Williams & Blum Pod: ISU raises prices, bowl win, foul play in the CFP?

[cycloneworld]

So just to be clear, you think Pollard is leaving $1 million+ of revenue on the table because he just doesn’t want to do it?

He's leaving $3+ million of REVENUE on the table by not selling alcohol. We can use our peers public data to support that. The question is how much flows to ISU's bottom line. I'd argue even if its $500,000, we should do it. Fans generally want it and it can help fill a revenue gap - seems like a no-brainer.

As I mentioned, I am sure Pollard can create scenarios where ISU is not revenue positive from selling alcohol but, in my opinion, those are all not reflective of what will actually happen (i.e. they aren't going to lose $2 million of FB revenue from people leaving the SEZ).

 

[CyCity]

You could also lower the SEZ ticket price closer to the regular price if they were that worried.

Haha well that’s exactly what they were told they would have to do which eliminates a ton of revenue.

 

[cytor]

It is quite Ironic that Pollard is against beer sales, considering he's from Wisc and he's a Packer fan.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

The research they have done has shown it will not generate revenue.

Seems odd when Wisconsin and Iowa are both making money.

 

[CyCity]

He's leaving $3+ million of REVENUE on the table by not selling alcohol. We can use our peers public data to support that. The question is how much flows to ISU's bottom line. I'd argue even if its $500,000, we should do it. Fans generally want it and it can help fill a revenue gap - seems like a no-brainer.

As I mentioned, I am sure Pollard can create scenarios where ISU is not revenue positive from selling alcohol but, in my opinion, those are all not reflective of what will actually happen (i.e. they aren't going to lose $2 million of FB revenue from people leaving the SEZ).

I just think it’s pretty crazy to assume Pollard is walking away from money we can put in our AD because he just doesn’t want to do it. I don’t understand that logic if you know how he operates. Especially since he’s addressed the topic 100 times publicly.

 

[Mr Janny]

People always bring up the Sukup people and them being upset. I don't know all the moving parts of what they were "sold" but I'd think just like the rest of the fan base has to make sacrifices to make the new landscape work, so too so the Sukup seats....if that really is the ultimate deciding factor for no beer.

Loved CWs point on the pod about getting something for young donors (like a once a year party, etc).

Heck, stuff like Cys House seems to be highly sought after....might be other ways to replicate/find sponsors, etc.

One thing I'm not an expert on, but is brought up a lot about injury reporting is HIPPA. My understanding is HIPPA is only in medical settings in terms of protections (and of course any student athlete could sign releases to allow information out). Kind of like at work, if you are out for surgery people don't know the details, but know you are out, etc.

Yeah, that kind of elitist thinking may or may not be true, but it's not going to win a whole lot of hearts and minds. Telling 40,000 people in the stands that they can't have something because they don't want to risk the Sukup folks deciding that their deal isn't special enough any longer, doesn't play very well from a PR standpoint, if it's not handled correctly.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

Haha well that’s exactly what they were told they would have to do which eliminates a ton of revenue.

I don't buy that. You still get access to the bar, which is better service, food and more bathrooms. Plus you can go inside if the weather is bad. Still premium.

 

[CyCity]

Seems odd when Wisconsin and Iowa are both making money.

How much did they profit off alcohol sales?

You also have to realize Camp Randall holds 20k more than Jack Trice and Kinnick holds 10k more and sold out every single game this year. Completely different situation from ours.

 

[Cyclone06]

Does the sukup end zone sell out each year and is there a waiting list?

 

[cycloneworld]

Haha well that’s exactly what they were told they would have to do which eliminates a ton of revenue.

I think that's a crazy assumption (the AD, not you). To say that the sole reason that people are paying $999 for a season ticket instead of $450 is they can buy some alcohol during games seems insane. People are paying $75 per game more just to buy beer? That doesn't pass the sniff test.

 

[CyCity]

I don't buy that. You still get access to the bar, which is better service, food and more bathrooms. Plus you can go inside if the weather is bad. Still premium.

I’m just relaying what I know.

I don’t understand how you could think they’d sell out the Sukup at $999 per seat if they sold alcohol to the whole stadium but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

How much did they profit off alcohol sales?

You also have to realize Camp Randall holds 20k more than Jack Trice and Kinnick holds 10k more and sold out every single game this year. Completely different situation from ours.

Williams said $3 mil on the pod.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

I’m just relaying what I know.

I don’t understand how you could think they’d sell out the Sukup at $999 per seat if they sold alcohol to the whole stadium but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Is that the only reason people buy those tickets? That seems unlikely.

 

[CyCity]

Does the sukup end zone sell out each year and is there a waiting list?

You can get tickets for 2024 still. I believe it was very close to being sold out in 2023 but it wasn’t.

 

[Cyclone06]

Yeah, that kind of elitist thinking may or may not be true, but it's not going to win a whole lot of hearts and minds. Telling 40,000 people in the stands that they can't have something because they don't want to risk the Sukup folks deciding that their deal isn't special enough any longer, doesn't play very well from a PR standpoint, if it's not handled correctly.

Well we routinely tell approx. 50,000 fans each game that they cannot sit in a heated box seat each game because they dont pay enough and that hasn't caused an uproar. If you want it, pay for the privilege.

 

[KnappShack]

When it comes to alcohol sales, people need to realize if you are going to argue for it you need to do it for the fan experience and not generating revenue. The idea Pollard is not taking advantage of some big money maker is silly.

Are you or are you not Jamie Pollard??

The lurker thread has me thinking....

 

[Trice]

Thoroughly enjoying this conversation that seems to equate "making money on beer sales at ISU" as an impossibility once reserved for splitting the atom. Some of you will talk yourselves into anything.

 

[Mr Janny]

Well we routinely tell approx. 50,000 fans each game that they cannot sit in a heated box seat each game because they dont pay enough and that hasn't caused an uproar. If you want it, pay for the privilege.

The difference there is that, it's not feasible to enclose or put heaters on every seat. But for beer sales, the obstacles are much lower.

And to be clear, I'm not saying that Sukup patrons would or wouldn't abdicate their spots of beer were sold elsewhere. I'm just saying that the PR messaging needs to be handled correctly.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

Thoroughly enjoying this conversation that seems to equate "making money on beer sales at ISU" as an impossibility once reserved for splitting the atom. Some of you will talk yourselves into anything.

Especially when ISU needs money in the worst way.

 

[CyCity]

Are you or are you not Jamie Pollard??

The lurker thread has me thinking....

Well that’s insulting haha. I actually think we should sell alcohol in the stadium, as long as we improve concessions. With rising prices we’re going to have to improve the fan experience for games and alcohol sales is an obvious one to take advantage of. The idea it’s going to generate a bunch of revenue for us has been debunked a million times but here we are.