, I can honestly say that I have been told to sit down several times each game. I have a drunk young alum douche who sits behind me constantly yelling about how Tedford's play calling sucks (this would be fine if he wasn't doing it when someone drops a catch, etc.). There are numerous other instances that are not worth getting into.

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People yelling at you to sit down is standard operating procedure at Memorial. Has nothing to do with AT&T.

Our sections got muddled when we moved across the bay. I have chosen to stay in a certain section at Memorial for just these reasons.

CubanPete;605169 said:

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You need to realize you aren't a student anymore. Sit your ass down in your chair and make noise and stop obstructing your neighbors.

Sports don't work that way son.

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I seriously doubt you got the hangers to call me "son" to my face. God bless the internet and message boards.

Aside from grandpa Cuban explaining the birds and bees to me, I will agree that it is largely Tedford's and Sandy's fault. My main point is that our fanbase is weak and getting weaker. Instead of complaining about on a football board, take it up with Sandy. What you can do as fans and alums, is show up to the games and cheer for your school. What you can do as a consumer is choose to not buy tickets. I am a fan of CAL football first . . . even through the lean years.

Tedhead94;605378 said:

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the hangers, the lean years.

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http://blog.chron.com/hottopics/2011/10/man-with-100-lb-scrotum-seeks-funds-for-surgery/

IMO, there will be little effect by doing that this year (while away from Memorial). Sandy and Co. will right it off as being a symptom of moving across the bay.

I see the whole thing as a symbiotic relationship. It spirals up and it spirals down. As a fan, I will always do whatever I can to help, not hinder. To me, this is continuing to cheer and provide for CAL athletics whenever I can. I attend and root for the logo on the helmet - I don't require the logo to root for me.

Tedhead94;605378 said:

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I seriously doubt you got the hangers to call me "son" to my face. God bless the internet and message boards.

Aside from grandpa Cuban explaining the birds and bees to me, I will agree that it is largely Tedford's and Sandy's fault. My main point is that our fanbase is weak and getting weaker. Instead of complaining about on a football board, take it up with Sandy. What you can do as fans and alums, is show up to the games and cheer for your school. What you can do as a consumer is choose to not buy tickets. I am a fan of CAL football first . . . even through the lean years.

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Our real fanbase has stayed the same I think..and traditionally they have not been very demonstrative -- compared to the big boys like the Michigans and Ohio States obviously..never will. .Our 35,000 at the Utah game sounds about right - 15,000 or so newbies have left for reasons discussed on this board. I agree that complaints about lack of team success should be directed towards team administrators rather than denying the players an ardent fanbase..but what can you do? Cal fans are never going to be rabid -- check out say, an Oregon Autzen stadium on Duck home game..Do we have fans like that??? Thanksfully, no! I would love to have the fan participation that you envision..everyone yelling while the other team is on offense..3rd downs, etc..I have higher, yet realistic hopes, with the 2012 season..It is kind of a waste of time to try and inspire good Cal fans from this message board to "do more" about fan attendance..We obviously don't represent the empty seats and Bear fans who come to games for mere entertainment on a Saturday afternoon.

Tedhead94;605378 said:

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...I will agree that it is largely Tedford's and Sandy's fault. My main point is that our fanbase is weak and getting weaker. Instead of complaining about on a football board, take it up with Sandy. What you can do as fans and alums, is show up to the games and cheer for your school. What you can do as a consumer is choose to not buy tickets. I am a fan of CAL football first . . . even through the lean years.

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Those of us with long memories will undoubtedly agree that the fanbase has always been thin and feeble, and it's driven almost entirely by W & L. Cal wins, attendance goes up. Cal loses, attendance goes down. Good marketing and intelligent pricing can wring a few thousand more tickets out of the potential fanbase, but it's mostly depends on the past year's success. If we had gone 10-2 last year instead of 5-7, AT&T would be a hot ticket no matter how badly they screwed it up.

bluezonebear;605383 said:

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i wonder why the fan base is getting weaker. some of us have taken it up with sandy (via letters, phone calls, etc.) and have chosen to act with our wallets. as you said, it is largely tedford and sandy's fault. if fans don't put pressure on them, who will?

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I have written Sandy respectful letters and emails on several occasions, as have a number of friends. None of us has ever received a response. We all are (or were) Bear Backers. Unfortunately, I think in the end the only message she will ever hear is money - that is, it's disappearance.

SanMateoBear, I also have sent emails to our AD on other issues, but have never gotten any response.

tickets are also more expensive at att vs memorial.