Media Value of Louisiana and SBC Schools

[Ragin9221]

I disagree, the ceiling is somewhere around 30-35k in attendance. You are correct that we can get 50-60k around Cajun Field on gameday though.

The administration is absolutely clueless on how to get this done though. All they see is dollar signs. They don’t care about anything else.

I disagree with the idea that our ceiling is only 30–35k in attendance. The administration has been absolutely clueless in figuring out how to translate that energy into actual ticketed attendance. All they seem to care about are dollar signs, with no vision for building a lasting culture of engagement. But let’s think about this: if the administration actually did things the right way got NIL organized, invested in the community, made fan engagement a true priority, and fully owned the Louisiana name, not halfway but really owned it.

Imagine securing a Big 12 invite and playing against programs like Texas Tech, Houston, Oklahoma State, TCU, and Baylor on a regular basis. Those matchups bring legitimacy, excitement, and national attention. Are we really saying that wouldn’t push us to 50,000 fans in the stands? With the right leadership, the right branding, and the right commitment, Louisiana could absolutely rise to that level to me.

[CajunVic]

I disagree with the idea that our ceiling is only 30–35k in attendance. The administration has been absolutely clueless in figuring out how to translate that energy into actual ticketed attendance. All they seem to care about are dollar signs, with no vision for building a lasting culture of engagement. But let’s think about this: if the administration actually did things the right way got NIL organized, invested in the community, made fan engagement a true priority, and fully owned the Louisiana name, not halfway but really owned it.

Imagine securing a Big 12 invite and playing against programs like Texas Tech, Houston, Oklahoma State, TCU, and Baylor on a regular basis. Those matchups bring legitimacy, excitement, and national attention. Are we really saying that wouldn’t push us to 50,000 fans in the stands? With the right leadership, the right branding, and the right commitment, Louisiana could absolutely rise to that level to me.

the big fallacy in your analysis is the reality that none of your assumptions (I would say they are more wishes than assumptions) are available at Louisiana - in case I’m missing something, can you be absolutely clear on what you mean by:

1. Right leadership (president of university? Ad? Coach?) together with suggested replacements and their estimated cost.

2. Branding you have covered very well and that part is very doable even under Louisiana’s current financial limitations.

3.the right commitment - that necessarily must include substantial NIL funding from Louisiana as well as area businesses and current fans - be specific on your model for this and where the money will come from - and necessarily would include items of fan experience - again be specific on this and where the funding to implement will come from

[Ragin9221]

the big fallacy in your analysis is the reality that none of your assumptions (I would say they are more wishes than assumptions) are available at Louisiana in case I’m missing something, can you be absolutely clear on what you mean by:

1. Right leadership (president of university? Ad? Coach?) together with suggested replacements and their estimated cost.

2. Branding you have covered very well and that part is very doable even under Louisiana’s current financial limitations.

3.the right commitment - that necessarily must include substantial NIL funding from Louisiana as well as area businesses and current fans - be specific on your model for this and where the money will come from - and necessarily would include items of fan experience - again be specific on this and where the funding to implement will come from

Okay remember i am not an expert when it comes to this, but i will take each point, and i will give my analysis on how to move the needle forward.

1. Right Leadership

Leadership doesn’t always mean swapping out people; it can mean reframing roles and building coalitions. Instead of focusing only on the president, AD, or coach individually, Louisiana could create a Leadership Council that unites them with influential alumni, local business leaders, and even student representatives. This council would meet quarterly to align athletics with community priorities. Another thing is borrow credibility from outside voices. For example, bring in respected former athletes or coaches as “brand ambassadors” who can mentor current staff and signal seriousness to recruits and fans. Leadership can also be distributed empowering assistant coaches or department heads to spearhead NIL, fan engagement, or branding initiatives. The key is to stop thinking of leadership as a single figurehead and instead treat it as a network of influence that multiplies reach and accountability.

2. Branding

Branding can be more then just logos and uniforms by embedding Louisiana athletics into regional culture and everyday life. Imagine gameday traditions that spill into downtown Lafayette — parades, food festivals, or Cajun music tie-ins that make athletics inseparable from local identity. We could do student-driven branding labs. Partner marketing, and communications programs to let students create campaigns, merchandise, and digital content. This not only saves resources but also builds a pipeline of passionate advocates. Louisiana could also lean into storytelling through heritage short films, podcasts, or social media series that connect the team’s journey to Cajun resilience, Gulf Coast pride, and Louisiana’s broader cultural narrative. Branding success here isn’t about spending; it’s about embedding athletics into the DNA of the region.


3. (NIL + Fan Experience)

For NIL, Louisiana could build a community subscription model where fans contribute small monthly amounts in exchange for exclusive digital content, for example behind-the-scenes videos, player hosted podcasts, or virtual meetups. Local businesses could be incentivized not just with endorsements but with co-branded experiences: a restaurant offering “Player of the Week” meals, or a car dealership hosting autograph sessions. Fan experience can be elevated by loyalty apps that reward fans for showing up, sharing content, or buying merchandise, with points redeemable for experiences like sideline passes or dinner with athletes. We could do regional NIL partnerships. Instead of focusing only on Lafayette, expand into Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans, creating a statewide collective that ties Louisiana athletics into the broader identity of the state. Commitment becomes less about raw dollars and more about building a movement where fans, businesses, and athletes all feel like stakeholders.

