.@ChrisStapleton brings the house down with his performance of the National Anthem! #SBLVII

So I've heard a lot of opinions regarding the Bud Walton re-seating issue, and I've got some thoughts of my own after taking a day to take everything in: 1) I think the goal of what they're trying to accomplish is a good one. If, on the surface, the goal is to allow more people/families to be season ticket holders, I think that is a fantastic goal to have, and very needed. Yurachek hinted at that on the Chuck and Bo show this morning by saying they want to increase "accounts" by a few hundred. 2) I think the way they're going about it is wrong. If that truly *is* the goal, then I don't quite understand the donation levels being increased so drastically. From what Yurachek said, any fan who had season tickets this season will also have them next season IF THEY CHOOSE. What does that entail? That means increasing donation levels, which, based on firsthand accounts from many season-ticket holders, would be upwards of a 1000% or even higher donation increase to keep ALL of their seats. From $1000 - $10,000 in some cases, $100 to $500 in others. These season ticket holders have also stated that if they do not increase to a certain level - often the $10,000 but unsure on all the specific circumstances - then they can only retain TWO season tickets, rather than the three, four, five, six, etc. they own. While that will open up more available tickets to go to other fans who currently are not season ticket holders, it adds a massive financial burden on families who want to go to the game as a unit. The two-ticket cap makes very little sense to me in terms of applicability or efficiency in terms of promoting a family enviornment. 3) Is it money or is it not? This morning, Yurachek stated that while, yes, programs have not been winning enough, and that merely throwing money at the problem wouldn't fix it, he still stated in the very same breath that the University needed more money to compete within the SEC. Which is it, then? What steps can be taken to solve the problems that Yurachek even acknowledged while enticing fans to be involved financially? Winning helps, but it seems fans are discouraged with the direction of multiple different sports, including the money-driver in football. 4) Ticket holders backing out As a result of the things addressed above, in a very unofficial poll on X, it seems a majority of respondents who are season ticket holders will NOT be renewing their tickets. If that's the case, is there a world where people are vying for season tickets, or will they go unfilled for the first time in a handful of seasons? 5) Encapsulates university athletics as a whole. This decision affects Bud Walton Arena and the basketball program, but the whole ordeal is symbolic of the University of Arkansas athletics as a whole. The basketball team has underperformed, and even before there was the underperformance fans weren't filling the arena. There was a clear issue with marketing, fan engagement, fan interaction, and more, but before that is even acknowledged or addressed, the University asks for more money that involves increased donation tiers that prices many people out of their season tickets or moves people from seats they've had for decades. 6) There is a disconnect between the University and the fanbase. Fans aren't responding to this sort of fundraising. In my experience, I haven't heard of anyone "embracing" these changes, but rather the exact opposite. It's a poor state. It's a passionate state. It's a rabid fanbase. It's seeming like a lot of the decisions being made are more corporate, more sterile than anything else, and the fanbase is not only noticing, but rebelling. 7) Is this the proverbial line in the sand? There have been a few instances of major backlash in recent years. Retaining Sam Pittman as head football coach after going 4-8, the "you're still here" video when Eric Musselman ultimately left for USC, the rumored coaching candidates and entire coach hiring process before Calipari's name was leaked, begrudging attitude and comments regarding NIL, etc... but this one feels different. It almost feels like the fanbase is angry, yet not surprised. Fed up to the point that the support actually will stop. What happens then? I guess we will see.

College coaches, check out 2025 OL Wyatt Files. Great feet, strong, can play guard or tackle. @BvilleFB @CoachJGrant