Champions Club

[PhrasingPlease]

Is the attendance in the Champions Club as bad as it continues to look on TV? I remember reading that people were supposedly all standing around inside, but there can't be that many people in the lounge. The Boosters must be losing their shirt on the Champions Club.

I actually thought it was a good idea when it was announced, but it looks like they misjudged the market. Either we don't have a wealthy enough fanbase or FSU fans prefer to be in the action; not sitting with the wine and cheese crowd. Even if they lowered the price, I'm not sure I'd want to sit up there.

The shaded seating is the only benefit I like. The money might have been better spent adding cover to all of the seating in Doak.

 

[StAugNole]

Yeah, the shaded seating would be great for all those noon games we will be playing.

 

[squiffynole]

I still think the CC was a good move certain problems notwithstanding.

The boosters have another problem - their Collegetown LLC is a financial loser FSU has begun an audit. That's 'shareholder' money bleeding away.

 

[Mugsy101]

I still think the CC was a good move certain problems notwithstanding.

The boosters have another problem - their Collegetown LLC is a financial loser FSU has begun an audit. That's 'shareholder' money bleeding away.

All you here from people is that Collegetown is raking money in hand over foot, I've never heard different.

 

[trefeet]

I think a lot of the seats are sold but the fans stay inside in the AC.
They should have built it with half the seats and more of an open air covered standing area or more club area and less outdoor seats. It looks ridiculous on tv when empty.
That or they need to force fans outside or something.

 

[squiffynole]

All you here from people is that Collegetown is raking money in hand over foot, I've never heard different.

The support package for September 2017 Board of Trustees meeting says Collegetown LLC liabilities exceed assets by $3M and the venture lost $800,000 during 2016. The Inspector General will review existing financial reports and conduct additional audit work as necessary.

https://trustees.fsu.edu/meetings/materials/20170922/Materials-2017-09-22.pdf

Keep in mind that Collegetown LLC does not own all of the redeveloped lots off of Madison Street, T'Alley LLC owns complex where Madison Social is located. Some owners may be making money but at this stage not the boosters.

Notice how this year the boosters / FSU abandoned the Downtown Get Down and moved the Friday night 'Block Party' to a Madison Street location? That was not for the convenience of fans.

 

[ericram]

I still think the CC was a good move certain problems notwithstanding.

The boosters have another problem - their Collegetown LLC is a financial loser FSU has begun an audit. That's 'shareholder' money bleeding away.

Oh please tell us more.....

 

[squiffynole]

Oh please tell us more.....

I'm just pointing out the IG report.

Maybe someone can help its worrisome that $800,000 was lost in one year. Is it that parking fee revenues are just starting to flow? Was this situation anticipated as part of initial startup? What's the prognosis?

 

[JMGNole]

Notice how this year the boosters / FSU abandoned the Downtown Get Down and moved the Friday night 'Block Party' to a Madison Street location? That was not for the convenience of fans.

As I understand it, Garnet and Gold got screwed again, as they can't tie into the College Town event due to the FSU apparel store on Madison.

 

[cmanole]

I think a lot of the seats are sold but the fans stay inside in the AC.
They should have built it with half the seats and more of an open air covered standing area or more club area and less outdoor seats. It looks ridiculous on tv when empty.
That or they need to force fans outside or something.

Yeah. They need to redo it...

 

[F4Gary]

There's a good thread on it over on the TC. Some good ideas.

 

[RTM58]

 

[travnole]

I sat up there for the first time this week. Thread on my thoughts on the TC.

But to answer original question, yes it was packed inside (4th floor). I was in my seats most of the game, but every time I went in it was very crowded. Keep in mind they are still not selling all the seats as I think they are trying to make sure they can handle the crowd inside. There were times it was completely packed and not many seats to be found. I think they were pretty far off on estimating how many would not bother with using their seats and trying to work through it. My seats were right in the middle and there was no shade until the game was pretty much over. AC was nice, food and bathrooms were great. I had to pay $100 for 8 beers, would much rather just smuggle in a bottle like I have to every game for 20+ years.

$$ wise it's a huge success. Atmosphere wise, nothing like being down in the stands. A totally different game watching experience. I'll keep my bowl tickets, maybe go up there from time to time when I get a cheap ticket like I did this week.

