garfield

Can I just use a play on your words? (And I appreciate your input, BTW, even if I think you might be at least premature or, at most, just wrong in the opinon): Word mix: "Varsity is only concerned about one thing: money. And their experience might help DCI stop acting like fools with theirs." Varsity might provide a platform for growth that, even shared with them, would help DCI build for a future of growth instead of one of consolidation. Sounds crazy. Might work.

Funny, that's the one thing that drum corps and DCI fret about, too.

And what, pray tell, could that "something" short term be? Unless DCI is willing to actually sell the brand to Varsity, then the benefit to DCI would be any up-front payments (based on something) plus national exposure layered on top of marketing to the exact age demo. I thought of this while (literally) in the shower this morning: Varsity knows about cheer, and books, and selling outfits but what do they know about MUSIC? Does Varsity need to know and understand music in order to make a partnership (sale/agreement) a good one? I'm pretty sure Varsity doesn't want to deal with 40 drum corps in two brackets individually so, SONOFAGUN!, they're dealing with The Brand, DCI itself. Could Varsity actually be the "Unbiased" decision-maker that could force the member corps to accept something "less" short-term in order to get something "more" long-term? Would forcing them to have music experience/understanding be diluting any potential benefit from that arms-length management structure?

Nailed it. But maybe necessary in a Varsity world?

Maybe... Less than 1-times-book value? One years' annual retained revenue? Wow. Harsh truth.

Dolph! Doh.

Well, I’ve asked many times here and I hope DCI is thinking through one, simple question: What’s it worth?

There's probably little question that Varsity will either buy Flo (which I'd bet Flo is angling for), or push them out of the business entirely, just like they did with ESPN.

Don Lemmon? Wow, good makeup!

Lots. For years.

"All Hail The Visionary!" Sorry, couldn't resist because I know you know there have been tons of others saying that housing is an issue "all along". So, yea, it seems as though what all of those concerned about housing have been saying all along! Yea, even DCI knows this! Wow! Sorry, but everyone gets a medal for that call.

I'll take the reaction from the girl at the bottom left corner at 6:13 for a pure emotional (and non-remunerated) response to the incredible sounds of drum corps:

And, in your typical style, I now understand that viewpoint makes lots of sense. Hope you're feeling better?

Yes, the corps he was financially supporting walked away. And that removed the validity of what he did to get them to that point? Don't think so. "Sounds crazy, might work" has made heros out of some with vision and guts (and, in Cook's words, money which one wants to thrown "down a hole in the ground"), too. Drum corps needs some of that chutzpah about now.

Ironically, this whole dynamic might change, too, thanks to Covid. The more mainstream education proclaims "Don't monitor your children when they are remote learning!", the more parents are taking home-schooling more seriously. And "...the money follows the kid..." is gaining support as well. The funding of expensive stadiums on expensive campuses could be over in the high school realm. Drum corps might be playing in wood-bleacher stadiums again, after all!

I think the major problem is sheer number of available rooms near the performance venue. 6 corps of 100 rooms each is not a room number usually available at a typical "local" show. But, of course, not many local venues can contract every school in the district for corps housing (like we did!) Shorter season + small uptick in member costs = hotel rooms for all. But some may have to drive farther to get to the venue. EDIT: Ummm, rehearsal sites are a bit of a problem... EDIT2: And the dearth of available rooms in a venue city will likely require more than one national contract which, of course, would reduce the negotiating power of the whole tour.

Well, OK. Too bad. That's not what I'm arguing. I liked Goober. Gawwwlllleeeee!!!

...and vision. Bill Cook would simply buy the hotel chain and change their operations manual to double profits AND let drum corps stay for free.

But, are 17 -22 year olds considered "high risk"? Now that they have bell covers and all... (But has anyone solved the problems of drummers drooling or their tongues moving in time to their rhythms? That one's been around since cro-magnon man pounded on logs with bones).

And make all of that, largely, public so show momentum, planning, and optimism.

You're right, of course. They are paying for an experience. And, while it's fine to say "Go find another corps if you don't like this experience", mm's are now negotiating the kind of experience they want for their money. The actual more interesting question is around what the MM's planned to do if their requests were turned down. Not march? "More sleep time" is not normally something requiring negotiation when paying to do the "experience" of drum corps. How long will it be before all MMs request and expect the same level of "experience" that BD provides? Headline: "The entire Blue corps refused to don their uniforms and perform until they receive their demands plus remuneration for the experience they missed while having to negotiate with staff for sleep time."

I was thinking that hole in the endzone in Bloomington, '08. That flood was AWFULLY convenient, don't you think?

Uh, yes there is! Audition fees, tour fees, the money that changes hands at the gate and at the DCI end-of-year payout. If no money is involved, MM would march for free.

The challenge is being convincing that everyone is "at risk", which is why "asymptomatic" is such a brilliant solution to defining who is a danger. Virtually everyone is classified "at risk" in one way or another.