🏈 The unintended cost of success - ticket prices and seat relocations

[BamaFan334]

I can assure you UA is sustainable.

The school is since it's a state school funded by the government, but I assure you a sports program can falter. Look at all of the headlines about LSU last year and what their governor had to say. Alabama isn't bulletproof, even with as much as you seem to think we are. A few bad seasons and we're reeling.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

I’m a lot of things, but unethical isn’t one of them.

They’re not kicking their “loyal customers” to the curb. They offered to give them other seats now if they decline that’s on them not the damn school

I can assure you UA is sustainable.

No sir. I apologize if you think I said it was you....sincerely apologize....certainly not referring to you....
But it is unethical business practices to kick those to the curb who helped you build ur business.... that is just you n I having a difference of opinion....
UA is sustainable..... hopefully... i bet to these people kicked to the curb....there is a little different feeling deep in their stomach about something you have loved....
Maybe like having a woman ( or man)....that cheated on you... none happened to me...either by bama or ms50+... but i can only imagine
Why didn’t they put the skyboxes in the east uppers...west EZs... last group of season tics holders...little more palatable
And are a/c ed...?

 

[50+yeartidefan]

They’re not kicking their “loyal customers” to the curb. They offered to give them other seats now if they decline that’s on them not the damn school

If there are seats available....! Or are they gonna make seats available?

 

[ElephantStomp]

If there are seats available....! Or are they gonna make seats available?

That I honestly don’t know. The article just said that UA had offered other seats

 

[50+yeartidefan]

A few bad seasons and we're reeling.

A few bad???? We ain’t selling all the tickets with unbelievable great seasons....
And i saw somewhere.....some of games had under 75K in the stadium.....
Again..quality of opponents, weather, cost of attending, etc are a lot of factors...
There were seats unfilled around me at TN, ms, n ark games..Plus crap OOCs
Based on that...I would treat each customer as gold.....

 

[50+yeartidefan]

And if Alabama said all tickets are sold.....???
They also announce Aday crowds...much inflated

 

[TerryP]

Hmmmm, wonder why they went so overboard with the Crimson Initiative and marketed Saban starting off the event with a $1M donation. They needed more of what was not there and they knew it beforehand.

Wait, what now? I'm lost with what you're insinuating with "went so overboard" and equally as lost with "Saban starting off the event." The latter isn't the case. There was over 140 million donated/pledged to UA's Crimson Standard before the announcement in August and the press release of the Saban's contribution. The idea of "needing more of what was not there" is pointing to what? Needing more money that was already there, already coming in?

What's gone unmentioned so far is we are seeing the after effects of the new tax structures (though that's not all to blame.) I keep seeing demand being pointed to but what's been happening seemingly ignored. I mentioned earlier if the luxury boxes were being sold, there's demand there. If there wasn't, they wouldn't have been sold. That's black and white. To further emphasize the point non-Tide Pride donations took a hit back in 2015 with the totals dropping six million from 2015 to 2016. 2017 saw an uptick of roughly 500K to 18 million. With the Initiative in place and moving forward we saw close to 100% increase in 2018 over the 2015 numbers, almost 150% increase when compared to 2016 and 2017.

People, not corporations, are still donating their money to the Athletic Department. We're literally talking about over 150 million that's been donated so people can be a part of this initiative but the focus on on the demands? The demands being met?

 

[TerryP]

And it cant happen?
Lets look at an example...
Tennessee Vols.......it has happened there...yep..they selL 70-80%....
But that doesn’t get it done....that other 30% is as important....
Go to the stadium...bathrooms stink...video board sux....seats to close together....
Some concessions closed...
They had bama level product and squeezed and squeezed....and Football fortunes fell off...and so did attendance...and they cant maintain the aging stadium and produce the in-stadium experience....look at the stadium attendance on tv...its not 70%..( except a couple major games a year) they did stuff..moved people outta ther long term seats... for corporate..
Now..corporate dont go..fans dont go... and they are struggling with $$$$$$

•UT's ticket distribution last season was over 92,000 or roughly 90% of their seating capacity.
•From the time Fulmer was fired in 2008 up until last year they have lost season ticket holders. There were roughly 74,000 in '08, last year they sold around 65,000 packages. Those losses come from what's been on the field with their lowest season in Butch's tenure.
•What you're not mentioning here is UT has been renovating areas of their stadium since 2005. They aren't at the same pace as Bama, but ongoing none-the-less. Their current "delay" isn't a fiscal one, it's a physical issues including moving some of the academic offices/classrooms from the stadium.
•One other thing that isn't being considered with UT is the changes in Administration over the last few years have altered where they are renovating. It's one area where people from UT should be happy Fulmer is back. At least they won't have Currie or Davenport making these decisions.

