I’ll admit, I’m a little behind in my reading, but this is something that I find hard not to talk about even if it is a week old…
In an article from Herald-Leader Sports Columnist, Mark Story (yes, I read anything that’s about UK), talks about a recent discussion with Mitch Barnhart concerning UK Football’s dismal season ticket numbers.
Story explains that this season is shaping up to be the least attended season since the stadium was expanded to 67,000 in 1999.
So why are UK Football tickets not selling?
Barnhart points to the economy and lack of offense, but I’m having a difficult time digesting either of those.
Read this excerpt from Story’s article to get a better idea of Barnhart’s view on things…
The UK AD says he believes the drop is based on more than just fan displeasure with Phillips and Kentucky football’s recent performance, though he acknowledges that is part of it.
“I won’t say displeasure,” Barnhart said. “I think we’ve got to earn respect as we do things on the field. Clearly, we had a pretty good run, we were growing our football program and going to bowl games and (last year) we took a little step back in terms of our record and our offense as well.”
Last season, Kentucky did not put an entertaining offense on the field, averaging 15.8 points and 259.8 yards a game. “Offense sells tickets,” Barnhart said. “When offense is struggling a little bit, people get disenchanted real quick.”
Noting the strong play of sophomore quarterback Maxwell Smith leading an up-tempo, no-huddle UK offense in the loss to U of L, Barnhart says he’s hopeful Kentucky fans will see a more enjoyable product in 2012.
Yet the Kentucky AD says he believes other factors also explain UK’s problems selling seats in 2012.
Part of it, Barnhart says, is the sluggish economy. There was much discussion in Florida last week about the number of empty seats in The Swamp during the Gators’ season opener with Bowling Green.
Says Barnhart: “I looked around on television last Saturday — I was watching some games because we had the day off — and there were a lot of stadiums of some pretty big-time programs who had some gaping holes (in terms of fans) in their stadiums. They’ve had a lot more success on the field than we have had, yet they had holes. I’m sure there is a piece of the economy that’s had a huge impact on that.”
OK, before I hammer out the rest of this, I want it to be clear on something…. I’m a HUGE UK Football fan. I go into every season and every game (doesn’t matter how bad or good we’re doing), with the same belief that, “hey, we can win this one”! Now on with the show….
Barnhart speaks to last years slow offense, and hopes that Maxwell Smith’s great start to the season will have people wanting to attend later in the season.
Well, I watched the UofL game and I was very encouraged by the offense. However, after watching the defense, I wasn’t that excited to show up at the game vs. Kent State. There’s also the fact that this years schedule is one of the worst non-conference and conference schedules that I’ve seen in the last ten years.
Barnhart also points out the economy as a reason for sluggish sales…
Part of it, Barnhart says, is the sluggish economy. There was much discussion in Florida last week about the number of empty seats in The Swamp during the Gators’ season opener with Bowling Green.
I really feel he’s reaching here… I mean, who isn’t blaming the economy these days? Florida is coming off of one of their worst seasons seasons in the last five years, and they did play Bowling Green. How many of you get excited when UK plays Western? Are you dying to get that ticket? Just think how excited you would be if you were a Florida fan and you were playing Bowling Green?
And let’s assume it is the economy.. After all, the sluggish economy has affected many of us. However, the economy didn’t seem to stop UK fans from traveling to Atlanta and New Orleans just a few months earlier. Did something happen in the last few months that I missed? Did Obama pass a bill limiting the number of games season ticket holders could go to, in an effort to get those tickets in the hands of fans that haven’t been able to get to a game (that sounds good to some, but a little scary, because I actually believe that could happen).
It’s simple, if the economy has impacted your family, why pay for tickets if you don’t BELIEVE in the direction of the team?
Most people probably think I’m a big Mitch basher, but that’s actually far from the truth. I’m a huge Mitch Barnhart fan. He’s done an amazing job as our AD. Yes there’s been a mistake or two, but he’s always managed to handle them quickly and we’ve always been better in the end.
I only wish Barnhart would be more open about the realities that are pretty obvious. He doesn’t have to bash Joker or say that he’s “on the hot-seat”, but he should definitely stay away from exaggerating outside influences in hopes of explaining UK Football attendance issues.
I did purchase season tickets and I’ll be at every game possible. I do believe that the overall program is getting better, but unfortunately our competition is improving right along with us. In some cases, they’re even improving at a more rapid pace (UofL and Vanderbilt are great examples).
If there’s one coaching move I would ask Joker to make, it would be to bring back Marcus Mclinton. For now more than ever, he needs people to BELIEVE in this program. Going unbeaten for non-conference games is just not going to cut it if he want’s fans to get back on the bus.
