EyeHeartA2

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 12:58 p.m.

If only we hadn't spent all that money on art for the police station, then.....oh, wait. Never mind.

JRMjr

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 12:02 p.m.

"We are working through the problem. We just felt it was important to let the band now they weren't going before we finished our evaluation." Really?

Mike Hartwell

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 11:46 a.m.

NOTE: ..."How this business works"... I didn't know it was a business. Plus $4.7 million went back into the general athletic budget. What he is saying is that as soon as the game contract was signed the revenue was recognized and the prospect of that revenue allocated to a department (athletics, not spent). But, since the marching band is, apparently, not part of the athletic department it must be funded from somewhere else. NOTE also that his implication is that if he brings the band with the team all other 29 sports are at risk According to USA Today public record requests UM had a total sports operating revenue of $106 million (in 2010) and a total operating expense of $89 million. Tell Brandon to get the $400k for the band trip from the $17 million in gross profit.

TMC216

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 10:45 a.m.

This whole matter is absurd and Brandon does great damage to his credibility. This Athletic Department is one of the most profitable in the country. What was the profit last year according to Forbes magazine and the numerous FOIA requests? North of $25 MILLION? Pleading poverty and "We'll try to find the funds" to send the band is laughable.

TrueBlueinOH

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 10:41 a.m.

It's not just the UM community that is in an uproar about this. The story was picked up by national sports talk radio and other outlets The sentiment is nearly unanimous that the MMB is an integral part of the football experience and MUST be at a game of this magnitude. They also found it ludicrous that UM claimed it couldn't afford the cost of sending the band.

longtime AA

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 2:13 a.m.

Dave Brandon is an extremely smart businessman. He realizes the value of a 'trial balloon.' Remember the 'Mascot' idea? Unlike Lee Bollinger, who liked the 'Halo," built and paid for the 'Halo,' and then paid again to dismantle it, all Dave Brandon had to do was put the idea of the Mascot, or the Band not going to Texas, and guage the reaction at little or no cost. And in fact, he will end up making money, because, I predict, he will find donors to sponsor the band (look at all the now pro athletes with big pro contracts who tweeted about the band not going) and in the end, will end up with more than the $4.7 million in the contract and have the band in Texas. We all wanted a businessman to run the department, an ex-athlete who knows about sports competition, an insider to the university administration/leadership, a person with knowledge of the Michigan tradition and a connection with Bo, and a marketing expert. The good news is that we got that person; the bad news is that we got that person.

helen Keezer

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 1:30 a.m.

Is the game about football or about the band? Football is played for the game of football not to have the band perform for the fans it is part of the whole but not the whole .David has done a great job and a few years ago Michigan would not even be involved in this level of a game. Go Blue it will all work out ,I would rather have a football win than see the band march down the the field for 5min. let the band alums pay for the trip if it is that important

JimB

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 1:26 a.m.

I sure hope this was all some big joke that Brandon was pulling on the public because if it wasn't, it's really lame. Who cares about money, practice or anything else. The band is so important to the culture and tradition of the school that it surely would have been budgeted into this event. Especially after the Rich Rod debacle and cries from the faithfull to follow tradition with Hoke's hiring etc. Jerry Jones even alloted the school tickets for the band so something just doesn't add up here.

Arborcomment

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 1:20 a.m.

Booked a "neutral" venue - check. Bama band going - check. Allotted seats for MMB in contract - check. Budgeted for MMB band to go? Apparently "price-less". Somebody made decisions in "30 minutes or less". Guaranteed!

Scott Laux

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 1:17 a.m.

Brandon's condescending words that "we don't have to understand how it works" is arrogant. We understand how it works. We can add and subtract. We also understand Alabama is sending the band, this game and it's $4.7 million payout isn't just any road game, the whole band need not be sent, the game will draw national exposure and we need to perform well for recruiting, that the ticket prices where high enough to merit a small Michigan band being there, and that Al Borges just got a $300k -86% raise. So come down off your high horse Mr Brandon. We didn't get attend Michigan because we are stupid. Just send a small band and quite trying to rationalize a bad "business" decision.

A2comments

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 12:42 a.m.

"There was always an opportunity for them to go, we just had to figure our way through some rather significant issues." I'd rather see Mr. Brandon admit he was not going to let them go and was forced to reconsider. Be honest Dave.

Tru2Blu76

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 12:10 a.m.

