Why are we playing at Fiserv and not the Al?

[tower912]

And so the inevitable death spiral of another thread begins.

[The Sultan]

[quote author=Fluffy Blue Monster
I've worked with dozens of guys like Heisey.  They always mix up "I have a creative idea that is an example of my outside the box thinking" with "I have a batsh*t crazy idea that can't possibly work because I don't understand the parameters involved."  They are tiresome for everyone, and usually don't go anywhere with their careers because while their busy with their "creative ideas," everyone else is getting sh*t done.


Don't you get a paycheck from a government entity?  Sure glad you telling everyone about your experience with creativity.

No. And this is ironic considering you can't quote a post correctly.

[Silent Verbal]

Obviously, Marquette has to play their games in FF because of contractual obligations, however, I have a few questions, and I guess this would be the place to ask them. So for anyone who might know the answers:

1.)  Did the Bucks...not really want Marquette to play in Fiserv?  Or, when the arena was built, did Marquette kind of just assume it'd be the same deal as the Bradley Center, where of course they'd be playing there because they're Milwaukee's CBB team, and the Bucks were like, "Yeah...sure, I guess."  Because from what I've read (which is admittedly very little) it seems the rent is pretty damn high (which figures, I guess), and the Bucks could kind of just take it or leave it as far as Marquette playing there goes.

2.)  When the Bradley Center was built, was it designed more as a hockey/all purpose arena?  Was FF built strictly for the Bucks?

3.)  I don't want to go down the road of discussing the merits of Marquette building their own on-campus arena, however, does the FF's existence basically pigeonhole them into playing there?  What I mean is, would the general public see it as wasteful for MU to build a 10,000+ seat on campus arena when there's a perfectly good venue a mile away?  It seems like even if Marquette didn't want to play at FF anymore, they'd have very few (zero) options other than playing at the Al, which isn't an option considering MU is able to draw 16,000+ consistently for conference games.

[Viper]

[quote author=Fluffy Blue Monster
I've worked with dozens of guys like Heisey.  They always mix up "I have a creative idea that is an example of my outside the box thinking" with "I have a batsh*t crazy idea that can't possibly work because I don't understand the parameters involved."  They are tiresome for everyone, and usually don't go anywhere with their careers because while their busy with their "creative ideas," everyone else is getting sh*t done.


Don't you get a paycheck from a government entity?  Sure glad you telling everyone about your experience with creativity.

+1000...Don't you get a paycheck from a government entity?  Sure glad you telling everyone about your experience with creativity.

[Billy Hoyle]

Obviously, Marquette has to play their games in FF because of contractual obligations, however, I have a few questions, and I guess this would be the place to ask them. So for anyone who might know the answers:

1.)  Did the Bucks...not really want Marquette to play in Fiserv?  Or, when the arena was built, did Marquette kind of just assume it'd be the same deal as the Bradley Center, where of course they'd be playing there because they're Milwaukee's CBB team, and the Bucks were like, "Yeah...sure, I guess."  Because from what I've read (which is admittedly very little) it seems the rent is pretty damn high (which figures, I guess), and the Bucks could kind of just take it or leave it as far as Marquette playing there goes.

2.)  When the Bradley Center was built, was it designed more as a hockey/all purpose arena?  Was FF built strictly for the Bucks?

3.)  I don't want to go down the road of discussing the merits of Marquette building their own on-campus arena, however, does the FF's existence basically pigeonhole them into playing there?  What I mean is, would the general public see it as wasteful for MU to build a 10,000+ seat on campus arena when there's a perfectly good venue a mile away?  It seems like even if Marquette didn't want to play at FF anymore, they'd have very few (zero) options other than playing at the Al, which isn't an option considering MU is able to draw 16,000+ consistently for conference games.

I cannot answer #1. But for #2, Jane Bradley Pettit built the BC with the purpose of attracting a NHL team. FF was built to be basketball first but can accommodate  ice shows, which is why baseline stands are farther away.

