You Asshats Won't Give a Shit, but...End of an Era

[swissvale72]

My brother, Tony, who was on board as a Steelers season ticket holder as a 24-year-old with the opening of Three Rivers Stadium in 1970, has sole his PSL, and after 49 years, approaching the age of 72, is no longer a Steeler season ticket holder.

[Stlcrtn1974]

I don't blame him. It's not the same as it use to be. The stadium, the fans, the players, and especially the game itself.

[955876]

He was there to witness the best of this team, league, and sport in general. Only downhill from here.

He’s better off saving the money and watching from home.

Wow though, what a great ride. Hats off to him...

[Obviously]

Well we have certainly seen an increase in empty gold seats at Heinz during the Mike Tomlin era.

[Ice]

Well we have certainly seen an increase in empty gold seats at Heinz during the Mike Tomlin era.

Those are just fans dressed in gold, Obviously. Or people getting a beer.

[Legacy User]

Because 13 minutes is not enough.

[Orangesteel]

You mean he doesn’t want to watch Tomlin blunder another season away live in person?

I don’t know Tony but he sounds like an intelligent fellow.

[Ice]

Because 13 minutes is not enough.

At halftime of that Chefs game this season, 45 minutes wouldn't have been enough.

[punum123]

Would love to have a beer with him sometime. I’ll bet he has a ton of great stories. I attended my first game 42 years ago. During the best of times....but times have changed....and so has this league....and NOT for the better.

[V DUB]

That seems like an awful lot of great memories & stories. Hoping the person that's next on the wait list can get SOME of that.

[CdnSteelerFan]

My brother, Tony, who was on board as a Steelers season ticket holder as a 24-year-old with the opening of Three Rivers Stadium in 1970, has sole his PSL, and after 49 years, approaching the age of 72, is no longer a Steeler season ticket holder.

Was it a tough decision or is he just sick of the crap?

[R_S]

My brother, Tony, who was on board as a Steelers season ticket holder as a 24-year-old with the opening of Three Rivers Stadium in 1970, has sole his PSL, and after 49 years, approaching the age of 72, is no longer a Steeler season ticket holder.

When I started reading I thought you were gonna say he passed away.......whewww. So did he call it quits because he's disgusted with the state of the org. or was he just feeling too old to want to deal with game day so many times a year?

[K_C_]

Don't worry, your brother isn't missing any real football games.

The product on the field is a joke compared to what it once was.

[StillerInCT]

My brother, Tony, who was on board as a Steelers season ticket holder as a 24-year-old with the opening of Three Rivers Stadium in 1970, has sole his PSL, and after 49 years, approaching the age of 72, is no longer a Steeler season ticket holder.

When I started reading I thought you were gonna say he passed away.......whewww. So did he call it quits because he's disgusted with the state of the org. or was he just feeling too old to want to deal with game day so many times a year?

I 2nd this question. I'm curious of his motivations also.

[Donnie Brasco]

Selling off a depreciating asset seems like a wise move

[R_S]

Selling off a depreciating asset seems like a wise move

I'm not sure what the PSL's are worth now, but I remember back in 2004-5ish they were going for 10-20k on ebay per seat!

I feel like right around 2005 was the height of the NFL popularity. I remember 500 levels going for $200 a piece for a regular game. It's hard to give away a ticket sometimes. I couldnt' get face value for 2 playoff tickets 2 years ago.

[fractalsteel]

Selling off a depreciating asset seems like a wise move

Yup, a few more Tomlin extensions, Ben's eventual retirement and you will see more and more season ticket holders flee. The owner is in over his head.

[Steelperch]

I took my son and father to a game last year. We all knew it would be the last game all 3 of us attended together as the game day experience just isn’t worth the hassle and cost. We all prefer to watch the games from home. I’m sure I’ll still go to a game now and then, but my Dad is done. I was on the season ticket waiting list, not a shot in hell I’d ever buy them.

[Louis Lipps Service]

I took my son and father to a game last year. We all knew it would be the last game all 3 of us attended together as the game day experience just isn’t worth the hassle and cost. We all prefer to watch the games from home. I’m sure I’ll still go to a game now and then, but my Dad is done. I was on the season ticket waiting list, not a shot in hell I’d ever buy them.

Same here, man. My wife and I got tickets in section 143 for the Carolina game last season. Great seats for what should have been a fun as hell game.


But it just wasn't fun. Watching a game in person just flat out sucks anymore. And the crowd was awful. I spent the entire game feeling like a fight was going to break out at any point. I had hoped getting better seats would get us away from all of that, but it seemed worse (at least, comparing them to the last game I had gone to in the 500 level seats I had 6 years ago).

I can remember being in college and thinking "Man, I just hope one day I can afford to get season tickets for the Steelers". Like, that was literally near the top of my life goals. Fast forward 15 yeas and here I am in position to do exactly that, but I have absolutely no desire to.