Be assured there will be halftime entertainment. But without the Michigan Marching Band, the likely replacement will be the huge treat of watching and listening to... several Texas high school bands. Or... there could be a lavish Christian evangelist show. Maybe former President G. W. Bush will be there to throw the first pass. Who could resist THAT?! Remember a few years back when they put a "halo" around Michigan Stadium? What was the cost of that? Oh, and what was the cost of removing it after quite a number of alumni and Michigan fans decided they didn't want it up there? How's that for "responsible financial decision making?" How's that for listening to fans and alumni? (Meaning: did they THINK to ask b4 spending the money to put the "halo" up there?) So the band was included in the original contract but now there're "numerous problems" connected to sending them to Texas? Having written a few "forward looking contracts" myself, I can't believe the M.-A.D. MISSED these problems until recently. Notice too, originally, it was just the $400K cost in question but now Dave Brandon's talking about multiple (unspecified) problems. Ewww, MORE problems, how can they hope to deal with THAT?! (LoL). Dave Brandon has been opportunistically vocal about his focus on "building the Michigan brand." Well now, if building the brand (which has been a-building long before D.B. was born) means DELETING a major part of the brand from a primary football game, then I guess the Michigan brand is done, as in Brandon-done-it-in.

tom kundrat

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 11 p.m.

Brandon Be A LEADER Send the dang band!

7718

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 10:39 p.m.

Does anyone know how many administrators will be making the trip (other family members as well)? This isn't a bowl game but I'd be interested in seeing who gets to go at no cost.

DRH

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 10:30 p.m.

PRESENCE 1. As a former band director and a member of a college marching band I am aware of the ramifications of moving, housing, feeding 379 band members, staff, plus equipment, on a 1200 mile, 20 hour(each way) trip. 2. The function of the band is far beyond doing 10 minute half-time show. The band performs at a multitude of Pre-Game activities, but, the chief function of the band once it enters the stadium is to establish and to maintain a "Michigan Presence" in whatever venue the team is performing. This is a continuous job that the UM Marching Band has always done well. This "stadium control" will always be most important in a closed/domed venue such as Cowboys Stadium. 3. In the old days when the Marching Band was part of The Music Department, not The Athletic Department it was always more important to take the band to Notre Dame, Michigan State, Ohio State, etc., than to "blow" all the money on one big trip. 4. This now brings me to the topic of my concern. The Marching Band is now part of The Athletic Department. Are these the band students included among the statistics of "student athletes"? The time spent in practice, participation, etc. by the band students is comparable to what the other "student athletes" are doing, and the athletic/physical exertion of the band students may be far in excess of what some of the other "student athletes" expend... just walk/march/follow a band in a parade some time...1.5 to 2 miles or more of marching AND playing. It should be noted that if band is not part of the stated figures that in reality The Athletic Department is comprised of 30 groups, numbering 1344 students, not 29 groups numbering 865 students. 5. I'm sure that The Athletic Department will make the correct decision as to how they plan to establish the Michigan PRESENCE and maintain the "control of the stadium" for the Cowboys Classic. Isn't that why the UM Marching Band is now part o

G-Man

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 10:19 p.m.

I would think most of the dedicated band members would be in Mackinaw, walking the Bridge with us, and Governor Snyder..... Especially since the poor, broke, indigent athletic program can't afford to pay their way...... You would think with the ticket prices being gouged for the football program, there would be some spare change left for the band...???... Doesn't the school take in money from the television stations, also?...... I say let the other 29 sports sink or swim........ If they can't pay their own way, what is their value??? You mean the other sports aren't commanding hundreds of dollars per ticket? I'll bet even lowly MSU sends their band to the away games....... Warm up the bus........

Pamela Stegath Wilson

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 10:07 p.m.

Great news! So happy that AD Brandon listened to the voices of the band, fans and alumni... just hope their seats that were in the original contract are still available!

Wayne Walcott

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 9:51 p.m.

Thanks Alumni and Michigan fans for your support, And a big thanks for AD Brandon for being open enough to hear all of us who feel the Band and the Team are the Michigan Tradition. When combined with the fans are the Michigan Nation.

Ed daggett

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 9:41 p.m.

Brandon made a bad deal for M athletics on this one. Total take from game is $4.7 million & M has to pay all expenses including police escort for team busses. He is looking for donors to pick up tab & save dept. money. M makes about $6 mill per home game plus concessions, parking etc. MSU is playing Bama in a home & home series & making more $$. Looks like their AD made a much better deal than ours

MRunner73

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 9:38 p.m.

OK, all of the money in the Athletic Department is budgetted. Therefore the extra 400K to pay the MMB expenses is not there, but, there should be some kind of slush fund. There is usually some kind of fund. If the donors come up with half of the funds, you can bet Mr Brandon will cough up the other half. The outrage over this is not over. Seems weird that Brandon is negotiating with donors to bail out of this.

AAbob43

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 9:36 p.m.

