Document reveals all-in prices for Texas football season tickets

[Brad Austin]

Care to take a poll as to how many donors take a cab and how many drive their car to the game? I'm glad your small minority means of travel does not increase your ticket price, but it does for the vast majority of us who attend by the same means the majority of the country does.

There's a reason parking lots are jammed packed with several 1,000's of cars outside of stadiums and it takes hours to exit. I don't see any sort of Vegas hotel type mass cab action out front of stadiums.

A small minority of ticket holders had their costs decrease, does that make the majority price change from last year a savings as well? Yours didn't increase because you've always taken cabs (a relatively small used method in comparison to the masses), but that's just not the case for the vast majority.

But I guess we should just suck it up and change our method of travel to not incur garbage price increases from Dictator Patterson.

 

[BananaChipBettor]

Care to take a poll as to how many donors take a cab and how many drive their car to the game?

I really don't care. It was said that this hits all donors, and I was responding to that. That's all.

I don't like what Patterson is doing to cheapen the brand, screw coaches, etc. However, I am fully on board with him running off people that have been skating by. I donate a lot for my tickets, my associates donate a lot for their tickets, and it's the cost of doing business. If you don't want to pay the full market value, just show up for all six games. It's not too hard. I really don't feel sorry for the people that can't sell their tickets. Sorry.

 

[BananaChipBettor]

At this time, the tickets aren't worth much. Instead of getting a twenty, just give that one game you can't make, to someone who will truly enjoy it.

 

[Htown77]

In 20 years of going to the games, I hardly have seen anyone take a cab. Most people park. It matters to most people. Great for the 5 people that take a cab.

 

[BananaChipBettor]

In 20 years of going to the game, I hardly have seen anyone take a cab. Most people park. It matters to most people. Great for the 5 people that take a cab.

Yup, only five of us take cabs -- we even cab-pool. If the parking matters that much, pay for it.

 

[Htown77]

If the parking matters that much, pay for it.

Or I can do like most Texas fans are doing and not buy tickets at all. Charging for parking and running off the fans that are still here after a 6-7 season which was the first in school history to feature 5 blowout losses is a wise move by Steve Patterson.... NOT

 

[BananaChipBettor]

People want to continue to skate by and have full donors subsidize their cheap asses. Pay for your own way. Want parking? Pay for that crap on your own.

 

[BananaChipBettor]

Or I can do like most Texas fans are doing and not buy tickets at all. Charging for parking and running off the fans that are still here after a 6-7 season which was the first in school history to feature 5 blowout losses is a wise move by Steve Patterson.... NOT

I don't care. I have my seatback, but would rather people stay home. More space for me = good.

 

[BananaChipBettor]

I hope my friends and I are the only people who show up for Rice. That would beat the hell out of the bitchy-***-***** crowd that is usually at the games. Keep running 'em off, Steve.

 

[Htown77]

People want to continue to skate by and have full donors subside their cheap asses. Pay for your own way. Want parking? Pay for that crap on your own.

What is a "full donor"? People are paying. They are now having to pay more.

I don't care. I have my seatback, but would rather people stay home. More space for me = good. I hope my friends and I are the only people who show up for Rice. That would beat the hell out of the bitchy-***-***** crowd that is usually at the games. Keep running 'em off, Steve.

See this is what I find funny. Most Texas fans want a FULL STADIUM. They want a great environment. They want a loud environment. They want we what we had at 08 Missouri or 12 West Virginia.

You are on the record as being for a lame, empty environment. How do you think the players like an empty stadium? You DONT want 100,000 fans strong supporting the players. You do not care if players have a loud stadium with home field advantage. You do not care about Texas fans. Do you work in the athletic department? Your posting history is almost exclusively posts defending ticket price increases and Patterson.

 

[SabreHorn]

fear not, Banana, I'll be there for the Rice game, if for no other reason to see The MOB.

 

[Htown77]

I'll be at the Rice game. Hopefully Patterson let's the MOB perform and we do not get a rocket man halftime show.

