Through 7 home games, average attendance: 18,354. That's down 2,492 from last season. The Yum holds 22,090. While a decline in attendance was expected, I think despite all that's taken place, 18,354 is a hell of a number. There are three more home games against perceived lesser opponents prior to ACC play. Should the Cards close out December on a high note, I would expect attendance to increase when ACC foes start making their way to Louisville.
So, obviously, attendance is down.
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There is no way that is actual attendance, I've been to all but one game and there wasn't 18K at any until the IU game. It is really sold tickets. Actual attendance will rise as opponents improve but the attendance figure will not as drastic as you may think since it is already inflated.
The amount of lower level empty seats is hard to fathom. I hate the way it looks on TV, looks like an NBA game.
It is going to hurt attendance when you play bad teams too. I mean look at the game tonight for instance. Bryant is 1-9 with their only win coming against Hartford. Now who really wants to spend the time or money to see UofL play Bryant?
IU came in at 5-4 and the attendance was 20,030. That's not terrible. The Seton Hall game had over 19,000 and SHU is the best team the Cards have played at home to date. They aren't a big name so it's understandable why the attendance was down in spite of them having a good team.
I understand your point though. This program has been found guilty in the court of public opinion, so with that in mind, drawing over 18,000 on average while playing bad teams is actually somewhat remarkable. I think that shows we have a pretty loyal fan base over all.
IU came in at 5-4 and the attendance was 20,030. That's not terrible. The Seton Hall game had over 19,000 and SHU is the best team the Cards have played at home to date. They aren't a big name so it's understandable why the attendance was down in spite of them having a good team.
I understand your point though. This program has been found guilty in the court of public opinion, so with that in mind, drawing over 18,000 on average while playing bad teams is actually somewhat remarkable. I think that shows we have a pretty loyal fan base over all.
Well and guilty with the NCAA and possibly with the NCAA again. The program is not innocent here.
That is true. We are not innocent. Still, the court of opinion has buried the program even more than the actions of the few who were guilty of getting us where we are. That's all I'm saying.
5K of the 19K for iu were looiser fans. The SH game was more like 15K which is 2-3K less than we would have had tonight and the sienna game had this shit storm not occurred. As it stands there was probably a combined 25K in actual attendance for those two games combined.
I’m not a Padgett hater at all but, attendance is not going to get any better with him here. Everyone knows he’s a placeholder.
Bryant really. I hope the next coach whether it is Padgett or someone else brings in teams better than the Bryant’s. It’s boring and I don’t know many paying fans or even the corporate base that wants to watch that.
IMO that is a part of the reduced attendance but I think a lot of people are fatigued with all the crap that’s going on. And there are some protesters I’m sure.
IMO that is a part of the reduced attendance but I think a lot of people are fatigued with all the crap that’s going on. And there are some protesters I’m sure.
Many fans are turned off by the problems I don't think they return overnight.
And I agree a 1-9 opponent on a Monday isn't going to help the cause either.
And I agree a 1-9 opponent on a Monday isn't going to help the cause either.
Sad that DP and the players have to pay the price. I’m hoping once ACC play begins people will return. After the ESPN deal on Sunday it clear we’re under an all out assault and we need to be in our seats and dedicated to the University.
Deener said on his Monday show that someone he knows on the inside confided that "turnstile" count for the Siena game was in the 8,000s.
The attendance numbers are definitely inflated by tickets sold. Next year will be interesting when presales as a percentage of all sold tickets decline significantly, i.e., more single game and walk-up sales. And compounded by what will be a weaker team in terms of personnel.
If you're a fan on a budget, however, there's never been a better time in recent memory to make regular attendance at men's games so inexpensive...
The attendance numbers are definitely inflated by tickets sold. Next year will be interesting when presales as a percentage of all sold tickets decline significantly, i.e., more single game and walk-up sales. And compounded by what will be a weaker team in terms of personnel.
If you're a fan on a budget, however, there's never been a better time in recent memory to make regular attendance at men's games so inexpensive...
It seems like declining attendance is not just a Louisville problem whether it's generational, economics, or just other entertainment options is up for debate.
