Last Day to Pay Football Preferred Seat Contribution
For football season ticket holders, today is the last day to pay your PSC. I've been a holder since right after I graduated in 2011, but this is the first year I'm seriously considering not renewing. I'm still in section 8 (corner) row 30 with only two tickets. Would be more inclined if I was sideline and had a group of 4. Also disappointed with our play on the field and scheduling OSU and MSU away the same year.
Anyone else in a similar conflict of deciding whether to continue as a season ticket holder?
January 31st, 2020 at 11:45 AM ^
Ditto everything you wrote.
I used to be section 8 row 40; not too far from you.
I just don't see the value in it any more. Especially since I'm out of state. I'd go to a couple of games a year. Give a pair to my mom... and try to break even on the rest. Which only really happened in JH's first two years.
Those $75 seats to Tomato Can U. are going to go for a fraction of that on game days now.
January 31st, 2020 at 3:22 PM ^
it's just lost the excitement playing shit teams and then getting the shit kicked out of you to wrap it all up
THIS all day long!!!
Some people are questioning fandom of those who critique the team/give up tix...
...but I just don't find beating Hawaii 63-7 exciting or entertaining knowing the annual ass raping against ohio is coming up. Especially when ohio in A2 is now seemingly a home game for them.
Coupled with the Disney-like approach of the University takes these days (and yeah, paying for 27 varsity sports is expensive) to try to separate as much money from me as quickly as possible, the football experience for me isn't what it used to be.
January 31st, 2020 at 12:00 PM ^
IF the NCAA decided that the playoff was comprised of the P5 conference champs plus 3 at large teams, it would immediately decrease the competitive advantage of playing only tomato cans in non-conference games, since those games would have no bearing on conference championships. Hell, you could even do something radical—for those teams who are on the bubble for the at-large spots, you could reward them for playing a more difficult non-conference schedule.
Which means Michigan could schedule OOC games in such a way as to make each season ticket package much more attractive.
January 31st, 2020 at 12:03 PM ^
Curious the rationale for those with season tickets. Is it all nostalgia? I go to one or two games a year - usually the marquee games - pay an average price for good-to-decent seats and watch the rest of the "meatball" games at home or a bar. I don't feel like I miss out on anything - and probably save four figures a year.
January 31st, 2020 at 12:35 PM ^
Here's my story. My grandparents had tickets since at least the 40s, probably earlier. Both of my parents went to UM and took me and my brother to games since we were old enough to sit through them (probably before we really should have been going, to be honest). Parents transferred their tickets over to us a few years back. Being there on Saturdays in the fall has literally been a constant my entire life.
UM has already lost my 7 and 12 year olds. We have chosen not to spend all of our entertainment dollars on football. When my parents die and / or my brother loses interest, that's going to be the end of nearly 100 years of customers.
January 31st, 2020 at 1:31 PM ^
In my case, I like the people who sit right around me, and they almost never sell their tickets. There's some added nostalgia, but I'm also a victim of the classic sales tactic that started with Canham and continued until Brandon: it took me so long to get the tickets and I'm afraid that the year I drop them is the year Michigan somehow wins a title, beats OSU, and I'll never get back in after that.
January 31st, 2020 at 12:16 PM ^
I am done. Been an avid M football fan since 1973, but I am giving up my season ticket this year. Just not enjoyable enough to put up with all the game day hassles, not to mention the obscene ticket prices. I'll watch the games with my wife from the comfort of our living room. Go Blue!
January 31st, 2020 at 12:22 PM ^
Is anyone else bothered by the intro video? You know, the one that Harbaugh helped create and is narrated by James Earl Jones?
While I love me some JEJ, the whole "We are the greatest..." schtick is getting old. Too much bragging without the winning. It's a bad look.
How about we just put our heads down and work. Put the crowing on the back burner for a bit.
January 31st, 2020 at 12:40 PM ^
Bothers me too. It's actually a bit embarrassing. Talk about an institution that lives in the past. I can only imagine what the fans from the visiting schools think when the view all the leather helmets in the Intro video. Sheesh.
January 31st, 2020 at 12:42 PM ^
"We believe in...championship football".
Yeah, ok. Lol.
January 31st, 2020 at 4:21 PM ^
While I love me some JEJ, the whole "We are the greatest..." schtick is getting old. Too much bragging without the winning. It's a bad look.
Could not agree more.
Either drop all the tough talk or:
- Start winning games you shouldn't win
- Start beating teams with a pulse
- Start winning on the road
- Figure out how to beat OSU
January 31st, 2020 at 6:44 PM ^
^This is SPOT ON!
