WSU-Oregon at Qwest Field: Cougs should love this plan
by Brian Floyd on Jun 27, 2010 7:17 PM PDT
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PrintThis is the first part in a series of posts about the WSU-Oregon Qwest Field proposal. I'm starting with the easy part: The WSU side of the equation. Posts examining the Oregon side, which is probably the most important aspect, and all alternatives to the plan are also forthcoming.
In the interest of full disclosure, I was a fan of Jim Sterk moving the Oregon game from Martin Stadium to Qwest Field. To me, the answer at the time was simple and the amount of money to be made outweighed the loss of losing a home-field advantage.
Then Bill Moos stepped in, taking a mediocre proposal that was no more than a cash grab and changing it to a neutral site game with rivalry rules. Make no mistake about it, this proposal is great for WSU. So great, that we should be shoving the paperwork under the new Oregon AD's nose as soon as they even hint towards liking it.
The first, and most important, aspect that makes this appealing is money. The discussion begins and ends with money for WSU. Everything else that may come with this game is an added bonus.
In order to be thorough, it's necessary to look at what shape WSU would be in with and without the game. At Martin Stadium, WSU pulls in around $2 million dollars in revenue from home games per year. A game at Qwest would nearly surpass that if the cards fell the right way. In a normal year, WSU would pull in around $300,000 to $400,000 for themselves, after cutting a check to visiting teams for $200,000.
A game at Qwest is rumored to guarantee between $1-2 million per team per year. Each team would get half of the tickets and half of the revenue.
Over a two year cycle, WSU is looking at between $2 and $4 million. Presently, a two year cycle of home and home games nets WSU around $600,000 (400 for a home game, 200 for an away game). The money is a no-brainer for WSU. In a time where the athletic department budget is easily the smallest in the conference, this kind of game is needed.
Can a WSU-Oregon game sell out Qwest? Yes, I have no doubt it can. WSU games in Seattle have drawn well, given the right opponents. Oklahoma State drew over 50,000 and the first year, against Nevada, drew 63,588. If it wasn't for a lack of big name opponents, the Qwest game probably would have been a more rousing success.
WSU wouldn't be the only contributor to attendance, either. Oregon fans have a presence in Seattle and Portland, home to many Ducks, is about 3 hours away. A 50/50 distribution of tickets creates a situation where all each school has to do is fill 30,000 seats. No problem.
For the Cougs, a return to Seattle, especially with the draw of the Ducks, brings new life to the biggest fund raising weekend for the university. Remember, this isn't just a football game, but a week of events leading up to it. The game is a great draw to bring in Seattle area Cougs and get them to open their wallets.
For Wulff and the football team, playing at Qwest allows them to take the team to a professional stadium, one of the nicest in the country, and use it as a recruiting tool. Not only will Wulff be able to host recruits there every other year, but he'll be able to promise recruits a game every year in Seattle against Oregon.
For the athletic department, this cuts the cost of travel a bit. Instead of traveling to Autzen every other year, WSU will travel to Qwest Field every year. However, a game at Autzen only guarantees $200,000 for the visitor, while a Seattle trip garnering at least a million dollars will easily offset having to travel every year. It takes away the advantage of playing at home, but also does the same for Oregon.
Finally, a game at Qwest against Oregon with a neutral ticket split would be fun. If WSU can pull it together on the field, a neutral site game in that environment would be exciting for the fans, the athletes, and the schools involved. 30,000 fans per team, dressed in their colors, screaming their heads off would be an awesome environment. Is it artificially creating a rivalry? Sure, but it's also doing so in a way that could be fun for both fans.
There is no reason WSU shouldn't like this proposal. The Cougs give up a home game, but the Ducks would do the same. The money, recruiting, and added benefits for the university make this a no-brainer. Get it done, Bill.
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MAKES SENSE TO ME
As a west side Coug who travels to all of the home football games, as well as the other sports, I have been against a regular game in Seattle. Like many I like the Pullman experience and feel we need to support the Pullman community. That being said, I do feel this proposal makes real sense. Yes, the $$’s are huge but the overall picture is a builder for the future. Having a second level team come to town has not produced the results we hoped for but this has great potential. We must rekindle some life in the Cougar Nation and get more to come to Pullman for all games. If this produces a spark to put butts in seats at Martin Stadium then in my book this will be a success. I know we have a solid loyalty with Cougs but it is distressing that so many have too many excuses why they can’t financially support our teams by attending games or simply writing a small check. It’s time to turn the corner and I feel this could be a major driver for the future.
GO COUGS
I agree with coug0105
I like the games in Pullman, but if they are going to keep up this Qwest deal, this makes the most sense. I was totally against the Apple Cup in Seattle every year, but having Oregon or OSU there every year as a neutral game would be fun as it would actually be a neutral site, rather than playing in the other team’s back yard.
I’m really not sure Oregon will go for it though, I think Uncle Phil’s money and their fan base’s newly found arrogance as a direct result of that money, will keep this from happening. I could see OSU going for the deal a lot easier than Oregon. Have it every year the weekend before or after Thanksgiving, when students are all out of Pullman anyway, and it could really work. What I really really don’t want to see happen, is just moving WSU’s home games against the two Oregon schools to Seattle every year. This would be a complete sell out and the death of Cougar football all together. It would divide the fan base into east side and west side and I really think many west side fans would just go to that one game a year. It would also take away from season tickets and drive away more people who have been loyal season ticket holders. I think the only way it works, is if both universities give up a home game.
I'm not sure. Convince me.
You wrote about “creating a rivalry;” right now a rivalry is little more than a dream and a dream some years off it would seem to me. I’m not sure that fans would pay QWest ticket price to see Oregon’s second string just knock the snot out of the Cougs every year. I mean no offense, except for WSU; they have no offense. I think that it would be worth a trial effort this year but to give up a home game next year to go to Fusky-ville? Nah, I’ll pass on that. That would mean that we’d have to play twice in Seattle next year. Gotta do something BIG to make it worthwhile for us.
If anybody can come up with something BIG, Bill Moos would be the guy that could do it but even he is going to be stretched on this one and wishful thinking just won’t make it so, IMO.
Convince me.
"If you can't copy 'em, don't imitate ''em."
YOGI BERRA
Give me time
Like I said, this is the Cougs side. I’ll be working the Oregon side and examining whether or not it’s worth it for Oregon soon.
Oh, Hi cougfan.
Let me apologize for flinging some poo at you recently on another blog.
OK, I’ll wait but the Fusky fans are in their wigwams beating their tom-toms and one semi-real rivalry in Seattle may be one more than the new conference can withstand.
"If you can't copy 'em, don't imitate ''em."
YOGI BERRA
Shhhhhhhhh
Be quiet Famous Duck. We are one of the most passionate and fervent fanbases in all of the PAC, if not the NCAA, but it is fans like you who blur the line between “passionate” and “obnoxious.” Quit acting like we invented the game of Football.
That being said, I would love to visit Qwest field to play the Cougs (never been to Pullman, no interest in really making the trip to be honest, I’ve heard enough feedback) but not at the expense of a home match at Autzen. I know this isn’t very appealing to all, but I’m willing to bet this is a popular sentiment of Duck Alumni.
GO DUCKS, EFF THE HUSKIES
Agree 100%
Oregon fan’s like that make us look like idiots who are blogging from trailors in Klamath Falls.
Your second point, I’m with you on that one as well. Play at Qwest? Sure. At the expense of loosing a game at Autzen, NO WAY. Will never happen.
Friends dont let friends go to Oregon State, hell, even root for them.
by WashingtonDCduck on Jun 28, 2010 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions
I can see plenty of bonuses for Oregon
You might be giving up a home game, but your also loosing an away game. What sounds better to a traveling fan, Seattle or Pullman? Personally I love Pullman, but it isn’t exactly the Pac-10 fan’s favorite trip (distance from major city, lack of accommodations, yada yada yada). If your going to, quote “see Oregon’s second string knock the snot out of the Cougs every year,” wouldn’t you rather see it in Seattle than Pullman?
By the way, don’t expect us to always just be the runt of the Pac-10, with Bill Moos in charge pushing for better financial opportunities, and the potential for equal revenue sharing in the new Pac-12 TV deal, we stand a good chance of becoming much more competitive in all our athletics.
Irregardless, as mentioned in the above article, WSU’s first Quest Field game against the Nevada drew 63,588 people, since I am not aware of a strong Lobos contingency in the Seattle area, one has to assume that well more than half of that audience came specifically to see WSU kick the out of a non-BCS conference school. Are you seriously telling me that you don’t think Oregon, with all its die-hard (albeit obnoxious) fans, couldn’t convince a messily 30,000 Ducks (many of whom already living in Fuskey-ville) to come see a game with another Pac-10 school in a Professional Football stadium? Give me a break. It may not be a traditional rivalry, but in the spirit of all the crazy football landscape mix up, maybe its a good time to start one.
