FAYETTEVILLE - Arkansas’ lack of basketball attendance is likely affecting more than just the school’s home atmosphere.
Judging from attendance numbers, the pocket books are taking a beating as well.
Based on ticket sales numbers to this point in the season, the Razorbacks have seen an attendance decline of 6,129 fans per game since 2007-08 – Arkansas coach John Pelphrey’s first year at the school.
The Razorbacks are averaging 11,029 fans per game this year, a number based primarily on ticket sales. An alternate figure – estimated actual attendance – is also given each game. The estimated actual attendance for games this season is just more than 8,000 per game.
Arkansas averaged 13,182 fans last season, based upon the number that takes ticket sales into account. That ranked the school 25th nationally in attendance after finishing no lower than 14th the previous 16 years.
Arkansas sold 9,625 season tickets prior to this season, according to a UA spokesperson in November. In addition, the school has unsold suites for the first time in the venue’s 18-year history.
If the current numbers hold, Arkansas’ ticket revenue would be approximately $2.17 million less this year than three years ago, assuming each seat is worth the face-value of $25 per game. The lost revenue doesn’t take into account an expected decline in apparel and concession sales at the arena.
The numbers are admittedly a bit flawed because the two-most attended games this season came last week. In both of those games against Georgia and Ole Miss, students were admitted free because of inclement weather. The UA reported more than 3,000 students took advantage of the opportunity both times, with those students figuring into both attendance figures.
Additionally, the season isn’t over. The final attendance average could see an increase with home games remaining against LSU, Kentucky and Mississippi State – all three of which have historically drawn well. Arkansas also has the potential to host games in the NIT, granted it finishes the season with at least a .500 winning percentage overall.
Still, the numbers give a sobering glimpse into the interest level for the Razorbacks basketball program. A subpar record over that time period and fan discontent with the current coaching staff are believed to be the chief reasons for the decline. Arkansas is 42-40 since the beginning of the 2008-09 season, with a 13-30 record against Southeastern Conference competition.
The Razorbacks, 14-8 overall and 4-5 in SEC play this season, will play at Mississippi State tonight.
If the low numbers hold, the low attendance would almost assuredly affect more than just that one program at the UA, based on numbers the athletic department has made available the last two summers.
Despite a sharp decline in attendance from the year before, men’s basketball still contributed 21.7 percent of the athletic department’s ticket revenue in the 2010 academic year. The ticket revenue accounted for 52 percent of the department’s overall income.
Men’s basketball accounted for 13.53 percent of the athletic department’s overall sources of revenue last year, a decline from 16 percent the year before. That number is expected to drop again this year.
For more visit WholeHogSports.com. You can follow Matt Jones on Twitter @NWAMatt.
Now we see the stupidity of letting fathers of slow-footed Little Rock high school basketball players use Broyles to run off a championship basketball coach. My dad always said Broyles wasn’t smart enough to know what to do with a fast player-witness Broyles use of Alworth and his position in the AFL. Apparently he’s not smart enough to know what to do with a good basketball coach either. Broyles’ moron cohorts even managed to run off Mike Anderson. In what other universe than backwoods Arkansas could a man have some hoosewad come to his farm, shoot his mare , and wind up being branded the bad guy?
To: Jeff Long
From: Frustrated Basketball Fan
Re: Arkansas Basketball
Sir:
I hope you understand the storied history that is Arkansas Basketball. I graduated from Fayetteville in 1994. I hope you can remember what happened that year! We need that type of excitement to return.
SC Hog, we’re classmates and I remember opening my door at 11pm and screaming a Hog Call to the entire neighborhood as Nolan and crew were cutting down the nets.
I can’t believe how far this program has fallen. This is a sad state of affairs. Playing in a half-full arena doesn’t get the players or recruits excited. The impact on the budget will get Jeff Long’s attention faster than anything else. I’m sure Coach Pel is begging, “Just wait til next year.” One recruiting class isn’t going to save this program though (although it’s a good starting point). The passion of the fans will. Winning breeds passion. That’s what we need.
You forgot to tell how much money you are giving this guy to be a bad coach. I’ve heard everything from a low of $800,000 to maybe $2 million.
Hey Pel, nothing personal, it’s just that we are payin’, but we ain’t gettin’. Come on, firing that guy should be an EASY decsion. It would be in any other field.
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