Will The Fans Come Back?
January 20th, 2011
Earlier this week, Team Glazer, hearing the pleas of the fans, graciously slashed prices of thousands of seats in the upper deck of the CITS in order to help fans afford Bucs games.
But will this generous move be enough? Video star Anwar Richardson, wearing his trademark Budweiser Select shirt, and his Tampa Tribune colleague Woody Cummings, discuss in this TBO Bucs vlog whether fans will come back.
Please monitor the video and give Joe your feedback on what the TBO duo have to say.
January 20th, 2011 at 11:07 am
Bought my season tickets yesterday. Section 114 row P. Go Bucs!!!
January 20th, 2011 at 11:21 am
the main reason bucs fans are not going to games is not the economy its the owners they have been the cheapest owners for 8 straight years ya we have a bunch of young talent but when your gm says this early on we wont spend any money again this offseason because we already had our free agency by bringing in larry astante , al woods and frank okam its a joke i had season tickets for 10 years but cancelled 2 years ago now if debartelo buys the team i would re up my season tickets asap
January 20th, 2011 at 11:23 am
why do bucs fans have to blame the owner? stop making excuses
January 20th, 2011 at 11:30 am
Simply put, Justin F isn’t a fan. Quit whining.
They’re not being cheap. This is a strategy. It worked very well last year, let’s see where it takes us. If we get close enough to a championship, they’ll spend the necessary cash to get it.
January 20th, 2011 at 11:31 am
Our fans are a joke. Next year will be very telling. If we still have games blacked out there are no excuses left. The team is good and worth paying to watch and the economy will be better. Even if the economy doesn’t improve, there are enough people down there with money to sell out a few games.
Man up Buc fans! I wish I lived in FL so I could get some nice seats on cheap right now.
January 20th, 2011 at 11:39 am
They keep playing well sell outs will be no problem.
Fall on their faces and there will be a problem.
January 20th, 2011 at 11:49 am
These guys that keep calling the Glazers cheap forget all the money and picks they spent to win a championship in 2002. The core was already there but the free agents and chucky put us over the top.
January 20th, 2011 at 11:51 am
The success of the Florida college football teams don’t help the Bucs’ attendence problems. Even with the Glazer’s price cuts, it’s still much cheaper to go to a college game.
Winning on the field is critical, but being affordable is equally important. I think the Bucs are going to have to lower prices even more before there will be regular sellouts.
January 20th, 2011 at 11:55 am
The entire NFL will soon face this same problem. A combination of cost and convenience will force the NFL to at least consider a Pay Per View option. The biggest question I would pose is who are you marketing your product to in 2011? Not the blue collar worker because let’s face it the NFL has priced themselves way out of this market. Not the family man because even the middle class family would have a very hard time (like myself) putting out $500 a game. Definately not college students or young adults because none of these people have an extra $89 to walk up on game day and buy a ticket. Who does that leave left? Retired couples who can afford to go to the games; Young successful couples who have no children; Single successful men who have disposable income and business owners who can still write off season tickets to business expense. This is the reality the NFL has to accept when the have their annual meetings this year.
January 20th, 2011 at 11:57 am
I think Justin F is by himself on this one and he represents a small portion of the Bay area.
You cancelled you season tix two years ago? Thats great, because I bought my season tickets for the first time two years ago, you have been replaced. Move up north and root for the Jets.
The Glazers are smart, Mark Dominik is the man, Raheem is on of the best coaches in the NFL, and the Bucs are THE sh#t!
GO BUCS!!!!!!!!
January 20th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Don’t worry, it will sellout! The Monster Truck Jam is here!
January 20th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
justin f is the definition of a bandwagon fan.
Season ticket holder for ten years until two years ago? Let’s see that means he first got his season tickets around 98 just when things got good and then he dumped them right when things got a little rough.
So long sucker we don’t need you.
January 20th, 2011 at 12:12 pm
As a lifelong Bucs fan, but not a Tampa resident since the age of 8, I have been meaning to ask what the acronym CITS stands for. You use it a lot, but I suspect many of us displaced fans don’t know what it means. I assume the TS stands for Tampa Stadium. But, please do enlighten me! Thanks!
January 20th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
Aaron,
Community Investment Tax Stadium.
Thats what they called the tax that they passed to fund the stadium when it was built.
January 20th, 2011 at 12:19 pm
Didn’t lower the Dang Beer Prices…
January 20th, 2011 at 12:20 pm
We’ve got one of the best owners in the NFL. The Buccaneers organization from top to bottom is top 10 if not top 5 in the league.
Most Tampa fans are too blind to see (know) what they have in there own backyard.
January 20th, 2011 at 12:38 pm
Top ten owners in the league? laughable.
