It is disapointing that the legislature killed the bill to grant TAF more than 12% of the seats in Tiger Stadium. While there are lots of people who are not willing to pay a lot more for what they have enjoyed for a relatively small cost for years the reality is that if LSU is to be able to "keep up with the Joneses" and continue to build a national quality program capable of competing with best it takes a lot of money. While TAF has done everything it can to try to solicit more funding for the continued improvement and upgrading of existing facilities there is an untapped source of revenue that has been overlooked. There are thousands of LSU fans not only in Louisiana who are fanatic LSU fans who may not be season ticket holders and who may not attend more than a couple of games a year who would probably be willing to contribute in some way to the growth of Tiger football. In addition there are thousands of LSU Alumni who have relocated out of state who are unable to attend an LSU game even one time a year but who are still fanatics about wanting to see the Tigers win. If TAF were to sell auxilliary memberships to these fans for maybe $25 to $35 a year it would generate a lot of additional revenue. In addition to the immediate revenue TAF would be able to create a database of the addresses and email addresses of its auxilliary membership for future solicitations. Maybe give an LSU cap and bumper sticker to new members.
It's an election year in LA. I spoke just the other day about this topic, the 12% rule, to a prospective representative. It's becoming one of my litmus test issues in the upcoming election. Call, ask, write, email, find out what your rep. thinks and then tell him what you think.
My idea could be implemented by TAF with no legislative approval necessary. It wouldn't bring in the millions of dollars that control of more seats in Tiger Stadium would but it is an untapped source of supplemental revenue that could bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Bengal B -- TAF basically already does this. You can be a member of TAF for about $50 per year (or as much as you want to give). That does not come with football tickets or anything other than a subscription to Purple & Gold and a car sticker. You do get TAF points, which would be used in away game & bowl game ticket lotteries if demand exceeds supply for those games.
Saban says "It needs to be done." and I agree. LSU needs to be improved. 1. Tiger Stadium...I really like the 7 million dollar plan to redo restrooms and other inner stadium stuff. I was walking on campus and noticed this contruction has already started....I think. 2. Fix the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. 3. Fix Mike the Tigers cage. I think baseball and softball can wait 2-4 more years before talking about their upgrades.
I think Mike the Tigers cage should be our top priority. He deserves so much beter than his dinly ittle cage.
I am wondering what the stadoim would look like if they horseshoed the upper deck. I know it would be 100,000+
