Interesting article on attendance

[Lone Clone]

https://www.wsj.com/articles/college-footballs-growing-problem-empty-seats-1535634001

This is causing a lively discussion on CR. It is a story in the Wall Street Journal and may be behind a pay wall for non-subscribers.

It's about the difference between claimed attendance (tickets sold) and actual attendance (tickets scanned at the gate). There are huge disparities in some cases (2017 games). The example in the lede is Nebraska at Minnesota, Paid attendance was nearly 40,000, but only a shade over 25,000 actually showed up.

The national average is about 71% (if there were 100,000 tickets sold, 71,000 were scanned).

Iowa and Nebraska are a bit over 79%. Iowa State is a bit over 73%.

.

 

[Hawkfan_08]

I couldn't read it but I think Iowa's numbers are probably up this year. We have had healthy crowds for 3 of 4 games. Its been fun!

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Yeah, couldn't read. I guess we've all known that, but the size of the gap between the two measure is bigger than I thought. And, I'm a little surprised Iowa is at 79% - so, if Iowa announces a sell-out, and only 79% show up, that's almost 15,000 empty seats. I don't recall seeing that many empty seats at a game that is announce as a sell-out or close to it. But, I assume the numbers are correct.

 

[mtdew_fever]

Another with Saban. The solution in Alabama....quit scheduling crappy opponents when your team is #1. Few will sit through a 60 minute beat down.


http://www.espn.com/college-footbal...students-not-showing-louisiana-lafayette-game

 

[mtdew_fever]

The bigger question is....who are the people that buy these tickets (none are cheap), but don't use them? Are they company tickets?

https://www.wsj.com/articles/college-footballs-growing-problem-empty-seats-1535634001

This is causing a lively discussion on CR. It is a story in the Wall Street Journal and may be behind a pay wall for non-subscribers.

It's about the difference between claimed attendance (tickets sold) and actual attendance (tickets scanned at the gate). There are huge disparities in some cases (2017 games). The example in the lede is Nebraska at Minnesota, Paid attendance was nearly 40,000, but only a shade over 25,000 actually showed up.

The national average is about 71% (if there were 100,000 tickets sold, 71,000 were scanned).

Iowa and Nebraska are a bit over 79%. Iowa State is a bit over 73%.

.

 

[Lone Clone]

Yeah, couldn't read. I guess we've all known that, but the size of the gap between the two measure is bigger than I thought. And, I'm a little surprised Iowa is at 79% - so, if Iowa announces a sell-out, and only 79% show up, that's almost 15,000 empty seats. I don't recall seeing that many empty seats at a game that is announce as a sell-out or close to it. But, I assume the numbers are correct.

That's the reaction on CR, as well.

 

[anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba]

No way are those numbers correct for Iowa. But I've been complaining for years about the intentional lying that pro and college sports organizations have engaged in for years by announcing "attendance" as "tickets sold." As the article notes, they are often two very different things, and the terms are not synonymous. Honesty would require that BOTH numbers be reported: actual attendance AND tickets sold.

A much better example at Iowa would be men's basketball where tickets sold often is a much larger number than actual attendance, often because of weak opponents, bad weather, and school vacations...or all three.

 

[StormHawk42]

No doubt there’s a difference between the figures but the gap seems wider than could possibly be accurate. At least for the big schools.

 

[HawkIDrummer]

The bigger question is....who are the people that buy these tickets (none are cheap), but don't use them? Are they company tickets?

Nebraska boosters trying to preserve the "sellout streak"

 

[HawkIDrummer]

https://www.wsj.com/articles/college-footballs-growing-problem-empty-seats-1535634001

This is causing a lively discussion on CR. It is a story in the Wall Street Journal and may be behind a pay wall for non-subscribers.

It's about the difference between claimed attendance (tickets sold) and actual attendance (tickets scanned at the gate). There are huge disparities in some cases (2017 games). The example in the lede is Nebraska at Minnesota, Paid attendance was nearly 40,000, but only a shade over 25,000 actually showed up.

The national average is about 71% (if there were 100,000 tickets sold, 71,000 were scanned).

Iowa and Nebraska are a bit over 79%. Iowa State is a bit over 73%.

.

For those without subscribtion access.... where does our 79% fall on the National or Big Ten scale? Was that data included

 

[HemiHawk]

Yeah, couldn't read. I guess we've all known that, but the size of the gap between the two measure is bigger than I thought. And, I'm a little surprised Iowa is at 79% - so, if Iowa announces a sell-out, and only 79% show up, that's almost 15,000 empty seats. I don't recall seeing that many empty seats at a game that is announce as a sell-out or close to it. But, I assume the numbers are correct.

