Parking for $525? No thanks
Posted August 6th, 2006 by mrasor
Miscellaneous
If I read a piece of mail that said parking at Zips games would cost an extra $525, I would be astounded, and probably not pay it.
Heck, I'd rather walk from my on-campus apartment than pay that much to tailgate.
But then again, I am a college student. I don't have a real job with real income.
I hate telling people how to spend their money, so I won't. My opinion, though, is you have to pay for quality. In sports, you can always find a Kent State vs. Buffalo game where entry is free with a canned good or a pulse. As a fan, I don't want that. And I'm willing to pay more for a better product.
A lot of people talk about being willing to pay once the new stadium is up. That's great. But a stadium doesn't just pop up out of nowhere. The university must approve it. And whether the alumni will pay a higher price this season for various things probably will weigh on the board of trustees when they decide whether it is appropriate to spend tens of millions of dollars on Proenza Stadium.
Sure, the athletic department would love any additional revenue from this year, but I think the bigger issue is whether the fanbase is willing to provide it in the future.
Akron is no Ohio State and never will be (at least during my lifetime). However, if you looked at what Buckeye alumni pay to see football games, you would gag. Zips games don't need to cost anything near that, but when the product improves, I expect the price to follow it.
THAT BEING SAID, a $500 increase is obscene and insulting to the people who have been the team's most loyal supporters throughout the years. If I am, say Captain Kangaroo, I write a kind letter to Mack Rhoades explaining that such a dramatic price increase is a poor decision. If it's $200, OK. If it's $525, there's no chance people will pay it.
This seems to be a contentious issue, as many of you have contacted me about it. Feel free to comment below.
August 7th, 2006 at 10:20 am
Rasor said:
"My opinion, though, is you have to pay for quality."
That is true, however $525 for PARKING is just plain stupidity on the part of those who thought up the idea and those that will pay it. The Zips (and I love 'em) haven't really set the world on fire, a couple of good (not great) seasons does not make a dynasty.
August 8th, 2006 at 10:42 am
This is an attempt by the University to generate additonal income. Good for them.
While I will not pay $500 to park, I will gladly walk an additional 50 yards and park for $25, freeing up these spots for the additional income. If they do not fill them, this idea will be dropped in a year.