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Fan Transparency Plan


 

Fan Transparency Plan FAQs

  

Why did my price change?

  • In order to ensure we are Day One Ready, we have restructured our Nippert Stadium seating chart and ticket plans to better align with our soon to be Big 12 peers.
  • Competing at the highest level, along with elevated competition, will require additional resources to continue our pursuit of championships.
 

But why did my price change now?

  • After six years of flat, unchanged pricing, coupled with a home contest versus Indiana, we have elected to bring our pricing to a level that reflects our success as a program, as well as the level of home competition.
 

Oh, so you’ll just charge me more this year, and then increase price in 2023 again?

  • Our hope is to not raise pricing again for the 2023 football season. However, pricing is always dictated by the home schedule and demand level of season tickets.
 

What are these payment plans?

  • We have introduced extended payment plans for our fans to take advantage of. We understand that many people like to budget in monthly installments. Fans can take advantage of our longest payment plan (9 months) by signing up to renew by the end of November 2021. With each month, the plan duration will decrease. (For example, if a fan signsup in January, he or she will have the opportunity for a 7-month plan).
 

I used to get my renewal in January, why am I getting it now?

  • To best serve our fans, we are following the industry standard and best practice to renew fans while still in season, allowing us to meet with you while at games to answer any questions you may have!
  • Moving the renewal timeline up also allows fans to take advantage of the extended payment plans.
 

Why do we have such an early deadline?

  • By having an earlier renewal deadline, we are able to enact our virtual seat selection/upgrade process much earlier. By doing so, we’re also able to move the entirety of our calendar up, allowing other items like ticket printing and shipping to happen much earlier.
 

Oh, so I can select my seat as part of this new virtual process?

  • Absolutely. Fans will have the opportunity to upgrade or move their seats can do so as part of our virtual seat selection/upgrade process.
  • This process happens immediately after the renewal deadline, based on priority points.
 

priority points, I see that’s changing, why?

  • Fans have indicated that our priority point system is overly complicated and needed a refresh.
 

Well, what happens to my old points?

  • The points you have earned remain “banked”. Only new points that you earn will be added to your “banked” total.
 

So priority points get me what exactly?

  • Priority points establish to your standing with the Athletic Department.
  • Your UCATS membership rank will always supersede your point totals.
  • Once rank is determined, priority points are then used to establish standing.
  • Once determined, your point total dictates when you gain access to items like Bowl games and post-season tickets, seat upgrades, special event on-sale dates, facility re-seating, and more.
  • View the UCATS priority points benefits chart here!
  
 

So points are really just a way to put me in line for cool things. How do I jump others in line?

  • The best way to establish yourself is to give what you can. Philanthropic giving (non-seat related gifts) is the quickest way to earn points.
 

Will the “seat backs” be available again this year?

  • We are working with our vendor to continue the seatback program. However, in 2022 and beyond, fans can elect to lease a seatback from the Athletic Department for the season, starting at $45-55 for the entire year (rates are still being negotiated with our vendor)
 

Wait…the seat backs used to be free!

  • In prior years, the seat backs were automatically installed on seats. Our fans have indicated that the seat backs were at times unwanted. Therefore, fans who would like this amenity, will be able to purchase one of two models.
  • On your renewal, please select whether or not you’re interested in the program. Once we finalize our contract with our vendor, we will follow up with you to secure your order.
 

I don’t like my section anymore…when can I change it?

 

I heard about a basketball re-seating. Are we still doing it?

  • No. Please see the letter below from Director of Athletics, John Cunningham to our men's basketball season ticket holders:


Dear Season Ticket Holder,

October of 2021, our department released our Fan Transparency Page, and indicated that we would re-seat and re-price Fifth Third Arena as it relates to the 2023-2024 Men’s Basketball season.  Our intent was to be ‘Day One Ready’ for our move to the Big 12, and also to give our fans a two-year preview of what to prepare for.

The Fan Transparency Plan allowed us to listen. It allowed for great conversations with those most connected to our programs.  Our stakeholders communicated their concerns about some aspects of our plan, along with aspects they felt were fair and necessary for our journey into the Big 12.  We value all of our fans loyalty and passion for Cincinnati Athletics, especially as it related to the endeavor to re-seat the arena.

Through these conversations with our season ticket holder base, donors, our Bearcats fan council, along with rigorous debate amongst our executive staff and department, we have decided to adjust how we approach the 2023-2024 basketball season. 

We will no longer enact a re-seat.  However, we will continue our plans to re-price the arena to remain competitive with our soon-to-be peer institutions in the Big 12.  While projected pricing analysis is ongoing, we expect most fans to fall within a 5% to 20% price increase in 2023-2024.  Please note these price increases help us invest in our staff, our student athletes, and our program’s most immediate needs. 

Furthermore, Cincinnati Athletics commits to not re-seating through the end of 2024-2025 season.  At that time, we will evaluate any further action needed in regards to remaining competitive in the Big 12. 

To ensure that we best meet your needs, along with this adjustment to the plan, we continue to invest in software and programs to develop our fan experience. 


- Earlier this summer, we entered into a partnership with Affinaquest, allowing us to ensure accuracy of donor priority points and create a ‘one fan profile’.  Affinaquest is building our first data warehouse in Athletics, allowing us to have more accurate data and better understand our fan’s needs. A fully executed platform is expected in January of 2023 and is led by Associate Athletic Director Bria McLaurin.

- Our team is creating a new donor landing page, along with donor transparency pages to show in real-time where our donors rank as well as accurate giving history.  This will help visualize our priority point system -- which was updated in November of 2021 – to ensure our fans have access to their complete giving profile.  This project is led by our Assistant AD of Annual Giving and Premium Seating Tony Theobald.

- Our new partnership with RevelXP will place Allison Aries, a hospitality manager, on-campus for oversight of all of our premium areas. This will help us elevate our experience in the Champion’s Club, courtside seating and our suites. 
I greatly appreciate everyone’s support and feedback over the last 10 months.  Our staff is here to continue to be stewards of the department for our fans.  We highly encourage our fans to continue to reach out and share their thoughts on how we get better together. With your continued support and investment in our student-athletes we can ensure that the Cincinnati Athletics is ready to compete for championships on day one in the Big 12.


Thank you for your continual support. I hope you are having a great summer and look forward to seeing you this fall.

Go Bearcats!

John Cunningham
Director of Athletics

 

these are a lot of changes.

  • We know. That’s why we’re here for you: 877-CATS-TIX
 

Whoever wrote this must be tired

  • Yes, he did it on his phone too!
 

Poor guy!




 
  
Thank You for Your Support of University of Cincinnati Athletics