Membership REHAUL

[Coaster]

Ok the more i think about this the more it bugs me, we need to re haul the membership structure currently at the club, and we need to do it now.

We are currently the most expensive club in the NRL to support, not by a little way either. And it is starting to to become a real problem we have been stagnate near about 4000 members this year down 2000 from last year, and with the season about to start i expect this years crowds to be down by at least 20%.

This has nothing to do with the facilities, the teams performance, or any controversial signings, this has got to do with Money, PURE AND SIMPLE.

The Gold coast has just been rated the 5th most expensive place to live in the world, and it is now more expensive than New York or London.

The whole pricing structure looks like it is designed to reflect this, and seems like the people in charge are working on the principal that if the stadium holds 27k then you need premium pricing to reflect the demand, well, the demand is a lot smaller then it should be because unlike established sport teams the Titans do not have the loyalty YET of 27k fans to pay these ridiculous prices.

Let me throw some numbers at you:
Ill start with the PSR seat

The PSR Advantage

By purchasing a Personal Seat Right from the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans you will be one of the first sports fans in Australia to experience lifetime* access rights to your seat at all Jetstar Gold Coast Titans regular season home games.
Now a concept sweeping the world's great sporting teams and venues, a Personal Seat Right (PSR) guarantess the holder security of knowing that membership can be bought for a seat in a specific section for Jetstar Titans matches for life*.

You still have to buy your yearly membership with this PSR, approx $650 a year. and the price does NOT include any finals games.

To put it in perspective, if you have $2650 to spend
you could

a. BUY A PSR

or

b. BUY a $2000 Suncorp Stadium membership and a Legion membership for the Titans, and a Gold membership for the Cowboys.

option a. gives me
12 home games for the Titans
A PSR seat

option b. gives me
12 home games for the Titans
12 Home games to the Cowboys
12 Home games to the Broncos
Premium Tickets to All State of Origin games played in Brisbane
All Soccer games at Suncorp
All Reds games at Suncorp
Premium Tickets to ALL Finals Games at Suncorp
Premium Tickets to any Event at Suncorp including Concerts
Personal Carpark under Suncorp Stadium

You could argue about the advantage of owning the seat and the ability to resell it, but that only holds weight IMO if the stadium is constantly a sell out, and seats are hard to get. At the moment this is not the case, because the rest of the stadium is so damn expensive that it will be empty.

Now for the other memberships
Titanium - $606
Gold - $446
Steel - $275 the corners of the stadium
Legion - $250 behind goal posts

All these are the very least $50 dollars too expensive
Titanium $50.50 a game
Gold $37.16 a game
Steel $22.91 a game
Legion $20.83 a game

IMO the prices should be more like
Titanium $565 @ $45 PG + $25 merchandise
Gold $385 @ $30 PG + $25 merchandise
Steel $230 @18 PG + $15 merchandise
Legion $199 @ $15 PG + $19 merchandise

More to come...........

[Coaster]

Why is it so important to do this?

Well IMO we are at war with the AFL and Broncos for the juniors in this area, not to mention poaching from RU and also other NRL clubs that have set up base here on the coast such as West Tigers ( Keebra) Canberra (Coombabah) ect.

The future lies in these kids, and not the chance of snaring 3 thousand visitors that will attend 1 game and move back to where they came.

When you look at College football in the USA, you see the passion that derives from locals growing up with a team, this creates atmosphere, and this is the seedlings that make an empire.

The Titans are the the gold Coast team that represents the locals, not the visitors, it needs to be priced to attract the locals, not the tourist.

There should be concessions to any young player that is currently playing in the Group 18. It is imperative these kids grow up being able to watch attend and dream of wearing our colors.

The merchandise for the legion needs to be re looked at , do away with the rubber helmet and sword, and design a legion shirt that is is a mirror of the Home jersey with legion sponsorship and unique distinction.

We need the whole legion stand to be wearing the same shirt, it needs to be like this (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fb/Polish_football_%28soccer%29_fans_-_FIFA_World_Cup_2006_%2803%29.jpg)

Hire a trumpet player, give some high school student a job to learn all the current crowd chants and with direction from legion start below it out to the whole stadium.

anyway this is a long rant.