I agree. But Kinnick is so darn cramped when sold out. If there are several thousand empty seats people spread out making the stadium look "fuller" than it really is. I'm sure other stadiums are the same to some degree but bottom line is less people are attending college football games. What is amazing is that people are paying good money for tickets and not using them. Why? Maybe schools are giving out free tickets?

 

[Hawk_4shur]

The bigger question is....who are the people that buy these tickets (none are cheap), but don't use them? Are they company tickets?

I would guess it is many reasons - company tickets, free tickets, student tickets, or simply just season ticket holders that can't, or don't want to, go to the game. I imagine that there are folks that just buy season tickets out of tradition or habit, but only want to go to a few games. They keep renewing so they can keep their priority and their good seats when they do go.

Weather, conflicts, start times that don't work for them - but I'd bet the single biggest reason is ambivalence - people that are just not motivated to go.

This is why expanding the number of seats in stadiums like Kinnick makes no fiscal sense.

 

[hawkster03]

Can't read the article but it's not hard to figure out.

With 70 inch high definition tv's, you can watch the game in the comfort of your house. Don't have to worry about the heat/cold. No traffic. Can still eat/drink with your friends. WAY cheaper. Just crunch the numbers for like a family of 5 to go to a game. The list goes on.

Is it the same? Obviously a huge NO. But it's just so damn easy now to enjoy games at home.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

I agree. But Kinnick is so darn cramped when sold out. If there are several thousand empty seats people spread out making the stadium look "fuller" than it really is. I'm sure other stadiums are the same to some degree but bottom line is less people are attending college football games. What is amazing is that people are paying good money for tickets and not using them. Why? Maybe schools are giving out free tickets?

True.

I think they do give out quite a few free tickets for many of the games. University guests, donors that attend a kickoff breakfast or lunch at the Foundation or Hospital. It wouldn't surprise me if they gave away 2-3,000 tickets. That still leaves a lot of purchased tickets not being used.

 

[HawkIDrummer]

Can't read the article but it's not hard to figure out.

With 70 inch high definition tv's, you can watch the game in the comfort of your house. Don't have to worry about the heat/cold. No traffic. Can still eat/drink with your friends. WAY cheaper. Just crunch the numbers for like a family of 5 to go to a game. The list goes on.

Is it the same? Obviously a huge NO. But it's just so damn easy now to enjoy games at home.

Combine this with a culture that is increasingly more satisfied with a digital experience rather than a "real" or live one and you get more people staying home. TV has "dumbed us down" in more ways than one. "Reality" for many is the digital world...not the organic one. Hand-held mobile computers (also known as cell phones) have increased the pace.

That's not a criticism of your comments above, I enjoy watching on the tube too. It's a statement about the perceived value of the live experience vs the digital one.

 

[cecilB]

The bigger question is....who are the people that buy these tickets (none are cheap), but don't use them? Are they company tickets?

mostly, yes. For the last 2 Iowa games in Lincoln friends and business contacts provided us with 16 tickets for our family(fans of both programs). Cost $0. All suite or really good seats.

 

[anon_gjzkhykcp9iuj]

Combine this with a culture that is increasingly more satisfied with a digital experience rather than a "real" or live one and you get more people staying home. TV has "dumbed us down" in more ways than one. "Reality" for many is the digital world...not the organic one. Hand-held mobile computers (also known as cell phones) have increased the pace.

That's not a criticism of your comments above, I enjoy watching on the tube too. It's a statement about the perceived value of the live experience vs the digital one.

Good points. I also look at opportunity cost and real cost. Spend 3 hours on a game, maybe a couple more if at a party or bar, and all relatively cheap. Then move on with your day. Or spend 12 or more hours on a game, including 5 or more hours of driving, getting up at 4 or 5 am, spending anywhere from $100 to $300 per person (hotels, etc), and give up the ability to do anything else that day. Going to games is awesome, but there is a huge real cost and opportunity cost of what you give up.

 

[Slappy Pappy]

Good points. I also look at opportunity cost and real cost. Spend 3 hours on a game, maybe a couple more if at a party or bar, and all relatively cheap. Then move on with your day. Or spend 12 or more hours on a game, including 5 or more hours of driving, getting up at 4 or 5 am, spending anywhere from $100 to $300 per person (hotels, etc), and give up the ability to do anything else that day. Going to games is awesome, but there is a huge real cost and opportunity cost of what you give up.

