Football Stadiums Look for Ways to Draw Interest from More Fans

Mavric

Mavric

Yoda
Staff member
Teams recognize and continue to fight fan temptation to stay home to watch games on TV. Texas, for example, introduced alcohol sales in 2015 and announced this month that Corona would become an official sponsor. Missouri recently scheduled one-hour concerts by nationally recognized artists before each home contest. Iowa and the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs are offering more affordable season tickets available only through mobile devices.

Nebraska’s latest effort begins with the boards — updated for the first time since 2006 — which Witty said are unlike any setup he’s seen. Longtime Nebraska contractor Mitsubishi came up with the design at the school’s request — it models a project the company completed in New York’s Times Square — and executed the concept with the help of various local businesses.

Demolition for the entirety of the $6.25 million project began April 17 after the spring game and construction is set to conclude before the Sept. 2 home opener. On Thursday, some scaffolding on the boards and repainting along the steps were among final touchups.
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OWH

 
Other Memorial improvements:

» Some seats will be wider this season. Rows 80 and above in North Stadium expand from 18 inches to 22 to 24. Section 14 in South Stadium grows seat space in rows 16 through 98 from 18 inches to 20 to 22. Witty said the expansion was done in response to requests.

“If we get fan feedback, seat comfort is right there at the top,” Witty said. “We’ve got to continue to look at that as one of the top priorities for fan experience.”

» There will be 11 merchandise outlets this fall, nearly triple from last year. The East Stadium store will be open daily from 10 to 4 after previously operating on Fridays and game days. Another store is set to open at the College of Business Administration on Aug. 18.

» Renovations to football offices off the North Stadium concourse will be complete within a week, Witty said. The offices will likely be for graduate assistants and video personnel. Four arches flank each side of the brick-and-concrete main structure with “NEBRASKA FOOTBALL” engraved above double doors. Each arch will be filled by LED panels rotating player images. Another arch will show Husker uniforms.
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It's not rocket science.

1- Win games

2- Compelling home game schedule

3- Ticket prices that people can afford

4- In the specific case of Memorial stadium, wider seating area allowance in most areas

5- Sufficient toilet facilities that aren't reminiscent of Roman aquaducts

6- Alcohol/Beer sales would be nice

7- Acceptable video boards so people who are beyond about row 40 know WTH is going on on the field and not used to assault fans with commercials.

Everything else is just lipstick on a pig that defeats item #3..

If you need wifi service, you're not paying attention to the game and would be better off ignoring the game on your TV at home.

If you need a concert before the game, you're going for the wrong reason.

 
El Diaco said:
It's not rocket science.

1- Win games

2- Compelling home game schedule

3- Ticket prices that people can afford

4- In the specific case of Memorial stadium, wider seating area allowance in most areas

5- Sufficient toilet facilities that aren't reminiscent of Roman aquaducts

6- Alcohol/Beer sales would be nice

7- Acceptable video boards so people who are beyond about row 40 know WTH is going on on the field and not used to assault fans with commercials.

Everything else is just lipstick on a pig that defeats item #3..

If you need wifi service, you're not paying attention to the game and would be better off ignoring the game on your TV at home.

If you need a concert before the game, you're going for the wrong reason.
Click to expand...
It's impossible to get cell service in Memorial during the game, I like to get updates during the game. Like when Bo left the stadium due to heart issues that one game. Would you block radio signals so fans couldn't listen to the game on the radio? It's the same thing.

 
Wifi is absolutely necessary at the stadium. This isn't 1985 anymore. Memorial's wifi improved over the past couple of years, but they still have a way to go. Need to keep working to improve that, every year.

 
Branno said:
El Diaco said:
It's not rocket science.

1- Win games

2- Compelling home game schedule

3- Ticket prices that people can afford

4- In the specific case of Memorial stadium, wider seating area allowance in most areas

5- Sufficient toilet facilities that aren't reminiscent of Roman aquaducts

6- Alcohol/Beer sales would be nice

7- Acceptable video boards so people who are beyond about row 40 know WTH is going on on the field and not used to assault fans with commercials.

Everything else is just lipstick on a pig that defeats item #3..

If you need wifi service, you're not paying attention to the game and would be better off ignoring the game on your TV at home.

If you need a concert before the game, you're going for the wrong reason.
Click to expand...
It's impossible to get cell service in Memorial during the game, I like to get updates during the game. Like when Bo left the stadium due to heart issues that one game. Would you block radio signals so fans couldn't listen to the game on the radio? It's the same thing.
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It's their deal with U.S. Cellular. My phone signal is perfect in the stadium. Before, when their deal was with Verizon, it was a total dead zone for me.
 