 

[CobNole]

Notice how this year the boosters / FSU abandoned the Downtown Get Down and moved the Friday night 'Block Party' to a Madison Street location? That was not for the convenience of fans.

I was told before it was completed that the Block Party would move to Collegetown.

 

[LT4PLY]

I sat up there for the first time this week. Thread on my thoughts on the TC.

But to answer original question, yes it was packed inside (4th floor). I was in my seats most of the game, but every time I went in it was very crowded. Keep in mind they are still not selling all the seats as I think they are trying to make sure they can handle the crowd inside. There were times it was completely packed and not many seats to be found. I think they were pretty far off on estimating how many would not bother with using their seats and trying to work through it. My seats were right in the middle and there was no shade until the game was pretty much over. AC was nice, food and bathrooms were great. I had to pay $100 for 8 beers, would much rather just smuggle in a bottle like I have to every game for 20+ years.

$$ wise it's a huge success. Atmosphere wise, nothing like being down in the stands. A totally different game watching experience. I'll keep my bowl tickets, maybe go up there from time to time when I get a cheap ticket like I did this week.

Part of the reason people aren't in their seats because you can get 'stuck' in them or at least feel like crap getting people to move when you want to get up and get another beer or snack. They should have made it spread out to where you could get out of your seat and get out without bothering anyone. There is zero leg room like any other stadium so it's a pain in the rear to get in or out.

Another reason is many hoped for shade and the awnings were designed by someone who doesn't understand the concept of how the sun works. It doesn't help that the lead Architect on the Project is a UF alumni.

 

[HulaNole]

The Champions Club is packed.

 

[TC Nole OX]

The boosters have another problem - their Collegetown LLC is a financial loser FSU has begun an audit. That's 'shareholder' money bleeding away.

Unfortunate but completely predicted on here by many

 

[F4Gary]

Someone said it took them 20 minutes just to go get a beer.

Another suggested having the buffet open only before the game, during halftime, and after the game.

 

[LT4PLY]

Someone said it took them 20 minutes just to go get a beer.

Another suggested having the buffet open only before the game, during halftime, and after the game.

They need a beer only bar where they are pre pouring beers and not handling cash or CC... They need to sell beer tickets in blocks of 10 that you can use from game to game for the 'quick beer line'. Sodas need to be out and available because you have to wait in line with kids, etc. who just want a soda. Food throughout the game is a requirement.

They should also consider pre poured drinks for whatever the heck sells the most and/or a drink of the day type special that they can make in bulk and sell in the quick beer line. This is standard hospitality stuff that our renowned school should have down pat. Look at how they do it on cruise ships. Drink of the day being paraded around pre poured in a special cup with cheaper refill option, stuff that sells big is pre made in key bars by the pool (margaritas, daiquiris, etc.). By just having a quick place for a beer and sodas out it will free up the bars for people that want something specific and everybody wins.

 

[Urban Cryer]

I would imagine the CC and college town would do a lot better if our team didn't suck!

 

[jamnolfin]

5500 seats, over 4500 seats sold for Miami. Jerry said numerous times that we wouldn't exceed 3500 1st year and 4500 2nd year until we get all of the issues worked out. The club was built for much more than 6 football games a year, a lot of plans to make stadium a multi use venue. I can't get into some of the things planned but it's a exciting venture for sure. The lead architect is a Auburn grad and has done many of these venues (has quite the resume). The seating space is industry standard, same as Dallas stadium. The Champions club is part of the Fund Doak campaign. The club pays for the club itself, all UCC and stadium upgrades and upkeep. If you are sitting in Doak, it's all funded by the club from football to events and rentals. The yearly note on club and the upgrades is covered by +- 3000 season tickets sold so it's doing well. There is still more upgrades coming, the club has only been operational 13 months now and 4 of those months were football season. Jerry sends out a questionnaire after every game addressing concerns and working to make it a better experience. I have never sat in a seat up there for longer than 5 minutes and neither has my wife or daughters. I hate to sit for games and always got complaints from people around me, I like the clubs upper deck for game viewing. I can go anywhere in the stadium to watch, even the field at times and I prefer the club as do many others. A lot of the folks up there wouldn't even attend games if it wasn't for the club, just talked to a guy today that has a bad back and told me just that. It's a club and most every major sports venue in America has one, we were way behind. The thing that makes our club so nice is you can go get food and drink and never lose sight of the field, why sit? I have yet to see a stadium club nicer than ours and I have been in many. When you buy into the CC you put your name on your seat, it's there if you want it.

