(03-07-2019, 12:29 AM)p_rushing Wrote:

(03-06-2019, 10:25 PM)Bullseye Wrote: I have often wondered about that.

It is a mystery to me, not being in the NFL ownership business.  I DO know, however, that stadiums have traditionally driven franchise relocation, and as a rule of thumb, 25-30 years is the typical shelf life of an NFL stadium.

That said, the team and city have collaborated to make so many substantial upgrades to the stadium over the past quarter century-from the cupholders (LOL) to the Bud zone and south end zone escalators to the ribbons and video boards to Daily's place-I'm not sure from my vantage point how TIAA Bank field hovers near obsolescence, aside from age.

Sometimes I think some of it is ego driven, though I've little basis for that suspicion.

Money is the main reason. Stadiums where built to get the most people possible in them. Now they are being built to maximize premium experiences that they can sell for more money. Premium boxes, seats on the field where you can't see because cheerleaders block your view, restaurants, TVs at your seat so you can watch other games.

Owners keep 60% (unless it has changed) of gate sales. So the more they bring in, the more they make.

Newer stadiums have become places to be and not places to watch a football game. The game is almost secondary, which is why some people need all that other stuff. Look at the Bud Zone, people buy tickets and then go spend the whole game in there. Why buy tickets, pay that much for drinks, and watch the game on TV? Save money at your local bar or your house.

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Good post. I have been in the cabanas with the parking lot boys a couple of times and I guess that qualifies as a "premium experience". I think it was $250 pp/20 people and for that you get all you can eat and drink (beer/wine) plus your game ticket and maybe 6 parking spaces.

We had a blast all three times- we normally are together in Tailgaters lot pre-game, then sit in all different places for the game before re-convening in the lot for the post-game fun- but with the cabana (above the pool level) we were able to be together all day and it was fun. Lots of beer and the food just kept coming and the variety was good.

However...I've had enough of that "premium experience" and am going back up to my regular seat. In the cabana, I end up not seeing much of the game (I'm not a fan of end zone seats anyway so there's some bias) b/c you're drinking, talking, and just socializing all day, not that there's anything wrong with that. If you sit on one of the nice couches up there, you can't see the game unless the closed circuit TV isn't blocked...which it always is.

It was fun and I'd encourage everyone to get a group together and do a 20 person cabana at least once but I'm going back up to the cheap seats and enjoy the game. It's why I go.

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