FYI - Minnesota fans just as pathetic as their team...

[LON]

From Profootballtalk.com

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/12/30/45-percent-of-vikings-season-ticket-holders-pass-on-playoff-tickets/

On Monday, various Vikings fans took issue in the comments with our decision to point out the fact that 20,000 seats remain for Sunday’s playoff game against the Eagles.

Some thought that it was misleading to suggest that the availability of so many tickets on the first day after the clinching of a playoff berth might result in a local blackout of the game.

But, as the Minneapolis Star Tribune points out, the threat of a failure to sell out the Metrodome is real.  The problem is that a whopping 45 percent of the season-tickets holders opted not to buy playoff tickets.

Forty-five percent.

Wow.

Vikings V.P. of sales and marketing Steve LaCroix says that some fans were reluctant to buy tickets until they knew for sure that the team would make the playoffs, and that as of Monday sales were brisk.

Then again, “marketing” is defined as “saying whatever needs to be said regardless of its truth or accuracy in order to move merchandise.”  And thus we don’t put much stock in LaCroix’s line of LaCrap.  Indeed, since the season-ticket holders would have received refunds if the Vikings hadn’t qualified for the postseason, why wouldn’t they have protected their ability to sit in the same seats they occupy for every home game?

The message for all NFL teams might be that it makes sense to include in the season-ticket contract a provision requiring season-ticket holders to purchase playoff tickets.  If the preseason is part of the “season” for which the season-ticket holder buys season tickets, then the postseason is part of that same “season” too, right?

Maybe teams have simply assumed in the past that such conditions aren’t necessary.  After all, no playoff game has failed to sell out since 2002, when the Dolphins hosted the Ravens.

From a business standpoint, however, the prudent approach — especially for teams that have a waiting list for season tickets — would be to make the purchase of playoff tickets as mandatory as the purchase of tickets to those meaningless games in August.

[Blackhat]

They don't deserve a team.   Next stop:  Las Vegas Vikings

[nola03]

114 consecutive sellouts of a 63,000 capacity stadium.

[mosarsour]

114 consecutive sellouts of a 63,000 capacity stadium.

Lambeau seats have been and are currently sold out for decades...114 sellouts is nothing.

[LON]

Lambeau seats have been and are currently sold out for decades...114 sellouts is nothing.

+1

There has been a waiting list for tickets since 1960...

[MilTown]

I wouldn't pay to see the Vikings play either!

But seriously, I think you have to chalk this one up to the economy.

[SaintPaulWarrior]

114 consecutive sellouts of a 63,000 capacity stadium.

General Mills, Best Buy, Fox 9, 3M and other corporations have stepped in and bought up remaining seats so that there would be a sell out in the past.  If not for these corp. they would not have sold out many games.

[Sir Lawrence]

Lambeau seats have been and are currently sold out for decades...114 sellouts is nothing.

Lambeau has been sold out on a season-ticket basis since 1960, 277 consecutive games through the end of this season, including playoffs.  Keep in mind that until 1995 three "home" games per season (I think) were played at Milwaukee's County Stadium.

[MUEng92]

Lambeau has been sold out on a season-ticket basis since 1960, 277 consecutive games through the end of this season, including playoffs.  Keep in mind that until 1995 three "home" games per season (I think) were played at Milwaukee's County Stadium.

I am confused by your comment.  Are you saying that the fact that 3 games/year were at County Stadium makes the streak less impressive?

I don't think anyone would believe that streak would not be intact had all of the games been played at Lambeau since 1960.

(I am not trying to start an argument here, I really am just confused by your comment)

[ChicosBailBonds]

General Mills, Best Buy, Fox 9 and other corporations have stepped in and bought up remaining seats so that there would be a sell out in the past.  If not for these corp. they would not have sold out many games.

Keep in mind that Milwaukee had to bail out the Packers a few times over the decades to keep them sustainable.

I, too, blame this on the economy. Same thing happened to my Angels season tix.  To buy playoffs tix you have to buy them ALL, and then if they are eliminated they return your money.  In the meantime, they hold your money until that happens.  That's thousands of dollars that you have to cough up during a tough economy, right around Christmas, etc.

