• Loading stock data...
Thursday, December 5, 2024

Is technology to blame for the decline in college football attendance?

Jul 19, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald speaks during the Big Ten Football Media Days event at Hilton Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Jim Young-USA TODAY Sports

*This piece first appeared in the Front Office Sports Newsletter. Subscribe today and get the news before anyone else.

When it comes to the decline in college football attendance, Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald pointed to cellphones being one of the major reasons why. 

During a media day press conference, Fitzgerald said, “I think phones, I think technology has been the decline in attendance.”

How bad are the attendance problems?

According to CBS Sports, the 2018 CFB season saw the lowest average attendance in 22 years.

Of the Power Five conferences, the ACC was the only one with an average attendance increase in 2018. For the fifth consecutive year, the majority of the 10 FBS conferences were down in attendance (7 of 10 in 2018). 

How do they fix it?

For Coach Fitzgerald, prioritizing the fan experience is about creating the best parties during every home game.

“When I think of college football Saturdays, I’ve said it every year, I want to create seven parties. I want everyone that walks into our building to walk in and say ‘I’m excited to watch this game. I’m having a great time. I’m fired up to support the Cats.’ They walk out of there going ‘that was one of the best experiences of my life.”

What did fans have to say?

Attendance issues in sports are a hot-button topic, so we polled our Twitter followers to see what contributed to them attending fewer games. Of the 594 people who voted, 58% said that the price of tickets was the main reason keeping them home, while 24% pointed to time commitment being the biggest factor.

It is also worth noting, that in a separate poll with 652 votes, 54% of those who voted agreed with Coach Fitzgerald.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Tulsa Football Players Say Fired Coach Promised NIL Cash That Never Materialized

Their now-fired coach says none of his players would get NIL money.

Conference Title Games to Shape CFP Picture: High Stakes, Wild Scenarios

The ACC, Big 12, and Mountain West title games have big implications.
Lane Kiffin

College Football Devolves Into Sniping as Playoff Bracket Nears

From Lane Kiffin to Jim Phillips, no one is holding back.

Big Ten, SEC Dominate; Alabama Ranks 11th As CFP Picture Sharpens

The final rankings before conference championship games are out.

Featured Today

Dec 18, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; FIFA president Gianni Infantino claps during the awards ceremony after the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium.

FIFA Wants More Matches. Resistance Is Growing Inside the Global Soccer World

Resentment and frustration over expanded schedules is nearing a breaking point.
November 30, 2024

U.S. Investors Are Gunning for England’s Small Soccer Clubs

Is another Hollywood-like success story possible among the U.K.’s smallest clubs?
Nov 1, 2024; Boise, Idaho, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) leads the team onto the field prior to the first quarter against the San Diego State Aztecs at Albertsons Stadium.
November 29, 2024

Schools Are Scrambling to Prepare for the NCAA Revenue-Sharing Era

In the post–House v. NCAA world, “everyone’s kind of on their own.”
Nov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Recording artist Taylor Swift arrives prior to a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
November 29, 2024

The PWHL Could Be Inviting a Date With Taylor Swift’s Legal Team

The Toronto Sceptres may have opened a Pandora’s box of trademark issues.

NBA GMs Rank Salary-Cap Apron As Rule That Needs to Change Most

Schedule changes finished second with 17% of the vote.
Sponsored

Mastercard’s Foodies & Fairways: Where Golf Meets Gourmet at the TOUR Championship

This year’s TOUR Championship in Atlanta isn’t just about world-class golf—it’s also a celebration of local flavors.
September 8, 2024

US Open Breaks Attendance Record

Top-seeded Jannik Sinner beat No. 12 Taylor Fritz in straight sets Sunday.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
July 18, 2024

Loyal WNBA Fans Hit With Enormous Season-Ticket Price Hikes

Some season-ticket holders are seeing their prices doubled.
July 16, 2024

CONMEBOL, Hard Rock Stadium Continue Trading Blame Over Copa Disaster

Each blames the other for the security madness at Sunday’s final.
July 15, 2024

Colombian Soccer Federation President Arrested in Copa Madness

The 71-year-old on the FIFA Council was arrested alongside his son.
July 12, 2024

Oakland Minor League Baseball Team Experimenting With Fan Ownership

The Ballers say more than 1,000 people have registered interest.