2200 days of Brad Edwards

[GMUgemini]

Luxury suites are not unnecessary. They are big revenue generators and we are worse off financially for not having them.

The extra revenue would be nice, but again, it's not necessary for success (sellingout our arena every game would give us more ticket revenue than vcu can generate with their luxury suites -- not that that would ever happen, but don't undersell the revenue potential of having almost 10,000 seats). And they really don't do anything to improve the average visitor's experience of the arena.

All I'm saying is, if we're unwilling or unable to spend the $20 to $30 million it would take to put in luxury suites it's not the end of the world.

 

[TweederGMU]

Luxury suites are not unnecessary. They are big revenue generators and we are worse off financially for not having them.

Totally agree. Need Luxury Suites..... instant panty droppers and money makers.

Would make Edwards and Darrell Green's job so much easier if we had Microstrategy/AOL (Any big time company located in NOVA) big wig's in a luxury suite rubbing elbows with clients and then get a visit from Darrell and Brad.... they can bust out an impromptu autograph session up in that bitch. But you know..... we usually ask for a small donation of $10K to Mens Basketball for this autograph session and to hold and put on Edwards and Darrell's Super Bowl Rings and listen to their stories of knocking Michael Irvin out.

We are light years behind on the scoreboard, lighting system, and overall fun introduction/hypeness/excitement for player intro's. Would love to see a better intro..... with new lighting, video scoreboard, and sound system this would be an instant fix.

We all need to move away from the mentality and attitude of these would be nice things to have and move to the attitude and mentality as these items are MUST HAVE's and work to getting funds for these items. Some programs saw this and acted accordingly.......

ODU Intro: (Skip to 1:20)

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iemuqWdRRkQ


IU Intro:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZqjX2II8l8


Gonzaga Intro:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLWQ9PmliwQ

 

[GMUgemini]

Tweeder, no one is going to pay $10,000 for an autograph of Darrell Green or Brad Edwards...give me a break, nor would they to schedule a face-to-face with them when they can just schedule one for free.

 

[TweederGMU]

Tweeder, no one is going to pay $10,000 for an autograph of Darrell Green or Brad Edwards...give me a break, nor would they to schedule a face-to-face with them when they can just schedule one for free.

Obviously you have no idea of how to network.

Companies, law firms own suites at Verizon Center, Nats Park, and FedEx Field and allow their employees, clients, and prospects to use them whenever. It is there for perks and to grow their company.

I'm referring to one of the purposes of luxury suites. Mason can rent them out to local companies, organizations, alumni groups etc. and within the rental package agreements (besides food, beverages, etc.) one of the items is a meet and greet session with Darrell Green/Edwards, before, during, halftime or whenever. That is INCLUDED in the rental package price.... whatever that may be, $2k, $5k, $10k... whatever they want to charge. I threw out the $10k number as just a number since AT&T's luxury suite at Nationals Stadium is $10k a game and you get a meet'n greet with one of their Coaches/Players before the game.

The people in this suite will probably know who Darrell Green is and may ask for an autograph. The enticement of knowing that you will get to meet Green and Edwards can help draw companies in the DC area to these luxury suites.

 

[GMUgemini]

Obviously you have no idea of how to network.

Companies, law firms own suites at Verizon Center, Nats Park, and FedEx Field and allow their employees, clients, and prospects to use them whenever. It is there for perks and to grow their company.

I'm referring to one of the purposes of luxury suites. Mason can rent them out to local companies, organizations, alumni groups etc. and within the rental package agreements (besides food, beverages, etc.) one of the items is a meet and greet session with Darrell Green/Edwards, before, during, halftime or whenever. That is INCLUDED in the rental package price.... whatever that may be, $2k, $5k, $10k... whatever they want to charge. I threw out the $10k number as just a number since AT&T's luxury suite at Nationals Stadium is $10k a game and you get a meet'n greet with one of their Coaches/Players before the game.

