The Trend In Attendance (2012/2013 edition)

[Tugg Speedman]

On March 5 this post has been updated with the final 2012/2013 numbers

A subject that interests me ... attendance.  Here are some updated stats I pulled from previous posts

----------------------------

Here are the yearly numbers since MU moved into the Bradley Center

http://wiki.muscoop.com/doku.php/men_s_basketball/season_by_season_attendance

1989 - Moved to Bradley Center

          National
Year      Rank                Average
1989       23                   11,954
1990       21                   13,301
1991       18                   13,433
1992    not top 25           12,613
1993       20                   13,443
1994       14                   14,340
1995       25                   12,814
1996       16                   12,751
1997    not top 25           12,247
1998    not top 25           11,508    
1999    not top 25           12,145
2000    not top 25           9,971
2001    not top 25           11,360
2002       12                   12,680
2003       11                   15,553
2004       12                   15,291
2005       21                   11,965
2006       18                   13,998
2007       20                   15,345
2008       14                   16,239
2009       10                   16,200
2010       10                   15,617
2011       11                   15,586      
2012       13                   15,138
2013       ??                    15,033

According the MU media guide, here are the largest single game attendance records.

http://issuu.com/marquettesid/docs/mubb_guide_2011-12 (updated with last year's GU game)

1. 19,144    Syracuse       March 7, 2009         L 86-79
2. 19,093    Notre Dame   March 2, 2013         W 72-64
3. 19,091    Uconn           February 25, 2009    L 93-82
4. 19,087    Georgetown    March 3, 2012         W 83-69
5. 19,085    Georgetown    March 1, 2008         L 70-68
6. 19,074    Wisconsin      December 11, 2010   L 69-64
7. 19,041    Georgetown   January 31, 2009      W 94-82
8. 19,037    DePaul          January 26, 2008      W 79-71
9. 19,032    Syracuse       January 29, 2011      W 76-70
10. 19,021    Pittsburgh      March 3, 2007         W 75-71
11. 19,020    Wisconsin     December 9, 2006     L 70-66
12. 19,011    Pittsburgh     February 18, 2006    W 72-54
13. 19,007    Pittsburgh      February 18, 2006   W 84-82
14. 18,949  DePaul           January 24, 2009      W 91-82


http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/ncaa/pdfs/2012/2012+ncaa+mens+basketball+attendance

2011/2012 ... MU is the only non-football school that has been in the top 20 of national attendance for 11 straight years.

Rank School G Attendance Average
1. Kentucky 18 426,978 23,721
2. Syracuse 19 448,736 23,618
3. Louisville 20 430,052 21,503
4. North Carolina 18 362,867 20,159
5. Wisconsin 18 309,255 17,181
6. Creighton 16 266,632 16,665
7. Tennessee 19 314,321 16,543
8. Ohio St. 20 330,210 16,511
9. Indiana 19 312,770 16,462
10. Kansas 17 279,557 16,445
11. Memphis 20 324,670 16,234
12. BYU 16 246,777 15,424
13. Marquette 16 242,205 15,138
14. Illinois 18 269,739 14,986
15. Michigan St. 18 266,346 14,797
16. New Mexico 16 231,262 14,454
17. UNLV 19 266,469 14,025
18. Vanderbilt 18 246,561 13,698
19. Arizona 18 244,829 13,602
20. North Carolina St. 19 257,638 13,560
21. Purdue 17 226,504 13,324
22. Maryland 17 224,090 13,182
23. Arkansas 21 275,020 13,096
24. Iowa St. 18 234,266 13,015
25. Kansas St. 16 204,527 12,783
26. Connecticut 17 214,873 12,640


2012-2013 Attendance

Day   Date   Opponent   Attendence   Average
Sunday   11/11/2012   Colgate   13,065   
Monday   11/13/2012   SE Louisiana   12,587   12,826
Monday   11/26/2012   UMBC   12,679   12,777
Saturday   12/8/2012   UW   18,588   14,230
Saturday   12/15/2012   Savannah State   13,366   14,057
Saturday   12/22/2012   LSU   14,309   14,099
Saturday   12/29/2012   UNC Central   13,600   14,028
Tuesday   1/1/2003   Uconn   14,159   14,044
Saturday   1/5/2013   Georgetown   15,433   14,198
Wednesday   1/16/2013   Seton Hall   13,842   14,163
Saturday   1/26/2013   Providence   15,140   14,252
Monday   1/28/2013   South Florida   15,136   14,325
Sunday   2/9/2013   DePaul   16,176   14,468
Saturday   2/16/2013   Pittsburgh   17,308        14,671   
Monday   2/25/2013   Syracuse   16,049         14,762   
Saturday   3/2/2013   Notre Dame  19,093        15,033

2011/2012 total attendance = 242,205
2012/2013 total attendance = 240,530
Difference                          = -1,675

2011/2012 BE Attendance    = 16,040 (144,356)
2012/2013 BE Attendance    = 15,815 (142,335)
Difference                         =             -2,020

Comments

Last year we had three BE games that drew over 18,000
Sat 1/14/12 Pitt     18,404
Sat 2/11/12 Cincy   18,815
Sat 3/3/12   GU       19,087

This year we had one BE game and Bucky over 18,000
Sat 12/8/12 UW  18,588
Sat 3/2/13   ND   19,093

The difference between last year and this year's attendance is this year we did not have that third 18,000+ game.  I thought it would be Syracuse but it "only" drew 16,049 ... maybe it because it was Monday and a 6 PM start.  Had that game drew 18,000+ we would have topped last year's attendance

[geps]

Creighton also in top 20.

