Are you still having fun???

[Anybodyhome]

In the same boat.

The tailgate is the only thing that makes going to the games worthwhile this year. The difference between the quality of the product and the price is sickening and nearly criminal

It's 2 hours and 15 minutes one way and the only reason we were getting up at 6AM, on the road at 7 and having a Bloody Mary by 9:30 was our great group of tailgate partners who've been together for 16 seasons now. All the food and drink was a great time and cleaning up, packing and heading our separate directions into the stadium is almost anti-climactic.

Now, most of our tailgate crew isn't showing up. The emails start coming in about Thursday if someone needs extra tickets or a parking pass or someone won't be coming. We own 12 parking spots in a corner of a lot and 4 of us showed last week.

No, it's not fun anymore. Hasn't been real fun for me for a couple seasons now. The Arizona debacle really capped off what little "fun" I had left. I've been going to NFL games for 30 some years now and I love the game, love to watch the game, but this last game, for example, I stood up one time during the course of the entire game- Gettis TD. I watched the scoreboard for other games and was feeling like I'd rather be home watching a better game than the ones I've been paying dearly for and not enjoying.

And at some point one must decide, "At what price for fun?" On top of the original PSL costs in 1995 and the price of the tickets ($1600 for the 2010 season), there's another $60 for a tank of gas, say $50-60 for food and drink for the tailgate, I carry $80 into the stadium and there are always incidentals. So a season of 10 games easily sets us back another $4k or so by the time it's all said and done. In 1995 it was half this price, we were 15 years younger and it was a different time.

So, no, it's not fun for me anymore. The wife still enjoys herself and still stands and cheers for 3 hours (for the most part), but I stopped having fun a while back. We'll decide what to do with the PSLs and tickets after the season. I'm thinking we'll find someone to split the tickets with and maybe catch 4-5 games a season instead of making the drive 10 times a year. That would be my ideal situation. Maybe with fewer games and fewer drives it wouldn't wear on me so much to watch a crap product on the field.

[CatMan72]

Not having much fun this year, but I'm keeping my eyes on the prize...

[CatMan72]

It's 2 hours and 15 minutes one way and the only reason we were getting up at 6AM, on the road at 7 and having a Bloody Mary by 9:30 was our great group of tailgate partners who've been together for 16 seasons now. All the food and drink was a great time and cleaning up, packing and heading our separate directions into the stadium is almost anti-climactic.

Now, most of our tailgate crew isn't showing up. The emails start coming in about Thursday if someone needs extra tickets or a parking pass or someone won't be coming. We own 12 parking spots in a corner of a lot and 4 of us showed last week.

No, it's not fun anymore. Hasn't been real fun for me for a couple seasons now. The Arizona debacle really capped off what little "fun" I had left. I've been going to NFL games for 30 some years now and I love the game, love to watch the game, but this last game, for example, I stood up one time during the course of the entire game- Gettis TD. I watched the scoreboard for other games and was feeling like I'd rather be home watching a better game than the ones I've been paying dearly for and not enjoying.

And at some point one must decide, "At what price for fun?" On top of the original PSL costs in 1995 and the price of the tickets ($1600 for the 2010 season), there's another $60 for a tank of gas, say $50-60 for food and drink for the tailgate, I carry $80 into the stadium and there are always incidentals. So a season of 10 games easily sets us back another $4k or so by the time it's all said and done. In 1995 it was half this price, we were 15 years younger and it was a different time.

So, no, it's not fun for me anymore. The wife still enjoys herself and still stands and cheers for 3 hours (for the most part), but I stopped having fun a while back. We'll decide what to do with the PSLs and tickets after the season. I'm thinking we'll find someone to split the tickets with and maybe catch 4-5 games a season instead of making the drive 10 times a year. That would be my ideal situation. Maybe with fewer games and fewer drives it wouldn't wear on me so much to watch a crap product on the field.

You should send this to the Panthers feedback email... wow

[jtm]

The only way I can enjoy games is to start opposing defenses in my fantasy league. At this point, we need to lose all our remaining games so we can get the #1 pick and have some sort of reward for this year. This helps me to look forward to the games. Sad...

[bigdog10]

It's 2 hours and 15 minutes one way and the only reason we were getting up at 6AM, on the road at 7 and having a Bloody Mary by 9:30 was our great group of tailgate partners who've been together for 16 seasons now. All the food and drink was a great time and cleaning up, packing and heading our separate directions into the stadium is almost anti-climactic.