January 20th, 2011 at 12:42 pm
I’m a season ticket holder but I’ve said for years I would be willing to pay for a pay per view package for both the Bucs and the Rays. Obviously, watching games at home provide a much better experience. I have to take a radio to the Bucs games to know what is going on with injuries, etc.
January 20th, 2011 at 12:47 pm
owners that dont spend money??? I guess most of people that feel that way werent Bucs fans from about 1982 to 1996…
January 20th, 2011 at 1:09 pm
MVPFreeman- I think you wrote the perfect post! That says it all.
I noticed Eric has crab crawled out from under the Rock, still not feeling love for our exciting young team. I really would like to say we missed you. We didn’t. The fact that you welshed on our bet sadly proves that you aren’t man enough to admit you’re wrong, or honor your word. Even if you go by lawyer ethics, that’s still a fail. Don’t know what event in your life has left you with the need to be so hateful and venomous- or why the Bucs seem to be your only outlet, but you need therapy, and we don’t Need to be your therapist. As a Child, did you have a traumatic moment at the Bucs Game? Was it in the Bathroom? Was a Mr.Garrison character involved? Do you plan to keep annoying normal Buc fans with your self loathing therapy? Buc You, Thomas , and you keep trying to turn this into your personel Mental Spa!
January 20th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
I think it has a lot to do with the guys we loved… We all grew to love brooks, sapp, lynch, gruden, etc. and the team just threw them out as if they were trash. I think fans are starting to “re-fall in love” with the players with have now, then in the near future we will see a stronger fan base. I for one was a season ticket holder for 9 years, but i live 2 hours away, so between the gas prices, the economy and me being scared to lose my job more than i have ever been. it just doesnt make sense for me to spend all that money. so this past year i just picked a couple games when money was right and went to a few games.
January 20th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
Posey99 well said. I went to a couple this year but things are looking up for 2011 plus the fact that you can make payments on your season tickets now gave me the excuse to buy 2. section 120. Go Bucs
January 20th, 2011 at 1:37 pm
Awww, I come my comment was “awaiting moderation”? I didn’t write anything bad. Last summer the “slow Squad” absolutely trashed anyone who was a Bucs Fan! If you said something positive about the team, they trashed you! They didn’t get moderated!
January 20th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
I agree with Bucnjim.
“The entire NFL will soon face this same problem.”
The entire economy is experiencing a huge paradigm (sp) shift in their spending profiles… simply put, the credit crunch has hurt most average Americans as well as the well off.
Many many Americans have re-adjusted their expenses by priority… living expenses come first. Doesn’t leave much for most to waste on tickets.
Over the past 10-20 years the consumer has loosened up their spending and bought many luxuaries… but since this passed downturn, banks have taken away credit and reeuced risk so much, that the average person will literally not have the income to justify buying tickets.
All NFL teams will need to react to this huge change. Hence, the CBA lockout.
January 20th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Come on, Justin, you REALLY want DeBartolo to own the Bucs? The same DeBartolo that was evicted from the league for violating gambling rules? The same DeBartolo that violated salary cap rules that plunged his team into a tailspin from which they still haven’t recovered? How about Daniel Snyder? That’s working well. Jerry Jones? Take away the Herschel Walker trade and he’s screwed up the Cowboys so much they may never recover until he quits. Al Davis? The Irsays who spent so much on a QB that they can’t pay anyone else? (really- Manning is a great QB, but only 1 title and a whole bunch of flame-outs because of a lack of talent and depth around him).
Dude- be thankful you have owners that don’t meddle, spend money when warranted (30+ million for a practice facility that very few in the league can match). In the end only the Krafts in New England come close- and the Glazers are doing their best to emulate them with their strategy.
I ask you this, Justin: what were your thoughts when Kraft let Seymour, Vrabel, Brown, Milloy, et al go just like the Bucs “dumped” Lynch, Brooks, Quarles, Dunn, and them? Of those only Lynch went on to play again after being cut by the Bucs, while the players the Pats cut are all still playing for other teams.. face it- they were cut because they cost too much.
January 20th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
OFF TOPIC: Joe did you see the east/west shrine game video on NFL.com raheem was chatting up with Justin rogers from richmond…. CB …just thought i should share.
January 20th, 2011 at 2:09 pm
NFL is a business and not a charity. Teams that overpay are not generally successful. Those that do are very successful. BTW- I remember a whole bunch of NE fans with their tightie whities in a wad because they kicked a bunch of popular players go.
