Scheduling Showcase Games

[Dallas Brave]

On Saturday, December 18th, the American Airlines Center in Dallas will host the following games:
- Texas A&M vs. Arkansas
- Baylor vs. Gonzaga

I'd love to see Bradley cooperate with another school like Notre Dame, Marquette, Indiana, Iowa or Wisconsin and schedule a double-header at the United Center. If a Big East or Big 10 school won't cooperate, then do it with Illinois St. and make it a MVC showcase package. Finding top-notch east coast or west coast schools to come to Chicago shouldn't be an issue. The financial commitment is obviously the challenge, but by sharing the cost with a second school might make the financial outlay worth the risk.

 

[toddgak]

On Saturday, December 18th, the American Airlines Center in Dallas will host the following games:
- Texas A&M vs. Arkansas
- Baylor vs. Gonzaga

I'd love to see Bradley cooperate with another school like Notre Dame, Marquette, Indiana, Iowa or Wisconsin and schedule a double-header at the United Center. If a Big East or Big 10 school won't cooperate, then do it with Illinois St. and make it a MVC showcase package. Finding top-notch east coast or west coast schools to come to Chicago shouldn't be an issue. The financial commitment is obviously the challenge, but by sharing the cost with a second school might make the financial outlay worth the risk.

The U of I does this every year don't they? Play a non-conference game vs. a somewhat marquee opponent at the United Center?

We all know Bradley is not on that level. The cost of doing it would far exceed any revenue brought in. This wouldn't make sense for anyone involved really.

 

[Dallas Brave]

The U of I does this every year don't they? Play a non-conference game vs. a somewhat marquee opponent at the United Center?

We all know Bradley is not on that level. The cost of doing it would far exceed any revenue brought in. This wouldn't make sense for anyone involved really.

It makes sense from a recruting exposure standpoint. I would like to know the costs involved before jumping to a conclusion that is doesn't make sense. Perhaps it is cost-prohibitive, but Baylor is teaming with Texas A&M to do it in Dallas, so perhaps it is possible for Bradley to pull it off with the right partner.

 

[squirrelgotdead]

I think there could be opportunities for Bradley to pursue something along those lines, but it won't be at the United Center. I'm ok with just getting a single neutral floor game against a name program.

The reasons against the United Center are numerous:

-The BU-Illinois game at the UC was the most poorly attended of all Illinois' contests at the facility. (Now I always argue that it was also a down year for both, a factor that should be considered)

-The costs would be astronomical and availability of the UC are going to limit what you can do in terms of scheduling it and/or teams.

-Chicago is a pro sports town and you're not going to have a strong walkup in terms of ticket sales.

That said, I am perfectly OK with pursuing opportunities at facilities such as All-State, Sears Centre, iWireless (Quad Cities) etc. At least now it makes much more economic sense.

 

[toddgak]

It makes sense from a recruting exposure standpoint. I would like to know the costs involved before jumping to a conclusion that is doesn't make sense. Perhaps it is cost-prohibitive, but Baylor is teaming with Texas A&M to do it in Dallas, so perhaps it is possible for Bradley to pull it off with the right partner.

I guess what I mean is--how does it make sense for anyone else to do it?

 

[TheAsianSensation]

The problem is that unless you're a power conference school or a Gonzaga-type, you don't have the cachet to pull it off. I imagine a TV deal is a big part of the deal, and I don't think any MVC team has that kind of firepower to pull it off.

 

[Dallas Brave]

I think there could be opportunities for Bradley to pursue something along those lines, but it won't be at the United Center. I'm ok with just getting a single neutral floor game against a name program.

The reasons against the United Center are numerous:

-The BU-Illinois game at the UC was the most poorly attended of all Illinois' contests at the facility. (Now I always argue that it was also a down year for both, a factor that should be considered)

-The costs would be astronomical and availability of the UC are going to limit what you can do in terms of scheduling it and/or teams.

-Chicago is a pro sports town and you're not going to have a strong walkup in terms of ticket sales.

That said, I am perfectly OK with pursuing opportunities at facilities such as All-State, Sears Centre, iWireless (Quad Cities) etc. At least now it makes much more economic sense.

Perhaps the United Center is the wrong venue. I am not that familiar with what Chicago-area arenas could be considered. The success of a such a venture would depend on strong attendance by the local alumni (can Bradley count on Chicago alumni turning out?) and attracting a marquee opponent that wants a chance to play in Chicago for their own recruiting interests.

 

[real fan]

Perhaps the United Center is the wrong venue. I am not that familiar with what Chicago-area arenas could be considered. The success of a such a venture would depend on strong attendance by the local alumni (can Bradley count on Chicago alumni turning out?) and attracting a marquee opponent that wants a chance to play in Chicago for their own recruiting interests.

How about the Valley working on a 4 game matchup at the Savvis center on a saturday with CUSA or another conference, you could have games at noon, 3pm, 6pm and 8:30 pm , the Valley would be in charge of the venue and could rotate the teams each season , be a good money maker and good rpi for the conf. also.

 

[amckillip]

How about the Valley working on a 4 game matchup at the Savvis center on a saturday with CUSA or another conference, you could have games at noon, 3pm, 6pm and 8:30 pm , the Valley would be in charge of the venue and could rotate the teams each season , be a good money maker and good rpi for the conf. also.

I like this idea, I think the MVC-MWC challenge gets lost in the shuffle because it's so spread out. Something like this could be really cool. Could maybe get some decent TV coverage. Though I think attendance would be low. Indianapolis and Conseco or down in Memphis or Nashville maybe be more centrally located (not that it would greatly help attendance).


P.S. Scottrade Center

 

[squirrelgotdead]

Perhaps the United Center is the wrong venue. I am not that familiar with what Chicago-area arenas could be considered. The success of a such a venture would depend on strong attendance by the local alumni (can Bradley count on Chicago alumni turning out?) and attracting a marquee opponent that wants a chance to play in Chicago for their own recruiting interests.

I don't even necessarily think the venue needs to be Chicago.

Along the lines of "alternate" venues. . .I really want to see a college basketball game at Miller Park.

 

[real fan]

I like this idea, I think the MVC-MWC challenge gets lost in the shuffle because it's so spread out. Something like this could be really cool. Could maybe get some decent TV coverage. Though I think attendance would be low. Indianapolis and Conseco or down in Memphis or Nashville maybe be more centrally located (not that it would greatly help attendance).


P.S. Scottrade Center

The reason why the Scottrade center would be good is that is where the Valley offices are plus they could get a better price so more dollars would be made, my mistake on Savis or the Kiel before that, I think with the right 8 teams they could sell 20,000 tickets at 20.00.

 

[amckillip]

The reason why the Scottrade center would be good is that is where the Valley offices are plus they could get a better price so more dollars would be made, my mistake on Savis or the Kiel before that, I think with the right 8 teams they could sell 20,000 tickets at 20.00.

Yeah, I think the MVC turnout woudl be fine, but I'm not sure that'd sit so well with the CAA. That's why i suggested something along the lines of Indy or somewhere in Tennesse. The CAA doesn't want to set themselves up for a situation where they are going to look inferior on a 'neutral' court.