 

[mb227]

You are on the record as being for a lame, empty environment. How do you think the players like an empty stadium? You DONT want 100,000 fans strong supporting the players. You do not care if players have a loud stadium with home field advantage. You do not care about Texas fans. Do you work in the athletic department? Your posting history is almost exclusively posts defending ticket price increases and Patterson.

Let us not forget that there was an expectation that the expansion was going to be full seats, not a ton of empties due to non-renewal. So guess what...every empty seat means a fractional increase in future years for those few who want to keep kissing $teve'$ shoes or other posterior anatomy. That tends to lead to a spiral of even more who elect not to renew because they ALSO do not want to see escalating prices that are escalating simply because an AD has no clue about properly maintaining and growing a fan base.

 

[mb227]

Nope, because it's the way we've always done it. Actually, with Uber and Lyft, rides will be cheaper this year. Like I said, I will lose a little extra spending money by not being able to sell the passes, but it won't cost me more.

I guess you have missed all of the stories from all over the country about how Uber and Lyft fares tend to jump dramatically in response to demand...as such, do not expect that your 'cheaper rides' will materialize. This will be even more true once their drivers realize what a PITA it is to get close to the stadium for the pick-up or drop-off...

 

[BananaChipBettor]

I had a little too much fun with a client on the golf course yesterday morning and then some more fun after that. I don't want to be rude or argue with fellow Longhorns, but I am just tired of all this complaining.

Yes, I want it be a rowdy crowd, but if you don't want to show up -- don't show up. I know first-hand that good seats don't go for much right now, so what does it matter if you can or can't sell them? You're not going to get much for them, so if you can't make a game, give them to someone who will appreciate them. I mean, there are six home games, and if you are such a great fan, show up.

For a lot of people, paying for parking sucks, but there really isn't much you can do about it. There is so much more crazy crap going on in the world and we are bitching about football changes. This season just needs to start already.

 

[BananaChipBettor]

I guess you have missed all of the stories from all over the country about how Uber and Lyft fares tend to jump dramatically in response to demand...as such, do not expect that your 'cheaper rides' will materialize. This will be even more true once their drivers realize what a PITA it is to get close to the stadium for the pick-up or drop-off...

I use Uber and Lyft all the time -- even used Lyft yesterday. My cab fare is $50 each way and I've already looked at Uber and Lyft pricing -- it's much cheaper. I get to the games very early, so I will beat the demand pricing before the games. I'll go have a beer at Scholz after the game and wait for the demand to drop. If it's still super high, I'll just grab a cab around the area and head home.

 

[JesterSurvivor]

Hmmm . . .

BananaChip wants me to pay what Patterson deems full freight so BananaChip does not have to subsidize the cost of my subsidy to Patterson and his bloated staff that helps subsidize free stuff for college kids that, if they are good enough, will play a game for money after college that far exceeds what I earn by working, said game to be played in a building paid for with tax subsidies.

Got it.

Tell 'ya what BananaChip, why don't you buy out the whole stadium so you don't have to rub shoulders with us broke-a$$ no account M'f'ers.

 

[BananaChipBettor]

Hmmm . . .

BananaChip wants me to pay what Patterson deems full freight so BananaChip does not have to subsidize the cost of my subsidy to Patterson and his bloated staff that helps subsidize free stuff for college kids that, if they are good enough, will play a game for money after college that far exceeds what I earn by working, said game to be played in a building paid for with tax subsidies.

Got it.

Tell 'ya what BananaChip, why don't you buy out the whole stadium so you don't have to rub shoulders with us broke-a$$ no account M'f'ers.

You can pay whatever you want, but you have to live with the restrictions on your less than full payment. I am not a fan of bloat in any sector -- private or public -- that is a concern of mine as well. I don't know why you're even bringing up athlete scholarships, as they are what drives the revenue.

 

[JesterSurvivor]

I don't think the word "subsidy" means what you think it means. I think it is a riot that you think that you are subsidizing anything having to do with how much I paid for tickets. Do you really think your ticket cost will go down if all the other ticket holders that do not pay as much as you are run out of the stadium? Do you think you will get a better result on the field because I'm not there sucking milk off your teat?

