Wildhack Presser 2025-26 Season Opener

[JRHEETER]

Uhh...

I will drop my 10 season tickets if this occurs...

 

[Cuse On 3]

Uhh...

I will drop my 10 season tickets if this occurs...

This would be good for the school and for funding… especially when we win those games

 

[JRHEETER]

I understand the role of TV in this.

But weekday games are not great for your local fans. You need people in the stands and weekday games are a good way for us to NOT have fans in the stands.

This IMO is a slap in the face to the local fans.

This man wants more money from all the fans but also wants to move the product so its harder for the fans that will donate to the program to have access to it.

I strongly disagree with this decision.

 

[wiseman3]

Uhh...

I will drop my 10 season tickets if this occurs...

In the article, Wildhack says they wouldn't do more than 2 weekday games. Which is the same as what we're doing this year

 

[upperdeck]

I see they are keeping things up to date. still says Pepsi products.

JMA food concessions

 

[JRHEETER]

This would be good for the school and for funding… especially when we win those games

Sure, what about all the local fans that can not attend and now drop their tickets? Because that WILL happen

 

[JRHEETER]

In the article, Wildhack says they wouldn't do more than 2 weekday games. Which is the same as what we're doing this year

Correct and I can not make these games because they are during the week. Which means im paying for 6 games and only attending 4.

If hes going to do this, you need to have at least 7 home games.

 

[Cuse On 3]

Sure, what about all the local fans that can not attend and now drop their tickets? Because that WILL happen

I doubt many local fans will cancel their season tickets, seems like you’re the only one threatening to do that.

 

[JRHEETER]

I doubt many local fans will do that, seems like just you are threatening to do that.

Wrong.

 

[wiseman3]

Correct and I can not make these games because they are during the week. Which means im paying for 6 games and only attending 4.

If hes going to do this, you need to have at least 7 home games.

Personally I like it, Friday night games are always a great atmosphere. I do get why it wouldn't be for everyone. I think it especially makes sense for the Colgate/lower level games as 1 of the 2. Zero people outside of our fans would be watching that on a Saturday, but Friday would get a lot more eyes. And then the 1 high level Friday game to round out the 2 is always a fun night. Win win for the university, but yeah that would be disappointing if I was in your shoes

 

[upperdeck]

I pay for 6 games. if I get to more than 4 its always a bonus.

if every game was a Thursday/Fri I would probably make them all.

 

[Ernie4459]

Correct and I can not make these games because they are during the week. Which means im paying for 6 games and only attending 4.

If hes going to do this, you need to have at least 7 home games.

I’m not in favor of more weeknight games necessarily. But I heard what Wildhack said about the ACC financial model rewarding TV ratings. For a school like Syracuse this stuff is of paramount importance. They need MONEY if they’re going to keep trying to compete at this level. The fact that we’re seeing things like “ I’ll give up my season tickets if he does that “ tells you all you need to know.

At big time college football programs season tickets are left in peoples will. SU knows that they don’t have that type of fan base so they have to do other things to survive. That’s why they schedule games in NYC and play Tennessee instead of New Hampshire on opening weekend. TV $$$

 

[JRHEETER]

Personally I like it, Friday night games are always a great atmosphere. I do get why it wouldn't be for everyone. I think it especially makes sense for the Colgate/lower level games as 1 of the 2. Zero people outside of our fans would be watching that on a Saturday, but Friday would get a lot more eyes. And then the 1 high level Friday game to round out the 2 is always a fun night. Win win for the university, but yeah that would be disappointing if I was in your shoes

Right but many families on Friday nights attend High School football?

If these are away games, for us as season ticket holders, its whatever. Go ahead move all the away games to weekday games.

But we should do everything in our power to keep our games on Saturdays in my opinion

 

[JRHEETER]

Again, if you want to have two weekday home games, you make sure you have 7 home games in that season.