I don't find UT's situation comparable although it's somewhat related. We are talking about improvement to both stadiums.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

That I honestly don’t know. The article just said that UA had offered other seats

I read it...didnt say anything about making equal quality available....

 

[50+yeartidefan]

•UT's ticket distribution last season was over 92,000 or roughly 90% of their seating capacity.
•From the time Fulmer was fired in 2008 up until last year they have lost season ticket holders. There were roughly 74,000 in '08, last year they sold around 65,000 packages. Those losses come from what's been on the field with their lowest season in Butch's tenure.
•What you're not mentioning here is UT has been renovating areas of their stadium since 2005. They aren't at the same pace as Bama, but ongoing none-the-less. Their current "delay" isn't a fiscal one, it's a physical issues including moving some of the academic offices/classrooms from the stadium.
•One other thing that isn't being considered with UT is the changes in Administration over the last few years have altered where they are renovating. It's one area where people from UT should be happy Fulmer is back. At least they won't have Currie or Davenport making these decisions.

I don't find UT's situation comparable although it's somewhat related. We are talking about improvement to both stadiums.

Tick distribution and butts in seat are so different.
And have been in stadium. And its not near "quality" Everything from bathrooms to video presentation Their slow "improvement " is a lot financial also
No doubt our success and stability have been a hugh bonus.
But also know season ticket holders moved from lower corner to UD. They were pissed and chose non renewal.

 

[TerryP]

Tick distribution and butts in seat are so different.
And have been in stadium. And its not near "quality" Everything from bathrooms to video presentation Their slow "improvement " is a lot financial also
No doubt our success and stability have been a hugh bonus.
But also know season ticket holders moved from lower corner to UD. They were pissed and chose non renewal.

When it comes to the bottom line it's all about ticket sales. While some may not like seeing empty seats the fact they're paid for is the bottom line. Alabama saw a decrease of 445 tickets sold this past season as compared to 2018. It's certainly arguable the two 11 AM kicks had a bearing on that number as well as not hosting Auburn this season.

So you know some people that got pissed because their seats were moved. I do as well. I also know a number of them were at the forefront complaining about the blue bloods not standing a decade ago. I hold feelings of indifference in both situations.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

When it comes to the bottom line it's all about ticket sales. While some may not like seeing empty seats the fact they're paid for is the bottom line. Alabama saw a decrease of 445 tickets sold this past season as compared to 2018. It's certainly arguable the two 11 AM kicks had a bearing on that number as well as not hosting Auburn this season.

So you know some people that got pissed because their seats were moved. I do as well. I also know a number of them were at the forefront complaining about the blue bloods not standing a decade ago. I hold feelings of indifference in both situations.

Seats paid for....seats occupied is a totally different beast, Terry....
Fine..some corporate buys up unsold to look good for bama..or others...
But looking around at an half empty stadium...of sold seats....
....there are a lot of commodities that depend on each other...
And heres a BB that doesn’t stand or scream or hollar....lol

 

[TerryP]

Seats paid for....seats occupied is a totally different beast, Terry....
Fine..some corporate buys up unsold to look good for bama..or others...
But looking around at an half empty stadium...of sold seats....
....there are a lot of commodities that depend on each other...
And heres a BB that doesn’t stand or scream or hollar....lol

Mixing things up a little bit on us, eh?

Of course paid for and unoccupied mean two different things. One, is something for fans to complain about, the other actually means something. As mentioned earlier, the 450 or so tickets that weren't sold in 2019 is a negligible number. The tickets and packages sold have shown little after-effects of things often complained about (like the two 11AM kicks.)

One thing that continues to entertain me is how this is being pushed on "corporate buys seats" when we're talking about the possibility of a corporation buying a luxury box. Honestly, what's the big deal if an Alabama based company purchases a box? We aren't going to see a corporation come in and buy a 15 seat block in U4, or Ss. We aren't going to see a company, let's say Home Depot based out of ATL, come in and buy a box (and that carries over to other states and their industries as well.)