Thanks if you read this far

[Boofhead]

I agree with you on all points.

Management needs to take a step back and remember that we are only a new club... we need to continue to grow our supporter base, not scare them off by being the most expensive club in the league.

It was evident to me that the locals were staying away when last year at one of our home games when the person next to me said “Gee… It feels like we are the away team.”

[Coaster]

It was evident to me that the locals were staying away when last year at one of our home games the person next to me said ?Gee? It feels like we are the away team?.

I felt that also, and it is because the locals simply can not afford to go any more, i speak to people all the time that would love to come to the footy, but after a $40 dollar ticket and a hotdog and 4 beers they have spent $100 without blinking.

I took my daughters friend along the girl was only 12 and i had to pay $38 dollars to get her in, she would love to come all the time, but unless her parents are paying im not taking her, i can not afford to

[lonegull]

great post Coaster, totally agree with everything you say a great in depth post.
I have a comment about the membership i have a daughter who is a scorch member of the St George club and two daughters that are tiny titans members, i find that the St George membership is way ahead of the titans, every month a newsletter or something turns up in the mail from the dragons but nothing from the titans my two daughters who are titans fans are always asking why dont we get things in the mail like the dragons stuff? its pretty hard to explain and i know it is only a little part of the membership base but if you get the kids onside from day one their there for life.

[Steve]

I definitely agree!
I remember comparing the Panthers memberships, it was almost the most expensive Panthers being less than the cheapest Titans.

I've not bought a membership this year, and nor will I be. There's a number of reasons. Financially things are tighter, I'm a lot busier this year and will pretty much only be able to make some saturday games, and yes, controversial signings did have an effect. But that's it, when you're considering forking out the cash you start questioning what the club has done and if you want to be contributing to that. It doesn't decide, but it adds weight.

I do wonder, if they slashed 100 bucks off the price, would more people sign up... enough to actually increase their profits?

[Coaster]

I do wonder, if they slashed 100 bucks off the price, would more people sign up... enough to actually increase their profits?

If they reduced there price by about $50 a seat as outlined above and going on the current 4000 members they would be down about $200k.

If the average ticket costs about $350 which is lower then the real average, as majority of the stadium would be over $350, they would need another 571 members to make that money back.

They could easily IMO attract another 3000 members with reduced prices and a correct marketing campaign targeting locals instead of the tourist dollar.

With local juniors the main priory, giving any player from the group 18 a free season ticket with a paying adult. They could fill the whole stadium IMO, they would maybe lose about 3000 seats for free, but in return gain a full stadium every game, know income projections before any season, make the PSR an attractable option, and increase sponser deals through mass local exposure.

They would be taking one step back to gain 3 steps forward

[TITAN PETE]

Let me throw some numbers at you:
Ill start with the PSR seat


You still have to buy your yearly membership with this PSR, approx $650 a year. and the price does NOT include any finals games.



I love your post mate & i hope management read it & take it on board but i'm a Foundation Member (PSR) & my renewal is closer to $280 ;)

[titanstattman]

I dont argee.......

[Coaster]

I love your post mate & i hope management read it & take it on board but i'm a Foundation Member (PSR) & my renewal is closer to $280 ;)
Thanks for correcting me, I thought they had said the renewal was a full price, and I stand corrected on that point

[Supergoose]

I love the Titans and every year I think - gee I wonder if I can afford to get memberships for my family of 4 and every year I come to the conclusion - it's just out of reach and unrealistic for me to do. I get to a game or 2 each year but membership is out of reach. If there was nigh on $200 cut off the price I would be in like the proverbial. I live in Logan City and it would be a short train ride down each match and something for my family to cherish. I hope the hierarchy do read these posts and do something about the prices which are close to the highest in the league. I almost bought a Broncos one instead but couldn't bring myself to watch them every fortnight.

[titanstattman]

I dont argee.......

I was only playing with ya to mate i do arrgee with all wat u said..