That takes the pain away a bit because you have at least 5 home Saturday games.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

B1G Opponents:

Team X-Played Last
Illinois- 9x 2007
Indiana- 1x 1981
Iowa- 4x 2007
Maryland- 37x 2019
Michigan- 12x 1999
Michigan State- 13x 1990
Minnesota- 6x 2022
Nebraska- 12x 1984
Northwestern- 11x 2013
Ohio State- 6x 1992
Oregon- 0x NA
Penn State- 71x 2013
Purdue - 3x 2023
Rutgers- 44x 2021
UCLA- 8x 1968
USC- 4x 2012
Washington- 4x 2010
Wisconsin- 5x 1997


So if we go for a most played team it would be one of Penn State (71), Rutgers (44), Maryland (37), Michigan State (13).

If we go least it would be one of Oregon (0.0), Indiana (1), Purdue (3), Iowa/USC/Washington (4).

If we go longest drought it would be one of Oregon (NA), UCLA ('68), Indiana ('81), Nebraska ('84).

If we go with a familiar face: Purdue ('23), Minnesota ('22), Rutgers ('21), Maryland ('19).

If we go with someone who hits none of those 4 boxes: Illinois, Michigan, Northwestern, Ohio State, Wisconsin.

 

[JRHEETER]

Furthermore, if you win and win consistently you do not have to worry about these gimmicky play during the week games.

If you are a top 25 program who is consistently winning people will watch your games regardless.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

Right but many families on Friday nights attend High School football?

If these are away games, for us as season ticket holders, its whatever. Go ahead move all the away games to weekday games.

But we should do everything in our power to keep our games on Saturdays in my opinion

Isn't Friday is the weekend?

While HS would be a conflict for some, it wouldn't be many. Not like HS FB is well attended. Also it would be smart for the HSs to schedule 10 am Saturday games when SU is home on a Friday. My HS played half our games on Saturday but that was a long time ago.

I would absolutely hate games Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. But at the same time we do play BBall games those days. I think attendance would take a BIG hit though (IMO under 30k). So I can't see those days being used, even as a one off.

No one is watching an FCS game, doesn't matter the day of the week. If you want better TV numbers then we shouldn't play an FCS. A G5 with a decent brand but not Top 40 would be ideal.


Edit
Can't do Monday or Thursday because of the NFL. You are better off playing Saturday than those days.

 

[UnknownOrange]

why not just have 40,000 fans who would attend a game, stay home and turn on every device they have to watch the game and count those extra viewers

well because you need the parking, concession, and ancillary revenue

so you need to balance it. 2 weekday games per year as long as one is on the road and you have 7 home games sounds good to me

we're the diehards - most people aren't going to pay for season tickets if out of 6 they can only make 4. Our marquee (or at least before the year began) game was UNC and that is a brutal scheduling date. Local friday night sport families - out. Trick or treat families - out. Out of towners, very tough to make it work.

I know there needs to be some difficult decisions in the scheduling department, but lets make sure we're not doing it at the season ticket holders expense

 

[GoSU96]

Its a tv show, SU games are content

Folks need to accept it

 

[JRHEETER]

Isn't Friday is the weekend?

While HS would be a conflict for some, it wouldn't be many. Not like HS FB is well attended. Also it would be smart for the HSs to schedule 10 am Saturday games when SU is home on a Friday. My HS played half our games on Saturday but that was a long time ago.

I would absolutely hate games Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. But at the same time we do play BBall games those days. I think attendance would take a BIG hit though (IMO under 30k). So I can't see those days being used, even as a one off.

No one is watching an FCS game, doesn't matter the day of the week. If you want better TV numbers then we shouldn't play an FCS. A G5 with a decent brand but not Top 40 would be ideal.

Friday is tough because it’s hard for people to take the afternoon or whatever to attend a game.

For example someone like myself who has a wife who teaches, a 3 year old and helps set up the fine mess tailgate, on top of driving an hour plus to the game, makes Friday nights or week nights almost impossible.

That is part of the reason I do not have basketball season tickets. Which is why I would say I would drop my 10 tickets. Because it would become too much.

I’m sure that I am not the only one in a similar situation that would take a long hard look at having seasons.

To me it sounds like Wildhack is exploring the option of Thursday and Wednesday night games since he specifically states “week day” games.

