Ticket sales up for Mizzou men’s basketball
Men’s basketball season tickets will most likely sell out, Mizzou senior associate athletic director for strategic communications Nick Joo said.
Revenue for season ticket sales is already up a little more than $1 million since last year. Sales are at $3.2 million, compared to $2.1 million in 2016.
Student combo ticket sales have also rebounded: They’re up 50 percent compared to 2016. Joos said student fans have devoured more than 6,000 tickets compared to last year, when the number of students attending hit 3,019.
Season-ticket sales had plummeted following two losing seasons for the men’s basketball team under former Coach Kim Anderson, but renewed vigor followed the March hiring of Cuonzo Martin.
“Cuonzo Martin came in and brought in a bunch of new recruits, especially Michael Porter Jr.,” MU alum Steven Craze said. “It’s just exciting to have the potential to get back to the tournament, and hopefully it’ll get us to the final four.”
Fans across the board said they’re looking forward to Martin and the new talent putting together a team that will pack the 15,000-seat arena.
“I think the demand is great and I think the TV exposure is going to be great,” Columbia resident Justin Light said. “I think Mizzou has been known for good facilities in previous years, so being able to hold onto those things and really highlight those things is going to be important for the university.”
As an extra incentive, just a few days before the home opener, Mizzou is creating a Courtside Club. According to an email from Director of Development Alvin Hines, the club will be available to season ticket holders, with access costing $1,000/ticket for the entire season.
The area will have TV’s, Mizzou branding and high top tables, and will open 90 minutes before the game, and close one hour after. There will be alcohol available for purchase.
With excitement and optimism for the new season clearly reflected in ticket sales, Chamber of Commerce President Matt McCormick said that the increase in ticket sales is not only good for the university, but good for Columbia as an extension.
“It starts bringing in people spending money in different places, whether it be at the mall or at the places to shop downtown, restaurants, gas, souvenirs,” he said. “They spend the money here, which generates tax revenue for our community.”
He said the local crowd makes just as much of an impact because when they go out, they could be spending the same money as travelers.