Since MU's season ticket base is more than 10K why build a new arena on campus (where would it go?) that cannot accommodate our ticket base? SLU did it because they could never fill the Blues' arena (and still cannot fill their 10K seat arena). Nova is 30 minutes from downtown so having their own on-campus arena and splitting games on and off-campus makes sense. Similar with St. John's.

MU has always drawn over 10K, even during the final Deane years. Since basketball funds the entire athletic department we need as much ticket revenue as possible.

Does anyone know the terms of MU's lease for FF? I know St John's paid a set amount per game at MSG and took home all revenues.

[Heisenberg]

And so the inevitable death spiral of another thread begins.

The sad part is a lot of posters, like BLM, probably agree with the idea of playing some games in Fiserv, some in the AL, and maybe a gimmick game or two somewhere like the Old Gym or another iconic venue. This was always my point. 

So, in an attempt to make this thread useful again.  What is the problem with doing this?  And what would be the downside of playing ONE GAME OR TWO in the Old Gym, or another iconic venue because this is the only year it is possible?


I understand that everyone ASSUMES costs, but can anyone show that MU is stuck paying Fiserv a ton of money?  I don't think they are.

Rather I think MU is afraid to move games out because they are hoping "at any moment" things will change and they can rush sell tickets to generate some gate receipts.  So they keep playing in a giant empty barn hoping they get the green light to sell tickets soon.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

1.)  Did the Bucks...not really want Marquette to play in Fiserv?  Or, when the arena was built, did Marquette kind of just assume it'd be the same deal as the Bradley Center, where of course they'd be playing there because they're Milwaukee's CBB team, and the Bucks were like, "Yeah...sure, I guess."  Because from what I've read (which is admittedly very little) it seems the rent is pretty damn high (which figures, I guess), and the Bucks could kind of just take it or leave it as far as Marquette playing there goes.

The Bucks ownership changed from the Bradley Center to FF. The former owners had a much better relationship with MU. The current owners are out of towners interested in making money, nothing wrong with that, just means that they weren't interested in giving MU a hometown discount.

2.)  When the Bradley Center was built, was it designed more as a hockey/all purpose arena?  Was FF built strictly for the Bucks?

My understanding is yes to both

3.)  I don't want to go down the road of discussing the merits of Marquette building their own on-campus arena, however, does the FF's existence basically pigeonhole them into playing there?  What I mean is, would the general public see it as wasteful for MU to build a 10,000+ seat on campus arena when there's a perfectly good venue a mile away?  It seems like even if Marquette didn't want to play at FF anymore, they'd have very few (zero) options other than playing at the Al, which isn't an option considering MU is able to draw 16,000+ consistently for conference games.

When negotiations about the FF began, there were conversations about building an on-campus arena. Not serious ones but at least theoretical ones. I don't think negotiations were even close to bad enough with the Bucks to actually justify building a new arena. Also, the Mecca would have to be closed for it to even be possible.

[Billy Hoyle]

The sad part is a lot of posters, like BLM, probably agree with the idea of playing some games in Fiserv, some in the AL, and maybe a gimmick game or two somewhere like the Old Gym or another iconic venue. This was always my point. 

So, in an attempt to make this thread useful again.  What is the problem with doing this?  And what would be the downside of playing ONE GAME OR TWO in the Old Gym, or another iconic venue because this is the only year it is possible?


I understand that everyone ASSUMES costs, but can anyone show that MU is stuck paying Fiserv a ton of money?  I don't think they are.

Rather I think MU is afraid to move games out because they are hoping "at any moment" things will change and they can rush sell tickets to generate some gate receipts.  So they keep playing in a giant empty barn hoping they get the green light to sell tickets soon.

The Old Gym cannot accommodate a D1 game. The NCAA and Big East have minimum requirements for competition which it would not meet. Right now spacing of benches would be the primary issue. Though my sense is your suggestion of the Old Gym is hyperbole.

Besides, the Old Gym is far from iconic.