Based on this thread there are a few things we can all agree upon.

Football tickets and season packages at UA are a luxury item.
'There are luxury items we come across throughout our lives that we can't afford.
If you can't afford a luxury item/purchase don't buy. Others can, and will. At least I hope those who can't afford don't attempt to purchase. But everyone doesn't have a lot of common sense in these matters.

The irony I find in these discussions is palatable. "I can't stand those empty seats and how it looks on television" along with "how dare they reduce the number of seats."

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Mixing things up a little bit on us, eh?

Of course paid for and unoccupied mean two different things. One, is something for fans to complain about, the other actually means something. As mentioned earlier, the 450 or so tickets that weren't sold in 2019 is a negligible number. The tickets and packages sold have shown little after-effects of things often complained about (like the two 11AM kicks.)

One thing that continues to entertain me is how this is being pushed on "corporate buys seats" when we're talking about the possibility of a corporation buying a luxury box. Honestly, what's the big deal if an Alabama based company purchases a box? We aren't going to see a corporation come in and buy a 15 seat block in U4, or Ss. We aren't going to see a company, let's say Home Depot based out of ATL, come in and buy a box (and that carries over to other states and their industries as well.)

Based on this thread there are a few things we can all agree upon.

Football tickets and season packages at UA are a luxury item.
'There are luxury items we come across throughout our lives that we can't afford.
If you can't afford a luxury item/purchase don't buy. Others can, and will. At least I hope those who can't afford don't attempt to purchase. But everyone doesn't have a lot of common sense in these matters.

The irony I find in these discussions is palatable. "I can't stand those empty seats and how it looks on television" along with "how dare they reduce the number of seats."

Quite frankly....i dont know if you are agreeing or disagreeing with me...
This was really just about the "kicking to the curb" of long time and loyal customers.... that being...taking their seats they feel were their inherent right to have... and selling to corporate....regardless of which corporation.....
I was empathetic to the great loyal fans....and felt there were ways to mitigate their pain...i am not in those seats....so only indirectly affects me.....(hopefully doesn’t)
As to luxury items n affording.... agree...everyone makes their choices....

 

[BamaFan334]

Wait, what now? I'm lost with what you're insinuating with "went so overboard" and equally as lost with "Saban starting off the event." The latter isn't the case. There was over 140 million donated/pledged to UA's Crimson Standard before the announcement in August and the press release of the Saban's contribution. The idea of "needing more of what was not there" is pointing to what? Needing more money that was already there, already coming in?

What's gone unmentioned so far is we are seeing the after effects of the new tax structures (though that's not all to blame.) I keep seeing demand being pointed to but what's been happening seemingly ignored. I mentioned earlier if the luxury boxes were being sold, there's demand there. If there wasn't, they wouldn't have been sold. That's black and white. To further emphasize the point non-Tide Pride donations took a hit back in 2015 with the totals dropping six million from 2015 to 2016. 2017 saw an uptick of roughly 500K to 18 million. With the Initiative in place and moving forward we saw close to 100% increase in 2018 over the 2015 numbers, almost 150% increase when compared to 2016 and 2017.

People, not corporations, are still donating their money to the Athletic Department. We're literally talking about over 150 million that's been donated so people can be a part of this initiative but the focus on on the demands? The demands being met?

Now I'm behind a computer, so I can respond in a better manner than tapping away at my phone.

Of course there was the black book of donors that were hit up on the ground floor to invest in efforts of having the storyline of $140M in "pre-Initiative investments" to get the ball rolling, but for the rest of us lower level boosters we found out about it with Saban's donation in the booklet we received in the mail. Atleast that's the first thing that arrived at my house and inbox. With any investment, there are always that special list that get first option, just like with IPO's in the stock market. So no real shocker or rush due to demand there.

As far as demand for boxes, of course there appears to be demand. As I mentioned, you're taking, what, 200 seats and adding space for 4-15 people? As I made note before, not sure of the actual numbers, just making a point that there is demand because you're looking for one person to take over for 200! I've also made note that companies are the ones investing, because very rarely do you see individuals make these types of investments, it's just not the best strategy to do so financially. If true demand was there they would simply make the entire middle concourse boxed seats and have those people invest and cover the costs of it all, since it's a business you know. The black and white you speak of makes sense, but let's see the numbers, because addition by subtraction isn't necessarily demand.

