therisingblues wrote:goddy11 wrote:So where do you think clubs will make money from? Why would you buy a membership if coming into the ground was minimal to nil? Don't say bars and canteen sales. Crows and Port members get in for nothing as part of their package and still they don't come or they don't even seem to pass on there tickets for others to use.
Crows and Port fans don't attend SANFL because they are basically not interested.
I used to buy memberships when I lived in Japan with no hope of attending a game, I used to buy them for my wife also, and she had absolutely no idea about footy. I'll concede that there would be a small number of people who become members because it includes tickets to games, but that would not be many. Most would continue regardless.
I do too TRB, but the clubs need to be more proactive on how they would retain members.
In reality ( say the average gate is around 2k paying an average of $8-$10 per game over the 10 home games), the $150k - $180k the clubs generate from ticket / membership sales represents probably less than 5% of the annual turnover, which runs into $multi-millions.
(This might explain why most clubs don't really care what its members want or think)
Gambling and Sponsorship represent a much bigger source of income, so losing $160k a year might not be such big risk. Having said that, the $160k does represent pure profit if you consider that the clubs have to cover costs anyway, whereas bar and canteen sales aren't and assuming the clubs are making say 60% margin on food and drink then they'd have to turnover closer to $275k to make the same profit, and that doesn't include the additional costs of providing food and drink, cooking it, serving it etc., which then does represent a significant risk.
If the clubs were to offer free entry, they would have to think of ways to encourage memberships by giving them some value.
Maybe members could get discounted beer and food, hold some members days throughout the year including the closed season, gala days, more reduced drink and maybe a free buffet meal, put some bands on, whatever....... That makes the day worthwhile and as long as it's family orientated to encourage dad to bring Mrs and the kids.
Speaking of kids, junior membership could give the kids free football schools during 1/2 term / off season etc. Make the membership have real benefits that not only encourages people to support the club and buy one but also encourages them to spend $$$ at the club when they are there.
Have a free membership draw each week with prizes for club merchandise, or a free pre-match meal or several weekly prizes that come from the club so costs are minimal ( I don't know how much it costs the club for a replica Guernsey but I bet it's no more than a few $$$, or how much a meal for two actuall cost) and maybe as a top prize offer a presidents table for each game. Get sponsors to throw in a few freebies for prizes or offer incentives to members only. 10% off a set of tyres or whatever.
If the punters feel there are real benefits to being a member then they will join and maybe the clubs offering free entry or a greatly reduced entry to games, coupled with good membership sales the risk would be greatly offset. Of course to get the benefits and claim the prizes you'd have to be there on the day.
One big gripe with SANFL Club members now is that that don't feel that being a member actually gives them anything. They don't get any real benefits for being a member as the discounted game price is somewhat offset by the cash outlay for the entire season's games in one go. Ergo, no matter how how badly your team performs or you have to miss a game for whatever reason, you've already paid for those games whereas the casual walk on can decide which games to go to depending on team performance, weather etc, and not lose out if they don't go. And of course most members of most most SANFL Clubs feel their club doesnt listen to them, value them as members or value what they might have to say.
This way at least being a member would give you tangible benefits, whether the club values you or your opinion, or not and you don't lose financially if you decide to duck out of the odd game for other reasons.
It isn't rocket science