Edit to add; the updated list is here:
http://supportyourlocalfootballclub.blogspot.com/2016/11/updated-letter-writing-campaign-so-far.html
The letter writing campaign so far:
To urge Bill Edwards and David Beckham to talk about a joint bid to move the Tampa Bay Rowdies to MLS, if the Miami Beckham United bid to build a SSS in Miami and create a new MLS team in Miami does not pan out. Links below.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So maybe a word of explanation or two about why I started this blog.
http://supportyourlocalfootballclub.blogspot.com/2016/08/so-maybe-word-of-explanation-or-two.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Open Letter: September 26, 2016.
http://supportyourlocalfootballclub.blogspot.com/2016/09/open-letter-september-26-2016.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Open Letter: August 8, 2016.
http://supportyourlocalfootballclub.blogspot.com/2016/08/august-8-2016.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Open Letter: May 27, 2016.
http://supportyourlocalfootballclub.blogspot.com/2016/08/may-27-2016.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Open Letter: September 30, 2015.
http://supportyourlocalfootballclub.blogspot.com/2016/08/2015-09-30.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Open Letter: September 7, 2015.
http://supportyourlocalfootballclub.blogspot.com/2016/08/2015-09-07.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, September 30, 2016
Question: Where do you stand on a potential move to USL?
Reddit Rowdies fan discussion.
The move to USL is most likely part of Edwards' campaign to move the Rowdies to MLS. NASL was not helping Edwards in that regard. Unused Substitutes podcast mentions "whispers of Edwards/Garber meetings..." and this could be part of that.
People who are skeptical about Rowdies to MLS often say that "MLS was tried once in Tampa Bay and it failed"; but that was 15 years ago, and the "MLS try" was MLS ownership/control of the Mutiny without any actual Tampa Bay Mutiny owner; and the Mutiny weren't that bad in attendance considering what MLS was drawing back then. The Mutiny's problem was lack of ownership and the sharp increase in rent for the new Raymond James stadium; with Bill Edwards and his control of the Al Lang Stadium site, these are not problems for the Rowdies or for the Rowdies as an MLS team. Somehow, the great success of the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the 1970s and early 80s is never considered to be worthy of note; all that matters is that MLS contracted the Mutiny (because they didn't have an owner and the stadium rent was too high, not because of low attendance); if it had been a matter of simply cutting the two teams with the lowest MLS attendance circa 1996-2001, the Tampa Bay Mutiny would not have been one of the teams contracted.
Or they say that the Rowdies NASL attendance is too low (it isn't); but attendance in lower league soccer hasn't mattered at all for many lower league cities that moved to MLS - and in any case the current limited Al Lang capacity makes it hard to increase average attendance as is.
Or they say that the Tampa Bay area is too close to Orlando; but that hasn't stopped MLS putting two teams in New York City and soon two teams in Los Angeles (and if Sacramento gets in, two teams close to each other in northern California); and local rivalries are good, as Cascadia has shown and the Red Bulls vs. NY City rivalry has shown; after all the Orlando ultras have already tried to light Al Lang on fire (sorta) and punch a kid (and gotten ejected from Al Lang) so there's definitely a rivalry there, though local officials need to clamp down a bit on ultra excesses.
Or they say that since Miami is going to MLS, this allegedly puts a limit on new Florida MLS teams. Well, the Tampa Bay area is a bigger TV market than the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale TV market; Tampa Bay is also a bigger TV market than Orlando. Only Detroit and Phoenix are larger TV markets who aren't in MLS yet. And it is not yet certain that Miami is actually going to get an MLS team.
Things are not going well for the Miami Beckham United project: they have neither a SSS (talks with Miami-Dade County to acquire more land in Overtown broke down early this year), nor do they have the billionaire investor they need (PSG pulled out of talks early this year; another potential investor was mentioned three months ago, but since then, nothing but silence). Miami MLS may very well not happen; Tampa Bay Rowdies may very well be MLS team number 24. It could happen.
Oh, and the cries that the Rowdies will become a farm team in USL are quite ridiculous. Was Orlando in USL a farm team? They had a better team than anyone in NASL at the time. There's no reason why the Rowdies in USL would not follow the Orlando City route, especially if Edwards intends to go to MLS: Joe Cole and the other big money players aren't leaving just because the Rowdies are apparently going to USL.
Lack of local rivals in USL is a more legitimate complaint, but also illustrates how spoiled Rowdies fans are currently with having three in-state rivals. This is a density of local clubs in the same league in close proximity to each other which is a bit unusual for American lower league soccer.
But if the Rowdies are going to MLS, the stay in USL may be a short one, so it may not matter. We shall see.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/54mky4/question_where_do_you_stand_on_a_potential_move/
Question: Where do you stand on a potential move to USL?
by phat7deuce
Personally, sometimes I come here for therapy...generally when we are in the midst of a losing streak and I need some like-minded individuals with a shoulder to cry on.
We've heard the buzz now and had some time to think on it. How are you feeling about a potential move to USL?
What (if anything) are you excited by?
What (if anything) are you upset about?
If you had a "yay" or "nay" vote in terms of leaving for USL, which would you choose?
dietrich14:
With a great stadium, packed stands, and stable ownership; we are a hot commodity in lower division soccer. If We do nothing and NASL collapses in a few years, we will still have a landing pad. So why pull the trigger now unless guarantees of mLS are being made or NASL is getting blacklisted? Don't get me wrong. If Edwards is making a statement by elluding to a move in order to influence league development, I get it. But if he thinks a rivalry with OCB Melbourne will carry the same weight as NYCosmos, PRFC, or any of the other the FL clubs. He's deluding himself.
phat7deuce:
My thinking: I want the Rowdies to be as successful as possible and a big deal in the area. I dream of a Providence Park type atomosphere at a remodeled Al Lang. To me there are only two paths there...go to MLS or stay in NASL and let that league become a great option to MLS (even if it stays technically D2). From what we know now, I can't see the logic of leaving at this point. Wait until we know more about the leagues paths, then decide if you need to make a move. If we get stuck in D3 because USL doesn't get a sanction, I will be beyond disappointed.
The only advantages I can see to USL are the MLS relationship (or the ability to openly court MLS) and the appearance of stability. I know there are a shitload of teams, but I'm not sure how much more economically viable USL really is. I'd rather keep our rivals, keep our local travel and keep bringing exciting NASL talent (name talent in some cases) until NASL is no longer an option.
I'd vote "nay" based on what we know today. (But I love my Saturday nights at Al Lang...as a 12 year transplant for Florida, finding the Rowdies is the first time I felt like I was growing some roots here.)