[squirrell]

Good post...ive been a member since carrara with my daughter,my wife joined last year and so we kept the same seats in titanium,cost a fortune for 3 of us,This year we struggled to stay in titanium at a cost of over $1200 but we seat link with friends so felt obligated.Last week they tell us they cant afford it so are not members anymore!!! Arghhhhh..All that money to sit with friends who now wont be there, so i would have definately gone for a cheaper membership if i knew in advance.This proves your point exactly about reducing numbers and the pricing forcing very loyal supporters out of memberships,they said theyll go to games on a game to game basis in a cheaper area.Thall be me next year as well..for definate

[daveyk]

Good post...ive been a member since carrara with my daughter,my wife joined last year and so we kept the same seats in titanium,cost a fortune for 3 of us,This year we struggled to stay in titanium at a cost of over $1200 but we seat link with friends so felt obligated.Last week they tell us they cant afford it so are not members anymore!!! Arghhhhh..All that money to sit with friends who now wont be there, so i would have definately gone for a cheaper membership if i knew in advance.This proves your point exactly about reducing numbers and the pricing forcing very loyal supporters out of memberships,they said theyll go to games on a game to game basis in a cheaper area.Thall be me next year as well..for definate

i am sure if you were to contact the membership dept you would be able to change your seats to a diff section... get a bit of moneys back... to maybe spend on the new merch for this year... just a thought...

[Coaster]

I was only playing with ya to mate i do arrgee with all wat u said..

Its all good mate

[Coaster]

Good post...ive been a member since carrara with my daughter,my wife joined last year and so we kept the same seats in titanium,cost a fortune for 3 of us,This year we struggled to stay in titanium at a cost of over $1200 but we seat link with friends so felt obligated.Last week they tell us they cant afford it so are not members anymore!!! Arghhhhh..All that money to sit with friends who now wont be there, so i would have definately gone for a cheaper membership if i knew in advance.This proves your point exactly about reducing numbers and the pricing forcing very loyal supporters out of memberships,they said theyll go to games on a game to game basis in a cheaper area.Thall be me next year as well..for definate

Thanks for posting this, you are not alone, i know at least 3 other groups that have either downgraded or cut there memberships this year because of cost

[Coaster]

I hope the hierarchy do read these posts and do something about the prices which are close to the highest in the league.

I checked this out, and we are without doubt the highest in the NRL for the majority of the stadium, and only just behind Manly (wtf are they thinking?) on lower priced seats

Premium tickets best you can get

Titans $606.00
Broncos $520.00
Cowboys $474.00
Melbourne $430.00
Roosters $280.00
Bulldogs $295.00
Canberra $340.00
Saints $430.00
Tigers $360.00
Panthers $300.00
Knights $449.00
Warriors $420.00
Eels $550.00
Sharks $405.00
Souths $300.00
Manly $499.00


Next best seats
Titans $446.00
Broncos $395.00
Cowboys $384.00
Melbourne $335.00
Roosters $225.00
Bulldogs $205.00
Canberra $210.00
Saints $270.00
Tigers $280.00
Panthers $220.00
Knights $346.00
Warriors $290.00
Eels $315.00
Sharks $315.00
Souths $210.00
Manly $399.00

Next best

Titans $275.00
Broncos $240.00
Cowboys $204.00
Melbourne $270.00
Roosters $155.00
Bulldogs $205.00
Canberra $180.00
Saints $180.00
Tigers $199.00
Panthers $180.00
Knights $241.00
Warriors $220.00
Eels $205.00
Sharks $270.00
Souths $210.00
Manly $299.00

Legion type membership

Titans $250.00
Broncos $240.00
Cowboys $177.00
Melbourne $200.00
Roosters $155.00
Bulldogs $205.00
Canberra $180.00
Saints $135.00
Tigers $120.00
Panthers $180.00
Knights $182.00
Warriors $140.00
Eels $190.00
Sharks $180.00
Souths $210.00
Manly $259.00






To also put into perspective, the broncos main membership gets you a ticket to SOO, and the Eels $550 membership includes a signed 2010 jersey