 

[jamnolfin]

They need a beer only bar where they are pre pouring beers and not handling cash or CC... They need to sell beer tickets in blocks of 10 that you can use from game to game for the 'quick beer line'. Sodas need to be out and available because you have to wait in line with kids, etc. who just want a soda. Food throughout the game is a requirement.

They should also consider pre poured drinks for whatever the heck sells the most and/or a drink of the day type special that they can make in bulk and sell in the quick beer line. This is standard hospitality stuff that our renowned school should have down pat. Look at how they do it on cruise ships. Drink of the day being paraded around pre poured in a special cup with cheaper refill option, stuff that sells big is pre made in key bars by the pool (margaritas, daiquiris, etc.). By just having a quick place for a beer and sodas out it will free up the bars for people that want something specific and everybody wins.

This^ My biggest complaint if I'm being honest. They do lay out sodas in the sports bar, that's the only indoor part of the club I hang out in so I'm not sure if it's in the Grill or west side 4th floor. Theres also water stations. Love the 4 Rivers, i think the food upgrades from last year are awesome. I had ceviche, brisket, salad bar, Bradley sausage dog and some 4 Rivers nachos saturday. Love the little plates so you can try everything.

 

[LesClaypool]

Jerry said numerous times that...

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[jamnolfin]

Someone said it took them 20 minutes just to go get a beer.

Another suggested having the buffet open only before the game, during halftime, and after the game.

Food is served starting approximately 2 hours before game until halftime, desserts in 3rd quarter and snacks in the 4th. Some of the sections up there get packed like the outdoor terraces and bar gets slow. The sports bar moves quickly from my experience.

 

[jamnolfin]

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Dang, Jerry has lost a lot of hair.

 

[RTM58]

 

[cfbfan23]

 

[LT4PLY]

5500 seats, over 4500 seats sold for Miami. Jerry said numerous times that we wouldn't exceed 3500 1st year and 4500 2nd year until we get all of the issues worked out. The club was built for much more than 6 football games a year, a lot of plans to make stadium a multi use venue.... The lead architect is a Auburn grad and has done many of these venues (has quite the resume). The seating space is industry standard, same as Dallas stadium. .....

The lead architect thing was more of a joke than anything else, but... http://www.emiarch.com/jmt.html and yes still a joke, I won't give up a shot to jab at a gator.

In regards to seating being 'industry standard': No offense but Dallas broke ground on their stadium in 2005. Our stadium was beginning their upgrades nearly a decade later and there have been a LOT of great new luxury seating ideas implemented since then. Dallas is hardly the standard. Lots of people keep asking why butts aren't in seats and I listed a couple of reasons. People are waiting in lines and there isn't enough space around the seats to get in and out easily. For reference look at Hard Rock Stadium's luxury seating. The upgrades were happening about the same time as ours and it's a great comparison because it's an upgrade over a new stadium build. Pricing wise it's about the same cost per game to get 4 terrace seats there ($1000 per table of 4 per game) as it is to get 4 club seats at Doak and you can't tell me you wouldn't be more comfortable / use your seats more in the Hard Rock Terrace seats Vs. our Club seats.

Also... NFL stadiums don't usually offer Food as part of the package for regular club seats. I think there is only one section in Dallas that offers it and the seats are more spread out in that section. People are a heck of a lot more likely to be getting up and down when food is included Vs. food you have to pay for at Stadium pricing. Miami is the same way. Standard Club seats are about the same size as ours but food isn't included. I have sat in a few club sections where food is included and they have all had more space than ours. Heck, if you want to see a club section that has good spacing just check out the Tucker center. The Club there is well spaced and has the small bar top in front of seats and aisles to walk around so you can get up and get drinks/food.

