BB Debate

[OSU-DNA]

There are interesting threads on the other boards regarding BB; the impact of the NBA coming to OKC on OSU BB, and whether the price of gas will negatively affect BB ticket sales. It would be interesting to read what posters here think on the subject.

Over the last few years there has been debate regarding OSU ticket prices, and the dawn of NBA BB will bring that discussion on the table again. Several fans indicate the price of the NBA tickets as being significantly cheaper than the OSU tickets and for 41 NBA home games versus the 18 games for GIA. They are using comparatives of the upper level seating and not the courtside tickets in the discussion.

Based on the pricing for the upcoming season, Holder does not to view the NBA as a threat. We have nearly the highest priced BB tickets in the Big XII. The availability of the OKC NBA tickets creates an option and marketing threat that he has not had to deal with before. While we listed nearly all sellouts for our home games last year; at nearly any home game tickets were available on the street before the game and there were frequently 4-5000 no shows.

Personally, I am debating renewing my BB tickets. The time commitment to travel to and from, and the ever increasing pricing drives me to consider other options. I will not head the NBA route, second round of their playoffs through the championship is fine, but they seem to play cruise control until reaching that point.

Most people will point to winning as the cure for all that ails. Mike made the momentus decision to change coaches last year and is betting on long term success to assist the sales. No doubt partially true, but will the combination of NBA availability, cost of gasoline, and the additional exposure via more OSU TV games these days net the impact of winning?

While my purchasing of BB season tickets will not matter a hill of beans, I wonder what others would recommend to Mike to insure that GIA is filled?

Has Holder established ticket prices which will result in fewer season ticket sales?

Should Holder establish a family fun zone for BB?

Should Holder create a recent college graduate price for BB tickets?

The dropoff of students attending the home games was extremely disappointing, what should be done to fix this?

[CaliforniaCowboy]

The NBA won't matter to OSU, since season tickets are generally sold out (if we reduce the number of student tickets)... and becasue OSU is a "basketball school"; and a bunch of OSU fans live well out of the OKC market (like Tulsa).

They may draw the last few remaining goon fans though...

[OSUFan]

I renewed my basketball tickets but $1,300 could have gone towards a down payment on a new car or a year's membership at Lakeside Golf Club or something else.

I'm hoping the increased attendance at football games will stabilize basketball and football tickets. I would never give up my OSU basketball tickets for NBA tickets. That's downgrading in my eyes.

I have no idea how ticket sales will go this year but for sure -- we're spoiled rotten when it comes to basketball. Fans will pack it when we're winning and they will stay at home and watch it on tv when we're not.

"Should Holder establish a family fun zone for BB?"

No way unless the ticket sales are so bad the north or south ends are empty. No shows are one thing but no sales are another.

"Should Holder create a recent college graduate price for BB tickets?"

It wouldn't hurt but if this turns out to be a decent season there aren't going to be many tickets available.

"The dropoff of students attending the home games was extremely disappointing, what should be done to fix this?"

Win. I don't know of any promotion greater than being in a sold out arena watching the Cowboys beat somebody in basketball.

[MemphisPoke]

For this upcoming year:

1) There will be a curosity factor with the new coach which should maintain current attendance and/or ticket purchases.

2) It will depend on how the new NBA team is marketed and how their ticket pricing structure shakes out.

3) If in fact gasoline prices reach as high as some predict then there may in fact be a fall off of attendance at GIA. The key is to get more of the students putting their butts in those seats and that may take some big time wins and exciting play to pique that interest.



JMHO