Home attendance in college basketball 2016-17 vs. 2017-18
2016-17 Rank School 2016-17 Average 2017-18 Average Difference
1 Kentucky 23,461 20,497 Down 13%
2 Syracuse 21,181 18,853 Down 11%
3 Louisville 20,846 18,354 Down 12%
4 North Carolina 18,067 15,025 Down 17%
5 Creighton 17,412 15,984 Down 8%
6 Wisconsin 17,286 17,287 No change
7 Maryland 16,628 14,426 Down 13%
8 Kansas 16,395 16,300 No change
9 Indiana 16,363 15,027 Down 8%
10 North Carolina St. 15,906 13,569 Down 15%
Home attendance in college basketball 2016-17 vs. 2017-18
2016-17 Rank School 2016-17 Average 2017-18 Average Difference
1 Kentucky 23,461 20,497 Down 13%
2 Syracuse 21,181 18,853 Down 11%
3 Louisville 20,846 18,354 Down 12%
4 North Carolina 18,067 15,025 Down 17%
5 Creighton 17,412 15,984 Down 8%
6 Wisconsin 17,286 17,287 No change
7 Maryland 16,628 14,426 Down 13%
8 Kansas 16,395 16,300 No change
9 Indiana 16,363 15,027 Down 8%
10 North Carolina St. 15,906 13,569 Down 15%
I have been to every game, and had a great time. We loved watching that Townes kid struggle up and down the court, it was hysterical. Reminded me of my pickup games as a kid. UL games are still the best thing to do in town on whatever night they are playing, and the YUM is and has always been amazing. I am sick and tired of people trying to shame me because I am a UL fan. F them. And I will always be a Jurich fan-he stood up for us against the UK and IU hate.
I don't live in the area any longer so unfortunately I can only make a game here and there when I am back in town.
I have seen on Twitter a few times that the prices of the upper level tickets are quite high. Has there been a significant price increase leading to this as well as the off the court stuff we all know about?
I have seen on Twitter a few times that the prices of the upper level tickets are quite high. Has there been a significant price increase leading to this as well as the off the court stuff we all know about?
I have been to 4 games + 1 exhibition game this year. I get a text message two days before the game offering seats in the student section behind the goal for about $23-33 a game. To me it doesn’t matter who they are playing, I’m there to watch the Cards. I have always had a great time. One thing I won’t do now is sit in the upper deck no matter who they play. There’s enough TV coverage or ESPN3 that I won’t sit up there. I can get in the Witherspoon garage fairly easy and get out equally as well. I have no complaints. Go Cards!
If you sit low in the upper level the seats are really pretty good, maybe first 5-6 rows.
Yep. Not blaming coach Padgett for anything. IMO he gets a pass regardless what happens this year. He's trying to make the best of a bad situation and if he does well, he'll have options even if he doesn't get the UofL job permanently. I'm all in for this team including coach Padgett, but I'm a homer. Always have been. Always will be.
Two seats in front of us had one couple, the first year. Never saw them again. (He was always yelling 'love you ladybirds'.) Then there was a man & whoever but would never see him until conference play. Seats sat empty. Then we didn't see him again and a girl and her boyfriend or friend sometimes come to the game - actually twice so far. Two seats next to us are usually filled but he sometimes sells his seats. The VIPS courtside represent the biggest change. Occasionally a empty seat. Sometimes Papa John. No Jonathan Blue. Porcini owners who had been 'banished' to across the arena, have sat near Carmicles. What's great about the VIPS courtside, is they are giving their seats to fans. Look like they are having great fun. The other VIPS were the club side folks who moved back and forth behind the bench or across. Don't know whose seats those were. Besides the big middle student section, the one next to it is a UL section. Last year, the football started sitting there instead of 102. 102 is mostly UL people. Lower half will have non revenue sports and recruits plus cheerleader parents when it's not a big game, I guess. Next to us, we're in 101, is the Lettermen section. Vince's mother sits there. Scooter. Phil Rollins and others from the past. Up above them is 3 or 4 rows of media, sometimes on both sides of the aisle, with tables added.
I am observing that since day 1 of the new arena, there have been a lot of UL people in the lower arena. Tickets controlled by UL. It's interesting to see who is there. Can't see in the suites.
I am enjoying David as our coach. I never liked Pitino. (Sypher, 15 seconds, health payments, assistant coach marrying her/divorcing her; mcgee, strippers, powell; death penalty?, losing banners and wins?; addidas. Add to this, Jurich hiring Petrino (motorcycle, accident, mistress, neck brace). That's our image. Not a rebuilt campus. Not wonderful non revenue student athletes - probably true on most campuses.) What if these things were done at UK? Wouldn't you be laughing at them since 2009? One thing after another? That's our image. That's our brand. Throw in Ramsey and his greed - why isn't he in jail yet?
Yes, enjoying UL much more for the first time in a long time. And don't tell me I'm not a real fan. Fan for 7 decades. Booster. Grad. Family of grads. Season ticket holder in 4 sports. I have as much right to this opinion as those of you who watch UL on tv and buy a few tshirts.
Ellen
I am observing that since day 1 of the new arena, there have been a lot of UL people in the lower arena. Tickets controlled by UL. It's interesting to see who is there. Can't see in the suites.
I am enjoying David as our coach. I never liked Pitino. (Sypher, 15 seconds, health payments, assistant coach marrying her/divorcing her; mcgee, strippers, powell; death penalty?, losing banners and wins?; addidas. Add to this, Jurich hiring Petrino (motorcycle, accident, mistress, neck brace). That's our image. Not a rebuilt campus. Not wonderful non revenue student athletes - probably true on most campuses.) What if these things were done at UK? Wouldn't you be laughing at them since 2009? One thing after another? That's our image. That's our brand. Throw in Ramsey and his greed - why isn't he in jail yet?
