Football season ticket sales at a low in the Harbaugh era
About 84k season tickets sold this year which is the low during the Harbaugh era down from about 92k in 2019.
Along with the defensive line the actual attendance this year will remain a mystery until game time. I would think that many of those 84,000 will be very selective in their attendance and some may sit out the whole year but wish to hold onto long held season tickets.
To me the actual attendance in recent years also is a bit mysterious. The nature of the bowl allows about 85000 to spread out and not look much different than a 100,000 crowd.
As for me and my house? We will be there! Go Blue!!
https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2021/09/michigan-football-hits-season-ticket-sales-low-under-jim-harbaugh.html
September 3rd, 2021 at 11:27 AM ^
Something tells me COVID has more than a little to do with this too.
September 3rd, 2021 at 11:30 AM ^
Yeah, there still is a pandemic out there that's killed over 600,000 people so far and filling up ICUs as we post.
And then there's the "delta" variant of BPONE, which I hear ignores your immune system.
September 3rd, 2021 at 11:33 AM ^
Doubt that. Minneapolis was sold out last night and Illinois was rocking. Most students ive seen at memorial stadium in 10 years. If anything people are dying to go watch a game now more then ever. Dont use COVID as an excuse. This is directly correlated to the piss product on the field and the lack of faith in Harbaugh
September 3rd, 2021 at 11:35 AM ^
You're gonna tell me that an insignificant portion of people are more hesitant to go to a football game because of the pandemic that's still raging on?
Lol, ok dude. But go off about harbaugh i guess.
September 3rd, 2021 at 12:12 PM ^
PaNdEmIC .... RaGiNg On !!!!!!!!!
(for a disease with a low rate of severity, for which we are vaccinated, for which we have strong treatments,...and which doesn't spread easily outdoors)
The people who are still hesitant need mental health help.
September 3rd, 2021 at 12:17 PM ^
I have unvaccinated children. You need mental help if you don't understand why I might be hesitant
September 3rd, 2021 at 12:28 PM ^
I do too. But, they are at lower risk than VACCINATED adults.
That's just a fact.
You can always find something to be concerned about.
September 3rd, 2021 at 12:42 PM ^
Sure can. But fuck off with projecting your level of risk tolerance on everyone else.
And regardless of what you think the risks are with COVID, the votes here only confirm my hypothesis - many people are not clamoring to go to extremely crowded areas. Pretending covid has nothing to do with ticket sales is laughably stupid.
September 3rd, 2021 at 1:12 PM ^
The votes are always going to be that way. I lived in Ann Arbor for four years and I was going to ACLU meetings when I was a student. I know the political leanings of the city/students. Too bad this is so political.
Of course it is affecting tickets. I just shouldn't be if people really thought about it and were not shaken from their incendiary news feeds.
September 3rd, 2021 at 1:16 PM ^
For me it has very little to do with politics and very much to do with common sense, but you do you. The only reason you think it's political is because a certain person/party decided to lie and pretend this wouldn't be so bad. 600k bodies and counting later, here we are.
I've done plenty of thinking on the subject and my conclusion is that it might not be worth putting my children at risk for a few hours of entertainment that I could watch from home.
September 3rd, 2021 at 1:46 PM ^
It may surprise you, but there are a bunch of people who don't like Trump at all, but also don't like the extreme over-reaction to him.
We are the ones in the middle watching the two sides turn public health into a political football.
People who should be concerned (high risk non-vax) are not afraid because = politics.
People who shouldn't be afraid (young, healthy vaccinated) are afraid because = politics.
September 3rd, 2021 at 1:25 PM ^
It took you four years to discover the political leaning of Ann Arbor?
September 3rd, 2021 at 1:44 PM ^
You're the one who brought up politics, you're the one who just made this political.
September 3rd, 2021 at 4:44 PM ^
I get your comment on low severity, but it has killed 600k. Let me say that again, 600,000 Americans have lost their life in 18 months and you think people that don’t want to be packed in with 100k others have questionable judgement? Really?
Yes, outdoors is safer. However, in the stadium you are going to be sitting on top of other people. Granted it is a small number of people you will be in close proximity too, but still.
September 3rd, 2021 at 12:59 PM ^
I mean, about 330 kids a day are being admitted to hospitals due to severe covid symptoms, so even if your "fact" is correct we're still talking about kids being sick enough their parents are taking them to pediatric hospitals during a pandemic to treat them.
