Kind of wild, especially coming off the pandemic. I was a recent MSU season ticket holder before 2020, and went to GVSU so the illusion of couch football was not new to me. I missed in person so bad that I will be renewing with gusto, despite a rough season last year from MSU. Kind of shocked that UM has had to do these promos coming off a no fan season. Not in a rival rub your nose in it way, honestly kind of impressed at the strength of the UM consumer to demand more
Honestly the lack of ticket demand is probably due in large part to the record last year, but I was surprised that the TV audience for UM games was down last year, including the MSU debacle, AND the Minn game, I.E. ratings were down even before we knew our team was lousy. (see: https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/college-football-tv-ratings/) scroll down to weeks 8 & 9.
coming from a lifelong, formerly die-hard Michigan fan and alumnus, I find myself not caring about college football in general anymore. The game is too rigged in favor of a handful of semi-pro teams.
it's tough to watch, knowing these kids are being financially exploited by greedy adult coaches and ADs... it's even tougher to watch knowing that some number of them are going to suffer lifelong brain damage and die early or violently because of CTE. and on top of that, the outcomes of the games are now more akin to pro wrestling than bona fide athletic competition. There's not even any glory in it anymore.
If college football goes away completely, I won't care.
I had actually decided to give up my tickets before the 2019 season was over, not due to team performance reasons (though that certainly doesn't help) but because the in-stadium experience is just so dreadful. Games last four hours, the seats are uncomfortable and you're mashed into the people around you, there are constant grueling TV time outs and you get a constant drumbeat of scoreboard promotions. I started to feel like I was a sucker for putting forth the effort to go to games for such a crappy experience even when we won. The moment I knew it was over for me was when I decided to watch the Notre Dame game from home instead of in person and felt like I hadn't missed out on the experience at all even though it was an unexpected win over a hated rival. I'll probably go to the occasional game here and there since I live close by and am an alum, but I'll never be a season ticket holder again. It's way too expensive for unmitigated crap in return...even when the team is winning.
I have also experienced these emails. It's pretty sad. However, I bought football season tickets this year for the first time since I graduated in 2002. I dont have any hope that the team will be very good, but I do miss going to games. I anticipated demand might be low, but I didnt realize I could have just taken my time and waited for one of the many 'ticket packs' that I am offered every other day or so.
I think it’s a combo of people not wanting to be shoulder to shoulder with random people that may or may not be sick, in addition to the discomfort of games. People have deep down partly enjoyed socially distancing I feel like and there’s no place that invades your personal space like the Big House. I’ll still go to a game this year because I love Michigan football more than anything non-family/friend, but it might be a last minute purchase depending on weather.
I miss Michigan football. The tradition of Saturday afternoon games in the fall was so awesome, I’d always look forward to it. Now? Not so much. It’s not the same and the feeling is gone, unfortunately. I hope the football team comes back like they used to be: getting tough, hard fought wins in front of 100k people. I will not be holding my breath, however.
Add me to the list of Former Season Ticket Holders ---after 39 consecutive seasons. It was a long time coming, with the persistent degrading of the Gameday experience (as mentioned below), but the final straw was all the political BS coming from both the University and Ath Dept in the past year or so.
I had 4, gave back 2, sort of wish I'd given back the other 2. I'd rather invest my money in basketball.
Kind of wild, especially coming off the pandemic. I was a recent MSU season ticket holder before 2020, and went to GVSU so the illusion of couch football was not new to me. I missed in person so bad that I will be renewing with gusto, despite a rough season last year from MSU. Kind of shocked that UM has had to do these promos coming off a no fan season. Not in a rival rub your nose in it way, honestly kind of impressed at the strength of the UM consumer to demand more
Honestly the lack of ticket demand is probably due in large part to the record last year, but I was surprised that the TV audience for UM games was down last year, including the MSU debacle, AND the Minn game, I.E. ratings were down even before we knew our team was lousy. (see: https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/college-football-tv-ratings/) scroll down to weeks 8 & 9.
coming from a lifelong, formerly die-hard Michigan fan and alumnus, I find myself not caring about college football in general anymore. The game is too rigged in favor of a handful of semi-pro teams.
it's tough to watch, knowing these kids are being financially exploited by greedy adult coaches and ADs... it's even tougher to watch knowing that some number of them are going to suffer lifelong brain damage and die early or violently because of CTE. and on top of that, the outcomes of the games are now more akin to pro wrestling than bona fide athletic competition. There's not even any glory in it anymore.
If college football goes away completely, I won't care.
just one man's opinion...
I had actually decided to give up my tickets before the 2019 season was over, not due to team performance reasons (though that certainly doesn't help) but because the in-stadium experience is just so dreadful. Games last four hours, the seats are uncomfortable and you're mashed into the people around you, there are constant grueling TV time outs and you get a constant drumbeat of scoreboard promotions. I started to feel like I was a sucker for putting forth the effort to go to games for such a crappy experience even when we won. The moment I knew it was over for me was when I decided to watch the Notre Dame game from home instead of in person and felt like I hadn't missed out on the experience at all even though it was an unexpected win over a hated rival. I'll probably go to the occasional game here and there since I live close by and am an alum, but I'll never be a season ticket holder again. It's way too expensive for unmitigated crap in return...even when the team is winning.
I have also experienced these emails. It's pretty sad. However, I bought football season tickets this year for the first time since I graduated in 2002. I dont have any hope that the team will be very good, but I do miss going to games. I anticipated demand might be low, but I didnt realize I could have just taken my time and waited for one of the many 'ticket packs' that I am offered every other day or so.
I think it’s a combo of people not wanting to be shoulder to shoulder with random people that may or may not be sick, in addition to the discomfort of games. People have deep down partly enjoyed socially distancing I feel like and there’s no place that invades your personal space like the Big House. I’ll still go to a game this year because I love Michigan football more than anything non-family/friend, but it might be a last minute purchase depending on weather.
I miss Michigan football. The tradition of Saturday afternoon games in the fall was so awesome, I’d always look forward to it. Now? Not so much. It’s not the same and the feeling is gone, unfortunately. I hope the football team comes back like they used to be: getting tough, hard fought wins in front of 100k people. I will not be holding my breath, however.
Add me to the list of Former Season Ticket Holders ---after 39 consecutive seasons. It was a long time coming, with the persistent degrading of the Gameday experience (as mentioned below), but the final straw was all the political BS coming from both the University and Ath Dept in the past year or so.