SoccerForEveryone:
There are a couple of things I believe we can look forward to USL
The Rivalry with Orlando; it is about time we once again start recognizing the potential of this clash and the rise of real and bigger number of away fans in Florida.
The Kids; we will finally be able to look forward to bringing up younger and local players instead of having to rely so much on ex MLSers or older oversea players.
The Potential of Expansion; for whatever reason nobody is talking with NASL at all about stadiums or pushing the envelope about training facilities. MLS and USL have gotten the better end of these deals. Maybe with this move we can finally get things done and show that Tampa can be a bigger club than most people think, but we have to make moves.
MLS; it is about time we start recognizing that something is wrong with NASL whether people want to believe that it has something to do with the US Soccer theory. On our own Rowdies have been able to pull the crowd towards them. With the Pre-season tour and now potential Florida Cup; imagine what the move to MLS could really do for us on the international level.
The move to USL certainly helps big time for the Rowdies real potential in the soccer world, but yes the drawback is the MLS farm teams not drawing crowds. In my opinion I don't have a problem with that because in Germany you have a huge team like Dynamo Dresden that once played in the third division against farm teams and they still pulled off great crowds, support, and tifos. Our concentration as a fanbase should be on the Rowdies and what is good for them and support them. Which is why I believe the USL move will greatly help.
BKtoDuval:
Oh Dynamo Dresden! I walked around Berlin with a dynamo shirt and got a lot of dirty looks. I think they might've even been in the fourth league at one time but now up to second. Anyway, soccer in Germany is a whole different beast though. We can't compare their passion and culture with ours here.
Well you bring up some valid points. I'd just disagree with point 3 and probably point 1 too. Your rivalry wouldn't be with Orlando city...but Orlando city B, who average about 1000 a game.
And actually several teams are talking stadiums and training facilities and youth academies. In Jacksonville there's talk of all of that. The local youth squads have come under the armada umbrella and they have the U-23 team. There are plans for a new stadium but no city approval yet. But I think cities might want to see the long-term sustainability of the league before agreeing to publicly fund stadiums. MLS didn't get SSS for a good decade into their existence. Of course the Cosmos' battle for facilities has long been chronicled. Indy too. So efforts are there. As the league grows and improves, so will the facilities.
SoccerForEveryone:
To get the OCB thing out of the way real; Munich 1860 main team despite ups and downs in Germany even consider and played the Bayern Munich II team as a strong rivalry when they don't play the main Bayern Munich squad. Also 1000 people is definitely better than what the Strikers bring along. The culture thing should not be a factor because yes we have multiple sports and longer travel, but we could also do the same thing if we really want to. That's just me though because I'm passionate and level-headed about local sports in general.
The situation with the stadiums has been talks for months to years, but the difference is the lack of pressure that some of the NASL teams FO and their fanbases really do compared to what MLS has done in a short time when they were created. The Rowdies are definitely a rare and very lucky team to have these changes get done thanks to Edwards and our fanbase. While the stadium and training facility are the end goal to finally get the team going and creating great players; I would consider the Rowdies have gotten more work done than what the NASL has done these past few years. Which is why I believe the Rowdies should make the move to USL and start preparing for MLS in the future.
phat7deuce:
I do think that if Edwards left NASL and he openly courted MLS with a Sacramento style "Built for MLS" type campaign...he might have more political leverage to get the lease extension/stadium expansion done than he would if we stayed in NASL. (But if he pushed hard enough, he could probably get it done either way...he owns half of the downtown.)
BKtoDuval:
Are you from Germany, if you don't mind me asking? Or just a big Bundesliga fan?
Yeah, they've done big things in Tampa. I've even found articles that they wanted further improvements and expansion to Al Lang but couldn't get approval yet.
I'm not one of these league conspiracy theorists, BUT it has been written, not saying it's been verified, that MLS obstructionism has caused problems with NASL getting stadiums as well. Empire of Soccer has written that MLS has lobbied against the Cosmos' efforts for a new stadium, which they've been working hard to get. You can't say they haven't been working hard. They're even willing to finance it entirely on their own, which is an extreme rarity in American sports. I can't say it's true but I find it hard to believe that Nassau County, which has among the highest property taxes in the county and could use the investment, is struggling to accept someone willing to invest almost half a billion dollars in the community without some sort of interference and lobbying. Imagine if they wanted public funds.
Bottom line stadiums take time. I'm sure you're well aware of the Rays' decade long fight just even get to the point of letting the county allow them to explore alternatives. I even remember back in the days when teams used to threaten to go to Tampa unless their city built them a new stadium.
phat7deuce:
The Rowdies probably have the most favorable stadium situation in terms of potential expansion in the league. They don't need to find land; they have a billionaire owner who has significant influence in the area and owns many plots of land around the stadium; the land has been identified as a soccer-specific/multi-use stadium in a city council approved downtown master plan; and there is a fairly conservative price tag associated with getting the stadium to 18,500 (estimated at $70k-$90k, compared to the half-million for the Rays). That doesn't mean it's a slam dunk (they still need to negotiate a longer term-length for leases on the property), but definitely an easier path than what the Cosmos of Indy have to go through. Perhaps along with Sacramento and San Antonio, we have the most favorable potential MLS quality stadium solution of any potential suitors.
phat7deuce:
We'd still have some major obstacles to clear.
PROS: Billionaire owner, solid attendance base, nationally ranked 11th in DMA (Media); ranked 18th in MSA (population); favorable somewhat-inexpensive stadium situation in a downtown core that can be completed quickly
CONS: MLS failed here once (even though it was eons ago, it's still a dark cloud); prevailing thought that Edwards would need to secure a partner to make the jump; Orlando is down the block (could be a good or bad thing...they are definitely distinct media markets and could create a Cascadia-like experience, but not sure if it is far enough in MLS' mind when looking at the national map); plus IMO any chance of Tampa Bay getting an MLS team would rely on Miami not getting the job done
EquinsuOcha:
I fucking hate it.
Our local rivalry will be with Orlando City B, which will involve more fights, more drama, and that will turn away casuals and people who don't want to get caught up in that bullshit.
The second closest travel location is Charleston - which is 10 hours away. It would be just short of traveling to Carolina for a Railhawks game.
The USL will host such legendary teams like Red Bulls II - who are definitely not going to be a draw. Attendance will drop.
A USL payroll means that we will never see someone like Joe Cole again.
If we develop some great players and talent, they will most likely be sold to MLS instead of growing the franchise.
We will become a farm team.
I fucking hate it.
So going with Nay.