Yeah, but dude, it's a rare opportunity to celebrate a live event with a team and people you love, and it only occurs 7/365 days in a year! I bet I could name 20 other Saturdays last year you would have no memories of what you did at all. Attending a home game as a Hawk fan is more like a vacation. Similarly expensive, time comsuming, and tiring (travel), but a great break from the mundane and good for the soul!

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Combine this with a culture that is increasingly more satisfied with a digital experience rather than a "real" or live one and you get more people staying home. TV has "dumbed us down" in more ways than one. "Reality" for many is the digital world...not the organic one. Hand-held mobile computers (also known as cell phones) have increased the pace..

I don't think "dumbed us down" is a fair comment.

When I watch on TV, I get to see video replays, or I can backup my TV and make my own replays. I get to listen to commentators explain things (certainly not always good commentators), and I get to flip to other channels to see portions of other games. I can pause live action to go take a leak, or go get a drink. All in 4k with booming sound.

I'm not saying that it is "better", I just don't think it's dumber.

Plus, I don't have to see the Burrito Lift!

 

[Lone Clone]

For those without subscribtion access.... where does our 79% fall on the National or Big Ten scale? Was that data included

I'll try to get an idea and get back. The schools were listed in order of percentages but the list wasn't numbered.

OK, I copied and pasted the list of 96. Not sure how those were selected by the WSJ. The key number is the third one, which is the percent of tickets sold that were actually scanned. As you can see, the numbers were provided by the schools. The notes at the bottom refer to corrections or explanations made by schools that did not think the numbers were accurate, and I don't see Iowa or Iowa State among them.



