What Happens with RAC Reno with Hobbs Gone?

[RUskoolie]

I am beginning to wonder if they are going to be forced to do something with all the pent up demand. When you have 1500 account asking for extra tickets that can easily be 3-5k more asses in seats. They can't keep prices the same, its basic economics. My guess is they move forward with an "expansion" plan but the one they rolled out kind of sucked. Add some seats in 118 and above, add bathrooms and increase the tickets 20-30% everywhere and be done with it.

 

[S_Janowski]

So what? Let them terminate. You don't think we could exceed that deal on the open market now? They would be doing us a favor. I keep hearing this argument come up and ask the same question everytime. No one has yet to successfully answer it.

I agree that Jersey Mike’s has a pretty good deal but let’s be honest - anytime we have naming rights available major companies aren’t lining up fighting for the deals.

 

[Ridge 22]

I agree that Jersey Mike’s has a pretty good deal but let’s be honest - anytime we have naming rights available major companies aren’t lining up fighting for the deals.

I understand that. But these type of deals dont tend to go down in value over time (similar to tv rights). Logic holds that we should be able to get more on the open market today via a new deal with a new partner vs a deal signed several years ago. Especially with the uplift in the program lately. If JM's is unhappy with the deal overall (and no indications that is the case), then perhaps they use the RAC clause to get out. But I dont see that happening, RAC reno or not.

 

[hinson32]

I am beginning to wonder if they are going to be forced to do something with all the pent up demand. When you have 1500 account asking for extra tickets that can easily be 3-5k more asses in seats. They can't keep prices the same, its basic economics. My guess is they move forward with an "expansion" plan but the one they rolled out kind of sucked. Add some seats in 118 and above, add bathrooms and increase the tickets 20-30% everywhere and be done with it.

The demand will greatly diminish starting next season.

 

[RUDave_01]

The demand will greatly diminish starting next season.

It's possible you're right, but the team could have a dream season that gets people to buy into the program long term

 

[robjknight]

J_M's will be busting at the seams this year with the players we have. The question will be is this just a one year thing or can we reload after the Harper and Bailey show moves on. Seems like a plan to get to 12,000 without impacting the good and helpful structure of the RAC can be developed and implemented in stages in the off seasons without requiring a move to a temporary home.

 

[letitrip2]

Liked Hobbs but his RAC plan was a disaster. If luxury boxes are not negotiable build new.

 

[Rutgers25]

Why can’t they just take our lower 200s on one side and put luxury boxes there? Seems like a bunch of dead space there anyway. You make up for the lost seats with a brand new section across the student section.

 

[Fat Koko]

The realistic way to increase RAC capacity to the 10,000 range is;

1) Add temporary bleachers in the corners and on concourse above section 118;
2) Convert section 118 and the student section into safe standing and rail seats;
3) Shrink the width of the scorers' table and shift the team benches deep into the baselines. Add floor seats. These will be the most premium seats in the building. The Knicks and other NBA teams do it this way.
4) Throw plans for 200 level premium seating into the garbage.

This plan would:

1) Cost in the 7 figures versus a major renovation or new arena in the 9 figures, lowering the financing hurdle which has been an insurmountable obstacle to a renovation;
2) Increase capacity, a higher priority for the fanbase than premium seating, evidenced by the debacle of section 118 and reaction to Pat's premium seating survey and focus group feedback;
3) Be buildable quickly and with minimal disruption to arena activities; and
4) Enhance the game experience by brining more true Rutgers basketball fans into the arena.

Thoughts on premium seating:

1) Fifteen years ago, Pernetti hired Populous who created a renovation plan featuring premium seating. That plan went nowhere.
2) Fast forward to 2020. Hobbs hired AECOM to design a facilities master plan. Although this plan has not been released, the RAC component pushed by Hobbs featured premium seating. Based on reaction on TKR forums, the fanbase hated it.
3) Where would the demand for RAC premium seating come from? Section 118 does not seem to be overflowing. People traveling to the RAC on a winter weekday night are going to see college basketball, not show off and network in premium seating boxes.
4) The most premium seats at basketball games - NBA and college - are the floor seats, not the luxury boxes.

 

[ScarletKid2008]

Serious question: when has not having money ever stopped Rutgers Athletic Department from spending more?

From about 1975 until the football stadium expansion in 2011. They was almost zero spending in atheltics. And the numbers back that up. We’re still probably in the lower 30% if athletic dept spending in the power conferences even as we play major catchup.