[LON]

No doubt it has to do with the economy but if the Packers (or Bears) made the playoffs do you think a similar story would ever happen?

[mu_hilltopper]

As a Minnesotan .. There's a lot to do in the Twin Cities, NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL teams, plus the Gophers.  The Vikes, and that Dome, have worn on people.   I'm barely interested mainly because .. I've seen this movie before.  The Vikes have played it about a dozen times in the last 20 years.  I know how the season ends:  With a loss.

GB is a special case, where there is ZERO to do in Green Bay besides the Packers.   They are indeed a very special franchise with fanatic fans.

The Bears are up there too.

The Vikes .. not so much.  -- Honestly, I believe it has a lot to do with the Dome versus being outside.  You've gotta be a tough grizzled bunch to attend a December GB or Bears game.  The Dome is full of very comfortable folks, and I believe that isn't fertile ground for fanatics.

So to the OP .. if you're trying to make the point that there aren't a ton of MN superfans:  YUP.

[Sir Lawrence]

I am confused by your comment.  Are you saying that the fact that 3 games/year were at County Stadium makes the streak less impressive?

I don't think anyone would believe that streak would not be intact had all of the games been played at Lambeau since 1960.

(I am not trying to start an argument here, I really am just confused by your comment)

No, my only point was the number total would be higher than 277 had the County Stadium venue not been around. 

[Sir Lawrence]

GB is a special case, where there is ZERO to do in Green Bay besides the Packers.   

Hey!  What have you got against ice fishing! 

[MUEng92]

No, my only point was the number total would be higher than 277 had the County Stadium venue not been around. 

Duh, I am not sure why I didn't read it that way the first time.  Thanks for the explanation.

[Hards Alumni]

As a Minnesotan .. There's a lot to do in the Twin Cities, NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL teams, plus the Gophers.  The Vikes, and that Dome, have worn on people.   I'm barely interested mainly because .. I've seen this movie before.  The Vikes have played it about a dozen times in the last 20 years.  I know how the season ends:  With a loss.

GB is a special case, where there is ZERO to do in Green Bay besides the Packers.   They are indeed a very special franchise with fanatic fans.

The Bears are up there too.

The Vikes .. not so much.  -- Honestly, I believe it has a lot to do with the Dome versus being outside.  You've gotta be a tough grizzled bunch to attend a December GB or Bears game.  The Dome is full of very comfortable folks, and I believe that isn't fertile ground for fanatics.

So to the OP .. if you're trying to make the point that there aren't a ton of MN superfans:  YUP.

I always thought that this type of thinking was strange.  Does every Packer fan live in Green Bay or within 10 miles?  No, not even close.  Half of the games STILL go to the people who owned tickets to the Milwaukee games.  Plenty of people drive in from all over the state to watch the game... its not just Green Bay folks.

Stating all of the things to do in Minnesota... the only franchise missing in Wisconsin is an NHL team (a travesty).  Plus Wisconsin has two universities with solid teams.

I reject your logic, and replace it with my own.

[mu_hilltopper]

I'll rephrase.  The GB area, even if you expand that 60 miles, is bereft of professional entertainment venues, especially for people inclined to see sports.

You are correct that GB has a hyper-regional draw, unlike most teams.  You think many people are driving an hour+ to see the Bucks?  Hah.   A few.  Not many.   Brewers?  More, as many folks like to "take in a baseball game."  But easily 90% of the Brewers attendance comes from a 25 mile radius.

Same goes for countless sports teams, mainly supported by those geographically close.  Teams like Green Bay draw from far further out.

[LON]

I'll rephrase.  The GB area, even if you expand that 60 miles, is bereft of professional entertainment venues, especially for people inclined to see sports.

You are correct that GB has a hyper-regional draw, unlike most teams.  You think many people are driving an hour+ to see the Bucks?  Hah.   A few.  Not many.   Brewers?  More, as many folks like to "take in a baseball game."  But easily 90% of the Brewers attendance comes from a 25 mile radius.

