Bidwills Amaze Me

[Scott MS]

I am no football genius, but the Bidwill's amaze me. This latest Mexico City game is a real head scratcher. We are one year away from the opening of the brand new Arizona Cardinals stadium in Glendale which will hold 65,000 football fans. Currently, the Cardinals are drawing an average of about 37,000 fans to their games at Sun Devil Stadium.

Do the Bidwill's really believe that having a new state-of-the-art stadium will double the fans in attendance, just on the merits of the stadium alone? Sure it will help, but I think they know, as well as I, that attendance will increase as the team's success on the field increases.

An example of this is the 1998 playoff year. The last game of that season, when the Cardinals played the San Diego Chargers and Chris Jacke kicked the game winning field goal to put the Cards into the playoffs, 71,670 fans were in attendance and the game was sold out. Here's a breakdown of the average attendance since that 1998 playoff season:

1998 Total Att: 419,252, Per Game: 52,407
1999 Total Att: 465,352, Per Game: 58,169
2000 Total Att: 386,724, Per Game: 48,341
2001 Total Att: 307,317, Per Game: 38,415
2002 Total Att: 327,282, Per Game: 40,910
2003 Total Att: 288,499, Per Game: 36,062
2004 Total Att: 300,267, Per Game: 37,553

The 1999 season, the season after the playoff games, the Cardinals averaged 58,169 in attendance even though the team finished 6-10.

My point is that winning football games fills the seats, not sky boxes, air conditioning, etc. The Cards need to win games and start to be a successful franchise to fill up that Glendale stadium. They seemed to be on the right track the last year. They hired Denny Green, the first seasoned head coach to be hired after a long line of assistant coaches. Next, they start spending wisely in the free agent market both last offseason and this offseason. The Bidwill's have to know that fielding a winning team will be critical to filling the new stadium. They also know that the Cardinals record at home is significantly better than on the road the last several years.

As a result, I sit here amazed as to why the Bidwill's would agree to move a home game to Mexico City and make the road the playoffs even more challenging for the Cardinals. Sure, I agree that the Cardinals will get some national exposure, but exposure won't get the local fans to go the game. Rather, winning will bring the fans to the stadium -- it did in the past and I'm sure it will in the future.

 

[MadCardDisease]

As a result, I sit here amazed as to why the Bidwill's would agree to move a home game to Mexico City and make the road the playoffs even more challenging for the Cardinals. Sure, I agree that the Cardinals will get some national exposure, but exposure won't get the local fans to go the game. Rather, winning will bring the fans to the stadium -- it did in the past and I'm sure it will in the future.

It's more about money than national exposure.

We are talking about a stadium filled with 110,000 fans as apposed to one with just 37,000.

 

[Scott MS]

It's more about money than national exposure.

We are talking about a stadium filled with 110,000 fans as apposed to one with just 37,000.

Then that is short sighted and typical Bidwillian behavior. Winning the NFC West and hosting a playoff game will be the difference between 62,000 fans in that stadium in Glendale and 45,000. If the Cards win the game in Mexico, it's a moot point, but I just don't understand why they would make the road more difficult.

I understand the money perspective, though, and I think it can help the National perception of the team. But exposure isn't always good. When the Expos played games in Puerto Rico, I really could only think "what a pathetic franchise" that they have to play somewhere else to get fans. Don't be surpised if people say the same thing in this case -- and I hear they already are.

 

[Scott MS]

To me the bottom line in filling the stadium is winning and getting to the playoffs. That's what's football is about. If I owned the team, I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize that.

 

[MadCardDisease]

I understand the money perspective, though, and I think it can help the National perception of the team. But exposure isn't always good. When the Expos played games in Puerto Rico, I really could only think "what a pathetic franchise" that they have to play somewhere else to get fans. Don't be surpised if people say the same thing in this case -- and I hear they already are.

If the Cardinals were selling out games or coming close to selling out games over the last couple of years you wouldn't see us playing in Mexico this year. So yes the Cardinals playing in Mexico can be blamed on a lack of support by Arizonians.

