Jets “Fan Experience” Apparently “Blows”
Hello “out there!” Written in true “Zagat’s survey” “fashion,” SI.com has “ranked the best” and “worst” fan experiences in the “NFL.” And guess what? The Jets come in dead last! It’s a “cute idea,” but one that makes me “want to kill myself” even more than I “already did.” Thinking it’s an “interesting idea,” I decided to “critque some of the categories” myself. Please note that this is half in truth, half in jest.
Tickets — Ticket prices are fairly typical for most NFL games … expensive. The season ticket waiting list stands at about 10,000 and those fans are required to pay a fee to remain on the list (which is applicable towards tickets, eventually). Finding direct tickets outside of the season ticket pool is impossible, so “knowing a guy” or going through a “ticket broker” (scalper) are the “modus opperandi.” Factor in that the Jets will likely drop PSLs on their “loyal fans” when the new stadium opens, and you’ve got yourself a tough, expensive ticket with a dissatisfied base. Fans go through a lot of trouble to get tickets, so they’ll “be damned” if they don’t cheer their team’s injured QB off the field. More tickets become available as the Jets “season tanks” which brings a more “unsavory clientele” (myself included) than already inhabits the games …
Food & Souvenirs — Ever wonder why the tailgates are so “darn good” outside the stadium? Look no further than that twisted piece of cardboard with rocksalt Aramark calls a “pretzel.” Not much in the way of specialty foods here, but look for that to change (some sort of Mario Batali orgasmic meatball sandwiches or Nobu sashimi anyone?) in the new stadium. Let’s face it, Aramark food “sucks” everywhere you go, yet somehow they manage to make it with “less TLC” and MSG at the Meadowlands than anywhere I’ve ever been. Anyway, unless you are under 21, once in the stadium, the only calories you should be consuming should come from two places: beer or your flask of whiskey. With the stadium constuction, the old pavillions near the gates are seemingly absent, and have been replaced by “rinky dink” trailers with little selection, and cheap jerseys with the plastic ironed on numbers, which they charge the same price as a sewn jersey you could buy at Modell’s the day before.
Accessibility — First off, please keep in mind that a 1/10 of the US population lives within an hour of New York, and this stadium is built close to the “main artery” of the East Coast .. Route 95. Add on the insanity that is the GWB on a Sunday evening and you have a “traffic nightmare.” For folks not stuck heading towards the GWB, take alternate routes, the traffic ain’t that bad. If you can’t find the Meadowlands, you are what is commonly referred to as a “moron.” A huge metal and concrete structure in the middle of a swamp can’t be that hard to find … yet I somehow missed it on one of my first trips. It’s not so much that getting there is hard, it’s the “getting out.” If you’re smart and are trying to leave the game in a “timely fashion,” as you park, ask an attendant where a good place to park is to get out easily is … otherwise, it’s chaos and make sure to park with the head of your car facing towards the aisle before you head into the game. For those with no prepaid passes, the bus shuttle system is fairly easy, but makes for lower morale experience.
Tailgating — Having been to some games at other stadiums, the Jets’ tailgate is one of the best I’ve seen. Ask on a message board or on this blog to get connected and folks are very friendly, with a very “what’s mine is yours” approach. I’ve never been to tailgate and had a bad time, and many folks pass the time with games like cornhole, or are even watching pregame on their DirecTV system, as we’re Jets fans, many just drink … heavily. Being that this is New York, every group of tailgaters has various and diverse spreads, often mirroring their heritage. In some groups you’ll find grilled sausages and peppers ready to go into Arthur Avenue rolls (Italian), in others Corned Beef sandwiches (Irish). I’ve seen everything from beer-boiled sausages, to St. Louis ribs, to cheesesteaks, to the quintessential New York area on the go breakfast, bacon, egg & cheese on a hard roll. Just cause New Yorkers didn’t figure out that if you put french fries and cole slaw on a sandwich to make you even more morbidly obese, doesn’t mean there’s lack of good eats.
Team — The team sucks this year, for more, read this blog on a daily basis.
