According to KSR UKAA is looking at taking all the greenspace at Kroger Field next year and charging for tailgate spots and reserving more space for corporate tailgates.....pony up tailgaters!!
Pony Up Tailgaters!!!
- Thread starter flyingkat
- Start date
The way UK is playing there won’t be any fans there.
Long overdue . When I tailgated for forty years I would have loved to have a paid for reserved space for my tent . Good idea and very fair way to raise money from those who benefit from the space .
For better or worse, College Football is fully monetized, soon to include profit sharing of 20% of revenue with athletes. In reality, success has long been at least loosely connected to profitability.
But that profitability allowed for massive contracts for coaches, gold-plating athletic facilities, and in a few instances, at select schools, the actual funding of academic facilities such as UK’s Young Library.
Those days are suddenly and irretrievably gone.
Look for coaches salaries to increase in small increments compared to the last 45 years, the end of construction of lavish dorms and practice facilities, and the end of any cash flow toward academic causes.
We are in an era of battle directly based on dollars in every respect, and can’t bring a water gun to the fight.
And we need to fight the battle with both the very large and the very small . . . large donors have traditionally benefitted UK and most “Old State U’s.” They will in the future.
But on the smaller scale, we need to aggressively seek opportunities for “ponying up,” without excessive pain. We need an enterprising capitalist or two to establish the business models that directly benefit NIL. How about Blue caps with a favored player’s number emblazoned, with the word “Kentucky” also noticeable . . . hence free of a direct object that must be marketed by UK. And how about stores in malls and medium sized cities with “NIL” directly in their name/title, to allow hundreds of thousands to slightly amend their shopping habits to the benefit the cause?
Kentucky Blue Lite is a hit, my local stores/bars struggling to get their hands on it, but does not advertise UK by name. That effort is a good source of how it can be done: UK and their corporate partners do not own the color blue, the name of the state, or a player’s Name, Image, Likeness or jersey number.
We are a comparatively small state, and hardly the wealthiest. But cumulative, incremental spending can produce huge results. I know of a local community (750 people) where a small convenience store pays $4,000.00 every three months to the city for a 5% tax on the sale of beer . . . meaning that small store is selling $80,000.00 per quarter in beer. And this small community is surrounded by other small towns, all of whom have gone wet the last ten years, and is dominated by the Southern Baptist Churches, with a local Catholic population of less than 3%. (I’m not picking on Catholics, I admire their lack of hypocrisy and I am a rural charismatic Christian by Faith, Grace and tradition).
I had NO IDEA, how much beer was consumed in rural Kentucky.
If Kentucky Blue Light could capture 5 percent of Kentucky’s massive beer consumption, that alone would fund half of NIL at UK.
But that profitability allowed for massive contracts for coaches, gold-plating athletic facilities, and in a few instances, at select schools, the actual funding of academic facilities such as UK’s Young Library.
Those days are suddenly and irretrievably gone.
Look for coaches salaries to increase in small increments compared to the last 45 years, the end of construction of lavish dorms and practice facilities, and the end of any cash flow toward academic causes.
We are in an era of battle directly based on dollars in every respect, and can’t bring a water gun to the fight.
And we need to fight the battle with both the very large and the very small . . . large donors have traditionally benefitted UK and most “Old State U’s.” They will in the future.
But on the smaller scale, we need to aggressively seek opportunities for “ponying up,” without excessive pain. We need an enterprising capitalist or two to establish the business models that directly benefit NIL. How about Blue caps with a favored player’s number emblazoned, with the word “Kentucky” also noticeable . . . hence free of a direct object that must be marketed by UK. And how about stores in malls and medium sized cities with “NIL” directly in their name/title, to allow hundreds of thousands to slightly amend their shopping habits to the benefit the cause?
Kentucky Blue Lite is a hit, my local stores/bars struggling to get their hands on it, but does not advertise UK by name. That effort is a good source of how it can be done: UK and their corporate partners do not own the color blue, the name of the state, or a player’s Name, Image, Likeness or jersey number.
We are a comparatively small state, and hardly the wealthiest. But cumulative, incremental spending can produce huge results. I know of a local community (750 people) where a small convenience store pays $4,000.00 every three months to the city for a 5% tax on the sale of beer . . . meaning that small store is selling $80,000.00 per quarter in beer. And this small community is surrounded by other small towns, all of whom have gone wet the last ten years, and is dominated by the Southern Baptist Churches, with a local Catholic population of less than 3%. (I’m not picking on Catholics, I admire their lack of hypocrisy and I am a rural charismatic Christian by Faith, Grace and tradition).
I had NO IDEA, how much beer was consumed in rural Kentucky.
If Kentucky Blue Light could capture 5 percent of Kentucky’s massive beer consumption, that alone would fund half of NIL at UK.
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Yeah. This will hurt Lexington businesses, but UK has never cared about them anyway.