AndrewLipp:
Wow, love all the responses. Interesting to see what people think. Personally I thought about it and thought it would be the right move if we wanted to go MLS, but maybe staying lower tier would be better for us? I am really not sure. We will see in the coming months what will happen.
unsubmatt:
Minnesota (and Montreal before it) has shown that if you have the money, the stadium, and the butts in the seats, MLS will take you regardless of league-of-origin
unsubmatt:
no, we're not there yet. I think a rebuild of the stadium into one that looks like a SSS would generate a bump in attendance (provided the team got results) but if we were to hit those benchmarks, MLS wouldn't hold NASL against us. (top 3 overall in NASL attendance IIRC though. /u/phat7deuce would know for sure)
phat7deuce:
Yup, third in NASL and 7th in all lower division soccer (behind FC Cincy, Sacramento, Minnesota, Indy, Louisville and San Antonio).
EDIT: I will say MLS seems to be getting more choosy about where these last 5 (if they stop at 28) teams go. They want to fill the map and maximize TV dollars...which is one of the reasons I think we have a decent shot. We're the 11th biggest MSA and a good sports TV market.
rhayward:
I honestly feel like it's a bad choice. The only USL rivals we have locally are the OCB, and honestly, after the shit-show that was the I4-Derby, I'm not looking forward to attending those games. If USL could somehow guarantee us more local teams, then yea, but for the moment, I don't see it happening.
Another reason is that people seem to have this perception that we are somehow going to get into MLS. I may be seriously pessimistic, but we are way down the list to be considered for MLS in my opinion, and I don't really see how a move to USL could improve our chances. True, most of the future candidates for MLS are in USL, but when you look at their attendance, it's way up there. Now, if you were to tell me we're getting a SSS, and that the FO has figured out how skyrocket attendance, then yea, but I don't see that happening any time soon.
I would honestly rather our team survive in the NASL, rather than leave for USL with the hopes of joining MLS.
That being said, NASL is looking pretty dire, and I'm trying to stay positive by telling myself it looking more and more the NASL is going to sink to D3 and the USL will be D2 next year, or the year after, so it really wouldn't be that big of a change, but it's hard to know for certain. Lots of speculation, lies, and propaganda out there.
phat7deuce:
The only reason I think USL can make an easier path to MLS is that Edwards can more openly court MLS from USL than he could from NASL. If you do it from NASL you kind of shoot yourself in the foot, since all owners have a share in the league's ownership...you're hurting your own product and need to deal with your fellow owners. In USL, since it is owned by a third-party holding company, it's game on. A "Let's go to MLS" campaign could possibly help attendance and be leveraged to get the Stadium deal done. But still...I think we're on the fringes of MLS expansion and I really believe it's only possible if Miami entirely falls apart.
"Lots of speculation, lies, and propaganda out there."
Amen to that. Plus I think a lot of chapters haven't been written yet. I think there's a lot of stuff that could still go down in the next couple months.
The move to USL is most likely part of Edwards' campaign to move the Rowdies to MLS. NASL was not helping Edwards in that regard. Unused Substitutes podcast mentions "whispers of Edwards/Garber meetings..." and this could be part of that.
People who are skeptical about Rowdies to MLS often say that "MLS was tried once in Tampa Bay and it failed"; but that was 15 years ago, and the "MLS try" was MLS ownership/control of the Mutiny without any actual Tampa Bay Mutiny owner; and the Mutiny weren't that bad in attendance considering what MLS was drawing back then. The Mutiny's problem was lack of ownership and the sharp increase in rent for the new Raymond James stadium; with Bill Edwards and his control of the Al Lang Stadium site, these are not problems for the Rowdies or for the Rowdies as an MLS team. Somehow, the great success of the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the 1970s and early 80s is never considered to be worthy of note; all that matters is that MLS contracted the Mutiny (because they didn't have an owner and the stadium rent was too high, not because of low attendance); if it had been a matter of simply cutting the two teams with the lowest MLS attendance circa 1996-2001, the Tampa Bay Mutiny would not have been one of the teams contracted.
Or they say that the Rowdies NASL attendance is too low (it isn't); but attendance in lower league soccer hasn't mattered at all for many lower league cities that moved to MLS - and in any case the current limited Al Lang capacity makes it hard to increase average attendance as is.
Or they say that the Tampa Bay area is too close to Orlando; but that hasn't stopped MLS putting two teams in New York City and soon two teams in Los Angeles (and if Sacramento gets in, two teams close to each other in northern California); and local rivalries are good, as Cascadia has shown and the Red Bulls vs. NY City rivalry has shown; after all the Orlando ultras have already tried to light Al Lang on fire (sorta) and punch a kid (and gotten ejected from Al Lang) so there's definitely a rivalry there, though local officials need to clamp down a bit on ultra excesses.
Or they say that since Miami is going to MLS, this allegedly puts a limit on new Florida MLS teams. Well, the Tampa Bay area is a bigger TV market than the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale TV market; Tampa Bay is also a bigger TV market than Orlando. Only Detroit and Phoenix are larger TV markets who aren't in MLS yet. And it is not yet certain that Miami is actually going to get an MLS team.
Things are not going well for the Miami Beckham United project: they have neither a SSS (talks with Miami-Dade County to acquire more land in Overtown broke down early this year), nor do they have the billionaire investor they need (PSG pulled out of talks early this year; another potential investor was mentioned three months ago, but since then, nothing but silence). Miami MLS may very well not happen; Tampa Bay Rowdies may very well be MLS team number 24. It could happen.
Oh, and the cries that the Rowdies will become a farm team in USL are quite ridiculous. Was Orlando in USL a farm team? They had a better team than anyone in NASL at the time. There's no reason why the Rowdies in USL would not follow the Orlando City route, especially if Edwards intends to go to MLS: Joe Cole and the other big money players aren't leaving just because the Rowdies are apparently going to USL.
Lack of local rivals in USL is a more legitimate complaint, but also illustrates how spoiled Rowdies fans are currently with having three in-state rivals. This is a density of local clubs in the same league in close proximity to each other which is a bit unusual for American lower league soccer.
But if the Rowdies are going to MLS, the stay in USL may be a short one, so it may not matter. We shall see.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/54mky4/question_where_do_you_stand_on_a_potential_move/
Question: Where do you stand on a potential move to USL?
by phat7deuce
Personally, sometimes I come here for therapy...generally when we are in the midst of a losing streak and I need some like-minded individuals with a shoulder to cry on.
We've heard the buzz now and had some time to think on it. How are you feeling about a potential move to USL?
