Jackson game thread to answer questions that have been raised

[Coach34]

1. This game CANNOT be played in Starkville. This game CANNOT be played in Starkville. This game CANNOT be played in Starkville

The school will not be involved in the purchase of this game
It will be a "home" game for USA and La Tech
Nothing about this is taking anything away from Starkville or the students.

These schools have to have some home games because they are required to meet attendance requirements set forth by the NCAA. Having the game in Jackson will still be their "home" game and allow them to count the crowd for their school. Also, they would make twice as much playing in Jackson as they would playing at home.

2. A big reason to do this is to help the fanbase grow. It will attract many fans that do not drive to Starkville very often, if at all. Think of this as helping out your central Mississippi and coast brethren.

3. Parking problems will be addressed. Lots of stadiums have parking problems- it's not just Jackson. Shuttles to and from other parking lots can be worked out.

4. You will not be robbed in your seat at the game. I promise you this.

5. Stop complaining about tailgating- few people tailgate at away games anyway. And you damn sure wont be able to tailgate around Ladd Stadium in Mobile.

6. If you had no intention of going to the game in Mobile or Ruston- why are you even responding? You are a non-factor

7. We will get with JSU and Jackson officials if this moves forward to work on the stadium.

8. It will indeed be a money-maker for the investors. People will gladly pay $40 for a ticket instead of haviing to drive all the way to Starkville for this type of game

9. This game CANNOT be played in Starkville. This game CANNOT be played in Starkville. This game CANNOT be played in Starkville

 

[shsdawg]

1. Yes it can. You can buy out a contract. Quit using that to justify taking a game to Jackson.
2. So having a bad experience in a horrible stadium will grow the fanbase? Maybe so.
3. So address them. Let's hear it. Availible parking there is at best 1/3 what it used to be when we played there.
4. I agreee there. Now what about out on the streets where you will be leaving your car?
5. Part of what is making our games such a hot ticket these days is the total experience, not just the game. You ain't gonna get that in Jackson, PERIOD.
6. I thought your rational was that more people would attend in Jackson. Now only people who were going to Ruston or Mobile can comment. Interesting.
7. So JSU is going to work on their stadium so we can play in it? Do they pay for it or are your "investors" going to pony up that too. As for Jackson, them not working on the stadium was one of the main reasons we left in the first place.
8. Your math is a bit fuzzy on this, esp given statements 3 and 7.
9. You can buy them off and move the game to Starkville just like you can buy them off to play a home game in Jackson. Your "investors" will turn out to be donors anyway, you might as well bring it to campus.
10. ONCE AGIAN, we have been there and done that and found out it sucked. Pony up to bring it to MSU, not to a parking lot.

 

[AndyMSU]

Coach, this is the best idea you have ever put forth in your lifetime! I fully support this concept and wish there was something I could do to assist, but logistically I am out.

I would only add my own observation to dollars and cents.

Selling 50,000 seats at $40 as an average cost generates 2.0 million in revenue.
Official parking sold at approximately 10,000 spaces at $20 average generates 200k in revenue
If you average as high as $15 per person in a seat in concession sales you add an additional 750k in revenue

You are looking at just shy of $3 million in gross revenue before any sponsorship of the game, sponsorship within the stadium, or even splits from souvenir sales (programs, t-shirts, etc.)

My only concern with all of these numbers would be the cost for a family of four to attend would be $260, is this in fact reasonable?

Additional factors would be the previously mentioned souvenir sales. If you average $2 per person in the stadium you have an additional 100k in revenue.

I would like to think you could approach 750k to 1 million in additional revenue for sponsorship sales in programs, stadium advertising, and even naming rights of the game.

The biggest question mark remaining would anyone even pick this game up for tv? Is it even possible with the ESPN/SEC tv contract.... and would that agreement bring any additional constraints to this idea of hosting the game in Jacskon? If the game does not pick up a tv agreement you can forget about any naming rights to the game, no tv equal about 10k in value to name the game by any sponsor.

You have done a great job so far and I look forward to seeing something come out of this in the next 1 to 5 years. It may take some time to get it all organized and get enough people behind it that can impact it but it would certainly be worth it!

 

[MadDawg.sixpack]

Coach34 is RIGHT on this. I support it 100%. I will be at ANY game in Jackson.