January 31st, 2020 at 12:23 PM ^
The cost of the seats, the ridiculous bribe PSC and the overall cost, per person, of food/drinks is just out of my reach. I can't afford to take my family to Michigan games anymore and, quite honestly, even if I did the product this staff is putting out is not worth the premium dollars the AD wants for a stadium experience.
January 31st, 2020 at 12:27 PM ^
Have been in the fence a little in the past but I always renew. I love Michigan football too much. Going to the games is still a lot of fun for me although I hate night games.
I think I would be upset with my decision if I were to give up my tickets. I am a creature of habit and Michigan football is my vice.
January 31st, 2020 at 12:30 PM ^
I renewed as well. It's hard to know that if I were to drop, I would have a hard time getting comparable seats back. In a stadium that crammed if you can find something you like (aisle seat and first row under the ADA row) you hold onto those.
The schedule next year will be great. I hate that MSU/OSU are not in separate years, but that's nothing I can control. I usually see a MLive article about how many season ticket holders they have, so it'll be interesting to see if (and how much) they're down compared to last year, which if I remember was an all time high over 91,000.
January 31st, 2020 at 12:34 PM ^
They oscillate--they go up every year when we have MSU and OSU at home, then drop when those games are on the road.
January 31st, 2020 at 12:31 PM ^
Our 4 season tickets are great. High up with a nice view of all the action, near the 30-yard line.
Our total PSL last year for all 4 seats was $2,100.
The cost of the actual tickets was $2,128.
That is $4,228 for 7 home games. That averages out to $151 per seat, per game.
We decided not to renew our tickets.
January 31st, 2020 at 12:32 PM ^
I dropped from three tickets down to two, but I didn't for a moment consider giving them all up. I enjoy seeing the games live and spending the time with my boys (one at a time now) too much.
January 31st, 2020 at 12:37 PM ^
I have had season tickets for about 8 years post graduation. Good seats on the 40 yard line. I live in Ohio and drive a little over 3 hrs for a game. Fortunately my parents live in Ann Arbor, so I can stay with them and visit.
benefits:
having tickets makes me go to games I otherwise would not attend. For example, the ND game this past year. With the weather and my lack of faith in a good performance, we wouldn’t have gone. But, it was an awesome experience in the rain!
having season tickets means you can buy the seat cushion for a cheap price for the entire season, which is stellar and helps preserve your seat.
Offer for alway tickets are nice as well (more below).
making you feel more connected to the university.
I love Michigan football, and it’s the closest I can get!
negatives:
I can’t sell the seats for nearly what I have invested in them. It makes you wonder why I wouldn’t just grab seats on stub hub the morning of the game.
when purchasing away seats through the university, I have been put in the most horrible obstructed view seats I could imagine (northwestern).
The games have a significant amount of travel for me, which factors in.
the length of the games is ridiculous with the tv timeouts. 4 hrs.
I have to tailor my work schedule to fit the season due to working weekends at times.
conclusion:
I didn’t renew this year I’m planning on buying tickets the day of the game on stub hub for 3 games a year.
January 31st, 2020 at 12:42 PM ^
I am also very curious about season ticket holders. I personally go to every game. Always have a fun tailgate and love the whole experience, win or lose. I have always thought about season tickets but financially, I don't understand how it's justified. $1320 PSC plus however much tickets are (around $700-$800 I'm guessing) means $300+ per game per ticket? I sat in the Victors section for every game last year and paid around $600. Sometimes my wife joined me and I paid for two, sometimes she didn't and I save money. Even if you have the money to spend, I'm just curious why you would for an extra $1500? Is it just the friendships you build with people around you? Or just the comfort of having the same seat and not having to deal with searching for tickets?
I understand paying extra for something you enjoy but the PSC just doesn't make sense to me. Also, I have friends that visit that would love to sit together, so it's always nice to be able to do that.
I am genuinely asking and not judging as I spend money on unnecessary things all the time.
January 31st, 2020 at 1:24 PM ^
We built up friendships with those around us after many years and that was something I was sad to leave behind when my group opted to not renew for 2019. I kept meaning to reach out to let a few of them know we'd decided to drop but I never got around to it. Still feel a little guilty about that.
Before I joined up with the aforementioned season ticket group I spent a season buying single tickets around the stadium. That wasn't so bad but gave me a little anxiety not knowing the type of people I'd be sitting near. Turned out to be fine but I can see how that would not be for everyone.
January 31st, 2020 at 4:48 PM ^
I get your point and you're correct, but just to relay actual data:
Our seats last season were excellent, near an entrance, not too low, and on the 30-yard line and the total came out to $151 per game per ticket, not $300+.
