mGrowOld

May 24th, 2023 at 3:01 PM ^

" Sparty fans seem upset, so that makes me like it."

Over at RCMB there's definitely a "tale of two threads".  First one posted this morning just announcing the game would be moved to Black Friday.  That one everybody seemed to like a lot.

Second thread, posted about an hour ago, adds "and it will be played at Ford Field".  That one they do NOT like at all.

drjaws

May 24th, 2023 at 12:59 PM ^

more “fans” presumably. sitting in that dump of a stadium in EL in 25 degree weather isn’t as nice as sitting in ford field in 25 degree weather.

that also assumes MSU will actually have fans that want to see them play when they’re 3-8

Alton

May 24th, 2023 at 1:03 PM ^

If they played the game Saturday afternoon in East Lansing, the University would be confronted with the fact that their own fanbase cares more about staying home and watching the Michigan-Ohio State game on TV than they do about going to an MSU game.

 

Grampy

May 24th, 2023 at 12:55 PM ^

Smart move by MSU. They have a large alumni base in a 30 radius who have no real interest in driving up to EL to see a winter night game, but would love the chance to party downtown on a thanksgiving weekend night. Will put more Spartan butts in the seats. 

LDNfan

May 25th, 2023 at 1:05 PM ^

Except with a losing record going into the game and then a blow out loss...

Not sure how many fans will want to start their partying with that...

And I imagine it will be a big recruiting weekend for them too.

Hope PSU embarrasses them and solidly takes their place as the 2nd best B1G East team to UM of course. 

Boner Stabone

May 24th, 2023 at 1:05 PM ^

I know there are some MHSAA member schools that will not compete in events on Sundays.  I wonder what will happen if one of those schools makes it to the State Championship game and it will have to be played on Sunday???

truferblue22

May 24th, 2023 at 1:12 PM ^

Cool. This will give all the bros who "really went to the school (they) cheer for" but refuse to live within 50 miles of the shithole town where they  ̶p̶a̶r̶t̶i̶e̶d̶  studied for six years the chance to see Mel shove his head up his ass in person. 

Ferg0dsakes

May 24th, 2023 at 1:21 PM ^

You would have to think that the location was at least "agreed to in principal" and was just waiting for the ink on the crossed T's and dotted i's to dry, when the date change was announced a ~week ago.  

Cynically, I fear that some discretionary B1G/BTN funds may have been directed towards subsidizing MSU's move to a neutral, where the facility tends to take all/most of ticket and vendor revenue.  ASSuming that most of Sparty tickets were sold even with no-shows, that money needs to be recouped.  An empty Spartan Stadium certainly isn't selling many dogs and hot chocolates to the no-shows.  A slice of the vendor profits from Ford and a B1G/BTN subsidy may turn a profit?  Not enough to cover Mel's buy out, or even game-check (~$800k), but it's close to balancing the loss of a home game.

I'm also going to ASSume that Ford Field will get a "State of Michigan" exception to the no-booze rule?.... though that may be moot by fall, depending on pending legislation.  

oHOWiHATEohioSTATE

May 24th, 2023 at 1:37 PM ^

Fuck it, I just booked 2 rooms halfway between Detroit and Ann Arbor for that Friday night.  Going to get to watch Sparty get blown out will be a nice appetizer for our 3rd strait W over osu.

Amazinblu

May 24th, 2023 at 2:21 PM ^

Ridiculous - this is college ball - the regular season finale - and, instead of playing in your home Stadium with all of the tradition and luster - the decision is made to move indoors and play at Ford Field?   How about both MSU fans on the west side of the state?   Will they get compensated for the extra mileage that's going to go on their car?

FWIW - it's 91 miles from Spartan Stadium to Ford Field - a round trip - means 182 miles.  With the US tax mileage rate today - that would be almost $ 120.  And, later November MSU tickets - that $ 120 will probably translate to 24 seats - maybe more.

NittanyFan

May 24th, 2023 at 2:24 PM ^

Remember Gene Smith from a few months ago, talking about OSU possibly moving any home playoff games to Indianapolis?

A lot of people laughed.  I did not.  I sensed an ominous harbinger.

I really think it's very possible that we'll see that for any B1G school that gets a 1st-round playoff game.  U-M and MSU at Ford Field, Buckeyes in Indy, PSU in Philly, et cetera.

Hosting a game - especially during the holiday period - isn't logistically easy on-campus on short notice.  Many students will have left town already.  The weather will be less of a factor.  And the ticket price point could be potentially higher in a bigger city.  

None of this is good, IMO.  I personally hate this move.  But I think this move is a sign of the times.

Leaders And Best

May 24th, 2023 at 2:56 PM ^

I don't think that is how that works. According the current playoff plan, it is the choice of the host team, not the conference. I don't think many host teams are going to opt for a pro stadium or neutral location unless there is some scheduling conflict or major weather event.

It's a playoff game and not a regular season game. I think fans will show up for a playoff game even if students are away on break. It's not like more students are going to show up at Ford Field in Detroit? Ticket distribution will probably work like the bowls for season ticket holders, and any student tickets not claimed will work their way to season ticket holders and then the public.

OSU might rather move a home playoff game to Indianapolis because their teams have withered in the cold conditions in recent years.

NittanyFan

May 24th, 2023 at 3:44 PM ^

Sure, it will be the host school's chose as regards location, not the B1G.

But I don't think it's a slam dunk, or even over 50% certain, the host schools will choose AA, East Lansing, State College, Madison (Bears building their indoor stadium), et cetera.

We'll see ...... we'll know more for certain 5 years from now.

Amazinblu

May 24th, 2023 at 5:25 PM ^

The Buckeyes in Indy - for a playoff game - that makes sense.  First, the Buckeyes want "indoor conditions", and second - any intelligent Buckeye fans want to get out of Ohio as much as they can.

Michigan at Ford Field- instead of Michigan - I don't think so.  The stadium size, ticket revenue, etc. - won't compare.

Penn State in Philly?   Hmmm... why. Lincoln Field is an outdoor venue.  The first round of the expanded playoffs should be mid-December, and - kids can enjoy a game in State College before heading home for the holidays.

The Spartans.   This wouldn't appear to be a decision they'll be faced with for quite a while...

Leaders And Best

May 24th, 2023 at 2:54 PM ^

LOL. This is awful on so many fronts. Moving the MHSAA Football Finals to Saturday-Sunday is a terrible idea. MSU is moving their second best home game to a pro stadium--a huge middle finger to their season ticket holders, local partners, and the East Lansing community.

Hoek

May 24th, 2023 at 2:58 PM ^

Boy RCMB isn't happy about only 1 home game in November and 1 home game in October. They give up a home game and have to go to Happy Valley next year (hopefully a night game). I for one am happy when MSU sports fans are pissed about sports!!!

matty blue

May 24th, 2023 at 3:17 PM ^

bleah.  i honestly, truly do not give a shit when or where sparty or penn state want to play for their shitty made-up trophy.  my many sparty friends are pissed, fwiw.

but bumping the high school championship games to sunday stinks.

i know this does happen from time to time...the navarre 'stampede' game was a friday night due to the world series, if i'm not mistaken.  i get it.  it still stinks.