Here is a link to details on Miami's new seats: http://www.miami.com/things-to-do-i...uxury-seats-at-miamis-sun-life-stadium-19170/

 

[HilltopperNole]

When I first saw it I thought they should have built patio type seating with high top tables outside instead of all bleacher seats. That way you could socialize/drink and still be outside for the game, put some umbrellas with fans at the tables as well.

 

[acousti88]

Is the attendance in the Champions Club as bad as it continues to look on TV? I remember reading that people were supposedly all standing around inside, but there can't be that many people in the lounge. The Boosters must be losing their shirt on the Champions Club.

I actually thought it was a good idea when it was announced, but it looks like they misjudged the market. Either we don't have a wealthy enough fanbase or FSU fans prefer to be in the action; not sitting with the wine and cheese crowd. Even if they lowered the price, I'm not sure I'd want to sit up there.

The shaded seating is the only benefit I like. The money might have been better spent adding cover to all of the seating in Doak.

more tv inside to hot outside

 

[jamnolfin]

The lead architect thing was more of a joke than anything else, but... http://www.emiarch.com/jmt.html and yes still a joke, I won't give up a shot to jab at a gator.

In regards to seating being 'industry standard': No offense but Dallas broke ground on their stadium in 2005. Our stadium was beginning their upgrades nearly a decade later and there have been a LOT of great new luxury seating ideas implemented since then. Dallas is hardly the standard. Lots of people keep asking why butts aren't in seats and I listed a couple of reasons. People are waiting in lines and there isn't enough space around the seats to get in and out easily. For reference look at Hard Rock Stadium's luxury seating. The upgrades were happening about the same time as ours and it's a great comparison because it's an upgrade over a new stadium build. Pricing wise it's about the same cost per game to get 4 terrace seats there ($1000 per table of 4 per game) as it is to get 4 club seats at Doak and you can't tell me you wouldn't be more comfortable / use your seats more in the Hard Rock Terrace seats Vs. our Club seats.

Also... NFL stadiums don't usually offer Food as part of the package for regular club seats. I think there is only one section in Dallas that offers it and the seats are more spread out in that section. People are a heck of a lot more likely to be getting up and down when food is included Vs. food you have to pay for at Stadium pricing. Miami is the same way. Standard Club seats are about the same size as ours but food isn't included. I have sat in a few club sections where food is included and they have all had more space than ours. Heck, if you want to see a club section that has good spacing just check out the Tucker center. The Club there is well spaced and has the small bar top in front of seats and aisles to walk around so you can get up and get drinks/food.

Here is a link to details on Miami's new seats: http://www.miami.com/things-to-do-i...uxury-seats-at-miamis-sun-life-stadium-19170/

I haven't heard of that guy so I'm not sure, i thought Andrew was lead but i could be wrong. He headed up everything i saw but there could have been somebody behind the scenes i didn't know about..

Miami's club seats are the absolute worst i have ever been in. Little bathrooms and concession venues, I thought it was ridiculous. I'm going by the mezzanine ones I sat in so I'm not sure of the lower level ones. I know the midfield 72 club I think it was looked awesome but there's no telling how much those cost. I'm not comparing to Dallas just that it was the same company. The industry standard is just what I've heard. We have tons of terrace seating, thats why nobody wants to sit in the stands. We have put some tables in the middle sections and covering that area is on the list of projects not completed. We would like to make that a premium section in the future if we go ahead with the covering.

I'm not as involved with the club as i was during construction phase so i don't know what's next. Personally I don't hear many season ticket holders complaining about many things other than maybe some operational issues and those are the ones we need to make happy. The club is hitting all of its goals so far and is financing the rest of stadium like it was planned so I guess it's a success. The "optics" is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard, it's a club. If it was like Miamis club people would sit in their seats because there's nowhere else but a hallway devoid of TVs to stand. Tampa is pretty bad also, haven't been to Jacksonvilles.

 

[Squirrel J.]

 

[Nole Lou]

If nobody wants to use the seats, they want to be inside, then why have the empty seats? Why not pull them out, replace them with another type of seating that people would use, or just sell them as regular tickets and have the club be "SRO" or whatever? What's the point of a section of seats nobody wants to sit in?

