Looks like Ohio State is raising tickets to $125

[Spence]

I thought $70 was not bad, but 125 along with a required presidents club donation is getting a little steep. $79 this year, but looks like they have $125 in their sites. If you take a family of five to a game it is going to cost about a grand when you figure president's club donation, food, gas, and misc. expenses. Lots of people aren't going to be able to spend $6000 per year plus to see games.

http://www.elevenwarriors.com/2013/01/18921/ohio-state-mulling-football-ticket-price-hikes-introduction-of-premium-game-pricing

[Dossenator]

Too much. You are right...many families can not afford that price.

[Cane from the Bend]

Urban needed his gratuity check.

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[Spence]

Not for Urban. His salary didn't come out of that fund. The athletic department has to pay the school full tuition for scholarships in all sports and for out of state scholarships they have to pay the out of state rate. They also are required by the school to run in the black. A few years back they decided to donate so much a year to pay for the new library, so now they are committed to that as well. Initially it seems they are raising tickets to $79, but the buzz is that they want to up the better seats to $125. The sad thing is that if you have ticket rights and decide to drop them someone will pick them up before you get to hang up the phone when you cancel. So the choice is either pay or decide to watch the games on television.

[Derek]

Ga games usually cost me about $70 each. That's cause I buy from an alumnus that has face value and all of their other contributions.

But they are good seats.

I just would not do $125....at least in the amount that I do now. I would stick with one game per year, instead of 4.

I think, end the end, they will lose money.

[Spence]

They are talking $79 for regular games, $125 for 2 games designated premium, and $175 for the Michigan game. These are face value seats, not secondary market games. President's club "donation" is at least $2500. Then add $566 for season tickets with the 2 premium and Michigan games and $79 for the other 4 (seven home games per season), that makes the average price for one ticket is at least 438. If you have several tickets the average price comes down a little, but you aren't getting out of paying $1600 a game for a family of 4. That is just nuts. I hate to give up my tickets, but the price to see Ohio State beat the crap out of an in state team is too steep.

[Swamp Daddy]

Since I retired 7 years ago, I've been too poor to attend anyone's games.

Swamp Daddy

[Spence]

Since I retired 7 years ago, I've been too poor to attend anyone's games.

Swamp Daddy

There are going to be lots of people too poor to attend games if everyone follows Ohio State's example. The Buckeye AD Gene Smith has been nothing but bad news since he was hired. Under Gene Smith Ohio State got their first ever major violation from the NCAA. What is worse is that he let Tressel take 100% of the blame. While Tress deserves his share, nobody will ever convince me that Smith was in the dark on this. I guess that's what we get for hiring a Domer to run athletics at Ohio State.

[Spence]

Looks like they are doing it. I think the scalpers will take a bath on the Buffalo game.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State Board of Trustees will vote Friday to approve higher prices for football and basketball tickets that athletic director Gene Smith should raise an extra $6 million a year for the Buckeyes' athletic department.

For 2013, football tickets will go up in price from $70 to $79. There will be one premium game designated, against Wisconsin, that will cost $110.


In future years, there may be one or two premium games chosen by Smith. A home game with Michigan will always be designated as such. If there are two premium games in a year, one will cost $125 and the other $150. If there is just one premium game, it could cost $175.


The athletic director will determine the premium games before each season.

The board's finance committee discussed the prices in a meeting Thursday, with Smith there to answer questions. There was no dissent among the committee members and the measure is expected to pass Friday.


Smith said there was no consideration given to lowering the prices of lesser games in the tiered pricing, because the Buckeyes sell out all their games. He doesn't expect that to change, and the doesn't expect the demographics of the fans in the stadium to change with this move.


If Ohio State stops selling out, Smith then the price structure would be looked at.



Smith also said he expects that with the coming Big Ten expansion to 14 teams, the Big Ten will move to either nine or 10 conference games a year. He said he is almost sure there is no chance of staying at eight conference games. Smith thinks the nine games is the most likely outcome.

[donovan]

Somehow....this makes me wonder more about the fans and corporations that pay these prices more than it does the school that charge it. I don't get it. Getting old...but seems to me...I can watch football...live on a Friday night....little CFB on the TV and give the money to somebody that might be wondering if they afford new shoes for their kids. Not saying I judge those that do...but in this time of my life...I have to wonder....and have been blessed to make the choice either way.

[Spence]

I agree. I used to think that, because Ohio State's athletic department is self sustaining, that the money was going to help kids (all athletes not just football and basketball) who wouldn't get the chance to go to school otherwise. So it was a donation and I got to go to games. But the arrogance that Gene Smith (Ohio State AD) has shown in handling this has really left a bad taste in my mouth. Why are they raising the prices above the stated $79 dollar rate? "Because we can". If Ohio State was a private institution, then I wouldn't have a problem. They are not a private institution. All the people of the state of Ohio contribute taxes to run the school. Ohio state taxes are among the highest any where. We support their retirement fund - even if we don't have one ourselves. We support the up keep of the buildings. The building of new ones when needed. We cover their heath plans, that are better - lots better - than most in the private sector. And having done all that Gene Smith has the stones to look the people of Ohio and say we are raising ticket prices to see (in their words) "the state of Ohio's team" because "we can". Gene Smith comes from Notre Dame and he has that attitude that comes with it. He is destroying what has taken years and years to build.

My daughter is diabetic. She was diagnosed when she was 6. I am thinking about redirecting the money to them. They aren't fun to watch, but they do lots of good.

[Spence]

You have to think things like this are going to start falling on deaf ears.......................

Ohio State wants more money for in-state scholarships



Associated Press
Published: February 1, 2013 - 11:58 AM




COLUMBUS: Ohio’s largest university is trying to raise $100 million from the community to pay for scholarships for needy and high-achieving students from throughout the Buckeye State.

Ohio State University is kicking off the scholarship challenge Friday with some high-profile chairmen — football coach Urban Meyer and basketball coach Thad Matta.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that the effort is part of a larger university effort to raise $500 million in private donations for student financial aid and scholarships as part of the Columbus school’s $2.5 billion fundraising campaign introduced in October.

A year’s tuition to Ohio State is $10,037 for in-state students. Last year, the university awarded about $462 million in financial aid to undergraduates. Nearly three-quarters of all OSU undergrads received some sort of aid.

[donovan]

It is beyond belief. You are absolutely correct there a significant difference between State Schools and private institutions. Taxpayers subsidized state schools.....the fact that some departments are self sustaining does not mean all are..or there would not be subsidies. If everyone is taxed, the everyone needs equall access for what they were taxed. This applies to taxation in general..of course..never happens because ..well..because....but state schools are not exempt. But we are spitting in the ocean, thinking we raising the tide.

Have you heard the people sing, singing the song of angry men, it's the music of a people who will not be slaves again.....

[Spence]

What really hacks me off is that my protest will be in vain. No one will know or care if I opt out. There are thousands willing to stand in line to take my spot. The whole elitist movement that we are experiencing is excruciating. We need a return to common sense and personal responsibility.

On a side note..........I see your wife drug you out to Les mis too.

[donovan]

and not only did she do that....when I sang the song to declare my freedom...she said I was exempt from the 13th amendment. Other than French fries, french kissing and french toast...what have the French ever given us worth celebrating?

I think you are correct, the only ones listening are on this board...and why we commiserate with each other, the oppressors who stole our game, our memories and like so many other great institutional endeavors, turned them into grist for greed and corruption.

It's my lot to just enjoy the game and not worry about much else. Today I am going whale watching off the Oregon Coast...I hope they just don't get me out there on the ocean and then show me a mirror.