[Snorlax94]

From the email I received:
“We wanted to inform you that while you may be used to renewing your Season Ticket Membership in February, renewals will begin a few weeks later this year, and your patience is appreciated. Additional information about renewals will be emailed in mid-February.”

Wondering if anyone had any information on this.

My guess would be that they’re evaluating how last year’s mandatory donations went and are trying to figure out how to adjust.

Fwiw Last summer I worried attendance would be greatly hit by the donations, but then when the games came the stadium seemed, on average, more full in 2017 than in 2016.

Anyone have any information on the delay or how last year ended up with the donations?

[Snorlax94]

From the email I received:
“We wanted to inform you that while you may be used to renewing your Season Ticket Membership in February, renewals will begin a few weeks later this year, and your patience is appreciated. Additional information about renewals will be emailed in mid-February.”

Wondering if anyone had any information on this.

My guess would be that they’re evaluating how last year’s mandatory donations went and are trying to figure out how to adjust.

Fwiw Last summer I worried attendance would be greatly hit by the donations, but then when the games came the stadium seemed, on average, more full in 2017 than in 2016.

Anyone have any information on the delay or how last year ended up with the donations?

[terry]

My guess is that Stanford needs some time to figure out how the new tax law will affect the deductibility of donations that are associated with football tickets.

Previously, charitable donations that were associated with ticket purchases were 80% deductible. Apparently, the new tax law says that those donations can't be deducted at all. I'm guessing that the university is trying to sort out that issue before going into the ticket renewal cycle. Just a guess.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/...233db8abea

[terry]

My guess is that Stanford needs some time to figure out how the new tax law will affect the deductibility of donations that are associated with football tickets.

Previously, charitable donations that were associated with ticket purchases were 80% deductible. Apparently, the new tax law says that those donations can't be deducted at all. I'm guessing that the university is trying to sort out that issue before going into the ticket renewal cycle. Just a guess.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/...233db8abea

[82lsju]

My guess is that Stanford needs some time to figure out how the new tax law will affect the deductibility of donations that are associated with football tickets.

Previously, charitable donations that were associated with ticket purchases were 80% deductible. Apparently, the new tax law says that those donations can't be deducted at all. I'm guessing that the university is trying to sort out that issue before going into the ticket renewal cycle. Just a guess.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/...233db8abea

that's what immediately came to mind for me as well.  I think they are trying to figure out a way to keep the program and through some TBD process keep as much of the required donations as possible deductible.

One thought that occurred to me would be "reseating" every say 5 years with seat location based on "engagement" with the University with donations, especially AD donations, being the major, but not only, factor in seat location.  This might decouple the "required" nature of the donation and make it deductible (but I am not a tax expert and I would expect they have tax people working on the solution)

[82lsju]

My guess is that Stanford needs some time to figure out how the new tax law will affect the deductibility of donations that are associated with football tickets.

Previously, charitable donations that were associated with ticket purchases were 80% deductible. Apparently, the new tax law says that those donations can't be deducted at all. I'm guessing that the university is trying to sort out that issue before going into the ticket renewal cycle. Just a guess.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/...233db8abea

that's what immediately came to mind for me as well.  I think they are trying to figure out a way to keep the program and through some TBD process keep as much of the required donations as possible deductible.

One thought that occurred to me would be "reseating" every say 5 years with seat location based on "engagement" with the University with donations, especially AD donations, being the major, but not only, factor in seat location.  This might decouple the "required" nature of the donation and make it deductible (but I am not a tax expert and I would expect they have tax people working on the solution)

[Snorlax94]

Yes, thanks, of course. I had forgotten that provision had passed.

However I’d be a little surprised if they changed anything this year because many people made donations Sep-Dec 31, 2017 presumably in anticipation of renewing their football tickets.

I found an article about Alabama which said they wouldn’t change things for ‘18-‘19 for this reason.

I also wonder how this will affect the overall landscape. I don’t recall us discussing this post-passage (or maybe I missed it?)

I do not plan on changing any donation to any organization. So maybe this will be a relatively good thing for Stanford athletics, at least.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/stor...968947001/

“It could be disastrous,” LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva told The Advocate last month, “for not just us, but every athletic department in the country.”

Added Byrne: “We are where we are with it. It looks like it’s going to pass and we hope that we’re going to do our best to navigate through this. But we’re very concerned about what it means.”

[Snorlax94]

Yes, thanks, of course. I had forgotten that provision had passed.

However I’d be a little surprised if they changed anything this year because many people made donations Sep-Dec 31, 2017 presumably in anticipation of renewing their football tickets.

I found an article about Alabama which said they wouldn’t change things for ‘18-‘19 for this reason.

I also wonder how this will affect the overall landscape. I don’t recall us discussing this post-passage (or maybe I missed it?)

I do not plan on changing any donation to any organization. So maybe this will be a relatively good thing for Stanford athletics, at least.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/stor...968947001/

“It could be disastrous,” LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva told The Advocate last month, “for not just us, but every athletic department in the country.”

Added Byrne: “We are where we are with it. It looks like it’s going to pass and we hope that we’re going to do our best to navigate through this. But we’re very concerned about what it means.”