Won't affect me or those I know. Most have stopped tailgating at UK games. They only do that at road games or do their tailgates at people's houses. Kids and adults all have more fun that way. Some miss the games still. Most don't since they stopped going.
I passed on the game and a tailgate this weekend. Didn't think we'd play well. Stayed home and enjoyed time with family. Glad I gave up my season tickets when I did. All of our donations to the program are at an end.
To your point @The-Hack
Me and some business associates had a business idea and they pitched a co-branded product to UK people decades ago as a way to generate revenue for the ath dept. Frankly, they were rude, condescending, and dismissive. They haven't donated a dime since.
UK couldn't be bothered to help local businesses for the 30 yrs I've been here. They'll have a rough row to hoe if they don't find big corporate sponsors for everything, and then they're a little fish in a big pond compared to other SEC football programs.
Won't affect me or those I know. Most have stopped tailgating at UK games. They only do that at road games or do their tailgates at people's houses. Kids and adults all have more fun that way. Some miss the games still. Most don't since they stopped going.
I passed on the game and a tailgate this weekend. Didn't think we'd play well. Stayed home and enjoyed time with family. Glad I gave up my season tickets when I did. All of our donations to the program are at an end.
To your point @The-Hack
Me and some business associates had a business idea and they pitched a co-branded product to UK people decades ago as a way to generate revenue for the ath dept. Frankly, they were rude, condescending, and dismissive. They haven't donated a dime since.
UK couldn't be bothered to help local businesses for the 30 yrs I've been here. They'll have a rough row to hoe if they don't find big corporate sponsors for everything, and then they're a little fish in a big pond compared to other SEC football programs.
How about NIL Bingo or open up a NIL casino and start recruiting at the grade school level. Be bold or go away.
That might be hyperbole, but your suggestions are no more outrageous than some actual NIL activities.
Hell, stain rolling papers Blue and for 5% to UK NIL, fire up, for all I care.
Your grade school remark sounds outrageous, but I wonder how old the three All-Americans from Texas who were "placed" at Somerset High School, prior to their Title winning days at Centre were when initially recruited/bought by Centre boosters.
That was now more than a Century ago, but NIL is hardly a new reality, for those that really "cared."
Not when they are talking about $1000 per game which is the number that has been thrown around
If they are talking about a grand a game they are intoxicated with their own importance and the lots will not sell . Should be a couple if hundred a game or a grand for the season
Mmmmm.
I foresee lots of empty space.
Surely, a grand a season!!
But, if $1,000.00 per game, they only have to sell 1/8th as many slots . . . .
These ought to be graduated, based upon quality, distance to the stadium, etc.
Say, spaces in the arboretum furthest from the stadium and other spaces South of Alumni are the cheap slots. If you are in the shadows of the stadium, each license is good for 2 or 3 parking slots, and maybe some pay 8 grand a year?!?!
The owners of all closely related private parking areas should licking their chops . . . that $30.00 parking slot might just hit $100.00 next season!
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The athletic budget is 166 million dollars. The money they raise with this will be a drop in the bucket. I don't see how chasing off tailgaters is worth it. Even if you don't participate, it adds to atmosphere of GameDay. It's that intangible thing mbas don't put a dollar on, and hurts in the long run.
Mitch Barnharts signature has been he doesn't give a shit about the fan experience.
You are 100 percent right about it adding to the game experience . I have tailgated at both Clemson and Alabama . They all have the same tents for a mile it seems . Really really adds to the atmosphere
For 10 years my group used to tailgate in the green spaces in the Blue lot, out between the lot and Alumni. When they renovated the stadium in 2015, those green spaces disappeared and we lost our Blue lot passes and seats when they reticketed everyone. So we ended up on the other side of the stadium in the Green lot and started tailgating in the grass by BCTC. We've gotten to know everyone that tailgates around us and it's become a great atmosphere on gameday with 6 tailgates basically becoming 1 large one. If they take those spots away from us, we'll probably just stop tailgating, as sad as that makes me to say.
We tailgate in that same area close to the student entrance with a bunch of friends from our college days back in the 90s. We are next to the Kattus family and have become friends with them as well as others around us. My buddy has been tailgating there for years. I just started doing it last season with him when another buddy of mine got season football tickets. I have season basketball tickets and we basically trade ticket for ticket. I really hope we aren't forced to find another spot.
The reps started coming around a few games ago. Wouldn't talk money but said they were breaking people into the news. They made it sound like its definitely happening just a matter of cost.
Also apparently a tiered cost system based on how desirable your spot is considered. No idea who assigns that value.
Even worse, I'm sure the money will go into the general athletic fund which means it wont even go to football.
Also apparently a tiered cost system based on how desirable your spot is considered. No idea who assigns that value.
Even worse, I'm sure the money will go into the general athletic fund which means it wont even go to football.
