ADVERTISEMENT

Blue/white game

Well looks like it is not only the players worried about money. Not showing the scrimmage to all the fans is a bad idea. It makes it seem like "if you do not donate to NIL, you do not get to watch." Not good. Do other things to generate NIL money, do not make fans pay to see a scrimmage. Being forced to donate to watch, will not help me in deciding to give or not. Actually turns me off to donating. I do not like being forced to do things.
 
I’d pay $50 to watch it live. They should just set up a camera stream behind a pay wall, make it PPV.
Sounds good. I could invite some friends over and make a profit.

Always say "Hey, I charged so and so $20, I'm letting you in for $15.... and don't forget to bring the beer"
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fox2monk
Ppl who supported NIL and paying players swore up and down that the money was going to come from he tv deals and all that money the ncaa makes. And that players would get paid by big corporations who want to use them for advertisement. Nope, it's the fans who will have to "pony up."

I'm super excited about the Pope era but NIL might ruin it for me. This is supposed to be "our" team. Those are Pope's words. Yeah, well, only if you are willing to shell out big bucks for the privilege.

I read an article the other day about a female billionaire who lives in Lexington. How about they hit her up for some cash?
And hate how Mitch money grubs. But the poor blue collar working man of Kentucky can watch every single game, exhibition, and first practice extravaganza on TV. And getting a little entitled.

Above is why they are keeping the poors out. You're not giving shyt to NIL and still sitting here on free message board arguing it even exists. They don't need you. You don't deserve to watch an exhibition. Maybe we do one thing for the people who not only are going to drop a thousand bucks on seats to this, but also thousands more later so we get the best players. A little exclusive event where they don't have to listen to a loudmouth complaining the players on the court are getting money.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
The issue right is it's a internal scrimmage. I would much rather spend the $125 and get actual game tickets.

We love UK basketball but expecting people to shell out that much cash per person in crazy. Even rich people who can afford it are likely balking at the price.
 
Strangely (and I'll get roasted for this) but I have less of a problem with the B&W game being a more exclusive event for whomever is in that realm (I am not), than I have with following Cal's pro day crap before the season starts. That actually goes against the 'team first, commonwealth's team' message that Pope led off with. The B&W game obviously would be cool to see (and I do think there's a more approachable common ground to be found), but I'm not loosing much sleep over missing a scrimmage. I'm just ready for the real thing to start.
UC is playing Ohio State in an exhibition this week. If UK were to play say IU / UNC / Virginia / Va Tech / BYU in an exhibition at Memorial for $125 and not televised it would be a draw. Not sure why anyone would pay $125 to $1500 for a ticket to a Blue White Game. I am sure for someone they thought this is great, but once it rolled out they realized this is by far a mistake. At this point they could knock the price down to $25 bucks and I would not go to that event. Also Xavier and Dayton are doing the same as Cincy vs OSU.
 
Yeah it’s being used as an NIl fundraiser which I’m not entirely on board with. A lot of folks from rural Kentucky enjoy seeing that full scrimmage and no stream/TV makes it feel like we don’t matter in that. Is what it is but I hope Pipe reconsiders in the future.
It is odd to raise money to help pay players in a game that nobody can watch on tv ...
 
The idea with this was to raise an NIL war chest. Perhaps it's not working. They won't do this again if there is a poor turn out. Have to have funds to compete for players now.
Where the hell is all this TV money going? Everytime you turn around, these schools are looking at you with their hand out. ''We need 40 dollars to buy hotdogs for the concession stands''. Where's all this TV money going? We play in the SEC. The #1 or #2 most profitable conference in the NCAA.
 
Last edited:
Where the hell is all this TV money going? Everytime you turn around, these schools are looking at you with their hand out. ''We need 40 dollars to buy hotdogs for the concession stands''. Where's all this TV money going? We play in the SEC. The #1 or #2 most profitable conference in the NCAA.
Exactly. Also, they are saving $4MM per year on Pope. That’s their money now- still have to get every penny they can from the fans.
 
Exactly. Also, they are saving $4MM per year on Pope. That’s their money now- still have to get every penny they can from the fans.
It's sick. It's every program in the country too. These schools don't wanna pay up for an elite basketball or football program, so they'd rather the fans pay for it. But they sure do love raking in the revenue that football and basketball (at select schools) make.
 
It's sick. It's every program in the country too. These schools don't wanna pay up for an elite basketball or football program, so they'd rather the fans pay for it. But they sure do love raking in the revenue that football and basketball (at select schools) make.
Yes. For years. My season tickets when up as well. Think of our last few years under Cal- horrible record at home, in the tourney (both of them). Save money by hiring Pope then raise prices, charge big bucks for Blue White, etc.
 