 

[MadCardDisease]

To me the bottom line in filling the stadium is winning and getting to the playoffs. That's what's football is about. If I owned the team, I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize that.

I agree. However until you start winning and can attrack new fans you still have to pay the bottem line on a brand new stadium.

 

[SECTION 11]

If the Cardinals were selling out games or coming close to selling out games over the last couple of years you wouldn't see us playing in Mexico this year. So yes the Cardinals playing in Mexico can be blamed on a lack of support by Arizonians.

I totally agree.

 

[40yearfan]

If the Cardinals were selling out games or coming close to selling out games over the last couple of years you wouldn't see us playing in Mexico this year. So yes the Cardinals playing in Mexico can be blamed on a lack of support by Arizonians.

 

[az jam]

I think the commissioner Paul Tagliabue called the shots on this.

 

[danny l]

PRE-SEASON game.Not home regular season game. This also gives the Cardinals a leg up on the fastest growing minority in the US.

 

[ajcardfan]

I think the commissioner Paul Tagliabue called the shots on this.

There's no doubt that there was a "We scratched your back, you scratch ours" angle to it.

 

[Scott MS]

If the Cardinals were selling out games or coming close to selling out games over the last couple of years you wouldn't see us playing in Mexico this year. So yes the Cardinals playing in Mexico can be blamed on a lack of support by Arizonians.

MadCardDisease -- I don't disagree with you. In fact I agree with you.

But if you want to get the fans back, why go play somewhere else?

Frankly, I just want to see the Cards win and make the playoffs and playing in SDS gives them the best chance. They win 63% of the games they play there.

 

[traveler]

Is it typical Bidwillian to sign 4 free agents already, plus how many last year? The ownership has changed, we have a world class coach, we will soon have a world class home. Let's get off with the Bidwill barbs. Leave that to smart guys like Gambo.

 

[RonF]

Follow the money.

 

[Scott MS]

Is it typical Bidwillian to sign 4 free agents already, plus how many last year? The ownership has changed, we have a world class coach, we will soon have a world class home. Let's get off with the Bidwill barbs. Leave that to smart guys like Gambo.

As I stated before, they were on the right track hiring Green, the FA signings, etc. This seems like a step back. I don't think the exposure is necessarily that great of a thing. Jose Conseco is getting a hell of a lot of exposure, so is Kobe Bryant and Michael Jackson. Doesn't mean that people will like them.

Seems to be one more gimmick to give the national media a chance to make fun of this franchise.




.

 

[WizardOfAz]

If the Cardinals were selling out games or coming close to selling out games over the last couple of years you wouldn't see us playing in Mexico this year. So yes the Cardinals playing in Mexico can be blamed on a lack of support by Arizonians.

Well said.

 

[Rocco]

If the Cardinals were selling out games or coming close to selling out games over the last couple of years you wouldn't see us playing in Mexico this year. So yes the Cardinals playing in Mexico can be blamed on a lack of support by Arizonians.

So why do Arizonians not support the team? Which came first , the chicken or the egg?

 

[john h]

If the Cardinals were selling out games or coming close to selling out games over the last couple of years you wouldn't see us playing in Mexico this year. So yes the Cardinals playing in Mexico can be blamed on a lack of support by Arizonians.

It is a business and 110,000 beats 35,000 everyday. When and if we start winning we want worry about these things. We have the poorest fan support in the NFL and yes it is because the owners have failed to field a team worth watching for decades. It is going to take time to turn this train wreck around. We had way to many holes to fill this year. We filled a few but still have a way to go.

 

[john h]

I think the commissioner Paul Tagliabue called the shots on this.

I am confident he consulted with the owners first. He sure would not send the Skins who draw near 100,000 every week at home. Philly fans would march on Washington. Green Bay would quit packing meat. What few regular Cards fans we have will post mean notes on the board.

 

[john h]

Is it typical Bidwillian to sign 4 free agents already, plus how many last year? The ownership has changed, we have a world class coach, we will soon have a world class home. Let's get off with the Bidwill barbs. Leave that to smart guys like Gambo.

Until we prove we have changed on the field and the Coach proves he is world class with victories let us not jump start just yet. We still have to prove it on the field.

 

[WizardOfAz]

So why do Arizonians not support the team?

Because the AZ fans are front-running band wagon fans.

Ask the D'Backs. The year they won the World series they were 15th in MLB in attendance....it wasn't until the year after they vaulted to the top 5. Ask ASU football about selling out SDS. The list goes on and on.

 

[RedViper]

You make this Mexico City move if you want to ensure you have the hardest schedule next year. I don't care who anyone else has on the docket, the team that plays 7 games at home and nine on the road, as plays a division rival twice on the road has the hardest schedule. Period.

This national exposure thing is just a completely empty phrase. It does nothing to improve the value of this team, attracting fans, attracting free agents. Winning is the only thing in the universe that can help the cards on that score, and this move will help us lose.

I could live with this move if the Cards were kicking and screaming, saying they had no choice, and that they know it will run counter to the goal of getting this team to consistently winning football. I can only surmise the Cards don't actually have that as their number one goal. The NFL certainly doesn't want to do anything to take us in that direction. And I think the excuse that other teams will be subject to this deal is just pure BS. Every other franchise of the NFL will be able to look out for its best interest and tell the league what to go do itself. Just like the opening week bye in 2001, the league only pulls these stunts with teams that are too worthless and weak to take what is theirs. I've never been more ashamed of this team.

 

[POISON]

What's your reasoning there??? Makes a lot of sense.

 

[Red Hawk]

MadCardDisease
Moderator




Join Date: May 2002
Location: Chandler, Az
Posts: 3,235 Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott MS
I understand the money perspective, though, and I think it can help the National perception of the team. But exposure isn't always good. When the Expos played games in Puerto Rico, I really could only think "what a pathetic franchise" that they have to play somewhere else to get fans. Don't be surpised if people say the same thing in this case -- and I hear they already are.



If the Cardinals were selling out games or coming close to selling out games over the last couple of years you wouldn't see us playing in Mexico this year. So yes the Cardinals playing in Mexico can be blamed on a lack of support by Arizonians.
__________________
Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach that person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks.

Rocco
Registered User


Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 586 Quote:
Originally Posted by MadCardDisease
If the Cardinals were selling out games or coming close to selling out games over the last couple of years you wouldn't see us playing in Mexico this year. So yes the Cardinals playing in Mexico can be blamed on a lack of support by Arizonians.



So why do Arizonians not support the team? Which came first , the chicken or the egg?




I was born and raised here in Arizona. As was my father. And my grandfather came here before there was a State of Arizona. Yet all this time we mistakenly considered ourselves "Arizonans". Go Figure.

 

[Rocco]

MadCardDisease
Moderator




Join Date: May 2002
Location: Chandler, Az
Posts: 3,235 Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott MS
I understand the money perspective, though, and I think it can help the National perception of the team. But exposure isn't always good. When the Expos played games in Puerto Rico, I really could only think "what a pathetic franchise" that they have to play somewhere else to get fans. Don't be surpised if people say the same thing in this case -- and I hear they already are.



If the Cardinals were selling out games or coming close to selling out games over the last couple of years you wouldn't see us playing in Mexico this year. So yes the Cardinals playing in Mexico can be blamed on a lack of support by Arizonians.
__________________
Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach that person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks.

Rocco
Registered User


Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 586 Quote:
Originally Posted by MadCardDisease
If the Cardinals were selling out games or coming close to selling out games over the last couple of years you wouldn't see us playing in Mexico this year. So yes the Cardinals playing in Mexico can be blamed on a lack of support by Arizonians.



So why do Arizonians not support the team? Which came first , the chicken or the egg?




I was born and raised here in Arizona. As was my father. And my grandfather came here before there was a State of Arizona. Yet all this time we mistakenly considered ourselves "Arizonans". Go Figure.

Sorry. Arizonans it is.