[CajunVic]

9221, I admire your attempts, however from a 30,000 foot visual they are all philosophical, many have been tried and from what has been shown from the time CMD took over to now just not realistic ideals, expectations or goals . . . not to be a naysayer but facts are facts

[MarlinMan3]

I saw new mexico state goes with "NM State".
Dont see many postal abbreviations on uni's and certainly not with state.

Would be funny to see:
LA State
FL State
MI State

Maybe should ask HPL2 to have tsab incorporate "state" more into their branding

[Ragin9221]

9221, I admire your attempts, however from a 30,000 foot visual they are all philosophical, many have been tried and from what has been shown from the time CMD took over to now just not realistic ideals, expectations or goals . . . not to be a naysayer but facts are facts

None of what i proposed has been tried!? When has any of that been implemented? Or even been considered?

These are not short time solutions, but are suppose to be implemented over time for the long term.

[CajunVic]

None of what i proposed has been tried!? When has any of that been implemented? Or even been considered?

These are not short time solutions, but are suppose to be implemented over time for the long term.

I hear you but something that is just not there can’t be tried - I wish there was even a spotting chance that Imam just flat out wrong, but in reality I just don’t see most of what you are positing actually existing to be tried . . .

[Ragin9221]

I hear you but something that is just not there can’t be tried - I wish there was even a spotting chance that Imam just flat out wrong, but in reality I just don’t see most of what you are positing actually existing to be tried . . .

I get where you’re coming from, but that’s exactly my point none of what I laid out has been tried. When has Louisiana ever seriously considered a leadership council that brings alumni, business leaders, and students together? When have we embedded athletics into Cajun culture through downtown alive, or festivals into gameday traditions or student-driven branding labs? When have we built a subscription-based NIL collective that engages fans statewide instead of chasing a handful of big donors?

These aren’t short-term fixes, and I’m not pretending they’ll magically appear overnight. They’re long-term frameworks that require buy-in and patience. Saying “it doesn’t exist so it can’t be tried” is the same mindset that keeps programs stuck. Everything that exists today started as something that didn’t exist before it had to be imagined, planned, and then implemented.

I’m not arguing that it’s easy, but I am saying that dismissing these ideas as unrealistic ignores the fact that they’ve never even been attempted here. If we want to move the needle, we can’t just recycle the same approaches that haven’t worked. We have to be willing to think differently, even if it feels uncomfortable at first.

[CajunVic]

we did try the collective thing for NIL and it fell flat and failed

we pretty much exhausted most of our white powder with facilities - not to say that was a bad move in any way but realizing that having the great facilities has tied up pretty much all of the leaves on Louisiana’s money tree at least for the time being

I believe we are currently at the level of the old saying - you can’t squeeze blood out of a turnip - but a great turnip smothered with pork sausage surely makes the day


I hear you and you or someone with your mentality and convictions should be hired as Vice President of Fundraising and paid a good salary plus plus plus based upon success

[Ragin9221]

we did try the collective thing for NIL and it fell flat and failed

we pretty much exhausted most of our white powder with facilities - not to say that was a bad move in any way but realizing that having the great facilities has tied up pretty much all of the leaves on Louisiana’s money tree at least for the time being

I believe we are currently at the level of the old saying - you can’t squeeze blood out of a turnip - but a great turnip smothered with pork sausage surely makes the day


I hear you and you or someone with your mentality and convictions should be hired as Vice President of Fundraising and paid a good salary plus plus plus based upon success

I am just naming businesses or former athletes as examples, but, when I talk about leadership, I don’t mean hiring new people or spending big money. I mean using what we already have. A Leadership Council made up of the president, AD, coach, alumni like Tyrell Fenroy or Jake Delhomme, and local business owners, fans, and students could meet quarterly to align athletics with community priorities. Alumni involvement costs nothing but their time, and their credibility adds instant value.

Branding doesn’t have to be expensive either. We can embed athletics into Lafayette culture by partnering with restaurants like Prejean’s or Don’s for gameday events, or letting UL students in marketing and communications programs run creative campaigns as part of their coursework. Storytelling through podcasts or social media can be produced with existing university resources. The key is consistency, not spending.

For NIL and fan experience, the most cost‑effective path is grassroots. A subscription model where fans contribute small monthly amounts builds steady support. Local businesses like Pete’s or Johnson’s Boucaniere could host “Player of the Week” meals, while car dealerships like Courtesy Automotive could sponsor autograph sessions. “I am just throwing businesses out there” A simple loyalty app could reward fans for attending games or buying merchandise, built by students or local developers.

Thankyou for your kind words Cajunvic!