If you build it, they will come

[miami_fan]

http://www.azcardinals.com/news/detail.php?PRKey=920

Season Tickets Completely Sold Out For Inaugural Season At Cardinals Stadium


Tempe, AZ – The Arizona Cardinals Football Club today announced that season tickets for the 2006 campaign at Cardinals Stadium have completely sold out.

The team sold 1,500 new season tickets over this past draft weekend and had fewer than 3,000 remaining at the start of the day on Monday.

“The goal all along was to build a large season ticket base and fill our stadium with Cardinals fans starting with our inaugural season,” said Ron Minegar, the team’s Vice President of Marketing and Sales. “We’re ecstatic not only that we’ve been able to accomplish that but particularly that it has happened so quickly.”

For the inaugural season, the Cardinals have set aside 3,000 tickets (approximately 5% of capacity) for each of the 10 home games. The first opportunity to purchase single-game tickets will go to those on the team’s season-ticket waiting list.

Individuals can join the waiting list by placing a deposit of $200 per seat. This non-refundable deposit will be applied in full toward the future purchase of Cardinals season tickets and there will be a limit of eight per person. Those on the waiting list will be able to purchase 2006 individual-game tickets in a quantity equal to the number of seat deposits they have placed. This feature of the wait list plan gives access to a broader group of Cardinals fans to attend games this inaugural season.

The opportunity for waiting list members to purchase individual-game tickets will extend through the end of May or while supply lasts.

Individual-game tickets will go on-sale to all others in June. A specific date and time has not yet been announced. While the amount available at that time will depend upon sales to waiting list members, it will be at least 1,000 tickets per home game.

For more information, please contact the Cardinals ticket office at 602-379-0102.

[ISiddiqui]

Wow... look at what spending some money can do for a franchise ;).

[vex]

Matt Leinart and E. James wouldn't have anything to do with this either;)

[Franklinnoble]

Your taxpayer dollars at work. So kind of the Arizona people to enrich the Bidwell family.

[TroyF]

Your taxpayer dollars at work. So kind of the Arizona people to enrich the Bidwell family.

Maybe, but it isn't like most cities don't get their share of the cut in these things either. Thing is, if Bidwell didn't put a good product on the field now, he'd be in serious trouble. An empty stadium mixed with a long term lease and the salary bottom the NFL has would slaughter him.

He's going to be foreced to put a winning product on the field to continue to get revenue. All things being equal, I think the city comes out OK.

[azjoe_02]

Your taxpayer dollars at work. So kind of the Arizona people to enrich the Bidwell family.


Wellllll, not exactly. The portion that is not coming from Bidwell, is coming from tourists. To be more precise, from an extra tax on car and hotel rentals. Don't know the exact details on it, but that is the gist.

[Franklinnoble]

Wellllll, not exactly. The portion that is not coming from Bidwell, is coming from tourists. To be more precise, from an extra tax on car and hotel rentals. Don't know the exact details on it, but that is the gist.

That a Maricopa county tax? 'cause I don't see too many hotels and car rentals coming out of the city of Glendale itself.

They shanghai'ed the taxpayers of the county when they build the Diamondbacks ballpark... it was so bad, all but one of the county supervisors lost re-election... and the one that didn't got SHOT over it.

Sometimes, I kinda miss living there. :D

[cthomer5000]

“The goal all along was to build a large season ticket base and fill our stadium with Cardinals fans starting with our inaugural season,”
That's the spirit! The last 108 years were just practice! This is the year that all changes!

[panerd]

Maybe, but it isn't like most cities don't get their share of the cut in these things either. Thing is, if Bidwell didn't put a good product on the field now, he'd be in serious trouble. An empty stadium mixed with a long term lease and the salary bottom the NFL has would slaughter him.

He's going to be foreced to put a winning product on the field to continue to get revenue. All things being equal, I think the city comes out OK.

Sorry but after putting up with that sorry ass shit here in St. Louis for like 10 years of my active sports watching career (actually going to a game and caring about the outcome and not ice cream and mascots) that mother fucker will just move the team again (LA maybe) if this new stadium doesn't work out in 5-10 years. He does't give two shits about his team's performance or his current cities fans. Don't fool yourself by trying to think otherwise.

[TroyF]

Sorry but after putting up with that sorry ass shit here in St. Louis for like 10 years of my active sports watching career (actually going to a game and caring about the outcome and not ice cream and mascots) that mother fucker will just move the team again (LA maybe) if this new stadium doesn't work out in 5-10 years. He does't give two shits about his team's performance or his current cities fans. Don't fool yourself by trying to think otherwise.