Everything in AA is tied to police or fire cuts, or to public art. In this case, the obvious connection is to public art. The marching band plays music, a form of art. Let's stop paying for sculptures and subsidize the band's trip to Texas. (Perhaps if AA were less liberal, the single-issue mentality of commenters on AA.Com would tend towards the evils of abortion. But in AA, it all seems to come down to police or fire cuts, or public art, doesn't it? I promise to help find these connections in every AA.Com article, so as to help our populace right the ship in AA.)

Terry Star21

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 9:31 p.m.

Dave Brandon has a big job to do and has done it well. One of Mr. Brandon's jobs is to listen; to fans, donors, students and alumni - and he is done that very well. It is easy, when people don't see the books to say the monies there - and it may very well be there. Therefore, it must have been very important for Mr. Brandon to not include the band. If you believe in Michigan Football, always trust our players, our team, our coaches and our Athletic Director to make the right decisions. My buddies and I will be sitting in the stadium that day, enjoying all of that - we will applaud and cheer our Michigan Band. MgoBlueForTiM....supporting Mr. Brandon and Michigan Man Ted

zeeba

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 9:05 p.m.

If the dollars are so tight, why does U-M have brand new stadiums dedicated to varsity soccer and lacrosse? Why are there separate training facilities for men's and women's gymnastics, plus another for indoor track and field? Why were all the extraneous luxury facilities tacked onto Crisler Arena? Why is the driving range at the U-M golf course, which formerly generated revenue by being open to the public, now reserved only for the use of the two varsity teams (and their coaches, when they want to earn some extra dough giving lessons)? Why are there two indoor fieldhouses for football? It's one thing if the department wants to spend a ton of dough developing the revenue sports of football and basketball as an investment. But it's ludicrous for any university to offer gold-plated facilities and athletic scholarships for minor sports. College sports were originally intended to be part of the educational experience, but now they're simply an all-consuming endeavor for a small part of the student population. It's long part time for the NCAA to put a cap on university sports spending and scholarships for jocks - give it to the kids with brains instead.

heartbreakM

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 9:04 p.m.

David Brandon: "My job is to make sure the resources we bring in are adequate to take care of all of our 865 student-athletes, all of our 29 sports and all of the things that are part of that. " And though the band is not under the auspices of the Athletic Dept, do they not deserve to be taken care of also? Especially since symbolically, they represent the university just as much as any football player or hockey player? In fact, most promotional material for the University features pictures of the Marching Band. I think with all the work that the band does to make the fan experience at football games excellent (including halftime shows, pregame shows, the most classic formation and song in college sports, and increasing spirit during the games), it is the least the athletic department can do to support them in making this trip possible. It is not like it's Hawaii. The alumni expect it; the fans at the game expect it; It is a highly symbolic move for the university and Brandon with his continued comments are showing complete lack of respect for the worth of the band. The band is not on scholarship; they do not "charge" the university to play; they represent the university with enthusiasm, hard work, and class.

PLGreen

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 9:02 p.m.

Dave Brandon woke up to the smell of roses. He knows that it will cost $400,000 to take the Band, now he has figured out that it may cost more than $400,000 in lost donations if he doesn't take the Band. Like they say "cash is king"

OLDTIMER3

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 8:35 p.m.

Maybe if the coaches weren't paid such a high salary they could afford to pay the bands way.

ohiowolverine

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 8:34 p.m.

I didn't go to the U of M but I have been a fan for over 50 years, where can I donate money for the band to make the trip?

A2D2

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 8:17 p.m.

For the absolute best explanation of the financial portion of this game, I'd suggest you go to mgoblog.com. Brian does an excellent job of spelling it out in dollars and cents.

siudog1

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 8:01 p.m.

The Alabama game is just as big as any bowl game. In these types of games, the football team and the band are just like "The Hawaiian War Chant" and "Temptation". You can't have one without the other!!

michboy40

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 8 p.m.

I have liked most, if not all, of Brandon's public moves since he got on campus, but this one is just a big stinker! There are several messages hidden in this decision, and none of them is good! At this point, he will bow the the alumni and fans and send the band, but it's the original intent that will be remembered.

Steve McQueen

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 7:51 p.m.

A former band member mentioned that the kids will be just getting back from summer vacation and will not have much time to practice or prepare. Classes wont even have started. Also some may not be able to travel due to work conflicts etc. getting back from vacation. It seems logical that all of those factors have to be considered. Sure the band members want to be there...most them probably...but its not going to be easy for some of them to do so. OT: my opinion on this is that it would be nice to see them there, but this is not a bowl game and people are making far too much out of this issue than needs to be.