[Heisenberg]

Obviously, Marquette has to play their games in FF because of contractual obligations, however, I have a few questions, and I guess this would be the place to ask them. So for anyone who might know the answers:

This has not been shown.  The Wisconsin Center District, which Fiserv is part of, is losing buck loads of money. While they do not list terms of MU's rental contract, the ones they do show are typically, a percentage of the gate, parking, and concessions.  There is a "rent" but that is typically small.

Otherwise, Fiserv would have lost no money, they would get getting tons of money from Live Nation and AEG Presents for all the canceled concerts this past summer.  Instead, they got next to nothing, because there was no gate, no parking, and no concessions.

I believe the reason MU plays all its game in Fiserv is that is exactly how they want it.  They don't want to move them (even to the AL).  I suggested a reason above.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

So what is your point/position in this thread about playing at Fiserv?

(and how ironic that guy that picks BLM as his screen name calls someone else a victim.  You want the monopoly on that)

I gotta hand it to you, Heisy: despite assertion after assertion after assertion being shown to be wrong--laughably wrong in many cases--you absolutely refuse to acknowledge your errors, and instead insist that, despite nothing you said being accurate, your initial thesis is still correct.

Never change, Heisy.

[Heisenberg]

I gotta hand it to you, Heisy: despite assertion after assertion after assertion being shown to be wrong--laughably wrong in many cases--you absolutely refuse to acknowledge your errors, and instead insist that, despite nothing you said being accurate, your initial thesis is still correct.

Never change, Heisy.

Seriously, what was I wrong about?  I have opinions some disagree with.  You can disagree too but that only makes you equally wrong in my eyes.

And of course, I will not change, I'm the most important poster here.  Think of how boring this place is when I go quiet.

[vogue65]

Actually, Sullivan Arena, where the GAS was played until the last few years, was the municipal arena for Anchorage and was UAA's home court. It hosted pro hockey too. Alaska Airlines Arena, built on campus, seats 5K and cost $109 million to build. Both far beyond high end high high school arenas.

That said, outside of the contractual obligation likely still being in effect, I think playing at the Al would be cool, like Georgetown playing at their on-campus arena. But, no other BE school has moved back on campus from their municipal facilities and they likely have good reasons for doing it, so FF it is.

Providence played on campus the other day.   BTW, the lighting was far superior to Dunkin Donuts.

[Heisenberg]

The Old Gym cannot accommodate a D1 game. The NCAA and Big East have minimum requirements for competition which it would not meet. Right now spacing of benches would be the primary issue. Though my sense is your suggestion of the Old Gym is hyperbole.

Besides, the Old Gym is far from iconic.

So, what are these requirements, what are the dimensions of the Old gym, and what are the dimensions of the bench spacing?  You seem so sure, do you have a schematic that shows it will not work?

Everyone pulls crap out of their arse, like you just did.  If you were relevant, you would be attacked for three pages.  But you're not, I am.

[MUtopper34]

This Season:

Villanova - ZERO games at Wells Fargo (NBA arena)

St. Johns - ZERO games at MSG (NBA arena)

Georgetown - ZERO games at Verizon (NBA arena)

Marquette - ALL games at Fiserv (NBA arena)

What is so unique about Marquette's contract that they are forced to bleed money to Fiserv when the Al is a perfectly good alternative? Have people forgotten about the NIT games at the Al recently? Those seemed to work just fine in terms of TV/cameras/facilities.

Another opportunity for Marquette to be fiscally wise that they are throwing away with two hands

[vogue65]

Who cares where they play?
Just turn down the fake crowd noise.

[MUtopper34]

Who cares where they play?
Just turn down the fake crowd noise.

Because the university is bleeding money. This seems like a solid cost-savings opportunity.

[jesmu84]

Because the university is bleeding money. This seems like a solid cost-savings opportunity.

Is there a contract in place that MU has financial obligations regardless of whether they actually play at FF?

[cheebs09]

So, what are these requirements, what are the dimensions of the Old gym, and what are the dimensions of the bench spacing?  You seem so sure, do you have a schematic that shows it will not work?

