https://getsomemaction.com/news/2023/11/...field.aspx

Just one year. Huh.

(11-30-2023 03:02 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  Just one year. Huh.

Move the game to Columbus - Lower.com Stadium.

(11-30-2023 05:49 PM)astr083 Wrote:  

(11-30-2023 03:02 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  Just one year. Huh.

Move the game to Columbus - Lower.com Stadium.

Columbus is wonderful, but this sounds awfully cold.

Our AD needs to be at Ford Field Saturday, if he is serious about the MAC. Invite or not, make amends for not being WKU partner.
Of course that won't happen with Ed Ruben making a large donation at the Florida State game.

IMO, it almost seems like Ford Field et al are positioning for whatever happens to the B1G post-season starting in 2026. Their championship is already under the roof in Indianapolis, so a bowl game up North under-roof would seem something they'd like to have.

(11-30-2023 07:31 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  IMO, it almost seems like Ford Field et al are positioning for whatever happens to the B1G post-season starting in 2026. Their championship is already under the roof in Indianapolis, so a bowl game up North under-roof would seem something they'd like to have.

I don't see a conflict with the MAC championship game, though. And, given that the Big Ten has gone national, Detroit seems even less likely of a Big Ten championship destination than it might have seemed two years ago. So, I don' t see a reason why Ford Field would want just a one-year extension.

I infer that the MAC wants to preserve its ability to explore its options in two years. I suppose that could just be good business practice: Let other stadiums make their pitches and see if they can talk you out of Detroit. The MAC has done this before, I think.

It also crosses my mind that if the MAC were thinking about adding schools, it might not wish to be locked into a long, multiyear contract in Detroit.

(11-30-2023 05:49 PM)astr083 Wrote:  

(11-30-2023 03:02 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  Just one year. Huh.

Move the game to Columbus - Lower.com Stadium.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and while we're at it, move the MAC basketball tournament here too! Nationwide Arena!!!!!!!!!!!

(11-30-2023 07:31 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  IMO, it almost seems like Ford Field et al are positioning for whatever happens to the B1G post-season starting in 2026. Their championship is already under the roof in Indianapolis, so a bowl game up North under-roof would seem something they'd like to have.

Then Ford Field can help push us out the door like they did with Motor City Bowl and helping Big Ten create their own game there.

If this does happen, we should move to on-campus championship game like every other G5.

(12-01-2023 10:06 AM)bobcat_backer Wrote:  

(11-30-2023 05:49 PM)astr083 Wrote:  

(11-30-2023 03:02 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  Just one year. Huh.

Move the game to Columbus - Lower.com Stadium.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and while we're at it, move the MAC basketball tournament here too! Nationwide Arena!!!!!!!!!!!

Great idea! We could advertise it like—We’re TOSU’s little cousins and we play sports, too! Come see us play: it will be a lot less crowded than you’re used to!

(12-01-2023 12:28 PM)axeme Wrote:  

(12-01-2023 10:06 AM)bobcat_backer Wrote:  

(11-30-2023 05:49 PM)astr083 Wrote:  

(11-30-2023 03:02 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  Just one year. Huh.

Move the game to Columbus - Lower.com Stadium.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and while we're at it, move the MAC basketball tournament here too! Nationwide Arena!!!!!!!!!!!

Great idea! We could advertise it like—We’re TOSU’s little cousins and we play sports, too! Come see us play: it will be a lot less crowded than you’re used to!

Columbus hosted the MAC basketball tournament back in the 90's and it was always sold out. I would not underestimate the amount of MAC alums that live in or around Central Ohio. I would also not over estimate the influence OSU would have on the game if it were played in C-bus. Detroit is within 45 mins of Ann Arbor and I don't hear people bitching about how UM being in the Big Ten Championship is pulling people away from the MACC game at Ford Field - that's complete non-sense. Columbus is a large city and has supported many different sporting events and teams outside of Ohio State over the years. Just look at the support for the Crew and Blue Jackets, not to mention the NCAA post-season tournaments the city has hosted in recent years have all been very well attended, even with Ohio State not participating in the events.

(12-01-2023 12:36 PM)astr083 Wrote:  

(12-01-2023 12:28 PM)axeme Wrote:  

(12-01-2023 10:06 AM)bobcat_backer Wrote:  

(11-30-2023 05:49 PM)astr083 Wrote:  

(11-30-2023 03:02 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  Just one year. Huh.

Move the game to Columbus - Lower.com Stadium.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and while we're at it, move the MAC basketball tournament here too! Nationwide Arena!!!!!!!!!!!

Great idea! We could advertise it like—We’re TOSU’s little cousins and we play sports, too! Come see us play: it will be a lot less crowded than you’re used to!

Columbus hosted the MAC basketball tournament back in the 90's and it was always sold out. I would not underestimate the amount of MAC alums that live in or around Central Ohio. I would also not over estimate the influence OSU would have on the game if it were played in C-bus. Detroit is within 45 mins of Ann Arbor and I don't hear people bitching about how UM being in the Big Ten Championship is pulling people away from the MACC game at Ford Field - that's complete non-sense. Columbus is a large enough city and has supported many different sporting events and teams outside of Ohio State. Just look at the support for the Crew and Blue Jackets, not to mention the NCAA post-season tournaments the city has hosted in recent years have all been very well attended, even with Ohio State not participating in the events.