 

[cheewgumm]

Great idea...there are tons of people in South MS that would come. And

All the points about recruits, etc...are right.

Also, why not embrace Jackson. Being the big school that plays in Jackson here and there, is GREAT for recruiting. The most people in MS live in Jackson and young Marxus Duprees and Walter Paytons can have fond memories in 10 yrs of going to a Miss State game in Jackson.

OMU would follow within 2 yrs.

 

[shsdawg]

If it's the Pudunk U's home game then their TV deal applies, not ours

 

[Optimus Prime 4]

Why not New Orleans, or a fun town?

 

[Optimus Prime 4]

Would you get the parking revenue? Seems like the city/JSU would keep that. And what is the cost for "renting" the stadium? Also, how much would you have to pay the "home" team to move the game, as they're losing revenue? I have no idea.

You also forgot the biggest pro... you can buy beer there. At least they sold it last time OM played there.

 

[StillTbonewannabe]

Schools are required to have a certain attendance to stay Div I. This is why a lot of schools are giving discounts for 2 for 1 games instead of straight buy games. Having the game in Jackson gives these school that might be close to this requirement to have a "home" game that has 40k or more. I don't think we can get the game in Starkville and it count for the opposing team's home attendance.

Therefore the choices are: 1. Game in Mobile, AL that most MSU fans are NOT going to.
2. Game in Jackson, MS that 35k to 50k MSU fans attend.
3. MSU spends 1 million on a buy game to have 7 home games every year. This is pretty much the going price for Ark St. and La Tech to come to Starkville with no return game 2 for 1 or whatever.

 

[Todd4State]

Because New Orleans

isn't in OUR state.

 

[ckDOG]

I thought the same thing at first...

I very seriously doubt you could generate enough demand between MSU and a USA/UAB to make it a profitable venture in NOLA. More expenses plus less of a crowd. I could possibly see a La Tech / MSU matchup in the Dome working, but I still doubt La Tech would bring enough fans to make it viable. If it were viable, I'd go to a NOLA game. I just want these games away from Ruston/B'ham/Mobile and on at least a neutral field.

 

[Optimus Prime 4]

I guess I should be happy we play Memphis and Tulane. We play Troy soon, but I don't think there's a return game. I hope not.

 

[Coach34]

If it's the Pudunk U's home game then their TV deal applies, not ours

I've been as nice as I can be. You are a 17'ing moron. The game cannot be in Starkville- these schools wont agree to that. It's not a 17'ing option. Only stupid people bring it up at this point.

 

[GoToHellOleMiss.sixpack]

Why would South Alabama or La Tech agree to this? You are convinced that they will do anything for money. I'm not.

Having State show up at Troy was a big deal for them and a big financial boost for the entire Troy business community. South and La Tech lose that if they just take the cash and move the game. Sure the school may make out better financially but does the program really win? I don't think so.

The South game is a really bad example. State fans will fill Ladd-Peebles stadium without any problem.

Interesting concept but If I'm an athletic director at a small school I pass on a slightly bigger check and go with the excitement and buzz of having an SEC team on my home field and reap all the other benefits that come with it.

 

[Coach34]

I guess I should be happy we play Memphis and Tulane. We play Troy soon, but I don't think there's a return game. I hope not.

You guys are headed for UAB in 2016

http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa/sec/ole-miss-rebels.php

 

[ckDOG]

Yes, be very happy.

The Memphis game is what it is, but it's better than our 3 future destinations, in my opinion.

If we had it my way, Tulane would be a permanent opponent on our schedule and I would do a 2 for 1 as many times as they would agree to. Hell, I would almost consider indefinite 1 for 1's simply to have another reason to schedule a NOLA trip every other year. Tulane is going to be an average, at best opponent 9 times out of 10 and the road trips are fun. But the latter suggestion is just me being selfish and I realize it probably makes no sense financially.

 

[Xenomorph]

I don't see them wanting to sell either..

Every one of those school AD's will catch hell if they sell an SEC home game.

