That’s probably part of the reason for the increases now. Gonna cost hundreds of millions. And fans have been screaming for for years so it’s part of the deal.
It is certainly expensive but it is also supply and demand/free market at work. People are willing to pay.
Will most likely see fewer season ticket holders but that will allow people to go to games that normally don’t. Broadening the base.
Penn State not only has a huge alumni base, and a state wide fan base but has also developed a national following. The White Out is a huge draw for all sports fans and has made even other games desirable to attend.
As many Season Ticket Holders age widening the base is critical. The "Recent Grad" NLC category makes sense on so many levels.
The situation could end up like The Flyers. The "sold out mentality" of needing to have season tickets to secure the best games/locations, and then needing to have a Season Ticket Holder connection to obtain the better seats for non premium games is paramount.
The Flyers used to sell a Season Ticket at below face value so that STHs actually MADE $ on friend to friend sales at "face" without "scalping". With all of the seat licenses, NLC donations, NIL and other add ons it is hard to see this ever turning around.
Once single game tickets to premium games are available then the tradeoff is only seat location. With variable pricing by the Athletic Dept the Michigan/OSU games were over $200 for the worst seats at face direct from the university.
Having $25 "flash sales" for under selling MAC opponents does enable others to attend- but if the Flyers are an example- there are perpetual "holes" with open seats- many in the premium priced areas.
The online ticket resale market changes everything. Those with the cash who only want a premium game can get what they want. Those who day trip to games will always be able to obtain tickets at maybe more favorable rates than the Scalper Legion out of Philly would provide (I often saw those guys at the Sheetz in Dauphin on the way up).
The best thing for State is to win football games. Demand rises with victories. The Flyers decline in performance crushed their ticket base. PSUs lack of Top 10 wins is similar to the Orange and Black's limited post season success (when they got in).
I tried to get my crew to buy PSU seasons this year and nobody else was in. Most cited Franklin as their reason why- with no hope for a championship and maddeningly poor performance in the top games.
Maybe the carrot of a potential home playoff game will turn the tide. At this point PSU is like Comcast Cable- milking their current customers for all they've got. When the next change comes they can market improved seats, amenities etc.
Many on the old forum had become tv only guys- and loved going on vacations with the savings. As I age I understand their rationale more and more.