When the paperwork is finally signed and you receive your first pay check, you’ll have wished you had thought of it.
and Cougfan, I look forward to your next installment as you finish selling the argument.
Bleezz, not sure I'm with you all the way on this one.
I’m not trying to be jerk, but Nevada’s mascot is the Wolfpack where your reference of "Lobos", that would be New Mexico. Who cares? I know, anal of me but I thought I’d point it out. 63,000+ is impressive for the Reno based Nevada fans, and Coug fans to travel like that. I’m sure there a lot of Nevada alums in Seattle, and obviously WSU have great numbers in Seattle/Tacoma metro.
With all that said, Oregon will never give up a home game every other year. While it’s all about dollars, and added income streams that’s not 100% of the pie- the Autzen game day experience is a special thing and while we don’t have the history of an Alabama or Michigan, in the last 20 years it’s certainly evolved to a exceptional game day experience. (see 3 hostings of ESPN’s Game Day in the last few seasons while Washington still seeks its first – I had to get that jab in)
Losing a home game every other year is a big deal, and I just don’t see this being manipulated and twisted in every direction that coach Kelly would give the green light. It’s a legitimate idea, I applaud Moose’s and prior administration’s efforts to move the game to Seattle Qwest Field and shoot, I might even fly out from the east coast for a game there; but I just don’t see Oregon giving up a home game every other year to make it happen.
On a side note, I also know for a fact that Oregon’s athletic department and Washington’s athletic departments have talked within the past two years about doing something similar to what Texas and Oklahoma do in the Red River Shootout at the Texas state fairgrounds. Biggest issues have been about finding a fixed location, that’s not in the backyard of the other. Where would you play the game? Same weekend every year? A ton of other questions arise, it’s an intriguing idea.
I hope Washington State breaks through this year and throws moral victories out the window, and gets some "W’s".
Friends dont let friends go to Oregon State, hell, even root for them.
by WashingtonDCduck on Jun 28, 2010 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions
*facepalm*
I knew I should have checked the mascot, I had was debating that one in my head as I was writing it.
I guess we’ll just see how it plays out. for WSU right now, money is the issue, were so far behind everyone else in the Pac (yes, even Corvallis) that its hard for us to be competitive in many aspects. So you can expect WSU’s administrators to start pushing hard for anything that can infuse our programs with new life.
It's a Monday.... you get a pass.
Friends dont let friends go to Oregon State, hell, even root for them.
by WashingtonDCduck on Jun 28, 2010 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't think the UW/UO game in a neutral site will ever happen.
It doesn’t make sense. Where are you going to play, Portland? And in what stadium? The WSU/UO game is the only one in the Pac12 that makes sense, unless the Cougs play OSU. If the Ducks decide not to, then I am sure the we will be asking the Beavers. I don’t know what the Beavs make at their home games, but I am sure the Beavs would like to make 20 million+ over the next 10 years from one game a season. Even though Ducks fans do not think it is going to happen, I still think Oregon does the Qwest game, because money talks. If you look at the long term, this is a good move financially. I know Autzen is an “exceptional game day experience,” but it might not always be that way, especially during mediocre seasons, which all programs will go through. National coverage for both teams will be much easier, because big networks will not mind coming to Seattle to broadcast a game, instead of Pullman or Eugene. And yes, I know you have had CollegeGameDay at Autzen, but that doesn’t mean its an easy trip. Remember, if we do this game and it doesn’t work out, then we can stop doing it. I also think if Oregon declines, the Cougs can just make it a home game and keep most of the revenues themselves, almost making it the same finacially. It is going to happen for WSU somehow. Also, both teams are sponsored by Nike, so Phil Knight will get major Nike exposure, which I know probably doesn’t matter, but I just wanted to say it. If you are a Duck fan look at all your Alumni. I am sure the Ducks in Western Washington will have a different opinion than Eugene Duck fans. If I lived in Pullman or Spokane then I might have a different view of this game, but hopefully I would understand the financial benefits. Bias will always warp our view points. DCDuck I know you have a good view point being outside of Eugene, but you even said yourself:
I might even fly out from the east coast for a game there;
There are a lot of fans that would say the same thing if game happened. If the game happens the fans will come and it will be a great game day experience and after it happens you will think, “man this was a great experience.”
