Dave Feit: How to Improve Nebraska Football's Open Practice

For starters, reduce the ticket price. Then, spice up the evening with creative ways to put some NIL dollars in the pockets of Husker players.

Dylan Raiola during Nebraska football's 2024 Red-White spring game. / Nebraska Athletics

In an effort to raise funds for Nebraska's NIL efforts, the Nebraska football team will host an open practice on Aug. 3.  Fans can purchase tickets to attend ($25 each), with proceeds going to the 1890 Initiative. 

I'm all for bringing in as much money for NIL as possible.  I completely understand the importance of NIL in retaining current student athletes and recruiting ones to take Nebraska athletics to the next level. 

But twenty-five dollars??  Each??  To watch the team run drills and maybe do a low-level scrimmage?  Pass*.  

*Yes, I'm well aware of the hypocrisy of that statement, knowing that six weeks later I'll pay over $100 (between my ticket and season ticket "donation") to watch Nebraska play Northern Iowa of the FCS.  But regardless of the subdivision UNI plays in, that is an actual game with results that count. 

For $10, I'd consider going.  In my mind, Nebraska would draw a much larger crowd charging $10, and would bring in the same amount of revenue.  Plus, it would be yet another way to Husker fans to show just how crazy we are.  Imagine the overhead shot of 25,000 fans watching a practice. 

Sep 16, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Herbie Husker waves to fans at the start of the second quarter between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Northern Illinois Huskies at Memorial Stadium. / Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

I'm sure people smarter than me -- a non-exclusive group, by the way -- ran the numbers and decided $25 was the right price.  But I still feel like it's too high for a practice.  Heck, in honor of NU's newly official NIL partnership, make the ticket price $18.90. 

The biggest unknown is how many people will show up.  I've seen guesses -- from people whose opinions I trust -- ranging from 2,000 to 40,000.  If I were a betting man, I'd take the under on 10,000 - which would still be an excellent fundraiser.  But as many people have pointed out: underestimate Nebraska fan passion at your own risk. 

Hopefully Nebraska will do some things to a) spice up the practice, b) make sure fans get their money's worth, and c) help put some NIL dollars in the pockets of Husker players. 

• Sell beer.  A dollar from every can sold goes to 1890, $2 if it is a Cornhead Lager. 

• Bring back the Nebraska Spring League teams (Bugeaters, Rattlesnake Boys and Old Gold Knights) plus "hopeful sports announcer" Bobby Hessling.  Pit the teams against each other in a situational competition (i.e., third and goal from the 10).  Every player on the winning team gets $100 cash on the spot. 

• During the practice, fans can vote for offensive, defensive, special teams, and scout MVPs using the Huskers app.  Each vote costs 99 cents (proceeds to 1890), with each of the winners earning a prize. 

• 1890's president, Matt Davison, leads a contest with the wide receivers to see if anybody can re-create his diving catch against Missouri in 1997.   

• Stage a "Shark Tank" style event where local businesses pitch their NIL proposals to players. 

• Retrofit the Der Vienner Schlinger to shoot rolls of cash from one goal line to the other.  The first player there gets to keep it. 

• Jeff Sims will work off the rest of his 2023 NIL deal as a celebrity vendor for Amigos. 

• As a part of the ongoing Jerky Wars, hold an "Ultimate Jerky" competition, where the offensive line (sponsored by Pipeline Jerky) takes on the defensive line (sponsored by Cornhead Jerky) in a tug of war. 

• Do a brief flag football scrimmage.  But instead of flags, it’s 20-dollar bills. 

• Post-practice fireworks and drone show.  It will be a nighttime event.  Why not have some fun? 

Aug 30, 2023; Lincoln, NE, USA; Fireworks and a drone light show following the match between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Omaha Mavericks at Memorial Stadium. / Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

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