[Tugg Speedman]

Creighton also in top 20.

Not every year for the last 11 like MU. 

[bilsu]

Having all the home games are on local TV will hurt attendance.

[MarquetteDano]

Confused?  If the Badgers are our Superbowl, and there are so many Badger fans who attend the game in Milwaukee, why isn't the Top 13 attendance games all UW-Madison games?  

[LloydMooresLegs]

Having all the home games are on local TV will hurt attendance.

I don't think that's true, though I have heard the argument for years.  Hard to prove one way or the other, but one specific example is the Blackhawks.  Bill Wirtz believed in that theory.  Since the Hawks put their home games on TV, attendance has gone up (but so has the quality of the product).  Many factors go into this, but I think that the flip side argu,net is better:  local tv generates interest/excitement, leading to more fans wanting to attend the games.

[Tugg Speedman]

Confused?  If the Badgers are our Superbowl, and there are so many Badger fans who attend the game in Milwaukee, why isn't the Top 13 attendance games all UW-Madison games?  

18,688 is a sellout, which was this year's UW game's attendance.  The top 13 were all more than a sell-out.  So, I'm guessing it comes down to how many SRO tickets MU wants to sell.

[MarquetteDano]

18,688 is a sellout, which was this year's UW game's attendance.  The top 13 were all more than a sell-out.  So, I'm guessing it comes down to how many SRO tickets MU wants to sell.

But it appears when the official attendance figure is X, the actual number of people who show up is X - Y.  The Wisconsin game's official number may have been a sellout but not every seat was filled.  In the case of the other games, the total often ends up more because like the airlines, they know they can sell additional seats because people will not show.

My point was that if UW was truly our Superbowl, and unlike our other opponent's sans DePaul, it is very easy for Badgers fans to attend the game, UW should always be our top attendance game each year.

However, it isn't.

[honkytonk]

Confused?  If the Badgers are our Superbowl, and there are so many Badger fans who attend the game in Milwaukee, why isn't the Top 13 attendance games all UW-Madison games?  

What is our Superbowl then? I think every team has one....

[MarquetteDano]

What is our Superbowl then? I think every team has one....

There are none.  The word is hyperbole.  It is our biggest rivalry game.

If the game was truly a Superbowl all top 13 attendance games would be UW.  Yet only two are.

[Golden Avalanche]

The figures show me that attendance is steadily decreasing each successive year of Buzz' tenure even though his miracle working has increased each successive year of his tenure.

[honkytonk]

Averaging a Bradley Center sell-out plus a few thousand more is insane. Its hard to imagine selling out the BC for an OOC cupcake...

When you look at the top 26 list, only 4 are private schools (SU, MU, BYU and Vandy).
Syracuse - a school that draws most of its students from large metro areas in the NE which means most move back when they graduate. Their teams are largely supported by non-alum locals.
Vandy - they draw students from all over but primarily the mid-atlantic and southeast. They, too, get a lot of non-alum, local support.
BYU - Im guessing most Mormons are already in the state of Utah. Its almost like a public school in that regard.
MU - We draw roughly 65% of our students from Wisconsin and Illinois (Chicagoland area) so our alums tend to stick close to campus. I think we rely less on non alum locals than the other private schools on the list.

[Tugg Speedman]

The figures show me that attendance is steadily decreasing each successive year of Buzz' tenure even though his miracle working has increased each successive year of his tenure.

You failed to note that national attendance is falling roughly at the same rate.  That is why we were 14th nationally in 2008 with attendance of 16,329 and 13th in 2012 with attendance of 15,138.  We actually increased our national ranking over 2008 even though we are down 1,100 in average attendance.

By suggesting Buzz is the problem is to also suggest he is the problem for falling national attendance.  Most think the problem with national attendance is the weak economy.  So, did you just blame Buzz for the housing/financial crisis?

Finally, as I noted above, my bet is this year is an increase over next year once the numbers come in for the final three games.  We are less than 70 in average attendance behind last year with three games left and have a much higher profile games than the last 3 games last year.  If this happens, will you credit Buzz?

