Why do the Pirates own Saturday nights in September?

[Sean Miller Fan]

Yes, I know the MLB schedule comes out first and I know they would rather play night games for financial reasons but they also have 81 home games per year.

The Pirates, Steelers, and Pitt all lease those parking lots and we know you have to have a several hour gap between events but what I dont understand is why the Pirates get to set game times for Pitt's September home schedule.

I don't know who from Pitt signed the contract but it seems very reasonable to ask the Pirates to TBA their Saturday September home games. Of course they won't want to do that but its a very small thing to ask. They can set game times for 78 games in January. The 3 September Saturdays are either 1:05 or 7:05 depending on the Pitt game. If TV doesn't want Pitt in primetime then Pitt gets noon and the Pirates get 7.

The Pirates TBAing 3 games with probably 2 or all 3 ending up as 7:05 games anyway seems fair.

 

[PhPanther1]

Honestly, there's a good chance that 1 of the potential 3 is going to be a shit game like Villanova with no TV and an early Pitt start....so really its just 2 Saturday games.

 

[OH Pete]

Well, the Pirates are the bigger customer. Generally in business, the bigger customer gets the better deal.

 

[PhPanther1]

Well, the Pirates are the bigger customer. Generally in business, the bigger customer gets the better deal.

In what measuremen? I know it's not gameday attendance.

 

[Panthergrowl13]

Season attendance.

HAIL TO PITT!!!!

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

Interesting. Again we don't know if Pitt ever asked this. And its not only Pirates but opposing team. You may not know start time unitl 6 days prior. You should send it to Barnes.

 

[PhPanther1]

Season attendance.

HAIL TO PITT!!!!

With 81 games they need to average 6,000 fans a game to have more than Pitt or the Steelers for season attendance. Nutting isn't winning any start time battles over Rooney that's for sure.

 

[OH Pete]

In what measuremen? I know it's not gameday attendance.

81 games with 28K per = 2,268,000 fans
7 games with 55K per = 385,000 fans

You do the math...

 

[OH Pete]

With 81 games they need to average 6,000 fans a game to have more than Pitt or the Steelers for season attendance. Nutting isn't winning any start time battles over Rooney that's for sure.

I don't think that the Pirates need to battle with the Steelers. The NFL schedules are easier to work with than college schedules. About the only thing the Steelers need to steer clear of is a Stiller game on Sunday afternoon when the Pirates are in town.

Sure, it'd be nice to see a Pitt night game in September, especially early September when the weather is generally fantastic. But the reason we want Saturday night games is pretty much the same as the reason the Pirates want them. So since the Bucco's swing the bigger stick, they get what they want.

 

[ViciousHitter]

81 games with 28K per = 2,268,000 fans
7 games with 55K per = 385,000 fans

You do the math...

So, because they have more games, they are the better tenant? Patently false

 

[OH Pete]

So, because they have more games, they are the better tenant? Patently false

How so? How can anyone make the argument that the Pirates aren't the better tenant?

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I don't think that the Pirates need to battle with the Steelers. The NFL schedules are easier to work with than college schedules. About the only thing the Steelers need to steer clear of is a Stiller game on Sunday afternoon when the Pirates are in town.

Sure, it'd be nice to see a Pitt night game in September, especially early September when the weather is generally fantastic. But the reason we want Saturday night games is pretty much the same as the reason the Pirates want them. So since the Bucco's swing the bigger stick, they get what they want.

But again, they have 81 home games, Pitt has 7. Usually, 3 of Pitt's 7 home games conflict with the Pirates. 3 of their 81 home games conflict with Pitt. So, lets be realistic herr, its really not asking a lot for the Pirates to TBA 2 or 3 games. And remember, the networks choose college football game times for the first 3 weeks between May and July so for those first 3 Saturdays, the Pirates would have had plenty of time to plan. Its only the last 2 Saturdays that they wouldn't know the game time until 6 or 12 days before.

I know the Pirates dont contactually have to do this but its really not asking a lot and its being a good neighbor.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

So, because they have more games, they are the better tenant? Patently false

Yes, the are a better tenant to the people who matter. The ones that own the parking lots and prefer 81 paydays over 7 paydays. Is this really that hard for some of you to figure out?

 

[OH Pete]

I know the Pirates dont contactually have to do this but its really not asking a lot and its being a good neighbor.

I'm making a conservative guess, but I'm thinking that this "good neighbor" gesture that you believe should be done would cost the Pirates about a quarter million dollars in ticket & concession revenue. I don't know how many neighbors there are out there that are that good.

