I was there in 1993. I believe at one point the “estimated” attendance was over 80,000 but that got scaled back. it was definitely the biggest crowd ever at PIR thanks to the presence of Nigel Mansell who had just come from F1 and would win the season championship. The European media was everywhere hounding him. I spent some time with that team, following Mario Andretti around for the weekend. After the race, the Newman -Haas compound was besieged. In an effort to get Mansell to his waiting helicopter(!) the normally reclusive Paul Newman (team owner) stepped out of his coach and lit up a cigar, drawing the crowd away. Nigel escaped on a scooter. Mario found this hilarious.
If the Los Angeles CW channel would have aired the Beaver game instead of the Clipper preseason, it would have peaked at over 1M viewers. Looking forward to the Pac12 finalizing their media deal and getting that nailed down. Pac12 has been on a roll lately, with lottsa good news.
LMAO! Yeah, they picked up Colorado State and Utah State and looked like the Keystone Kops trying to poach Memphis State, Air Force, Tulane and UNLV, all of who rejected them - what a roll.
They didn't say no, not at all. The said the deal offered to them was not a good deal - and the time frame was short - there is still engagement going on.
Excellent addition. So was Gonzaga from a BB standpoint. I'm perfectly capable of being intellectually honest. Too bad you can't...and too bad the Pac-12 diminished their brand with Utah State and Colorado State, while looking like sheer amateurs getting publicly rejected by Memphis, Air Force, UNLV and Tulane. Who's next - Grand Canyon State?
Even though there are absolutely no legitimate reports of the Pac-12 pursuing Grand Canyon University, your dismissal of them is laughable and illustrates you know nothing about college Olympic sports.
Grand Canyon has played in the NCAA baseball tournament in three of the past four seasons.
Grand Canyon University has played in the NCAA men's basketball tournament in three of the last four seasons.
Grand Canyon University's women's basketball team has won 21 or more games in each of the past three seasons.
Grand Canyon University's men's soccer program has appeared in three NCAA tournaments since 2018.
Grand Canyon University's softball team has played in three consecutive NCAA tournaments.
Grand Canyon doesn't play football, but it's other teams are excellent.
Memphis is coming. Just wait.
Why did you return to here after a two- or three-week absence? You were not missed.
Only temporarily rejected by Memphis. The thought is Memphis said "No" to the initial offer in round 1, that's all. Memphis wants more money, and the Pac12 has the cash. CFB realignment is in a constant state of flux as it continues to evolve. Be patient Grasshopper, the Pac12 will bring Memphis into the fold.
The Pac is doing the right thing right now in getting some better media value numbers. Memphis is in the trust but verify category, as it should be. The Pac should also be doing some analysis of the quality of work of its "consultants." The Pac and Memphis both need to trust the quality of their work.
I don't see Memphis as adding value to a conference brand unless you're just fine with mediocrity. And it appears you are by adding Utah State and Colorado State...and courting Grand Canyon State (pardon me, while a clean-up a snot bubble right about here just thinking about Grand Canyon State - LMAO!)
BTW - you're assuming Memphis ever does accept - you're making a big leap in judgment, here...corky.
Coulda, woulda, shoulda may be the new Pac motto? Last season's CW high was 1.3M for a Florida State game as controversy built over FSU's chances for the CFP. Most of the other CW games were under 400k. LA market had little interest in watching Colorado St, or OSU, and the game there would have had only marginal attention. The local affiliate made their decision based on that opinion as well.
Local affiliate has a contractual obligation to show the Clipper games that overrides the CW contract with the Pac. It was not a decision to show the Clippers over the Beaver game. They had no choice.
And this is without any promotional effort by the CW. Have you seen any TV ads for CW sports broadcasts, at all? On any channel? ESPN and FSN promote the heck out of their events. Promotion leads to much greater viewership for obvious reasons (awareness). I am hoping CW will promote the PAC12 once it is rebuilt in 2026. They can start experimenting with promotion now. The more viewership the bigger the pay package for the conference, again, obviously
57,000. 60,000. 63,000+.. No matter the number, I’m looking forward to being in a special environment this Saturday. The teams are ready, the coaches have their game plans set, but the Oregon defense has a special play they can call on all those 3rd down and 4th & Goal situations - Autzen. It’s hard to defend that.
Regardless of what takes shape in the ever-changing college football landscape, these types of Saturday’s are what make memories for a lifetime.
No matter the outcome, I’m certainly hoping for a good game, we’re just excited to be there. Many were the years being a Duck was “waiting for next year.” I wish my Father had lived long enough to see the turn around. He bought the original season tickets.
Buck fans were very hospitable to Duck fans in Columbus even though they got that rear-end beat. I hope our fans reciprocate no matter the outcome.