What (if anything) are you excited by?
What (if anything) are you upset about?
If you had a "yay" or "nay" vote in terms of leaving for USL, which would you choose?
dietrich14:
With a great stadium, packed stands, and stable ownership; we are a hot commodity in lower division soccer. If We do nothing and NASL collapses in a few years, we will still have a landing pad. So why pull the trigger now unless guarantees of mLS are being made or NASL is getting blacklisted? Don't get me wrong. If Edwards is making a statement by elluding to a move in order to influence league development, I get it. But if he thinks a rivalry with OCB Melbourne will carry the same weight as NYCosmos, PRFC, or any of the other the FL clubs. He's deluding himself.
phat7deuce:
My thinking: I want the Rowdies to be as successful as possible and a big deal in the area. I dream of a Providence Park type atomosphere at a remodeled Al Lang. To me there are only two paths there...go to MLS or stay in NASL and let that league become a great option to MLS (even if it stays technically D2). From what we know now, I can't see the logic of leaving at this point. Wait until we know more about the leagues paths, then decide if you need to make a move. If we get stuck in D3 because USL doesn't get a sanction, I will be beyond disappointed.
The only advantages I can see to USL are the MLS relationship (or the ability to openly court MLS) and the appearance of stability. I know there are a shitload of teams, but I'm not sure how much more economically viable USL really is. I'd rather keep our rivals, keep our local travel and keep bringing exciting NASL talent (name talent in some cases) until NASL is no longer an option.
I'd vote "nay" based on what we know today. (But I love my Saturday nights at Al Lang...as a 12 year transplant for Florida, finding the Rowdies is the first time I felt like I was growing some roots here.)
SoccerForEveryone:
There are a couple of things I believe we can look forward to USL
The Rivalry with Orlando; it is about time we once again start recognizing the potential of this clash and the rise of real and bigger number of away fans in Florida.
The Kids; we will finally be able to look forward to bringing up younger and local players instead of having to rely so much on ex MLSers or older oversea players.
The Potential of Expansion; for whatever reason nobody is talking with NASL at all about stadiums or pushing the envelope about training facilities. MLS and USL have gotten the better end of these deals. Maybe with this move we can finally get things done and show that Tampa can be a bigger club than most people think, but we have to make moves.
MLS; it is about time we start recognizing that something is wrong with NASL whether people want to believe that it has something to do with the US Soccer theory. On our own Rowdies have been able to pull the crowd towards them. With the Pre-season tour and now potential Florida Cup; imagine what the move to MLS could really do for us on the international level.
The move to USL certainly helps big time for the Rowdies real potential in the soccer world, but yes the drawback is the MLS farm teams not drawing crowds. In my opinion I don't have a problem with that because in Germany you have a huge team like Dynamo Dresden that once played in the third division against farm teams and they still pulled off great crowds, support, and tifos. Our concentration as a fanbase should be on the Rowdies and what is good for them and support them. Which is why I believe the USL move will greatly help.
BKtoDuval:
Oh Dynamo Dresden! I walked around Berlin with a dynamo shirt and got a lot of dirty looks. I think they might've even been in the fourth league at one time but now up to second. Anyway, soccer in Germany is a whole different beast though. We can't compare their passion and culture with ours here.
Well you bring up some valid points. I'd just disagree with point 3 and probably point 1 too. Your rivalry wouldn't be with Orlando city...but Orlando city B, who average about 1000 a game.
And actually several teams are talking stadiums and training facilities and youth academies. In Jacksonville there's talk of all of that. The local youth squads have come under the armada umbrella and they have the U-23 team. There are plans for a new stadium but no city approval yet. But I think cities might want to see the long-term sustainability of the league before agreeing to publicly fund stadiums. MLS didn't get SSS for a good decade into their existence. Of course the Cosmos' battle for facilities has long been chronicled. Indy too. So efforts are there. As the league grows and improves, so will the facilities.
SoccerForEveryone:
To get the OCB thing out of the way real; Munich 1860 main team despite ups and downs in Germany even consider and played the Bayern Munich II team as a strong rivalry when they don't play the main Bayern Munich squad. Also 1000 people is definitely better than what the Strikers bring along. The culture thing should not be a factor because yes we have multiple sports and longer travel, but we could also do the same thing if we really want to. That's just me though because I'm passionate and level-headed about local sports in general.
The situation with the stadiums has been talks for months to years, but the difference is the lack of pressure that some of the NASL teams FO and their fanbases really do compared to what MLS has done in a short time when they were created. The Rowdies are definitely a rare and very lucky team to have these changes get done thanks to Edwards and our fanbase. While the stadium and training facility are the end goal to finally get the team going and creating great players; I would consider the Rowdies have gotten more work done than what the NASL has done these past few years. Which is why I believe the Rowdies should make the move to USL and start preparing for MLS in the future.
phat7deuce:
I do think that if Edwards left NASL and he openly courted MLS with a Sacramento style "Built for MLS" type campaign...he might have more political leverage to get the lease extension/stadium expansion done than he would if we stayed in NASL. (But if he pushed hard enough, he could probably get it done either way...he owns half of the downtown.)
BKtoDuval:
Are you from Germany, if you don't mind me asking? Or just a big Bundesliga fan?
Yeah, they've done big things in Tampa. I've even found articles that they wanted further improvements and expansion to Al Lang but couldn't get approval yet.
I'm not one of these league conspiracy theorists, BUT it has been written, not saying it's been verified, that MLS obstructionism has caused problems with NASL getting stadiums as well. Empire of Soccer has written that MLS has lobbied against the Cosmos' efforts for a new stadium, which they've been working hard to get. You can't say they haven't been working hard. They're even willing to finance it entirely on their own, which is an extreme rarity in American sports. I can't say it's true but I find it hard to believe that Nassau County, which has among the highest property taxes in the county and could use the investment, is struggling to accept someone willing to invest almost half a billion dollars in the community without some sort of interference and lobbying. Imagine if they wanted public funds.
Bottom line stadiums take time. I'm sure you're well aware of the Rays' decade long fight just even get to the point of letting the county allow them to explore alternatives. I even remember back in the days when teams used to threaten to go to Tampa unless their city built them a new stadium.
phat7deuce:
The Rowdies probably have the most favorable stadium situation in terms of potential expansion in the league. They don't need to find land; they have a billionaire owner who has significant influence in the area and owns many plots of land around the stadium; the land has been identified as a soccer-specific/multi-use stadium in a city council approved downtown master plan; and there is a fairly conservative price tag associated with getting the stadium to 18,500 (estimated at $70k-$90k, compared to the half-million for the Rays). That doesn't mean it's a slam dunk (they still need to negotiate a longer term-length for leases on the property), but definitely an easier path than what the Cosmos of Indy have to go through. Perhaps along with Sacramento and San Antonio, we have the most favorable potential MLS quality stadium solution of any potential suitors.
phat7deuce:
We'd still have some major obstacles to clear.
