As posted yesterday on Cincinnati.com, the Bengals responded to the WDR post around charging Season Ticket Holder's to attend the team pep rally on July 26th. Part of the comments from the team included explanation for the $10 charge - which apparently helps defray the costs of a local band, fireworks, security and other expenses. A focus group also thought the fee was reasonable.
Mike Florio at PFT also posted his thoughts, asking "whether there’s a way to do this without soaking $10 out of everyone who attends".
After reviewing some of the comments both at Cincinnati.com and on our site - we thought some clarification was needed:
- Some fans are fired up that we are questioning the $10 cost. It's not about the $10...but about what the $10 represents. No matter how you feel about paying $5 or $10 or $20 a ticket, in our view it's the principle that they are charging anything at all to season ticket holders.
- Again - this is not an event open to the general public. This is an event for season ticket holders only, who have already paid at least $400 per seat for the entire season (not including the eventual COA they will have to purchase, at minimum $300 per seat).
- From our perspective - the Bengals should have approached this one of two ways:
1) All or part of the proceeds benefiting the Marvin Lewis Community Fund, the Anthony Munoz Foundation, Freestore Foodbank, or another deserving local charity.
2) Charging the general public to attend, but offering free tickets as an added benefit for season ticket holders.
Honestly, it comes down to a difference in philosophy...a philosophy about how a sports team should want to connect with the community where it resides. A community that overwhelmingly approved a publicly-funded stadium.
This cost that is 'north of six-figures' should be considered an investment in regaining/strengthening an emotional connection with fans. Compared to the Steelers in Pittsburgh or even the Reds...the Bengals are not woven into the fabric of this community. I argue they could be - quite easily - if the organization had a better vision on how to treat their most loyal stakeholders. I think most can agree that there is room for improvement in this department.
Cincinnati is a town where people might leave for one reason or another, but many return home. People who live here are generally from here. My point is that we are loyal to this city, it's not full of transplants like Atlanta or Washington DC. Cincinnati is also football crazy and would be absolutely rabid over the Bengals (I'm talking to Steeler/Packer levels) if the team had some on-field success to make us proud...and an organization that invested in making lasting connections with its fans. I truly believe that. Fans have a lack of trust with the Bengals, and the organization has earned that distinction over the past two decades.
That being said, are the Bengals trying more fan-friendly events this off-season? Absolutely and their efforts have certainly been a small step in the right direction. But putting on an event like this and charging your season ticket holders (because you want to defray costs) sends the wrong message. It's missing the forest for the trees. Obviously this isn't about this one single event - but it has been a consistent track record spanning 20 years of not showing appreciation to a fan base that has fiercely supported this organization.
Isn't $100,000 a smart, strategic investment that will express to season ticket holders that we truly value your support? Whether it's a lifetime fan who has had season tickets since Nippert Stadium, or someone who came on board this year once prices dropped to $40 per game, the Bengals need to start recognizing and celebrating that commitment.
Fans can see the $10 as a minimal cost and this argument in general as a gross overreaction. Heck, season ticket holders not interested can simply ignore the offer and move on. They are definitely entitled to that opinion, and I can understand that belief.
From our point of view, however, this all comes back to a larger issue. The issue that the Bengals just continue to think about their chief consumer differently than most sports teams. This was yet another prime example.
well said
Posted by: bguy_1986 | July 10, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Ok I have to call Bullshit again. You complain about the $10 as a secret conspiracy to screw fans, yet offer no proof other teams wouldn't charge other than just saying they wouldn't. Show me a team that has held a similar event that did not charge anything. Even your example the reds charge for admission. By charging the $10
Season ticket holders can bring anyone they want and how every many they want. Shoukd they have given the season ticket holders one free ticket per seat and then allow them to buy more at 10 a pop? Possibly but really this is just complaining to complain
Posted by: The truth | July 10, 2012 at 12:00 PM
I have to agree with WDR on this point. This is supposed to be a goodwill gesture by the Bengals to their customers not a money making (or cost deferment) event. I run a small business and have numerous clients. If I entertain them or sponsor an event to build goodwill, there is no way in hell I even think about charging them to attend. The cost is on me as way to show my appreciation for their past and hopefully future business.
I will give the Bengals credit for trying something different and reaching out to their fans but charging them (even a minimal amount) just adds to the "cheap" and fan unfriendly reputation of this organization.
Posted by: Comrade Ken | July 10, 2012 at 02:51 PM
So I should expect reds fest to be free next year?!
Posted by: The truth | July 10, 2012 at 04:30 PM
The Truth, you do realize the differences between the two?
1) Redsfest is open to the general public not just season ticket holders who paid good money for their seats.
2) Proceeds from Redsfest benefit the baseball-themed outreach programs of the Reds Community Fund.
All the Bengals had to do was announce at the beginning that the admission price was going to charity and I doubt we would be having this debate.
Posted by: Comrade Ken | July 11, 2012 at 10:43 AM
Comrade Ken you do realize that proceeds are the amount after expenses are paid right? It's not like every ticket price goes straight to charity. The bengals have said they ticket price doesn't cover expenses so they would have to charge more to do so. Also if it was free it would limit how many people could go because they would have to limit it to a ticket holder and one guest verses as many as you want to biy
Posted by: The truth | July 11, 2012 at 04:02 PM
How many season tickets are available? I tried to Google it and didn't find it but lets say there is 35000 seats. If half the people come to this event (17,500) then that is 175K generated plus concessions. So it is a money grab to me.
BBFG
Posted by: BBFG | July 12, 2012 at 12:50 PM
The cost is not 6 figures, Berding is a LIAR just like MFB and his CLAN has done for over 20 years. The $10 cost and say 10K attend will cover the cost for the event. MFB and his CLAN do not want to pay for anything. Get a clue, The Truth! You must be an MFB plant and work for him is my guess.
Posted by: TigerJ@w | July 12, 2012 at 06:17 PM
The sad people on this site would find a way to complain even if the event was free.
Posted by: The truth | July 12, 2012 at 08:54 PM
Even though it is not stated by the Reds, I of course assume the Reds donate the "net" proceeds of Redfest to charity as I would assume the Bengals would as well (One never knows given Mikey's reputation). The point is the Bengals never came out and said this was a charitable event or that they would donate any excess money to charity until Doc pushed Berding in his interview the other day. Berding didn't even specify what charity it would benefit so it was obvious to me, Mikey had no intention doing anything but pocketing the money and changed his mind only when this became a public relations problem.
If I were your customer and the event was free, you would hear no complaints from me. If you charged me $100 per ticket and said the "net" proceeds would go to charity, you would not hear any complaints from me either. I would applaud you either way. However, you throw a party to promote yourself or to extend a goodwill gesture of appreciation to me for being your customer and ask me pony up and cover your costs of throwing the party, my response is "fuck you!".
Posted by: Comrade Ken | July 13, 2012 at 04:42 PM
"Six figures" is a rounding error on most player contracts. They can and should eat that cost for the benefit of season ticket holders.
Posted by: Dan R | July 18, 2012 at 05:38 PM
Nice to be here and see your post!
Posted by: charmingdate.com review | February 25, 2013 at 02:43 AM