Tide Pride members beware re: digital ticket sales

[4Q Basket Case]

It sounds like they are doing to season ticket holders what they did to student tickets years ago. Miss more than 2 games or sell more than 1 ticket, enter the game too late, and you get penalty points stacked against you that prevent you from buying tickets next season.

Interesting point. I see some similarities and some differences.

There was a great hue and cry when the University first implemented rationing of student tickets. I think it was initially done by credit hours (more credit hours = higher priority), though the method may have evolved over the years. Regardless, when the student section was about two-thirds full for SEC games, and a bit spotty for even the biggest games (several pictures of the stands posted on the internet), the noise died down a bit.

Plus, students get discounted tickets, maybe free, I don't know. I do know that there aren't many opposing fans in the student section -- probably for multiple reasons.

TP donors do pay, and it's a lot. Yeah, they get LSU and Auburn and Tennessee and Texas for face value. But they also pay face value for Austin Peay and Western Kentucky and Louisiana-Monroe, among other random directional schools.

Just the face value of a pair of season tickets typically totals between $700 and $800, depending on the year. Then there's the club fee on top of that. Then, because new money is always coming in, there's additional contributions to keep your place in the hierarchy.

It's a material outlay, even if you aren't in a Zone or a box, or other super-premium seating. And people paying that kind of money don't want to be sitting next to loud fans of the opponent -- there are visitors' sections for that.

I don't envy Greg Byrne trying to balance all sorts of competing considerations:

• You want seats in seats, and high ticket prices run counter to that.
• But you also need to pay for a several hundred million (billion?) dollar operation, and low prices run counter to that.
• You want seats in seats, and nice amenities help that. But amenities cost money, and you get back around to the ticket price thing.
• You want the student section to be packed and raucous. So when you see empty seats for even major games, you look for ways to incent students to come. A penalty for getting tickets but not attending is a way to do that.
• Outside of the visitors' sections, you want the stadium filled with your fans. And restricting transfers in any of several ways is an avenue to accomplish that.
• But it seems kind of un-American to place limitations on what someone can do with something they bought and paid for.

And it's not like the Athletic Department is printing profits. Yes, it takes in a ton of revenue. But expenses are almost equally large, and the net isn't a whole lot.

Whether student or TP tickets, it's a balancing act the Wallenda family wouldn't attempt, and I don't see any perfect answers.

 

[2003TIDE]

It sounds like they are doing to season ticket holders what they did to student tickets years ago. Miss more than 2 games or sell more than 1 ticket, enter the game too late, and you get penalty points stacked against you that prevent you from buying tickets next season.

Which goes back to my comment that they are trying to have their cake and eat it too. They want huge out of state enrollment numbers. Those people are not going to stay in state when they graduate for the most part. This will effectively limit Tide Pride membership to mostly in state residents which will cut them off from a huge source of potential donations.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

Not related to tickets, but regarding out of state students:

They’re the driving force behind the incredible improvement in buildings, teaching facilities, endowed professorships, labs, libraries, dorms and overall campus life over the past 20 years. The University of Alabama reverts to the Sorensen years without them.

I’ve posted this several times before, but here’s the deal: Higher education is a high fixed cost / low marginal cost proposition. It costs several boatloads of money to fund buildings, professors, labs, dorms, libraries, research, dining facilities, etc., etc. That’s the high fixed cost.

But once you have all that in place, it doesn’t cost much at all to put the next student through the process. That’s the low marginal cost.

So what’s the formula to success in such a business model? Top line revenue. And OOS students pay almost triple the tuition that the in-state kids do — $11,100 vs. $31,460.

Now, the University also has a mission as the flagship public university for the State of Alabama. So there are no in-state students denied admission so that similarly-qualified, but far more lucrative, OOS students can have a place.

The OOS students drive a lot of the really nice academic and physical evolution on campus since the advent of Dr. Witt as President.

 

[uafan4life]

Not related to tickets, but regarding out of state students:

They’re the driving force behind the incredible improvement in buildings, teaching facilities, endowed professorships, labs, libraries, dorms and overall campus life over the past 20 years. The University of Alabama reverts to the Sorensen years without them.