Stadium Atmosphere — The lack of Fireman Ed is clearly noticeable this year. The crowd is finding their rhythm finally, but folks were lost during the season opener when it came to the chant. Early on in the season, fans were better at being in their seats for kickoff, but as the team’s fortunes have waned, it seems that the crowd has somewhat thinned out before kickoff. This year, fans waited all the way until the third quarter of the first game of the season to start booing / cheering for injuries. I love being a Jets fan, but have a love/hate relationship at times with the mob mentality at games. Fans are eager to cheer for the team but I’ve seen some annoying behavior this season: more fights, cheering while the offense is trying to audible or hard count on Jets’ third down (shut up!!!) and some lackluster shouts to deter opponents on third down. I’m not saying be slaves to the machine cheering mindlessly like piped in noise in the RCA dome Colts fans , but there are other stadiums that are a lot tougher to play in for the traveling team. Sadly, at times the crowd can be most menacing towards it’s own team.
Neighborhood — Tony Soprano dumped asbestos here … what more do you need to know?
Bottom Line — Jets fans are a tight-knit community, and an independent thinking one at that, but a group that is experiencing growing pains. Pains from the new stadium, pains from the season, and pains from the current facilities. As much as I would have been interested in seeing a West Side Stadium, it would have torn the fabric of the Jets community apart, starting and ending with the tailgate. Owner Woody J. has strong New Jersey ties, so moving the facility to Florham Park shouldn’t be a surprise. Sharing a stadium with the “other team” can be a bit frustrating at times, but the sheer economics of not sharing a stadium in an area as population dense as the Tri-State is downright foolish, and economically irresponsible, sure it would be nice if they played in New York, but opportunities weren’t viable, so for as much as fans complain, the Jets made the best play they realistically could have outside of relocation (a threat that NFL teams often use, but has no real fangs). Although fans are yet to experience some more growing pains (like PSLs) the hope is that a new stadium will bring new pride for fans, wider enthusiasm for the team to the area and as Tannenbaum and Mangini continue building, a team that can yearly compete for playoff spots.
11 Responses to Jets “Fan Experience” Apparently “Blows”
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liam says:
Does any one know if Harris’s 41 tackles in his first two starts are an NFL record?
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droseatwork says:
The New York Jets have two games left at the Meadowlands this season, and you can have a blast participating in all the action.
The Jets are selling a limited number of ticket packages at $300 per customer to both the Cleveland game Dec. 9 and the Kansas City game Dec. 30 through TicketMaster, and the packages are chock-full of goodies. They include a lower-level mezzanine game ticket, a parking pass (one per pair of tickets), and admission to a special two-hour pregame tailgate part y in the bubble outside the stadium.
The tailgate party includes:
? Food and beverage (beer, wine, soda, water)
? Complimentary gift -
The New York Jets have two games left at the Meadowlands this season, and you can have a blast participating in all the action.
The Jets are selling a limited number of ticket packages at $300 per customer to both the Cleveland game Dec. 9 and the Kansas City game Dec. 30 through TicketMaster, and the packages are chock-full of goodies. They include a lower-level mezzanine game ticket, a parking pass (one per pair of tickets), and admission to a special two-hour pregame tailgate part y in the bubble outside the stadium.
The tailgate party includes:
Food and beverage (beer, wine, soda, water)
Complimentary gift -
mbi says:
I dont go to the games so I didnt even realize Fireman Ed wasnt around, what happened to him?
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JD8051 says:
Ed injured his knee on the job this summer. He was pretty banged up already, and so he’s sitting out this season.
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Jay says:
When the team that you root for is a winning team the experience is awesome, but we would not know about that.
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Matthewm says:
Not too late, is it, to make an offer on saving Shea, rename it The Joe, turn the parking lot into the Mardi Gras of tailgate sections, make sure the infield dirt is plenty hard, and then add snow canons to fill the stadium with flakes after November 1st?
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Thanks for the info JD…hope ED makes it back for next season
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pilldok says:
Ive been a Jet fan for a very long time. During the last 5 years, I have had season tickets for both the Jets and Giants…This year, only going to Jet games. Jet tailgates are the best. Forget your charcoal? You knw a fellow Jet fan has your back. Ran out of beer? Im sure there’s a fan with extra’s….somebody bothering you in the stands? Your fellow Jet fans got your back….Jet fans are REAL…I go to every damn game, winning or losing season…Im supporting the squad….(18C stop by for a beer…Gold Jeep & Gastineau Jersey)
Ive been to games at ‘the razor’, 12th man, Black hole, Dallas and Arizona…and besides the weather in a few spots….i wouldnt trade my jet tickets for anything…..except some of the Charger Cheerleaders…
Who else has [heard] the GATE D [breast related J-E-T-S chant]!!!!!????
(Sorry, had to edit that to get it past the filter, Bent)
i will take you down bassett