Andrew Pace
Despite the Wichita State men's basketball team's impressive record of 232 consecutive home games with at least 10,000 fans in attendance, a recent trend of empty seats at Koch Arena has sparked concern within the WSU community. While official attendance numbers suggest strong ticket sales, scanned attendance data reveals a notable decline in fans actually attending the games. This discrepancy has prompted discussions on how to enhance the in-game experience and encourage casual fans to attend, with suggestions ranging from improving halftime entertainment to rethinking ticket pricing strategies. Addressing these challenges is crucial for WSU to maintain its vibrant basketball culture and engage a broader audience.
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What You'll Learn
- Wichita State University (WSU) is selling 97% of available tickets, but fans aren't showing up
- Students are picking up free tickets without using them
- WSU is considering limiting ticket distribution to one game at a time
- WSU's challenge is balancing selling TV rights with attracting fans to the arena
- Fans suggest improving the in-game experience with better entertainment
Wichita State University (WSU) is selling 97% of available tickets, but fans aren't showing up
Wichita State University's (WSU) men's basketball team has a strong history of support, with 15 years of consecutive home games played in front of crowds of at least 10,000 fans. However, in recent years, a concerning trend of empty seats at Koch Arena has emerged, despite high ticket sales. The issue is not selling tickets, as WSU is selling 97% of available tickets, the highest rate in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). The problem is getting those ticket holders to attend the games.
WSU's average attendance of 10,158 fans per game ranks third in the AAC, but this number does not reflect the true attendance, which has significantly declined. This discrepancy was evident in a game against Central Arkansas, where the announced attendance was over 10,000, yet the arena appeared far from full.
The decline in attendance can be attributed to various factors. One issue is the entertainment value outside of the basketball game itself. Fans have suggested improvements such as having a local singer perform the national anthem and bringing back live shows for halftime entertainment. Additionally, WSU faces the challenge of balancing the sale of television rights with attracting fans to the arena.
Another factor is the distribution of student tickets. WSU students are allotted 1,100 free tickets, which they can pick up for multiple games at once. This has led to students taking tickets with no intention of using them, resulting in empty seats in the student section.
To address the issue, WSU's athletic director, Darron Boatright, acknowledges the need to improve the in-game experience and find ways to attract casual fans. The university is also considering strategies such as incremental revenue models and focusing on filling seats rather than maximising ticket prices.
Despite the challenges, WSU remains in a strong position relative to other universities, and with continued efforts to enhance the fan experience, they can work towards ensuring that those who buy tickets will want to show up and support their team.
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Students are picking up free tickets without using them
While the Wichita State University (WSU) men's basketball team has enjoyed strong ticket sales, with an average attendance of 10,158 fans per game, there has been a notable issue with empty seats at Koch Arena. The problem is not ticket sales, but rather the failure of ticket holders to attend the games. Wichita State University basketball coach Gregg Marshall observed this issue, noting that students were picking up free tickets without using them.
Marshall expressed his understanding of students' busy schedules, acknowledging that they may have holiday plans or exams that take priority over attending basketball games. However, he took issue with students who claimed tickets and then did not attend the games, resulting in empty seats in the student section. In response, Marshall wrote a letter to the students, urging them to use their tickets or give them to someone who would attend. He emphasized the importance of student attendance in creating a vibrant and intimidating atmosphere for the team's home games.
The issue of empty seats in the student section has been a concern for WSU for several years. In 2014, Wichita Eagle reported on the same issue, with students claiming tickets but not utilizing them. This prompted a response from Marshall, who encouraged students to attend the games or give their tickets to those who would. The university has also faced challenges in balancing the sale of television rights with attracting fans to the arena.
To address the problem of empty seats, WSU could consider improving the in-game fan experience. According to a survey, 56% of respondents suggested that enhancing the in-game experience was the top priority for WSU to improve overall satisfaction. Suggestions included having a local singer perform the national anthem, bringing back live shows for halftime entertainment, and making timeouts more engaging for fans.
Additionally, WSU could reevaluate its strategic mindset of maximizing ticket prices and instead focus on incremental revenue. By making tickets more accessible and affordable, they may be able to attract more casual fans and fill the empty seats. This approach aligns with the suggestions of David Wyld, a professor of strategic management, who recommends universities adapt their economic models to focus more on value and customer demand rather than solely maximizing revenue through high ticket prices.
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WSU is considering limiting ticket distribution to one game at a time
The Wichita State University (WSU) men's basketball team has a strong history of support, with 15 years of consecutive home games played in front of crowds of at least 10,000 fans. However, in recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in empty seats at Koch Arena, with a significant decline in actual attendance compared to tickets sold.
