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Analysis: Buying Duke game should be on an Alabama city’s agenda

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JessN

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Analysis: Buying Duke game should be on an Alabama city’s agenda
By Jess Nicholas
TideFans.com Editor-in-Chief
May 17, 2007

Word began leaking out earlier this week that Duke, which Alabama is scheduled to play in 2010 in Durham, was considering moving the game out of tiny Wallace Wade Stadium in search of a larger crowd.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Duke officials are in talks to move the game to the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Duke recruits Georgia heavily and Atlanta in particular, and head coach Ted Roof supports the potential move.

There have also been discussions about moving the game from Durham to Charlotte and playing at the home of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers.

If the game is really for sale, here’s a suggestion: Mobile, go and get it.

For the full story, click here: http://tidefans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57407
 
Jess, for the first time in the many years I have been a participant on TideFans, I disagree with you. Please give some thought as to what a game in Charlotte would mean to Alabama. Certainly it would be a winner for Duke to play before a capacity crowd (that Alabama would just as certainly draw) but think of the exposure in a game that would be attractive to the entire eastern seaboard. North Carolina is top ten in population with a lot of writers and 'casters who play a role in determining who gets ranked where. Charlotte has now become the epicenter for many things in the East and, indeed the country. Consider banking and NASCAR.
Alabama's playing anybody in Charlotte would be a national event. We will never win another National Championship by thinking locally and regionally. We must play and beat the good teams (All right, all right, Duke is not one of those now but the University still has a national and international reputation) just as the Bear did with USC in his return to the top many years ago. I remember it well.

In any case, thanks as always for your insightful comments.
 
Along the same lines as NCBama...

It may just be my perception, but NC seems to be turning out more high caliber high school football players recently. A Bama game in Charlotte could help with the recruiting up there as well. Just my 2 cents.
 
Also consider that most of the point of the agreement made between Alabama and Duke has to do with Mal Moore's stated strategy of playing games in NFL stadiums whenever possible. That is why the consideration of Charlotte and Atlanta for this game even came up in the first place.
 
I think it would be great for Mobile.

The thing is the game would be great for Mobile, Birmingham, Atlanta, and Charlotte. Their are no negatives to your city having it. As far as Mobile's bid, the only thing that would hold them back is stadium size. They have renovated Ladd and put down field-turf, which is very nice, and the workers there are very familiar with hosting specialty games.

However, the media influence will be hard to pull away from the idea of going to Charlotte and Atlanta.
 
While I appreciate everyone's opinions, I couldn't disagree more Jess. There is simply NOTHING to gain from Alabama playing in either Mobile or Birmingham. The only people who would gain in Mobile are the people in Southern Alabama, Mississippi and Northern Florida would have a shorter ride on their hands. It would have NO National Impact whatsoever and neither team could use it as a means for RECRUITING.

The only cities that have the $$$ to make it worth Duke's interest is Atlanta or Charlotte and at least in Charlotte it could be somehow considered a home game for Duke. Duke isn't FSU and therefore there is no need for a NEUTRAL site game. It doesn't benefit Duke in anyway other than possibly financial and there is simply NO benefit regardless of site for Bama other than to play the game in WALLACE WADE STADIUM!

The simple fact that Duke believes it has a national draw in football is laughable and they are simply using Bama as a possible payday for Duke. Stupid in my opinion, just stupid.
 
bamanut_aj said:
Why would Duke want to move their home game to Mobile? Or B'ham?
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$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ talks.

FWIW, when I first read of this the other day, I thought the same thing about Mobile and how good it would be for that area.

I wish city officials in Huntsville would think about the advantages of a modern football facility and some of the events it might could bring to the area. It is actually one of the few things Huntsville doesn't seem to be doing because it is one of the (if not the) most progressive and modern cities in Alabama and would make sense for city leaders to consider.
 
I would count out Bhm. Legion is now Green and Gold. It's actually very fitting. A disintegrating football program playing in a disintegrating stadium. Go Blazers!! (yea, right).

14-0
Just win baby!
 
Stephen323 said:
Also consider that most of the point of the agreement made between Alabama and Duke has to do with Mal Moore's stated strategy of playing games in NFL stadiums whenever possible. That is why the consideration of Charlotte and Atlanta for this game even came up in the first place.
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Viewed in these terms, it does make better sense for Alabama to stay in Jacksonville (Florida State), Charlotte (Duke), etc. Others I've heard kicked around include New Orleans (Tulane, plausible) and Houston (Reliant, return visit for the Cougars, and probably not going to happen).
 
Alanbama27 said:
While I appreciate everyone's opinions, I couldn't disagree more Jess. There is simply NOTHING to gain from Alabama playing in either Mobile or Birmingham. The only people who would gain in Mobile are the people in Southern Alabama, Mississippi and Northern Florida would have a shorter ride on their hands. It would have NO National Impact whatsoever and neither team could use it as a means for RECRUITING.

The only cities that have the $$$ to make it worth Duke's interest is Atlanta or Charlotte and at least in Charlotte it could be somehow considered a home game for Duke. Duke isn't FSU and therefore there is no need for a NEUTRAL site game. It doesn't benefit Duke in anyway other than possibly financial and there is simply NO benefit regardless of site for Bama other than to play the game in WALLACE WADE STADIUM!

The simple fact that Duke believes it has a national draw in football is laughable and they are simply using Bama as a possible payday for Duke. Stupid in my opinion, just stupid.
Click to expand...

