Actually the Economic Theory for tarping is to take away seats which should increase the Demand for seats and result in higher prices for all seats.
That works if the fanbase stays the same or increases, can't wait to have the product and wants tickets.
Apple does this successfully with their phones. They advertise their products build up the hype, announce new iPhones, tell customers you can't have one because we can't make them fast enough, the customer base can't wait to get theirs based on the Hype, stays the same or expands allowing Apple to raise prices on phones every year.
We should try this but we need a product we can Hype!
"it's five o'clock somewhere"
Signed: Mr Buffett
Go PITT & CSU Rams!
Except the IPhone X just crashed that model because the product was overpriced for the value and demand disappeared.
Which, unfortunately may be a good description for our football program.
When fans literally cannot give tickets away, suggesting restricting supply to create demand and raising prices is beyond absurd.
We've seen the absolute hardcore fan demand is maybe 20,000 seats. That includes students, whose attendence is subsidized by "free" transportation and some complimentary concessions. The number of actual full-freight paying fans who might be willing to pay increased ticket prices is possibly something like 10000-15000 tickets.
I understand marketing theory of that approach is fairly common, but I believe we simply do not have the basic demand.
The first task is CREATING the demand. Winning games at more than 6 or 7 wins per year is the first step. If we get to 8-10 wins regularly, maybe we attract enough fans that we could consider applying marketing theory.
Personally, I disagree with the concept that discounted tickets cost us fans. I think part of the reason Heinz basically sold out the first couple years was the HIGHLY discounted End Zone bleacher packages. Those seats were packaged at less than $10 per ticket and marketed to kids and families. If you get those young fans in the stadium and entertain them with WINS, you might create increased demand for better seats.
If we can start drawing 45k to a typical game, the tarping issue becomes moot.
Plus, I agree with DCPanthers post above that a significsnt portion of Pitt fans DON'T want to sit in a crowded section or row. I do not agree that "condensing" the crowd improves the fan experience in ANY way. I just don't buy the idea that being shoulder to shoulder with other fans does anything but make many people uncomfortable.
Look, I'm bigger than average. I'm not huge but I overflow my seat. My knees are frequently hitting the shoulders of the guy in front of me and the guy behind me is often getting a restricted view of anything other than the back of my head. I buy an extra seat so my shoulders and elbows are not grinding into people on both sides of me. I sit on the end of our group, with my extra seat empty between me and my friend. That helps, but doesn't help the guy on my other side. I'm pretty sure they're uncomfortable too, since no one ever renews that seat. I have new people there every year.
Throw in more crowded concession and restroom lines and all of the ills DC raised and there ARE lots of reasons AGAINST packing fans together.