PROS: Billionaire owner, solid attendance base, nationally ranked 11th in DMA (Media); ranked 18th in MSA (population); favorable somewhat-inexpensive stadium situation in a downtown core that can be completed quickly
CONS: MLS failed here once (even though it was eons ago, it's still a dark cloud); prevailing thought that Edwards would need to secure a partner to make the jump; Orlando is down the block (could be a good or bad thing...they are definitely distinct media markets and could create a Cascadia-like experience, but not sure if it is far enough in MLS' mind when looking at the national map); plus IMO any chance of Tampa Bay getting an MLS team would rely on Miami not getting the job done
EquinsuOcha:
I fucking hate it.
Our local rivalry will be with Orlando City B, which will involve more fights, more drama, and that will turn away casuals and people who don't want to get caught up in that bullshit.
The second closest travel location is Charleston - which is 10 hours away. It would be just short of traveling to Carolina for a Railhawks game.
The USL will host such legendary teams like Red Bulls II - who are definitely not going to be a draw. Attendance will drop.
A USL payroll means that we will never see someone like Joe Cole again.
If we develop some great players and talent, they will most likely be sold to MLS instead of growing the franchise.
We will become a farm team.
I fucking hate it.
So going with Nay.
AndrewLipp:
Wow, love all the responses. Interesting to see what people think. Personally I thought about it and thought it would be the right move if we wanted to go MLS, but maybe staying lower tier would be better for us? I am really not sure. We will see in the coming months what will happen.
unsubmatt:
Minnesota (and Montreal before it) has shown that if you have the money, the stadium, and the butts in the seats, MLS will take you regardless of league-of-origin
unsubmatt:
no, we're not there yet. I think a rebuild of the stadium into one that looks like a SSS would generate a bump in attendance (provided the team got results) but if we were to hit those benchmarks, MLS wouldn't hold NASL against us. (top 3 overall in NASL attendance IIRC though. /u/phat7deuce would know for sure)
phat7deuce:
Yup, third in NASL and 7th in all lower division soccer (behind FC Cincy, Sacramento, Minnesota, Indy, Louisville and San Antonio).
EDIT: I will say MLS seems to be getting more choosy about where these last 5 (if they stop at 28) teams go. They want to fill the map and maximize TV dollars...which is one of the reasons I think we have a decent shot. We're the 11th biggest MSA and a good sports TV market.
rhayward:
I honestly feel like it's a bad choice. The only USL rivals we have locally are the OCB, and honestly, after the shit-show that was the I4-Derby, I'm not looking forward to attending those games. If USL could somehow guarantee us more local teams, then yea, but for the moment, I don't see it happening.
Another reason is that people seem to have this perception that we are somehow going to get into MLS. I may be seriously pessimistic, but we are way down the list to be considered for MLS in my opinion, and I don't really see how a move to USL could improve our chances. True, most of the future candidates for MLS are in USL, but when you look at their attendance, it's way up there. Now, if you were to tell me we're getting a SSS, and that the FO has figured out how skyrocket attendance, then yea, but I don't see that happening any time soon.
I would honestly rather our team survive in the NASL, rather than leave for USL with the hopes of joining MLS.
That being said, NASL is looking pretty dire, and I'm trying to stay positive by telling myself it looking more and more the NASL is going to sink to D3 and the USL will be D2 next year, or the year after, so it really wouldn't be that big of a change, but it's hard to know for certain. Lots of speculation, lies, and propaganda out there.
phat7deuce:
The only reason I think USL can make an easier path to MLS is that Edwards can more openly court MLS from USL than he could from NASL. If you do it from NASL you kind of shoot yourself in the foot, since all owners have a share in the league's ownership...you're hurting your own product and need to deal with your fellow owners. In USL, since it is owned by a third-party holding company, it's game on. A "Let's go to MLS" campaign could possibly help attendance and be leveraged to get the Stadium deal done. But still...I think we're on the fringes of MLS expansion and I really believe it's only possible if Miami entirely falls apart.
"Lots of speculation, lies, and propaganda out there."
Amen to that. Plus I think a lot of chapters haven't been written yet. I think there's a lot of stuff that could still go down in the next couple months.
Game 12 (9/17 vs. CAR): Rowdies Home Attendance Thread
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/53v8t7/game_12_917_vs_car_rowdies_home_attendance_thread/
Game 12 (9/17 vs. CAR): Rowdies Home Attendance Thread
Another good night in the books for us last week with 6,054. We continue to have growth over last year (which was huge growth over 2014). Not the sellout we were hoping for, but as u/dietrich14 pointed out on r/NASLsoccer it looks like we might be looking at a sellout for the game versus Miami in a couple weekends. We definitely need the home support - these next few games are huge!
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/53v8t7/game_12_917_vs_car_rowdies_home_attendance_thread/
Game 12 (9/17 vs. CAR): Rowdies Home Attendance Thread
Another good night in the books for us last week with 6,054. We continue to have growth over last year (which was huge growth over 2014). Not the sellout we were hoping for, but as u/dietrich14 pointed out on r/NASLsoccer it looks like we might be looking at a sellout for the game versus Miami in a couple weekends. We definitely need the home support - these next few games are huge!
NASL: League faces shakeup as Ottawa, Tampa Bay face exits
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/53vso5/nasl_league_faces_shakeup_as_ottawa_tampa_bay/
NASL: League faces shakeup as Ottawa, Tampa Bay face exits
phat7deuce:
This is shocking to me unless Edwards is really angling at MLS. I figured we would be one of the last ones on the NASL ship.
arm0redturkey:
It has to be mls or pure survival motivating it. The league is in bad shape and our slogan was "very best in professional soccer" yada yada. You cant provide that if the league is demoted to league 3 or folds. Also, that whole reffing video we put out reeked with dissatisfaction in the way the league was run.
And with Orlando now in MLS, Tampa might be an attractive promotion.
Id rather it be that NASL merged with USL than NASL potentially collapsing, but this is just the way were headed.