member of CougCenter since 9/2/08
by SoCalCoug on Jun 28, 2010 3:54 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I understand...
why you said:
I’m not sure that fans would pay QWest ticket price to see Oregon’s second string just knock the snot out of the Cougs every year
I can handle the friendly banter, but a lot of football programs have down years and yes, we are really down, but you have to look to the future. WSU will eventually be good (decent) again and be a quality opponent. Oregon’s football program has been good of recent, but UO hasn’t always been a football powerhouse. Lately Oregon’s players have got into a lot of trouble. Who is not to say that the off field troubled may hurt your program over the coming years? In a few years we may be asking ourselves, why didn’t we set up this rivalry game with the Beavers? There are many positives for UO and I am sure cougfan will point that out. We are one of only set of schools in the Pac12 that will be able to promote to recruits that they get to play every year in one of the best NFL stadiums. Stanford and Cal may be able to do their rivalry game at Candlestick park (not MacAfee), but that is not as good or the same, and the Arizona’s schools probably wouldn’t play at University of Phoenix stadium. There is not team in LA and both already use the Rose Bowl and the Coliseum. This is something both of us could benefit from that would add something other Pac12 schools can’t do.
By the way Duck fan’s you can drink in Qwest field. We can’t do that (legally) in Autzen or Martin Stadium. I think that is a huge positive that will get a lot of fans to come. How often can you buy beer at a college game. Also, check out the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_vs._Georgia_Football_Classic
The game has been held in Jacksonville, a neutral site located 73 miles from Gainesville and 342 miles from Athens
Obviously, travel is not a problem for Georgia and they still do this rivalry game every year.
This border battle would become the “World’s Largest Keg Party.”
I also think Oregon would give up a home game ever other year to make 2 million or more a year and over the years that number will grow, because of the tradition.
member of CougCenter since 9/2/08
Beer
There has not been beer at any of the Qwest coug games I’ve been to. (And I’m pretty sure I went to all of them.) Beer in the Field House/Event Center before the game, but none at the game.
They do in the suites
At least at the Hawaii game last year. I can’t remember if they had beer on the club level itself, but I kicked a few back in a suite.
Are you kidding me?
Why wouldn’t they have beer at the game? The game is not on a campus. Beer could really add to the revenue. As we already know the Georgia/Florida game is called the “World’s Largest Cocktail Party,” so why wouldn’t they serve beer at this game? Is it a Pac10 regulation?
By the way check out the tips on the Florida/Georgia game. I would be nice if this game gets this type of hype.
http://www.gatortailgating.com/content/five-tips-tailgating-worlds-largest-outdoor-cocktail-party
If you can handle Tim Tebow dancing with a Georgia Bulldog fan, check this page out. Pretty funny.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/All-Tomorrow-s-Parties-The-World-s-Largest-Outd?urn=ncaaf,118845
member of CougCenter since 9/2/08
They don't have beer in the stadium
I believe the Pac 10/12 has frowned on beer sales in stadiums for awhile. On campus/off campus hasn’t changed their view of that.
So while it would be awesome to buy beer at a Cougar game, it isn’t likely regardless of where that game is played. At least not while the Cougs are the home team.
I haven't researched this,
but do they have beer at bowl games? It seems hypocritical of the NCAA if they do.
member of CougCenter since 9/2/08
Not NCAA
Pac 10. The conference has a stance against beer in stadiums I believe.
But I could be mistaken, I just believe that is why there is often little to no beer in stadiums when the Cougs play in Seattle. Generally, no beer in Qwest or the Key, although a few years ago there was one rogue beer stand open at the Key that had huge lines and three or four taps. It was glorious.
Here is an article from a few years back
Shows that USC was the last holdout on selling beer in stadiums in the Pac 10, and they banned it back in ’05. It is pretty rare for college games to have beer in the stadium though.
I hope the cougfan can do better than you guys. These offerings remind me of last years's game at Autzen.
Beer, you say. You want to give us “die-hard (albeit obnoxious) fans” beer? Nah, that would not be a pretty sight. We know how to drink. We just don’t know how to act when we drink. But wait. Who gets the concession money?
Anyhow, it was bad last year. Seeing the once proud cougs struggle to get the yard necessary for a score after an unforced Duck turnover, it was sad. Too sad to want to drive to Dawg-town just to do another double face-palm. Believe me, I hope that the Cougar football situation changes.