The press release they put out when announcing this says "reimagined event."

This is not a traditional "scrimmage" so they really don't have something traditional to stream since it'll be different.

I'm not saying that is right or wrong, they are just trying something different in this NIL Era.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CalCat57
Strangely (and I'll get roasted for this) but I have less of a problem with the B&W game being a more exclusive event for whomever is in that realm (I am not), than I have with following Cal's pro day crap before the season starts. That actually goes against the 'team first, commonwealth's team' message that Pope led off with. The B&W game obviously would be cool to see (and I do think there's a more approachable common ground to be found), but I'm not loosing much sleep over missing a scrimmage. I'm just ready for the real thing to start.
I agree with this. I mean its one practice guys and they will probably learn from this. I do agree with the PPV in the future would be a much better deal, but if people want to pony up for a much more exclusive gig here then let them. Quit crying about missing what basically boils down to what we saw on TV at the pro day. You guys are making way too big of a deal over this.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SemperFiCat
Not much left to say that hasn't been said. Bad idea.

This is supposed to be something fun that lets the fans connect with the team. It's practically a UK Basketball tradition at this point. BBM then BW game.

Now, Pope's 1st year, they've taken it away from a lot of people. Some people can't afford to go or can't make the drive for various reasons. Do like other schools and slap a few extra bucks on the ticket price. But don't charge for the scrimmage that fans have watched for free for years and years.
They should also take into consideration the fact that Kentucky has TONS of fans that don't live anywhere near Kentucky and can't possibly get there for an expensive practice.
 
I used to get hyped for BBM and BnW but it hasn't been a good product for quite some time now, I guess it's fun to get an early glimpse but when you've got exhibition games a few weeks out I'd just rather be patient and wait for those and the real games.

If you're into it, cool, but it's not something I'm going to lose sleep over missing.
 
Ppl who supported NIL and paying players swore up and down that the money was going to come from he tv deals and all that money the ncaa makes. And that players would get paid by big corporations who want to use them for advertisement. Nope, it's the fans who will have to "pony up."

I'm super excited about the Pope era but NIL might ruin it for me. This is supposed to be "our" team. Those are Pope's words. Yeah, well, only if you are willing to shell out big bucks for the privilege.

I read an article the other day about a female billionaire who lives in Lexington. How about they hit her up for some cash?
She single?
 
As was discussed above , from financial point of view , this move doesn’t make any sense. As PR campaign , this is definitely not how you want to promote your new coach and new team. I wonder who made this decision…

Unless Pope thinks the team is not ready yet for a full scrimmage and they need more practice this makes no sense and it is big mistake to start the season for a Coach that wants to bring back the Tradition.
 
Guys no matter what this is the future of college (semi pro) athletics. It is no longer about school what so ever. It is about a Brand, KENTUCKY WILDCATS, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Reds and so forth. Once money grubbing starts it only gets worse. It does not get better. In a few years UK tickets will go through the roof (even more than now), fees will be larger than ever and just like Pro sports they are more for the elite (to go see the teams) than it is for the normal fan.

I do not follow my Pro teams any more, have not watched an NBA game in more than 10 years, have not watched a full NFL game in more than 3 years, have not watched the Reds in more than 6 years. It will be the same sooner or later when the money grubbing gets out of control with college (semi pro) athletics. I told my wife that Friday night was my last time going to Rupp. I said in 2022 that was the last time going to Commonwealth Stadium.

Corporate tailgating will be taking over for good in a year or 2 as UK will start renting spots to tailgate. It is very sad but they have to keep up with other Teams as much as possible. You will never, ever see the Grove at Ole Miss be a corporate only tailgate event.

I will watch on TV for now. Just a sad time for college athletics.

If it stays on the same track, you will see more people opt out I do believe.
 


The picture says it all. Hardly any seats sold so far and that’s with only opening up about half of the available seats for purchase.

They need to get out ahead of it and cut prices further/offer bigger Club Blue discounting/etc.

They’ll end up giving a lot away, obnoxiously promoting the event, and still end up with lots of empty seats once the week is through.

A true shame after how awesome Madness was.

