2025 Athletics Update

Cymark86

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Dec 2, 2023
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The argument that ISU shouldn't be doing absolutely everything it can to raise *any* dollars when they are making fan-unfriendly moves like this is dumb
I mean, how can anyone disagree with this statement? If the experience was so bad, schools would discontinue the practice. Exhaust all internal revenue opportunities. It only nets you a million doesn’t make much sense.
 

Mr.G.Spot

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Our revenue growth is going to primarily come from the brand value of the Big12 through its media deals. The member schools need to show that we are valuable enough for media members to bid on our product.

Cytown is an avenue for revenue growth, as the revenues from that , I believe, are supposed to cover the costs of maintaining the Iowa State Center. My understanding is that these costs are coming out of the ADs budget now. So that revenue will be used to offset maintenance costs.

But not sure what else the AD can do to bring in more revenue and make a profit that they already aren’t involved in.
First free cash flow goes to updates for CYS and related expenses. Over the long haul, once deferred maintenance and capex are at basic levels, then it goes to Athletics.
 

ISU_Guy

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Jul 21, 2021
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DIdn't read all the comments, but could you imagine implementing this with a 4-8 football team and the basketball team sucks?
my point is, if we are good people will still buy tickets. I have a hard time paying out extra money for hot garbage though.
So Jamie is getting fairly lucky with the timing of this all
 

Sparkplug

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I have to say, attending the eiu basketball game this year at the Carver hole in the ground, people constantly going to get beer or pee was kind of a pain and made watching the game less enjoyable.

I get the opportunity for a new revenue stream and I like beer. But hell, I’d spend half the game in the john with my urinary system.
I’ve never understood why people want aisle seats. You’re constantly needing to let people in and out. Middle seats are the best (we rarely leave our seats and are usually the first in and last out)
 
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Mr.G.Spot

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There isn't one. CFB is becoming a ******** of costs, and it's going to cause programs to shrink or close up shop in the long run.

There's always the "sell beer!" angle, but even that wouldn't be a permanent solution, just a bandage. The costs will never stop going up until the entire landscape implodes and something completely different rises up after.
Agreed. Beer is, at best, a band-aid.

Salary caps are coming for the next transition. Pro football has been here for 15 years. Four families generally go together and "share" 4 season tickets seats.
 

jsb

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It would be interesting to know how many of the people that are ******** actually donate to the Cyclone Club and/or buy season tickets.

I'm a relatively minor donor. I sit in Section 2 in football (a non-donor section) and donate $1500 to keep my basketball seats in Section 213. I'll increase my Cyclone Club donation to whatever they decide to keep those seats. And I'll pay the 7% increase for my tickets. If money was a bigger issue, I could easily drop my Cyclone Club donation and keep my tickets in Section 237 for basketball.
 

Mr.G.Spot

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Because it’s a product of poor planning and revenue generation by JP.

The conference payouts have greatly increased in last 15-20 years. More money than ever coming in from CFP.

Yet we can’t handle the $20 million for the singular most important input to the AD

Perhaps stop pissing away money on non-revenue, start selling beer (the least you can do if increasing prices), get onboard with PE, etc

In this transformational time, best to borrow on from the future than risk inelasticity killing it
A lot of words and opinions with no substance. Really?
 

Mr.G.Spot

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Pretty good summary of college athletics when an AD brings in $150 million per year and complains about being broke and needs the fans to cover the costs while TV revenue has surged in the recent decade.
Feel good statement to justify uneducated opinions.
 

WISCY1895

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Pretty good summary of college athletics when an AD brings in $150 million per year and complains about being broke and needs the fans to cover the costs while TV revenue has surged in the recent decade.
College athletics did this to themselves with insane coaching salaries and buyouts
 

Jnecker4cy

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Evidence has shown that you are more likely to be spilled on if it is sold ;). Either way, it isn't netting enough to not do some of this stuff, so the argument is dumb.
If we need 20 million, I say 1 million from beer sales helps? No math expert but need 20 mil and I can get 1 mil by selling beer. Please, yes, let's do that.
 

ForbinsAscynt

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I will be reevaluating my tickets. Endzone club has really lost its appeal for me these last 2 years mostly due to not having a great view of the action on the field. I think this solidifies my choice to move.
 

CydeofFries

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Beer sales aren't as simple as snapping your fingers and it's done. There's costs and infrastructure involved and I imagine the concourses in both Jack Trice and Hilton desperately need upgrades before alcohol could even be considered being sold.

Even if the total cost of those upgrade is $2mil (which I feel like would be low), a net of $500k on alcohol would mean ISU would not be seeing those profits for 4+ years. In a time where everyone is complaining about increased costs, having the Athletic department take on even more liabilities (that are going to be very dependent on fan support i.e. unpredictable), doesn't make much sense from a financial standpoint. Especially with the big CyTown project already in progress. One rain storm or snow storm could cripple profits, and the AD has no control over that.

I get it, I do think concessions and concourses needs to be upgraded and alcohol sales should be a part of it. But just acting like it is free bonus money Pollard is maliciously leaving on the table is such a naive take.
 

Trice

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Why should the tickets be exempt?

They shouldn't. Just like there's no sensible reason why an athletic department should be tax-exempt. But since when has common sense ever governed how the government treats college athletics? In this political environment, not to have gotten that done is a huge failure.
 

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