Craig Lounsbury

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 7:48 p.m.

As others have pointed out, money isn't really an issue. Its not like Brandon needs to swing a loan from the bank to make it happen. I wonder if all those seats the band are going to sit in were going to get "sold" for brown paper bags full of unmarked non-sequential "dead presidents" ? Now pardon me while i readjust my aluminum foil hat.

pchbob

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 7:40 p.m.

I live about 5 blocks from UM's athletic complex and like everyone else have seen considerable funds put into the building and/or restoring of outstanding facilities so $400,000 to send the best college band seems like "chump change" in perspective, an easy decision, particularly with increased ticket prices and a cut from the Jan. 1st, '13 Wings-Toronto game. You can bet 'Bama's band and their numerous dance, cheer, and twiller teams will all be there folks...GO Blue, GO Band....to the Big D!!!

81wolverine

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 7:32 p.m.

"The resources brought in are not profit or extra resources, those are dollars (we need) to spend on other student-athletes, other coaches, other programs. My job is to make sure the resources we bring in are adequate to take care of all of our 865 student-athletes, all of our 29 sports and all of the things that are part of that. That's my job." It's also your job to ensure that the main money-producing sport is supported as much as possible to maximize their chances of success on the field. And I'm sure that includes coordinating with other departments to make sure this happens. So, stop making excuses Mr. Brandon and make sure the band is down in Texas for the game!

Ralph

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 7:27 p.m.

Come on!! Just a little adversity in their privileged lives won't hurt them.

David Briegel

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 7:21 p.m.

Too bad Dave had to be told to do the right thing!

Outside(:-o)looking in

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 7:21 p.m.

What about the cheerleaders, are they going? They can pick up the slack for the band. Save some money.

James Roane

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 7:05 p.m.

According to Dept. of Education data and The Business of College Sports website, Michigan's athletic department had a profit, that is revenues exceeded expenses, by $26 million for 2010-2011. $400,000 is a figure the athletic department could "swing", if it wants to.

DeeAA

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 7:04 p.m.

Not taking the band makes the University of Michigan look "cheap" and not in the best sense of the word. Come on! We're supposed to be a world-class operation here.

mohomed

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 7:01 p.m.

Spend a half million dollars to have the band play a 10 minute halftime show... makes sense to me. I say raise tuition another 5% this year to pay for it. Go Blue!

Forever27

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 6:57 p.m.

working on it?! the band was part of the original contract, that's why there is a section of tickets marked off for the band. Dave Brandon decided he wanted to skim a little more money out of the gig (after realizing how much of a financial waste this game has been), so he removed the band's seat allotment (right before the end of the semester, enjoy your summer!). Now he's trying to walk back as much as he can without actually giving in. Once again he shows his marketing acumen to be about as sharp as a spoon.

redwingshero

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 6:38 p.m.

"We bring in $4.7 million for this game, and that's how we pay for 29 sports at the University of Michigan," Brandon said. Umm, I think he's forgetting the HUGE fiduciary gifts that alumni give to the athletic department at the university. If all you have to spend on athletics was the money earned from the event/tv coverage, etc., university athletics would be abysmal. How is this any different from when the band got to go down to the Alamo Bowl game a few years back? If they're trying to save money, don't fly them down. I hear they can get some good rates from Greyhound... It is strange that Brandon is only changing his tune after severe complaints from Alumni came pouring in. What is it to take a bus, $200 round trip? 235 member band times $200 a pop, is $47,000. Add a few extra buses/trucks for large instruments/percussion, and maybe the cost goes up to $100k or $250k. So what's the big deal?

seekingsun

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 6:23 p.m.

MMB to Dallas. #BrandonFail

Mike D

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 6:20 p.m.

Here is the issue. At the time when the decision was made to play Alabama, Muchigan Football Stock was at an all time low, therefore $4.7 Million was not a bad deal to get the brand in front of a lot of folks on a neutral field. However, with the stock up, Michigan realized that $4.7 Million with the travel budget for the team, was probably a bad financial decision, hence the band decision; and realization that a home game would net just as much revenue with the stock high. At any rate, this is a major game and not just another road game, hence Michigan should bite the bullet and send ths band. Go Blue! This is Michigan Fer God Sakes!!!!

George Yingling

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 6:12 p.m.

So why is the effort to take the band started only after vigorous protest from the alumni and fans? The planning for this game should have included the band from the beginning. Excuses don't work. Where is the leadership in not taking the best band to the game? Leaders and best , really? Without the best, no leader.

Hailmary

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 6:08 p.m.

Your on the right track Dave. If Dave Brandon wants the band in Texas for that game then my bet is that the band will be there.