How many college football fans are actually in the stands?
At many Football Bowl Subdivision schools, the number of tickets scanned at the stadium falls far short of a team's announced attendance.
School
Announced attendance
Scanned tickets
Scanned percentage
Home games
Win percentage (2017)
Coastal Carolina* 89,754 15,248 17.0% 6 25.0%
Louisiana Monroe 49,640 13,302 26.8% 5 33.3%
Buffalo 80,102 22,233 27.8% 6 50.0%
Eastern Michigan 73,649 23,282 31.6% 5 41.7%
Miami (Ohio) 98,666 35,582 36.1% 6 41.7%
Akron 117,416 43,675 37.2% 6 50.0%
Arkansas State 119,538 45,631 38.2% 5 58.3%
San Jose State 85,235 33,892 39.8% 6 15.4%
Ohio U 116,325 47,579 40.9% 6 69.2%
UTEP 97,740 45,444 46.5% 5 0.0%
Ball State 59,395 28,180 47.4% 6 16.7%
East Carolina* 257,090 125,132 48.7% 7 25.0%
Kent State 65,924 33,316 50.5% 5 16.7%
New Mexico State 91,195 46,681 51.2% 5 53.8%
Texas State 104,680 53,976 51.6% 6 16.7%
Western Michigan 95,314 50,102 52.6% 6 50.0%
Middle Tennessee 93,718 50,566 54.0% 6 53.8%
Cincinnati 170,603 92,403 54.2% 6 33.3%
Memphis 233,150 127,153 54.5% 7 76.9%
Nevada 100,329 55,230 55.0% 6 25.0%
Louisiana Lafeyette 78,754 43,621 55.4% 5 41.7%
Central Michigan 67,520 37,686 55.8% 5 61.5%
Toledo 124,470 70,603 56.7% 6 78.6%
Florida State 425,658 241,516 56.7% 6 53.8%
Old Dominion 120,708 68,716 56.9% 6 41.7%
Indiana 263,715 152,415 57.8% 6 41.7%
Arkansas 406,514 235,294 57.9% 6 33.3%
Charlotte 71,420 41,853 58.6% 6 8.3%
Kansas 186,490 109,521 58.7% 7 8.3%
Mississippi 410,414 243,323 59.3% 7 50.0%
Louisiana Tech 142,626 85,246 59.8% 7 53.8%
Appalachian State 154,722 94,172 60.9% 6 69.2%
Southern Mississippi 130,265 79,913 61.3% 6 61.5%
Rutgers 278,245 171,657 61.7% 7 33.3%
Illinois 276,003 172,173 62.4% 7 16.7%
California 219,290 136,954 62.5% 6 41.7%
UAB* 158,252 100,023 63.2% 6 61.5%
Massachusetts 51,448 32,606 63.4% 5 33.3%
Marshall 130,447 82,831 63.5% 6 61.5%
UNLV 104,692 67,193 64.2% 6 41.7%
UTSA 114,104 74,385 65.2% 5 54.5%
Maryland 237,859 156,192 65.7% 6 33.3%
Northern Illinois 67,748 44,529 65.7% 6 61.5%
Fresno State 183,789 120,879 65.8% 6 71.4%
Texas Tech 330,390 217,718 65.9% 6 46.2%
Oregon State 208,524 139,223 66.8% 6 8.3%
Houston 195,499 130,580 66.8% 6 58.3%
Arizona 255,791 172,446 67.4% 6 53.8%
Minnesota 310,506 210,909 67.9% 7 41.7%
Wyoming 144,299 98,441 68.2% 7 61.5%
Virginia Tech* 379,284 260,728 68.7% 6 69.2%
North Carolina 350,500 241,911 69.0% 7 25.0%
North Texas 134,174 93,451 69.6% 6 64.3%
Connecticut 122,007 85,939 70.4% 6 25.0%
Michigan State 507,398 357,559 70.5% 7 76.9%
Colorado 282,335 199,357 70.6% 6 41.7%
USF 188,408 135,070 71.7% 6 83.3%
Florida 520,290 374,294 71.9% 6 36.4%
Georgia Tech 281,310 203,358 72.3% 6 45.5%
Texas A&M 592,561 429,938 72.6% 6 53.8%
San Diego State 275,428 200,306 72.7% 7 76.9%
Louisville 276,957 202,707 73.2% 6 61.5%
Arizona State* 253,679 185,804 73.2% 5 53.8%
Iowa State 347,586 254,589 73.2% 6 61.5%
Virginia 275,788 202,079 73.3% 7 46.2%
Oklahoma* 519,119 381,022 73.4% 6 85.7%
Boise State 193,366 142,874 73.9% 6 78.6%
Kansas State 309,553 229,951 74.3% 6 61.5%
Kentucky 395,276 294,361 74.5% 7 53.8%
Georgia State 79,163 59,197 74.8% 5 58.3%
Washington State 223,875 168,974 75.5% 7 69.2%
Utah State 120,650 91,463 75.8% 6 46.2%
West Virginia 335,678 255,881 76.2% 6 53.8%
Alabama 712,053 546,488 76.7% 7 92.9%
South Carolina 550,099 427,851 77.8% 7 69.2%
NC State 341,100 266,538 78.1% 6 69.2%
Oklahoma State 340,740 266,948 78.3% 6 76.9%
Oregon 388,381 304,450 78.4% 7 53.8%
Auburn 605,120 474,767 78.5% 7 71.4%
Utah 321,390 252,532 78.6% 7 53.8%
Michigan 669,534 529,559 79.1% 6 61.5%
Washington 481,755 381,357 79.2% 7 76.9%
Iowa 464,357 367,804 79.2% 7 61.5%
Nebraska 628,583 500,602 79.6% 7 33.3%
UCLA 336,262 270,933 80.6% 6 46.2%
Colorado State 192,369 155,145 80.6% 6 53.8%
Hawaii 145,463 117,370 80.7% 6 25.0%
Clemson 565,412 464,021 82.1% 7 85.7%
Ohio State 752,464 620,922 82.5% 7 85.7%
Missouri 360,429 298,403 82.8% 7 53.8%
Wisconsin 551,766 465,379 84.3% 7 92.9%
Tennessee 670,454 589,686 88.0% 7 33.3%
Georgia Southern* 61,031 55,399 90.8% 4 16.7%
Western Kentucky 94,234 89,635 95.1% 6 46.2%
South Alabama* 104,070 99,458 95.6% 6 33.3%
Navy 173780 173780 100.00% 5 0.538
Showing 1 to 96 of 96 rows
rows per page
*Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, Oklahoma and UAB officials say these counts are inaccurate due to operator, system or equipment error, or for other reasons; Coastal Carolina was in second year of two-year transition to FBS; Two of Arizona State’s games omitted because of scanner glitches; Virginia Tech's scanned counts were 6-8% low due to network outage, operator error and new-staff training; South Alabama’s game against Louisiana Monroe omitted because of scan-count error; Georgia Southern’s first game is omitted, as it was relocated; teams not included in the data said they don’t keep scanned ticket counts, had invalid counts, didn't respond or are exempt from public-records law; private schools are not required to comply
Sources: school records; athletics website box scores

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Nebraska boosters trying to preserve the "sellout streak"

Correct. Listened to the Omaha ESPN station a few years ago and remember them talking about how boosters or companies would step in at the last minute and buy chunks of seating to help keep the "streak" going.