I’ve posted this several times before, but here’s the deal: Higher education is a high fixed cost / low marginal cost proposition. It costs several boatloads of money to fund buildings, professors, labs, dorms, libraries, research, dining facilities, etc., etc. That’s the high fixed cost.

But once you have all that in place, it doesn’t cost much at all to put the next student through the process. That’s the low marginal cost.

So what’s the formula to success in such a business model? Top line revenue. And OOS students pay almost triple the tuition that the in-state kids do — $11,100 vs. $31,460.

Now, the University also has a mission as the flagship public university for the State of Alabama. So there are no in-state students denied admission so that similarly-qualified, but far more lucrative, OOS students can have a place.

The OOS students drive a lot of the really nice academic and physical evolution on campus since the advent of Dr. Witt as President.

Oh, Saban + Witt has been as perfect a combination as we've seen at a public university. They each see each other as assets. They each want to help the university grow, together.

Far too many universities pit Athletics against Academics as if they're somehow competing.

Now, if we can just do something, societally, about the over-profiliferation and over-valuation of advanced degrees - especially empty degrees - and the villification of the trades...

 

[B1GTide]

The only reason to pay into these school ticketing programs is to support the school financially. It is not a value play.

 

[Bamagirl26]

I'm very interested to see what happens with mine. I've been a TP member for almost 20 years. But with my kids playing travel soccer, games have not been on the agenda for the past 6 years. I don't sell via StubHub but do sell privately. Once I sell them, I don't micromanage what that person does with them.

 

[2003TIDE]

But with my kids playing travel soccer, games have not been on the agenda for the past 6 years.

This is where I'm at in life as well. We didnt' go to any games in 2021 because we had a baby right as the season started. My oldest is just now getting to the age where I'd like to take him to some games, but he's also starting sports.

Just wondering if trying to keep tickets is worth it at this point for 1 or 2 big games and the off chance I'll take kids to a smaller game.

Here is the thing. Now that ticket usage is tied to an app associated with your phone # and email, they know you aren't going even if you do private sales. They can also see people who aren't you using them. So i don't think it would be a stretch that these get flagged somehow as well. The data is there.

 

[LSUgrad2BamaDad]

I'm very interested to see what happens with mine. I've been a TP member for almost 20 years. But with my kids playing travel soccer, games have not been on the agenda for the past 6 years. I don't sell via StubHub but do sell privately. Once I sell them, I don't micromanage what that person does with them.

That‘s me with my LSU season tickets. This was our 28th year, but since Son1 started at Bama in 2016, we have only been to about 3 LSU games in our seats. We sell them all at my cost, no more no less, to a person who attends all of the games, she is best friends with my seat neighbor. The day she doesn’t commit when the first payment is due is the day I won’t renew, if LSU doesn’t blacklist me first.

 

[81usaf92]

The only reason to pay into these school ticketing programs is to support the school financially. It is not a value play.

The only real advantage is if you are high on points you get face value SECCG and playoff tickets. But other than that there are really no advantages whatsoever other than having a specific seat.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

From strictly a dollars-and-cents standpoint, and kind of like buying a new car (as opposed to used) or majoring in Art History (which you love, but doesn’t prepare you for a job that pays much), there’s no way to make Tide Pride membership and purchase of season tickets make sense. The numbers simply don’t work.

You do get the big games at face. If you have enough points, you get post-season tickets at face. But you also pay face for the directional schools. Then you have to apportion the TP membership fee over 7-8 games. And that doesn’t count travel expenses. And the post-season venues have definitions of which seats are the best that might not agree with your definition.

So you have to value intangible benefits: The feeling of contributing to the support of the program, the feeling of being in the stadium, getting to know your neighbors over years and watching their kids grow up. Not having to worry about where you’ll get tickets and dealing with brokerage sites. Invitations to the occasional University event. Yes, I know those events are really recruiting for more donors and bigger donations, but they’re still pretty cool.

If none of that resonates with you, there’s no need to howl at the moon about how the Athletic Department is gouging loyal alumni. You’re far better off just buying the tickets you want in the secondary market.

 

[GP for Bama]

I have 4 season tickets. If my kids can't go to the game, then I either sell 2 on stubhub or transfer them to someone else. They are always used. I didn't know they held it against us if we sold or transfered our tickets. I would like clarification on this from the Athletic Department.

