August 9, 2009

FAU to play a home game... in Detroit?

The FAU Owls are hoping to make the most of a bad situation. With their new stadium delayed until 2011, the Owls are on the hook for a $150,000 payout to Michigan State to start the 2009 season.

So how is FAU going to turn lemons into lemonade? Their moving their home game to either Detroit or Chicago in hopes of making $2 million bucks, courtesy of increased ticket sales to MSU fans.

FAU owes Michigan State $150,000 for the game and playing at Lockhart Stadium is not an option. If the game is moved, the Owls will keep the gate and playing at Ford Field or Soldier Field could net FAU about $2 million.

Michigan State has about 80,000 alumni in Detroit and 22,000 alumni in Chicago. Angelos believes they could sell about 50,000 tickets at either site. FAU's expenses would include the payout to Michigan State and travel expenses.

The only other option is to move the game to Land Shark Stadium, in which case Angelos said FAU could lose money

Kudos to the FAU brass if they can pull this off.

I'm just wondering... is this the tipping point of a new trend for mid-majors? Are we going to see Wyoming move its home date with the Longhorns to Dallas?

Comments:

FAU to play a home game... in Detroit?
The FAU Owls are hoping to make the most of a bad situation. With their new stadium delayed until 2011, the Owls are on the hook for a $150,000 payout to Michigan State to start the 2009 season. So how is FAU going to turn lemons into lemonade? Their moving their home game to either Detroit or Chicago in hopes of making $2 million bucks, courtesy of increased ticket sales to MSU fans.
FAU owes Michigan State $150,000 for the game and playing at Lockhart Stadium is not an option. If the game is moved, the Owls will keep the gate and playing at Ford Field or Soldier Field could net FAU about $2 million. Michigan State has about 80,000 alumni in Detroit and 22,000 alumni in Chicago. Angelos believes they could sell about 50,000 tickets at either site. FAU's expenses would include the payout to Michigan State and travel expenses. The only other option is to move the game to Land Shark Stadium, in which case Angelos said FAU could lose money
Kudos to the FAU brass if they can pull this off. I'm just wondering... is this the tipping point of a new trend for mid-majors? Are we going to see Wyoming move its home date with the Longhorns to Dallas?