Lousy Attendance

[Sweetest OU Girl]

I noticed the arena was almost empty last night at OU's game.

Then today lots of complaints from ESPN folks about the abysmal attendance Duke drew to their game with Mississippi State.

The kids deserve better. We would have drawn in the neighborhood of 5000 in Norman.

 

[35TangoTango]

This whole philosophy of having the top 16 seeds host the opening rounds is supposed to sell tickets - but then Stanford doesn't draw many people during the season either.

I think this whole deal is a step backwards in terms of bringing parity to women's basketball. It's definitely a rich get richer scheme.

 

[Sweetest OU Girl]

This whole philosophy of having the top 16 seeds host the opening rounds is supposed to sell tickets - but then Stanford doesn't draw many people during the season either.

I think this whole deal is a step backwards in terms of bringing parity to women's basketball. It's definitely a rich get richer scheme.

I understand where you are coming from, but actually the plan for allowing the top 16 to host rounds 1 & 2 was to make things more equitable - a bit like the plan in the men's game.

The plan to sell tickets was what has been replaced. It used to be you submitted a bid and they just took the ones that could draw the most fans. That often had weak seeds hosting good seeds, and created lots of complaints.

Until more teams get better fan following, there is no perfect fix. I think they hoped the committee would look at attendance as they did the seeds - and they may have to some extent. But doing that does seem a bit disingenuous.

I believe if we had gotten the support of the Big-12 rep we might have been a host. I can pretty much guarantee you the reps from the SEC and ACC did not go in saying "I don't think our 2nd place team should be considered". And the Big-12 rep was in effect saying that about us before the final talks started. It was even in the media. It appeared possible she was actually pushing for Texas instead of us.

 

[tycat947]

There are attendance problems in all collegiate sports now. TV, smart phones, tablets, computers and young people not having a great interest are affecting attendance everywhere (although, there are exceptions). I guess most are watching on TV as networks and cable are paying lots of money to the large conferences that televise everything.

 

[KCRuf/Nek]

There are attendance problems in all collegiate sports now. TV, smart phones, tablets, computers and young people not having a great interest are affecting attendance everywhere (although, there are exceptions). I guess most are watching on TV as networks and cable are paying lots of money to the large conferences that televise everything.

I know that's what I did here for the men. The tickets all sold in an hour so getting them might have been expensive along with the hassle and expense of getting there and being there. I'm not 22 anymore so a day at the P&L isn't my goal. Pro sports are experiencing this also. Anymore the best seat in the house is in your living room.

I also wonder if there are smaller venues where they can play. I know the crowds in Dallas this year looked terrible in that atena. When the women were here they used to play at the Muni.

 

[JDSooners]

Win and they play in okc, can't complain too much

 

[YCN]

Win and they play in okc, can't complain too much

There are 4 other games in approximately the same time slot as OU-Stanford today. I doubt that the game will be broadcast anywhere but OK and northern CA.

If you can't access ESPN3, you're pretty much SooL.

When do we get UConn again in an exclusive time slot to beat some sap by 40+?

 

[womenssports]

This whole philosophy of having the top 16 seeds host the opening rounds is supposed to sell tickets - but then Stanford doesn't draw many people during the season either.

I think this whole deal is a step backwards in terms of bringing parity to women's basketball. It's definitely a rich get richer scheme.

I am clueless as to what you mean and I know it is me just not getting it.
"It's definitely a rich get richer scheme."

 

[35TangoTango]

I am clueless as to what you mean and I know it is me just not getting it.
"It's definitely a rich get richer scheme."

If the top 16 seeds get to host, that greatly decreases the chances of any of them getting upset (3 of 16 this year). Therefore the predicted seeds will advance, get more exposure, have a better recruiting season, and be back in the top 16 the next year.

It's very bad for parity and for teams trying to break in to the upper echelon.

Duke for one would not be advancing this year if they had not hosted at home.

 

[soonerstar]

There are 4 other games in approximately the same time slot as OU-Stanford today. I doubt that the game will be broadcast anywhere but OK and northern CA.

If you can't access ESPN3, you're pretty much SooL.

When do we get UConn again in an exclusive time slot to beat some sap by 40+?

We get the UCONN games because ESPN is in Bristol, Conn. and they have a lovefest with UCONN.

 

[Sooners4Life0101]

What they need to do is just play all the games in one city or even one state smack dab in the middle of America.

As a fan, how do u buy a ticket to California 4 days before the game?? the ticket prices will be way too high. If you had time to plan a trip to go see them- It would be a lot easier to attend. Makes no sense to me.

 

[Sweetest OU Girl]

What they need to do is just play all the games in one city or even one state smack dab in the middle of America.

As a fan, how do u buy a ticket to California 4 days before the game?? the ticket prices will be way too high. If you had time to plan a trip to go see them- It would be a lot easier to attend. Makes no sense to me.

You are correct about airfares.

I was planning on going to Tampa if we somehow advanced that far, and wished I was not forced to wait so long to confirm the airline seats.

When the Final Four is closer (as it will be some over the next few years) it is not a problem - you can just drive.

 

[womenssports]

If the top 16 seeds get to host, that greatly decreases the chances of any of them getting upset (3 of 16 this year). Therefore the predicted seeds will advance, get more exposure, have a better recruiting season, and be back in the top 16 the next year.

It's very bad for parity and for teams trying to break in to the upper echelon.

Duke for one would not be advancing this year if they had not hosted at home.

Okay, thanks.