 

[BoomBoom.sixpack]

I call total BS on #2. I live on the Coast, and am from Jackson. I already drive 4 hrs up to Starkville 7 times for home games, no way in hell i'm driving 3 hrs on one of the other few weekends to pay $40 a seat to see a game in that sh!thole of a stadium in downtown Jackson. No way in hell. I was looking forward to a nearby game. I know at least a dozen people that either can't spare the $ or time to go to home games, but would for damn sure go to one in Mobile. Moving that game would piss me off bigtime. What, a few hour drive is too much for you north MSians, Mobile is too far away? Screw you, it's not that long, even though y'all act like it's a cross-country trip.

 

[CadaverDawg]

I call total BS on #2. I live on the Coast, and am from Jackson. I already drive 4 hrs up to Starkville 7 times for home games, no way in hell i'm driving 3 hrs on one of the other few weekends to pay $40 a seat to see a game in that sh!thole of a stadium in downtown Jackson. No way in hell. I was looking forward to a nearby game. I know at least a dozen people that either can't spare the $ or time to go to home games, but would for damn sure go to one in Mobile. Moving that game would piss me off bigtime. What, a few hour drive is too much for you north MSians, Mobile is too far away? Screw you, it's not that long, even though y'all act like it's a cross-country trip.

Take things personal much?

By all means, let's do what's best for Mr. BoomBoom....not what's best for the School or Program.

 

[shsdawg]

I've been as nice as I can be. You are a 17'ing moron. The game cannot be in Starkville- these schools wont agree to that. It's not a 17'ing option. Only stupid people bring it up at this point.

Why not? It seems they do it all the time if the money is right. You seem convinced that they would take the money to go to Jackson. Why not Starkville? Its going to take more money to put on with less of a payout for Podunk in Jackson. It makes no sense at all.

 

[BoomBoom.sixpack]

Read more closely. 34 was saying it was better for coasties, and it plainly is not. I don't know if he thought Jackson is closer to the Coast than it is, wasn't considering how we already drive 4 hrs to Starkville 7 times in 3 months, or thought we'd jump at the chance to visit Jackson, but he's wrong. If we wanted to drive multiple hours to go to another away game, we for dang sure will have much better options than Jackson.

He also suggested it would be better for the school, by getting more people to come to games. I pointed out how this is the only chance to get many Coasties to a game. There are other ways to get Jacksonians to games.

Bottom line, is this is a proposal that is convienient for Jackson, not for the rest of the fans OR the Program.

 

[EurekaDog]

Aren't gameday facility operations a major concern in Jackson?

Have they improved any since the 2006 preseason game between the Saints and the Colts?

 

[CadaverDawg]

Read more closely. 34 was saying it was better for coasties, and it plainly is not. I don't know if he thought Jackson is closer to the Coast than it is, wasn't considering how we already drive 4 hrs to Starkville 7 times in 3 months, or thought we'd jump at the chance to visit Jackson, but he's wrong. If we wanted to drive multiple hours to go to another away game, we for dang sure will have much better options than Jackson.

He also suggested it would be better for the school, by getting more people to come to games. I pointed out how this is the only chance to get many Coasties to a game. There are other ways to get Jacksonians to games.

Bottom line, is this is a proposal that is convienient for Jackson, not for the rest of the fans OR the Program.

Again, is this about you or the program? Would it benefit our program more to play in front of 50,000+ in Jackson as a "road game"....or at South Alabama in front of 20,000? But hey, at least the "coasties" would make up 2,000 of that 20,000. Do you see how silly that sounds to complain about? Is Jackson not closer to the coast than Starkville? I think that's all he was saying. He was not directing that at people that drive from the coast to all 7 home games anyway. I'm not trying to be an ***, I'm just saying don't read more into what he said than is necessary. Maybe I read it differently though

 

[Coach34]

Every one of those school AD's will catch hell if they sell an SEC home game.

Tech moved their game vs A&M to Shreveport in order to make more money.

Tech's travel budget is larger than ours. Prestige is one thing- but they have to pay the bills first

 

[fishwater99]

Great idea... But people are just going to ***** b/c it was your idea...

Haters Gonna Hate.....

 

[Xenomorph]

I hate to rain on your pity party, but...

The Vet in Jackson is a whole helluva lot nicer than Ladd. Anybody who'll tell you differently just hasn't been in either in the last few years.

And I never get the hate for the area of Jackson where the stadium is located. It's not like it's in the ghetto.

