Results Of Twitter Flash Poll On Why Fans Aren't Buying Bengals Tickets

by Josh Kirkendall on Dec 8, 2011 10:30 AM EST

CINCINNATI, OH - NOVEMBER 27: A.J. Green #18 of the Cincinnati Bengals is congratulated by fans in the end zone after catching a pass for a first down against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium on November 27, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Tyler Barrick/Getty Images)

After posting our commentary that if the team were to reduce ticket prices anywhere from $10-20, we suspected that more fans would come to Paul Brown Stadium, selling it out and generating a rowdy atmosphere for the impressionable young men that wear stripes on Sunday.

Admittedly while expanding the subject into a post, bracing for the inevitable Mike Brown rant, siphoning life from every square inch within the 75-mile radius of Paul Brown Stadium was like the German army anticipating America's arrival onto the shores of Normandy. You knew it was coming and you knew it was going to be brutal.

Later we took to Twitter and, prompted by our friends at Who Dey Revolution, we ran a flash pool asking what is the primary reason that they're not purchasing tickets. Only one answer was really allowed. The irony of the poll was largely the split between the readership and followers of WDR and Cincy Jungle -- two sites run and followed by obsessive and passionate Bengals fans but with different perspectives (which makes it awesome).

Here are some of the comments (we're withholding who made them because we didn't actually seek their permission to post on it and I didn't realize it until just now).

[And if you're not following us on Twitter then what the hell?]

Fans that will not go to a game because Mike Brown is the owner.

"Mike Brown and it's not even close."

"Mikey Boy all the way..."

"Mike Brown, No scouts, poor fan relation, etc."

"Mike Brown. If I felt the need to go, I'd find a way. If games aren't on tv, I'll listen in on the radio."

"Brown. Decision made before season, of course, I didn't expect them to win this year."

"I happily boycott, not for economic reasons but for not giving Mike Brown money There's more than just me out there."

"BROWN! BROWN! BROWN! Dude's despicable on so many levels -- and I don't mean Club, Loge and Plaza!!"

"Live remote, so I can't travel to games, but I do pay for Sunday Ticket... Wouldn't even consider season tickets because of Brown!

Cost/Ticket Prices

"Prices (high food, high ticket) and little return on those prices (bad food, bad team minus this year)"

"Too expensive."

"Prices."

"It is mainly a money issue because im a poor college student."

"Money, I'm a college student."

"Money. I have season tickets but if the games would always be on tv I would probably get rid of them. Cheaper at bar/home."

"I gave up my season tickets but still went to two games this year but $$$ was my reason for giving up the tickets."

(kind of both) "I'm tired of Mike Brown ownership but to bring my family of four to a game is outrageous."

"Money. For gas, food, and tickets for my family of four or even just my wife and I, the cost isn't justifiable."

Comfort of Watching From Home

"Takes too much time. Sitting at home and watching is better."

"I can go to BW-3 etc get food, beer, and watch game with crowd for less than one ticket costs."

"Primary reason I don't go to games is that I can watch it much more comfortably, and with a better view, at home in HD."

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Like I said before…Lower ticket prices….The Bengals may lose a little money….but I think it would help with relations and boost morale of the fans…..The Bengals front office is in dire need of a positive public relations boost…..

by ticalcaldwell on Dec 8, 2011 11:15 AM EST reply actions

do people not know that there are website that you can watch the bengals game live online?? screw listening to the radio and lap constantly yelling over hoard.

plenty of sites out there that stream live sporting events, all you gotta do is search. no blackouts at my house!!

for me its a combo of both prices/costs and mb and all that goes with him. very happy that i haven’t spent any money on bengals gear since ‘05/’06.

to quote wildman walker…..“bengals forever, mike brown NEVER!”

WhoDey!

by slypony on Dec 8, 2011 11:31 AM EST reply actions

this

“BROWN! BROWN! BROWN! Dude’s despicable on so many levels — and I don’t mean Club, Loge and Plaza!!”

by occams_tiger_teeth on Dec 8, 2011 11:41 AM EST via mobile reply actions

I get free ticket offers all the time from suppliers that purchase from.

The only time in the last few years I took advantage of that last Sunday for the Pittsburgh game. Had a great time, except for the actual game. People treated me well even with my Bengals jacket and hat. I just have too good of a time with my buds and their familys at my home. Cost is no object for me. It is that the in home experience is just too good.

They should offer the home games on pay per view for a reasonable price – say $20 . As a business man I don’t have the same vitriol that others do for MB. This is a business and in a business you payout as little as you can and get as much as you can. Believe me once he sees the profit drop he will make adjustments. I feel the same way about not going. I spend little and get a lot of enjoyment. We have gone so far as getting a hotel room in Columbus if the game is on there.

"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"

by JUNGLEJOHN on Dec 8, 2011 11:55 AM EST reply actions

If I lived in Cinci

I would try to go to at least one home game a season. Just to support our players.

Other than that it’s all because of MB.

by TCfromDubVee on Dec 8, 2011 12:01 PM EST reply actions

The never-ending Mike Brown debate

I personally believe that MB is doing better—he’s given up a little power, he’s made a few decent decisions, and he’s also lucked into some things, like the Palmer trade—but I don’t blame people for being skeptical, or for still having ill will towards him. God knows I do.

When MB truly modernizes the organization and makes a serious commitment to being competitive—and that pays off in wins—I think that fans will be willing to see the good. But at this point, the improvement could be an anomaly. If any fanbase has a reason to be suspicious and hold off on judgment, it’s this one, so I’m afraid that he may pass away before he finally has a chance to prove himself.

by Big Sky Bengal on Dec 8, 2011 12:03 PM EST reply actions

OK, Josh, we know why they aren't going, but...

It also would be interesting to find out why people ARE going, including those fans in other cities that still support mediocre teams.

by BengalsTom on Dec 8, 2011 12:12 PM EST reply actions

Closest comparison I can think of

I’d like to see the attendance numbers before, during, and after the Millen era at Detroit, just to compare.

by spif on Dec 8, 2011 12:47 PM EST reply actions

I just don't get the ticket pricing breakdown

$65 (pre-taxes and fees) for the worst seats in the stadium? $85 for the best? Never mind food, drinks, parking, gas, etc.

And what perks do you get for attending the game? A mediocre team racking up double digit penalties each week?

Are there ever promotions or giveaways to the first 20,000 fans? Are there ever military discount ticket days, or family discount tickets, or college discounts?

No.

Very little incentive for the casual fan to invest upwards of $500 to take their family to a game.

by WhoDeyEveryDay on Dec 8, 2011 1:00 PM EST reply actions