Everyone pulls crap out of their arse, like you just did.  If you were relevant, you would be attacked for three pages.  But you're not, I am.

I don't know if the Old Gym could accommodate an intramural game while I was at Marquette in the early 2010s, much less a D-1 game. I can't imagine they have the necessary lines on the court.

Also, if someone gets injured, the Al or FF would be much better. Especially if it was a serious injury.

[Hards Alumni]

This Season:

Villanova - ZERO games at Wells Fargo (NBA arena)

St. Johns - ZERO games at MSG (NBA arena)

Georgetown - ZERO games at Verizon (NBA arena)

Marquette - ALL games at Fiserv (NBA arena)

What is so unique about Marquette's contract that they are forced to bleed money to Fiserv when the Al is a perfectly good alternative? Have people forgotten about the NIT games at the Al recently? Those seemed to work just fine in terms of TV/cameras/facilities.

Another opportunity for Marquette to be fiscally wise that they are throwing away with two hands

You can't just break a contract because you don't like it.

[cheebs09]

You can't just break a contract because you don't like it.

Plus the top 2 only play a few games at the NBA arena. There was one year Nova didn't play at Wells Fargo since it was a host site for the NCAA Tourney. I have to think those contracts are far more flexible.

Georgetown is the only comparable one, so I find that a little interesting.

[The Lens]

When the DNC was late on some payments, the Bucks told them to pay up or they would look at booking other similar events (ie Trump).  Mark Lasry is a pretty big deal in Dem circles.  And that's how they treated the DNC.  Imagine the conversations with Lovell about breaking or at least rolling over the lease.

[MU82]

I guess just as we'll never know what Wojo's buyout actually is, we'll never know what MU's contract with Fiserv is.

[wadesworld]

Heise: Let's play at Marquette High.
Anybody: Well, you can't do that, it's not the right size and we pay for the Fiserv anyway.
Heise: Well they play the Maui and the Great Alaska Shootout in high schools!
Anybody: No, they don't.
Heise: Well, they're almost as bad as some of the best high school gyms out there.  But quit trolling man, think with your brain like me before you post.  I just want everyone's honest opinion on the very serious matter about why it is Marquette won't get creative in where they're playing their games.
Anybody: Well it could be any of the reasons listed above by multiple posters, plus it could have to do with safety guidelines and access to technology they use that isn't available elsewhere.
Heise: Everyone is so wrong!  I know exactly why!  It's because Marquette wants to play at the Fiserv!

Dope.

[Goatherder]

Like everyone else, I do not know what the contractural commitments are.  The main court at the Al was built to be as close to the one at the BC as possible, with better lighting.  As shown from the NIT games and women's games, it can accommodate TV cameras.  It is about the size of many on-campus arenas.  We forget that relatively few programs draw 10,000+ a game.  When the NCAA took over the NIT and it no longer depended on gate receipts, it made perfect sense to hold games at the Al.  It surely has adequate lockerrooms and trainer facilities.  I have to assume that if Marquette is playing at FiServ instead, it is doing so because it has to. 

My information is that the university is not too happy with the contract at FiServe and is paying a bunch more than it used to.  There has been at least some discussion of building an on-campus arena, specifically on the site of the old Ramada inn on Michigan and 4th? or so, across from Grand Avenue.  That was supposed to be the location of the sports medicine institute Marquette was going to share with the Bucks until the Bucks decided to go their own way.  I do not know any of the particulars,  but it seems that they could build an arena there, perhaps smaller than the FF, but if they did not have to pay rent, it might be as profitable to draw 12,000 fans, roughly the number of season ticket holders, than 16,000 at FF.  And recall, FF has a lower capacity than the BC had.  Right now, nobody is flush with cash, so this is not happening in a year or two, but it might wel develop somewhere down the road.

[tower912]

Yes, there has been an in depth discussion about MU building their own arena.   They can't right now because they don't have the money.   And building arenas cost a lot of money.