Same goes for countless sports teams, mainly supported by those geographically close.  Teams like Green Bay draw from far further out.

+1

I've been living in Mke for 7+ years and I go up to Geebs for 1 or 2 games each year

[MU B2002]

Geebs?

Do people, other than you, actually call it that?

[Hards Alumni]

I'll rephrase.  The GB area, even if you expand that 60 miles, is bereft of professional entertainment venues, especially for people inclined to see sports.

You are correct that GB has a hyper-regional draw, unlike most teams.  You think many people are driving an hour+ to see the Bucks?  Hah.   A few.  Not many.   Brewers?  More, as many folks like to "take in a baseball game."  But easily 90% of the Brewers attendance comes from a 25 mile radius.

Same goes for countless sports teams, mainly supported by those geographically close.  Teams like Green Bay draw from far further out.

Bucks, I completely agree with you... I think the Brewers, on the other hand, are beginning to draw more from the state... I have had a 10 pack for a couple of years now, and quite a few people around us are from the fox valley, and the Madison area... That said, everyday season ticket holders probably rarely come from farther west than waukesha, farther north than mequon, and south Racine... which fits your 25 mile radius quite well.

[JSwarriors08]

Geebs?

Do people, other than you, actually call it that?

Yes.  I am from Green Bay and this is widely used.

[MU B2002]

Thanks for the info. 

Learned something new today.

[IAmMarquette]

Geebs?

Do people, other than you, actually call it that?

You're god damn right we do. 

[MUEng92]

You're god damn right we do. 

I have been going to Green Bay since about 2 weeks after meeting my wife at MU in late 1989 when she took me to the "Instant Replay" game against the Bears for our second date.  She lived her entire life B.M.U. (before MU) in Green Bay.

In those 19 years, I have never heard it referred to as Geebs.  My wife just confirmed that she has never heard the name either.  "G.B." yes, Geebs, no.  There are alot of phrases I hear up there that are annoying, but, thankfully, that is not one I have heard.

To be honest, the only way I can picture it being used is along the lines of "heeeellllo, I, like, grew up in Geebs....gahhhh!" (think modern day Valley girl)

[Hards Alumni]

I'm from the Fox Valley originally, and have never heard it... though I haven't LIVED there in 5 years.

[ChicosBailBonds]

No doubt it has to do with the economy but if the Packers (or Bears) made the playoffs do you think a similar story would ever happen?

No, it would not happen in Green Bay....then again, what is there to do in Green Bay other then the Packers?  Besides, the Packers are a state team and semi-national team....they typically finish in the top 7 for fan loyalty, merchandise purchased, etc.  Chicago...well...I actually wouldn't be surprised if it happened to a much lesser extent, a few thousand seats at first.

Minnesota made a CRITICAL error decades ago when they got out of the cold.  They softened the team, softened their fans and made it easier for the competition to win.  No one fears going into Minnesota any longer.  Weather isn't a factor.  Dumb, dumb, dumb.

[jmayer1]

No, it would not happen in Green Bay....then again, what is there to do in Green Bay other then the Packers?  Besides, the Packers are a state team and semi-national team....they typically finish in the top 7 for fan loyalty, merchandise purchased, etc.  Chicago...well...I actually wouldn't be surprised if it happened to a much lesser extent, a few thousand seats at first.

Minnesota made a CRITICAL error decades ago when they got out of the cold.  They softened the team, softened their fans and made it easier for the competition to win.  No one fears going into Minnesota any longer.  Weather isn't a factor.  Dumb, dumb, dumb.

I have never bought the arguement that Packers games are attended so well because there is nothing else to do.  Of course its true there is nothing else to do but greater GB is 150k while Minny/St Paul and especially Chicago have a much, much larger immediate population to draw from.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

As a Minnesotan .. There's a lot to do in the Twin Cities, NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL teams, plus the Gophers.  The Vikes, and that Dome, have worn on people.   I'm barely interested mainly because .. I've seen this movie before.  The Vikes have played it about a dozen times in the last 20 years.  I know how the season ends:  With a loss.