 

[RTM58]

 

[jamnolfin]

If nobody wants to use the seats, they want to be inside, then why have the empty seats? Why not pull them out, replace them with another type of seating that people would use, or just sell them as regular tickets and have the club be "SRO" or whatever? What's the point of a section of seats nobody wants to sit in?

They own the seat, it's their choice not yours. Plus we can't have more than a certain amount anyway because of fire code.

 

[Nole Lou]

They own the seat, it's their choice not yours. Plus we can't have more than a certain amount anyway because of fire code.

What does that even mean? You said yourself that people don't want them.

"I have never sat in a seat up there for longer than 5 minutes and neither has my wife or daughters."

So why do they need to remain?

If that's the case, take it out of the package if all people care about is the lounge. I don't think people "own" the seats. They can't take them home with them. They can't paint them another color. They have them because they were included. Stop including them, sell them as normal tickets, or create some other seating arrangement that maybe somebody WOULD want. Make the whole thing one big enclosed lounge with no seats.

How is it a good use of resources to have so much space dedicated to something people don't want. I don't think there's any other conclusion that it was a miscalculation that people would want and use the seats. I don't even blame the planning...I'm sure people answered surveys saying they would want to use the seats...but once the whole thing is in place, turns out they didn't. I don't see the point in having an area of that size dedicated to something that isn't used and isn't wanted.

 

[RTM58]

Maybe they could build a single space warehouse building with 25-foot high ceiling NEAR the stadium for the Champions Club members. They could call the building "The Stadium." The interior would have multiple bars, a banquet area, tons of TV's, cool comfy chairs and sofas, plush carpeting and all done in garnet and gold. On one side of the space they could do floor to ceiling UHD projection screens connected to video feeds at the stadium placed above the current club seating. They could also pump in some raucous live audio from the stadium and the field. Along the same lines, you could even add some VR glasses with video from the sideline for an extra fee of course. You would also install a state of the art HVAC system and lots of fans (click here).

This way the CC members could tailgate at the game and say they were "at the game/stadium", but wouldn't have to deal with outdoor seating, the heat, the sun in their eyes or the football fans. You could then sell the actual seats to people who would sit in them. That way it wouldn't look like the stadium is 1/3 empty for national televised games because of the wine and cheese crowd.

I'm old enough to remember when we made fun of the wine an cheese crowd.

 

[Thebear612]

Seats: Yup looks bad on TV for sure.

However, the school makes MORE money on them "empty" than we did when we had a full end zone before they were built. Furthermore, the added revenue on NON football days in the CC has other schools from around the country coming to Tally to duplicate it.

Seating design: FSU had very little choice here. We had massive fire code issues to build the seats they way we wanted. Very long story short, the ENTIRE stadium would have had to be rebuilt to put in today's modern club seats in terms of spacing.

 

[jamnolfin]

What does that even mean? You said yourself that people don't want them.

"I have never sat in a seat up there for longer than 5 minutes and neither has my wife or daughters."

So why do they need to remain?

If that's the case, take it out of the package if all people care about is the lounge. I don't think people "own" the seats. They can't take them home with them. They can't paint them another color. They have them because they were included. Stop including them, sell them as normal tickets, or create some other seating arrangement that maybe somebody WOULD want. Make the whole thing one big enclosed lounge with no seats.

How is it a good use of resources to have so much space dedicated to something people don't want. I don't think there's any other conclusion that it was a miscalculation that people would want and use the seats. I don't even blame the planning...I'm sure people answered surveys saying they would want to use the seats...but once the whole thing is in place, turns out they didn't. I don't see the point in having an area of that size dedicated to something that isn't used and isn't wanted.

They put their name on their seat, they sign 5 year commitments for them. It's their seat, they don't have to use it. They can sell it but they won't have access to club, you can't use club without a seat whether you use it or not. It's not that hard to understand. We have 5800 seats, if you want to buy one and sit in it you can. We can't sell more than 5800 up there, sitting or standing per fire code

 

[seminole97]

The "optics" is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard, it's a club

I thought it was a football stadium with a bunch of empty seats where there used be screaming fans adding to the home field advantage.

But I'm glad to hear the ceviche is good.