Ticket Sales Never Factored In To Revis Deal
April 22nd, 2013
Joe has written time and time again that, in the early years of the 21st Century with the economic structure of the NFL, sellouts and marginal ticket sales of a few thousand are virtually irrelevant given the river of revenue the NFL receives from TV contracts and countless other sources.
This doesn’t stop Bucs fans from grumbling about ticket sales at the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway. For reasons that stump Joe continually, the Tampa Bay area sure gets an erection over attendance talk, a subject Joe finds painfully insipid.
A few vocal Bucs fans have pointed to the Bucs grabbing Jets star corner Darrelle Revis as a ploy to sell a few more tickets to Bucs games.
Asked about this today in Revis’ introduction as the newest Bucs player, Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik flatly denied this. Dominik was adamant that selling tickets was never factored in when the Bucs were in negotiations with the Jets over Revis, or when the organization decided to pursue Revis.
“Winning sells tickets,” Dominik said.
Generally, that is true. But the American sports landscape has changed in recent years. There is way too much evidence that the growing trend is for fans to watch games on TV, not at a stadium.
Yes, winning sells tickets. But as we are in the second decade of a fresh century, Joe wonders just how much winning really results in rear ends in seats.
April 22nd, 2013 at 1:15 pm
Nor should it have. Winning will sell more tickets than signing any 1 player could ever do. In the words of the late Al Davis, “Just win baby!”
April 22nd, 2013 at 1:20 pm
no one shows up to see a corner. Hopefuly the bucs will win and then they will show up to see a winner!
But no one shows up for the Rays and a pre- recession gruden team couldnt sell out a home playoff game
April 22nd, 2013 at 1:25 pm
Revis will sell tickets, wait and see!
April 22nd, 2013 at 1:34 pm
“For reasons that stump Joe continually, the Tampa Bay area sure gets an erection over attendance talk”
The NFL’s archaic rule of not allowing the game to be on TV if not sold out is a main reason of attendance talk. Not sure why you’re stumped Joe? On any given home game Sunday, only 50,000 of the more than 2 million people in the area are watching the game, unless watching fuzzy pirated video.
April 22nd, 2013 at 1:35 pm
It will be interesting to see if we can sell out any games this year other than our prime time ones. I don’t think people can complain about the product on the field or the owners being cheap for not going anymore. This will be a playoff team this year.
April 22nd, 2013 at 1:41 pm
Very simple. If people want to watch a game and it’s not on TV, go to the game. If one chooses not to go, it tells Joe that apparently, watching a home game live isn’t that important.
As a result, not sure what all the kvetching is about. Or just wait until midnight to watch it for free online (legally).
April 22nd, 2013 at 1:52 pm
Wow, that is an interesting thought.
With all the talk about whether Revis is 100% or not, the power of the NSO got lost. Wouldn’t it be awesome if the coaching and strict discipline of the Bucs helped Revis play even better than he already has throughout his career?
I wonder what that would look like.
April 22nd, 2013 at 2:15 pm
I think that if the better viewing experience is at home in front of a $900 HDTV, the way you get fans to buy season tickets is to give them something they CAN’T get at home.
Private “away game” parties for STMs only. STM banquet with the players. Opportunity to buy game-worn merchandise (or give it away to STMs).
Technology is too good now. You can put WiFi in all you want and have as many replays on the screen as you want. It’s not as good as being able to pause and let the DVR “store up” and then you can skip commercials.
By the way. The WiFi at the stadium blows. 50000 people all trying to get on the same wireless router doesn’t exactly make for a lightning-fast internet experience.
April 22nd, 2013 at 2:27 pm
Except, Joe, you leave out the mitigating factors of finances, distance and health. All of which can limit some peoples attendance. That said, overall I believe you are right…with some few exceptions.
This is why I don’t mind bandwagon fans. They buy tickets.
April 22nd, 2013 at 2:34 pm
Joe,
I’m with ya man! I totally agree with you. I’m just saying it’s easy to figure out why people talk about it. In this day and age, most everybody wants everything for nothing and without having to do anything.
April 22nd, 2013 at 2:52 pm
5 games on tv this year. The two prime time games. The Saints, Eagles and Bills. Quite a few Buffalo bars around town and the Philly transplants will have early season hope and will the stadium out. Gonna be fun.
April 22nd, 2013 at 3:08 pm
1) DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket
2) 60″ HGTV w/surround sound
3) No worries about drinking and driving
4) Steps from the frig and the pool
I LOVE football and the Buccaneers, but going to the game does not come close to the enjoyment I get from seeing the game in the comfort of my own home.
April 22nd, 2013 at 3:27 pm
Hammer meets nail! That’s exactly what this is. Good one man.
April 23rd, 2013 at 12:58 am
I don’t want to spend a couple hundred dollers to watch Freeman throw in the dirt, over his receivers heads and interceptions. Touchdowns, field goals and kickoff and punt returns leading to W’s will start bringing the buts back to ray j.