Maybe they still have time to figure out a PPV streaming option to recoup some of the cash they aren’t raising from ticket sales.
Like I said earlier threads about this the cost is ridiculous and nobody is gonna pay 1500 bucks to see a game that cost $10 every year since it’s happened. I get NIl fundraising but not at the cost of games. I’d rather spend $500 to see the UofL game or something. Make NIL a one time a year donation. People can donate what they can afford. Honestly revenue sharing should take most of the cost for players IMO. They make tons of cash and that can reward those generating it. Then they can get the rest from deals on the side. People like us who make way less than they do shouldn’t be required to fund that kind of expense.
 
This really needs to be the NIL fundraising model going forward for the BW Game. There’s TON’s of BBN that can’t make the event regardless of the price, because they live out of the area, and this would be an excellent opportunity for a modestly priced PPV.
I mean 100k viewers at $10 a pop is a million dollars of revenue. That seems attainable to me. Game numbers are way higher than that. I’d venture to say we could get 10 times that, but how many will pay will be the issue. I’d say 10% would and that’s my baseline.
 
They are going the wrong way about this.

Why take away the pleasure from the regular fans watching the game and instead transform it into closed circuit , blue and white club?

And apparently the scrimmage will be replace by a practice.

I thought “this was not my team or the players team but the state of Kentucky team”…
Exactly, the whole idea of the blue white game was to see our team play for the first time all year.
 
You have to do something to justify the price. Have a bunch of raffles to tickets to big games, meet and greets after the B&W, autographed merch. It could easily be turned into a full blown fan experience. That could justify high prices and a media blackout.
Yeah everyone gets a signed ball or something. It would have to be an experience for sure.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SemperFiCat
My only problem with it is the fact that it won’t be available on television. It should be PPV. That would generate more money and give fans that live out in the state or out of state a chance to see the game and it would raise funds for NIL. It wouldn’t affect attendance. If you live in the Lexington area having the PPV option isn’t going to keep you out of the arena. If you are too poor (or too cheap) to go to the game, having a PPV option isn’t going to matter to you. Most of the people who will be at the game are going because they want to support the team financially. If they are smart they will make it PPV and make some more money that way.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fox2monk
I'm a big commie. And hate how Mitch money grubs. But the poor blue collar working man of Kentucky can watch every single game, exhibition, and first practice extravaganza on TV. And getting a little entitled.

Above is why they are keeping the poors out. You're not giving shyt to NIL and still sitting here on free message board arguing it even exists. They don't need you. You don't deserve to watch an exhibition. Maybe we do one thing for the people who not only are going to drop a thousand bucks on seats to this, but also thousands more later so we get the best players. A little exclusive event where they don't have to listen to a loudmouth complaining the players on the court are getting money.
Wow, what an asshole. Maybe this is parody. I hope it is.
 
Yeah, I definitely would've paid for a PPV live stream. I understand we are in the new NIL era, but BBN reaches far and wide and a lot of us live way too far away to attend in person.

And for those of us that like to archive all things UK basketball, this is a big letdown. It has been a LONG time since the Blue White game wasn't televised.
100% agree. What a bummer.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mattrudd
They are going the wrong way about this.

Why take away the pleasure from the regular fans watching the game and instead transform it into closed circuit , blue and white club?

And apparently the scrimmage will be replace by a practice.

I thought “this was not my team or the players team but the state of Kentucky team”…

Just make it to where you can order the game online/streaming for a few bucks, all proceeds go to NIL, at the very least.
 
I'm a big commie. And hate how Mitch money grubs. But the poor blue collar working man of Kentucky can watch every single game, exhibition, and first practice extravaganza on TV. And getting a little entitled.

Above is why they are keeping the poors out. You're not giving shyt to NIL and still sitting here on free message board arguing it even exists. They don't need you. You don't deserve to watch an exhibition. Maybe we do one thing for the people who not only are going to drop a thousand bucks on seats to this, but also thousands more later so we get the best players. A little exclusive event where they don't have to listen to a loudmouth complaining the players on the court are getting money.
If this isn’t parody, then wow…..
Elitism has no place in BBN. If you want that go to Duke.
 
This is a bummer. I live out of state and traveling for the B-W game really isn't an option. I look more forward to this one every year than the BBM Pep Rally.

100% agreed. I watched the highlights of bbm and that's it. I guess I'll do the same for this if any are available.
 
If they want to make it a fundraiser. The very least they could do is make it a PPV event so people who can't go can still see their Cats. Don't like this at all. Still not crazy about that idea charging to watch an event that has been aired on TV and streamed online for years. I'll give the school this much the last couple of years, they found a way to raise funds traveling to another location for the event and fans at home that can't travel weren't screwed out of watching it.

 
Last edited:
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT