UWM to play at FF

[Warrior of Law]

https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/uwm/2024/08/06/uw-milwaukee-announces-six-team-showcase-headed-to-fiserv-forum/74685751007/

Hosting a few other non-con games including Northwestern and Loyola.

My only question is what court (MU, Bucks, other)  they'll be using for these games.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

So St. Thomas is back in Milwaukee again this year...........

[Scoop Snoop]

https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/uwm/2024/08/06/uw-milwaukee-announces-six-team-showcase-headed-to-fiserv-forum/74685751007/

Hosting a few other non-con games including Northwestern and Loyola.

My only question is what court (MU, Bucks, other)  they'll be using for these games.

Neither. They're going to use painter's tape to mark off a court on the concrete floor. I suggest the Frog Tape brand. Works great!

[4everwarriors]

How many sections are gonna be tarped off, hey?

[Nukem2]

Not too shabby an event for CBB junkies, but attendance will be interesting. Though do have UWM and the two Chicago area schools fan bases to draw on.

[The Lens]

Whenever I think about going to unique events at the FF like this or the Volleyball Showcase, I just think of how rough of a user experience the Fiserv is and I tend to not go.

Long bathroom lines, inconsistent consession practices (some are order on an app, some are order from a kiosk, some are order from a person), high prices on everything.  I put up with that stuff for MU and the Bucks playoffs but otherwise, no.

I consider myself a CBB junkie but I can't stand the experience at the FF.  If this was AmFam, I would try for sure.

[MU82]

So St. Thomas is back in Milwaukee again this year...........

Got a good chance to improve to 2-0 at FF.

[Galway Eagle]

Whenever I think about going to unique events at the FF like this or the Volleyball Showcase, I just think of how rough of a user experience the Fiserv is and I tend to not go.

Long bathroom lines, inconsistent consession practices (some are order on an app, some are order from a kiosk, some are order from a person), high prices on everything.  I put up with that stuff for MU and the Bucks playoffs but otherwise, no.

I consider myself a CBB junkie but I can't stand the experience at the FF.  If this was AmFam, I would try for sure.

Wasn't the volleyball showcase a full house for a top 20 team (repping your Alma mater) vs a top 5 team? Seems a bit unfair to compare that to what will likely be a ghost town for midmajor bball against a couple teams that'll maybe be kind of ok.

[Warrior of Law]

Maybe I'm a downer, but I don't see anything more than 4-5K for these games. FF must have been given to the organizers for free, as FF didn't want to sit on an empty weekend with nothing else booked.

[The Lens]

Wasn't the volleyball showcase a full house for a top 20 team (repping your Alma mater) vs a top 5 team? Seems a bit unfair to compare that to what will likely be a ghost town for midmajor bball against a couple teams that'll maybe be kind of ok.

I was referring to the upcoming one on Labor Day

UW / Texas / Stanford / Minnesota.
 
I have two girls in volleyball but spending Labor Day weekend in the Fiserv, without MU, no thanks.

[We R Final Four]

Maybe I'm a downer, but I don't see anything more than 4-5K for these games. FF must have been given to the organizers for free, as FF didn't want to sit on an empty weekend with nothing else booked.

I would be shocked if attendance is 5K.

[Galway Eagle]

I was referring to the upcoming one on Labor Day

UW / Texas / Stanford / Minnesota.
 
I have two girls in volleyball but spending Labor Day weekend in the Fiserv, without MU, no thanks.

Oh, my bad

[Nukem2]

I would be shocked if attendance is 5K.

uWM, Loyola and NW average 3,000 4,000 7,000 respectively for home games. How many of those would come up to MKE on a Sunday during the holiday season. The opponents do not look like likely travelers either. TBD.

[wadesworld]

I was referring to the upcoming one on Labor Day

UW / Texas / Stanford / Minnesota.
 
I have two girls in volleyball but spending Labor Day weekend in the Fiserv, without MU, no thanks.

Definitely missing out.  Go get lunch somewhere around the Forum before the matches and go enjoy the matches without paying for subpar food anyway.

[#UnleashSean]

These games are almost certainly going to be even more sparsely attended then a Marquette January buy game in the wojo era.

[Dickthedribbler]

These games are almost certainly going to be even more sparsely attended then a Marquette January buy game in the wojo era.

No January buy games.

[BrewCity83]

Got a good chance to improve to 2-0 at FF.

  No chance.  St. Thomas is playing at Panther Arena.

[MU82]

  No chance.  St. Thomas is playing at Panther Arena.

Make that 2-0 in Milwaukee then.

[Mr. Nielsen]

General seating bowl ticket prices range from $35 to $60 for the Milwaukee Tip-Off. Should be a fun event. i can't wait. I'm going with listed attendance around 3K.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

General seating bowl ticket prices range from $35 to $60 for the Milwaukee Tip-Off. Should be a fun event. i can't wait. I'm going with listed attendance around 3K.

Which will likely never come close to that amount for a single game. The atmosphere seems less than ideal.

At least they picked a weekend where the Packers play Sunday night and the Bears Monday night.

[Eye]

Whenever I think about going to unique events at the FF like this or the Volleyball Showcase, I just think of how rough of a user experience the Fiserv is and I tend to not go.

Long bathroom lines, inconsistent consession practices (some are order on an app, some are order from a kiosk, some are order from a person), high prices on everything.  I put up with that stuff for MU and the Bucks playoffs but otherwise, no.

I consider myself a CBB junkie but I can't stand the experience at the FF.  If this was AmFam, I would try for sure.

Agreed. I stopped buying concessions at FF a year or two ago.

[JTJ3]

Nvm, wrong thread.

[Mr. Nielsen]

Whenever I think about going to unique events at the FF like this or the Volleyball Showcase, I just think of how rough of a user experience the Fiserv is and I tend to not go.

Long bathroom lines, inconsistent consession practices (some are order on an app, some are order from a kiosk, some are order from a person), high prices on everything.  I put up with that stuff for MU and the Bucks playoffs but otherwise, no.

I consider myself a CBB junkie but I can't stand the experience at the FF.  If this was AmFam, I would try for sure.

I stick with my Auntie Ann's pretzel and diet coke at Fiserv.

[MUfan12]

Long bathroom lines, inconsistent consession practices (some are order on an app, some are order from a kiosk, some are order from a person), high prices on everything.  I put up with that stuff for MU and the Bucks playoffs but otherwise, no.

I may be in the minority on this, but while the sightlines are better at FF, the BC was a better fan experience than Fiserv post-COVID.

Concessions were nothing to write home about, but they were staffed, and at a more reasonable price. The concourses were wider and you could move more freely. And frankly the place was louder since they weren't worried about concert acoustics.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I may be in the minority on this, but while the sightlines are better at FF, the BC was a better fan experience than Fiserv post-COVID.

Concessions were nothing to write home about, but they were staffed, and at a more reasonable price. The concourses were wider and you could move more freely. And frankly the place was louder since they weren't worried about concert acoustics.

I think Fiserv is an arm and a leg better than BC but I also never get concessions at games maybe that would change my opinion.

[BM1090]

I'm surprised by the concession complaints, honestly. I order on the app and it's always ready within 5 minutes and i pick it up at a TV timeout.

100% agree that the BC was louder.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Yeah, I think FF is much better than the BC and I don't think its particularly close. The concessions aren't great, but they aren't great at a lot of places right now.

[MU82]

I think Fiserv is an arm and a leg better than BC but I also never get concessions at games maybe that would change my opinion.

Agree with this. I also don't get concessions - we fuel up before and after games - and I much prefer FF.

[The Lens]

I may be in the minority on this, but while the sightlines are better at FF, the BC was a better fan experience than Fiserv post-COVID.

Concessions were nothing to write home about, but they were staffed, and at a more reasonable price. The concourses were wider and you could move more freely. And frankly the place was louder since they weren't worried about concert acoustics.

We're the only city in America that has gone backwards with each new NBA Arena.

The MECCA had an Ice Cream Parlor and Gameroom FFS.

But yes, BC over FF all day long. FF has some great sightlines and the wall of fans in the west endzone is solid but only Buffalo at the FF rivals all those great BC games in terms of noise.   The user experience outside of your seat was 100 times better at the BC and the user experience in your seats is not 100 times better at the FF.

BC 4 Ever

[MUfan12]

But yes, BC over FF all day long. FF has some great sightlines and the wall of fans in the west endzone is solid but only Buffalo at the FF rivals all those great BC games in terms of noise.   The user experience outside of your seat was 100 times better at the BC and the user experience in your seats is not 100 times better at the FF.

BC 4 Ever

For me it comes down to a few things.

1) If you want to meet up with someone at half in another part of the arena it takes forever to get there. Too many choke points around the bars. The BC had the high top tables out of traffic and had more space on the concourses to get by.

2) With concessions it's beer prices/lack of Miller products. I hardly get food anymore unless it's a 6 PM tip, but Chick Fil A is the only decent option for the price.

3) Upper deck feels detached from the crowd. It's like a f*cking theatre balcony up there. No one gets into it.

[Dickthedribbler]

My preference is Fiserv over the Bradley Center. Doesn't mean the BC was bad. Just a personal choice ( and nothing to do with the quality of or cost of concessions-----those things are about as far down the list as you can go).

I've seen all 30 MLB teams play at least one game in their home park. Doesn't make me an expert on anything, but it does provide perspective. For outdoor venues, I tend to look at what's around the stadium and how does the site integrate with the neighborhood ( bars, restaurants, hotels, walkability, public transit. Does the park itself have any " character". Big fan of Wrigley and Fenway. And all of the new downtown stadiums. Dodgers, Angels, Marlins, Ray's, Braves, Royals, A's-------not so much.

All this stuff comes down to personal choice. No right or wrong answer.

[MUbiz]

I attended MU during the Crean days, so I appreciate how loud BC could get.  I now go to about 6 games a year at Fiserv. Other than beer being much cheaper at BC, I enjoy the Fiserv experience much better in general. BC was a dump towards the end of it and I do not care about concessions as pretty much every concession at any stadium that I have been too has been less quality post covid.

[#UnleashSean]

No January buy games.

Thats the joke bud

[#UnleashSean]

I may be in the minority on this, but while the sightlines are better at FF, the BC was a better fan experience than Fiserv post-COVID.

Concessions were nothing to write home about, but they were staffed, and at a more reasonable price. The concourses were wider and you could move more freely. And frankly the place was louder since they weren't worried about concert acoustics.

This is more of a country wide issue, nothing to do with the Fiserv.

[Viper]

Loudest game, college or pro, I’ve ever been to…MECCA 1986 UNC at MU. Ears still ring.  Close 2nd was ND at MU when Doc buzzer beat em. I liked the BC. It was loud and had more concourse elbow room, but FF is really good. It elevates Milwaukee, imo. Still has the new car feel…hopefully a recruiting asset, is plenty loud for big games…also hopefully a recruiting asset, solid sight lines from most vantage points. Even if Miller HQ long ago left Milwaukee…come on man, can I get a Lite?

[MU82]

Loudest game, college or pro, I’ve ever been to…MECCA 1986 UNC at MU. Ears still ring.  Close 2nd was ND at MU when Doc buzzer beat em.

Loudest for me was when we beat Duke at the Dane County Coliseum my sophomore year. 2nd loudest was the same as your 2nd loudest, at the Arena my junior year.

[4everwarriors]

Bradley Center was a concrete tomb built for hockey. Good riddance to that dump. Wouldn't eat da chit served at any of these holes, hey?

[We R Final Four]

Bradley Center was a concrete tomb built for hockey. Good riddance to that dump. Wouldn't eat da chit served at any of these holes, hey?

Agreed…..the FF was specifically built for basketball…..BC was a fantastic building for hockey, not so much for basketball.

[UWW2MU]

Overall FF is way better than the BC.  I think the noise level varies greatly based on the seats you're in though.  Some areas it seems loud, others pretty quiet. 

My biggest issues are:

1. Logistics in the building... namely the fact that the only obvious choice for getting around are the escalators at the front.  It's a huge bottleneck and meeting people on the upper or lower concourse when you're on the opposite (or meeting at panorama club area) leaves little time during the half.  There's nothing you can do about this now... so meh, oh well.

2. Concessions!  This is all on the Bucks owners... all their issues are $$ and lean operations related. Ordered options are confusing b/c some things can be orderedon the app, some not.  Some things are open for some games, some are not (presumably based on attendance... but I've seen plenty of sold out games have a lot of closed stands).  And getting food made can be quick and high quality, but if they premade a lot of popular items you can end up with soggy nasty food.  So one time a burger and fries could be excellent and the next time be so bad I don't want to finish it.

I won't complain about food and beverage prices... because that just seems to be the nature everywhen when you're a captive audience.  All I'd really ask of them is consistency in availability and quality so I know what I'm getting.

[wadesworld]

Overall FF is way better than the BC.  I think the noise level varies greatly based on the seats you're in though.  Some areas it seems loud, others pretty quiet. 

My biggest issues are:

1. Logistics in the building... namely the fact that the only obvious choice for getting around are the escalators at the front.  It's a huge bottleneck and meeting people on the upper or lower concourse when you're on the opposite (or meeting at panorama club area) leaves little time during the half.  There's nothing you can do about this now... so meh, oh well.

2. Concessions!  This is all on the Bucks owners... all their issues are $$ and lean operations related. Ordered options are confusing b/c some things can be orderedon the app, some not.  Some things are open for some games, some are not (presumably based on attendance... but I've seen plenty of sold out games have a lot of closed stands).  And getting food made can be quick and high quality, but if they premade a lot of popular items you can end up with soggy nasty food.  So one time a burger and fries could be excellent and the next time be so bad I don't want to finish it.

I won't complain about food and beverage prices... because that just seems to be the nature everywhen when you're a captive audience.  All I'd really ask of them is consistency in availability and quality so I know what I'm getting.

The staircases are easy to use and nobody is in them, so you can get to the different levels (and exit the building) very quickly by using those.

[tower912]

More diet Pepsi and Mountain Dew Zero, please.

[SaveOD238]

I think Fiserv is an arm and a leg better than BC but I also never get concessions at games maybe that would change my opinion.