To address this issue, WSU is considering limiting ticket distribution to one game at a time. This strategy aims to improve attendance by encouraging students and fans to attend the game for which they have tickets rather than picking up tickets for multiple games and not utilizing them.
WSU's athletic director, Darron Boatright, acknowledges the need to enhance the in-game experience to attract more fans. The university is facing the challenge of balancing the sale of television rights with maintaining a vibrant atmosphere at Koch Arena. While WSU has successfully sold 97% of available tickets, the focus now shifts to ensuring those ticket-holders attend the games.
By limiting ticket distribution to one game at a time, WSU can create a sense of exclusivity and urgency. This strategy encourages fans to act on their interest in a particular game, knowing they have a single opportunity to attend. It also helps WSU understand the demand for each game, allowing them to adjust their marketing and engagement strategies accordingly.
Additionally, WSU can explore ways to enhance the overall fan experience, such as improving halftime entertainment and engaging fans during timeouts. By combining limited ticket distribution with an improved in-game experience, WSU can maximize attendance and create a vibrant atmosphere that supports the men's basketball team.
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WSU's challenge is balancing selling TV rights with attracting fans to the arena
Wichita State University (WSU)'s men's basketball team has a strong history of support, with 15 years of consecutive home games played in front of crowds of at least 10,000 fans. However, in recent years, there has been a notable increase in empty seats at Koch Arena. The issue is not ticket sales, as WSU has the highest rate of ticket sales in the American Athletic Conference, selling 97% of available tickets. The challenge is getting those who bought tickets to attend the games.
WSU athletic director Darron Boatright acknowledges the need to improve the in-game experience to attract more fans to the arena. The university is facing the challenge of balancing selling television rights with creating an engaging atmosphere that encourages fans to attend in person. According to Boatright, the industry needs to find a way to monetise multimedia rights and television deals without sacrificing the live audience.
WSU fans have expressed their desire for improved entertainment when basketball isn't being played, such as live performances during halftime and more engaging games during timeouts. They also suggested having someone local sing the national anthem instead of the band. These enhancements aim to create a more captivating experience that complements the viewing experience for fans at home while also attracting fans to the arena.
Another factor contributing to empty seats is the distribution of student tickets. Students are allotted 1,100 free tickets, and they can pick up tickets for multiple games at once, leading to a high number of unused tickets. Wichita State basketball coach Gregg Marshall has addressed this issue, urging students to use their tickets or give them to those who will attend.
WSU's challenge is to optimise ticket sales and revenue while also prioritising the fan experience to ensure that those who purchase tickets show up. This involves a strategic shift from maximising ticket prices to focusing on incremental revenue and creating a compelling atmosphere that encourages fan attendance.
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Fans suggest improving the in-game experience with better entertainment
Fans of the Wichita State University (WSU) men's basketball team have expressed their desire for an improved in-game experience, suggesting that the university focus on providing better entertainment to fill the empty seats at Koch Arena.
In a survey, 56% of respondents indicated that enhancing the overall experience was crucial, with a specific emphasis on improving the in-game fan experience. This feedback highlights a strategic shift from solely maximising ticket prices to prioritising incremental revenue and attracting more spectators.
WSU fans have provided constructive suggestions to enhance the in-game entertainment. They have emphasised the importance of having a local singer perform the national anthem instead of the band. Additionally, they have expressed a desire for the consistent return of live shows during halftime and more interactive games for fans during timeouts.
The challenge for WSU, and universities across the country, is to balance selling television rights and improving the viewing experience for those watching from home, while still enticing fans to attend games in person. Darron Boatright, the WSU athletic director, acknowledged the need to adapt and improve the fan experience, stating that the industry needs to move away from the outdated model of overcharging customers.
To address the issue of empty seats, WSU could consider implementing strategies such as engaging with local talent for performances and creating a more exciting atmosphere during breaks in the game. By listening to the suggestions of their dedicated fan base, WSU has the opportunity to create a more captivating and enjoyable experience for those in attendance, ultimately filling those empty seats and creating a vibrant environment for their men's basketball team.
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Frequently asked questions
Despite WSU's success in selling tickets, there are often empty seats at their men's basketball games because ticket holders don't attend. WSU is considering limiting ticket distribution to one game at a time or instituting an accountability system that tracks unused tickets.
Ticket holders might not attend WSU men's basketball games due to scheduling issues, such as holiday plans or exams. Some fans also believe that WSU could improve the in-game experience by improving entertainment when basketball isn't being played, such as having someone local sing the national anthem and bringing back live shows for halftime entertainment.
WSU athletic director Darron Boatright acknowledged the issue and is working to improve the fan experience. WSU is also considering changes to its ticket distribution system to limit ticket distribution to one game at a time or to implement an accountability system for unused tickets.
