Bob Valvano commenting on the environment at women's BB game...

[zipp]

I'm listening to him on the radio as I write this. He was interviewed live on ESPN from the broadcast table at yesterday's game. And he started his comments on the radio acknowledging that he doesn't often attend women's basketball games.

Valvano just referred to the comparison between the game environments at women's and men's basketball games as "jawdroppingly" different. And he's gone on to attribute at least some of it to the makeup of fans in the lower sideline seats. This is a reference to the well heeled or corporate buyers of premium men's seats and the emotional state of those fans at games.

If he attended more games, he would have witnessed the same thing at most women's games and wouldn't have been surprised yesterday. Valvano would also have noticed that there are very few students at women's games who are outwardly the most emotional and vocal part of any fanbase. In fact, an entire endzone is comprised of students at--or set aside for them to attend--men's basketball games. I'm also not sure (nor is he) how many of the lower sideline seats are now populated by the same type of affluent buyer at women's games. It's just a convenient excuse to say that those folks are less inclined to cheer and clap.

What Bob won't say (and I will) is that he just witnessed firsthand the game environment for two U of L athletics programs heading in opposite directions. Granted it was UK, but there were 12 thousand fans in attendance yesterday which is right at the average that the men's team is averaging this year. There's no comparison for how the two teams perform on the court, and there are a growing number of fans like me who have season tickets in women's basketball and won't step in the door of a men's game. In fact, I turned down a pair of free tickets to a men's game this year; I just wasn't interested.

I also know firsthand that type of apathy didn't evolve overnight. And a new AD has his job cut out how to reverse it...

 

[2330859]

Zipp,
Your second sentence tells you everything you need to know why Valvano‘s presence during the game was an unnecessary intrusion. I do appreciate the Cancer aspect of his invitation, but it serves as another example of the discount by ESPN towards Women’s sports. This rival game is why the large crowd showed up, and why it was televised for so many viewers at home …… spending that much time listening to Bob talk about his health and cancer during the game is an example of why the poor officiating has continued for as long as it has. In truth, there is less respect for the Women sports than assigned for the men.

I can assure you Zipp, that if our Men’s BB team was hosting UK at the YUM! the attendance and atmosphere would be just as large and enthusiastic.

What you fail to recognize is that so many UL BB fans, particularly the ones who have paid the annual donations on top of the ticket prices each season, have discovered over the years that so many of the non-conference games are being televised and there is very little reason to fight the traffic and the crowds downtown to attend.

I was one who had 14 BB seats in the lower arena and another 8 in the nose bleed section. During the Freedom Hall years, we had clients and family alike who begged for tickets, and in the early YUM years it continued until it didn’t. About 6 years ago we started experiencing a phenomenon where our people were not only not asking for tickets, they would end up selling them rather than actually attending the vast majority of games. The exceptions of course were UNC, Duke, UK and the usual suspects.

UK is ironically experiencing that now for the first time; culture is changing in many venues and while clearly some can be attributed to Covid, I think we will see a time where the cost of live attendance vs watching in a bar or at home on pay per view will take its toll on arenas.

Football is much the same, except for the incredible fan support in the SEC, and huge stadiums like Clemson, Michigan and Ohio State where college football is only 6 or 7 games a year and so much more economical for the 80k to 100k attending.

 

[zipp]

The demise of our men's basketball program goes well beyond the macroenvironment. Analogous to people blaming Covid for everything.

We're averaging fewer fans at games this year than we have since the early 1980s. I'm pretty sure that lack of fan interest stands out from just about anywhere else nationally.

And I actually didn't need Valvano reminding me of that, just mentioning his comments for those in attendance at the game who may have missed his TV interview...

 

[2330859]

It is one thing to suggest that Covid is not responsible for everything that happens, but it is incomprehensible to deny the overwhelmingly affect Covid has on everyone’s life on this planet ……and yes, the University of Louisville sports.

