Nostalgia Fix/Reality Lesson

I just dont see the the stadium revenue stream getting better because as has already been said, the TV experience is great and getting better. In fact it seems like stadiums are doing whatever they can to make the stadium experience more like being at home. I think an owner would be crazy to to build a stadium larger than 75K seats.

I also echo the fact that RFK is a total dump. I went to loads of Nationals games there and have been to every Eagle Bank Bowl played there and its just a run-down old stadium that needs to be put out of its misery.

Matty:

In all seriousness, when was the last time you were in RFK? I went to more than a couple of Nats' games there before that team moved to their new park; I went to a DC United game there last year in September (I think).

If you have seen/experienced the condition of that stadium recently, you would not consider my comments as "Debbie Downer".

In 2010, RFK Stadium is worse than The Vet was when they demolished that disaster (I was there in the final year of The Vet) and worse than Shea Stadium was when they demolished that other disaster (I was at Shea in 2006).

The University of Maryland has 25,000 undergrads and 35,000 total students; the campus is a subway ride away from RFK Stadium. What is your over/under on the attendance for the game? RFK seats 55,000 for football.

I'm well aware RFK is a dump, heck it was a dump back in it's glory days.

Was that your point? Just to tell us it's a dump that needs to be plowed under?

Still doesn't change the fact the Skins had a great run there, nothing wrong with people fondly reminiscing about it is there?

I'm well aware RFK is a dump, heck it was a dump back in it's glory days.

Was that your point? Just to tell us it's a dump that needs to be plowed under?

Still doesn't change the fact the Skins had a great run there, nothing wrong with people fondly reminiscing about it is there?

And the reminiscing is not only because our glory days were so long ago, also because the stadium experience at fedex sucks in comparison. It might just suck period. I've only been once but it can't compare to RFK's feel. The team really needs to get that vibe back in its game day experience. Winning would be a start!

^^ Went to several games at RFK as a kid - saw some great games and will always have fond memories of it. As I was a kid, I had no clue that it sucked. The first professional sports game of any sport I went to was a Skins' game at RFK. To me, at the time, it was the best f'ing stadium in the whole f'ing world!! Later, in my 20's when I went to games, I was one of those dumb drunk punks who didn't really care about amenities - I didn't care where I puked.

Now? I've gotten very demanding and want only the best at a stadium. You couldn't get me into RFK for love or money on a game day.

Doesn't change the great memories and the special place in my heart that RFK holds. Still remember pulling up some grass from the field after that first game (Dallas v. Skins). I don't remember who won, but I remember saving some grass, putting it in a plastic baggie, and hanging on my Skins' Wall by my bed.

Sure it's a hell hole, probably always was and I wouldn't want to go there now. Still the best f'ing stadium I ever went to!

(Next SC will say that, if they were playing today, the Beatles would just be a bunch of hacks who got lucky with some hits in the 60's)

SC, as SS said this is a very very dumb new thread. What do you want to gain out this?

You are upset people overly reminisce about RFK, so you want them to go the MD game, realize they are wrong, come back to this thread, apologize and anoint you their savior?

And the reminiscing is not only because our glory days were so long ago, also because the stadium experience at fedex sucks in comparison. It might just suck period. I've only been once but it can't compare to RFK's feel. The team really needs to get that vibe back in its game day experience. Winning would be a start!

There's nothing wrong with FedEx that a consistent winning team wont cure.

On one hand I agree completely, maybe if just thinking in current terms. Yet, I think the organization might be facing tougher economic times than it is has in decades. I think B. Allen coming on board is part of that, he's a moneyball guy who will control spending. Ticket sales are down, no way to deny that, they can only spin it in their marketing. The NFL is also at a crossroads that may bring further trouble to its economic health.

That said, I'm not saying the sky is falling, but at the same time I can foresee a trend of nfl stadiums getting smaller in the near future. The trend was to go huge, but those owners that have done so are now in tough positions to keep revenue coming in while managing their debt service. JJ is the most obvious, his future decisions will largely hinge on how his stadium is financed.

As c. cowherd pointed out; the stadium experience at nfl games is declining while the tv experience is improving. I think a lot of owners will think twice about building 90,000 seats. I think Seattle really did it well. So, if it were possible to renovate RFK & add seats, I could see it happening in the next decade. It may be completely idiotic from a construction standpoint, I don't know, but from a capacity/marketing standpoint, I could see it.

Best stadium in the NFL and a true home field advantage when the Seahawks are playing well.

There's nothing wrong with FedEx that a consistent winning team wont cure.

Amen to that! We love RFK because we won there and we bash FedEx becasue we have not won anything there yet.

There's nothing wrong with FedEx that a consistent winning team wont cure.

You're probably right in the short term simply because if our teams starts to win again that stadium would be full. I thought from watching on tv that the Minnesota game was one of the most encouraging from a noise standpoint. It actually sounded like the crowd made some noise when the vikes had the ball. Too often, the crowd doesn't seem much a factor, even in close games. RFK really had a home field advantage, Troy Aikman has often pointed that out.

Build a consistent winner and the crowds will be louder and more of a factor.