Renovation survey-Jersey Mike's

[jaydogsmooth1]

I'll repeat what I said before, this is big-time college athletics, whether we like it or not. It's happening all over, and will continue to progress more and more.

When we signed up for the Big 10, the writing was on the wall. They're going after the pro model; suites, boxes, big money, etc.

The exact same thing is happening in football stadiums around the country. My FSU seats will be greatly impacted; I haven't been selected yet to go on the presentation tour, as my priority number isn't high enough. But I know it's going to happen, and in the name of winning and moving forward, it's something I've accepted and fully support for the program to have success.

It's the same with my Rutgers bball and wrestling tickets, and eventually football tickets as well. The ROI has to be there; meaning, if you're going to charge X, the program has to be competitive.

For FSU, I'll likely keep my football seats. For Rutgers, it all depends on the price of fb/bball/wrestling. Between both school's new pricing structure, and both NIL's, there's only so much money to go around.

This won't be easy, and it won't be pain free. But unfortunately, it's a necessity in the modern day of college athletics. I'm all in. I want to win. Badly. And am willing to pay money (either for good seats and NIL, or just NIL and picking games of SH/message board).

College athletics means that much to me. I'm not sacrificing my kid's college fund, church donations, 401k, mortgage, etc. - it just means I'll budget a bit differently in other area's to compensate.

Hopefully enough people will do the same as well. We have a great home court advantage and I can't wait to see what the finished product turns out to be.

 

[needmorecowbell]

I read that as you will have a 300 level seat plus access to a club box for food/drink. In the survey they said Some of the club boxes don’t have views of the court so they are for pre game and or half time etc.

I think they are considering options in each level (100, 200, 300). I don’t know if they will do all three or two.

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

Who said no more games in Trenton?

 

[SHUSource]

Maybe I'm weird but I'm just not particularly interested in any of these things. I just like to sit and watch the basketball game and cheer.

The one thing I think would be cool is activating the outdoor space.

Right, and so the postscript to my post about Seton Hall moving from the Meadowlands to The Rock is that even after how much I anticipated the new bars contained within the arena, it wasn't long before I hardly patronized them (maybe on the way in, if the train schedule gets me there too early) and pretty well anchored to my seat. Like you, I'm there for the game.

 

[rubigtimenow]

Coming into year 1 of this we should 100% expect a full RAC “reseating/seat selection”. Starting with renewed season ticket holders, in priority point order, each of us will get a time slot and we will pick our seats.
Some will read this and complain but if you do you’re out of touch. There are multiple other football and basketball programs that do a full reseating every 4-5 years. I imagine the last one at the RAC was the year it opened. Consider this the opening of a new building!

 

[needmorecowbell]

This assumes there is a place to move them.

There will be net more seats and it will come down to priority points like normal.

 

[Son of Red]

People are concerned about compromising the RAC atmosphere and you want to have the basketball team play in a hockey arena???

If they are going to destroy the atmosphere anyway, wouldn't it be better to just build a new facility? SHU plays in a "hockey arena", so what?

 

[needmorecowbell]

Coming into year 1 of this we should 100% expect a full RAC “reseating/seat selection”. Starting with renewed season ticket holders, in priority point order, each of us will get a time slot and we will pick our seats.
Some will read this and complain but if you do you’re out of touch. There are multiple other football and basketball programs that do a full reseating every 4-5 years. I imagine the last one at the RAC was the year it opened. Consider this the opening of a new building!

I am expecting this.

 

[SJScarlet]

I read that as you will have a 300 level seat plus access to a club box for food/drink. In the survey they said Some of the club boxes don’t have views of the court so they are for pre game and or half time etc.

Some of them definitely made no sense though. As I noted, a loge box is definitely a place to sit and watch the game with dedicated seats. The survey would say, in conjunction with a loge box, you get “200 level seats” and another option had loge box and “300 level seats”. They clearly don’t mean they’re considering building loge boxes up in the area of the current 300 level (unless that is in fact something they’re considering!), so one would have to ask those in charge what they meant by all that. Regardless, as others are saying, most of the suggested price points are too high.