Again, if you schedule 7 home games in one season, two Friday night games is not the end of the world. But for example this season, with 6 home games and 2 Friday games it makes it incredibly difficult.

 

[JRHEETER]

why not just have 40,000 fans who would attend a game, stay home and turn on every device they have to watch the game and count those extra viewers

well because you need the parking, concession, and ancillary revenue

so you need to balance it. 2 weekday games per year as long as one is on the road and you have 7 home games sounds good to me

we're the diehards - most people aren't going to pay for season tickets if out of 6 they can only make 4. Our marquee (or at least before the year began) game was UNC and that is a brutal scheduling date. Local friday night sport families - out. Trick or treat families - out. Out of towners, very tough to make it work.

I know there needs to be some difficult decisions in the scheduling department, but lets make sure we're not doing it at the season ticket holders expense

Exactly, much better than my rage typing before.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Its a tv show, SU games are content

Folks need to accept it

Saturdays are time to watch my stories.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

Friday is tough because it’s hard for people to take the afternoon or whatever to attend a game.

For example someone like myself who has a wife who teaches, a 3 year old and helps set up the fine mess tailgate, on top of driving an hour plus to the game, makes Friday nights or week nights almost impossible.

That is part of the reason I do not have basketball season tickets. Which is why I would say I would drop my 10 tickets. Because it would become too much.

I’m sure that I am not the only one in a similar situation that would take a long hard look at having seasons.

To me it sounds like Wildhack is exploring the option of Thursday and Wednesday night games since he specifically states “week day” games.

Again, if you schedule 7 home games in one season, two Friday night games is not the end of the world. But for example this season, with 6 home games and 2 Friday games it makes it incredibly difficult.

I think most people can make the Friday night game after work but it kills tailgating. Then again SU is good at killing the tailgate culture so why not?

I don't think Thursday does well. ESPN has gone away from good TH night matchups because of the NFL. Would a random SU game on a TH really draw better than on a Tier 3 Saturday slot?

For TH or to be worth $, it has to be a decent matchup to get a TV slot. You can't play Wake, a random G5, or an FCS. Those will all get stuck on the ACCN.

We know ABC is best and then ESPN, but what about the CW? Is that better than ACCN? Better than TH or ? And what of streaming? Does that simply not get counted toward the ACC TV bonus payout? What about the RSN games? Do those count? If the later two are not counted, then having a bad game on TV midweek lowers our avg rating.

I am sure that JW knows what is best to get SU the highest TV bonus. But are we splitting hairs here? If all of this is only getting SU 7th instead of 10th, is it really worth it? Especially when you take into account the costs (less fans in attendance, etc).


At the end of the day winning is going to do the most for SU to maximize the ACC TV bonus.

 

[upperdeck]

I would take a friday game over the tkey day weekend game.

 

[Chip]

We already travel a ton so I would hope that we are not adding Washington, Oregon, USC, UCLA.

I like playing Rutgers, Maryland, Northwestern but you don't hint for any of those. They are no big deal. Penn State we already have so it is not news.

I am sick of Minnesota, that would be a drag. Same for Purdue. I don't see an appeal to playing Indiana or Iowa. I don't think those do anything for the program or peak the interest of our fans.

I don't think tOSU wants to use their OOC P4 on SU, they play bigger teams. Michigan might as they are rebuilding. Wisconsin we already pulled out, would we go back in?

I think Michigan State would be interesting. Nebraska would be a big deal. Illinois would be ok, but personally I rather see someone else. For me it is a blah add.

The Iowa game in the Dome in 2006 was a good atmosphere, they brought a lot of fans. Fun game except for that 8 play finale/fiasco.

I hope it's Rutgers or Maryland for the proximity, although I'm not sure I can return to College Park after that last nightmare.

Agree that Nebraska would be great.

Indiana, Purdue, Michigan State, Illinois, Minnesota and even Northwestern to me are like the plain donuts in the variety pack.

If Northwestern is early season and you can make a fun Chicago late summer/Wrigley Field trip as I did in 2008 and 2013, then those terms are acceptable. The Northwestern Dome games in 2009 and 2012 were surprisingly entertaining on the field.