The people in this suite will probably know who Darrell Green is and may ask for an autograph. The enticement of knowing that you will get to meet Green and Edwards can help draw companies in the DC area to these luxury suites.

It's not nearly as much as you think it's going to be, or who would be interested in renting the suites.

By the way, I'm not saying don't do it, I'm just saying the upfront costs are expensive and it's not the end of the world if we don't put them into the EBA (for sure whatever replaces the EBA).

We should focus on filling our current arena. 9,800 tickets sold a game at $20 a ticket at 16 games a season is $3.1 million...in 2015 our ticket revenue was $650k...huge difference (again, not like we're going to sell out every game).'

edit: also, everything else I mentioned that you mentioned: upgrades to the scoreboard, lighting, and sound systems. They're doing the locker rooms apparently. They did a new floor last year (I think or the year before?) I like the restaurant/hall of fame/team store addition idea I threw out there as a nice amenity/perk. I have no idea if there's ever going to be plans to redo or update the seating bowl (other than the much maligned hand railings).

 

[Patriot Lawdog]

It's not nearly as much as you think it's going to be, or who would be interested in renting the suites.

By the way, I'm not saying don't do it, I'm just saying the upfront costs are expensive and it's not the end of the world if we don't put them into the EBA (for sure whatever replaces the EBA).

We should focus on filling our current arena. 9,800 tickets sold a game at $20 a ticket at 16 games a season is $3.1 million...in 2015 our ticket revenue was $650k...huge difference (again, not like we're going to sell out every game).'

edit: also, everything else I mentioned that you mentioned: upgrades to the scoreboard, lighting, and sound systems. They're doing the locker rooms apparently. They did a new floor last year (I think or the year before?) I like the restaurant/hall of fame/team store addition idea I threw out there as a nice amenity/perk. I have no idea if there's ever going to be plans to redo or update the seating bowl (other than the much maligned hand railings).

To be honest, probably much easier to rent out a luxury suite than to get 9,000 people to a game every night. It's tough for the Wizards to sell out, so it's probably unrealistic for us to think we're going to pack the arena every night even if we were consistently in the top 25. If we did go this route, it would be a cheaper more convenient location for some businesses. Obviously, it's not going to happen in the short-term, but it's probably something to seriously look at in the not-so distant future.

 

[Falco]

To be honest, probably much easier to rent out a luxury suite than to get 9,000 people to a game every night. It's tough for the Wizards to sell out, so it's probably unrealistic for us to think we're going to pack the arena every night even if we were consistently in the top 25. If we did go this route, it would be a cheaper more convenient location for some businesses. Obviously, it's not going to happen in the short-term, but it's probably something to seriously look at in the not-so distant future.

Without a doubt we need luxury seating. Recently I was in a Nationals box seat, and everyone in the room loved the experience. Many people said they could never go back to regular seats.

Luxury seats are a way to get people to attend games that would never consider a game in the past.

 

[GSII]

Need to find a way to get the students closer and more involved and in sync with the Green Machine. That, if done correctly can be a show in and of itself that should make playing at EBA hell for opponents.

 

[sleeperpick]

Need to find a way to get the students closer and more involved and in sync with the Green Machine. That, if done correctly can be a show in and of itself that should make playing at EBA hell for opponents.

Pablo told me that the rumor mill keeps saying that the guy with the dreads and the girl who sang at like 4 of the home games last year (only girl on GM that has a good voice IMO) will not be returning after Bobby (dreads) graduated and that girl had apparently graduated years before and is moving away. Pablo said he has great concern that Ginja Ninja will be alone in the great vocal categories this year. I hope Pablo is wrong

 

[Vurbel]

All this being said, I gladly take these problems over where we were 5 years ago.

 

[Patriot Lawdog]

All singing should be gone. It was cute for a game or two, but now it's just annoying and takes away from the experience. The focus should be the band and not some god awful vocalist.