 

[RCBeta79]

I went through the survey. The upgrade looks great but they are going to price out/displace a lot of people.
I like my 200 level seats. Great sight lines, easy in and out etc. but I think the lower section of the 200 will be displaced or the price significantly increased

Rutgers need to balance adding revenue with fan satisfaction. It’s not going to be easy but I expect the athletic department to add a lot of premium options while keeping plenty of 100, 200 and 300 level seats. My expectation is that all the added seats are premium and the regular season seats will be shifted around a bit. For instance, if you sit mid court 5th row, your season tickets are going to be a lot more expensive and it may be club seating. If you don’t want that, you may need to shift to the corner or behind the basket and keep regular 100 level seats. No one likes change but Rutgers has been behind in revenue and needs to capitalize which should improve the overall product.

That would be an end to my 40+ years as a season ticketholder at midcourt.

 

[ru66]

The OP taking about 300 a game to 25000 a season shows how out of touch he is

and did ever say he'd pay those prices--I doubt he would.

 

[ru66]

Wait for the "unintended consequences" that usually suck. Hope not, but they often happen.

 

[RCBeta79]

The final part of the survey with the either/ors was moronic and made no sense. It would ask, Would you pay $800 for a 300 level seat, with Loge Box, and this or that amenity? What? Where am I sitting, in the 300 level or in a loge box that clearly has dedicated seats in it? Unless I’m the moron, that part was bizarrely constructed and presented a bunch of nonsensical ticket package concepts.

The forced answers justify the Elite Fans plan for premium changes/pricing. aka the new "Rutgers Screw".
Alienation of fans that were loyal during many years of mediocre basketball.

 

[darkcheck]

Honestly, the more I think about the more convinced I am that the ONLY thing they should do is activate the campus space around the arena more with shops/amenities. Leave the arena alone.

Honestly, the more I think about the more convinced I am that the ONLY thing they should do is activate the campus space around the arena more with shops/amenities. Leave the arena alone.

Exactly, build an annex out to the green lot side, use it as an entrance, food, more bathrooms. Do the same to the front of the building. Connect them to the current hallways. Clear the current halls from food, mdse and lines. Leave the seats and arena as is

 

[Degaz-RU]

Who said no more games in Trenton?

Did you attend the Princeton game? If you did, then you know the answer to this question.

Rutgers fans and more importantly DONORS would NEVER allow the university to schedule another game at CURE Arena, let alone a season's worth of home games. It was the single worst basketball event most of us have ever experienced, between the horrible parking situation, the awful area surrounding the arena (lack of pregame restaurant/bar spots), the cruddy arena interior, and lack of good scoreboards. And on and on.

 

[MrsScrew]

Let’s move this program forward where it belongs. The days of minimal doners* *donors* sitting in premium seats is coming to an end and thank god. Most of you are just being selfish and thinking about your bottom line and not what the program needs. For years most of you ignored what this program needed so you can keep being frugal. When you lose your seats it’s no one’s fault but your own.

you have no idea what anyone on this board does/does not donate. Nor do you know what anyone's capacity to donate in relation to their personal salary/home expenditure is.

Give your extra money to the R Fund or NIL vs putting it in your kid's college fund/your own vacation fund/retirement fund is a personal decision. It's not always a matter of being "frugal". It's what someone can afford without doing self financial harm. Spending $3000+ on one MBB ticket is going to be out of reach for a lot of people outright and off the table for some people when they think about where they want their money spent. Spending the lesser amount and being up in the rafters might be what happens, or there will be a lot of local bars being supported by people going out to watch the game for $50 in beer money.

Upgrading is fine and good. Catering to corporations or large donors is good. Turning away the faithful little guys is not so good.

 

[sct1111]

If you guys want to be big time then you're going to have to spend more on tickets. Duke tickets are always expensive. We have a similar capacity. If you want money flowing into the program then you're going to have to schmooze donors. It is what it is.

I think the changes and upgrades are great.

 

[Knightmoves]

It looks nice at first glance - but we all know the RAC and the space is just not there to add all the luxury space without taking it from the current season ticket holders - If adding luxury is not negotiable then build new, The current plan is lipstick on a pig.

Agree. Modifying the existing RAC to include plenty of club seating and amenities is a flawed approach imo. RU can build a brand new Jersey Mikes next door and use the current RAC until the new one opens.

