The NFL Experience: Enhancing the Fans' Time at Gillette
FOXBORO (CBS) - The New England Patriots' 20-year sellout streak in Foxborough can be attributed to both the team's winning record as well as the overall fan experience.
Because of the high amount of fans and traffic, Gillette Stadium officials and police have implemented a traffic management plan. Foxborough Chief of Police Ed O'Leary said the management plan includes setting up contra-lanes on Route One, local road checkpoints and pedestrian crossing points. He noted, "Back at the old Shaefer Stadium, people were randomly just crossing the street."
Fan reviews of the plan at the Patriot's season home opener were mixed. One fan said, "There was a lot of traffic today and we usually like to be here a lot earlier."
"Not, bad, until we got a mile away," said another.
Eleven fans were taken into custody at Sunday's game, and O'Leary explained, "Games have their own ebb and flow. A lot depends on your opponent, the day of the week and the hours of the game,"
Parking lots opened a half hour early to accommodate the larger-than-anticipated tailgating crowd.
Officials also have to consider the high fan traffic brought in by trains from Boston and Providence, which can bring about 5,000 riders to Gillette. O'Leary said this relieves 12 hundred vehicles from joining the mix on Route One.
Long time season ticket holder Bob Clark uses the Boston train service reluctantly.
"That can be kind of a nightmare, too, because the trains are pretty crowded and they've been known to, they're broken down a couple of times over the years," he said.
Clark gives mixed reviews to Gillette, as he enjoys the comfort of watching the game.
"There is a back on your seat and you can rest your elbows on the armrests, so it's roomier that way and you have more leg room. Of course the bathrooms are bigger and closer and there is much more in the way of concessions and so forth, so you have all the perks," Clark said.
But, he also thinks fans lose some of the essential experience when sitting in the 300 level seating.
"You are pretty high up. I'm a lot farther away from the field than I was at the old stadium," he explained.
Clark says he travels to Gillette for one purpose only: "I'm not into the fantasy stuff, I don't do the tailgating, I just want to watch the game," he said.
Other fans, however, do want more, which has prompted stadiums around the country to offer extras. Poolside cabanas have sprouted up in Florida.
Scott Zolak, former player, now color analyst for the Patriots and one half of the 98.5 The Sports Hub's 'Gresh and Zo' program, said he's seen them first hand.
"I really don't know what more they can do without putting a Slip and Slide out there, or a water park, maybe a wavepool is next," Zolak joked.
Listen to Mary's report:
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