[Tundralag]

I took my son and father to a game last year. We all knew it would be the last game all 3 of us attended together as the game day experience just isn’t worth the hassle and cost. We all prefer to watch the games from home. I’m sure I’ll still go to a game now and then, but my Dad is done. I was on the season ticket waiting list, not a shot in hell I’d ever buy them.

Same here, man. My wife and I got tickets in section 143 for the Carolina game last season. Great seats for what should have been a fun as hell game.


But it just wasn't fun. Watching a game in person just flat out sucks anymore. And the crowd was awful. I spent the entire game feeling like a fight was going to break out at any point. I had hoped getting better seats would get us away from all of that, but it seemed worse (at least, comparing them to the last game I had gone to in the 500 level seats I had 6 years ago).

I can remember being in college and thinking "Man, I just hope one day I can afford to get season tickets for the Steelers". Like, that was literally near the top of my life goals. Fast forward 15 yeas and here I am in position to do exactly that, but I have absolutely no desire to.

Spot on..
I have been a Steeler fan since birth.. however in todays culture.. I cant imagine spending that much cabbage on seats tickets etc.. Going to a game or two maybe.. but with the time it takes to get to the stadium park get in get out.. traffic.. beer prices, assholes in the stands, fights etc.. Clown show on the field.. I would rather stay home watch on my 65 inch tv.. have a few beers not worry about all the above shit... and save a crap load of money..

[SteelBull]

Swiss, I give a shit! I don't fault your brother at his age I guess, but man you all sound like spoiled bitches. At a loss given the attitude why you guys even bother to watch/study/comment on this site. Seriously.

I finally cleared the list last year and flew out from Denver three times (with each one of my kids) to watch games in person instead of Sunday Ticket. We lost to Chiefs/Chargers and beat Patriots. Great time every time because I'm not a spoiled brat.

Been following the Steelers from afar since I was a kid in the 70's through many ups and downs, but man we have one of the best franchises in all of sports. Frustrating when we under-perform, so I'm fully on-board with all the criticism of management/coaching/players etc on this site - that's why I've been on here for years. But if our players played like you guys seem to root, we'd be the freaking Detroit Lions.

Flame away at me I guess, but I'm embarrassed as a fan by this thread.

[Gonzo]

I give a shit
But also agree the live game experience isn't the same anymore.
Maybe getting older ...

[swissvale72]

My brother, Tony, who was on board as a Steelers season ticket holder as a 24-year-old with the opening of Three Rivers Stadium in 1970, has sole his PSL, and after 49 years, approaching the age of 72, is no longer a Steeler season ticket holder.

When I started reading I thought you were gonna say he passed away.......whewww. So did he call it quits because he's disgusted with the state of the org. or was he just feeling too old to want to deal with game day so many times a year?

Here's the deal...and goes back awhile. I remember when Tony first bought his season tickets, fancy color-coded brochures from Steelers moving into the brand new Three Rivers Stadium. Tony could have had his tix anywhere, but chose end zone, upper deck, first row, right between the goalposts....30 yard line in, awesome fuckin' seats. Never forget both Franco Harris and John Stallworth scoring right in front of us during 4Q of '75 AFCCG.

Anyway, when Heinz was built, Tony would have loved to have his same seats, but end zone was excluded from PSLs, no way he could have been assured of same seats. So....as a 30 year season ticket holder, he opted for sideline seats and got fucked over!! His seats were in Section 516, next to last sideline section while 5-year season tix holders were on the 40. I wrote to Dan Rooney on Tony's behalf. He answered, but no help. So....Tony was understandably pissed off, didn't go to any games at Heinz for about 5 years, while his kids, then 20 & 17 used the tix. Years went by, Tony went to some games, his kids went to most....now, 38 & 35, with their own families, they don't go anymore either. Last few years, as RS has suggested, Tony's had a tough time selling his tix for face, especially for the night games. Was time to ditch 'em.

[Legacy User]

Just 10 years ago, I remember looking at PSLs with my Dad and dreaming about buying them... Now I don't know if I'd take them for free (yes, yes I could sell them, I know). I sure as shit couldn't drag myself to 8 games a year. Or even half that. The game sucks now and this team is a dumpster fire. And there is little hope for improvement on either end.

I'm 33 now. I was in my early twenties when they won the 2000s Super Bowls. For a while, I sort of chalked up my disinterest in the game to getting older, things generally not being as fun as they used to be, new music sucking, get off my lawn, etc. But I've come to the realization that football just isn't fun like it used to be. This team isn't fun to root for. I'm grateful to have witnessed two Super Bowl wins and another appearance. 2008 was such a fun year, and Swiss, I know you'll agree with me on this -- the AFCCG in Heinz was one for the ages. Saw that one in house and the experience hasn't come close to being replicated since. I think my dad and I will always remember going to that one. And by the way, we sat in the 500s section, lower rows, 45 yard line. Have to agree with you that those are some of the best seats in the house.