Also the 300 Level seats will be a lot higher and farther away from the action under this plan.

 

[RCBeta79]

Most Rutgers basketball fans want more bathrooms, short concession lines, ample parking, and easier access to/from parking.

Rutgers administration wants corporate boxes and luxury seating choices...likely at the expense of loyal, long-time season ticketholders.

 

[jaydogsmooth1]

If you guys want to be big time then you're going to have to spend more on tickets. Duke tickets are always expensive. We have a similar capacity. If you want money flowing into the program then you're going to have to schmooze donors. It is what it is.

I think the changes and upgrades are great.

It's the way all sports are going
Started w/PSL's in the NFL and has progressively gotten more expensive

It's all about sacrifices and what people are/aren't willing to spend
Jets went PSL's, I gave them up

FSU going luxory, I'll see if its in the budget. If not, i'll move my seats
Rutgers going big time - same situation

What a lot of people don't consider is the secondary market is huge right now. Most people go to SH/SG, etc. before going on team's websites

Between those venues and the message board, affordable seats will always be available. It might not be in a desired location, opponent, or timing (meaning, could be a day of game decision), but they'll be there

For years, I bought 100 level tickets from the guy selling outside the Rac. Sometimes I got a deal; other times, i paid a premium. But I always got in the building one way or another

 

[bitnez]

The survey missed the mark because it didn't really cater to the average fan, who is the lifeblood of that arena 16-17 times per year. Provide options that people could realistically consider. For instance, why not simply ask questions such as:

- If we had a new entrance, expanded concourse, better food/drink options, additional bathrooms and upgraded chairs/seats throughout would you be willing to pay $100/75/50/40/30 more per game?

And I'll answer my own question: because this is all about corporate money and a handful of bigger donors.

 

[365Poster24Seven]

you have no idea what anyone on this board does/does not donate. Nor do you know what anyone's capacity to donate in relation to their personal salary/home expenditure is.

Give your extra money to the R Fund or NIL vs putting it in your kid's college fund/your own vacation fund/retirement fund is a personal decision. It's not always a matter of being "frugal". It's what someone can afford without doing self financial harm. Spending $3000+ on one MBB ticket is going to be out of reach for a lot of people outright and off the table for some people when they think about where they want their money spent. Spending the lesser amount and being up in the rafters might be what happens, or there will be a lot of local bars being supported by people going out to watch the game for $50 in beer money.

Upgrading is fine and good. Catering to corporations or large donors is good. Turning away the faithful little guys is not so good.

Who said to not put kids through college or pay a mortgage or fund a vacation? Rutgers alums have always come up short when it comes to doing their part to help the team win. I do not mean buying tickets that’s the easy part. Most fake die hards want success but will do very little to help make that happen. I love the changers that are happening and if some cheap guy or gal loses seats then that’s to bad so sad. Our basketball and football season tickets are bargains compared to our competitors.

 

[bitnez]

Who said to not put kids through college or pay a mortgage or fund a vacation? Rutgers alums have always come up short when it comes to doing their part to help the team win. I do not mean buying tickets that’s the easy part. Most fake die hards want success but will do very little to help make that happen. I love the changers that are happening and if some cheap guy or gal loses seats then that’s to bad so sad. Our basketball and football season tickets are bargains compared to our competitors.

For the fun of it I just checked StubHub for tonight. You can buy 100 level seats for less than $100 each and we're playing a real opponent. There is no market for high dollar seats ($300-400+) even if there was a private bathroom, chicken fingers, and domestic beer.

 

[needmorecowbell]

That would be an end to my 40+ years as a season ticketholder at midcourt.

Probably. What do you pay with minimum donation today. I think it’s around $100-120 per game? My guess is it goes up but with 40 years of PP, you should be able to get a very good seat at a reasonable price still. Unfortunately for you, there will be a long line of people that will be happy with your options.

 

[Unionst]

Ticket revenue is a drop in the bucket compared to tv revenue. To me this is partly being greedy and partly a misguided attempt to turn Rutgers basketball into a "premium" experience but the problem is that the real premium experience is being seated closely with thousands of other passionate fans. Suits like Hobbs will never understand that part of it.

