SOL expansion

[not spavin]

Not on the agenda whatsoever.

I know corporate seats are the focus, but if you increased overall capacity in a relatively cost effective matter (steep, therefore exiting footprint) then you could surrender elsewhere in the ground for corporate. The lower tier of the Prem Concourse could be given over to a second row of boxes, for instance, with the Jimmy Montgomery stand generally becoming the focus for corporate - plenty of room behind that stand to build enhanced catering facilities, bespoke entry, a fancier concourse etc.

I've been to the corporate area of the Aviva stadium in Dublin a fair bit, the corporate / premium area is concentrated in a l-shaped area that sits in the middle of two stands, split into gold / silver tiers. Gold is ultra-premium (private catered boxes), and silver gets you padded seats and access to a nicer bar / concourse area. Below is one of the bars in the stand that runs along the side of the pitch, the boxes are top right (the pitch is to the right of this photo). Works really well - especially at the rugby when you can drink in your seat.

There are a few of these atriums dotted along the 'L', some like this, others smaller and a couple large banqueting areas.

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[AndrewP]

The boxes are selling and allegedly a full waiting list ready to selling the same amount we have again.

The rest of the corporate offerings aren't selling out at all.

Boxes don't make them as much money per head as most of the other premium offerings.

know corporate seats are the focus, but if you increased overall capacity in a relatively cost effective matter (steep, therefore exiting footprint)

There's nothing cost effective about that though. It's not like St James' Park, we have plenty of space behind.

 

[Mowgli]

We won’t build more boxes. The future is large social spaces and comfy seats, not boxes for 20

And most of our corporate offerings aren't sold out as it is

 

[Brian Griffin]

And most of our corporate offerings aren't sold out as it is

We won’t do corporate

We’ll do premium. There’s a subtle but key difference

 

[Mowgli]

We won’t do corporate

We’ll do premium. There’s a subtle but key difference

Semantics.

We have 'premium' now and don't sell it out.

 

[North Yorks Mackem]

They're not a nation with endless cash. If they're going to spend £250m then they'd want a return in a reasonable time.

I can't see any way of that happening with the current ownership. If the extension isn't going to happen on the cheap then it's probably never going to happen.

With the prices they've quoted id say there's very little chance of it happening in the next couple of years. It would be too great a risk taking on that debt if we arent a fully established PL team, and we arent yet.

They could do with sorting the resale of tickets out this season because that could and should work far better than it currently does.

 

[AndrewP]

With the prices they've quoted id say there's very little chance of it happening in the next couple of years. It would be too great a risk taking on that debt if we arent a fully established PL team, and we arent yet.

They could do with sorting the resale of tickets out this season because that could and should work far better than it currently does.

Yep. Sort out reselling, look into ensuring no seats are wasted. Bring in rules to stop kids sitting on season tickets on weeknights to encourage parents to sell them on if they aren't used.

Then if we keep doing well and it keeps selling out, maybe there will be a business case. It's pie in the sky for a bit extra corporate at £250m.

 

[KST]

Semantics.

We have 'premium' now and don't sell it out.

The boxes, Quinns, Montgomery Suite, Business Lounge, Riverview Brasserie and possibly The Founders are all sold out aren’t they?

It’s only 76 Yards that doesn’t sell out because it’s too expensive for what it is. Banks on the Wear usually only has a few left.

Premium lounges in the East Stand will sell no bother.

 

[Mowgli]

Yep. Sort out reselling, look into ensuring no seats are wasted. Bring in rules to stop kids sitting on season tickets on weeknights to encourage parents to sell them on if they aren't used.

Then if we keep doing well and it keeps selling out, maybe there will be a business case. It's pie in the sky for a bit extra corporate at £250m.

Feels more like a figure thrown out there to dampen expectations to me.

The boxes, Quinns, Montgomery Suite, Business Lounge, Riverview Brasserie and possibly The Founders are all sold out aren’t they?

It’s only 76 Yards that doesn’t sell out because it’s too expensive for what it is. Banks on the Wear usually only has a few left.