Where exactly did I say he gave a rats ass about the fans or the city?

He doesn't care at all about them. He cares about HIS pocketbook. And the problem for him is he's now locked into a long term lease with no way of moving out. And the city isn't reimbursing him for crap.

If he doesn't find a way to sell out the stadium, he's not getting money from the city and he has no way of moving the team. Combine that with the NFL salary floor and he can't even keep a ridiculously cheap roster anymore.

The Cardinals lease, from what I understand is for sixty years with a buyout option in 30. He aint moving that team anywhere. So he can either continue what he has done in the past and lose millions a year (or sell the franchise) or he can try to put a winner out there so he can make money.

You think he just decided for grins to pay Edge about 20 million because his pacemaker had a blip or because he was tied up and beaten? No, he signed him because he knew he needed to find a way to sell out that stadium. Not for the city, not for the fans, but for HIM.

[panerd]

Where exactly did I say he gave a rats ass about the fans or the city?

He doesn't care at all about them. He cares about HIS pocketbook. And the problem for him is he's now locked into a long term lease with no way of moving out. And the city isn't reimbursing him for crap.

If he doesn't find a way to sell out the stadium, he's not getting money from the city and he has no way of moving the team. Combine that with the NFL salary floor and he can't even keep a ridiculously cheap roster anymore.

The Cardinals lease, from what I understand is for sixty years with a buyout option in 30. He aint moving that team anywhere. So he can either continue what he has done in the past and lose millions a year (or sell the franchise) or he can try to put a winner out there so he can make money.

You think he just decided for grins to pay Edge about 20 million because his pacemaker had a blip or because he was tied up and beaten? No, he signed him because he knew he needed to find a way to sell out that stadium. Not for the city, not for the fans, but for HIM.

First of all let me apologize for misinterpreting your initial post as Pro-Bidwell. It is obvious I misread and labeled you incorrectly. With that said, I can promise you if the fans don't continie coming after these next couple seasons that Bill Bidwell will find some loophole to break that lease well before 2036.

[TroyF]

First of all let me apologize for misinterpreting your initial post as Pro-Bidwell. It is obvious I misread and labeled you incorrectly. With that said, I can promise you if the fans don't continie coming after these next couple seasons that Bill Bidwell will find some loophole to break that lease well before 2036.


He'll try I'm sure, but it'll be tough and by the time he gets out of it, LA will probably be taken up anyway.

I understand your frustrations with the guy. He's a jerk. A first class asshat who kept the team ran into the ground for years and then ripped it from the city when he didn't get things went his way.

I think Arizona has came about as close to any state ever at forcing one of these clowns to try to win. Dangle the stadium he so badly desires out there on a stick. Then beat the hell out of him with a bat while he's busy looking at the stick. By the time he figures out what the hell happened, he has his stadium and he realizes he's not making jack if the team doesn't do well.

Not sure if they did this intentionally or if Bidwell was so shortsighted he wasn't paying attention. . . but they have him right where they want him.

One question for you: How old is the guy anyway? I know he has a kid helping run the show, but I can't see him there in a decade. I think this lease, even if he tries to break it, locks him into Arizona for the life of his personal involvement with the team.

[panerd]

One question for you: How old is the guy anyway? I know he has a kid helping run the show, but I can't see him there in a decade. I think this lease, even if he tries to break it, locks him into Arizona for the life of his personal involvement with the team.

I have no idea, my guess would be at his 60/70's. He has kids that are my age and my mom and dad are in their late 60's so I wouldn't think he would be too far from that. I am actually friends with a couple of guys who went to high school with Bill Bidwell Jr. (Not the guy who is like the executive vice-president, but another one of his kids who does some nominal role with the team) And word is that this kid was a complete douche bag whose dad would continually buy him out of trouble thoroughout high school. I think the team might have moved during his high school days so take some of the criticism with a grain of salt.

[IwasHere]

The article does not say how many season tickets are sold. What is the Total number for season tickets sold?

[Daimyo]

Cardinals became my favorite NFC team when they signed Edge. I'll be rooting for them this season.

[Franklinnoble]

He'll try I'm sure, but it'll be tough and by the time he gets out of it, LA will probably be taken up anyway.

I understand your frustrations with the guy. He's a jerk. A first class asshat who kept the team ran into the ground for years and then ripped it from the city when he didn't get things went his way.

I think Arizona has came about as close to any state ever at forcing one of these clowns to try to win. Dangle the stadium he so badly desires out there on a stick. Then beat the hell out of him with a bat while he's busy looking at the stick. By the time he figures out what the hell happened, he has his stadium and he realizes he's not making jack if the team doesn't do well.