In addition, for those that were there, remember the OSU band playing our fight song, Mighty Oregon, on the field before the game? Total class act for a class organization.
This is a problem for the ducks.....showing class to their opponents' fans. So not really on those who suit up and are on the field but in reality those who have no degree but derive their self worth from a bunch of 18 to 23 year young men.
John, your comments on attendance jogged my memory from my days at The Oregonian. Longtime sports editor Don McLeod, whose tenure at the "O" was probably only eclipsed by the great L.H. Gregory, placed a great deal on attendance at events, which had a lot to do with how much coverage the paper would give it. "What'd they draw?" was his favorite question in that gravelly voice of his. A lot of us remember that with smiles on our faces. So, true story: I was dispatched to cover the funeral of longtime boxing promoter, Sammy Singer. It was somewhere in southeast Portland as I remember. I went over and got a few comments from Sam's friends and associates. When I got back to the office, McLeod's first words to me: "Hey John ... how was the house?"
Did the bottom teams of the Mountain West deserve to get left behind by the top teams? Are Boise and the rest traitors? Are they guilty of betraying their partners in search of higher dollars?
Off topic but perhaps a focus for another article John. Did you see that Narbonne HS in CA. has embraced NIL and is reportedly paying up to $10K for players which has resulted in 20 kids transferring in. Schools in the same league are forfeiting or threatening to forfeit games against Narbonne. The league includes Banning high so this is big boy HS football. Unintended but easily predicted consequence of NIL. Also parents who think their child is a multi star athlete who just needs more playing time must be making HS coaching really unpleasant. We need an unbiased entity watching out for the good of the game at all levels.
It will be big and Oregon is making lots of money. Face value for the cheapest Standing Room only ticket is about $270 and after market resale, people are still buying them for that. Want a good seat now you may have to pay $1000 or more. One thing for sure the take at the gate will befar more than that Portland raceway event no matter the attendance. It will be fun Saturday!
Being there should be electric. Is Don Essig still alive? Dan Fouts? I won’t be there so EPD and the Lane Co. Sheriffs dept won’t have to worry if Ohio St doesn’t cover.
Auto racing attendance numbers are notoriously inaccurate. As you stated, John, media, team members, comp attendees and the like do not constitute attendance numbers. I’m going with whatever the attendance is at the Ducks game as the new Oregon record. I bet it’s at least 63,001.
Good advice from Darlow regarding Boise State—they have a potential Heisman candidate and are very visible right now. Can’t hurt PAC branding!
Here is another thing in life I don't get. Why large media companies have the idea in their heads that people don't support sports out West. 63,000 might not sound like a lot of fans in the seats to say an SEC fan, but I would be willing to bet that nearly every TV set and radio is tuned in when the teams are playing. Boise State, the problem they always had in joining the old version of Pac 12 boiled down to not enough TV's. Every cowboy on the range has the cell phone tuned in! I'm wondering if it is government that is the problem, causing roadblocks in promoting events and approving venues. Why Portland has fallen behind other metro areas in pro sport teams is weird. Is it a lack of chamber of commerce type promotion? Tourism not promoting the region? And this bleeds over to the media honchos, giving them a false narrative? All of this is just weird and I don't understand
Because the TV numbers don’t lie. And attendance. And every other metric. The dirty secret about the death of the pac-12 that no one wants to admit is fan apathy played a huge role in it. There were 3-4 fanbases that consistently showed up and showed out, a few more that only did when seasons were good, and a whole of empty stadiums and TVs watching something else
Once the official attendance is announced after the Ducks game, I would compare that figure to the Indy race attendance figure and add an asterisk to it.
"Indy race attendance: ~ 63,000* (no accurate count available)
If I had a ticket to the Ducks game, I would dress up like a homeless person and pitch my tent near Autzen stadium days before (unsure of Eugene's homeless policies). Then walk to the game to avoid the traffic headache.
I was there in 1993. I believe at one point the “estimated” attendance was over 80,000 but that got scaled back. it was definitely the biggest crowd ever at PIR thanks to the presence of Nigel Mansell who had just come from F1 and would win the season championship. The European media was everywhere hounding him. I spent some time with that team, following Mario Andretti around for the weekend. After the race, the Newman -Haas compound was besieged. In an effort to get Mansell to his waiting helicopter(!) the normally reclusive Paul Newman (team owner) stepped out of his coach and lit up a cigar, drawing the crowd away. Nigel escaped on a scooter. Mario found this hilarious.
That was a great era in open-wheel racing.😊👍
Great story!
If the Los Angeles CW channel would have aired the Beaver game instead of the Clipper preseason, it would have peaked at over 1M viewers. Looking forward to the Pac12 finalizing their media deal and getting that nailed down. Pac12 has been on a roll lately, with lottsa good news.
