UNC has sold out its entire 20,000-ticket allotment for the upcoming football season despite Bill Belichick’s off-field headlines dominating discussion in Chapel Hill.
The 73-year-old coach’s relationship with 24-year-old Jordon Hudson has sparked questions about potential distractions, but ticket sales suggest fans remain enthusiastic. According to WRAL’s Brian Murphy, even with an average 25% increase in ticket prices, there’s been “no pushback” from fans.
“The most significant uptick we’ve ever had,” UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham said.
This local enthusiasm stands in contrast to some national skepticism about the program’s direction.
The Athletic’s Stewart Mandel suggested Belichick’s honeymoon period at North Carolina is already compromised.
“I assume all parties will proceed to kickoff and hope the Hudson story falls to the wayside, as most offseason controversies do,” Mandel wrote. “And it probably will — if the Tar Heels win. Any honeymoon Belichick might have been afforded if his first season goes well has been taken off the table.”
Mandel also noted that the off-field attention hasn’t all been positive for the program.
“I don’t get the sense that even UNC fans are excited about the program right now,” he added. “I’ve seen quite a few comments in our Belichick/Hudson stories from UNC fans saying they’re embarrassed about their coach.”
Belichick has attempted to separate his personal relationship from his coaching responsibilities when addressing the situation publicly.
“She’s been terrific through the whole process, and she’s been really helpful to me,” Belichick told Good Morning America. “She does the business things that don’t relate to North Carolina that come up in my life, so I can concentrate [on] football.”
He reinforced this position earlier in the week, telling ESPN: “That’s really off to the side. It’s a personal relationship. She doesn’t have anything to do with UNC football.”
All eyes will be on Chapel Hill this fall as Belichick begins his tenure. If the wins come, the off-field noise may diminish. If not, the scrutiny will likely intensify.
