Problems for Ford Field?

[blockski]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

I got tickets to the championship game in DC, at face value, day-of. I stopped buying them in advance because they're so easy to come by after the fact. Just my experience. Besides, quadrupling the size of the arena is complete overkill. 16-20k seats is just right for college hockey - keeps tickets scarce and in-demand, but still reasonably available.

This was my experience as well. I think that's the norm for a FF, barring a true home-ice advantage (such as Wisconsin in Milwaukee in 2006, or Minnesota playing in St. Paul...)

 

[dggoddard]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

If the Ford Field event tanks, who is on the hook for the cost over-runs? Not the NCAA who gets to keep all the ticket revenue and the merchandise sales.

Discounting tickets only provides the NCAA with more revenue. It doesn't cover the costs of hosting the event.

Do you really think it takes more than 20 minutes to peel the advertising stickers off the boards? Do you really think the Red Wings as the primary tenant would ever move a game?

Finally are fans really going to miss work and fly to Detroit if their teams' don't make the finals? Even if the finals are in Joe Louis?

 

[BoomGoestheDynamite]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

Would selling out or putting 40-50k in the stadium for the Frozen Four really grow the sport? Lacrosse has been doing this for a while and they have even fewer programs in D-1 at the momement. The outdoor games have their place, every few years between two long term, rivals with great atmosphere for the fans and a special experience for the players. Randomly playing in a domed stadium between 4 unknown teams just smacks of trying too hard to be like the Final Four. Hockey is not nor will it likely ever have that kind of cache, and so what? Take lessons from Major League Soccer who realized how horrible it looked to have 20,000 fans rattling around 70,000 seat stadiums, which is a distinct possibility for a BU-Denver-Yale-Miami final (which isn't that zany a scenario in a one off tourney).

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

This is a novelty and gimmick and I think it is ridiculous. For some reason, America is obsessed with playing sports where it doesn't belong. Hockey in football stadiums. Hockey in baseball stadiums. Football in baseball stadiums. It's ridiculous and all a gimmick.

I've been to 10 of the last 12 FFs but I sure as heck will not be going unless BC makes it. And even then I'd probably skip because I'd prefer to not get mugged or shot.

I personally want to go to a decent destination. Detroit is not a nice destination.

 

[streaker]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

This is a novelty and gimmick and I think it is ridiculous. For some reason, America is obsessed with playing sports where it doesn't belong. Hockey in football stadiums. Hockey in baseball stadiums. Football in baseball stadiums. It's ridiculous and all a gimmick.

I've been to 10 of the last 12 FFs but I sure as heck will not be going unless BC makes it. And even then I'd probably skip because I'd prefer to not get mugged or shot.

I personally want to go to a decent destination. Detroit is not a nice destination.

You lose cred after your first paragraph. Detroit is a warzone, but downtown, during an event of any magnitude is safe. Minimal problems during the last three major professional/NCAA events. If you look for trouble, you'll find it.

Of course, you'd probably think that Boston, NY or Chicago don't have poor sections, or crime either.

How about Grand Forks? Would you travel there and consider that a "decent" destination? At least it would be safe. So would Fairbanks, I think.

 

[Stack]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

How about because it is one of the stupider ideas ever presented? The outdoor games have some novelty, so fine they're on football fields. To play a hockey game in an indoor football venue that destroys site lines, etc. is beyond dumb.

Cripes, we have a basketball arena here in town that they tried to put the NHL in that is positively abysmal for watching hockey. This is likely to be brutal.

These were my thoughts exactly. We have been to every Frozen Four since 2000 but decided NOT to go to Detroit because of Ford Field. You wouldn't be able to see the stinking games. I may as well watch it on TV.

Now if they move it to the Joe I wonder if there would be tickets available. My priority is up there but I'm guessing it's too late to use it so it woudl be a scramble but I would definitely try to go if they move if from Ford Field.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

Huh? Whatever you say pal.

