Rule the Jungle

[Whatever]

(07-20-2021, 11:23 AM)Wes Mantooth Wrote: A few things to consider...

1.) The Two Superbowl appearances.  I don't think you're doing it justice when these are somewhat lost in the description of "3 playoff berths".  

The 2nd Super Bowl especially was noteworthy.  That team with their no-huddle offense, the Icky shuffle, their rap, they were culturally important.  I won't go so far as to say they're like the '85 Bears, or the 90's Cowboys or something like that.  But that was a very entertaining Super Bowl team.

2.) Not as much competition.  There of course was no FC Cincinnati.  UC football wasn't really a thing.  UC and XU basketball were in the dumps for most of the decade.  All you really had was Reds and Bengals.

3.) The economy/the cost.  The economy was strong through most of the decade.  Also, ticket prices (and parking, food, beer) were much more reasonable then.  Prices have been steadily rising ever since. 

Some people simply can't afford to go to a game anymore.  It would cost a family of 4 probably a minimum of $300 to go a single game and that doesn't even leave all that much for food and drinks.  You're talking over $500 dollars if everyone wants a couple things to eat and a drink, and dad has a few beers, and maybe you buy a souveneir.

4.) TV quality at home.  Back in the day most people had a 19 inch TV at home, now they most likely have a 50 inch tv at home.  In full high definition, with better sound quality and a TV broadcast that does a much better job of presenting the game.

I loved the '88 team as a kid, but there was a significant period in between the two SB teams where the club didn't do much.  I'm too young to remember the '81 squad, but I know the goodwill and fan pride from the '88 team didn't stretch 7-8 years into the lost decade.  Again, I think I'm just weird in that postseason accomplishments don't really play into my desire to watch a team play live.  I totally get people not buying tickets to a bad team.  I just don't get not buying tickets to a good team because of something that may or may not happen in the future.

Maybe from a sports perspective, but not when we're talking about entertainment dollars.  Back then, we were paying for movies in the theater and on VHS and buying albums because there was no streaming.  UC's sports relevance has also ebbed and flowed through the years.  Live events like pro wrestling and monster trucks were also huge back in '80's and a lot more popular than they currently are.

Economic issues are ones all teams share.  While the economy was better, there were also slot more single income families and stay at home moms.  The Bengals have some of the lowest ticket prices in the league and would logically be less affected by it as a result.  Cost of living is also very cheap in Ohio compared to most other NFL states.  Personally, I think a lot of families could budget $500 once a year to go to a game with a little forward planning.  I mean, pre-COVID, I went to the Rock on the Range/Sonic Temple music festivals every year and would spend $500-600 total between tickets, parking, food, drinks, and souvenirs over the 3 days, so $500 for a family of 4 doesn't seem too out of whack.

The tv experience, again, is something every team competes with.  It doesn't really explain away a team's comparitively bad ticket sales when compared to the rest of the league.