Agreed! I was at those two MAC tournaments that were here in 1993 and 1994; they were a blast! and that was in a small arena. Nationwide is probably as big as the one in Cleveland so we wouldn't be losing anything there. and as far as the football championship game is concerned, it's played when either OSUcks is in the Big Ten title game later that night or when they aren't playing at all (like this year! LOL)

People who want to take the MACC away from Ford Field probably have not actually been going to the games. It is a beautiful NFL Stadium with all the bells and whistles. Fans and players and coaches love playing there. Everything is first class. Parking is plentiful, cheap, and close. And it is INSIDE!!!! INSIDE!!! Saturday it was cold and rainy, with some wind. Probably the worst possible weather combination for sitting outside in the Midwest in December. That is flat out dumb! The only possible alternative would be in Indianapolis, but it is not nearly as close to the MAC fanbase as Detroit.

I will also mention that it was the third time that I attended a Breakfast Buffet in a beautiful setting inside the Arena for the MACC. Refreshment stands and restrooms are plentiful for a 20-25,000 type crowd. I have been 5 times to watch Miami play and also 3 other times, and it was a great experience. Ticket prices were cheaper than going to a MAC regular season game. I paid $20 for 45 yardline seats and I think they were selling endzone seats for $5!

The MACC should NEVER leave Ford Field (unless Cleveland or Columbus or Cinci ever get a dome, which the chances of that happening are slim to none).

Yes please keep the MACC in Detroit. Nobody wants to sit outside in frigid temperatures watching their offense not move the football for 4 quarters

May not have much choice in the matter. You think Ford Field is going to choose MAC over big 10 championship game? They already helped get rid of the Motor City Bowl so the big 10 could replace it with their own game.

Earlier, I was not referring to the MAC CG competing with the B1G CG. I was referring to the MAC getting squeezed out of Ford Field for a bowl when the B1G expansion hits. Obviously, Ford Field's biggest asset is its rooftop for a game up North. Also, follow the money. The Toledo-Miami-O CG drew just over 20,000. A B1G bowl could fill that stadium, which means tickets, concessions, parking, etc. plus whatever "bowl week" economic benefits for Detroit. What is the economic benefit with the MAC? A few bars and restaurants make some money. A one-year extension is FF and the Lions doing the diplomatic and saying "look elsewhere."

(12-03-2023 01:28 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  May not have much choice in the matter. You think Ford Field is going to choose MAC over big 10 championship game? They already helped get rid of the Motor City Bowl so the big 10 could replace it with their own game.

Word is the Big Ten is considering moving its game to Las Vegas. I'm not sure Ford Field is ever going to get the Big Ten championship game. But I suppose with all that up in the air, that could be why the MAC only got a one-year extension.

Detroit is the perfect spot for our football championship, and I imagine Ford Field is happy to have us. Like most NFL stadiums, the building is empty most nights.

(12-03-2023 02:45 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  Earlier, I was not referring to the MAC CG competing with the B1G CG. I was referring to the MAC getting squeezed out of Ford Field for a bowl when the B1G expansion hits. Obviously, Ford Field's biggest asset is its rooftop for a game up North. Also, follow the money. The Toledo-Miami-O CG drew just over 20,000. A B1G bowl could fill that stadium, which means tickets, concessions, parking, etc. plus whatever "bowl week" economic benefits for Detroit. What is the economic benefit with the MAC? A few bars and restaurants make some money. A one-year extension is FF and the Lions doing the diplomatic and saying "look elsewhere."

Why would we be squeezed out? Historically, the MAC is the conference that brings the fans.

Sure, in theory, the Big Ten could fill this stadium if they put a very good Big Ten team here. But why would they do that? Michigan and Ohio State certainly don't want to play a bowl game in Detroit.

The only two times the game has had a Big Ten team in the Quick Lane era, the game's attendance has not exactly been stellar:
-- In 2018, it drew 27,228 for Minnesota-Georgia Tech.
-- In 2015, it drew 34,217 for Minnesota-Central Michigan, presumably because Chips fans showed up.

I'm not sure this is worth worrying about.

Sorry in advance for length.

Michigan and Ohio State don't have to, and the two examples you cited had better attendance, IMO, because there was a B1G team in there. I'll grant the attendance push by CMU fans, but how many MAC-vs-G5 QL Bowls topped 30,000?

The MAC "brings the fans?" Sure, some, and 99.9% of them come for the game, after dinner and a few drinks and, game over, are outa there. IMO B1G/P5 fans also will probably spend a bit more. And visiting P5 fans may fly in, spending more on the ground than people who drive in for a half day.

And sponsors? Ford would go into overdrive to advertise a P5-P5 game right there in Motor City. So whatever media rights would be on board.

There are damn few indoor stadiums available in the North that have proven (via the MAC CG and QL Bowl) that they can get a college game in between whatever the Lions are doing. Again, it's the rooftop that matters.

In any case, I am not "worrying." I am being realistic and saying what I think it is. The MAC/G5 has one (1!) northern indoor bowl game. A few years ago the Cubs/Wrigley thought about it (a la Fenway Bowl), rumor had it the B1Gs like NW and Ill. dumped on it, and the idea just went away. Anyone want a bowl at Wrigley outside in December?

IMO there also has to be a reason for the one-year extension to 2025. What happens in 2026? New CFP structure? Restructured bowls? Regardless, FF will still be a northern stadium with a rooftop and plenty of capacity.

We'll just have to wait for whatever.

On the other hand, I have a "dream" bowl I could spout about. But I'll leave that for another time.