January 31st, 2020 at 12:45 PM ^
The rotation was making it painful to ante- up for the weak schedule years.
Would have dropped down to 2 tix from 4, but kids graduated and ponied-up as they didn't want to start from scratch after moving back to Chicago.
Brother- in- law has 4 season tickets at MSU, and his kids did the same, covering the cost on 2 seats. I go to at least 2-3 games a year in East Lansing, get to see UM/OSU games at State. He and my sister come to AA for our best games, and my kids and their cousins hit the remainders.
It's more about the tailgate in our extended family anymore. Family has 5 UM grads, and 4 MSU grads.
Works out better this way, splitting who goes inside vs watching tv at tailgate
Our pricing levels are definately leaders and best, we win the big ten championship in revenue per seat.
January 31st, 2020 at 1:01 PM ^
I made the decision at some point during the Ohio State game that I wasn't going to renew. There was more to it than just the football itself for me as I travel in from Nashville. I transferred my tickets after Christmas to my seat neighbors.
January 31st, 2020 at 1:15 PM ^
Early indications are that the numbers are down. Mostly in the Club Seating area. Product on the field, pricing, scheduling, and apathy seem to be the common theme. Nothing surprising.
January 31st, 2020 at 1:21 PM ^
After considering not renewing for the past few years, we’re giving up our 4 seats in Sec 3 after having season tickets for 20 years. Will still attend 2-3 games per season.
i agree the video intro has jumped the shark at this point.
January 31st, 2020 at 1:21 PM ^
The OSU game did it for me...not renewing either.
With the mandatory contribution, for OSU it is close to $300 per seat (times four) to freeze your butt off and get blown out.
I'll go to a few games just to take my grandkids. They could care less whom we play and great seats for creampuff games are inexpensive.
The savings will easily pay for a nice 77 inch LG OLED TV wIth a lot left over,
January 31st, 2020 at 1:49 PM ^
77 inch OLED TV did you say? Hello to you my new best friend : )
January 31st, 2020 at 1:54 PM ^
Wish they'd add a 'poll' system to this Board, that would tell us who did/voted what...
Lots of ocean front property in Nevada and Utah to sell off...
January 31st, 2020 at 3:54 PM ^
This is the first year since 1976 that me and my family will not be season ticket holders. It is somewhat sad, as I have sat in the same seats for over 100 games in the past 40 plus years, but I can not justify the cost anymore. The game is better on TV, and my disdain for the general direction of college football as a whole makes it easier to not want to financially support it.
January 31st, 2020 at 4:50 PM ^
Does the school reach out to folks like you... long-time or generational holders, and ask why no renewal?
January 31st, 2020 at 3:54 PM ^
posted twice for half the effect
January 31st, 2020 at 5:09 PM ^
I too am giving up my tickets this year. I love Michigan football but I found myself not making very many games. With stubhub, it's easy to get tickets for a game that you want to attend without being a season ticket holder.
I was not as smart or lucky enough to make my money back on selling the tickets and don't want the hassle again.
I'll just watch the game on my dvr with a delay so that I can skip the endless commercials. The sad state of current broadcasts portends that approximately HALF of the game is commercials. I can easily start viewing the recording 90 minutes after kickoff and finish the game live after skipping all the bs.
January 31st, 2020 at 6:10 PM ^
No conflict here. Gave up 4 in the north endzone, top row. Loved our seats and have had the same people around us for 30 years. Our tailgate is changing and a number of our group are dropping their seats this year. Cost for non-marquee games is ridiculous, game times are all over the place. My kids can't afford them and my grandkids are not growing up fans like my kids are/were. Will occasionally take in a game on the secondary market, but for most of the games our group will take turns hosting a tailgate at their home. Drop the prices on some games (looking at you Rutger) and make this a family affordable experience again.
January 31st, 2020 at 6:36 PM ^
I was top row in south end zone and gave mine up for upcoming season too.
February 1st, 2020 at 5:54 AM ^
It was a hard decision, but I chose not to renew this year (had 4 together in section 16). It's not so much how the team is performing - the price was a big factor, but the "last straw" was the number of good/interesting non-con matchup announced the last few years that were almost all later canceled in exchange for cupcake games. It really makes the home schedule lackluster - especially this coming season with a weak slate of conference home games.
February 2nd, 2020 at 3:20 PM ^
Didn't renew my season tickets this year. My seats were in Section 4, about the 15 yard line. When I looked on Stubhub the week of the MSU game and saw seats in Section 2 well below the face value of mine (never mind the Preferred Seat Contribution), it was a pretty easy decision. I'll still attend the same number of games per year, but it will cost me hundreds less.