LMAO! Yeah, they picked up Colorado State and Utah State and looked like the Keystone Kops trying to poach Memphis State, Air Force, Tulane and UNLV, all of who rejected them - what a roll.
Memphis State name was changed to university of Memphis in 1994, thirty years ago.
They didn't say no, not at all. The said the deal offered to them was not a good deal - and the time frame was short - there is still engagement going on.
What is your opinion of Boise State football?
Excellent addition. So was Gonzaga from a BB standpoint. I'm perfectly capable of being intellectually honest. Too bad you can't...and too bad the Pac-12 diminished their brand with Utah State and Colorado State, while looking like sheer amateurs getting publicly rejected by Memphis, Air Force, UNLV and Tulane. Who's next - Grand Canyon State?
Even though there are absolutely no legitimate reports of the Pac-12 pursuing Grand Canyon University, your dismissal of them is laughable and illustrates you know nothing about college Olympic sports.
Grand Canyon has played in the NCAA baseball tournament in three of the past four seasons.
Grand Canyon University has played in the NCAA men's basketball tournament in three of the last four seasons.
Grand Canyon University's women's basketball team has won 21 or more games in each of the past three seasons.
Grand Canyon University's men's soccer program has appeared in three NCAA tournaments since 2018.
Grand Canyon University's softball team has played in three consecutive NCAA tournaments.
Grand Canyon doesn't play football, but it's other teams are excellent.
Memphis is coming. Just wait.
Why did you return to here after a two- or three-week absence? You were not missed.
Only temporarily rejected by Memphis. The thought is Memphis said "No" to the initial offer in round 1, that's all. Memphis wants more money, and the Pac12 has the cash. CFB realignment is in a constant state of flux as it continues to evolve. Be patient Grasshopper, the Pac12 will bring Memphis into the fold.
The Pac is doing the right thing right now in getting some better media value numbers. Memphis is in the trust but verify category, as it should be. The Pac should also be doing some analysis of the quality of work of its "consultants." The Pac and Memphis both need to trust the quality of their work.
I don't see Memphis as adding value to a conference brand unless you're just fine with mediocrity. And it appears you are by adding Utah State and Colorado State...and courting Grand Canyon State (pardon me, while a clean-up a snot bubble right about here just thinking about Grand Canyon State - LMAO!)
BTW - you're assuming Memphis ever does accept - you're making a big leap in judgment, here...corky.
Grand Canyon is only being courted by the news media. No one is serious about that one.
Colorado State brings the Denver market. Also consider that as soon as Deion leaves, CSU will be the more popular school.
Who would you have added?
Coulda, woulda, shoulda may be the new Pac motto? Last season's CW high was 1.3M for a Florida State game as controversy built over FSU's chances for the CFP. Most of the other CW games were under 400k. LA market had little interest in watching Colorado St, or OSU, and the game there would have had only marginal attention. The local affiliate made their decision based on that opinion as well.
Local affiliate has a contractual obligation to show the Clipper games that overrides the CW contract with the Pac. It was not a decision to show the Clippers over the Beaver game. They had no choice.
The local affiliate had a contract to show a local team.
And this is without any promotional effort by the CW. Have you seen any TV ads for CW sports broadcasts, at all? On any channel? ESPN and FSN promote the heck out of their events. Promotion leads to much greater viewership for obvious reasons (awareness). I am hoping CW will promote the PAC12 once it is rebuilt in 2026. They can start experimenting with promotion now. The more viewership the bigger the pay package for the conference, again, obviously
57,000. 60,000. 63,000+.. No matter the number, I’m looking forward to being in a special environment this Saturday. The teams are ready, the coaches have their game plans set, but the Oregon defense has a special play they can call on all those 3rd down and 4th & Goal situations - Autzen. It’s hard to defend that.
Regardless of what takes shape in the ever-changing college football landscape, these types of Saturday’s are what make memories for a lifetime.
Ducks 34 Bucks 20
Love that thought.. but I'm not sure Oregon can keep tOSU at 20pts... Oregon 37-33
John,
No matter the outcome, I’m certainly hoping for a good game, we’re just excited to be there. Many were the years being a Duck was “waiting for next year.” I wish my Father had lived long enough to see the turn around. He bought the original season tickets.
Regardless of the final attendance numbers, I’m pretty sure it will be the largest group of disappointed sports fans in state history.
Sports are more fun when you spend more time cheering for your team than jeering for your rivals.
I enjoy both. You never know, but I really don’t see the ducks winning this game.
I did laugh - good one!
I don't think that is a foregone conclusion but well played.
Buck fans were very hospitable to Duck fans in Columbus even though they got that rear-end beat. I hope our fans reciprocate no matter the outcome.