[helcam4]

during all the gold coast united drama about caping the crowd at 5000 people, i was listening to talking sport on 2sm, they had a guy on there that works for the gov managing sporting grounds. he didn`t get into exact figures but but he gave a good example that made some sense in the price of tickets. say it costs the titans $100000 to hire skilled for a game,they then work out what they think will be the average crowd figure, say 15000,thay then break the stadium into its sections or catergaries,guesstermate the amount of people who will sit in each section,set there prices accordingly making sure it at least adds up to $100000 then add there bit of profit. this example was used to explain why soccer tickets where twice the price of footy ticket.gcu banked on 1/2 our average crowd. he did go on to say that the reason the broncos tickets are so much cheaper is they have a bigger average crowd and its not as much to hire suncorp, hopefully as the debt to build the stadium starts to reduce the cost the hire the stadium will reduce meaning cheaper tickets. i am one of the people out there that had to down grade their membership, i went from gold to sand, money is tight but i still have to be at the game. lets hope in the future tickets start to reduce,maybe the next tv deal eveyone is talking about might help.its just lucky they dont over charge us for food and drink,lol.

[shamus]

I am not going into the politics of pricing at Skilled. It is way overpriced. For example back in '07 I signed up 8 members for Gold, that went to 7 in '08 and 6 in '09. It is now down to 3. (One dropped out totally and two went to sand)

In saying that I also believe the hiring of Skilled is way over the top so as mentioned, without getting into politics (arguments) perhaps Searley and crew don't have too many options.

P.S. I would find the money to continue being a member and going to all home games. Even if I have to stand on a street corner. Not that I would make much :p

[Coaster]

Do not get me wrong, i will also be a member if i have to sell my first born, but we are the diehard members, alot of people simply can not afford it, and if they had a chance they maybe would become diehards also.


I dont believe there is no option, as far as pricing. Simple mathematics suggests 10000 members at an average price of $300 is a lot better than 4000 members at an average of $350

And that is not taking into account, the larger sponsorships, TV coverage and food/drink profits, merchandise, and the biggest advantage of getting into a larger junior base.

[Steve]

Those prices really do put it into perspective.

This could also be where ignoring fan feedback could come back to bite them in the butt. If you're going to struggle to afford the membership this year, it can definitely be a contributing factor to keeping your wallet in your pocket.

I think another issue is the payment plan they offer. I gave it a go to see how it works, and all three payments still came out within a short period before the start of the season, with no indication or warning as to when the withdrawals will be made. I'm pretty sure the Panthers do 4 spread out through the year. The way the Titans do it is really no easier than paying all at once.

[gordon{fish}fisher]

i agree prices for memberships are a bit over the top,but i found a way to beat them, for my birthday,fathers day,and xmas,my children and grand children
all toss in and buy my gold membership,they have been doing this since our first year in the comp,bloody marvelous idea,always a little left over for some merchandise,

[ozynorts]

my wife and i had gold memberships for a couple of years but this year we just couldn't afford to renew. we had taken social memberships, which still gives us merch and members priority to tickets. we can just pick the best games and only pay for the games we really want to see.

[karnage]

Check this out:

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/fans-hand-out-a-25m-war-chest/story-e6frexnr-1225831976521

We are one of only 2 teams in the whole comp, along with the Warriors, who have recorded a membership DECREASE this year. If anybody thought you were hot air Coaster that story should put them fairly and squarely in their pace.

We are still only 3 years old and are about to get attacked by the AFL, time for the Titans crew to really crank it up a gear...

[Ryan]

Check this out:

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/fans-hand-out-a-25m-war-chest/story-e6frexnr-1225831976521

We are one of only 2 teams in the whole comp, along with the Warriors, who have recorded a membership DECREASE this year. If anybody thought you were hot air Coaster that story should put them fairly and squarely in their pace.

We are still only 3 years old and are about to get attacked by the AFL, time for the Titans crew to really crank it up a gear...

And that article was being generous, only stating 'marginal decreases' for us and warriors. Last I checked, Titans were down 30% and that is not what I would consider 'marginal'. Also there were quite a few who hadn't reached last years numbers yet.


As of 4 days ago: 31% down...
http://www.rugbyleague.com.au/promotions/2010/membership/membership_13022010.jpg

[Sydney Titans Fanatic]

still have more members than half the other nrl teams haha