Yes, individuals are donating, but just like the small percentage of people that accrue all of the wealth in this country, it's a very small percentage of people donating to this cause. When you look at those Initiative donation lists compared to Tide Pride donation lists, it's a hell of a lot smaller of a list, and you know that. You have more connections to the program than most of us on here, but it doesn't take an insider that sees the numbers to know they are taking away from what runs the program behind the scenes. You always have your big executives, but without your laborers, supervisors, managers, and directors you fall, and fall fast. My entire take on this is how the entire town of Tuscaloosa has gone corporate and taken a campus we all loved, even since the tornado and turned it into a metropolis that quiet frankly isn't as great as it used to be. In terms of what made it so charming in the first place. People absolutely hate the traffic, real estate value has skyrocketed and only provides for those lucky enough to already be wealthy or in a home in a decent area, rent is through the roof, buildings are only getting taller and more expensive, campus looks like Google instead of a college town that prides itself on tradition, down home, and small town, and it's all about the dollar. I completely understand where a school that updates its facilities and school buildings gets more grant money, research money, better quality students, donations, yadda yadda, and I'm fine with that. It's the greed and if you're not handing over your money then they want nothing to do with you, and that's what's happening with these seats and initiatives. They have a waiting list 30,000 people long that they are charging $35 a year to be on it. That's over $1M they make, and have waiting in the wings, yet they decide to build luxury boxes, kick out those boosters, and then refuse to offer anything to the 30,000. Let'e not even get into the ticket brokers that are getting preferential treatment on seats that go unused, killing the secondary market, and keeping that 30,000 on a waiting list. It's all an inside hustle and could be so much sweeter if it was ran purely for the sake of college athletics. As you said, and I have even said, there will always be donations pouring in, because people love their school, and others want to look impressive to others. That being said, people are getting more and more pissed off and won't stand for it much longer, just like with cord cutting as I used before as well.

It's all greed. Football tickets are a luxury item, we all agree on that. Sadly though, people in this country are horrible savers and big time spenders. I know bankers, financial advisers, and CPA's that work in one of Georgia's wealthiest areas, Lake Oconee, and they tell me most of it isn't as it seems and that a lot of these hob knobers are in debt to their eye balls. Some have money, but a lot of them are all show. I have zero doubt there are Alabama boosters playing that same game, and like the housing market example I gave, this too will eventually catch up. Something old school about my makeup has me still believing alumni, parents of alumni, students, and ex-players should get first dibs because without that group you don't have a school, you don't have a team, and you don't have a base. I went to a graduation at Florida State while I was still in high school and they gave all of their graduating class free access to their booster program and first shot at securing season tickets, unlike Alabama that puts you at the back of the line regardless. As far as I'm concerned, Alabama would take foreign money over domestic money if it was more.

 

[TerryP]

@BamaFan334

that being...taking their seats they feel were their inherent right to have... and selling to corporate....regardless of which corporation.....

Inherent right is my stopping off point. There are no "rights" when it comes to this move. Should the current/displaced seat holders have extra considerations? Yes, and I believe they've received those given the decision on which seats, which sections, and it's a yes or no question if they want them.

This "selling to corporate" notion I see continually carried is one I'm looking at and wondering where are the examples of corporations displacing fans? I truly believe if these luxury boxes (Founders) are sold to a corporate entity it'll be one where the fans in those boxes are Bama fans. I don't see this going to direction of Super Bowl tickets or bowl game allotments. In fact, I am coming of the opinion the "corporate buying boxes" is the easiest scapegoat to vent frustrations upon.

Let's look at this in more detail.

•The Loge boxes have four seats. That doesn't fit with a "corporate suite" idea at all.
•The two sections we've been discussing here are U1 and U2. These will be changed to Champions Club which is going to be on the U2 level and the Terrace Club on the U1 level. These last two are not suites or boxes that will sold as packages. It's an individual seat deal. This will leave BDS with three "new" club levels, so to speak, with only one of them as a package seat deal (Loge.)