In addition, for those that were there, remember the OSU band playing our fight song, Mighty Oregon, on the field before the game? Total class act for a class organization.
GODUCKS!
This is a problem for the ducks.....showing class to their opponents' fans. So not really on those who suit up and are on the field but in reality those who have no degree but derive their self worth from a bunch of 18 to 23 year young men.
FUN
The Blazers, if they had any class, should erect a statue of Harry Glickman, right on the front steps to the Moda Center…just saying!!! 🏀🏀🏀
I totally agree, but I'm assuming that every decision goes through Bert & Ernie. Therefore, I don't see that happening anytime soon.
We salute you, Mr. Glickman, for blessing Portland with your presence, vision and commitment to the Blazers!!!!
Amen to Mr. Glickman.😊🙏✌️
I don’t know, John…the Oregon Country Fair in Veneta has been well attended, but as a multi-day event, may not compare…but tops were always optional.
John, your comments on attendance jogged my memory from my days at The Oregonian. Longtime sports editor Don McLeod, whose tenure at the "O" was probably only eclipsed by the great L.H. Gregory, placed a great deal on attendance at events, which had a lot to do with how much coverage the paper would give it. "What'd they draw?" was his favorite question in that gravelly voice of his. A lot of us remember that with smiles on our faces. So, true story: I was dispatched to cover the funeral of longtime boxing promoter, Sammy Singer. It was somewhere in southeast Portland as I remember. I went over and got a few comments from Sam's friends and associates. When I got back to the office, McLeod's first words to me: "Hey John ... how was the house?"
Question for you John:
Did the bottom teams of the Mountain West deserve to get left behind by the top teams? Are Boise and the rest traitors? Are they guilty of betraying their partners in search of higher dollars?
Off topic but perhaps a focus for another article John. Did you see that Narbonne HS in CA. has embraced NIL and is reportedly paying up to $10K for players which has resulted in 20 kids transferring in. Schools in the same league are forfeiting or threatening to forfeit games against Narbonne. The league includes Banning high so this is big boy HS football. Unintended but easily predicted consequence of NIL. Also parents who think their child is a multi star athlete who just needs more playing time must be making HS coaching really unpleasant. We need an unbiased entity watching out for the good of the game at all levels.
Unbiased? Bwaaa, haw, haw!
It will be big and Oregon is making lots of money. Face value for the cheapest Standing Room only ticket is about $270 and after market resale, people are still buying them for that. Want a good seat now you may have to pay $1000 or more. One thing for sure the take at the gate will befar more than that Portland raceway event no matter the attendance. It will be fun Saturday!
Being there should be electric. Is Don Essig still alive? Dan Fouts? I won’t be there so EPD and the Lane Co. Sheriffs dept won’t have to worry if Ohio St doesn’t cover.
He is alive but doesn't sound like it over the PA system.
Auto racing attendance numbers are notoriously inaccurate. As you stated, John, media, team members, comp attendees and the like do not constitute attendance numbers. I’m going with whatever the attendance is at the Ducks game as the new Oregon record. I bet it’s at least 63,001.
Good advice from Darlow regarding Boise State—they have a potential Heisman candidate and are very visible right now. Can’t hurt PAC branding!
Here is another thing in life I don't get. Why large media companies have the idea in their heads that people don't support sports out West. 63,000 might not sound like a lot of fans in the seats to say an SEC fan, but I would be willing to bet that nearly every TV set and radio is tuned in when the teams are playing. Boise State, the problem they always had in joining the old version of Pac 12 boiled down to not enough TV's. Every cowboy on the range has the cell phone tuned in! I'm wondering if it is government that is the problem, causing roadblocks in promoting events and approving venues. Why Portland has fallen behind other metro areas in pro sport teams is weird. Is it a lack of chamber of commerce type promotion? Tourism not promoting the region? And this bleeds over to the media honchos, giving them a false narrative? All of this is just weird and I don't understand
Because the TV numbers don’t lie. And attendance. And every other metric. The dirty secret about the death of the pac-12 that no one wants to admit is fan apathy played a huge role in it. There were 3-4 fanbases that consistently showed up and showed out, a few more that only did when seasons were good, and a whole of empty stadiums and TVs watching something else
Ironically, the emptiest stadiums and poorest fanbases where in the 2 biggest markets.
Isn't that why we have asterisks?
Once the official attendance is announced after the Ducks game, I would compare that figure to the Indy race attendance figure and add an asterisk to it.
"Indy race attendance: ~ 63,000* (no accurate count available)
If I had a ticket to the Ducks game, I would dress up like a homeless person and pitch my tent near Autzen stadium days before (unsure of Eugene's homeless policies). Then walk to the game to avoid the traffic headache.
Prediction: Oregon 31, Ohio State 28
SGO DUCKS!!!!!