It's weird to think of such an institution like the NFL becoming irrelevant, but times change, I guess. I think the owners either lack foresight or decided to get while the getting's good and milk as much cash as they could before it all burned down.

[Suwanee88]

Don't worry, your brother isn't missing any real football games.

The product on the field is a joke compared to what it once was.

Off the field too

[StillerInCT]

Swiss, I give a shit! I don't fault your brother at his age I guess, but man you all sound like spoiled bitches. At a loss given the attitude why you guys even bother to watch/study/comment on this site. Seriously.

I finally cleared the list last year and flew out from Denver three times (with each one of my kids) to watch games in person instead of Sunday Ticket. We lost to Chiefs/Chargers and beat Patriots. Great time every time because I'm not a spoiled brat.

Been following the Steelers from afar since I was a kid in the 70's through many ups and downs, but man we have one of the best franchises in all of sports. Frustrating when we under-perform, so I'm fully on-board with all the criticism of management/coaching/players etc on this site - that's why I've been on here for years. But if our players played like you guys seem to root, we'd be the freaking Detroit Lions.

Flame away at me I guess, but I'm embarrassed as a fan by this thread.

It's not about being a spoiled brat. 1.) Tickets are expensive. 1.a.) No longer a family experience because of (1). 2.) TVs are so good nowadays that it just provides a better game watching experience. 3.) I can go to a local Steelers bar and spend a fraction of what I'd pay at the stadium.

But if our players played like you guys seem to root

They just did.

[swissvale72]

Gotta say...prob going to bag my annual trip with my son this year. Past two years, left New Hampshire about 6am Friday, picked his ass up on 1st Avenue, NYC....reverse the route on Monday.

It's a fuckin' haul. This year, think I'm going to see him in late September, sleep on the futon in his studio, go to the San Gennaro Festival, then watch Steelers at Hibernia the next day.

[Obviously]

Swiss, I give a shit! I don't fault your brother at his age I guess, but man you all sound like spoiled bitches. At a loss given the attitude why you guys even bother to watch/study/comment on this site. Seriously.

I finally cleared the list last year and flew out from Denver three times (with each one of my kids) to watch games in person instead of Sunday Ticket. We lost to Chiefs/Chargers and beat Patriots. Great time every time because I'm not a spoiled brat.

Been following the Steelers from afar since I was a kid in the 70's through many ups and downs, but man we have one of the best franchises in all of sports. Frustrating when we under-perform, so I'm fully on-board with all the criticism of management/coaching/players etc on this site - that's why I've been on here for years. But if our players played like you guys seem to root, we'd be the freaking Detroit Lions.

Flame away at me I guess, but I'm embarrassed as a fan by this thread.

It's not about being a spoiled brat. 1.) Tickets are expensive. 1.a.) No longer a family experience because of (1). 2.) TVs are so good nowadays that it just provides a better game watching experience. 3.) I can go to a local Steelers bar and spend a fraction of what I'd pay at the stadium.

But if our players played like you guys seem to root

They just did.

Love the fuckin' "We ain't the Lions or <insert shitass team here>" response. Always tells me the guy who says that is a fucking idiot. Of course the Steelers aren't the Lions, but they're not the fucking Patriots or Rams or Ravens or pick any team that made the playoffs this year either because of FUCKING STUPIDITY!!! I suppose he's just as happy as a pig in shit with the late season collapse and failure to make the playoffs with all the fucking drama that came with it. Oh he's just fine with that. Seriously, if your fucking happy with that, then I question your sanity.

[SteelBull]

Obviously, you didn't read and/or comprehend my post. I think the whiners here (and in a likely futile attempt at clarity, not those who criticize any aspect of the team itself) are spoiled ass fans.

I'm not satisfied with where we are either, but the tone of this string is how hard it is to be a Steeler fan. Cry me a river, you spolied brats. That's my take obviously (or maybe not).

I'd question the sanity of those who participate on this board who don't root for the Steelers. Or who only are happy when we win the Super Bowl, since ever other year is a failure. I seem to be in the minority mindset here, but I remain embarrassed by Steeler fans with that attitude.

[Legacy User]

Obviously, you didn't read and/or comprehend my post. I think the whiners here (and in a likely futile attempt at clarity, not those who criticize any aspect of the team itself) are spoiled ass fans.

I'm not satisfied with where we are either, but the tone of this string is how hard it is to be a Steeler fan. Cry me a river, you spolied brats. That's my take obviously (or maybe not).

I'd question the sanity of those who participate on this board who don't root for the Steelers. Or who only are happy when we win the Super Bowl, since ever other year is a failure. I seem to be in the minority mindset here, but I remain embarrassed by Steeler fans with that attitude.

FWIW, I'm not complaining about the Steelers as much as I'm complaining about professional football just plain sucking nowadays. Paired with some not-so-successful seasons of late, and it's just not as enjoyable anymore. Not really into spending my free time doing things I don't enjoy, so....