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/53vso5/nasl_league_faces_shakeup_as_ottawa_tampa_bay/
NASL: League faces shakeup as Ottawa, Tampa Bay face exits
phat7deuce:
This is shocking to me unless Edwards is really angling at MLS. I figured we would be one of the last ones on the NASL ship.
arm0redturkey:
It has to be mls or pure survival motivating it. The league is in bad shape and our slogan was "very best in professional soccer" yada yada. You cant provide that if the league is demoted to league 3 or folds. Also, that whole reffing video we put out reeked with dissatisfaction in the way the league was run.
And with Orlando now in MLS, Tampa might be an attractive promotion.
Id rather it be that NASL merged with USL than NASL potentially collapsing, but this is just the way were headed.
Premier League World Special – Joe Cole
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.fullmatchesandshows.com/2016/09/24/premier-league-world-special-joe-cole/
Premier League World Special – Joe Cole
http://www.fullmatchesandshows.com/2016/09/24/premier-league-world-special-joe-cole/
Premier League World Special – Joe Cole
The Unused Substitutes: Episode 91 – Making Hristovry
From the podcast: "Whispers of Edwards/Garber meetings..."
My thought is that Bill Edwards is definitely trying to take the Rowdies to MLS, and was not happy with the adversarial relationship that NASL cultivates vs. MLS. Moving to USL is a way to get along better with MLS.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2016/09/27/episode-91-making-hristovry/2324
The Unused Substitutes: Episode 91 – Making Hristovry
September 27, 2016 Matthew Cox
The Rowdies won 4-1 in Fort Lauderdale and sit one point out of the playoffs. Matt and Dan discuss the game, other NASL results, and the “NASL is falling down” narrative.
In tonight’s episode:
Strikers 1:4 Rowdies
NASL results and standings
Coastal Cupdate
What the hell, NASL?
My thought is that Bill Edwards is definitely trying to take the Rowdies to MLS, and was not happy with the adversarial relationship that NASL cultivates vs. MLS. Moving to USL is a way to get along better with MLS.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2016/09/27/episode-91-making-hristovry/2324
The Unused Substitutes: Episode 91 – Making Hristovry
September 27, 2016 Matthew Cox
The Rowdies won 4-1 in Fort Lauderdale and sit one point out of the playoffs. Matt and Dan discuss the game, other NASL results, and the “NASL is falling down” narrative.
In tonight’s episode:
Strikers 1:4 Rowdies
NASL results and standings
Coastal Cupdate
What the hell, NASL?
Stability Power Rankings: Which NASL teams will stick around for 2017?
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/nasl-power-rankings-which-teams-surrive-2017
Stability Power Rankings: Which NASL teams will stick around for 2017?
The future of several NASL teams is fluid, putting even the league's future in question. Wes Burdine looks at which clubs are most likely to stick around:
Last week, news broke that the American lower divisions of soccer are yet again being plunged into chaos. First came Neil Morris’ report that the owners of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers were no longer funding the club and that the North American Soccer League’s other teams had stepped up to foot the bill. Hours later, Brian Straus reported that the Ottawa Fury and Tampa Bay Rowdies are poised to jump ship from the troubled league.
Though reports on the death of the NASL are greatly exaggerated, the league’s shakeup has yet again sewn a lot of doubt for its future. All this turmoil is going on while the NASL is drawing toward its most exciting end of a season yet, with five teams queuing up to duke it out for the last playoff spot.
Whether the league is still kicking in 2017, we’ve compiled a Stability Power Rankings to evaluate where these teams stand going forward. Which teams are poised for bigger things and which are headed to the dustbins of history?
. . .
3. Tampa Bay Rowdies
The Rowdies’ reported defection from the NASL could be one of the biggest blows to the league in recent history; at least, it’s the biggest blow since losing the San Antonio Scorpions last season. Rowdies owner Bill Edwards may be something of a loose cannon (who creates mixtapes of calls that go against his club and has had some legal troubles), but he has invested heavily in his club both on and off the field. The NASL will be losing one of its charter members, as well as a club with ties to the original NASL.
The Rowdies have the third-highest average attendance (5,814) in the NASL, and the capture of Joe Cole has paid off somewhat. Edwards’ club has out-spent almost all its competitors with very little success on the pitch. However, there is a lot of room for growth in the Tampa area, and the Rowdies can build on small gains.
What the Rowdies also have going for them is the sole management agreement that Edwards has arranged with the city of St. Petersburg. While Al Lang Stadium provides modest digs for the team, the deal lets Tampa Bay capture far more revenue than most lower-division teams. It is not a permanent solution, but it’s one that, if operated correctly, could allow the team to hemorrhage less money.
While a move down to the USL is a risky move, it may be part of a longer-term plan to move to MLS.
http://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/nasl-power-rankings-which-teams-surrive-2017
Stability Power Rankings: Which NASL teams will stick around for 2017?
The future of several NASL teams is fluid, putting even the league's future in question. Wes Burdine looks at which clubs are most likely to stick around:
Last week, news broke that the American lower divisions of soccer are yet again being plunged into chaos. First came Neil Morris’ report that the owners of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers were no longer funding the club and that the North American Soccer League’s other teams had stepped up to foot the bill. Hours later, Brian Straus reported that the Ottawa Fury and Tampa Bay Rowdies are poised to jump ship from the troubled league.
Though reports on the death of the NASL are greatly exaggerated, the league’s shakeup has yet again sewn a lot of doubt for its future. All this turmoil is going on while the NASL is drawing toward its most exciting end of a season yet, with five teams queuing up to duke it out for the last playoff spot.
Whether the league is still kicking in 2017, we’ve compiled a Stability Power Rankings to evaluate where these teams stand going forward. Which teams are poised for bigger things and which are headed to the dustbins of history?
. . .
3. Tampa Bay Rowdies
The Rowdies’ reported defection from the NASL could be one of the biggest blows to the league in recent history; at least, it’s the biggest blow since losing the San Antonio Scorpions last season. Rowdies owner Bill Edwards may be something of a loose cannon (who creates mixtapes of calls that go against his club and has had some legal troubles), but he has invested heavily in his club both on and off the field. The NASL will be losing one of its charter members, as well as a club with ties to the original NASL.
The Rowdies have the third-highest average attendance (5,814) in the NASL, and the capture of Joe Cole has paid off somewhat. Edwards’ club has out-spent almost all its competitors with very little success on the pitch. However, there is a lot of room for growth in the Tampa area, and the Rowdies can build on small gains.
What the Rowdies also have going for them is the sole management agreement that Edwards has arranged with the city of St. Petersburg. While Al Lang Stadium provides modest digs for the team, the deal lets Tampa Bay capture far more revenue than most lower-division teams. It is not a permanent solution, but it’s one that, if operated correctly, could allow the team to hemorrhage less money.