 

[Vinny]

I’ve sold my season tickets on StubHub the past two seasons. Two years ago I sold two pair package and other ticket individually and last season I was able to sell all 3 season tickets on StubHub. I’m curious to see what happens to me. I checked the other day and my TT points are still there. The sale of my tickets this past year ended up paying for a portion of my sons travel baseball this season and two years ago I used my ticket money to buy SECCCG, Cotton Bowl, and NCCG tickets. I might get something for myself with what I have left over.

 

[J0eW]

I’ve sold my season tickets on StubHub the past two seasons. Two years ago I sold two pair package and other ticket individually and last season I was able to sell all 3 season tickets on StubHub. I’m curious to see what happens to me. I checked the other day and my TT points are still there. The sale of my tickets this past year ended up paying for a portion of my sons travel baseball this season and two years ago I used my ticket money to buy SECCCG, Cotton Bowl, and NCCG tickets. I might get something for myself with what I have left over.

I find this discussion very interesting. My Dad started getting season tickets in 1958 when they were just peanuts and continued them until he died in 1989. I bought them from him from the late '70s until my Father's death. Thereafter, I purchased season tickets when Tide Pride was created, and this continued until the end of the 1994 season. Money, money, money. From 1990 thru 1995 I was living in Town, building the Oliver Lock and Dam replacement. I remember the Georgia game when the dogs came into T'town and brought all of the yapping puppies from Athens.
The final straw for me was the AU game of 1993 when a jumbo screen was erected in Bryant Denny because AU could not be televised. I thought, (wrong) that season ticket holders would get first call for seats.

I did not order tickets again.

 

[ROCKEE]

We have been in TidePride for 21 yrs. Started when our daughter and son were in school. Yes, at the same time. don’t know how we made it. TidePride would send us a little care package before each season. Fairly nice stuff.
But about 10 years ago it started to become less and less. Last year we got a wallet schedule, a fridge magnet and a solicitation for more donations. With all the money they bring in you would think they could do better at the gates. That’s my biggest gripe. Half the time the metal detectors don’t work or their scanners don’t work. We will give it one year.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

Just got an email today. We’re in TP, but not in a premium section— Zones, Loge, Skyboxes, etc.

Two season tickets, plus two minimum TP fees for the Crimson Tide club will be $2,700 for 7 home games. All in, that’s up about $280 from previous years. Works out to $385 per pair per game. And that includes Middle Tennessee and Chattanooga.

In fairness, it also includes Texas, Tennessee, and LSU. Still a lot of money for 5 real games.

No use in whining. No need to be the old guy yelling about how it used to be. It is now what it is. There is no gun to our heads. We will pay up or make other arrangements….I’m not sure which.

The Basket Case household, which has had season tickets since 1989 — 33 years through 2022 — will consider all options carefully. Even though we live in Tuscaloosa, the big-screen TV is looking more and more attractive.

For those who have already opted for the TV, don’t expect high-end college football to continue to be part of a basic cable or streaming package. It’ll get to be like the NFL packages soon enough.

 

[Padreruf]

Just got an email today. We’re in TP, but not in a premium section— Zones, Loge, Skyboxes, etc.

Two season tickets, plus two minimum TP fees for the Crimson Tide club will be $2,700 for 7 home games. All in, that’s up about $280 from previous years. Works out to $385 per pair per game. And that includes Middle Tennessee and Chattanooga.

In fairness, it also includes Texas, Tennessee, and LSU. Still a lot of money for 5 real games.

No use in whining. No need to be the old guy yelling about how it used to be. It is now what it is. There is no gun to our heads. We will pay up or make other arrangements….I’m not sure which.

The Basket Case household, which has had season tickets since 1989 — 33 years through 2022 — will consider all options carefully. Even though we live in Tuscaloosa, the big-screen TV is looking more and more attractive.

For those who have already opted for the TV, don’t expect high-end college football to continue to be part of a basic cable or streaming package. It’ll get to be like the NFL packages soon enough.

Your last paragraph says it all...the money has to come from somewhere and the tv audience is the largest group left. It's been a great, fairly cheap run...but it's time to pay the band...