Fans will be back when the economy improves. guest#27 and bucnjim are right on target. Too many people in Tampa are dependent on construction for their jobs. Until that segment comes back disposable income here is not where it needs to be to support a team. Cheaper for me to make a trip to Ft. Myers to watch the game. During the Bucs sellout streak construction and related industries were flying high. There was a 6 week wait to get a roofer or a plumber. Now they are begging for work– or working at Home Depot to pay the bills.
January 20th, 2011 at 2:10 pm
..oops.. meant to say “kicked to the curb” and “those that do NOT overpay are generally successful”… 🙂
January 20th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
For those that think it is anything other than the economy you are blind.
There were a bunch of teams that did not have sellouts and had games blacked out. MANY of them could have been blacked out the entire year but either by their owners or tv contracts or the NFL, they did not.
SD, Oakland, Jax, Miami, St Louis, Detroit, AZ, and some others.
It was a bigger issue than ever before: IT IS THE ECONOMY
January 20th, 2011 at 3:40 pm
Thanks Joe
January 20th, 2011 at 4:50 pm
Nice thread- ton of intelligent post. Lots of good opinions!
January 20th, 2011 at 7:33 pm
“Fans will be back when the economy improves.”
Ha. The economy ain’t improving anytime soon.
I think the Glazers took a big step toward getting fans back by lowering the ticket prices.
Now if they would sign a star free agent or two, that would help as well. I just think fans as a whole are more confident when proven players are brought in rather then when we just rely totally on youngsters from the draft. Completely understandable. I mean I think Dom and Raheem have done a great job finding young talent since they took over, but let’s be realistic, a lot of luck has come our way too. How often does a 7th round safety come in and play excellent football? How often does an undrafted FA running back come in and become a pro bowl running back? Without Blount and Grimm, we definitely would not have won 10 games.
January 20th, 2011 at 7:40 pm
Well just so you know I will be a both games against the Falcons my friend is a big Falcon fan and me and him will be sitting side by side at the game in Atl and in Tampa, with the winner of the first getting to go see their team play the Panthers! It is the economy and for all that think it is not look around at the empty houses in your neighborhoods and think why is there no one in that house… they can’t afford it…
Here’s to watching the Bucs and Panthers in Charlotte next season and the two Bucs/Falcons games. By the way we will be driving to Tampa from NE Atlanta area, Yeah! that is correct fro those of you who have been following along i am moving back east from Beautiful Tucson Arizona!! and I can not wait !!!!
Go to the games and be a fan or not As for me and my friend we will be there with or without you!
January 20th, 2011 at 8:08 pm
I think the economy could actually start to improve a little in the coming months. There are more snowbirds & tourists here in Sarasota this year than in the last 5 or 6. That is a very positive thing. We actually have a little traffic again, and the 50,000 cops that live here finally have something to do. I think the Glazer plan may just work. I sure hope so.
January 20th, 2011 at 8:14 pm
I’m just a slug, but I have a myriad of rich friends, and most of them are getting very antsy and tired of sitting on their money. That safe 8 to 10% just isn’t doing it for them any more. Most are ready for some opportunity and adventure. I think we’re close to a breakout, and all that ICE and COLD up north only helps steer the wealthy our way. Keep your fingers crossed and think positive.
RustyRhino, Good luck on your new journey. God Speed.
January 20th, 2011 at 8:45 pm
Welcome back to the east Coast, Double R!
January 20th, 2011 at 11:05 pm
Well, we have had to watch out $$ and time because of my graduate work, but I’m considering a season ticket purchase. My wife hates football, but being the number crusher she is, she actually seems to be supporting the idea. Go Bucs baby!
January 21st, 2011 at 4:33 am
I agree luck has a lot to do with last year. Without the Titans cutting Blount, no way do the Bucs get to 10 wins. Plus an easy schedule helped. Next year will be extremely difficult. 15 teams since 1990 improved their win total by at least 7 wins from their previous year. Only 1 of those teams made the post-season the following year.
You wont get sellouts unless the Bucs are ripping up teams. Because people just are not going to spend money in this economy to watch a 4-year rebuilding project with players they barely know. That’s the reality.
January 22nd, 2011 at 10:08 am
im thinking hard about buying some tix. 350 with a 10 month payment plan is a pretty good deal. this is an exciting team and the kids deserve the support. as far as lucky goes, mike williams 4th round wasn’t luck that was balls. freeman 2 years ago was someone no buc fan wanted but these guys stuck to their guns. all the late round and undrafted free agent contributors are no more luck than tom brady. and yeah blount fell in our lap..big deal. still a good move. drew brees was out there for anyone to have as a free agent and where would NO be without him. dominik and raheem are doing a great job. the kids are exciting and barring a lockout i will be in the stands next year for at least a few games. im fired up about the new krewe of buc stars. i may buy season tix if $$ permits and i hope people come out and support these guys. they have earned it.