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Tears Trojan Tears

frostycane said:
LA and Southen California in general seem like a cesspool. So it’s not surprising no one is coming to games. However, it’s crazy to think two top 25 teams and still an empty stadium… are tickets absurdly expensive? That could be part of it..
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Per Gemini:

1. Wretched Weather and Kickoff Times
Southern California early-season heat waves have severely suppressed attendance. For instance, USC faced extreme backlash for an empty stadium during a daytime home opener in over 94-degree heat (with a real-feel of 104 degrees). Because historical stadiums like the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the Rose Bowl have virtually no shade in the bowl seating, many casual fans choose to watch from home rather than sit in brutal direct sunlight for mid-day network television windows. [1, 2, 3, 4]

2. The Return of the NFL to Los Angeles
The structural decline in LA college football attendance correlates directly with the return of professional football. Before 2016, USC and UCLA were the only major football options in town and regularly drew averages of 70,000 to 80,000+ fans. Today, they compete directly for corporate sponsorships, premium suite sales, and casual sports fans with the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, who play in a modernized venue (SoFi Stadium). [1, 2, 3]

3. Logistical and Commute Headaches
Getting to home games is a major hurdle for both fanbases, but it is particularly punishing for UCLA:
  • The Campus-to-Stadium Distance: The Rose Bowl is located in Pasadena—roughly 26 miles awayfrom the UCLA campus in Westwood. [1, 2]
  • Student Academic Calendar: UCLA operates on a quarter system, meaning fall classes don't start until late September. Early September home games are played while the vast majority of the student body is still away from campus. [1]
  • Traffic and Cost: Slogging through Los Angeles Saturday traffic, combined with steep parking fees (often around $60), makes a 4-hour live game feel like an all-day chore. [1]

4. "Fairweather" Fan Engagement and Weak Non-Conference Opponents
Football analysts frequently note that Los Angeles sports fans are event-driven. Unlike college towns in the Midwest or South where the university team is the only major attraction, LA fans require a premium product. When either school schedules low-profile non-conference opponents (such as San Jose State or Fresno State) or when the teams are performing at a mediocre level, fans simply choose alternative entertainment options. High-profile games against top tier Big Ten opponents still draw massive crowds
 
I saw a Trojan fan say they were scared their admin was going to hire Al golden because of the connection to their GM 😭😭😭😹😹😹
 
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