Having said that, I'm wondering if a win/win deal could be struck. Something like a Pitt Day at PNC Park and have Pitt promote a "double header" day time PIrate Game and the Panthers at night. Do something special at the Pirate game - perhaps introduce the Panthers before the game, have the band perform, the mascot racing the pierogies, Tony Dorsett throwing out the first pitch, etc. Maybe even have the Pirates wear a special uniform and hat that day that resembles the Pitt uniforms (and let the Pirates sell them). Where possible, allow parking pass holders purchase a parking pass for the Pirate game in the same lot that they have for football so that they don't have to move their cars. Something like this could close the gap or even exceed the revenue that the Pirates would normally make on a Saturday night game.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

I know the Pirates dont contactually have to do this but its really not asking a lot and its being a good neighbor.

As I pointed out previously, Fox has an exclusive national baseball television window on Saturday from 1:00 - 4:00. If the Pirates game was scheduled at noon or 1:00 it would not be allowed to be televised. Not televising the game would cost both the Pirates and the Reds several hundreds of thousands of dollars. Why on earth would anyone think either of them should agree to that?

 

[JD1976]

Yes, the are a better tenant to the people who matter. The ones that own the parking lots and prefer 81 paydays over 7 paydays. Is this really that hard for some of you to figure out?

You are correct. Put yourself in the position of those who benefit from the game day revenues. Who would you give deference to?

 

[OH Pete]

As I pointed out previously, Fox has an exclusive national baseball television window on Saturday from 1:00 - 4:00. If the Pirates game was scheduled at noon or 1:00 it would not be allowed to be televised. Not televising the game would cost both the Pirates and the Reds several hundreds of thousands of dollars. Why on earth would anyone think either of them should agree to that?

Good point. I was only looking at it from an attendance perspective.

 

[ViciousHitter]

As I pointed out previously, Fox has an exclusive national baseball television window on Saturday from 1:00 - 4:00. If the Pirates game was scheduled at noon or 1:00 it would not be allowed to be televised. Not televising the game would cost both the Pirates and the Reds several hundreds of thousands of dollars. Why on earth would anyone think either of them should agree to that?

Then get the Pirates the hell out of Pittsburgh for the weekend.

 

[Pittguy1980]

Then get the Pirates the hell out of Pittsburgh for the weekend.

Yeah, that is reasonable.

 

[HailtoPitt]

None of this discussion matters. the Succos and Stillers come first. Pitt is a distant third on the Northside and that will ALWAYS be the case. Get over it, or support a stadium on campus.

 

[wbrpanther]

Yes, I know the MLB schedule comes out first and I know they would rather play night games for financial reasons but they also have 81 home games per year.

The Pirates, Steelers, and Pitt all lease those parking lots and we know you have to have a several hour gap between events but what I dont understand is why the Pirates get to set game times for Pitt's September home schedule.

I don't know who from Pitt signed the contract but it seems very reasonable to ask the Pirates to TBA their Saturday September home games. Of course they won't want to do that but its a very small thing to ask. They can set game times for 78 games in January. The 3 September Saturdays are either 1:05 or 7:05 depending on the Pitt game. If TV doesn't want Pitt in primetime then Pitt gets noon and the Pirates get 7.

The Pirates TBAing 3 games with probably 2 or all 3 ending up as 7:05 games anyway seems fair.

Few teams play Saturday afternoon games unless it is at 4pm for a National Broadcast. Therefore if the Pirates have 2 home Saturday games in September they are going to be at night. That's the way it is. Let the whining about having our own stadium begin.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

As I pointed out previously, Fox has an exclusive national baseball television window on Saturday from 1:00 - 4:00. If the Pirates game was scheduled at noon or 1:00 it would not be allowed to be televised. Not televising the game would cost both the Pirates and the Reds several hundreds of thousands of dollars. Why on earth would anyone think either of them should agree to that?

OK. Compromise: If TV wants Pitt at 3:30, the Pirates have to deal with it and they cant use the parking lots. Remember TV wanted the Buccos at 4PM so we had a noon game. We can kick at 3:30. They can start at 7:30.........this would happen maybe 1 time per year. They would survive.

 

[NTOP]

So, because they have more games, they are the better tenant? Patently false

$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[buckage]

We can't put more than 50k in the stadium for our home opener with Conner coming back from cancer, why should the Pirates take back seat to our fanbase?

 

[HailtoPitt]

OK. Compromise: If TV wants Pitt at 3:30, the Pirates have to deal with it and they cant use the parking lots. Remember TV wanted the Buccos at 4PM so we had a noon game. We can kick at 3:30. They can start at 7:30.........this would happen maybe 1 time per year. They would survive.

Has this ever happened in the 15 years of playing there? I'm pretty sure that Pitt has tried to compromise but the Pirates don't give a damn. If it were me I would schedule the Pitt games at whatever times works best for Pitt, and let the Pirates figure out how to deal with it, instead of pretending that all is good while getting screwed over every single year.

 

[OH Pete]

Has this ever happened in the 15 years of playing there? I'm pretty sure that Pitt has tried to compromise but the Pirates don't give a damn. If it were me I would schedule the Pitt games at whatever times works best for Pitt, and let the Pirates figure out how to deal with it.