 

[BoomBoom.sixpack]

I've never been in Ladd, but i saw on the other thread that it's better than UAB. my main objection is how it's a slap in the face to Coast fans with the only benefit i see is to Jacksonians. Coasties will overall NOT travel to that game, period, contrary to what seems to be the opinion of non-Coasties on this board. The ones that can't make it to all the S'ville games are going to travel basically just as far to go to Jackson? That's crazy talk.

 

[Xenomorph]

Ok.. that was moving 60 miles and staying in Louisiana...

You're talking about having them move it 150 miles and giving up their home field advantage.

Hey, I hope it works and that somebody makes a couple of bucks off their efforts. I'm all for it. I'm just skeptical.

 

[NTDawg]

Yes Tulane/New Orleans would a great road game every other year and we used to get some good recruits out of New Orleans when Pete Jenkins was on staff. I am sure John Curtis is still putting out D1 talent every year.

 

[DancingRabbit]

THIS (home attendance bump) plus a little more money is what might sell the idea to these schools.

 

[BoomBoom.sixpack]

I don't see how it helps the program to slap Coast fans in the face just for the sake of convienience to Jackson fans. I do think it is a benefit to the program to play a game in Jackson, but there are better options. When's the last time a game was anywhere near here, Tulane? I don't think ya'll are weighing the cost to the program of taking that away.

 

[JackShephard]

I also live on the coast and couldn't disagree with you more. Whether the USA game is mobile or Jackson, I will be there. I'd rather Jackson.

 

[BoomBoom.sixpack]

Agreed. You could just buy them out and sign a new team to play in Jackson, but that too would cost more than just waiting and playing a later game in Jackson. Plus, C34 isn't accounting for how, once USA or etc knows we want to pay them to move the game, then they will try to milk that cow for all it's worth. And if you're going to spend that much $, why not just pay a team to play in S'ville?

It just doesn't work, unless you live in Jackson and love the idea of a game there for your own sake.

 

[Coach34]

Why not? It seems they do it all the time if the money is right. You seem convinced that they would take the money to go to Jackson. Why not Starkville? Its going to take more money to put on with less of a payout for Podunk in Jackson. It makes no sense at all.

If Stricklin wants to try and but it- he can. Talk to him. We are talking about them keeping their home game and playing it in Jackson

 

[DerHntr]

My favorite part about this idea is....

that it shows very quickly who on this board has the ability to read and comprehend a new idea, and then be able to make a rebuttal that shows they comprehended it clearly.

To the people who keep making the mistake that it takes a game away from Starkville or that the game should be moved to Starkville instead of Jackson.... bless your hearts.

 

[BoomBoom.sixpack]

But hell, this is the same school that extended both Crooms and Stans one year before firing them, so this would be entirely in line with their SOP.

 

[BiscuitEater]

Okay ...

Why would South Alabama or La Tech agree to this? You are convinced that they will do anything for money. I'm not.

Having State show up at Troy was a big deal for them and a big financial boost for the entire Troy business community. South and La Tech lose that if they just take the cash and move the game. Sure the school may make out better financially but does the program really win? I don't think so.

Best I can tell, Troy averaged 18,000 in their 30K stadium last year so they meet the FBS minimum attendance rule (below). Largest home attendance figure for last year was 20K for MTSU. Previous home game this year against ULM they had 18K. For the State game, attendance was 29,000 (1,000 short of sellout). Have no clue what tickets cost or what they get from concessions or parking but figure that they incureased attendance by 11,000.

Best guess is that an offer to move would need to be in the neighborhood of $750K to $1M range to be 'worth' the move.


Distinctly rember LT 'selling' an SEC game & am glad that those days are OVER.


To maintain FBS status, a school must average 15,000 in paid or actual attendance a game at least once every two seasons. The NCAA used to require Division I-A schools to have a stadium with a minimum capacity of 30,000, but that rule was scrapped in 2004.

 

[thunderclap]

I'm shocked by those who think playing an away game in Jackson < playing an away game in BFE.

 

[ckDOG]

I very seriously doubt the USA game was scheduled for the benefit of any fan.

It was scheduled to fit the budget.

Sure, there are some coast folks that are inconvenienced, but a game in Jackson serves the greater MSU good than does a game in Mobile.

 

[Koldfire]

Would/can MSU contract with a private game promoter? I know nothing...but it seems that there will be a lot of regulatory and legal issues to work out. I like the concept though.