 

[Rover]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

I got tickets to the championship game in DC, at face value, day-of. I stopped buying them in advance because they're so easy to come by after the fact. Just my experience. Besides, quadrupling the size of the arena is complete overkill. 16-20k seats is just right for college hockey - keeps tickets scarce and in-demand, but still reasonably available.

This was my experience as well. I think that's the norm for a FF, barring a true home-ice advantage (such as Wisconsin in Milwaukee in 2006, or Minnesota playing in St. Paul...)

Guys, that's what I said in my post. In the event a Michigan school or one of the other schools made it, you'd have trouble if you were an Eastern school trying to get tickets for an event in their back yard. The odds of at least of these big schools and possibly two of them making it are pretty good, especially if they play around with the brackets like I'd suspect the NCAA to do. The DC experience doesn't apply. There are no large schools close to DC, and 3 of the 4 schools that made the tourney were relatively small. That's not going to be the case if UofMich, MSU, Minn, Notre Dame, OSU or Wisconsin makes it.

 

[blockski]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

Guys, that's what I said in my post. In the event a Michigan school or one of the other schools made it, you'd have trouble if you were an Eastern school trying to get tickets for an event in their back yard. The odds of at least of these big schools and possibly two of them making it are pretty good, especially if they play around with the brackets like I'd suspect the NCAA to do. The DC experience doesn't apply. There are no large schools close to DC, and 3 of the 4 schools that made the tourney were relatively small. That's not going to be the case if UofMich, MSU, Minn, Notre Dame, OSU or Wisconsin makes it.

No, I think DC does apply. How was DC different than Columbus? Or St. Louis? Both had no real local teams. Just because there won't be any local DC teams no matter what doesn't mean the experience doesn't apply.

 

[Zudnic]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

No, I think DC does apply. How was DC different than Columbus? Or St. Louis? Both had no real local teams. Just because there won't be any local DC teams no matter what doesn't mean the experience doesn't apply.

DC was different because there's so much to do there. I went to DC half for the FF and half for the other stuff like the Smithsonian and the Archives. St. Louis and Columbus aren't vacation destinations in their own right.

But I agree that the presence of a local team is a very important factor in attendance. Unless the game is UM-MSU, I don't see Ford Field remotely selling out.

 

[Puck Swami]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

Do you really think it takes more than 20 minutes to peel the advertising stickers off the boards? Do you really think the Red Wings as the primary tenant would ever move a game?

The Boston Bruins game staff worked very hard and pulled several all-nighters converting and unconverting the Fleet Center back in 2004 to a clean venue when the Bruins staged a home NHL playoff game on the off day of the 2004 Frozen Four. The NCAA was so po'ed at having to share the rink with the Bruins that Boston has not been awarded the FF since. The only thing they couldn't change over were the B logo on the ice and the Bruins banners up top.

And yes, I think the Red Wings' ownership has been historically supportive of college hockey, and would, if needed, reschedule a Red Wings game in return for some nice revenue sharing with the NCAA with Joe Louis Arena.

 

[umassfan49]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

What about the Palace of Auburn Hills? Seems like a nicer venue, although it is primarily used for basketball.

 

[Puck Swami]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

What about the Palace of Auburn Hills? Seems like a nicer venue, although it is primarily used for basketball.

Detroit Pistons have games during the FF, so it's unlikely.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

What about the Palace of Auburn Hills? Seems like a nicer venue, although it is primarily used for basketball.

Speaking as someone who lives ten minutes from that arena, aside from the Pistons still playing in April, the area around the Palace is boring suburban sprawl. Other than the games and the Great Lakes Crossing megamall, there would be almost nothing to do in Auburn Hills except visit bland chain bars/restaurants, and none of it is within reasonable walking distance from the venue.