Let’s see how you guys do this year. To be truthful, I’d rather drive to Pullman (if the game could be competitive) than smell that dog poo in Seattle. I’ve done it before and was warmly received; I just thoroughly enjoyed myself with good natured cheering and jibes, nothing vitriolic like you-know-where.
I just decided to start praying for you guys to win the Apple Cup this year. Do that and I might change my tune.
"If you can't copy 'em, don't imitate ''em."
YOGI BERRA
I agree with Famous Duck
I was at the WASU game last year and the on-field performance was bad. But you fans were actually really cool. Took a few pictures with people in “My drinking team has a football problem.” Rooting for you all to win the Apple Cup
This is all dependent on the divisional alignment
So I have a feeling this is on the back burner until that gets sorted out.
by spencer peaty on Jun 28, 2010 1:31 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
I don't think it's on the back burner because of that.
If it’s N/S, no problem.
If it’s E/W, both schools are East of their respective travel partner.
If alignment turns out to be just a random jumbling of teams, we’re all screwed anyway (I don’t think Scott is this dumb).
The only reason it’s on the back burner is because Oregon is working on an AD search right now.
It could be on the back burner because we just had a pretty big football camp this last week.
Over a thousand kids from all over the world in attendance; a whole team came from Samoa, coaches and players.
Two MAJOR coups in the recruiting venue. Big time transfer from Texas who must be good—played in 10 games last year as a frosh. So we have been BIZ-ZEE. Prognostications of our eminent demise at this point seem frivolous. And, I think that we have decided who wants to play football and who wants to play ebay; who wants to play at the Rose Bowl and who wants to do Rockin’ Rodeo.
How many days until practice starts in the Paluose?
"If you can't copy 'em, don't imitate ''em."
YOGI BERRA
Who does this Famous Duck think he is?
That’s a whole lot of feathers you’re fluffing there… just remember they’re only duck feathers mind you.
Not a chance. Makes no sense for Oregon.
While I’d love to see the Ducks play the Cougs at Qwest, it makes absolutely no sense at all for Oregon to give up a game at Autzen to do so. While the Cougs would likely see an increase in revenue by moving the game from Martin Stadium to Qwest, the same can’t be said for UO…even if you allow for the fact that the Ducks would only make $200,000 for going to the Palouse. Why give up $5 million for a home game to make $2 million for a neutral site? You’re losing $1 million, and giving up a home field advantage every two years.
Looking at arguments for why the Ducks should move the game:
- ‘Well, the Ducks won’t always sell out Autzen’. True. But it’s been 71 games since we HAVEN’T sold out. So until that happens, it doesn’t make financial sense to give up a guaranteed 60,000 seat revenue game, AND a home field advantage.
-‘You can sell recruits on the fact that they’ll get to play a game in an NFL stadium’. While that may be an alternative to playing in Martin Stadium, that likely won’t be an incentive for Duck recruits. Autzen is perennially ranked as one of the top venues in all of college football. Besides, I think a bigger incentive would be the chance to play in a Rose Bowl while they’re at UO.
’You’d Create a Rivalry’. Just playing a game in Qwest doesn’t a rivalry make. Aside from the fact that they’re conference rivals, the game against WSU means no more to Duck fans than a game against Arizona or Portland State for that matter. It will likely never have the intensity and hatred of the Civil War, or the UDub game, or (recently) SC. It’s not disrespect, it’s what it is. You can put a cat in the oven, but that still don’t make it a biscuit.
-‘National Coverage for both teams will be much easier’. Sorry to rain on your parade, Coug fans, but Gameday won’t be coming to Seattle just because you move a game to Qwest. They came to Eugene in 2007 because UO/Cal and UO/ASU were the best games in the country that day. They came to Eugene in 2009 because SC/Oregon on Halloween was a great matchup. They come to Eugene because Oregon has, as of late, been something of a college football power. And until WSU shows up on the national radar again, they’re not going to do a WSU vs. ANYBODY game. Regardless of the one guy waving the Cougs flag at every Game Day.
‘You can buy beer at the stadium’. First off, I don’t think they’ve sold beer at Qwest for past games. Second, I’d guess that the stadium would keep the lions share of the concessions revenues and pay the two teams a flat guarantee. And third, I think the UO fans have proven that they can do a fine job of getting well lubricated for the game without having to pay 9 bucks for a beer inside.