Well said!

 

[RUtrumpet92]

For comparison, current Illinois basketball season ticket prices for 18 home games are shown below. I have no idea what RU charges, as I live out of state and thus haven't been to the RAC in years. But seeing this proposal, I may need to accelerate one more visit for a game before the renovations go forward.

Thus, I didn't get the survey, either - but I can imagine it from the comments here. I hope RU is doing enough homework to be ASSURED there is enough interest for the premium seating to offset the hit this will be for the diehards that carried our program through all of those years wandering in the wilderness. But I am skeptical at best that this will be a highly used feature that does not detract from the RACmosphere.

2023 SEASON TICKET PRICING

Ticket Type	Season Ticket Price
Lower Level - Public	$699
Lower Level - Faculty/Staff	$562
Sideline - Public	$546
Sideline - Faculty/Staff	$437
Baseline - Public	$440
Baseline - Faculty/Staff	$352

 

[RUJMM78]

I don't consider a big time arena to be with only 7500 seats.Rutgers would have the smallest attendance in the revised B1G Ten.I preferred the Pernetti renderings which added additional seating,rest rooms .food concessions and new entrance facade by extending the existing entrance side outward another 20-30 feet.Make the top floor for the high roller seats with luxury boxes similar to the football stadium.The cost for seating and parking under the proposed rendering will be very expensive .

 

[RUtrumpet92]

One more comment - we have 17 RAC games this season. Who is dropping over $1k/ticket for any sort of club experience for RU basketball? Game is 2 hours of time plus whatever you add before tipoff. Say it's 45 minutes if someone shows up early to get some drinks/food. If you are there to watch the game, what's the big draw of the big club area? I don't get it from the perspective of any fan who is there to watch the game, and not just for an experience. But the people who are out for an experience are not likely fans that will be in their seats for most of the game, making life miserable for the opposition throughout. I don't see any way it can cost justify without hurting the atmosphere, or not hurt the home court advantage without failing to cost justify. At least one will be true, and possibly both.

 

[Unionst]

Lol at them thinking 300 level seat buyer wants club access

Again out of touch

Poorly constructed survey

It was only a poorly constructed survey if they wanted the full picture of what the fans would like. That was not the purpose of the survey though. I hope I am picked for a focus group.

 

[wheezer]

If they could find a way to ring the court with Student Seats, I'd sign on for all the other corporate gravy train stuff. Our current courtside is a bit of a morgue, no offense. I just want a regular old seat with a less than 15 minute wait to take a leak and somehow keep it as the real Trapezoid of Terror.

Worst suggestion

 

[RU205]

For comparison, current Illinois basketball season ticket prices for 18 home games are shown below. I have no idea what RU charges, as I live out of state and thus haven't been to the RAC in years. But seeing this proposal, I may need to accelerate one more visit for a game before the renovations go forward.

Thus, I didn't get the survey, either - but I can imagine it from the comments here. I hope RU is doing enough homework to be ASSURED there is enough interest for the premium seating to offset the hit this will be for the diehards that carried our program through all of those years wandering in the wilderness. But I am skeptical at best that this will be a highly used feature that does not detract from the RACmosphere.

2023 SEASON TICKET PRICING

Ticket Type	Season Ticket Price
Lower Level - Public	$699
Lower Level - Faculty/Staff	$562
Sideline - Public	$546
Sideline - Faculty/Staff	$437
Baseline - Public	$440
Baseline - Faculty/Staff	$352

I think my 2 seats in 200s with PSL included were around $1400. ($700 per seat- I think). Not including Princeton or MSU.
Include $500 for parking ($30 per game X17).
If I pay $40-50 a game for food/beer. That's another $800.
All in, 2 seats, parking, food/beer- $2700.

 

[wheezer]

I went through the survey. The upgrade looks great but they are going to price out/displace a lot of people.
I like my 200 level seats. Great sight lines, easy in and out etc. but I think the lower section of the 200 will be displaced or the price significantly increased.

Same here
I answered truthfully to the survey questions as to what I was willing to pay for all the premium seats, and it was a constant no for me
I don’t know what I am going to do

 

[RUsojo]

People complaining about premium offerings SMH

95% of the seating will be the same general admissions offerings today and all season ticket holders will have access to a GA seat.