PREMIUM PRODUCT	CAPITAL GIFT (PAYABLE FOR UP TO 5 YEARS)	ANNUAL TIDE PRIDE COMMITMENT	TERM (TIDE PRIDE)
Loge Box (4 seats)	$150,000	$16,000	5 years
Champions Club (per seat)	$10,000	$3,500	10 years
Terrace Club (per seat)	$10,000	$2,750	10 years
North Field Club (per pass)	---	$2,250	10 years

What are we left with? The Founders Suites. I believe the number is 15 but don't hold me to that. I do know the number of seats with each Suite is 30.



If we assume my recollection is correct and we're looking at 15 suites with 30 per we're talking about 450 of right at 4000 new seats that might go the corporate route. However, if we look at who has been in the west side suites to date we are not talking about a lot of non-Bama folk just attending a game.

With the projections of as much as 75 million being brought in through those 450 seats...I don't see the cause for concern. I do see the financial stability any school would envy.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

@BamaFan334

Inherent right is my stopping off point. There are no "rights" when it comes to this move. Should the current/displaced seat holders have extra considerations? Yes, and I believe they've received those given the decision on which seats, which sections, and it's a yes or no question if they want them.

This "selling to corporate" notion I see continually carried is one I'm looking at and wondering where are the examples of corporations displacing fans? I truly believe if these luxury boxes (Founders) are sold to a corporate entity it'll be one where the fans in those boxes are Bama fans. I don't see this going to direction of Super Bowl tickets or bowl game allotments. In fact, I am coming of the opinion the "corporate buying boxes" is the easiest scapegoat to vent frustrations upon.

Let's look at this in more detail.

•The Loge boxes have four seats. That doesn't fit with a "corporate suite" idea at all.
•The two sections we've been discussing here are U1 and U2. These will be changed to Champions Club which is going to be on the U2 level and the Terrace Club on the U1 level. These last two are not suites or boxes that will sold as packages. It's an individual seat deal. This will leave BDS with three "new" club levels, so to speak, with only one of them as a package seat deal (Loge.)

PREMIUM PRODUCT	CAPITAL GIFT (PAYABLE FOR UP TO 5 YEARS)	ANNUAL TIDE PRIDE COMMITMENT	TERM (TIDE PRIDE)
Loge Box (4 seats)	$150,000	$16,000	5 years
Champions Club (per seat)	$10,000	$3,500	10 years
Terrace Club (per seat)	$10,000	$2,750	10 years
North Field Club (per pass)	---	$2,250	10 years

What are we left with? The Founders Suites. I believe the number is 15 but don't hold me to that. I do know the number of seats with each Suite is 30.




If we assume my recollection is correct and we're looking at 15 suites with 30 per we're talking about 450 of right at 4000 new seats that might go the corporate route. However, if we look at who has been in the west side suites to date we are not talking about a lot of non-Bama folk just attending a game.

With the projections of as much as 75 million being brought in through those 450 seats...I don't see the cause for concern. I do see the financial stability any school would envy.

Ok ... what u call financial stability .... @BamaFan334 calls greed... i call it shortsighted
Why do this in premium area of seats when they could have done in west EZ. U4 area. Maybe SEZ. Why premium seating with long long term fans? Guess its like rebuilding Colman instead of a new arean, uh?
Why forcing them into " what's available " seating instead of a planned seating maybe moving others ( yicks. Could be me) and basing it on seniority!!!!!!
But whatever! Maybe they did some of this. Not much transparency though!!!!!!!!
The almighty administration knows all. More money is what's important....
I guess. @BamaFan334 it is greed!!!!!
Moving on.

 

[TerryP]

Ok ... what u call financial stability .... @BamaFan334 calls greed... i call it shortsighted
Why do this in premium area of seats when they could have done in west EZ. U4 area. Maybe SEZ. Why premium seating with long long term fans? Guess its like rebuilding Colman instead of a new arean, uh?
Why forcing them into " what's available " seating instead of a planned seating maybe moving others ( yicks. Could be me) and basing it on seniority!!!!!!
But whatever! Maybe they did some of this. Not much transparency though!!!!!!!!
The almighty administration knows all. More money is what's important....
I guess. @BamaFan334 it is greed!!!!!
Moving on.

Wow. This is a loaded response.

You mention transparency and then go on to mention the seating changes don't affect you or your seating. The changes for the Bama, Touchdown, and Crimson Tide clubs were publicized a long time ago but since they don't involve your situation you have only seen bits and pieces. The transparency was there. You just weren't involved.

