Just got a letter in the mail.  Platinum seat "contributions" are going up 75% this next coming year.  Ouch! 

Was $100 per seat this year and is going to $175 next.  Access to the Rohr Room goes from $600 per year this year to $750 next year.  That's just the tip of the iceberg though if plans for a massive upgrade to the Rohr Room are approved.

I can't say it'll be fun to pay more, but I agree with Love. Even for someone like me who misses more games than they make, it's good bang for the entertainment buck. Besides, facilities don't upgrade themselves and people don't work for free.

Increasing those donations this year is silly. Last year would have been the much better way to go.

I can't believe they raised the football Green Lot from $600 to $750 - that's a 25% increase in ONE year. Orange Lot is almost as good and only $350 - think you'll see a mass exodus across the road!

we had the highest sports revenue intake in MAC history last year, as the product increases in value so does the cost. Here's to another record breaking year.

Welcome to real college sports.

We know you think everything should stay at high school prices, but this is what happens in the real world.

75.5% increase per game.

Helps to offset the avg 4,000 empty, or nearly give away seats every game...........................

When you balance the cost with the recent product on the field, along with the annual enjoyment--this is the best investment I make all year.  I get every penny back and more in the enjoyment of each Ohio season.

If I were to change one thing regarding pricing, I'd get rid of the $1.50 per seat and $4.50 per seat promotions.  I think these promotions devalue the product.  I think you should either charge full price, or give them away.  Yes, it does encourage attendance/trial and does fill seats that might otherwise go unsold.  At the same time, it gives people the impression this is what the product is actually worth.  And when you do eventual attempt to raise prices to what they should be, people will still have in their minds that they're worth $1.50 to $4.50 each.   

For example, I had a buddy of mine I've taken to games for years wishing to buy his own Tower Club Season Tickets this year.  However, when he called to buy Tower Club Seats he learned he could buy a 4 Pack of Season Tickets in a section right below the Tower Club for something like $200-$300 total and he went with the discount package when all along he was more than ready to buy the full price seating option.  Will be interesting to see what kickback the Ticket Office gets if they ever attempt to charge full price for these promotional seats they've literally been giving away some day.

Classic, Swank!  When he was a kid frankfooters only coast a nickel. 

First thing, your ticket price is not subsidized by student fees.  The student's get in for free.  Regardless of whether or not the department took student fees has no impact on your ticket price. 

Also, they are increasing the platinum donation, only four sections of seats and they are currently sold out.  When demand is greater than supply, the price of admission goes up.  I am surprised you did not mention that along with your maximizing efficiencies, cutting costs lecture.  By the way, cutting costs is not the only to bring expenditures in line with revenue.  The other common way to do that is to increase revenue while maintaining costs, but it was a more convenient argument for your agenda to focus on the cutting costs part. 

Lastly, as Bobcat Love mentioned this is still worth every cent.  The value that people get is outstanding.  Free unlimited popcorn and soda as well as occasional treats like Chick-fil-a.  A private hospitality area with an entry that takes you right to your seating area and they are the best seats in the house outside of the Bobcat Black seats.  All this and your price of admission is tax deductible supporting the university that you love and want to see continually get better and advance. 

I wonder how many similar threads have been started by you?  I would imagine it is the lions share!  If the athletic department were not delivering the product that they are I might understand you complaining, but they are delivering on a high level.

Have to disagree with you on this one.  If the student fee revenue stream did not exist, the department would not be able to maintain the current level of expenditures.  They would either have to make drastic cuts or raise additional revenue.  The most likely source of that additional revenue would be ticket prices.  Because of student fees you and I are able to buy tickets for very reasonable prices.

And if the State of Ohio didn't chip in 100 million dollars to OU a year tuition would be 5,000 more. Welcome to the land of hypotheticals. Incidentally student fees have always been indexed with the % tuition increase so its not like that genie can go back into the bottle.

Here you go Tom.  Although the article is 3 years old, it is interesting and the links to some of the data are pretty good too.

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/2010-09-21-student-fees-boost-college-sports_N.htm

Thanks Tom.  What boggles my mind is this quote from both the article:

Many students at USF were surprised when told of the numbers. Many didn't even know they were being charged in addition to tuition.