lotta empty seats at these venues tonight

[King Crimson]

a couple years ago i posted an article some hoops writer posted on cnnsi or something about playing the tournament in the classic, old gyms around the country instead of big-ass pro/multi-purpose arenas.

i liked that article.

[indyfrisco]

I'm pretty sure the economy right now hasn't helped travelling fans. I was in Florida last week on a planned vacation. Otherwise, I would have been in Philly for A&M's showing (or lack thereof).

Usually, some of the local folk whether they have skin in the game or not show up for the action. With people losing jobs and disposable income, makes sense why people aren't showing up.

[King Crimson]

I'm pretty sure the economy right now hasn't helped travelling fans. I was in Florida last week on a planned vacation. Otherwise, I would have been in Philly for A&M's showing (or lack thereof).

Usually, some of the local folk whether they have skin in the game or not show up for the action. With people losing jobs and disposable income, makes sense why people aren't showing up.

that's true. though a lot of these seats (esp. the corporate lower sections) are already paid for a year go at least. Christ, i tried to get tickets for the Denver regional a couple years ago with some decent connects and failed. turns we get them through a Rockies ticket pool from some Quest execs who don't give a hoot.

the easiest ticket in the world is the Sat-Sun sessions (and the Final game)....because half the fans (of the losing teams) want to move tickets. you get those for face or less outside the arena.

[King Crimson]

as far as i'm concerned these games should be played at Boulder High School....to neutralize the "home court" advantage as much as possible. Does Duke beat UT in Houston?

in the spirit of "competition" which is supposed to be what sport is....as a metaphor for the free market and warfare. and such. honor. virtue.

the pod system and the newfangling rpi is about ratings and money. that's fine, but let's not pretend the pod system is *still* about travel concerns after 9-11. it never was. that's pretty mendacious, as far seems to me.

[Shine]

I have noticed lots of fans dressing up as seats in the tourney thus far. I was at the games in Indy tonight and it was actually a pretty full crowd. Some of the "empty seats" you see on TV aren't actually empty. Certain football stadium seats are roped off because with the bleacher seats they bring in the stadium seats would be obstructed views. Also, many Louisville fans rolled after their game was over or left early during the 2nd game. With only a 2 hour drive back home my guess is the vast majority didn't plan to stay overnight. Announced attendance was over 33K with a plan to sell 39K.

For the FF next year I've heard they want to sell 70K seats. There will be LOTS of crappy seats if true.

[King Crimson]

For the FF next year I've heard they want to sell 70K seats. There will be LOTS of crappy seats if true.

i've sat in the cheapies for Nuggets games (at about 19,000 at Pepsi Center) and i'll go see the Nuggets half as much and pay for decent seats. unless you are a wicked fan of watching ambiguous ball flow....forget it. players look like ants.

the south regional is played in the NBA Grizzlies gym, no football there. lotta empty seats. you got Syracuse, Carolina, Gonzaga and OU....not exactly no names.

[Shoalzie]

Attendance figures from ESPN...
20,101 in Glendale
18,831 in Boston (18,624 capacity per Wikipedia)
17,103 in Memphis (18,165 capacity per Wikipedia)
33,780 in Indianapolis

[Screw_Michigan]

I have noticed lots of fans dressing up as seats in the tourney thus far. I was at the games in Indy tonight and it was actually a pretty full crowd. Some of the "empty seats" you see on TV aren't actually empty. Certain football stadium seats are roped off because with the bleacher seats they bring in the stadium seats would be obstructed views. Also, many Louisville fans rolled after their game was over or left early during the 2nd game. With only a 2 hour drive back home my guess is the vast majority didn't plan to stay overnight. Announced attendance was over 33K with a plan to sell 39K.

For the FF next year I've heard they want to sell 70K seats. There will be LOTS of crappy seats if true.

It looked like they had a lot of the upper decked curtained off, even on the sidelines. Is this true? Wasn't like that at Ford Field last year for the regional. Still disappointed they insist on "test-driving" the court in the middle of the field setup for venues that are going to hold the FF. Just put the god damn court in the corner of the end zone, please.

[King Crimson]

Attendance figures from ESPN...
20,101 in Glendale
18,831 in Boston (18,624 capacity per Wikipedia)
17,103 in Memphis (18,165 capacity per Wikipedia)
33,780 in Indianapolis

attendance or tickets sold? because there ain't no way there were 17,000 people in Memphis for either game last night. I'd say 10,000 was a push.

[Shoalzie]

Attendance figures from ESPN...
20,101 in Glendale
18,831 in Boston (18,624 capacity per Wikipedia)
17,103 in Memphis (18,165 capacity per Wikipedia)
33,780 in Indianapolis

attendance or tickets sold? because there ain't no way there were 17,000 people in Memphis for either game last night. I'd say 10,000 was a push.

From the venues' standpoint, tickets sold is what matters. However, empty seats do mean lost revenue in merchandise, concessions and parking.

With the two games in each site, you have to wonder if that's the combined attendance or the number of tickets used. ESPN only had the attendance figures from the venues last night for the later games, not the early games. Some may have gone to both games or you might've had fans from just one school that saw their game.

[Shine]

It looked like they had a lot of the upper decked curtained off, even on the sidelines. Is this true? Wasn't like that at Ford Field last year for the regional. Still disappointed they insist on "test-driving" the court in the middle of the field setup for venues that are going to hold the FF. Just put the god damn court in the corner of the end zone, please.

Yep, there were quite a few areas they had curtained off. Lucas Oil has 6 levels and they were only selling seats in the bottom 3 plus the added in floor seats. For the FF next year they'll open up all levels for sale.

I'm with you on the court arrangement as well. When I went to the IU/Gonzaga game earlier this year in Lucas Oil the court was in the end zone. MUCH better set-up for viewing, but of course the most seats you could realistically sell would be in the 25-30K range. Gotta open it up to 70K seats, even if 25K+ will suck balls to sit in.


Or of course the radical idea would be to actually just play the games in hoops specific arenas. I went to games in Boston in 03 (sup Left Seater) and even in the upper level for the 1st round games the seats were dece. Problem with that again though is you cap out your ticket sales in the 25K range.