Lacrosse Message Board
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| Subject: Thesis advice regarding five-year trend of decreasing attendance at Final Four |
| Posted by: UVAWahooo11 on Mon Jul 9 2012 3:12:27 PM |
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Message:
Posted on the Corner as well, just trying to illicit as many responses as
possible. I am finishing up a graduate program at Georgetown in Sports Management and needed some advice regarding my thesis. It is on the incongruence between the growth of lacrosse and a five-year trend of decreasing attendance at the Final Four (rose every year from 2002- 2007, dipped every year from weekend high of 123,000 in 2007 to 79,000 in 2012), offering solutions to bolster sport's showcase weekend. There are factors contributing to this decline that are not unique to lacrosse, such as the economy and the HDTV boom, but I wanted to focus on things the NCAA could control to ensure a more highly attended event. Note, my recommendations will be as if in consultation with NCAA. They will aim to both increase revenue/attendance for NCAA/host rather than focusing on how to grow the game (not NCAA prerogative). Preliminary research includes: Rising participation: -According to US Lacrosse Participation Survey: 2002: 288,000 lacrosse players, 2007: 480,000 (50% youth, 39% high school, 6% college; 30% female), 2011: 685,000 players (percentage of players coming from each level of play was consistent with 2007, 38% female) Economy/Attendance: -Percentage of personal consumption on sports at highest level since 1996 (http://www.wrhambrecht.com/pdf/SportsMarketReport_2012.pdf) -Attendance at comparable event such as CWS and Frozen Four has only slightly fall, if at all during 2008-2012 timeframe -Regular season lacrosse attendance has been steady the last ten years HDTV Boom: -Need TV ratings of NCAA Lacrosse Final Four over last ten years or so. Have contacted ESPN with no luck--any advice on how to dig up? -More than 70 NCAA games on TV in 2012 versus 30 or so in 2007 Lacrosse specific: -Pace of play: goals/game are actually up over last five years, contrary to popular belief. Considered offering solutions to speed of pace of play, but no direct correlation of increased possessions/game to attendance (see MLL). -Relationship between NCAA and venue: would like to focus on this, but lack a lot of info/RFP knowledge necessary to make educated recommendation. Basic structure of contract is thus: venue pays guarantee to secure event, NCAA limits rent to $250k, excess revenue above guarantee is shared 80% NCAA, 20% to host. -Ticketing: huge issue here IMO. When NCAA saw huge attendance growth, ticket prices soared as economy went south. Can't buy single session ticket until day-of-game, otherwise forced to buy three-day package. -Size of venues: hosted in NFL Stadium since 2003. Allure of playing in NFL stadium seems to have worn off since many mid-season classics are held throughout regular season. With highest attended single game just over 50,000 in 2008, Is there an advantage of playing in a venue that would near a sell-out? -Location: Research shows the lacrosse fan (generally) will not travel beyond three hours to see the championship weekend. With only three locations in Baltimore, Foxborough, and Philly, should the NCAA use one venue like the CWS, keep current small rotation, or look into developing markets (ie Denver)? I am struggling with the methodology, or how to draw specific conclusions given somewhat limited data and what I'd like to produce-- marketing plan for NCAA seems most likely, possibly with revised parameters in RFP. Any advice/resources/direction would be greatly appreciated. |
| Current Thread: |
Thesis advice regarding five-year trend of decreasing attendance at Final Four -- UVAWahooo11 Mon Jul 9 2012 3:12:27 PM |
Put in a special under 16 yrs ticket price for sure. -- HOOGATORB Mon Jul 9 2012 6:05:51 PM |
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Get the Cuse back in the final four! Baltimore should be the site. -- HOOGATORB Mon Jul 9 2012 5:52:46 PM |
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I'd like to see it in Philly again ** -- hokieh8r Mon Jul 9 2012 8:57:17 PM |
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Keep it in B'more and Philly only. NO MORE BOSTON! ** -- HowieT3 Mon Jul 9 2012 9:17:25 PM |
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This ^. Foxborough isn't even convernient to Boston -- Fitz-Hoo Wed Jul 11 2012 11:26:34 AM |
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+2 ** -- HoosQ Tue Jul 10 2012 10:39:21 AM |
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