All that being said, it does make sense for WSU to move a game against an Oregon school to Qwest. OSU. The Cougs and Beavers play in the smallest, least revenue producing stadiums. No disrespect intended (at least not to Cougs fans), but Martin and Reser are probably near the bottom of the list when you look at Pac 10 stadiums…and Corvallis and Pullman are not exactly what one would consider the entertainment capitals of the western world. Most all the arguments made (increased revenue, opportunity to play in a state of the art stadium, etc.) that make no sense for UO, would work for a WSU/OSU matchup. Moos should make the call to Corvallis, not Eugene. I’m betting the Beavs would do this one in a heartbeat.
by slkornya on Jun 28, 2010 4:58 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Rec that man for cogent thots and no bisquit in the over...Hoooo Haaaa!
btw, cougs4the16, I was just stating the news from Eugene and checking to see how you are doing, you know, what kind of improvements do YOU see this season. Please don’t take offense as none was intended.
"If you can't copy 'em, don't imitate ''em."
YOGI BERRA
Oh. Well your last sentence/question reeks of sarcasm.
How many days until practice starts in the Paluose?
But on the off-chance that it is a genuine question then my genuine answer would be that it’ll probably start during the first week of August per NCAA regulations for all schools.
I can see how you might've come to that conclusion had you only read that one post. My bad. I am Sorry.
In truth I started out trying to respond to some earlier proponents of a ‘collapse’ of Duck fortune in the near future due to our off season adventures and the discipline thereabouts. I was attempting to make my point that those difficulties notwithstanding, Duck football is alive and well and would seem from my humble point of view to be well situated to maintain its accomplishments of last year and perhaps even advance. I have stated with sincerity that I hope for a renewal of Coug football the type of which I experienced (and dreaded) in the 90’s and on into this century.
Your plan to invite OSU seems a much more reasonable proposition, one which the Bavers WOULD jump at as they really need financial reconstruction, so I understand.
Again, please forgive me. I did not mean to offend.
"If you can't copy 'em, don't imitate ''em."
YOGI BERRA
Oregon football is going to good for a while,
and no one on this thread said the football program was going to “collapse.” You are reading into things and miss quoting and assuming. I don’t think CougCenter readers would ever post that towards a Duck, unless it was satire. If you are referring to my post, my point was that every program goes through ups and downs, which may affect donors contributions, not a collapse. Some scholarships may be lost, because of the APR, but the way UO is going it probably won’t make difference. The players legal issues will probably be a small bump in the road or not a bump at all and hopefully next year, for you, the loss of Masoli is minor. You just joined this site yesterday, so understand this is not how we operate. We are usually diplomatic.
1 or 2 million extra dollars might not seem like a lot of money to Duck fans, because you have such a great donor base, but try not to forgot where you came from. Before 1995 you didn’t enjoy that kind of luxury. You can thank Bill Moos for that. We are shooting for that.
Oregon’s annual athletic department budget grew from $18.5 million in his first year to more than $40 million by 2007, becoming 100 percent self-sufficient during that time. Under his direction the Duck Fund donor base increased from 4,930 to 12,290, resulting in an annual gifts increase from $4.1 million to $15.3 million.
If anything wouldn’t you enjoy sticking it to the Dawgs and making money in their front yard.
member of CougCenter since 9/2/08
I have tried all within my power to try to right ANY wrongs I committed on your site. They were not intentional.
I have apologized and tried to explain what it was that I was trying to do and why. You don’t seem to know how to handle this situation. I am NOT fighting with you. I am trying to be informative, not overlooking our shortcomings and not trying to be too boastful while still acknowledging my pride in the progress of the Duck program.
Are you going to accept my apologies or perhaps I didn’t do something good enuf…? Keep me posted , OK?
"If you can't copy 'em, don't imitate ''em."
YOGI BERRA
by Famous Duck on Jun 28, 2010 10:43 PM PDT up reply actions
No worries.
Everything in text always seems a lot more serious than it is. Your zeal may have been taken wrong. You came in this forum with the guns blazin (excitement that is). Haha. Anyways, make sure to read the Community Guidelines, this may help with the other members. Welcome.
http://www.cougcenter.com/pages/cougcenters-community-guidelines
member of CougCenter since 9/2/08
OK. I read 'em. Did I upgefuck in some way? I thot that I was consistent.
guns blazin’? hell, yes. My name is Famous Duck, after all.
Thanx for the Welcome.
"If you can't copy 'em, don't imitate ''em."