Not sure if they did this intentionally or if Bidwell was so shortsighted he wasn't paying attention. . . but they have him right where they want him.

One question for you: How old is the guy anyway? I know he has a kid helping run the show, but I can't see him there in a decade. I think this lease, even if he tries to break it, locks him into Arizona for the life of his personal involvement with the team.

Here's a few facts to consider:

1. Phoenix is the fifth largest metropolitan area in the nation now. The Cardinals just aren't going to do any bigger or better. Los Angeles will be occupied long before the Cards have any reasonable chance of breaking their lease.

2. Unfortunately, old man Bidwell can kick the bucket any time, and you're still gonna be stuck with the same jackass ownership... his boy Michael has been pretty much running the show for the last ten years anyway, and will inheirit the franchise. Mikey is a first-rate jerk, and I'm speaking from personal experience.

3. If you really think Arizona fans are going to show up one way or another, you're sadly mistaken. Yes, they've sold out the new park - that's great. But they did real well selling out the Diamondbacks the first few years, too. Unfortunately, even after the team won the World Series, the fans got bored, and attendance is low. There's just too much competition for the sports and entertainment dollar now. The Suns used to sell out every game, when they were the only show in town. Now they have the Coyotes, the Diamondbacks, and a fresh new football stadium to compete with.

[SackAttack]

The article does not say how many season tickets are sold. What is the Total number for season tickets sold?

My interpretation: Season ticket allotment = capacity - 3k (reserved for wait-list + individual game day sales).

3k = 5%, so 3k*20 = ~60k.

Therefore, season ticket capacity = ~57k. They've got under 3k season seats left (if I read the release right), so in the ballpark of 54k season seats have been sold.

[Thomkal]

Ummm yeah beloved Cards? I've been so beaten down by the incompetency of the Bidwells that its hard to get excited even when I should be getting excited about them.

[azjoe_02]

That a Maricopa county tax? 'cause I don't see too many hotels and car rentals coming out of the city of Glendale itself.

They shanghai'ed the taxpayers of the county when they build the Diamondbacks ballpark... it was so bad, all but one of the county supervisors lost re-election... and the one that didn't got SHOT over it.

Sometimes, I kinda miss living there. :D


It looks to be a Maricopa County Tax. For more info on the funding sources for the Arizona TSA go here...

TSA Funding (http://www.auditorgen.state.az.us/Reports/Other/PAD/Arizona_Tourism_and_Sports_Authority/04-01Facts.pdf)

[TroyF]

Here's a few facts to consider:

1. Phoenix is the fifth largest metropolitan area in the nation now. The Cardinals just aren't going to do any bigger or better. Los Angeles will be occupied long before the Cards have any reasonable chance of breaking their lease.

2. Unfortunately, old man Bidwell can kick the bucket any time, and you're still gonna be stuck with the same jackass ownership... his boy Michael has been pretty much running the show for the last ten years anyway, and will inheirit the franchise. Mikey is a first-rate jerk, and I'm speaking from personal experience.

3. If you really think Arizona fans are going to show up one way or another, you're sadly mistaken. Yes, they've sold out the new park - that's great. But they did real well selling out the Diamondbacks the first few years, too. Unfortunately, even after the team won the World Series, the fans got bored, and attendance is low. There's just too much competition for the sports and entertainment dollar now. The Suns used to sell out every game, when they were the only show in town. Now they have the Coyotes, the Diamondbacks, and a fresh new football stadium to compete with.

Your post doesn't make a lot of sense.

1) It's either a great situation (5th largest market) or it sucks (to much competition, fans won't support the team) This is an either or situation, not both. In this case you were right on the first part, wrong on the second. The Phoenix area teams have fared pretty well attendance wise over the last five years. The D-Backs worst attendance was last year when they finished 20th. Still, they drew over 2 million fans and this came after a season where they went 51-111. The only team consistently not drawing all that well is the Coyotes. The Suns have been upper half of the NBA consistently.

2) Losing teams, especially teams that lose ridiculous amounts of games for a ton of years usually don't sell well. Phoenix supports their teams when they do well.

3) All of this just holds to my pont. Bidwell, jerk or not, has himself locked into a great situation if and ONLY if the team does well. If he can't put a winning product on the field, he won't make money and he'll have a nightmarish lease to get out of.

Again, all signs point to ownership already realizing this. Please don't mistake what I'm saying. I'm not promising the Cardinals are going to win 14 games next year. Nor am I saying this team is a lock for a championship anytime soon.

But I can promise you Edge won't be their last big name FA in the next couple of years. They know they have to win and they know they can't keep doing things the way they have been.