September 3rd, 2021 at 1:12 PM ^
That's a bit misleading. They may be pediatric cases, but they aren't so much "kids". As a pediatric Doc at a local hospital recently said "these pediatric cases have typical adult comorbidities such as T2 Diabetes, Obesity and heart issues. Basically they are <18 adults".
That does NOT change the fact that many people have actual good reasons to be hesitant to go hang out with 100,000 of their closest friends, even if it is outdoors.
If I'm 70+, vaccinated or not. Nope, I'll watch from home. If I had people in that age group I had regular contact with, nope. If I had people close to me with immune issues, not going.
There are valid reasons not to go, really. I don't understand the black and white on all this stuff that's common sense.
September 3rd, 2021 at 3:30 PM ^
I'm fine if people want to go to a football game outdoors - that's a totally fine choice to make if you are comfortable accepting some risks (which go beyond COVID to exposure, car accidents, a band of mutant badgers storming the walls and eating everyone, etc.). But the original point is that people who felt that risk was too great needed mental health help.
And beyond that, I'd argue you are being a bit misleading as well with the "these are just little adults" when it comes to co-morbidities. Children weren't getting COVID and winding up in the hospital in droves 12 months ago and, last I checked, they didn't suddenly developed type-2 diabetes or heart problems at a heightened rate over that timeframe. They may well have co-morbidities but if so, there are apparently 330+ of them each day than there were months ago.The current dominant strain of COVID-19 is more virulent, can more easily pass between people, and especially if you are not vaccinated wreak havoc with your body.
September 3rd, 2021 at 1:13 PM ^
People suck at math.
A small percentage of a huge number is still a big number. And if it is your kid sitting in a hospital hooked up to oxygen I doubt you give a crap about the statistics that say he or she is a "rare" case.
September 3rd, 2021 at 1:54 PM ^
Ok, Joe Rogan.
September 3rd, 2021 at 2:46 PM ^
Peter - While a lot of what your saying may have some basis in reality, you’re discounting people’s genuine concerns here. For example, my very young child gets febrile seizures from relatively routine children’s viruses. I can tell you, I’m not going to hesitate to take extra precautions to protect her from it, or frankly taking those precautions so that I (her horrified father) never has to see her have those again. I know my situation is different, but I don’t think it’s right to judge how people protect their kids.
September 3rd, 2021 at 4:56 PM ^
Sure. This is all generalization. I assumed most people on here are younger than 50 and have relatively healthy kids. That is how the vast majority of my UM friends are like. But, they get overly concerned because of their chosen news outlets. It's sad to me. I also know people who thought it was a hoax. It's just you don't see those people chirping on this board.
It doesn't mean those with actual risks shouldn't take precautions that make them feel better.
But, I still see so many people with almost zero risk kids flipping out. I understand to a degree. I remember sanitizing every bottle for my son, worrying about everything that he could choke on, worrying I might leave him in the car after being sleep deprived (7 kids died that year from it), etc. I look back on those times now and recognize I was in super protector mode. But, I'm also a little embarrassed and now I appreciate how everyone in the older generation kept telling me to calm down. They were right. If I were to keep my hold that tight for so long, I would crush their chance to become their own person. It's a toxic mindset after they grow a bit...
September 3rd, 2021 at 11:10 PM ^
You picked the wrong site to try and inject some common sense. These morons will be fighting to get in line to get on the cattle cars.
September 3rd, 2021 at 12:18 PM ^
I swear you people with your "low rate of severity" should talk to the 3k people who died yesterday and see how fucking severe it can be.
Anyway, and I mean this from the bottom of my heart, you do not need to minimize the pandemic anymore; you've won the argument. Despite having multiple life-saving, very effective vaccines this country, again, buried 3k people yesterday, many of them in their 40s and 50s. Instead of getting the vaccine they're spreading fucking horse dewormer on toast. People complain about Michigan football being full of ennui but I'm 1000% more bummed out that we're having these same fucking conversations a year and a half into a deadly pandemic.
September 3rd, 2021 at 12:27 PM ^
It's sad that 90 percent of the people who died were not vaccinated. There is no excuse for not getting vaccinated. Yes, there can be break through cases but the percentage of vaccinated people being hospitalized and dying is extremely low. The key, if you are not vaccinated, get vaccinated!
September 3rd, 2021 at 12:45 PM ^
Yes. Get vaccinated!! If you get sick, get the (highly effective) treatments.
We are so lucky to have the medical and techncal advances of our time.