I get it. I can choose to pay or not. My point is that forcing long term season ticket holders and supporters of UT, both financially and politically, to make that choice, when UT was second in revenue and first in spending last year already (while still making a profit) is poor decision making.

Source: http://sports.usatoday.com/ncaa/finances/

Bears get fat. Bulls get fat. Longhorns can get fat. But hogs and pigs get slaughtered. This was a hoggish move. And it has non-monetary costs to the brand and the support for The University

Here is the economics for me - I don't currently live in Austin. Between kid events in the fall and other family commitments, I don't make all the games. Last year I sold some tickets - for less than face - to recoup some of the losses on my investment. Fans that were not season ticket holders and could not afford or could not get tickets through Belmont got to see some games. Seats were filled. Belmont's revenue was not hurt. A donor was happy. Public support for UT football increased by giving more people a chance to participate in the game day experience.

The current AD wants to change that win (my seats filled)-neutral (no impact on revenue to Belmont)-win (donor happy)-win (fan base expanded) outcome for a loss (my seats empty for Rice)-WIN($$$ FOR BELMONT!)-loss (pissed off donor)-loss (fan base culled).

A public university occasionally has reason to want the voters of the state to be on its side. My vote counts as much as Red McCombs's vote, as much as your vote and as much as someone who cannot afford or is not interested in being an LHF donor. Steve Patterson's, and, frankly, your "Let them eat cake" attitude sells about as well in the voting booth as it did in the Place de la Concorde when Marie Antoinette met with her constituents.

Like the French peasants that were told to eat cake, I just want a head to roll.

 

[BananaChipBettor]

I don't think the word "subsidy" means what you think it means. I think it is a riot that you think that you are subsidizing anything having to do with how much I paid for tickets. Do you really think your ticket cost will go down if all the other ticket holders that do not pay as much as you are run out of the stadium? Do you think you will get a better result on the field because I'm not there sucking milk off your teat?

I don't know what you pay, but do you really think the guy donating $150, who has been sitting in section 5 for 30 years, is paying the bills? No, other donors are covering the costs for that type of donor. If other people weren't stepping up to the plate, yes, they would be forced to revise the whole grandfathered system.

 

[BananaChipBettor]

If I let someone rent my house and pay me a super low $200/month, I might be a little pissed off if they subletted my house. Well, we only rent it out once in a while to recoup a few bucks and we really don't make much -- who cares? I am giving you a below market value bargain and you want to take advantage of me?

If you're grandfathered, you get to "recoup" money when you purchase your tickets every year. People who pay full market value, will now be able to get more for their tickets and recoup money for the games they can't make. I won't sell mine, but at least there will be less supply for those others who do want to sell a game or two.

 

[SabreHorn]

Banana,

First of all, no one is has seats in Section 5 for $150 a year. I believe the minimum donation in the section is $400-500 per seat for those grandfathered in since 1971. Is it less than the others? Sure, but why do you object? Those people have paid for those seats during years when they couldn't give the tickets away.

Do you begrudge the guy who bought his Presidential Rolex for $2,500 in 1979, because he paid less than you would have to pay today? Should John Byrum have had to increase his house payment every year to cover the escalation of the inflation value of his home on Lake Austin?

Yes, Patterson wants us gone, and over the last few years, we have buried many of the original owners. I went to Austin National Bank and borrowed the money to pay for my original options, which covered ten years. Right of survivorship is to spouse only. If Patterson keeps up this classless crap, I will find a 20 year old to marry just to keep him from getting his hands on these seats. This is the first year I have not willingly given extra to the athletic department, and I'm not likely to give any extra until "We Are Texas" again - that has nothing to wins and losses, but rather with class and integrity.

 

[BananaChipBettor]

Banana,

First of all, no one is has seats in Section 5 for $150 a year. I believe the minimum donation in the section is $400-500 per seat for those grandfathered in since 1971. Is it less than the others? Sure, but why do you object? Those people have paid for those seats during years when they couldn't give the tickets away.