YOGI BERRA
by Famous Duck on Jun 28, 2010 11:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Touche, slkornya (who joined today, welcome)...good points,
but I am curious where you got the 5 million number for Oregon home games? Where is that documented? I want to know, because I am curious. We do understand that Pullman is not the entertainment capital of the world, but I also wouldn’t consider Eugene, a town of a 154,000, to be an entertainment capital. Maybe, for Oregon but not nationally. I never intend to visit Eugene, unless I go to see the Cougs play. This was not intended to be disrespectful, just numbers.
We will wait and see what happens with this Qwest game. Hopefully, you get an AD soon.
member of CougCenter since 9/2/08
It may be a little high but not much.
60,000 x $50 a ticket (sometimes more, sometimes less) = $3 mil
plus in stadium ads, concessions, TV, radio, pregame bash @ Mo Center, Duck Store…. not too hard to imagine another mi or 2.
"If you can't copy 'em, don't imitate ''em."
YOGI BERRA
This isn't how tickets are calculated.
And I don’t discount the effect on Eugene. I’m looking at that.
In the past ten years...
WSU is 3-7 against Oregon with a score differential of (-101). Sounds pretty awful.
But, take out the last three years, which I think we can all agree are the worst three consecutive years in the history of WSU Football, and WSU is (3-4) against Oregon with a score differential of (+40). All four of the Coug losses during the span were by a TD or less, with three of them coming by three points. This span also includes the 2003 beatdown of the then-#15-ranked Ducks 55-16 at Autzen.
My point is simply this, yes, in recent years, it’s clearly fair to say that Oregon has been a much, much better football program than the Cougars. And it is also very fair to say that Autzen has become one of the most intimidating places to play in the country. I can see why it is difficult to reason giving that up. But, it wasn’t so long ago that WSU-Ore was a very healthy, competitive match-up with both teams getting the best of the other.
Duck fans, I (respectfully) think you’re being a little shortsighted on the strength of your program. I bet every Cougar would’ve felt the same way following the three-straight 10-win seasons from 2001-2003 and two Rose Bowl berths in five years. I think we’ve proven how quickly such glory can fade with just a few recruiting mistakes, wrong decisions, and some bad luck.
Food for thought.
You have made a good point and missed another, IMHO. Glory can fade and fade rapidly. And.......
The deal that your are trying to parlay at Qwest is at the business end of those “worst three years” and when I asked how things looked for this coming year (above) there has yet to be a response. From that I could, but will not, make an inference. Suffice it to say that this proposed contest would be no contest and would not be good for WSU, the Ducks, or the conference.
Each school can help the conference in its own way; WSU by rebuilding and getting strong again; Oregon by getting its off-the-field issues into remission and developing and conquering a strong OOC schedule.
Lastly, I came recently to the site because I am a sort of closet Coug. As I wrote above, I travelled to Pullman, slept in a park and in a field out by Goose, WA I believe, and had a great time at the student union and Martin. And if what I write is offensive to you, say so and I’ll split.
FD
"If you can't copy 'em, don't imitate ''em."
YOGI BERRA
by Famous Duck on Jun 28, 2010 11:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Nah, you're fine
We should be improved next year, but there’s a long ways to go.
Anyway, what I didn’t mean to happen was for this to turn into a who’s team is better/worse kind of deal. It’s simply about the proposal laid out. Yes, WSU hit the deck hard and fast after some great years. On the other hand, Oregon and Coach Kelly are doing very well in recruiting. You have a heck of a coach that should keep Oregon at or near the top for some time to come.
by Brian Floyd on Jun 28, 2010 11:07 PM PDT up reply actions
My point...
was not intended to be an argument regarding the strength (past or present) of either program.
I think I mistakenly didn’t make it clear that my point was actually in regards to the arguments around the possibility of the WSU-Ore game @Qwest. I feel like Oregon fans are hesitant (with valid reason) to accept the idea of giving up a home game at very tough Autzen once every two years for an every-year neutral site game with the Cougs. This is, as I see it, a result of recent power on the Ducks side.
Someone mentioned that they didn’t want to watch the Ducks’ bench mop up on the Cougs at Qwest rather than at Autzen where the local businesses (campus bookstore and the like) can benefit. I only suggest that it wasn’t so long ago that the competition on the field was much more balanced. I think we all hope, and Cougar faithful tentatively expect, it will return to this status. And remember, Pullman businesses benefit from home football games just as Eugene does (they likely rely on them more, in fact). Both programs would likely push for a reasonable replacement home game in the OOC schedule.
