Have you ever heard of, seen pictures of, or actually been to the new Dallas Cowboy Stadium? The Stadium was completed in May of 2009 and seats 80,000 people. It is the largest domed stadium in the world, the largest column free interior in the world, and has the largest high definition screen in the world. The screen spans from the 20-yard-line to the other 20-yard-line! (The actual dimensions are 179 feet long and 72 feet high) Could you imagine watching TV on a screen that big! The screen alone essentially makes any seat in the stadium decent. You might not be able to see the players on the field with your own eyes, but you can certainly see them just fine on the screen!
In addition to the sleek architectural design and the massive HDTV, the stadium also has various luxury suites on the multiple levels of the stadium. These suites are fully catered with fine dining, drinks, and other luxurious accommodations. As you probably guessed, this stadium took a lot of money to build, $1.3 billion to be exact. (The HD screen cost $40 million alone) To say the least, this stadium is the crème de la crème of stadiums in the world. Check out the video clip of the stadium hosted by Dallas Cowboy owner Jerry Jones.
Now this stadium sounds more like a five star hotel than a place where thousands of people come to watch football games, basketball games, concerts and motocross events. At its root meaning, the Cowboys Stadium is a place where large masses of people come to be spectators of some event. These events are considered “popular” events where the common folk gather to watch something. However, when you look at the type of people who are buying tickets for the football games, there really is no representation of the masses. Season tickets in the nose bleed sections of the stadium (the seats that are furthest away from the players on the field) start at $590. Exclusive seating starts at $3400. Buying a box suite will cost you $150,000. This certainly can’t be a place for the masses? How could the masses afford it? Or are the masses willing to pay that amount of money to go and see their favorite team?
A counter argument however, as Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, says in the video clip, is that there are single game tickets for around $35 depending on who Dallas is playing. That is a pretty affordable price for many. Although the seats may not be the best in the house, at least you are able to get into the stadium and watch a game.
Jerry Jones, had envisioned his stadium palace, if you will, starting in the 90’s when the Cowboys were at the top of the NFL. If you think about it, this stadium represents, from the architecture to the humongous HD screen, to the seating, to the concession stands, the power of the Dallas Cowboys and their legacy in American Football. (Even though the Cowboys haven’t won a Super bowl since 1995)It represents that “America’s Team” should have the best and expect the best. Its fans should have the best and expect the best. But the best certainly comes at a price that even the most devoted fan can sometimes not afford.
My question to you is: are stadiums, like the new Cowboys one, places for everyone to gather to watch their favorite teams and singers perform, or are they only reserved for the elite who are privileged enough? Or is it a combination? What do you think?
16 comments:
I think stadiums, and venues like the new cowboy stadium is mostly for the privileged, but I think it is intended as a way to develop community unity. I remember in my hometown when the new U of O stadium was put in, (granite it's nothing compared to the Cowboy's stadium) it brought the whole community together, because it was something to take pride in, something that was uniquely the community's, whether or not everyone could afford it, it still was a symbol of our hometown.
Because you have to have a certain amount of discretionary money to spend on things like attending an entertainment event at places like the Dallas Cowboys stadium, they are definitely not places "for the masses." Or at least not anyone below middle- to upper-class masses. However, by projecting their facilities as a place "for the masses" these facilities really draw in all types of people as they help individuals from all classes believe that they can take part in exciting new things.
Because you have to have a certain amount of discretionary money to spend on things like attending an entertainment event at places like the Dallas Cowboys stadium, they are definitely not places "for the masses." Or at least not anyone below middle- to upper-class masses. However, by projecting their facilities as a place "for the masses" these facilities really draw in all types of people as they help individuals from all classes believe that they can take part in exciting new things.
Football in Texas is almost a religion; so no I don't think its somehow the preserve of an elite. People in Texas are just crazy about football and willing to pay the ticket fees to go to the game. By its very nature I don't think there are enough elitists to fill an 80,000 person stadium for the 16 games of the regular season and then possibly fill that same stadium for another 11 playoff games. As an economic reality, the stadium is built for the masses, and it is in the interest of the owner to have as many tickets sold as possible so that the stadium can be paid off. An 80,000 person stadium isn't really that enormous as our own LaVell Edwards stadium seats 65,000 and its only a college venue.
I think that because it is a part of the community, it can be something that locals can share. This communal property can facilitate a sense of togetherness for all who are in the city. Because the tickets are so expensive, it seems that actually going to the game is for the more elite individuals. Others who are not so high in status can watch from their homes, local bars, etc. But Everyone can still share a sense of ownership.
Its hard to say that the stadium isn't a place for the masses. Because well I have five or ten friends who attended the BYU v. OU game at the cowboys stadium last football season. These people range from college student to established adult. These people were all devoted fans, though certainly not "people of means".
Now I'm not sure what sort of tickets they got, whether they had an actual seat or whether they were just in the open party area but they all seemed to enjoy it. It was like a vacation for them. They spent money, but in their minds it was money well spent.
Stadiums like this are great for business. If you want to go to a game, charge it to your business card. For families wanting to go, it's not great - just because they can't afford it. Those who have the luxury of charging to their business card, however, can go all they want. You'd be surprised at how many people this includes. Fun is often a "business expense."
I think it is a combination. I think that there are those people who buy the season passes in the suites, but those are usually business executives who want to "treat" clients and business associates. I do think that there are every-day, "masses," people who will buy tickets (even season passes) to these games because to them, this is what they want and like. It is just the same as all the "normal" people in Florida buying jet skis or boats, or people in Colorado buying snow skiing equipment. We all choose the things we are willing to spend money on, and I think there are people, especially in Texas, willing to throw down big bucks for the thing they love.
I dont think that the new stadiums are appealing only to the "elite." The pricing seems very affordable to me. Im sure with moderately careful budgeting, even a low income family could see a couple games, if not own season tickets. Although I dont know for sure, I honestly bet a majority of people at the games are still middle class.
I think that the people who build things like the new Cowboy stadium pretend to make it for the masses, but things like that generally end up only serving the social elite.
I think that sometimes, because these type of events and stadiums are so expensive, that people save all of their spending money for a year or at least a few months, just to get season tickets to go here, even though they should be spending it on something else, which makes it a place for the masses, but not in the way it may have originally been, back when tickets and sporting events were cheaper.
It's mostly for the fanatical. Doesn't matter if a person is underprivileged. If they want it bad enough, they'll find a way to get season tickets.
Just by the nature of football, I don't think stadiums like this will ever really cater to the so called "upper class" because those people usually aren't that into football. They are the type to go see the stadium for it's architectural significance but I think it will still attract the same loyal foot ball fans as before.
Football in America is huge. There is no denying it. I think these kinds of stadiums genuinely are places for people to gather and watch their favorite teams and have singers perform and have some celebrations. They aren't reserved only for the elite and privileged. Box seats are for the elite - but box seaters are a minority in that kind of stadium. If a regular guy wanted to go to a cowboy's football game, they would find an affordable ticket and go.
As I've said in class before, I'm from Arlington, Texas, where "Jerry-World" now is. For season tickets, people had to pay a huge fee (thousands of dollars, I don't remember exactly how much) just to be able to have a chance at getting season tickets. So, not everyone even got them. I don't think stadiums and venues like that are for the masses because most people do not have that kind of money just laying around.
it's definitely a luxury stadium. It's meant for people who can afford to watch the game live as opposed to viewing it from their living room. The stadium was made to earn money.
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