Do you begrudge the guy who bought his Presidential Rolex for $2,500 in 1979, because he paid less than you would have to pay today? Should John Byrum have had to increase his house payment every year to cover the escalation of the inflation value of his home on Lake Austin?

Yes, Patterson wants us gone, and over the last few years, we have buried many of the original owners. I went to Austin National Bank and borrowed the money to pay for my original options, which covered ten years. Right of survivorship is to spouse only. If Patterson keeps up this classless crap, I will find a 20 year old to marry just to keep him from getting his hands on these seats. This is the first year I have not willingly given extra to the athletic department, and I'm not likely to give any extra until "We Are Texas" again - that has nothing to wins and losses, but rather with class and integrity.

I don't object to what they are paying, but I do object to the complaining. The stadium has never ending renovations and there is an ongoing maintenance cost, so it's never really paid for. Also, buying a physical one time product is a little different than paying yearly for football tickets.

A lot of your post was funny, though. I did laugh about the twenty year old.

 

[Htown77]

I'm not likely to give any extra until "We Are Texas" again - that has nothing to wins and losses, but rather with class and integrity.

This. The in the stands complaints are not about what is happening on the field. The diehards on this board were here for McWilliams. They are not leaving because of a 6-7 season. They are upset with the treatment of fans during and after a 6-7 season that will only get worse once we start winning again.

 

[JesterSurvivor]

SabreHorn and Htown beat me to the punch. Given the place this program holds in terms of revenue and wealth, the problem is not money. There are ways to make money to get what the program needs without treating the fans as sheep to be fleeced. (I would argue the program was doing fine without any price increases, given how much money it made last year.)

If you are sitting next to a 30 year ticket holder, I suggest you shake his/her hand and thank him/her. They gave money when the program needed it most, and helped make the program what it used to be and will be again, after Patterson is gone.

If someone bought Apple shares or Texas tickets in 1986 and has held onto them this long, I say bully for them. Lord knows there were many years when those of fainter heart or less orange blood would have sold (Mac TV? McWilliams? Mackovic?). It has not been all Ricky and Vince and iPods and iPhones. The best I saw against OU in my four years on campus was a tie in the pouring rain. I'm guessing that no one envied me then. And for the record, my 17 year $150 donation has me in Section 8. It would be a 24 year run for me, but I made the mistake of having my first set of post college tickets issued in my then girlfriend's name. I still love Texas football. Her, not so much. Now that same sex marriage is legal, I'm eyeing SabreHorn's longevity as a ticket holder in a new light.

 

[Htown77]

If you are sitting next to a 30 year ticket holder, I suggest you shake his/her hand and thank him/her. They gave money when the program needed it most, and helped make the program what it used to be and will be again, after Patterson is gone.

Exactly. These are the fans that endured losing to Rice and route 66. The animosity against them is BS.

 

[BananaChipBettor]

Exactly. These are the fans that endured losing to Rice and route 66. The animosity against them is BS.

I was in in the stands for route 66, but you don't see me complaining about some random event. Just stop all the whining, and I'll stop whining.

 

[BananaChipBettor]

Exactly. These are the fans that endured losing to Rice and route 66. The animosity against them is BS.

Since I personally endured that game, what am I owed? I'll PM you with my name and address, to make out my check.

 

[Htown77]

Since I personally endured that game, what am I owed? I'll PM you with my name and address, to make out my check.

You are the owed the appreciation of the athletic department for your support. Please contact them.

 

[JustWin]

Okay, let's tap the brakes here. And maybe start new threads about grandfathered seat costs or personal perception of slights, insults or abuse at the hands of the athletic department.
My vocal and financial support of The University has not wavered through AD changes or head coach changes.
Deloss Dodds was not always revered and respected (coaching changes in all 3 major revenue sports, even formation of Longhorn Foundation), but he turned out alright.
I don't agree with some of the changes the current AD has made (and I agree that the numbers in the original thread title are not accurate with regard to my seats), but my support of my university won't change.
My tickets (and parking) cost me more today than in the 70's, some are grandfathered and some are now obscenely full price, but I plan on being there to enjoy another NC.
Hook 'em.