For those looking for an example, I would point towards our very proud UL Baseball Team’s recent disappointing performance. I personally believe that Dan runs the very best college baseball program in the country, and he is not one who searches for excuses …….yet he will tell you the Covid season explains just how disruptive it was to his life and those of his baseball team.

 

[Thecycle27]

Covid has disrupted everyone’s life it is silly to suggest it hasn’t been impacted college sports and their financials. The other reality is football and basketball aren’t where they need to be which explains some of the attendance issues.

Good teams with exciting game action equals better attendance. At Louisville doesn’t matter if it is a mens or women team. The better the opponent the better the attendance. That is what the fans are telling AD’s across the country.

 

[Louis III]

Question my fandom if you choose. I have the opportunity to go to about 10 games a year and usually make it to 3-4. I do have younger children in sports which is sometimes impactful, but honestly its hard to beat a 85" Sony TV, bathroom 12 steps away all the beer and bourbon I can possible drink. Plus, I can pause, rewind at my leisure.

 

[nccardfan]

It is one thing to suggest that Covid is not responsible for everything that happens, but it is incomprehensible to deny the overwhelmingly affect Covid has on everyone’s life on this planet ……and yes, the University of Louisville sports.

For those looking for an example, I would point towards our very proud UL Baseball Team’s recent disappointing performance. I personally believe that Dan runs the very best college baseball program in the country, and he is not one who searches for excuses …….yet he will tell you the Covid season explains just how disruptive it was to his life and those of his baseball team.

Covid was disruptive to the baseball team but it was the typical baseball injuries, sore pitching arms and arm fatigue that played the biggest role in an underachieving season.

 

[gocds]

Covid was disruptive to the baseball team but it was the typical baseball injuries, sore pitching arms and arm fatigue that played the biggest role in an underachieving season.

And with your comments I am pleased to say that I'll be in Florida in late February for three games in Tampa. And yes, I am truly looking forward. As to Valvano's remarks this past Sunday - they were totally uncalled for and unnecessary. His "play" for sympathy was expected and somewhat deserved as he has his own fight and, of course, lost his brother. But it's all very old news and WE all have expressed our best wishes for his own personal recovery. But here we were once again listening to his "story". It's too much and I had good respect for his brother's fight and his ability as a coach. Bob's cancer fight was/is good but his tenure as a coach, in my opinion, was shortened by his own inability as a coach. The network shares in the responsibility for even bringing him on board for an interview and then not cutting him off when it was apparent that he is not the person his brother was.

GO CARDS!!!

 

[2330859]

Good posts Cycle and Louis ……. the culture and life is changing rapidly. Interestingly we are witnessing how Covid has driven more and more businesses to asking those staff employees who perform work that can be just as easily done at home, to continue working remotely. That evolution will directly impact the future of “brick and mortar”, and it sets the tone for more folks deciding to watch these events on their 85” screens at home that otherwise might have been inclined to buy season tickets.

If anyone believes there is some School President or AD who can change that dynamic, I welcome whatever anyone can suggest, and how it can be implemented.

 

[CardVille]

Waiting to see the attendance for the big games like Duke and UNC.

 

[gocds]

Waiting to see the attendance for the big games like Duke and UNC.

I believe we'll all be pleasantly surprised.

GO CARDS!!!

 

[Thecycle27]

I don’t play the blame game on fandom. We all consume it how we choose. To me there is nothing like a charged up crowd.

 

[Birdie King]

There is no substitute for being AT the game no matter the opponent - win or lose !

 

[2330859]

BK …. I totally appreciate your enthusiasm for being at the game, and it’s fans like you that make UL a stronger program. However, the reality can be seen in the attendance. The early season games are notoriously affected by inferior opponents and fan apathy, and the increased televised schedules make it easy to stay at home particularly for those 9PM starts during work week.

Corrupt Arena is struggling to fill what was historically sell-outs. Covid is clearly a part of that, but I think this phenomenon is growing across most all basketball venues.

 

[Rollem Cards]

COVID is going to be a factor as long as we allow it be a factor.