Letters: Michigan State football fans aren't happy about all these night games

Letters: Michigan State football fans aren’t happy about all these night games

Posted by Admin October 15, 2024 Football

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Michigan State football learned this week that it would play another night game Oct. 26 at Michigan. That’s the Spartans’ fifth straight — that makes seven of MSU’s nine announced game times evening affairs.

MSU coach Jonathan Smith said Monday in East Lansing that it’s out of the team’s hands: “We don’t control it,” he said. “You’d love to have a little bit of a mix, but we’re going to line up and play anytime that they let us.”

But we’re getting a little tired of these late nights, and we wanted to know what fans thought. The verdict is in — you (mostly) hate night games. Read on.

Make a choice between loyal fans and TV revenue

After 48 consecutive years of season football tickets, I’ve about had it with night games. I’ve willingly rearranged my travel plans for games after I moved “up north” seven years ago, but night games make it nearly impossible to continue my loyalty. Grandchildren cannot join me for these games. I’m forced to get hotel rooms to attend games. So, the university can choose to get its funds from the television network executives who prefer nighttime football broadcasts, or the alumni and attendees who fill the stadium. I understand the need for a couple of night games to facilitate the number of teams in a particular conference, but this year is ridiculous.

The university needs to reconsider the value of loyal fans (butts in seats) vs filling the bank accounts of TV network executives.

Catherine Halverson

Indian River, Michigan

Daytime games let me plan, balance my weekends

Not a fan of night games in general. Once a year is kinda fun, but I grew up with noon on Saturdays for college and 1 p.m. on Sundays for NFL. Maybe because I’ve lived most my life in EST. That’s what I prefer, and have been able to schedule my weekends around. Watch games in the afternoon, then other activities and family time at night.

Matthew Baird

Ypsilanti

A couple of night games are fine, but this is too many

At some point, all of my Spartan brothers and sisters have to deal with wanting to attend the games, staying up to watch the late night events and still getting all of our other projects done, include kids, work, family, church and all of the above.

You know, a couple of night games in a row are doable but five or six? (Editor’s note: Bad news. It’s actually seven.) it pushes you to move a lot to get it done, as well as many of us who live in metro Detroit, Grand Rapids and out of town having to get home at past 1 a.m., driving in the construction etc. We love the Spartans, will always be there for them … just a break in this type of schedule would really be appreciated. Go Green! Let’s beat Iowa!

Douglas Moore

The writer graduated from MSU in 1977

Novi

I’m old school, like daytime games

I am totally disappointed in MSU’s kickoff times this year. I am old school and enjoy watching my favorite team play during the afternoon. Evening games are a novelty, and should remain just that. Big money TV has created a new time slot to generate more money. OK. But six games out of a 12 game schedule is extreme.

Roger Fox

Milford

Night games are a cash grab

As a season ticket holder for the last 15 years, there’s nothing like driving home at 1 a.m. in the morning after a day of tailgating, sitting with a bunch of people in the stadium that have been drinking all day and now during the game.

These game times are driven by TV revenue, not convenience of long-time ticket holders and donors. Money is driving this action, along with game times and venues for basketball. All non-conference games are played at neutral sites for bigger revenue and TV time. The non-conference venue at Breslin Center is against smaller opponents. I guess cash is king.

Dan Tollis

Novi

Night games work better with my kids’ schedules

Having played and coached high school football, I have always loved watching night games. Even in my times at MSU, an evening or late afternoon game always seemed to count that much more. Now that I have teenagers and sports every weekend, for what seems to be eternity, I end up missing my Spartans when they play during the day. I welcome these evening games with open arms. Being in Colorado, it’s not as late as it is elsewhere, though!!.

Go, Green!

Brian Wyckhuyse

Centennial, Colorado

I hate night games

I hate night games. I am a morning person by nature, and arriving home after midnight is not for me. My wife and I left the MSU at Boston College game at halftime. Had we not purchased the tickets in advance, we would have not attended the game in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. We also would have traveled to Oregon to watch the Spartans play the Ducks, but when the game was moved to Friday night, we opted out from traveling to Eugene, Oregon. I am a proud 1989 MSU alumnus, but night games are a thing of the past for me.

William McPharlin Jr.

Centerport, New York

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