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Branno said:
El Diaco said:
It's not rocket science.

1- Win games

2- Compelling home game schedule

3- Ticket prices that people can afford

4- In the specific case of Memorial stadium, wider seating area allowance in most areas

5- Sufficient toilet facilities that aren't reminiscent of Roman aquaducts

6- Alcohol/Beer sales would be nice

7- Acceptable video boards so people who are beyond about row 40 know WTH is going on on the field and not used to assault fans with commercials.

Everything else is just lipstick on a pig that defeats item #3..

If you need wifi service, you're not paying attention to the game and would be better off ignoring the game on your TV at home.

If you need a concert before the game, you're going for the wrong reason.
Click to expand...
It's impossible to get cell service in Memorial during the game, I like to get updates during the game. Like when Bo left the stadium due to heart issues that one game. Would you block radio signals so fans couldn't listen to the game on the radio? It's the same thing.
Click to expand...
Used sparingly, wifi and cell phones are a great bonus at the game but we both know what/who I was talking about. Out of those 90k fans, how many actually watch even half of the game? It's been my experience that a whole lot of people spend 3 hours staring at their phone screen texting, surfing, whatever. But I guess you're right, that is no reason for the University to not have excellent wifi service. I just wish people spent less time held hostage by it.

 
Subtract one person per row. That way I can enjoy the game instead of being crammed between people. And beer sales.

I would probably buy season tix if they did just those 2 things.

 
knapplc said:
Wifi is absolutely necessary at the stadium. This isn't 1985 anymore. Memorial's wifi improved over the past couple of years, but they still have a way to go. Need to keep working to improve that, every year.
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The stadium Wifi works pretty well from my seat. Do you get any signal or is it just slow for you?

 
Mavric said:
knapplc said:
Wifi is absolutely necessary at the stadium. This isn't 1985 anymore. Memorial's wifi improved over the past couple of years, but they still have a way to go. Need to keep working to improve that, every year.
Click to expand...
The stadium Wifi works pretty well from my seat. Do you get any signal or is it just slow for you?
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It's sporadic. Mostly it's pretty good, but there are times when it just crawls.

It's possible that's a twitter thing, or even a Verizon thing, throttling my usage.

I've also been trying to keep my phone in my pocket. Mostly I don't have anything to add during a game, and I feel bad standing there with my dad while I'm on my phone. I really use twitter to find out stats and info they're not telling us in the stadium, like individual player stats, or injury info.

 
El Diaco said:
It's not rocket science.

1- Win games

2- Compelling home game schedule

3- Ticket prices that people can afford

4- In the specific case of Memorial stadium, wider seating area allowance in most areas

5- Sufficient toilet facilities that aren't reminiscent of Roman aquaducts

6- Alcohol/Beer sales would be nice

7- Acceptable video boards so people who are beyond about row 40 know WTH is going on on the field and not used to assault fans with commercials.

Everything else is just lipstick on a pig that defeats item #3..

If you need wifi service, you're not paying attention to the game and would be better off ignoring the game on your TV at home.

If you need a concert before the game, you're going for the wrong reason.
Click to expand...
All but #6. If 6 happens then 5 better also happen at the same time. Driving 100 miles to see a football game is enough for me. I don't want to see a concert no matter who the artist might be. I really don't even enjoy the loud nonstop music they have now because it makes it hard to have conversation with friends and others around me. The football is entertainment enough.

 
TonyStalloni said:
El Diaco said:
It's not rocket science.

1- Win games

2- Compelling home game schedule

3- Ticket prices that people can afford

4- In the specific case of Memorial stadium, wider seating area allowance in most areas

5- Sufficient toilet facilities that aren't reminiscent of Roman aquaducts

6- Alcohol/Beer sales would be nice

7- Acceptable video boards so people who are beyond about row 40 know WTH is going on on the field and not used to assault fans with commercials.

Everything else is just lipstick on a pig that defeats item #3..

If you need wifi service, you're not paying attention to the game and would be better off ignoring the game on your TV at home.

If you need a concert before the game, you're going for the wrong reason.
Click to expand...
All but #6. If 6 happens then 5 better also happen at the same time. Driving 100 miles to see a football game is enough for me. I don't want to see a concert no matter who the artist might be. I really don't even enjoy the loud nonstop music they have now because it makes it hard to have conversation with friends and others around me. The football is entertainment enough.
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agree, Tom Brady engineering a come back of the Century or Lady Gaga's saggy boobs? give me a break, screw the side shows!

 
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