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Tears Trojan Tears

Fart Keyhole said:
This is an oversimplification (sometimes simple math really is too simple).

Winning and losing makes all the difference. A stud player isn't going to turn down a $1 million deal from a USC program that's competing for championships because they could make an extra $150k from the collective in Athens or Gainesville. A five star player on a great team in LA has access to branding and networking opportunities that are tough to beat elsewhere. We benefit from this effect at Miami!
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You’re underestimating the tax burden. It would be between 42-48%. A 1 mil NIL take home is closer to 520k, and they aren’t currently winners where players would take a discount. I think it’s naive to believe kids would pass up several hundred thousand to play for a mid program.
 
KrazyCane said:
That hit Dante Moore took was 100% his fault and the rules that have dual threat QBs sliding at the last minute after they turn into a running back the first 10-20 yards up the field.
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If he would’ve committed to being tackled like a running back he wouldn’t have gotten knocked out… and Oregon fans wouldn’t have found out the better QB is on the bench.
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That sliding bs is only safe for the traditional unathletic Peyton manning type pocket passer that runs in slow motion… it’s obvious they’re going to slide 3 yards past the line of scrimmage.
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I wouldn’t call the hit 100% Moores fault, but it was far from being the horrifically dirty hit it’s been made out to be. We’ve seen that exact same kind of hit many times before when QBs wait as long as they can to slide and the defender is already in motion to engage in a tackle.

The real issue wasn’t the hit itself, it was Stephen’s celebrating, smiling, etc. while Moore laid motionless on the ground. Had Stephen’s looked somber and remorseful this would have never been an issue.
 
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MedleyCane said:
Those are fair points.
However, now that UCLA is winning, how is their attendance looking?
Serious question.
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The short answer is- no.

THe long answer, per Gemini:

The disconnect between UCLA's recent strong performance on the field and low stadium turnout stems from deep-rooted structural, cultural, and programmatic challenges that a few wins cannot immediately fix: [1, 2]

1. The 26-Mile Disconnect (The Stadium Location)
The single biggest hurdle is that the Rose Bowl is not on campus. It is located in Pasadena, roughly 26 miles away from UCLA's Westwood campus. [1, 2]
  • The Student Trek: For a student to attend a game, it requires a massive time commitment, navigating notorious Los Angeles traffic, or taking long bus rides. [1, 2]
  • The Commute Factor: Even for casual fans and alumni, fighting LA weekend or weeknight traffic to get to Pasadena—especially for early morning or late-night kickoffs dictated by TV networks—frequently makes staying home to watch in high definition the preferred choice. [1, 2]

2. Pro Sports Competition in Los Angeles
The entertainment landscape in Los Angeles has changed dramatically over the last decade. For many years, LA had no NFL teams, making UCLA and USC the definitive football tickets in town. The return of the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers, combined with the opening of the state-of-the-art SoFi Stadium, has heavily pulled casual sports fans away from the college game. [1]

3. A Quarter-Century of "Middling" Reputations
While the team may put together strong stretches or impressive individual blowout wins, college football fanbases are built and sustained over decades. UCLA football has generally experienced a quarter-century of mediocrity prior to recent improvements. Current college students and younger alumni grew up during eras where UCLA was rarely a national championship contender, meaning the "rabid" college football culture was never properly cultivated. [1, 2, 3]

4. Roster Turnover and Fan Attachment
In the modern era of the Transfer Portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), roster turnover is unprecedentedly high. Programs regularly introduce dozens of new players each season. When fans struggle to recognize the names or faces on the field from one year to the next, it creates an emotional detachment. Winning games helps, but it takes time for fans to build a personal connection to an entirely overhauled roster. [1, 2]

5. Ticket Pricing vs. Value
Historically, steep ticket prices, parking costs, and the general expense of a stadium outing have turned off fans when compared to the convenience of watching from home. UCLA Athletics recognized this hurdle and recently implemented a major policy shift—offering completely free tickets to all students for home football and basketball games—in an explicit effort to inject energy back into the student section. However, building back that game-day habit is proving to be a slow process. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Would you like to explore how UCLA's move to the Big Ten Conference is expected to affect these attendance numbers as historic Midwest rivals visit the West Coast, or look at future scheduling matchups?
 
mirvin88 said:
You’re underestimating the tax burden. It would be between 42-48%. A 1 mil NIL take home is closer to 520k, and they aren’t currently winners where players would take a discount. I think it’s naive to believe kids would pass up several hundred thousand to play for a mid program.
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If they have bad advisors, agents, or mentors they could be persuaded to stay. But clearly the tax rules of a Texas or Florida are more favorable.
 
GojiraCane said:
If they have bad advisors, agents, or mentors they could be persuaded to stay. But clearly the tax rules of a Texas or Florida are
More favorable.
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It’s not a question of whether good players would go to USC with their NIL. They certainly would. It’s a question of would enough go to win?
 
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