I know this because I spoke with several in those sections before the season started and some were upset. A friend and his wife had two in the Crimson Tide Club last season at $1500 for the pair. There was a four thousand dollar bump in the annual commitment ($1500 to $5500) IF they chose to move to the Terrace Club. In reality, their seating location did not change. However, the entire section is being rebuilt/upgraded.

I see this "greed" comment and I find it laughable. I see "market value" in the same thread here and totally agree.

In the case cited above, we're talking two seats in U1E that were covered at $1500 per season. They did have their own parking area.

Now, we're talking two seats in U1-Terrace which remain covered but also ...

• Access to open air patio...
• POS on alcohol sales (I wouldn't look around at the impact that's made in other stadiums if you don't like the financial stability points.)
• Designated entry point along with reserved parking. (Parking is a wash here with the Tide Pride lots and it's determined...wait for it, by seniority.)
• Private rest rooms.
• Food, and non-alcoholic beverages are included.
• And of course all of the seating is cushioned chair back seating.

Two different game day experiences one worth far more than the other. And, of course, cost more than the other.

I appreciate your consideration of alternatives that came to mind. However, I have to question what you've suggested.

Why do this in premium area of seats when they could have done in west EZ. U4 area. Maybe SEZ. Why premium seating with long long term fans?

There is no west end zone. There are, however, premium seating packages available already in the N and S endzones so one suggestion "fits," but is already in place.

U4 area for premium seating? How much sense does it make to put premium seating in the highest section of the east side knowing what they'd be dealing with for the afternoon and early evening kick offs? Put them in the seats that get more sun than any other section in the stadium? What I really get lost on is you're suggesting moving premium seating to U4 so it won't displace Tide Pride members in U1 and U2 but U4 is already all Tide Pride (Century, Touchdown, and Bama club) seating. Do we even get into the feasibility of such a move? There's a specific reason those areas were chosen and a lot has to do with the architectural aspects.

I've asked you this about Coleman before. I never received an answer (or missed it if I did.) When it the last time you've been in Coleman? How much do you know about what's been done there? How much of Coleman have you actually seen? The lower gym? Gymnastics areas? Volleyball areas? Basketball areas? S&C along with medical areas? Here's one area of fear. I fear you don't know what's gone into the work in Coleman and are judging it from purely an outside, aesthetic view. In other words, you don't like the Quonset look.

A lot of these complaints make no sense to me.

There's fear that Alabama won't be able to maintain the success they've enjoyed. Yet, in an effort to keep up with the arms race around the NCAA and the SEC with improvements it's now greed? A concerted effort to maintain status quo is greed. SMH.

If it's greed, why are we seeing U1 CC, DD, EE. FF, and GG changed to premium when those seats are Athletic Department use?

In the end we're seeing people upset because their prices have been raised. In the end we're also see those price increases reflected in better game day experiences for all involved.

But what do I know? I'm just looking at what's happening while not trying to cast blame or fearing something that might happen.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Wow. This is a loaded response.

You mention transparency and then go on to mention the seating changes don't affect you or your seating. The changes for the Bama, Touchdown, and Crimson Tide clubs were publicized a long time ago but since they don't involve your situation you have only seen bits and pieces. The transparency was there. You just weren't involved.

I know this because I spoke with several in those sections before the season started and some were upset. A friend and his wife had two in the Crimson Tide Club last season at $1500 for the pair. There was a four thousand dollar bump in the annual commitment ($1500 to $5500) IF they chose to move to the Terrace Club. In reality, their seating location did not change. However, the entire section is being rebuilt/upgraded.

I see this "greed" comment and I find it laughable. I see "market value" in the same thread here and totally agree.

In the case cited above, we're talking two seats in U1E that were covered at $1500 per season. They did have their own parking area.

Now, we're talking two seats in U1-Terrace which remain covered but also ...

• Access to open air patio...
• POS on alcohol sales (I wouldn't look around at the impact that's made in other stadiums if you don't like the financial stability points.)
• Designated entry point along with reserved parking. (Parking is a wash here with the Tide Pride lots and it's determined...wait for it, by seniority.)
• Private rest rooms.
• Food, and non-alcoholic beverages are included.
• And of course all of the seating is cushioned chair back seating.

Two different game day experiences one worth far more than the other. And, of course, cost more than the other.