While a move down to the USL is a risky move, it may be part of a longer-term plan to move to MLS.
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Stick to Sports: Nontraditional sports receive broadcasting limelight
(Follow link for full article.)
http://dailyfreepress.com/2016/09/29/stick-to-sports-nba-nhl-nll/
Stick to Sports: Nontraditional sports receive broadcasting limelight
September 29, 2016 12:31 am · By Marisa Ingemi
For most of the past century, four sports have reigned supreme for American viewers: baseball, football, basketball and hockey. Whether at the professional or collegiate level, those sports, primarily the men’s rendition of them, have dominated the sports scene.
That “four major sport dominance” narrative has been changing for some time, and more than halfway through the current decade, it is starting to be recognized.
Major League Soccer, arguably the fifth top sports league in North America, began play in 1996. The National Lacrosse League has undergone expansion in recent years, and Major League Lacrosse was began in 2001. Since then, the Arena Football League, Women’s National Basketball Association, various professional women’s hockey leagues and the National Women’s Soccer League have found relevance in spectators’ eyes.
While ratings have dropped in leagues like the NFL and NHL, smaller sports have begun to take some of the market of sports viewers. NBC Sports Network’s package of English Premier League soccer has been a wild success, so much that ESPN bought in to broadcast MLS games.
. . .
Meanwhile, Fox also elected to broadcast a regular season MLS contest in an NFL timeslot a week ago after its NFL pregame show, giving pro soccer its largest potential platform. That slot earned MLS its largest viewing audience in 12 years, and the league has broke the one million viewers threshold twice this season.
http://dailyfreepress.com/2016/09/29/stick-to-sports-nba-nhl-nll/
Stick to Sports: Nontraditional sports receive broadcasting limelight
September 29, 2016 12:31 am · By Marisa Ingemi
For most of the past century, four sports have reigned supreme for American viewers: baseball, football, basketball and hockey. Whether at the professional or collegiate level, those sports, primarily the men’s rendition of them, have dominated the sports scene.
That “four major sport dominance” narrative has been changing for some time, and more than halfway through the current decade, it is starting to be recognized.
Major League Soccer, arguably the fifth top sports league in North America, began play in 1996. The National Lacrosse League has undergone expansion in recent years, and Major League Lacrosse was began in 2001. Since then, the Arena Football League, Women’s National Basketball Association, various professional women’s hockey leagues and the National Women’s Soccer League have found relevance in spectators’ eyes.
While ratings have dropped in leagues like the NFL and NHL, smaller sports have begun to take some of the market of sports viewers. NBC Sports Network’s package of English Premier League soccer has been a wild success, so much that ESPN bought in to broadcast MLS games.
. . .
Meanwhile, Fox also elected to broadcast a regular season MLS contest in an NFL timeslot a week ago after its NFL pregame show, giving pro soccer its largest potential platform. That slot earned MLS its largest viewing audience in 12 years, and the league has broke the one million viewers threshold twice this season.
Inverted Triangle: An inside look from Rayo OKC's Alberto Gallego
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.wralsportsfan.com/soccer/audio/16061869/
Inverted Triangle: An inside look from Rayo OKC's Alberto Gallego
Alberto Gallego, interim Executive and Sporting Director of Rayo OKC of the NASL, joins this week's Inverted Triangle for a revealing interview.
http://www.wralsportsfan.com/soccer/audio/16061869/
Inverted Triangle: An inside look from Rayo OKC's Alberto Gallego
Alberto Gallego, interim Executive and Sporting Director of Rayo OKC of the NASL, joins this week's Inverted Triangle for a revealing interview.
United Soccer League Total Attendance Increases by 33 Percent in 2016
(Follow link for full article.)
http://90soccer.com/ussoccer/united-soccer-league-total-attendance-increases-by-33-percent-in-2016/
United Soccer League Total Attendance Increases by 33 Percent in 2016
September 29, 2016 by glenncgray
TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League (USL) closed out its 2016 regular-season schedule over the weekend and reported a total season attendance of almost 1.5 million for its 29 teams, a 33 percent increase from 2015.
The USL drew 1,496,493 fans compared to 1,132,218 last year. The average attendance for the league’s top 10 drawing teams was 6,724, a 25 percent increase versus 2015.
“It has been another record-breaking season for the USL and its 29 teams as the attendance numbers reflect the growth and momentum we continue to experience,” said Jake Edwards, USL President. “A 30-plus percent jump in league attendance is unprecedented in professional sports and illustrates the exceptional quality of USL and unique soccer environment our passionate fans are creating across North America.”
http://90soccer.com/ussoccer/united-soccer-league-total-attendance-increases-by-33-percent-in-2016/
United Soccer League Total Attendance Increases by 33 Percent in 2016
September 29, 2016 by glenncgray
TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League (USL) closed out its 2016 regular-season schedule over the weekend and reported a total season attendance of almost 1.5 million for its 29 teams, a 33 percent increase from 2015.
The USL drew 1,496,493 fans compared to 1,132,218 last year. The average attendance for the league’s top 10 drawing teams was 6,724, a 25 percent increase versus 2015.
“It has been another record-breaking season for the USL and its 29 teams as the attendance numbers reflect the growth and momentum we continue to experience,” said Jake Edwards, USL President. “A 30-plus percent jump in league attendance is unprecedented in professional sports and illustrates the exceptional quality of USL and unique soccer environment our passionate fans are creating across North America.”
It’s official: Hammerheads will compete in PDL in 2017, not USL
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.wwaytv3.com/2016/09/29/its-official-hammerheads-will-compete-in-pdl-in-2017-not-usl/
It’s official: Hammerheads will compete in PDL in 2017, not USL
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — What’s long been rumored and reported is now official: The Wilmington Hammerheads are changing leagues.
The Premier Development League (PDL) announced today the league has awarded a franchise to Wilmington Hammerheads FC, which will begin competing in the 2017 regular season. According to a news release, the PDL franchise will be owned by George Altirs, while the day-to-day operations of the team will be overseen locally by the Wilmington Hammerheads Youth FC Board of Directors.
http://www.wwaytv3.com/2016/09/29/its-official-hammerheads-will-compete-in-pdl-in-2017-not-usl/
It’s official: Hammerheads will compete in PDL in 2017, not USL
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — What’s long been rumored and reported is now official: The Wilmington Hammerheads are changing leagues.
The Premier Development League (PDL) announced today the league has awarded a franchise to Wilmington Hammerheads FC, which will begin competing in the 2017 regular season. According to a news release, the PDL franchise will be owned by George Altirs, while the day-to-day operations of the team will be overseen locally by the Wilmington Hammerheads Youth FC Board of Directors.