September 3rd, 2021 at 12:56 PM ^
Again, you can't try to play both sides of the argument here. You can't say "the disease has low severity" and, when faced with evidence that it does in fact still pose a real risk, question the mental health of people who are hesitant about their rate of exposure.
And by the way, the state of Michigan has about 56% of its population fully vaccinated - that means there are millions more who are not vaccinated. Oh also, the stadium isn't requiring vaccinations, so the person who is screaming for 3 hours next to you may well have COVID-19. So again, it's not remotely unreasonable people may be somewhat apprehensive of attending a game.
September 3rd, 2021 at 1:24 PM ^
Both sides? I don't have a side. The disease has low severity, especially with vaccines and treatments. That's just a fact.
I never said it wasnt a "real risk." Its real, just not that important anymore once you are vaccinated. I know its human nature for some people to be afraid of small risks based on media coverage / shock (mad cow disease, shark attacks, flying, poisoned halloween candy, etc.). I wish I could figure out a way for people to feel better. Weighing it against other risks does it for me, but not for everyone, I get it.
Anyway, hope everyone feels ready to go back to the stadium at some point. Go Blue!
September 3rd, 2021 at 12:41 PM ^
You've been radicalized. Your good nature and desire to help other people has been turned into a religious belief that humans can stop airborne respiratory viruses.
"Spreading horse dewormer on toast..."?
Step away from the news channels. Please.
Let's get back to people of all beliefs hanging out together as a society. Let's start thinking of other people with positive feelings rather than anxiety, guilt, "death shaming" them or blaming them for an assumed line of disease transmission. We need to heal.
Coming together (in person) with people from all backgrounds to watch Michigan football. That will help us all heal.
September 3rd, 2021 at 12:51 PM ^
Let's start thinking of other people with positive feelings
Says the guy telling people they need mental health help if they have the audacity to be cautious amid a pandemic. Go fuck yourself man.
September 3rd, 2021 at 1:52 PM ^
Good point. I came out of the box firing and super snarky. I'm sorry.
September 3rd, 2021 at 1:05 PM ^
"You've been radicalized."
Holy shit dude. Learn self-awareness.
September 3rd, 2021 at 1:06 PM ^
Ah, so I've seen you've moved on to the nihilism stage of arguing in which you've been proven wrong so many times you don't think it matters anymore.
"Spreading horse dewormer on toast..."?
Step away from the news channels. Please.
Anyway, by all means let me take notes about inclusivity from the guy who said everyone needed mental help for wanting to be careful. Maybe stick to defending frats for destroying property and leave the important stuff to the rest of us.
September 3rd, 2021 at 12:32 PM ^
You've been a member here for a long time, but lately it seems the only posts the peak your interest are Covid posts. Why is that?
September 3rd, 2021 at 12:58 PM ^
I haven't logged in since mid-2020. Last year felt lost on the Michigan football front for many reasons.
I was big believer in RichRod. Then Hoke. I was over the moon when Harbaugh was hired. I've been the eternal optimist, much to my own disappointment
As for COVID, the initial reactions just seemed so extreme, over-the-top and political. It shook my faith in the strength of society to deal with adversity. But, we all learned about the failings of society last year.
I'm back because I am excited about this season and going back to the stadium. I have been reading the last two weeks and listening to the MGoPodcast. But, I come into the board and see hand-wringing over COVID still. Ugh.
I guess people need to re-adjust at their own pace. I need more patience. That goes for people and Michigan football.
September 3rd, 2021 at 12:45 PM ^
Your mind is diseased.
September 3rd, 2021 at 1:44 PM ^
You don’t even spell your own name correctly, Pete.
September 4th, 2021 at 1:06 AM ^
Let me explain why I think this is an ignorant comment (even aside from the way it ignores the rate of Delta breakthrough cases, the fact that trhe Big House presents precisely the aort of conditions the virus needs to spread even outdoors, etc.).
You are summing up the situation as though everyone should react the same way. In doing so, you are ignoring the critical distinction between the average/median fan and the marginal fan.
The average fan can look at the situation at hand and conclude that the risks are low enough. And sure enough, the overwhelming proportion of season ticket holders are back for more this year.
But a 9% drop doesn’t happen because 9% of the average fans drop out. It happens because people AT THE MARGINS drop out. The ticketholders whose desire or ability to go to the game is most tenuous are the ones droving the changes here.