 

[Lone Clone]

I think one reason that regular attendees (both ISU and Iowa) think the numbers can't be accurate is that people "spread out" where there's room, so gaps aren't readily apparent. That is especially true of Kinnick in cold weather, because (a) the seat width is narrow, and (b) people are wider because of the cold-weather gear. It isn't at all hard to imagine how a section that looks full for a late November game is really only, say two-thirds full. That's two people taking up three seats.

 

[Alum-Ni]

Correct. Listened to the Omaha ESPN station a few years ago and remember them talking about how boosters or companies would step in at the last minute and buy chunks of seating to help keep the "streak" going.

The only tickets remaining "at the last minute" would be from the allotment allocated to the visiting team. All the other tickets are sold before the season even begins as season tickets whether to individuals, companies or the secondary ticket brokers who buy up season tickets (i.e. StubHub)

 

[Obviously Oblivious]

The only tickets remaining "at the last minute" would be from the allotment allocated to the visiting team. All the other tickets are sold before the season even begins as season tickets whether to individuals, companies or the secondary ticket brokers who buy up season tickets (i.e. StubHub)

At the end of the day, why does the sellout streak really matter to Nebraska when attendance is what really matters? Nearly the same percentage of tickets sold are actually walking through the turnstiles at Michigan, Iowa & Nebraska. Big deal.

 

[mtdew_fever]

This is exactly why removing the bleacher seats in favor of wider/more comfortable seats makes a ton of sense. Why keep give people any more reasons to stay away from the stadium and watch from home?

I would guess it is many reasons - company tickets, free tickets, student tickets, or simply just season ticket holders that can't, or don't want to, go to the game. I imagine that there are folks that just buy season tickets out of tradition or habit, but only want to go to a few games. They keep renewing so they can keep their priority and their good seats when they do go.

Weather, conflicts, start times that don't work for them - but I'd bet the single biggest reason is ambivalence - people that are just not motivated to go.

This is why expanding the number of seats in stadiums like Kinnick makes no fiscal sense.

 

[Slappy Pappy]

At the end of the day, why does the sellout streak really matter to Nebraska when attendance is what really matters? Nearly the same percentage of tickets sold are actually walking through the turnstiles at Michigan, Iowa & Nebraska. Big deal.

Because their entire identity as a fanbase and state, for that matter, is wrapped up in it.

 

[Lone Clone]

At the end of the day, why does the sellout streak really matter to Nebraska when attendance is what really matters? Nearly the same percentage of tickets sold are actually walking through the turnstiles at Michigan, Iowa & Nebraska. Big deal.

The story mentions a Michigan game announced at over 100K where actually only 80K tickets were scanned. It also mentions that Michigan counts bands, reporters and officials in its total attendance figures. I don't know whether ISU and Iowa do that or not. I know Iowa used to do that in MBB, because when they added the third official, sellouts at the Field House increased by one.

 

[DaCDiggity]

The story mentions a Michigan game announced at over 100K where actually only 80K tickets were scanned. It also mentions that Michigan counts bands, reporters and officials in its total attendance figures. I don't know whether ISU and Iowa do that or not. I know Iowa used to do that in MBB, because when they added the third official, sellouts at the Field House increased by one.

I feel like everybody counts everybody

 

[ThorneStockton]

Just a tip for people blocked by the paywall, if you can find the article via google search, you can read for free by clicking from a search.

Generally just searching the title of the article will do it, or if you know the general topic you can search for just links from WSJ by doing this in your search bar: site:www.wsj.com

 

[SDHawkDoc]

No way are those numbers correct for Iowa. But I've been complaining for years about the intentional lying that pro and college sports organizations have engaged in for years by announcing "attendance" as "tickets sold." As the article notes, they are often two very different things, and the terms are not synonymous. Honesty would require that BOTH numbers be reported: actual attendance AND tickets sold.

A much better example at Iowa would be men's basketball where tickets sold often is a much larger number than actual attendance, often because of weak opponents, bad weather, and school vacations...or all three.