Remember that time we took our kids to the game together and agreed beforehand (at YOUR suggestion) that we wouldn't get one kid ice cream because then they would all beg for it...and then you got ice cream for your daughter?

I 'member.

But seriously, concessions at the FF are terrible tasting, meh service/speed, and terrible $ value.  Unless you're in suites or whatever those first level clubs are called.

[Its DJOver]

Are concessions really that big of a factor for people? Those with young children that need to be fed I can understand, but I can count on one hand the amount of times I've gotten food at either the BMO or FF combined.  Drinks a few more times, but even then it's limited to unique situations like that special MU beer they had at NMD last year. I go to games to watch basketball and the overall basketball experience at the FF is so far superior to the BMO that I'm amazed this is even a discussion.

[MU82]

Are concessions really that big of a factor for people? Those with young children that need to be fed I can understand, but I can count on one hand the amount of times I've gotten food at either the BMO or FF combined.  Drinks a few more times, but even then it's limited to unique situations like that special MU beer they had at NMD last year. I go to games to watch basketball and the overall basketball experience at the FF is so far superior to the BMO that I'm amazed this is even a discussion.

Exactly.

[Nukem2]

Are concessions really that big of a factor for people? Those with young children that need to be fed I can understand, but I can count on one hand the amount of times I've gotten food at either the BMO or FF combined.  Drinks a few more times, but even then it's limited to unique situations like that special MU beer they had at NMD last year. I go to games to watch basketball and the overall basketball experience at the FF is so far superior to the BMO that I'm amazed this is even a discussion.

Have not bought food at FF or the BC in many years other than for a diet coke and/or a bag of popcorn periodically.

[Mr. Nielsen]

It's amazing the amount of people who never leave the doorways that say Exit to the stairway to leave Fiserv Forum.

[BM1090]

The staircases are easy to use and nobody is in them, so you can get to the different levels (and exit the building) very quickly by using those.

Agreed. I get out of FF in like 45 seconds from the 200 level after the game by using the stairs.

[DienerTime34]

I may be in the minority on this, but while the sightlines are better at FF, the BC was a better fan experience than Fiserv post-COVID.

Concessions were nothing to write home about, but they were staffed, and at a more reasonable price. The concourses were wider and you could move more freely. And frankly the place was louder since they weren't worried about concert acoustics.

You're not alone. I went from fanatically excited about Fiserv opening to "This place is OK" once the novelty wore off.

An acoustic expert will have to explain how a crazy BC was much louder than a sold-out FF. Maybe the sound echoed off the giant slabs of concrete in that old hockey barn.

Don't get me wrong, Fiserv is a beautiful facility. But its functionality isn't great, concession prices are higher than MSG and I don't think it will age well at all.

[MUfan12]

An acoustic expert will have to explain how a crazy BC was much louder than a sold-out FF. Maybe the sound echoed off the giant slabs of concrete in that old hockey barn.

The panels on the roof. Deadens the sound so it doesn't reverberate.

[UWW2MU]

Are concessions really that big of a factor for people? Those with young children that need to be fed I can understand, but I can count on one hand the amount of times I've gotten food at either the BMO or FF combined.  Drinks a few more times, but even then it's limited to unique situations like that special MU beer they had at NMD last year. I go to games to watch basketball and the overall basketball experience at the FF is so far superior to the BMO that I'm amazed this is even a discussion.

For me, it depends on if it's a weekday and what tipoff time is.  If it's an earlier tip during the week, I often don't have time to get dinner beforehand.  Otherwise I try to avoid it usually unless I'm treating a friend or someone to a game/experience that doesn't usually go.

Either way, I agree... FF experience is far superior to BC overall!  Crazy that some people think otherwise.

[MU82]

It's amazing the amount of people who never leave the doorways that say Exit to the stairway to leave Fiserv Forum.

Yep. Unless one has mobility issues, one should always take the stairs down at FF. Always.

[Nukem2]

Yep. Unless one has mobility issues, one should always take the stairs down at FF. Always.

Umm, it kinda depends on what direction one is going and where one’s seats are relative to the steps and also  the escalators are not that slow. Always, is an overkill.

[MU82]

Umm, it kinda depends on what direction one is going and where one’s seats are relative to the steps and also  the escalators are not that slow. Always, is an overkill.

Fair.

Almost always!

[4everwarriors]

More diet Pepsi and Mountain Dew Zero, please.

Dat chit'll kill ya, hey?

[tower912]

You can only hope.

[StillAWarrior]

Fair.

Almost always!

Absolutes like “always” are never correct.

[cheebs09]

Absolutes like “always” are never correct.

Only a Sith deals in absolutes.

[Galway Eagle]

Absolutes like “always” are never correct.

Is this always true?

[tower912]

Is this always true?

Never.