I thought they worked with us so that we could have a night game against ND several years back.

 

[PittGuy00]

What if the Pitt game gets delayed/suspended because of a severe thunderstorm which causes the game to be played at the same time as the pirates game? Part of me wishes for this to happen.

 

[PhPanther1]

We can't put more than 50k in the stadium for our home opener with Conner coming back from cancer, why should the Pirates take back seat to our fanbase?

Because the pirates will only have about 15-20k fans in the seats that night? Unless it's a fireworks night. Pretty sure every business owner if asked would want a Pitt game on the North Shore instead of a Pirate game.

 

[OH Pete]

Because the pirates will only have about 15-20k fans in the seats that night? Unless it's a fireworks night. Pretty sure every business owner if asked would want a Pitt game on the North Shore instead of a Pirate game.

You are looking at this in a vacuum. You can't make a judgement as to who the businesses like better, Pitt vs the Pirates without considering that the Pirates bring people to the area 81 times a year.

 

[PhPanther1]

You are looking at this in a vacuum. You can't make a judgement as to who the businesses like better, Pitt vs the Pirates without considering that the Pirates bring people to the area 81 times a year.

The Pirated can get out of town or adjust 1 gametime out of a 3 game weekend to help a Major player in the Pittsburgh sports industry. The city and WPA have given enough to that scumbag. He can bend once in a while for the benefit of others.

 

[yourhired]

I agree I think the Pirates and the Pitt administration have to come up with an understanding that the Pitt season opener is a night game. Let's start with baby steps maybe the following year Pitt can have two September night games. The city wins

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

I prefer the noon start for psu given a pirate game the same day. If the pirates played first, it would be an absolute zoo trying to get in the lots. Should be able to get in and setup tailgate in relative peace

 

[buckage]

Because the pirates will only have about 15-20k fans in the seats that night? Unless it's a fireworks night. Pretty sure every business owner if asked would want a Pitt game on the North Shore instead of a Pirate game.

It's not about one game...

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

We can't put more than 50k in the stadium for our home opener with Conner coming back from cancer, why should the Pirates take back seat to our fanbase?

50K is a big crowd for a smaller school (compared to other P5s) in a pro market. If we played in a 50K seat stadium, the atmosphere would have been electric and there would be no complaints or jokes about attendance.

 

[OriginalEther]

The Pirated can get out of town or adjust 1 gametime out of a 3 game weekend to help a Major player in the Pittsburgh sports industry. The city and WPA have given enough to that scumbag. He can bend once in a while for the benefit of others.

It ain't their call.
Mlb sets up the schedule.
Not really a hard concept. Nor a big issue. Lots of big time college teams play at noon, and in places where the weather is far more intolerable than Pittsburgh.
Deal with it.

 

[buckage]

50K is a big crowd for a smaller school (compared to other P5s) in a pro market. If we played in a 50K seat stadium, the atmosphere would have been electric and there would be no complaints or jokes about attendance.

But we don't, so...

We had a national story in Conner, a gorgeous day, no Steelers football the next day, home opener and we're still 20k short. We have some diehards, but our fan base sucks in general.

 

[OriginalEther]

I thought they worked with us so that we could have a night game against ND several years back.

They did. Haven't seen a switch since. Not that it really matters.
I do wonder how much, if any, did Jeff Long affect this when he tried to double book that Michigan State game.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

The Pirated can get out of town or adjust 1 gametime out of a 3 game weekend to help a Major player in the Pittsburgh sports industry. The city and WPA have given enough to that scumbag. He can bend once in a while for the benefit of others.

I dont think that's necessary. The Pirates shouldn't have to rearrange things when Pitt plays a 1AA opponent. It should simply be dictated by TV.

In the next half-decade plus, we could be playing the following teams in Sep

OKST
PSU
ND
Ten
Clemson (possibly)
other ACC games

My deal is to either TBA 2 or 3 games a year based on Pitt's TV time. If ACC Network wants Pitt vs YSU at 8PM, well that one they cant get, lets say. If they want Pitt vs Tennessee at 8, well the Pirates have to do 1PM.

If Joe is right about MLB teams not able to start at 1 on Saturdays, then you do 3:30 Pitt games (if that's when ESPN want it) and 7:30 Pirate games.

 

[BigNittanyLion]

I think I can come at it with an objective view. This is exactly the problem of playing in a rented, off campus stadium where you do not have control. Pitt will always be the second or third choice when it comes to how games are scheduled on the North Side.

 

[9nationalchampionships]

You mean like battling for time slots with with farm show?

I think I can come at it with an objective view. This is exactly the problem of playing in a rented, off campus stadium where you do not have control. Pitt will always be the second or third choice when it comes to how games are scheduled on the North Side.