 

[The Hallucination]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

I surely would rather see it in the Joe Louis than Ford Field. Playing hockey in a football stadium is gimmicky and I don't like gimmicks for championships. There's plenty to be done with getting the college game more exposure by mixing in non-traditional college hockey cities that have good NHL venues, and that can be done without ruining the view of the game for those of us who already know the wonder that is college hockey.

All that said, I'm a little skeptical that the logistics of moving venues at this date can be worked out. I think the NCAA is probably just about locked in to Ford Field, even if it is going to suck. (And I do believe it's going to suck. It's sad, really, to have an FF trip planned that I'm not really excited about.)

 

[mainescores]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

I surely would rather see it in the Joe Louis than Ford Field. Playing hockey in a football stadium is gimmicky and I don't like gimmicks for championships. There's plenty to be done with getting the college game more exposure by mixing in non-traditional college hockey cities that have good NHL venues, and that can be done without ruining the view of the game for those of us who already know the wonder that is college hockey.

All that said, I'm a little skeptical that the logistics of moving venues at this date can be worked out. I think the NCAA is probably just about locked in to Ford Field, even if it is going to suck. (And I do believe it's going to suck. It's sad, really, to have an FF trip planned that I'm not really excited about.)

Playing the game on FORD FIELD was wrong right from the get-go....plus try to to get info on tickets,seating etc. has been a nightmare...so what do expect next.....its a DISASTER and will hurt the game more then help it....and the kicker would be...HOW do you change the tickets around...some people paid $189 per ticket and others paid $119 per ticket.....typical NCAA BS. They could care less about the game of Hockey compared the BCS Football and the the Springs Big Dance Basketball......IMO only.

 

[blockski]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

I surely would rather see it in the Joe Louis than Ford Field. Playing hockey in a football stadium is gimmicky and I don't like gimmicks for championships. There's plenty to be done with getting the college game more exposure by mixing in non-traditional college hockey cities that have good NHL venues, and that can be done without ruining the view of the game for those of us who already know the wonder that is college hockey.

All that said, I'm a little skeptical that the logistics of moving venues at this date can be worked out. I think the NCAA is probably just about locked in to Ford Field, even if it is going to suck. (And I do believe it's going to suck. It's sad, really, to have an FF trip planned that I'm not really excited about.)

The one advantage I can see with the Palace over Joe Louis is that because it's a basketball arena, in theory, they might be able to make the switch between a pro event and a college event quicker.

The FF is set for 4/8 and 4/10 - both the Wings and Pistons have games on 4/7 (per Swami). With the Palace, the ice would already be ready and without advertisements - just pull back the seats - something any big time arena can do within the allotted time.

Personally, I'd much rather do it at Joe Louis - it's a hockey arena, it's downtown, etc - but I can see why the logistics might be easier at the Palace.

 

[Howell]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

Joe Louis seats just over 20,000 for hockey.
Don't you think that close to that number of tickets have been sold?
How could they move the game and still have seats for the paying customers and all of the seats that are reserved for the event?

 

[Alton]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

I don't think Joe Louis is an option at all. Even if they could swap the Wings game to another arena, my recollection is that Joe Louis Arena has made it clear that they have no interest at all in hosting any further NCAA events of any kind. Without alcohol sales or advertising, there is nothing in it at all for the owners of the arena, Olympia Entertainment. At least, I had heard that this is why they haven't bid on any NCAA events since the 1992 and 1993 hockey West Regionals.

As stated earlier, The Palace of Auburn Hills was a disaster area for the 2007 Michigan 'at' Notre Dame game. The surface was clearly substandard, the boards had some bizarre bounces, and the start of both the second and third periods were delayed by issues with the ice. The Palace is not an option.

Either the Frozen Four will be held at Ford Field, or it will be held in another state. Personally, I don't see it moving from Ford Field. If it was a mistake to put it there, it's one that is too late to fix.

 

[snwbrdr]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

Went to DC it was great. Wanted to start attending FF every year but the prospect of being so far from the ice at Ford Field is lame and a definite turnoff