[Tugg Speedman]

Wisconsin game attendance

Dec 8, 2012 = 18,688
Dec 11,2010 = 19,074 (top 13)
Dec 6, 2008 = 18,895 (54 shy of top 13, might be #14)
Dec 9, 2006 = 19,020 (top 13)
Dec 11, 2004 = 18,611
Dec 14, 2002 = 18,677

[ChicosBailBonds]

Super Bowl....TWO words, not one.   

[honkytonk]

Its also worth noting that of the 13 highest attended games at the BC, 6 of them are against teams we will likely never see again in a year or two (and Im surprised UL isnt even one of them).

[MarquetteDano]

Super Bowl....TWO words, not one.   

Proving how little I watch or care about the NFL.  Super Bowl.  Noted. 

[WI inferiority Complexes]

Its also worth noting that of the 13 highest attended games at the BC, 6 of them are against teams we will likely never see again in a year or two (and Im surprised UL isnt even one of them).

February 17, 2007 (the last time we played LOU at home on a weekend, I think) had 18, 904, only 45 short of the list.

[Tugg Speedman]

Its also worth noting that of the 13 highest attended games at the BC, 6 of them are against teams we will likely never see again in a year or two (and Im surprised UL isnt even one of them).

Top attendance seems to be late Feb/early March against highly rated (as in top 5 teams).   Pitt and 'cuse is about them being highly rated (top 5) at the end of the season more than about who they are.  

As proof, let's see if this coming Saturday's game draws 19,000 ... its home against Pitt but this time they are ranked 23 and not top 5.  If its about Pitt the name and not Pitt the rank, the game should sell-out anyway.

[MarquetteDano]

Top attendance seems to be late Feb/early March against highly rated (as in top 5 teams).   Pitt and 'cuse is about them being highly rated (top 5) at the end of the season more than about who they are.  

As proof, let's see if this coming Saturday's game draws 19,000 ... its home against Pitt but this time they are ranked 23 and not top 5.  If its about Pitt the name and not Pitt the rank, the game should sell-out anyway.

Seems right.  Feb/March not as much competition for dollars with football gone and the NBA still mid-season.  Feb/Mar Sat game + Top 10 team = sellout.

[We R Final Four]

I am looking forward to the ND game on Mar 2nd.

I think that this attendance total will challenge the Cuse '09 19,144 total.

[keefe]

The Mike Deane era in black and white:

1994       14                   14,340
1995       25                   12,814
1996       16                   12,751
1997    not top 25           12,247
1998    not top 25           11,508   
1999    not top 25           12,145
2000    not top 25             9,971
2001    not top 25           11,360

At the beginning of every home game Al always looked at the 4 Arena corner seats to see if they were occupied. That was one of his measures of doing a good job for his employer. As far as we know Deane's was a listing of "Why I can't win here" factors. Personal Responsibility and Accountability. Some have it, some live it, some don't get it.

[honkytonk]

Top attendance seems to be late Feb/early March against highly rated (as in top 5 teams).   Pitt and 'cuse is about them being highly rated (top 5) at the end of the season more than about who they are.  

As proof, let's see if this coming Saturday's game draws 19,000 ... its home against Pitt but this time they are ranked 23 and not top 5.  If its about Pitt the name and not Pitt the rank, the game should sell-out anyway.

Yeah, maybe. It would be interesting to see some analysis around teams that are ranked/unranked, weekend/week day, early and late in the year.

We already lost WVU. We will lose Pitt and SU next year. After that, we will lose UL, Cincy, ND and UConn (and USF). You mentioned in a post that because there are still some big home games ahead (two football schools and ND), the average attendance should exceed last year's. The remaining games will be against teams that are all leaving. Replace those teams with any three of Richmond/Butler/Creighton/SLU/Dayton. Still draw better than last year?

[Tugg Speedman]

Yeah, maybe. It would be interesting to see some analysis around teams that are ranked/unranked, weekend/week day, early and late in the year.

We already lost WVU. We will lose Pitt and SU next year. After that, we will lose UL, Cincy, ND and UConn (and USF). You mentioned in a post that because there are still some big home games ahead (two football schools and ND), the average attendance should exceed last year's. The remaining games will be against teams that are all leaving. Replace those teams with any three of Richmond/Butler/Creighton/SLU/Dayton. Still draw better than last year?

WVU is below 500, they would have been a terrible draw this year.  No loss.

On the other side, Georgetown and Nova are capable of being highly ranked.  We drew 16,000+ yesterday against a woeful DePaul team, because that name matters to us.  St. John is capable of being ranked.

Add in Xavier and Butler, who are also capable of being highly ranked and Louisville/ND and another decent OOC opponent and our attendance will be ok.

Yes, what I wrote above depends of several things coming together but none of it is asking for something unrealistic.

[Mr. Nielsen]

18,688 is a sellout, which was this year's UW game's attendance.  The top 13 were all more than a sell-out.  So, I'm guessing it comes down to how many SRO tickets MU wants to sell.

Wisconsin game this season was 18,588. 18,717 is a sellout for Bucks games.