My point, which should have been more clearly stated in my first post, is that this proposal would be beneficial to both teams in terms finances regardless of their deviation in terms football prowess. If this idea came up ten years ago (in terms of football prowess, but at current financial implications), I think the Oregon fanbase would be much more excited by the opportunity.
What’s to say the tables won’t turn in the next ten years? Why not establish a healthy neutral site game that benefits both programs? It strengthens footholds in the Seattle metro area, makes a boatload of money, and sits in a large television market (#12?) that would be more attractive to national networks during power lulls when Gameday isn’t eager to set up in Eugene despite thunderous Autzen.
PS. Nothing I wrote was an attack on you or your perspective. In fact, I made sure to write in a way that was clearly trying to present a respectful counter-argument in a healthy discussion; not an attack of any kind. I suggest you not take things quite so personally as we Cougs are generally a kind people with good intentions. :)
My sensitivity became acute when I apologized with no acknowledgment coming in response thereto.
“PS. Nothing I wrote was an attack on you or your perspective.”
Perhaps I was not replying to you in particular and perhaps you are being a bit testy?
I received a few potshots above (review the posts if you like), I apologized, have now received two appropriate responses and am resolved again that most Cougs are cool. Are you alright with that?
My point in contrast to yours mentioned immediately above is this: At this point in time the proposed venture will NOT make a ‘boatload of money’ because of the deviation in terms of football prowess. Quoted from my post above, “Suffice it to say that this proposed contest would be no contest and would not be good for WSU, the Ducks, or the conference.”
My observation is that the Cougs have to get healthy before this contest will work. I am not being disparaging of your program, it just is what it is. An early post of mine suggested that I might be wrong; that we could try it this year and see what happens. I am telling you that I watch these Ducks work and they are way better than good and that’s nothing against your team and please don’t you take it personal.
I just suggested that OSU would be a better fit at this time for all the reasons that you listed for a contest. I offered a solution. I offered apologies, And I’m making a point while neither receiving or extending a personal attack.
Now it’s time for bed.
FD
"If you can't copy 'em, don't imitate ''em."
YOGI BERRA
by Famous Duck on Jun 29, 2010 12:19 AM PDT up reply actions
My point is that the football prowess doesn't matter in the big picture,
and nothing anyone has posted has suggested otherwise. One team is always going to be stronger than the other, so creative revenue building ideas like this one have to start with someone on top. In this case, it would be the Ducks. You suggest that the venture would not make money because of the deviation in current strength, yet every other source suggests that the game would make an estimated $1-2 million per team every year, regardless of quality of football. I interpret that as a minimum, with potentially more, should both WSU and Oregon coincidentally be very strong at the same time in the future (see: Red River Shootout the last 3+ years). I’m not saying the game would be particularly thrilling football-wise any time soon (on the contrary, I have to admit I think we’ll still get slaughtered next year and likely the year after that), but what makes you believe the game wouldn’t make money in spite of these projected numbers made by people close to the proposal? I’m confused on your conclusion here, given what (seemingly) all other sources have presented.
Also, remember that a game like this would make financial sense for both teams every year, so as cougfan suggested in the original article, $2-4 million minimum per two year cycle. The University of Oregon may currently make fairly comparable revenue in home games, but they certainly don’t make anywhere remotely close to that when they go to the Palouse.
OSU may well be a better solution as of right now, but I’d venture to say that Moos sees more money in the Ducks than the Beavers, and he has a reasonable argument as to why it would be beneficial to both schools. Might as well aim high.
Good discussion.
I looked and saw that you had 11 recruits coming. That's good.
I am glad that Moos is there. He’s a good man and true.
Thanx for the kind words about Kelly. I go to just about every practice and those coaches are really fine gentlemen and tacticians. I go to the practice because I learn so much and have so much fun. I’ve never experienced anything like it before in my life and" I’ve been around, ya know." I hope that you guys can experience something like it at your place.
FD
quote by Al Pacino in ‘Scent of a Woman’
"If you can't copy 'em, don't imitate ''em."
YOGI BERRA
Cougfan. Its looks as tho' you've given up!?
"If you can't copy 'em, don't imitate ''em."
YOGI BERRA
OK. I got it and read it. You displayed an amazing amount of openmindedness..good job
How about including what some of the/us fans say?
"If you can't copy 'em, don't imitate ''em."
YOGI BERRA
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