[Farm93]

If this new provision will ever go away it will be because some pretty powerful types spend their Saturdays in SEC stadiums.

Back here at Stanford my guess is that very few of those making donations needed the tax deduction to budget for the donation.  The loss of the deduction is not great, but I suspect Stanford seat donations, or that level of donation if bundled differently, will keep coming in since the required donations were not that much for most locations.  I do wonder how the change might impact the increases to required donations that almost certainly were in the 10-15 year plan. 

The taxation related to endowments will be a bigger problem for Stanford, and one that the SEC schools and athletic departments generally don't need to worry about. 

IMO, the lack of compelling opponents on the 2018 home schedule will probably be a bigger factor for donations and renewals in the short term.

[Farm93]

If this new provision will ever go away it will be because some pretty powerful types spend their Saturdays in SEC stadiums.

Back here at Stanford my guess is that very few of those making donations needed the tax deduction to budget for the donation.  The loss of the deduction is not great, but I suspect Stanford seat donations, or that level of donation if bundled differently, will keep coming in since the required donations were not that much for most locations.  I do wonder how the change might impact the increases to required donations that almost certainly were in the 10-15 year plan. 

The taxation related to endowments will be a bigger problem for Stanford, and one that the SEC schools and athletic departments generally don't need to worry about. 

IMO, the lack of compelling opponents on the 2018 home schedule will probably be a bigger factor for donations and renewals in the short term.

[winflop]

I just want my ticket situation fixed. We went from 8 to 4 a few years ago and they didn't give us the 4 we asked to keep. Instead we got seats in two rows that are off-set and they haven't fixed it since. I'm gettin a little ornery about it.

[winflop]

I just want my ticket situation fixed. We went from 8 to 4 a few years ago and they didn't give us the 4 we asked to keep. Instead we got seats in two rows that are off-set and they haven't fixed it since. I'm gettin a little ornery about it.

[Treebound]

Two points:

1) Terry is correct.  I spoke with a few contacts in the AD and they, along with most other D1 programs, are trying to figure out the ramifications to the new tax law and how best to adjust pricing.  This will not be an easy task and I'm sure some people will have issue with whatever is decided. 

2) Advice for Winflop - my recommendation is that you go in and meet with someone at the ticket office and explain the situation.    They have a number of new people in the last couple of years that seem to be making strides in customer service.  Worth a try in my humble opinion. 

As for the tax law - the SEC and Big10 are going through major machinations on what to do given the massive amount of revenue tied to their "PSL's." 

[Treebound]

Two points:

1) Terry is correct.  I spoke with a few contacts in the AD and they, along with most other D1 programs, are trying to figure out the ramifications to the new tax law and how best to adjust pricing.  This will not be an easy task and I'm sure some people will have issue with whatever is decided. 

2) Advice for Winflop - my recommendation is that you go in and meet with someone at the ticket office and explain the situation.    They have a number of new people in the last couple of years that seem to be making strides in customer service.  Worth a try in my humble opinion. 

As for the tax law - the SEC and Big10 are going through major machinations on what to do given the massive amount of revenue tied to their "PSL's." 

[winflop]

2) Advice for Winflop - my recommendation is that you go in and meet with someone at the ticket office and explain the situation.    They have a number of new people in the last couple of years that seem to be making strides in customer service.  Worth a try in my humble opinion.

I have a contact in the Development Office and have gone to the Ticket Office in person to request that this situation be fixed EVERY year since it first happened. This will be the third year that I will be dealing with this - I'm not sure I will be "requesting" any more...

[winflop]

2) Advice for Winflop - my recommendation is that you go in and meet with someone at the ticket office and explain the situation.    They have a number of new people in the last couple of years that seem to be making strides in customer service.  Worth a try in my humble opinion.

I have a contact in the Development Office and have gone to the Ticket Office in person to request that this situation be fixed EVERY year since it first happened. This will be the third year that I will be dealing with this - I'm not sure I will be "requesting" any more...

[Phogge]

If they get too expensive then I'll go game to game. You can always find a ticket.

[Phogge]

If they get too expensive then I'll go game to game. You can always find a ticket.

[82lsju]

If they get too expensive then I'll go game to game. You can always find a ticket.

I think any expansion of the sunny side premium seating sections won't happen until at least the 2019 season to time it begin with the "better" home schedule.

[82lsju]

If they get too expensive then I'll go game to game. You can always find a ticket.

I think any expansion of the sunny side premium seating sections won't happen until at least the 2019 season to time it begin with the "better" home schedule.

[82lsju]

email exchange with the ticket office on when to expect football season ticket renewals to start


>>  We expect FB renewals to begin in mid-March.

[82lsju]

email exchange with the ticket office on when to expect football season ticket renewals to start


>>  We expect FB renewals to begin in mid-March.

[Phogge]

They are banking on all the excitement, thrills and optimism of spring practice in February influencing hundreds of new subscribers. NOT.

[Phogge]

They are banking on all the excitement, thrills and optimism of spring practice in February influencing hundreds of new subscribers. NOT.

[winflop]

New slogan for spring ball - Tavita in tights!

[winflop]

New slogan for spring ball - Tavita in tights!