Yes, men's bball has been involved in this for quite some time. There have been more than a few games in which actual butts in seats was nowhere near the reported "attendance".
The term attendance should probably be done away with in any reporting or statement provided that refers to specific numbers. Give the tickets sold numbers.

 

[hawkfeever]

The bigger question is....who are the people that buy these tickets (none are cheap), but don't use them? Are they company tickets?

Jamie Pollard snaps them up for 50 cents each. just can't give them away.

 

[hawkfeever]

Yeah, but dude, it's a rare opportunity to celebrate a live event with a team and people you love, and it only occurs 7/365 days in a year! I bet I could name 20 other Saturdays last year you would have no memories of what you did at all. Attending a home game as a Hawk fan is more like a vacation. Similarly expensive, time comsuming, and tiring (travel), but a great break from the mundane and good for the soul!

I compare it to seeing your favorite bands live. You could sit and listen to digital versions all day long but man is it always different and better live. Or going outside versus looking at outside through a window in the house. Or having a "Facebook" friend versus actually hanging out with someone in person!

 

[HawkIDrummer]

The story mentions a Michigan game announced at over 100K where actually only 80K tickets were scanned. It also mentions that Michigan counts bands, reporters and officials in its total attendance figures. I don't know whether ISU and Iowa do that or not. I know Iowa used to do that in MBB, because when they added the third official, sellouts at the Field House increased by one.

the term "paid attendance" may be different from "total attendance. At an Iowa game with all seats filled there are well over 70,000 people in the building.

 

[HawkIDrummer]

Yeah, but dude, it's a rare opportunity to celebrate a live event with a team and people you love, and it only occurs 7/365 days in a year! I bet I could name 20 other Saturdays last year you would have no memories of what you did at all. Attending a home game as a Hawk fan is more like a vacation. Similarly expensive, time comsuming, and tiring (travel), but a great break from the mundane and good for the soul!

You and I see it that way...we were brought up in an era where human contact was primary. More and more millennials are fine with the digital version.

EX: The local morning show was interviewing a comedian and the topic of communication came up. He noted that several of his kid's friends had a voicemail message that said simply: "Text me". They would only answer their phone in an emergency.

So much for personal contact and "live" experiences.

 

[WDM Hawk 75]

I agree. But Kinnick is so darn cramped when sold out. If there are several thousand empty seats people spread out making the stadium look "fuller" than it really is. I'm sure other stadiums are the same to some degree but bottom line is less people are attending college football games. What is amazing is that people are paying good money for tickets and not using them. Why? Maybe schools are giving out free tickets?

This!

 

[Johnsoda123]

You and I see it that way...we were brought up in an era where human contact was primary. More and more millennials are fine with the digital version.

EX: The local morning show was interviewing a comedian and the topic of communication came up. He noted that several of his kid's friends had a voicemail message that said simply: "Text me". They would only answer their phone in an emergency.

So much for personal contact and "live" experiences.

They would laugh at all of us for posting on a message board. I'll bet over 80% of the posters here are over the age of 40.

 

[Franisdaman]

https://www.wsj.com/articles/college-footballs-growing-problem-empty-seats-1535634001

This is causing a lively discussion on CR. It is a story in the Wall Street Journal and may be behind a pay wall for non-subscribers.

It's about the difference between claimed attendance (tickets sold) and actual attendance (tickets scanned at the gate). There are huge disparities in some cases (2017 games). The example in the lede is Nebraska at Minnesota, Paid attendance was nearly 40,000, but only a shade over 25,000 actually showed up.

The national average is about 71% (if there were 100,000 tickets sold, 71,000 were scanned).

Iowa and Nebraska are a bit over 79%. Iowa State is a bit over 73%.

.

LC, a big thing with Minnesota is "tickets distributed," not actually tickets sold. Their "attendance" is tickets sold PLUS all other tickets distributed. They have so many ways of getting rid of tickets. Two examples:

* Free hand outs to students
* Buy 2 pizzas get 2 tickets

And then, like you say, people still don't show up.

 

[mtdew_fever]

Interesting. I am going to call bluff, but how did you hear about that?

Jamie Pollard snaps them up for 50 cents each. just can't give them away.

 

[mtdew_fever]

Let's not single out any fan base because they are all doing it.

Ex - Drake has been doing that on their Drake Relays Saturday session for while as they have reported a sell out for 50 years.

Because their entire identity as a fanbase and state, for that matter, is wrapped up in it.

 

[Kinnick.At.Night]

Wait, Iowa does something better than ISU? Can’t be true.