University athletics departments are searching for additional ways to drive revenue in the wake of the House vs. NCAA settlement. Some have hosted concerts at their football stadiums or increased season ticket requirements, but the University of Connecticut is taking a different approach.
On August 31, UConn will offer fantasy football leagues the chance to rent the suites at Rentschler Field for their drafts.
According to ESPN, the unique experience will cost $75 per attendee and each fantasy league must have at least 10 people to qualify for a suite rental. The fee includes catered pizza, chicken wings and soda. Alcohol will be available for purchase. Fantasy football players who celebrate their draft day in style will also receive a tour of the UConn locker rooms and field. The parking lot will be open for tailgating before the suites open.
"We know how passionate fans are about their fantasy leagues, and how, you know, important fantasy leagues are to everybody's fall," the school's associate general manager of ticket sales Kent Ahern said to CT Insider. "This is just kind of a unique idea to create some more memories for that and to get everyone together."
Fantasy football leagues must sign up by August 25th to secure a suite in Rentschler Field. If league nicknames are “family friendly” they will be displayed on the scoreboard for the event.
CT Insider reported that UConn took inspiration from professional NFL franchises that have long opened up their luxury boxes for fantasy leagues looking to host draft day in a memorable location. Senior athletics director for external strategy, Chris Grosse said the fantasy draft is “the first of many similar promotions” to come this school year.
“I think this is a great example of our athletic leadership team wanting to try to think outside the box and do some new experiences for our fans,” Grosse said. “Whether it be basketball games, football games, soccer field, hockey, volleyball, we are definitely looking at different ways to utilize the facilities that we have.”
