By Carol-Ann Rudy
When it comes to the college football and its ticket market, a different type of fan base has to be considered in comparison to its pro football companion.
David Brown, Associate Athletics Director, at The Ohio State University, said this week, “The Buckeyes are sold out for all 2007 home football games. About 70% of those tickets are season tickets and the rest are single-game tickets. Since we don’t have to focus our marketing attention on football, our sales efforts are spent on the other 35 sports at Ohio State. We tend to use more of a grass-roots marketing effort to help us put butts in seats. Group ticket sales are a big component of our efforts. The business community in Columbus has been very supportive. ”
He went on to explain, “Over 90% of other universities don’t sell out their football games. Ohio State is very fortunate to have such a strong following. This year, even men’s basketball will be sold out for most of their home games. I guess a National Championship appearance in both football and men’s basketball last year can be the best marketing tool you can have.”
On another topic concerning college football, USA Today reports that the average pay for a Division 1-A college football coach is $950,000, not including the benefits, incentives, and perks. The top three listed are: Bob Stoops, University of Oklahoma at $3,450,000, Kirk Ferentz, University of Iowa at $2,840,000, and Pete Carroll, University of Southern California at $2,782,320. An estimated 42 of the 119 Division 1-A coaches are earning $1 million or more this year, and nine of those will make more than $2 million, according to USA Today.
The revenue sources for media advertising and the marketing rights filter down, it seems, to support three elements: the team, other sports at the colleges that do not make money, and the coach. To what extent seems to depend on the size of the college – and the success of its number one income-generating sport, football.