 

[Fat Koko]

From about 1975 until the football stadium expansion in 2011. They was almost zero spending in atheltics. And the numbers back that up. We’re still probably in the lower 30% if athletic dept spending in the power conferences even as we play major catchup.

In 1994, the university opened both a new football stadium, Rutgers Stadium, and a new soccer stadium, Yurcak Field. Both stadiums were world class when they opened, evidenced by the fact each stadium hosted international soccer matches that year.

How do you estimate Rutgers is, "still probably in the lower 30% if athletic dept spending in the power conferences"? The lower 30% figure seems absurdly inaccurate to me.

On spending, last year Rutgers ranked 22 of 52 public power conference teams, spending $154 million. The handful of private schools in power conferences don't disclose data. Rutgers ranked 8 of 16 in the B1G. Northwestern and USC don't disclose the data. I posted the 2023 B1G athletic department spending figures below.

Rutgers athletic department's financial problem is not spending, it is revenue - particularly donations and ticket sales. In 2023, Rutgers athletics donation revenue was 16% of the power conference average and 17% of the B1G average. Ticket sales revenue was 45% of power conference peers and 53% of B1G east teams.

Athletic department expenses, 2023 (Source: NCAA Membership Financial Reporting System)

1 Ohio State $274,948,554
2 Michigan $225,548,280
3 Penn State $202,073,671
4 Wisconsin $194,020,289
5 Nebraska $190,870,384
6 Michigan State $181,850,581
7 Iowa $160,302,475
8 Rutgers $153,523,767
9 Illinois $152,809,698
10 Washington $150,037,375
11 Minnesota $146,982,927
12 Oregon $146,778,941
13 UCLA $141,964,728
14 Indiana $139,087,323
15 Maryland $121,160,348
16 Purdue $119,773,814

 

[The RUT]

Close the corners.

Make the seats permanent.

Bring back 118.

Luxury boxes above 118.

Handicap areas in the corners nearest the entrance.

These things maintain the RAC. Adds seating. Adds luxury and the RAC actually becomes louder.

Of course we need to over complicate things.

 

[JayDogSmooth]

Close the corners.

Make the seats permanent.

Bring back 118.

Luxury boxes above 118.

Handicap areas in the corners nearest the entrance.

These things maintain the RAC. Adds seating. Adds luxury and the RAC actually becomes louder.

Of course we need to over complicate things.

Add bathrooms
Grand front extrance
No students along sideline
10-10.5k capacity max
Call it a day

 

[The RUT]

Add bathrooms
Grand front extrance
No students along sideline
10-10.5k capacity max
Call it a day

Don’t even need to go crazy with a front entrance. That’s a luxury IMO.

Bathrooms are a must for sure though.

Entire thing should have been done by this year IMO. School screwed up big time.

 

[fatsam98]

@The RUT and @JayDogSmooth for joint-ADs

 

[High Quality H2O]

Don’t even need to go crazy with a front entrance. That’s a luxury IMO.

Bathrooms are a must for sure though.

Entire thing should have been done by this year IMO. School screwed up big time.

These two posts are on the right track.

 

[365Poster24Seven]

We want to build the program right? Not just make it good for the current fans.

 

[Fat Koko]

During the Court Club zoom meeting on Monday night, Pisarri said we can expect to hear news regarding RAC renovation in a few weeks.

Do Pisarri give an update? Been six weeks since the Court Club zoom meeting.

 

[PiscatawayMike]

Do Pisarri give an update? Been six weeks since the Court Club zoom meeting.

Nothin' yet. 🤐

 

[jakeknight]

Had season tickets for about 10 yrs in the lower 100’s finally gave them up because they were so damn uncomfortable, if nothing else the seating in the rac needs to be redone and refurbished. Give the capacity of the Rac we don’t luxury boxes that reduce the overall number of seats. It’s not a pro arena with corporate boxes

 

[Fat Koko]

Had season tickets for about 10 yrs in the lower 100’s finally gave them up because they were so damn uncomfortable, if nothing else the seating in the rac needs to be redone and refurbished. Give the capacity of the Rac we don’t luxury boxes that reduce the overall number of seats. It’s not a pro arena with corporate boxes

See my post #49 - one quick inexpensive way to increase RAC capacity is to throw the seats in the trash and have safe standing areas.

I sit in the 100s for a game or two each season. Don’t remember the seats being uncomfortable. Worst seats are at Carnesecca Arena, St. John’s on campus gym. I get back problems in there.