Kamd50
07-26-2007, 10:08 AM
OSU in talks for spring-game bash
Promoter pushes party with concert, pep rally
Excerpts:
Once a simple exhibition played for steaks and bragging rights, the Ohio State University spring game has turned into a feast for football fans.
The table could get bigger next year.
The university is in talks with a New York marketing company to be a host site for the Gridiron Bash, a party that would be held the day before the spring game at Ohio Stadium. The event, which would take place April 18, would include a concert, games, a pep rally and strategy sessions with former Buckeye players.
MSL Productions, the company that hatched the idea, wants to host such bashes at 15 universities, which all would agree to hold their spring football games on April 19. MSL President Shawn Garrity said the idea is loosely based on the explosion of Midnight Madness events that mark the start of practice for college basketball teams.
Garrity estimates that the deal is worth $40 million if 15 schools participate, with about $12 million going back to the universities..........
David Brown, director of marketing for OSU's department of athletics, said he expects to negotiate terms of the deal this summer...............
MSL, which in recent years has become known for operating football combines for high-school players, is guaranteeing gate and merchandise revenue and the opportunity to make money on parking and food and beverage sales.
It's also offering $1.75 million in scholarships. Garrity said MSL intends to give as much as $1 million to the university with the largest attendance and fan interest in the event, with smaller amounts to runners-up..................
Perhaps that's why OSU's spring game has seemed to skyrocket in popularity........
This year, a record 75,301 fans attended the spring game................
Garrity said the concerts would involve nationally known acts such as Rascal Flatts and R.E.M. Concert prices would be set at $35, which would cover admission to pep rallies and other game-related events.
"We want to make sure we bring in A-level acts," he said. "But we'd make it about football first. College fans are starving right now to get a football fix before summer."
Full article:http://www.columbusdispatch.com/dispatch/content/business/stories/2007/07/25/Spring_game.ART_ART_07-25-07_C8_B07CBFN.html
Sounds like a winner:2thumbsup:
Promoter pushes party with concert, pep rally
Excerpts:
Once a simple exhibition played for steaks and bragging rights, the Ohio State University spring game has turned into a feast for football fans.
The table could get bigger next year.
The university is in talks with a New York marketing company to be a host site for the Gridiron Bash, a party that would be held the day before the spring game at Ohio Stadium. The event, which would take place April 18, would include a concert, games, a pep rally and strategy sessions with former Buckeye players.
MSL Productions, the company that hatched the idea, wants to host such bashes at 15 universities, which all would agree to hold their spring football games on April 19. MSL President Shawn Garrity said the idea is loosely based on the explosion of Midnight Madness events that mark the start of practice for college basketball teams.
Garrity estimates that the deal is worth $40 million if 15 schools participate, with about $12 million going back to the universities..........
David Brown, director of marketing for OSU's department of athletics, said he expects to negotiate terms of the deal this summer...............
MSL, which in recent years has become known for operating football combines for high-school players, is guaranteeing gate and merchandise revenue and the opportunity to make money on parking and food and beverage sales.
It's also offering $1.75 million in scholarships. Garrity said MSL intends to give as much as $1 million to the university with the largest attendance and fan interest in the event, with smaller amounts to runners-up..................
Perhaps that's why OSU's spring game has seemed to skyrocket in popularity........
This year, a record 75,301 fans attended the spring game................
Garrity said the concerts would involve nationally known acts such as Rascal Flatts and R.E.M. Concert prices would be set at $35, which would cover admission to pep rallies and other game-related events.
"We want to make sure we bring in A-level acts," he said. "But we'd make it about football first. College fans are starving right now to get a football fix before summer."
Full article:http://www.columbusdispatch.com/dispatch/content/business/stories/2007/07/25/Spring_game.ART_ART_07-25-07_C8_B07CBFN.html
Sounds like a winner:2thumbsup: