From Tampa Sports comm.  - FAMU/USF Classic

[WoolyBully]

Let's assume that the old Florida Classic garnered 40K in attendance. Further assume that attendance was split 50/50 with Bethune Cookman. If 20K come to RayJ, coupled with our season ticket base and the 'local interest' in FAMU, it could get around 40K (or sell out the lower bowl).

The BCC/FAMU game is not the norm. It is the "big event" for both schools, which is why it is attended the way it is. The game caps off a week of faux-homecoming type events.

It sucks that we're stuck playing another IAA game, but if it has to be (as is apparent), then this is the best of a bad situation.  And remember, FAMU has been taking it on the chin as of late, and I think - given that there was interest expressed previously - at the end of the day FAMU wants to get a presence back in Tampa. The alumni and interested fans don't set the agenda...the athletic director does that.

Oh...and about the "unfair treatment". This is not the Florida Classic...it's just another IAA game. So I wouldn't read too much into that. Besides (I know it's border line insensitive, but I just can't resist): it's not like the mall is going to close early this time!  

[MechanicalBull]

If this becomes an annual event.  I think it would have more upside for FAMU.  As a div 1-aa we will be expected to beat them every year.  Lets face it, upsets do happen.  

Filling the stadium will definately be an upside.

???

[Jim Johnson]

USF will pay FAMU $250,000 - the most the Bulls have paid a visiting team. FAMU also will split net ticket revenue with USF once attendance exceeds 31,000. If the game draws a capacity crowd of 65,000, as FAMU officials predict, FAMU would earn about an additional $306,000 for a $556,000 payday.

Did anyone else catch this??

FAMU and USF expect to SELL OUT Raymond James Stadium (Upper and Lower Bowls).  It will be the week before the UCF game, so this will be the first sell out in USF history.

And for those who think the FAMU-BCC crowd can't be replicated, remember that the Florida Classic was drawing 60,000+ at the Old Sombrero.  FAMU has a large contingent of alumni and fans in the area.  

-------

FAMU Attendance...

2004

Sep 04, 2004  at Illinois 46,106

Sep 11, 2004  at Tulane 23,214

Sep 18, 2004  at Temple 17,104

Sep 25, 2004  at Tennessee State 67,712

Oct 02, 2004     VIRGINIA UNION 11,098

Oct 09, 2004     NICHOLLS STATE 8,196

Oct 16, 2004  at Virginia Tech 65,115

Oct 23, 2004     SAVANNAH STATE 24,163

Oct 30,2004      FLORIDA ATLANTIC 13,436

Nov 20, 2004  vs Bethune-Cookman 71,153 (Florida Classic)

2003

Aug 30, 2003  vs Alabama State Univ. 54,951 (Detroit Football Classic)

Sep 06, 2003     MORGAN STATE UNIV. 15,305

Sep 13, 2003  at Florida 90,087

Sep 20, 2003  vs Tennessee State 70,185 (Atlanta Football Classic )

Sep 27, 2003     DELAWARE STATE UNIV. 22,149

Oct 04, 2003  vs Jackson State 58,198 (The 20th Circle City Classic - Indianapolis, Ind)

Oct 11, 2003  at Howard 10,500

Oct 18, 2003  at North Carolina A&T 18,301

Oct 25, 2003     NORFOLK STATE UNIV. 26,514

Nov 01, 2003  at #21 Hampton University 3,572

Nov 15, 2003  at South Carolina State 11,044

Nov 22, 2003  vs Bethune-Cookman 73,358 (Florida Classic)

[bulls96go]

This "inaugural Tampa Bay Sports Commission Classic" verbiage implies that it will be an annual game.

Are we happy with a guaranteed 1-AA on the schedule every year?

yes should be opening game every year

as long as they have enough scholies to count

[bulls96go]

That is one hell of a deal for FAMU.

I think Woolard may have made a mistake in giving up that much cash.  You know other teams are going to try to hold us to a higher dollar level now.  If you'll pay a I-AA a base of $250,000 then you'd have to pay much more for a I-A opponent.

I'd love to play poker with Woolard.

if they promise 65k and deliver then why not pay them?

as our season tix base grows we will have less need for this type of deal.

[TripleB]

This "inaugural Tampa Bay Sports Commission Classic" verbiage implies that it will be an annual game.

Are we happy with a guaranteed 1-AA on the schedule every year?

With the scheduling problems we have and only having 8 in the BE right now, it's almost a given we're going to play a 1-AA home game if we want 6 or 7 homes games each year. I prefer FAMU to any other 1-AA team coming in here ......

[Jim Johnson]

Let's assume that the old Florida Classic garnered 40K in attendance. Further assume that attendance was split 50/50 with Bethune Cookman. If 20K come to RayJ, coupled with our season ticket base and the 'local interest' in FAMU, it could get around 40K (or sell out the lower bowl).

How on earth could the "old" Classic average only 40,000 when the last two in Orlando have averaged more than 70,000 ??

2004  = 71,153

2003  = 73,358

AVERAGE OF 72,255.5

So, FAMU brings 36,000

USF Season tickets 16,000

USF Students 8,000

That's 60,000 right there... not to mention the "casual USF fans" that are buying some 4,000 to 6,000 more tickets...

Now, the Florida Classic has some things during the week (about the same as the Black College Reunion in Daytona - not quite as big as a homecoming - hard to do that when the students are so far away from Orlando)... So that may be a factor for some of the fans...

If FAMU can draw 80% of its fans... and USF can get 30,000 total... then the game is near sell-out (58,800)... and has butts in the upper deck...

I believe the game will be sold out.

[Omniscientbull]

Everyone makes such a big deal about the classic and rightfully so.

However, look at their home attendance.  It SUCKS!!!!

FAMU is a one trick pony.  They have a big crowd for the Classic and that's it.  If FAMU had such a strong following they'd be putting more butts in the seats for thier home games.

FAMU home attendance this year:

Oct 02, 2004     VIRGINIA UNION 11,098

Oct 09, 2004     NICHOLLS STATE 8,196

Oct 23, 2004     SAVANNAH STATE 24,163

Oct 30,2004      FLORIDA ATLANTIC 13,436

That is an average of just over 14,000, including a large turnout for Savannah State which is another historically black school.

Let's face it.  The game between USF and FAMU will not be replacing the classic.

If FAMU had such a great following their fans would be traveling to Tally to see them at home games.  No, the Classic is what draws the FAMU and BCC fans.  Fans of that game will spend money on weekend trips, events and the game but they won't spend money to see FAMU at home.  I just don't see them opening their wallets to see them play USF.

[bulls96go]

"local" fans/alumni will drive 2hrs to orlando/tampa but not 5 hrs to tallahassee. 03/04  avg 72k, 36k as famu if they bring 50%  18k

and 30k usf = 48k sold out!

truth 50k famu 22k bcc  50% = 25k+30k+10K walkup = 65k sold out

[smazza]

a regular 1aa game

are they kidding

ftu/ou should be our regular opponent