UConn AD Says Keeping Former Football Coach Would Have Hurt Season-Ticket Sales

UConn AD David Benedict last week said that had football coach Bob Diaco not been fired last December, it "would have hampered ticket sales," according to Aman Kidwai of SB NATION. Benedict, appearing on Hartford-based WTIC-AM, said, "There would have been a significant drop off in season-ticket purchases." Benedict also "addressed some new developments for the Husky football fan experience." He shared "stadium enhancements at Pratt & Whitney Stadium" that include "seat-backs, the Tailgate Guys turnkey tailgate offering, and moving the Husky Walk." Benedict also said that moving a home game to Fenway Park "offered an opportunity for UConn to make more money than a regular home game." He said that he "consulted with his leadership team, but also sought input from people close to and within the fanbase." Ultimately, he "pulled the trigger." Kidwai noted playing in a historic venue as a home stadium "signaled the status of the school and program and also had benefits on the recruiting trail" (SBNATION.com, 8/7).