25 years of tailgating with our crew could be cooked if this happens. Will obviously depend on how far out from the stadium they extend this deal. but we got pushed out of the grove by the Orange lot to a space over next to the RV lot. Its actually a pretty nice space, but I can see it being part of that plan. Sad day indeed if they do this.
It looks likely that the “profit sharing”plan is Damn-near a lock by next seaso.
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Not that it matters much to me — at this point I’m done, green space or not .. they could give me a catered tailgate from Malone’s and I’m a hard pass . The product on the field sucks . I’m staying home til stoops is gone .
I never would have thought when I was 20 years old that it would come to this. That, of course, was extremely naive.
This was discussed on this forum several weeks ago when folks were talking about staking their tents to claim tailgating spaces.
This eventuality was as sure to come as the rising sun. Barnhart and the athletic department absolutely love to find new revenue streams. The ONLY thing that will put this nonsense in check is fans to simply refuse to participate.
This eventuality was as sure to come as the rising sun. Barnhart and the athletic department absolutely love to find new revenue streams. The ONLY thing that will put this nonsense in check is fans to simply refuse to participate.
I disagree about new revenue sources. What universities need to did is start cutting the fat. Trev Alberts (Texas A&M AD) said it best, “College athletics doesn’t have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem”.
This was inevitable for a number of reasons. You have people going in and claiming their own spots weeks and months in advance with stakes and tent frames that may stay put, may get stolen, or may get moved by another aggressive party that decided THEY want to tailgate there. This way, if you rent or buy a space, it's yours and no one else can come in and take it/steal it.
Makes sense. There’s some prime real estate that could produce some decent money.
No issue with it. It’s just business.
Don’t be complaining about UK not having the money to compete, then also complain when they start tapping some new ways to make money.
No issue with it. It’s just business.
Don’t be complaining about UK not having the money to compete, then also complain when they start tapping some new ways to make money.
The fans , at least a sizable portion , are tapped out .. the experience doesn’t match the investment IMO .. so I’m out
There comes a point where you need to be creative without continually tapping into the fanbase. It's not sustainable and it will turn people off. Want to go to the blue-white game, pony up $125 a ticket. Want to tailgate around the stadium, that will cost you. It's going to get real old, real quick.
You have an $176 million budget. Make tough decisions that put more money into the 2 major sports. Renegotiate with Kentucky Farm Bureau, Central Bank, UK Healthcare, Coca Cola, Nike, etc. to do the same deal from a monetary perspective, but have them commit half of it to the athletic department and half of it to the collective. Open up NIL stores in Lexington and across the state where all proceeds go to the athlete and collectives.
If you're winning, it's one thing....people will be more apt to give because they feel their investment is leading to success. If you're facing your third straight 7-6 (at best) season, the fans will be turned off, because their investment is leading to losses to teams like Vandy and South carolina.
I can't even begin to explain how offended I am with college athletics business model. I like the NFL but if they had no salary cap and unrestricted free agency every year I don't think I would like it. I sure as hell wouldn't like it with all that and the owners telling me that they are spending all the money they are already getting and spending it on all their other failed business ventures and now I was responsible for their payroll. I very well may have spent my last cent on anything to do with college athletics.
Totally understand the “tapped out” side of the coin as well.
However, that parking lot and stadium will be full for Lake Erie Region Commuter School tech next year.
Same goes for the “winning cures all” sentiment. Very true, but we average about 6 wins a year and CMS is still here and the games pretty much sell out every season.
^^ I don’t agree with that at all .. the other 2 couples that tail gate with us are also nearly a lock to say no thanks next year . And a 4th couple .. guy that gives an extra grand for ? NIL ?? Says he’s about had enough , been a strong Stoops guy for years , but he’s smart enough to know it’s over .
On a side note this expansion of ideas on creating money to pay these teenagers ( in many cases ) or 20 year olds makes me — nauseous. They are already treated like the Beatles in 1970 .. give me a break , I pray I live long enough to be the golden goose be sick , and buried . They be a greedy bunch , these “ stars “
On a side note this expansion of ideas on creating money to pay these teenagers ( in many cases ) or 20 year olds makes me — nauseous. They are already treated like the Beatles in 1970 .. give me a break , I pray I live long enough to be the golden goose be sick , and buried . They be a greedy bunch , these “ stars “
6 wins a year with 3 being MACers isn’t gonna cut it , not for me but for most , JMHO , and it isn’t totally about money but the 2k or so in tix and the 1k ( more like 2 ?) that I drop on a season of game days would be better spent giving to Samaritans Purse , than some hot shot driving a Bentley .
Same here. Pope brought excitement back for me but after how they managed the b/w game I'm just... disheartened. College athletics is just minor league pro sports now and I've never enjoyed watching that.
It's because it's a social club. Not a fanbase that expects to win anything that matters.
How dare you microwave fans! It takes 50 years to build a legit SEC program! Look at mizzou and texas!
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