Inside Kinnick Stadium

So, as a supplement to my report, here is a bit of information, visually I might add, about premium seating at the University of Iowa.I hope some of it sparks questions, and some jaws on the floor...

And, here is the narration to the photographs. I apolgize for not captions with the pictures, but technology is what it is.

Picture 1: Seats in the indoor club at Kinnick. Hard to beat not freezing during games with cold temperatures. Each of these seats is a $4,700 per year donation

Picture 2: Seating in the Outdoor club seats at Kinnick. For $1,700 a seat, they can be yours, provided you are not on the waiting list. These seats are the most popular out of all of Kinnick's premiun seating options, mostly because of the price points, according to UI premium seat director Jess Rickertsen.

Picture 3: The Indoor Club Lounge at Kinnick Stadium. Club seating is becoming more and more popular at sporting venues across the country.

Picture 4: Concession stands inside premium seating areas have expanded concessions, as well as alcohol sales, something not seen in general admission at college sports venues.

Picture 5: The UI President has a suite in Kinnick, which she uses to represent the University. Just like a business, President Mason uses her box every game to entertain dignitaries, or to recruit new doctors to the UI Hospitals.

Picture 6: While her suite is the largest, Suites in Kinnick require $45,000 per year for a 12-person suite, all the way to $53,000 for an 18-person suite.

Cowboys Cashing In

Just found a good ESPN article about how the Dallas Cowboys are selling the new stadium... Seems like Jerry Jones wants to make it the center of college football.

ESPN.com Article

Ball Players in Financial Trouble

A good Forbes article that JUST now made it onto their website. Apparently, Formers Mets player Dykstra, now a financial advisor did not take his own advice.--His home is in foreclosure, as is Jose Canseco... The article also talk about Michael Jackson, although he got out of his debt the hard way... (Too soon?)

Forbes.com Article

Inside the Industry Links

So, this is my attempt at leading and foreshadowing... In the process of doing my research for my big project, here is a list of some sites to look at if you want a little more global view of premium seating and stadium venues.

Stadia Magazine

Panstadia Magazine

Panstadia especially has some good content, and like all news outlets, it deals a lot with the recession, since people are assuming that premium seating is the last thing on people's and companies' wishlist.

Street and Smiths

Street and Smiths' Sports Business Journal has to the authority, at least in the U.S.

Top Ten Luxury Suite Owners

So, here is a breakdown of the top companies that use luxury sports suites, according to these groups, who published a study here: Who Buys Luxury Suites?

The Top Ten

10 Telecommunications
9 Real Estate Agencies & Managers
8 Accounting & Auditing
7 Management Consulting Services
6 General Contractors & Home Builders
5 Finance & Investments
4 Insurance
3 *Radio, Newspaper & Television
2 Attorneys/ Legal Services
1 Banks & Bank Holding Companies

Attornies and Legal Services are number 2, which is surprising, since its not like their clients are going to be rewarded for paying so much in fees. But I guess the lawyers who works so much have to their rewards too...

Don't fret over Yao

Yao Ming's injury and possible retirement comes as a shock to many, and saddens those marketing the NBA to Asian Markets, obviously China.

Even so, Forbes.com predicts that the Chinese market will stay.--Even if Yao leaves. Figuring that there are more Chinese players in the NBA than there were, Yao just got the NBA's foot in the door in the Chinese Market.

Article Link: Forbes.com Sportsmoney

Premier Feature Coming Soon

Make sure you check back soon for my class project I am working on. I hope the multimedia that will be going on the site will "entertain and inform."