Premium lounges in the East Stand will sell no bother.

Theres a big list of people desperate to move from Founders but have been told no.

 

[KST]

Feels more like a figure thrown out there to dampen expectations to me.

Theres a big list of people desperate to move from Founders but have been told no.

Not surprising, not the best seats and very expensive for what it is.

 

[Mowgli]

Not surprising, not the best seats and very expensive for what it is.

We are stuck in a bit of a sticky situation with an extension mind.

The CEO basicslly said they'd only extend for a larger premium section and to make it worthwhile. That's probably where the huge cost has come from, to be able to configure that.

The problem is that we could possibly be at our realistic ceiling as a club in modern football. Unless we become a CL/european regular then its pretty pie in the sky to throw that money in.

 

[Brian Griffin]

We are stuck in a bit of a sticky situation with an extension mind.

The CEO basicslly said they'd only extend for a larger premium section and to make it worthwhile. That's probably where the huge cost has come from, to be able to configure that.

The problem is that we could possibly be at our realistic ceiling as a club in modern football. Unless we become a CL/european regular then its pretty pie in the sky to throw that money in.

It’s not just football though

Football is 19 afternoons a year

Concerts another 15

Makes total sense to do it

 

[Mowgli]

It’s not just football though

Football is 19 afternoons a year

Concerts another 15

Makes total sense to do it

I'm dubious we'd get 15 concerts a year

 

[Paul3845]

Theres absolutely zero chance of them ever building an extension anywhere near a £250m cost.

I'm more convinced than ever that they won't build anything tbh.

Obviously not 'zero chance' as they said in the minutes they were considering it at a cost of £250m ...

 

[AndrewP]

We are stuck in a bit of a sticky situation with an extension mind.

The CEO basicslly said they'd only extend for a larger premium section and to make it worthwhile. That's probably where the huge cost has come from, to be able to configure that.

The problem is that we could possibly be at our realistic ceiling as a club in modern football. Unless we become a CL/european regular then its pretty pie in the sky to throw that money in.

We currently bring in under £20m in match day revenue.

Someone suggested taking out a £250m loan at about £30m-£35m+ in repayments over 10 years. I don't see how the sums add up.

 

[KST]

We are stuck in a bit of a sticky situation with an extension mind.

The CEO basicslly said they'd only extend for a larger premium section and to make it worthwhile. That's probably where the huge cost has come from, to be able to configure that.

The problem is that we could possibly be at our realistic ceiling as a club in modern football. Unless we become a CL/european regular then it’s pretty pie in the sky to throw that money in.

Yeah, £250m is surely East + South and possibly a revamp/widening of all the general admission areas?

Burwell giving a specific figure though…might indicate they’re considering it?

As a Sunderland fan I know it’s natural to be cautious but I genuinely don’t think these in charge are considering the possibility of us regressing. Exciting times.

 

[AndrewP]

I'm dubious we'd get 15 concerts a year

Zero chance of 15 concerts. 5 or 6 a year is top end.

 

[Mowgli]

Obviously not 'zero chance' as they said in the minutes they were considering it at a cost of £250m ...

He also said sunderland and Newcastle are the only 2 PL clubs with a physical ticket office.

Which is not true

 

[AndrewP]

Yeah, £250m is surely East + South and possibly a revamp/widening of all the general admission areas?

Him giving a figure though might indicate they’re considering it though. As a Sunderland fan I know it’s natural to be cautious but I genuinely don’t think these in charge are considering the possibility of us regressing. Exciting times.

It might also mean they have no interest and are making up daft amounts to keep people off their backs.

 

[Mowgli]

Yeah, £250m is surely East + South and possibly a revamp/widening of all the general admission areas?

Burwell giving a specific figure though…might indicate they’re considering it?

As a Sunderland fan I know it’s natural to be cautious but I genuinely don’t think these in charge are considering the possibility of us regressing. Exciting times.

I'm doubtful they'll be here in 2 years time. So I'm just not going all in on an extension at that cost.

At the very least they're looking to sell shares for investment. I hope it isn't a full sale.