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

[J4Bama]

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 think that Duke cares less that it would be a good recruiting tool for us. They are wanting to make the move to Georgia because they recruit heavily here and their alumni will be able to come and watch the game. It wouldn't make any sense to move the game to Mobile when they only hold 10,000 more seats than their stadium. The Georgia Dome and Legion Field hold about the same amount and one would think that they have no interest moving it to Birmingham. Stranger things have happened, but I just don't see the game being played in the state of Alabama.

 

[Alanbama27]

Jess,
How much influence does UA have in this move? Are these decisions solely one sided or is UA consulted just to be nice?

Technically UA has NO influence, but realistically there is certainly some push one way or the other that Bama could have if they tried to move to game to someplace that Bama DID NOT want to play. In other words, its Duke's game to do with what they please, but Mal could certainly make a phone call and ask for them to consider NOT going to a specific location. However the final call is Duke's.

 

[JessN]

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.

Alan,

The whole reason Atlanta is now the front-runner for this game is recruiting. Atlanta is one of Duke's recruiting centers and their AD and Ted Roof, the coach, specifically referenced Duke recruiting when talking about moving the game to Atlanta.

In fact, I think the rule changes made about 10 years ago will even allow Duke to host recruits at the game, but I'm not sure about that.

When this game was originally scheduled, Alabama's first preference was to play it in Charlotte. Like someone else previously noted, it followed a pattern of scheduling games in NFL stadiums around the region. I don't know why it's not still on for Charlotte, but Duke has it scheduled for Durham at the moment if the Atlanta deal falls through.

As to how much influence Alabama has, I think Alabama still wants Charlotte but would take Atlanta over Durham. As for Mobile, I don't think it's even on Alabama's radar screen. That's why I said, clearly, that I don't expect Mobile to get it.

In order for Mobile to get it, the push would have to come from Mobile first, and currently, there is none there.

 

[TideNFla]

Call me cynical, but I believe this game will be played in the city that puts up the most money to get the game.

History shows that Duke will play anywhere if the dollars are right--including in its opponent's state. In 1995, Duke's "home" game against Florida State was played in Orlando, Florida.

I don't see any way Mobile wins an auction against Atlanta, Birmingham, Nashville or Charlotte. It's not economically feasible. Just my opinion. :smile:

 

[chris]

living in l.a.(loxley,al)i think it would be great! and don't rule it out.local talk has it that with dale jr's track being built,set to open in '09 or '10,that expansion to ladd is being mentioned.perhaps to 55 or 60k.the senior bowl is a sellout every yr with more in demand.the county and city govts are VERY committed to growing this area.along with the steel mill,rsa tower,and race track,the old battle house hotel just reopened after a several hundred million dollar renovation.it's already being called the crown jewel of the south! ***!!!

 

[swamptroll]

it might be a good idea to play the game in atlanta, and let Bama get used to the field.....since we will be going there on a regular basis for the SEC championship game.

 

[code32er]

Being a Mobilian and a BAMA fan, I would have to say that I do not think Mobile would be DUKE's first choice. Would it be a bad idea to play in Mobile? No not really, but Duke (Duke's home game) has to see where they can play and benefit the most from any particular location. Actually, I just wanted to follow up JESS's article with some links to Mobile so the rest of you could see what is happening in south Alabama. Thanks and Roll Tide.

http://www.mobile.org
http://www.laddpeeblesstadium.com/stadium.asp
http://www.gmacbowl.com
http://www.seniorbowl.com
http://www.mitchellcenter.com/
http://www.mobile.org/ab_mardigras.php
http://www.alabamamotorsportspark.com/
http://www.battlehousetower.com/
http://marriott.com/hotels/travel/mobbr-the-battle-house-a-renaissance-hotel/
http://www.thyssenkruppnewusplant.com/

http://www.eadsnorthamerica.com/102...6 Press Releases/2006_04_03_Raytheon_JCA.html

http://www.eadsnorthamerica.com/1024/en/breaking_news/2005 Press Releases/20060622_KC330_site.html

http://www.shipmobile.com/
Click on photo album to see Carnivals Ship "Holiday"

 

[bamanut_aj]

Hey, it would be awesome for Mobile to host the game. It would be great for Huntsville to host the game. It would be great for Arab to host the game. There is no arguing that any city would love to host it.

What benefit, besides money, does duke receive from playing THEIR HOME GAME in the state of Alabama? These ideas are all cute and fuzzy, but would duke actually consider just handing the game over for money? "Screw it, we know we can't win, we're selling out?" "Hey players, we know you have no chance of winning so we're just gonna go ahead and collect an even bigger check for the slaughter?" Oh wait, duke fans are gonna flock to Mobile for their allotment of the tickets, right? "Yeah, our administration sold our players out, so we're gonna go vacation down in Mobile and watch the game."

Reverse the roles. We have a home-home with say, fsu. We go to visit them one year and then we decide "we're gonna sell our home game to Ocala. They've got a stadium and they offered us 500,00K for it. I mean, it's not like anyone is going to come watch it anyway."

I just don't see it.

 

[USCBAMA]

No offense to Mobile, but Ladd is not a very impressive stadium, and I'm not just talking about the small size. It's a D1AA caliber. I'm all for Mobile making a run at the game, but just can't see Duke, or even Alabama for that matter, preferring Mobile to Atlanta or Charlotte.

I imagine Duke is leaning toward Atlanta over Charlotte for 3 reasons.

1. Charlotte is NOT a college football town. Never has been, never will be. clemson & Temple moved their game there last year for similar reasons that Duke is moving the Bama game and attendance was horrible. There was virtually ZERO local support or interest.

2. Duke does not want to have a game in Charlotte where 3/4 or more of the crowd is Bama fans. Not so embarrassing in Atlanta.

3. Recruiting (Duke's given reason). For whatever reason Duke recruits Atlanta better than it does Charlotte, and there is more talent to pick from in Atlanta.

From a Bama standpoint I think either site (Atlanta or Charlotte) would be great. Always good to get a game in during regular season at the SEC Title game location, but Charlotte & NC offer new recruiting turf that Bama doesn't currently cover well (take a quick look at Steve Spurrier's recent top 5 recruiting class to see what the State of NC has to offer).

 

[PointClearTider]

No offense to Mobile, but Ladd is not a very impressive stadium, and I'm not just talking about the small size. It's a D1AA caliber.

Most people have no idea how right you are on this. I personally think you were being extremely polite when you described the facilities; not to mention the area.

 

[capnfrog]

anywhere but legion field. I would just as soon never have to suffer thru another game in bham. Huntsville would be a great place for a nice dome, and it being close tp tn. and ms. would have major recruiting advantages as well as being a nice centrally located area.

 

[LCN]

I'm still holding out for that dome in B'ham ..... NOT .

 

[BamaNation]

as an FYI, here is the link to the story in the AJC from last week:

Duke-Bama game may move to Atlanta
By TONY BARNHART
Cox News Service
Wednesday, May 16, 2007

AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. — The Atlanta Sports Council has approached Duke about the possibility of moving the Blue Devils' 2010 home game against Alabama to the Georgia Dome.

Sports Council president Gary Stokan met with Duke athletics director Joe Alleva at this week's ACC spring meetings to discuss the idea. The meeting was part of Stokan's attempt to bring college football to the Dome in September of 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Link to story