GB is a special case, where there is ZERO to do in Green Bay besides the Packers.   They are indeed a very special franchise with fanatic fans.

The Bears are up there too.

The Vikes .. not so much.  -- Honestly, I believe it has a lot to do with the Dome versus being outside.  You've gotta be a tough grizzled bunch to attend a December GB or Bears game.  The Dome is full of very comfortable folks, and I believe that isn't fertile ground for fanatics.

So to the OP .. if you're trying to make the point that there aren't a ton of MN superfans:  YUP.

Few things we agree on here.

(please note, these are not "excuses" but rather just trying to clarify some of the MN culture surrounding the Vikes)

#1 Football is different than all other sports because it's perfect for tv. In fact, football is probably better on tv. So, a team has to have to have a pretty compelling venue and "game experience" in order to get people to go out to the game. GB is a great example of a great game experience. Great venue, great tailgating, great event. Metrodome has none of that, so you better really like football (without a comfy couch, taco dip, replays, ability to pause, etc.). I'm not saying they won't sell out, because they will, but it's not the hottest ticket in town. (for perspective, the Gophers are already selling out an football outdoor stadium that hasn't even opened yet. People like football, but it has to be a compelling experience to get them to go).

#2 The dome is awful, and for whatever reason seems to attract some relatively low class fans (I'm generalizing, but this is based on personal experience). There are a lot of good, normal vikings fans out there. However, for some reason a lot of Vikes games turn into pretty trashy events (not sure why). I know a lot of hardcore Vikes fans who would rather go on the road to see them play then go to the dome... it's just not a great experience. I wouldn't bring anybody under 14 to a game, that's for sure. Like all NFL stadiums, drinking is a MAJOR player to the point that it becomes inappropriate. I'm all for getting crazy, but a kid using the bathroom shouldn't have to see dudes puking next to him.

#3 The Vikings as an organization are somewhat similar to the Brewers in that people are always expecting the worst. The team has consistently made poor/questionable decisions and people are always waiting for the bottom to fall out. When A. Peterson first got good, you know what Vikes fans were thinking? "How are the Vikings going to mess this one up?".

Think about it this way, in WI, people always expect the Packers to be good (it's a good organization) and always expect the Brewers to mess it up (traditionally a poorly run organization).

In MN, people expect the Twins to do well (a well run organization), and the Vikes to mess it up (an organization that just can't seem to get it quite right).

When the Cubs come to town, Brewer fans sell their seats at a profit. Why? Because there just isn't the hardcore following built up for the Brewers.

When the Vikes go to the playoffs, it takes a little longer to sell out the game.

Doesn't mean the fans suck, just means that it's not the hottest ticket around.

There was a time that the Pack was having similar problems and holding 1/2 of the games in Milwaukee. Doesn't mean the fans aren't good, or that the organization is doomed, it just means that it's not the hottest ticket in town.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I have never bought the arguement that Packers games are attended so well because there is nothing else to do.  Of course its true there is nothing else to do but greater GB is 150k while Minny/St Paul and especially Chicago have a much, much larger immediate population to draw from.

Yes, but that is typical with many parts of the country with smaller towns because it becomes the backbone of the community / state.

Nebraska sells out every football game, UCLA can't with 50X the population.  Before the Yankees got Torre and were good again, they drew attendance in the middle of the pack despite being the largest city in the country by more than double the next closest. 

It's not just that there is nothing else to do, it's that because it is the only thing to do it becomes part of the social fabric of that micro-society.   No different than Texas high school football or Indiana high school basketball.  12,000 folks at an Indiana high school basketball game with a city population of 20,000 when the LA Clippers can't get that from an attendance base of over 12,000,000 within an hour of their building.

[Jay Bee]

The game has been sold out.  GO VIKES!!

[Chili]

Fly Eagles Fly, On The Road To Victory.
Fight Eagles Fight, Score A Touchdown 1-2-3.

Hit 'Em Low.
Hit 'Em High.
And We'll Watch Our Eagles Fly.

Fly Eagles Fly, On The Road To Victory.

E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES!!!