By now, we should understand the power of television. Specifically, how television influences perception. And there is nothing worse for a sports franchise – or league in this case – having to justify empty seats.
Such has been the case with the ACC Championship game in recent years. Whatever reasons given, even if valid, the reality is that empty seats look horrible for the conference. That’s why the league really ought to mimic the Pac 12’s decision earlier this week to play its conference title game at the home of the team with the better record.
The Pac 12, next year’s Pac 10 plus Colorado and Utah, assured itself that whoever plays in the title game will do so before a full house. A partisan full house, sure. But a full house. That has never been the case in the ACC.
It hasn’t helped that since the ACC expanded, Boston College has been to the title game twice. BC’s games with Virginia Tech in Jacksonville and Tampa just didn’t attract the masses, neither from the local area nor from Boston. It doesn’t change the idea that BC has a solid program. Or that it has core fans who live and die each Saturday. It’s just a small New England school that doesn’t have a great following.
Know his, however: Had either BC/Va. Tech game been played on campus – Chestnut Hill or Blacksburg – every seat would have had a butt attached to it. It would have looked significantly better for television cameras. It would also have left ACC officials answering questions about the success of their league title game, not offering attempts to justify its existence,
In fairness to BC, other ACC title games haven’t been ticket bonanzas either. Maybe it’ll be better this season with the game in Charlotte, in the heart of ACC country. Maybe not. But it’s a safe bet that were the game played on campus, the place would be full.
If the Pac 12 can do it, so can the ACC. Commissioner John Swofford should consider it.