Alan, you never agree with me anyway. (g)

Just one last point before anyone dismisses the idea out of hand ... go back and read very closely why the Duke game is the only game I think this works: It's not an Alabama home game.

I'm not advocating Alabama move one of its existing home games out of Tuscaloosa. We've already done that with FSU this year, and probably don't need to do it again. The only reason Alabama is even in the discussion of the Duke game is because Alabama happens to be Duke's opponent. This is mostly a matter between the city of Mobile and Duke.

Duke has already basically committed to moving the game out of Durham, and Wallace Wade seats 33,000 people, so virtually anything is a step up.

The premise is, if the game is up for open bid, then Mobile -- not UA, just Mobile -- should consider bidding on it. Where Alabama comes into play is that the school should consider favorably supporting a bid from Mobile if it were to come.

Playing a game in Mobile makes a great deal of sense from a recruiting standpoint. It's not about shortening anyone's trip; it's about the perception that Alabama is truly the state's team. And before you dismiss that logic, justify why Alabama used to do exactly that -- we played in Ladd, Legion, Cramton and Bryant-Denny.

Like I concluded originally, this isn't likely to happen, and it's mostly discussion fodder. I just want people to open their minds to the possibility of what Alabama going to Mobile to play would be; how it would be perceived by the community. If you say it wouldn't be greatly appreciated, I think you'd be awfully mistaken.
 
I find Charlotte to be the answer if the game is set for Sept or Oct and the Ga-Dome if it's in Nov . Regardless , I look for it to be a non-televised event unless Duke can figure out a way to at least become a 5-6 win type of team .:(
 
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JessN said:
Alan, you never agree with me anyway. (g)

Just one last point before anyone dismisses the idea out of hand ... go back and read very closely why the Duke game is the only game I think this works: It's not an Alabama home game.

I'm not advocating Alabama move one of its existing home games out of Tuscaloosa. We've already done that with FSU this year, and probably don't need to do it again. The only reason Alabama is even in the discussion of the Duke game is because Alabama happens to be Duke's opponent. This is mostly a matter between the city of Mobile and Duke.

Duke has already basically committed to moving the game out of Durham, and Wallace Wade seats 33,000 people, so virtually anything is a step up.

The premise is, if the game is up for open bid, then Mobile -- not UA, just Mobile -- should consider bidding on it. Where Alabama comes into play is that the school should consider favorably supporting a bid from Mobile if it were to come.

Playing a game in Mobile makes a great deal of sense from a recruiting standpoint. It's not about shortening anyone's trip; it's about the perception that Alabama is truly the state's team. And before you dismiss that logic, justify why Alabama used to do exactly that -- we played in Ladd, Legion, Cramton and Bryant-Denny.

Like I concluded originally, this isn't likely to happen, and it's mostly discussion fodder. I just want people to open their minds to the possibility of what Alabama going to Mobile to play would be; how it would be perceived by the community. If you say it wouldn't be greatly appreciated, I think you'd be awfully mistaken.
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Exactly why I agree that it's a valid idea. Good, informative read, Jess. Thanks.

RTR
 
Let's also remember that there is a decent chance that we will be a national powerhouse by 2010 as well. So...pretty much every game we play will be in the national spotlight. This will be the current staff's 4th year in Tuscaloosa and I have a good feeling we will be playing for SEC Championships and BCS bowls by then. And I consider that realistic with a dash of optimism. All that said...I think Alabama will have more control over this game than Duke will. That will play a big factor into where this game is played.
 
Jess:

First of all, I do agree with you at times and most of my disagreements with you have had more to do with your game breakdown scenario's and not even the overall conclusions you make.

Second, my point in this disagreement is that this IS a DUKE home game and it makes NO sense whatsoever for Duke to move its home game to the state of Alabama. It's just stupid. Moving the game to Charlotte does make sense because it could and would still be considered a home game for them and allow for many more fans than Durham would allow. Moving the game to Atlanta or other areas outside of the state of North Carolina would be for monetary reasons and completely and utterly discounts their fan base. At least their fans (should they want) could travel to Atlanta, but none would travel 13 1/2 or 14 hours to Mobile, Alabama.

As for your reasoning why Alabama played games in other areas of the state do nothing but give more credence to my conclusions. Alabama never played its home games outside of the state of Alabama and for the record Ladd-Peebles Stadium only holds 40,646 so that definitely doesn't work for Alabama or Duke either as Alabama (should the game be played there,) would need at least double that amount of seats and Duke would need about 10.
 
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CornBiscuit said:
The media exposure in the area of the game would be great for recruiting.
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We already recruit those areas like gangbusters and get HUGE media attention locally; and while some of the kids would not have to use a "visit" to see us play, we MUCH prefer to have them come to BD. The media exposure in Mobile would not IN MY OPINION have ANY affect on recruiting.

Don't forget, we could not have a single recruit come to the game on our dime or come on the sidelines or anything. You can't recruit anywhere other than your HOME FIELD. Therefore, what little additional media attention there would be could not be capitalized upon by us actually RECRUITING the kids.
 
Alanbama27 said:
We already recruit those areas like gangbusters and get HUGE media attention locally; and while some of the kids would not have to use a "visit" to see us play, we MUCH prefer to have them come to BD. The media exposure in Mobile would not IN MY OPINION have ANY affect on recruiting.
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Of course, but this wont count as a visit. It is just extra exposure and would be icing on the cake. Plus, for some kids knowing they will be playing a game in their home town one day would be great.
 
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