Michael Vick was hired as the new college football coach at Norfolk State in December. His arrival back home to Virginia created an unprecedented buzz around a program that has been largely dead in the water since it first came to exist and ticket prices are positioned accordingly.
The Spartans increased the cost by 82%!
Vick, a native of Newport News, is part of this ongoing trend in college football where programs hire big-name former players as their head coach. His former teammate, DeSean Jackson, was actually hired at a rival program not too long after Norfolk State tapped the former No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick. I digress.
Never before have the Spartans been as popular as they are today. They have not had a winning season since 2021 and it was their first winning season since 2007. Michael Vick obviously hopes to change that.
In fact, he wants his players to be so successful on the FCS level that they can transfer up to the FBS for even more NIL money. A mass exodus after the season would reflect a positive on-field result.
Norfolk State is raising its ticket prices with that expectation in mind. General admission season tickets cost $200— up from $110 last years. Reserved seating cost $130 in 2024. That cost will too rise.
The reason for the price increase is two-fold. First and foremost, there is a greater demand because of Michael Vick. The Spartans can charge more money for admission because more people want in.
The higher prices also correspond with the university’s decision to opt-in on the NCAA’s revenue-sharing model. A portion of each ticket sold will go right back to the athletic department to pay the student-athletes.
Our decision to join the NCAA’s revenue-sharing plan emphasizes Norfolk State’s unwavering commitment to our student athletes. This choice to opt into the principles of the House Settlement underscores our dedication to advancing our athletics department as we prepare for a new era in collegiate athletics. As we join other institutions in adopting this evolving revenue-sharing model, we remain committed to navigating this journey for the benefit of our student-athletes. We are resolute in our goal to not only stay competitive but also achieve championship success.
— Athletic director Dr. Melody Webb
Even though Norfolk State has been horrendous in recent years, it actually lead the MEAC with an average home attendance of 14,544. William Price Stadium can fit a maximum capacity of 30,000. I fully expect every seat to be filled come Week 1. The price increase will help to boost the income even more than a full stadium!