Yes, enjoying UL much more for the first time in a long time. And don't tell me I'm not a real fan. Fan for 7 decades. Booster. Grad. Family of grads. Season ticket holder in 4 sports. I have as much right to this opinion as those of you who watch UL on tv and buy a few tshirts.
Ellen
My wife has an issue with heights. I did sit in the first row about mid court. I thought the seats were really good but it made my wife nauseous. We have sat even higher than that and still the seats weren’t bad for viewing.
Jurich hiring Petrino is not our image anymore than Barnfart hiring Cal. What if UK had hired Petrino? well they 1) Would have and 2) they hired Cal a two time penalized coach by the NCAA. But I guess that’s ok with you since it didn’t happen in his personal life, no he actually cheated in the game. Is that the image UK has? No. Why not? Because there’s a huge double standard. Pitino had to go and I’m not going to defend him, but for you to go after Jurich/Petrino is ridiculous.
I always love judge mental people. Not my job to judge he paid a price many times over. And all we did is give a guy a second chance. Good for us. Strange thing is WKU didn’t catch crap for hiring Bobby. Just UofL.
Knowone else has cleaned house over this Adidas thing only UofL and their on us like jackals and won’t let go. You never hear about any of the other schools heck Pearl won’t even cooperate with his own University. Wheres all the coverage. This is becoming complete BS.
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A few celebrities aren't keeping the place afloat. People are talking with their feet and staying away from these games in droves. It's not the right message to send innocent players and coaches, but I understand how people feel. They're definitely sending a message...
It’s not just at Louisville it’s across the country. Tickets are too high and TVs are too big and clear these days. Too easy to grab a bite to eat and sit at the house and watch it with the family and save 300-400 bucks
I think some people look for a reason to not spend money. Every year when they're begrudgingly writing a check for season tickets, then suddenly something pops up that gives them a second thought, yeah, it's almost a no brainer. Given that beyond this season the future is uncertain, I can totally understand why people are doing what they are doing. They'll come back. It's the nature of a scandal. Cut and run then gleefully come back when things are good.
Small correction, Calipari is not a two time penalized coach. He has NO listed infractions with the NCAA.
For a family of four, you could buy a brand new big screen tv with the money you spend every time you go to a game.
No sport is too big to fall. Some big slides are being reported everywhere in attendance. That's a real bad sign. But hey, there's always room for optimism.
Make way for soccer and lacrosse.
I'm not a hockey fan - at all - but I took my 8 year old son to see a Wheeling Nailers hockey game. Wheeling is a farm team for the Pittsburgh Penguins NHL team. Anyway, I got front row seats in the end zone for me ($14) and my son ($10), and it was Star Wars night. So we each got a light-up lightsaber, plus a front row to a professional hockey game. Parking was $5 I think, ate at a great pizza joint nearby, getting in & out of there took minutes and the rink was pretty packed due to it being Star Wars night/Saturday night. We had an AWESOME time. We would have had to spend hundreds for 2 upper-level seats at the Penguins (who knows how much for front row endzone seats), would have take forever to park and forever to get out of there. I don't know man, I know I'm the "bad fan" b/c I don't generate a whole lot of revenue watching on tv, but I can see why people are staying home. You can watch on TV and do a lot of cool stuff/get stuff you actually need with that money you would have spent on going to the game.
I was flipping channels the other night and Northwestern ( Big 10 Conference) was playing Chicago State there were 10 people at the game. It was really weird to see all those empty purple seats.
Which is what it's worth. You'd have to give me a free ticket as well as free food to watch an NBA game...
Surely once conference play starts things will pick back up around the country. But like a previous poster said if it leads to lower ticket prices I’m all for it.
Absolutely spot on. I love going to the games but I have started to limit it to one game a year with the kids. It's just such an ordeal to organize everything especially when you don't live in the city. On top of that, there's the cost factor like you said. As far as televisions go, they are practically giving those things away these days. I bought a plasma in 2004 when it was a new technology. I paid an astronomical $2400 for a 42" off brand. You can now go to any store now and pick up a 70" for about 599 around the holidays. It's becoming hard to justify that $8 popcorn at the arena
Basic economics. Nothing stays the same-the invisible hand moves...read Adam Smith. Lower prices are the unintended social benefit of individual self-interest. I never understand people who support government intervention in markets because all it does is temporarily help a certain group while damaging another...and creating a tax-supported bureaucracy...but I digress.
I don’t watch hockey on TV but minor league hockey games are a blast and great entertainment at reasonable costs. When I lived in Charlotte, I tried to go to Checkers games whenever I could.
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