I appreciate your consideration of alternatives that came to mind. However, I have to question what you've suggested.



There is no west end zone. There are, however, premium seating packages available already in the N and S endzones so one suggestion "fits," but is already in place.

U4 area for premium seating? How much sense does it make to put premium seating in the highest section of the east side knowing what they'd be dealing with for the afternoon and early evening kick offs? Put them in the seats that get more sun than any other section in the stadium? What I really get lost on is you're suggesting moving premium seating to U4 so it won't displace Tide Pride members in U1 and U2 but U4 is already all Tide Pride (Century, Touchdown, and Bama club) seating. Do we even get into the feasibility of such a move? There's a specific reason those areas were chosen and a lot has to do with the architectural aspects.

I've asked you this about Coleman before. I never received an answer (or missed it if I did.) When it the last time you've been in Coleman? How much do you know about what's been done there? How much of Coleman have you actually seen? The lower gym? Gymnastics areas? Volleyball areas? Basketball areas? S&C along with medical areas? Here's one area of fear. I fear you don't know what's gone into the work in Coleman and are judging it from purely an outside, aesthetic view. In other words, you don't like the Quonset look.

A lot of these complaints make no sense to me.

There's fear that Alabama won't be able to maintain the success they've enjoyed. Yet, in an effort to keep up with the arms race around the NCAA and the SEC with improvements it's now greed? A concerted effort to maintain status quo is greed. SMH.

If it's greed, why are we seeing U1 CC, DD, EE. FF, and GG changed to premium when those seats are Athletic Department use?

In the end we're seeing people upset because their prices have been raised. In the end we're also see those price increases reflected in better game day experiences for all involved.

But what do I know? I'm just looking at what's happening while not trying to cast blame or fearing something that might happen.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!
Well...i was wrong...i said west EZ.....it is SEZ.....i meant.... thats were it is almost always empty........but who is counting....uh?
I am in bama club...no body ever...ever...contacted me about nuthin'.... never saw nothin'....i read a lot...i get emails from bama...and never saw nuthin'. ? Not very transparent....but I haven’t got my seats for 2020...probably last year anyway....
Just empathy for those affected....
Remember the stadium configuration....U4 was built years after U3 ....and always have had trouble filling TP and season tics....yeah if covered enclosed areas are ..A/C ed...heat not a problem....plus November games are nice in warm sun....and nite games don’t matter... but...whatever....
Complaints ...not really....just as i said..lack of transparency and empathy for those removed from their seats....
Coleman...welll...you can put lipstick on a pig...but thats decided...so on ward..
See what future brings...hopefully continued greatest for bama.... bama is a bright spot in my life...i love bama... period...and have for many years,..( less those dark days brought on by people I loathe...)
Any....way...Roll Tide and....
Merry Christmas....

 

[TerryP]

I am in bama club...no body ever...ever...contacted me about nuthin'.... never saw nothin'....i read a lot...i get emails from bama...and never saw nuthin'. ? Not very transparent....but I haven’t got my seats for 2020...probably last year anyway....

just as i said..lack of transparency and empathy for those removed from their seats....

Just because you didn't receive notice doesn't mean it wasn't transparent. There are only nine rows of seats on the West side that were affected. Those seat holders were contacted. If you didn't have a seat there and weren't contacted because it didn't have any bearing on you makes sense to me.

Just empathy for those affected....

That I can understand.

These few rows of seats were quality locations where the fans were covered from the weather and had chair backs (which anyone will agree is a lot better than the bench seating.) Those seats were also severely under priced for their locations (tucked between the two bowls.) Consider people who were sitting in the Bama Club (U1A as an example here) who were paying the same amount of money as those Bama Club members in U4GG.

Do you believe the two locations are anywhere close to be compared even though they were in the same Tide Pride level? I don't. U1A had A LOT of advantages and breaks that came with those locations (yes, due to seniority in a lot of cases and due to money invested in others.)

There sure is a lot of anxiety about 2% of the seating in the stadium when none of them are being kicked out.

As I said, I can understand you feeling empathy. I can't understand why the choice was made to mischaracterize these improvements (IE: it's a corporate thing.) I'm certainly not saying some of the packages sold won't go to corporations. Even if 25% of the seats purchased are we're talking .004% of the stadiums seating.

I am saying the vast majority of these are Bama fans taking advantage of a new opportunity.