I find it easy to believe that there are 8K people out of the 90+K group who were already less likely to go and now on top of that have heightened concerns about COVID in a crowded stadium. I’m one of them—I can’t afford my tickets very easily…and I’m immunocompromised. Others live far away…and have family members they need to protect. Etc. If you were considering the margins as you should, you would see those people.and—I hope—not jump to the conclusion that they must have mental problems to make the choices they made.
September 3rd, 2021 at 11:38 AM ^
What’s the seating capacity of these 3 stadiums?
September 3rd, 2021 at 11:48 AM ^
Those two games you're citing included two teams whose fan bases travel very well---Nebraska and ohio st. Of course those two games sold well.
September 3rd, 2021 at 11:52 AM ^
Minneapolis was sold out last night and Illinois was rocking.
The capacity of TCF Stadium in Minneapolis is 50,805. It's nice for the Gophers that they got a full crowd, but filling up a stadium that's less than half as big as Michigan's in a city of 430,000 people and a metro area of 3.6 million is not some incredible achievement. In 2019, Minnesota was 8-0 going into its game with Maryland, and the attendance was 44K. The opponent has a lot to do with their attendance.
As for Illinois "rocking," attendance in Champaign-Urbana for the Nebraska game was 41,064. Memorial Stadium's capacity is over 60K. 68% filled does not really qualify as "rocking."
September 3rd, 2021 at 1:08 PM ^
I watched that Illinois-Nebraska game on TV and that stadium sounded "rocking" to me. I am hoping our Michigan fans can get that excited for all of our home games.
September 3rd, 2021 at 1:10 PM ^
And I can say as an employee at Illinois that piles of free tickets were available to staff at multiple events before the game. Rocking like Little River Band concert.
September 3rd, 2021 at 1:20 PM ^
Just my opinion, but Romulans are underrated villains.
September 3rd, 2021 at 12:01 PM ^
So wait, Illinois going 2-6 last year and Minnesota going 3-4 didn't turn people off (as you said, Illinois was "rocking") but 2-4 Michigan has a pox on it that drives people away in droves?
Anyway, just say you don't like Jim Harbaugh and you think he should be fired - that's a perfectly valid argument. But he will not be the root cause of everything bad this year.
September 3rd, 2021 at 12:04 PM ^
I think it's a little of hand A, a little of hand B. Ohio State was also reporting lower numbers.
September 3rd, 2021 at 12:06 PM ^
U of Minnesota holds 50,805. Obviously crowd bolstered by the fact that Minneapolis easily has over $1m population metro so if one person doesn't want their ticket, next person can easily go. "Distance" is what I'm referring to here.
Ann Arbor is not far from Detroit burbs, but it is still further than Minny's population to their stadium. And I remember fighting all the Chicago traffic coming into Ann Arbor when I would come in from my username city. The further the fan's distance, the less likely they are going to commit to tickets in a pandemic (my opinion).
That includes students who may not want to commit since they don't know if they will be on campus all semester.
Yes, state of team is a part, but can't deny covid's impact multiplying that disinterest.
But could we get 50,805 like Minny? Sure...and more.
September 3rd, 2021 at 12:16 PM ^
I agree with your post, but first a correction---they Gophers play in TCF Bank Stadium, official capacity 50,805. (edit---And now I see you corrected yourself)
I have driven that same route from K-Zoo literally a few hundred times over the years (since '77, having lived in Kalamazoo, then Stevensville, then BH and Watervliet most of the period of 1974-2019). I'm already skipping the N. Illinois game this season and maybe even Rutgers. It's a fluid situation for me attending games right now and most likely I'll be there for at least 5 home games but it's subject to change.
I'm vaxxed but I'm also in my 60's. Everyone has a different equation to deal with.
September 4th, 2021 at 10:55 AM ^
I literally updated my post in like 15 seconds. You are all-seeing.
But also, I just learned this morning it is Huntington Bank Stadium starting very recently in 2021.
September 3rd, 2021 at 12:38 PM ^
Why don't you wait and see how many people actually attend the game tomorrow before you start making all these proclamations. Just because season ticket sells are down, doesn't it mean it won't be packed, and I guarantee we have more than Minnesota and Illinois had, considering we have more season ticket holders, than either stadium can hold in total.
September 3rd, 2021 at 12:50 PM ^
Agree. Also, Illinois, despite being "rocking" had a crowd of 41k that amounts to 68% capacity. Let's not get too ahead of ourselves wanting to be Illinois...