Now, most of our tailgate crew isn't showing up. The emails start coming in about Thursday if someone needs extra tickets or a parking pass or someone won't be coming. We own 12 parking spots in a corner of a lot and 4 of us showed last week.

No, it's not fun anymore. Hasn't been real fun for me for a couple seasons now. The Arizona debacle really capped off what little "fun" I had left. I've been going to NFL games for 30 some years now and I love the game, love to watch the game, but this last game, for example, I stood up one time during the course of the entire game- Gettis TD. I watched the scoreboard for other games and was feeling like I'd rather be home watching a better game than the ones I've been paying dearly for and not enjoying.

And at some point one must decide, "At what price for fun?" On top of the original PSL costs in 1995 and the price of the tickets ($1600 for the 2010 season), there's another $60 for a tank of gas, say $50-60 for food and drink for the tailgate, I carry $80 into the stadium and there are always incidentals. So a season of 10 games easily sets us back another $4k or so by the time it's all said and done. In 1995 it was half this price, we were 15 years younger and it was a different time. So, no, it's not fun for me anymore. The wife still enjoys herself and still stands and cheers for 3 hours (for the most part), but I stopped having fun a while back. We'll decide what to do with the PSLs and tickets after the season. I'm thinking we'll find someone to split the tickets with and maybe catch 4-5 games a season instead of making the drive 10 times a year. That would be my ideal situation. Maybe with fewer games and fewer drives it wouldn't wear on me so much to watch a crap product on the field.

I definitely respect the fact that you have driven all that way for all these years. We've been going since 2004 and i've had a blast every year. Now mind you, my drive is only about 45 minutes. I have always enjoyed the games, win or lose.

This year has definitely been different. I think it is so much more than the on the field product as well. I haven't been to a ton of away games (2 to be exact New Orleans and Green Bay) but i'd venture a guess that we have the worst in stadium atmosphere in the league (maybe with the exception of Jacksonville).

Our music choices are lousy and half the time is sounds as if it is only coming out of one end of the speakers.

Our announcer (Brian Stickley I believe) is constantly screwing up. (For example, last year he announced a tackle in which Thomas Hollis made the play.....Thomas Hollis????) (Just this past Sunday, Jon Beason had a 3 yard run on offense). Pathetic

The handouts are a joke (bojangles gift card).

Now in a normal year, when the Panthers are competitive, I could care less about the above mentioned stuff. I go to watch the panthers play a football game. However, this year is different.

You are exactly right about all the other costs as well. It really adds up.

We are looking to sale our PSL's at the end of the year, or hopefully when some value returns to them. It's a tough pill to swallow knowing I can buy tickets in the same section as mine on gameday for $50, when I paid $83 before the season. (Not to mention the joke that the Pre-Season rip off is).

We'll still go to every game, however we will just take our chances on the street. In the long run, I know we will come out way ahead.

[Mvp2014]

Next year will be more fun!

[JungleCat]

No fun here. I'm waiting for the season to end and changes to take effect so I can believe the team is serious about winning again.

[Pox 08]

Only been two a couple home games so far this season. I have to say, I am indeed still having fun. I also have fun just watching them on tv.

Some of our rookies today are our stars of tomorrow. I love it.

[Mjphillips86]

As long as there is Panthers football and a poo ton of beer, how can you not be having fun?!

[grateflday]

I will continue to take advantage of paying $5 a ticket outside the staduim so we can keep going to all the home games as a family. I have two PSL's and have been buying two extra's on game day. There has pretty much been empty seats all around my actuall two all season so we just end up all being able to sit together. That's been fun.

[carolinarolls]

I am. It could be better of course but this year it simply is not gonna be.

I have not found the time yet to watch last week's game. Its the first time in the 21st century that Wednesday rolls around and I have not watched the previous game at least twice.

Maybe I'll get to it tomorrow afternoon. We'll see

[j2sgam]

Fun? I dont know about that.. I do try to enjoy every moment, but that does not always work. Every glimmer of hope is fantastic, every positive among the negative stands out that much more...

I do get my balls busted alot for all the Carolina gear I continue to wear, but if youre not a fan right now, are you a fan at all? Exactly...

I am lookin forward to an interesting offseason, should be lots of changes going on. That should be fun...

[bleys]

even in the worst of years.. if you can make it to a tailgate- enjoy beer, friends, and food.. it isn't possible to not have fun...

if you are sitting at home by yourself and not taking part in an "at home tailgate".. then the game itself isn't going to be very fun..

so if you aren't having a good time.. go buy some beer, invite your friends over, and cook some food.. you can always sit in front of the TV with everyone and bitch together..