 

[BamaNation]

As an FYI here's the email I got yesterday regarding ticket prices and TP changes:


We are writing today to inform you of changes to TIDE PRIDE and season ticket pricing for the 2023 Alabama Football season. As you might know, historically, TIDE PRIDE contribution amounts are adjusted approximately every five years and the last changes were implemented in 2017.

Over the last few months, we have conducted an extensive market analysis and as a result of this review, adjustments have been made to season ticket pricing, TIDE PRIDE contribution amounts, and our TIDE PRIDE naming convention.

• Season Ticket Prices: Season tickets for premium seating (Skyboxes, Loge Boxes, Ivory Club, Champions Club, Terrace Club, North & South Zone, and North & South Field Suites) will remain unchanged at $550. All other TIDE PRIDE season tickets will be $450.
• TIDE PRIDE Contribution Amounts: Some TIDE PRIDE contribution amounts were adjusted to better reflect market value. As a result of these changes, your total annual per seat spend (TIDE PRIDE & season tickets) for your current seats will decrease for the 2023 season.
• TIDE PRIDE Naming Convention: With the exception of premium seating and Scholarship Club, TIDE PRIDE seating areas will be identified using a tier system.

There will be no changes to parking eligibility. TIDE PRIDE members with premium seating and seating in the Scholarship Club and Tiers 1 & 2 (formerly Crimson Tide Club) will continue to receive complimentary TIDE PRIDE season parking.

The Alabama Football TIDE PRIDE and season ticket renewal period will begin one month earlier on February 1. With the earlier launch date, should you choose to take advantage of the bill plan option, you can spread your TIDE PRIDE and season ticket payments across up to six monthly installments with the initial charge at the time of renewal and subsequent charges on March 1, April 3, May 1, June 1, and July 3.

We thank you for your continued support as an Alabama Football TIDE PRIDE member, and we look forward to seeing you back at Bryant-Denny Stadium next season for an exciting seven-game home schedule that includes matchups with Texas, Tennessee, and LSU.

For more information, including the 2023 Football TIDE PRIDE seat map, TIDE PRIDE contribution and season ticket calculator, important dates, and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit rolltide.com/tidepride2023.

 

[BamaNation]

New TP Seat map

2023 TIDE PRIDE Football Seating Chart - Alabama Athletics

2023 TIDE PRIDE Football Seating Chart

rolltide.com

 

[crimsonaudio]

For those who have already opted for the TV, don’t expect high-end college football to continue to be part of a basic cable or streaming package. It’ll get to be like the NFL packages soon enough.

Keeping in mind that a season pass would almost certainly cost less than your pair of tickets to a single game...

I love seeing the game live, but the older I get, the less I appreciate the huge number of people I've forced to deal with and quite frankly, I don't care for how many people display their passion nowadays. Yeah, I'm an old-head now to the current students and young-adults, but the lack of class in how people express themselves in public - especially when intoxicated - has ruined my game experiences as of late.

So yeah, I'm a big-screen-in-my-den guy now and cannot imagine things changing to the point I'd go back to attending games regularly. Between the cost, the hassle, and the humans I'm forced to share space with, I've simply lost interest in 'the experience'...

 

[4Q Basket Case]

Keeping in mind that a season pass would almost certainly cost less than your pair of tickets to a single game...

I love seeing the game live, but the older I get, the less I appreciate the huge number of people I've forced to deal with and quite frankly, I don't care for how many people display their passion nowadays. Yeah, I'm an old-head now to the current students and young-adults, but the lack of class in how people express themselves in public - especially when intoxicated - has ruined my game experiences as of late.

So yeah, I'm a big-screen-in-my-den guy now and cannot imagine things changing to the point I'd go back to attending games regularly. Between the cost, the hassle, and the humans I'm forced to share space with, I've simply lost interest in 'the experience'...

I’m 100% with you on the way people act today. When actually in our seats, we don’t have an issue unless a neighbor has sold their tickets to someone else. But yeah, between obliviots, generally entitled and obnoxious people, and the occasional drunk, getting into the stadium and to our seats can be a chore.

I actually think there aren’t all that many drunks. But the ones we do run into really stand out in our memories and it seems like there’s tons of them when it’s really only a few.

I’m not quite to your level of worn-out, probably because our logistics are really easy. But I can see myself getting there soon.