 

[GMUgemini]

All singing should be gone. It was cute for a game or two, but now it's just annoying and takes away from the experience. The focus should be the band and not some god awful vocalist.

+1 there...I didn't mind it pre-game, but during the game let's stick to the instrumentals.

 

[GMUgemini]

To be honest, probably much easier to rent out a luxury suite than to get 9,000 people to a game every night. It's tough for the Wizards to sell out, so it's probably unrealistic for us to think we're going to pack the arena every night even if we were consistently in the top 25. If we did go this route, it would be a cheaper more convenient location for some businesses. Obviously, it's not going to happen in the short-term, but it's probably something to seriously look at in the not-so distant future.

Again, not saying don't do it, but they're going to cost like $30 million and we aren't renting those suckers out at $10k a game. If we're going to have to privately fund something like luxury suites in the EBA (most likely will), we will get a barometer of how possible it's going to be with the practice facility campaign.

I've sat in luxury suites and I've sat in floor seats, and I'd rather be on the floor personally. But I like watching and being in the game rather than getting food and beverage service from waiters (certain people would prefer the later, and I get that).

 

[Five Two]

we need luxury suites and permanent hospitality areas. not just for basketball games but all the other events held at EBA. its lost revenue.

I'd also develop "social" areas that entice fans to share on social media. this is becoming a thing at events now. it could be as simple as putting the 2006 Regional trophy with the net draped over it in the middle of the concourse so people can take pics of it.

 

[psyclone]

Again, not saying don't do it, but they're going to cost like $30 million and we aren't renting those suckers out at $10k a game. If we're going to have to privately fund something like luxury suites in the EBA (most likely will), we will get a barometer of how possible it's going to be with the practice facility campaign.

I've sat in luxury suites and I've sat in floor seats, and I'd rather be on the floor personally. But I like watching and being in the game rather than getting food and beverage service from waiters (certain people would prefer the later, and I get that).

I only was in a suite once or twice in my life by the generosity of a friend and a relative with "connections". It was enjoyable enough but I must admit, it was closer to watching a game on a big screen than actually being part of the crowd in a real seat. More "isolating" than I would have thought beforehand. I can see that luxury suites may be revenue-producing and attract celebrities and potential high rollers, but I wouldn't expect them to be "real" fans.

 

[gmujim92]

I only was in a suite once or twice in my life by the generosity of a friend and a relative with "connections". It was enjoyable enough but I must admit, it was closer to watching a game on a big screen than actually being part of the crowd in a real seat. More "isolating" than I would have thought beforehand. I can see that luxury suites may be revenue-producing and attract celebrities and potential high rollers, but I wouldn't expect them to be "real" fans.

At this point, as long as they pay with "real money," I don't care if they cheer or sit there with their thumbs up their asses.

 

[GSII]

Richmond has a nice arena, but it doesnt help bc with a buffoon as our coach, we always beat them on their home cour. Point is to create an advantage to win. Money will come.

 

[GMUgemini]

At this point, as long as they pay with "real money," I don't care if they cheer or sit there with their thumbs up their asses.

At least you can sequester those people in private suites, right?

 

[gmujim92]

Richmond has a nice arena, but it doesnt help bc with a buffoon as our coach, we always beat them on their home cour. Point is to create an advantage to win. Money will come.

If they are up in a suite, you can't hear them cheering anyhow. Save the courtside seats for fans who will make life miserable for the opposition.

 

[MasonFanatic]

I went to the Siegel Center this season for the first time in 4-5 years, and honestly, I was underwhelmed. The crowd wasn't as loud and engaged as I remember, the band had definitely taken a step back, and the weird corner suites seemed to cut down on the intensity and made the concourses feel very crowded. Also their timeout/halftime entertainment was much worse than ours and seemed disorganized. I'm not saying vcu doesn't still have a great homecourt advantage, because they do, but they're not as far ahead of us as the sanitized, on-brand TV broadcasts make it look. Maybe Mason was just not a big game for them, but it was their senior night... I was puzzled.