Win win tbh

 

[RUsojo]

Same here
I answered truthfully to the survey questions as to what I was willing to pay for all the premium seats, and it was a constant no for me
I don’t know what I am going to do

You won’t have to do anything. Most of the seats will still be GA with no premium perks.

You’re all goood brotha!

 

[wheezer]

+1000

Well said
I wonder how the responses are going to total, who and how many are willing to pay so much more
I am hoping for a huge no by the existing ticket holders, possibly they can reign this in some

 

[DennisHajekRC84]

Rutgers need to balance adding revenue with fan satisfaction. It’s not going to be easy but I expect the athletic department to add a lot of premium options while keeping plenty of 100, 200 and 300 level seats. My expectation is that all the added seats are premium and the regular season seats will be shifted around a bit. For instance, if you sit mid court 5th row, your season tickets are going to be a lot more expensive and it may be club seating. If you don’t want that, you may need to shift to the corner or behind the basket and keep regular 100 level seats. No one likes change but Rutgers has been behind in revenue and needs to capitalize which should improve the overall product.

I don't disagree. I'm just saying they need to add improvement and benefits for the avg. Fan and individual ticket buyer. Cleaner better restrooms, an area to buy and enjoy a drink inside the place.
That's all.

 

[LetsGoRUwrestling]

I think Wrestling has taken over the #2 tenant at Jersey Mikes ...WBB has been on huge attendance decline from their Final 4 days...The renovations will have us the best Wrestling venue in USA...If you never attended a match at The RAC/Jersey Mikes then you should try to go to match Friday Knight vs preseason #4 Virgina Tech...Lets Go!

 

[jaydogsmooth1]

Remember too, nothing is final yet. We all know prices will go up, bougie seats will go in, some people will be displaced, and some will repalce them

Let's wait for the final renderings and prices before we all jump off a ledge
The Rac needs a facelift big time - Illinois did a great job, let's hope we can replicate what they did to StateFarm to the rac

 

[jaydogsmooth1]

I think Wrestling has taken over the #2 tenant at Jersey Mikes ...WBB has been on huge decline from their Final 4 days...The renovations will have us the best Wrestling venue in USA...Lets Go!

If Goody gets us rolling again, the place will be rocking!

 

[DennisHajekRC84]

Kudo's to Pat and Co.
The renderings look great, sans the outside
Hoping they make that part nicer than the drawings

Re. relocations - I've been a part of many of them on both the business side and fan side. Rule # 1 - you'll never make everyone happy. So put something feasible out, take a poll, go back to renderings, alter them according to poll results / financials, and go from there

This needs to happen. I love the Rac but it's a dump. Spruce it up, keep the noise in (which is b/c of slope of seats, ceiling and doors being closed, so that won't change), and generate some much needed $$

Easy top 10 venue right now, with the reno it's top 5 (not at CIS and AHF level, but only bc of history of Duke / Kansas)

Everything that needed to be done is done. Wrap around corners, 118 mimicking student section (not totally, but doesn't look high school anymore), seats replacing bleachers, student section closer to basket, no students on sidelines, club seats, bigger lounge area for concessions, merch and walking, more bathrooms (presumdedly). outside looks nicer (but not as nice as it could)

I'd bring back the Christmas village from Nov-March, and buy out Henry's diner to create a Rutgers themed sports bar. Paint the outside of the building in Rutgers colors, put the Block R on both sides and the roof for a great blimp shot, and we're all set

Yes, it's going to cost more. But if we want big time basketball, wins, recruits, NCAA tourneys, etc., then we'll pay up.

If my seats become too expensive, I'll happily accept that as someone with deeper pockets who can help the program achieve great levels will get them. I'll simply go on StubHub or the message board and grab a single whenever I can go

This is the cost of doing business in big time college athletics. I'm beyond excited for the future of this program, and can't wait to see what the final product looks like (and thank God they scraped that asinine idea of playing away from the Rac) - one of the truly dumber, more mind-boggling suggestions this board has ever presented

Other than your willingness to get bought out without regard to your historical support and suffering.. you get my vote to run the show.