Minor league: The term you won’t hear the Nashville Soccer Club use to describe itself
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2016/09/29/minor-league-the-term-you-won-t-hear-the-nashville.html
Minor league: The term you won’t hear the Nashville Soccer Club use to describe itself
http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2016/09/29/minor-league-the-term-you-won-t-hear-the-nashville.html
Minor league: The term you won’t hear the Nashville Soccer Club use to describe itself
USL Total Attendance Increases by 33 Percent in 2016
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.kktv.com/content/sports/USL-Total-Attendance-Increases-by-33-Percent-in-2016-395193491.html
USL Total Attendance Increases by 33 Percent in 2016
http://www.kktv.com/content/sports/USL-Total-Attendance-Increases-by-33-Percent-in-2016-395193491.html
USL Total Attendance Increases by 33 Percent in 2016
New NASL owner expects to see difference in how league operates
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.socceramerica.com/article/70546/new-nasl-owner-expects-to-see-difference-in-how-le.html
New NASL owner expects to see difference in how league operates
by Ridge Mahoney, September 28th, 2016 6:26PM
The past, present and future of the North American Soccer League has been dissected and discussed during three days of meeting in Atlanta scheduled to conclude Wednesday.
Nothing as dramatic as the hiring of former Argentina and Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino by the local MLS team is expected to come out of this first NASL summit, but soon enough should emerge some sort of game plan for 2017 and beyond.
Perhaps that will also lead to some definitive, workable shape of second-tier professional soccer in North America. But I wouldn’t count on it. Atlanta is a former NASL city that has jumped aboard MLS and in that regard is not alone.
The NASL is adding San Francisco Deltas to its lineup for next year but the status of several other teams is unknown. The relegation of parent club Rayo Vallecano has clouded the future for Rayo OKC, Ottawa is expected to join the USL next year, and the Fort Lauderdale Strikers are beset by severe financial problems.
http://www.socceramerica.com/article/70546/new-nasl-owner-expects-to-see-difference-in-how-le.html
New NASL owner expects to see difference in how league operates
by Ridge Mahoney, September 28th, 2016 6:26PM
The past, present and future of the North American Soccer League has been dissected and discussed during three days of meeting in Atlanta scheduled to conclude Wednesday.
Nothing as dramatic as the hiring of former Argentina and Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino by the local MLS team is expected to come out of this first NASL summit, but soon enough should emerge some sort of game plan for 2017 and beyond.
Perhaps that will also lead to some definitive, workable shape of second-tier professional soccer in North America. But I wouldn’t count on it. Atlanta is a former NASL city that has jumped aboard MLS and in that regard is not alone.
The NASL is adding San Francisco Deltas to its lineup for next year but the status of several other teams is unknown. The relegation of parent club Rayo Vallecano has clouded the future for Rayo OKC, Ottawa is expected to join the USL next year, and the Fort Lauderdale Strikers are beset by severe financial problems.
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Cosmos Country Episode 62 – ‘The Clubs and League in Question Episode’ with Jason Bruzzichesi, Editor-in-Chief of Midfield Press
(Follow link for full article.)
http://midfieldpress.com/2016/09/23/cosmos-country-episode-62-the-clubs-and-league-in-question-episode-with-jason-bruzzichesi-editor-in-chief-of-midfield-press/
Cosmos Country Episode 62 – ‘The Clubs and League in Question Episode’ with Jason Bruzzichesi, Editor-in-Chief of Midfield Press
by Luis Hernandez - September 23, 2016
We’re back, talking a draw with Edmonton, the race for first, and another match against Indy.
But, then we dive into all the recent rumors centered around the state of the NASL, the New York Cosmos and the other clubs with Jason Bruzzichesi, Editor-in-Chief of Midfield Press and author of a piece that suggests the Cosmos may be in a difficult position.
We asked the fans across the league; Cosmos, Rowdies, Indy, Ottawa, and more to sound off and share their thoughts. With so many questions rising for the clubs and the league, many fans have an opinion and we’re grateful they’ve shared them with us.
Make sure to give this one a listen.
http://midfieldpress.com/2016/09/23/cosmos-country-episode-62-the-clubs-and-league-in-question-episode-with-jason-bruzzichesi-editor-in-chief-of-midfield-press/
Cosmos Country Episode 62 – ‘The Clubs and League in Question Episode’ with Jason Bruzzichesi, Editor-in-Chief of Midfield Press
by Luis Hernandez - September 23, 2016
We’re back, talking a draw with Edmonton, the race for first, and another match against Indy.
But, then we dive into all the recent rumors centered around the state of the NASL, the New York Cosmos and the other clubs with Jason Bruzzichesi, Editor-in-Chief of Midfield Press and author of a piece that suggests the Cosmos may be in a difficult position.
We asked the fans across the league; Cosmos, Rowdies, Indy, Ottawa, and more to sound off and share their thoughts. With so many questions rising for the clubs and the league, many fans have an opinion and we’re grateful they’ve shared them with us.
Make sure to give this one a listen.
Tampa Bay Rowdies look for league alternatives?
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.cltampa.com/arts-entertainment/sports/article/20834583/tampa-bay-rowdies-look-for-league-alternatives
Tampa Bay Rowdies look for league alternatives?
And no, it is not MLS.
Colin O'Hara
Sep 28, 2016 1 PM
Soccer is a fickle sport in America. We do things a little different than the rest of the world. Normally, if a team wins the championship, they are promoted to the next level of play. If that were the case, the Rowdies would have joined Major League soccer in 2011. But it’s not.
A recent article in Sports Illustrated — published this week — has caused a stir among those who watch soccer in America, as it reported the North American Soccer League is in trouble. The NASL’s Ottawa Fury reportedly plan on leaving the league to join current “third” division league, United Soccer League, and the Rowdies might be right behind them.
Most folks know about Major League Soccer, the top league of soccer in these United States, and if you have been paying attention to anything in the Tampa Bay area for the past six years, you probably also know about the North American Soccer League, where the Tampa Bay Rowdies play.
. . .
The USL will use this to their advantage. Rumbles through social media and articles such as the one published in Sports Illustrated indicate the USL will petition to become the nation’s new second division league while the NASL drops to third. The problem with USL is it houses many of the MLS’s farm teams. Imagine the Rowdies playing the likes of Orlando City’s reserve team. This is akin to the Tampa Bay Rays playing the Albuquerque Isotopes or Toledo Mud Hens in AAA. Yeah, those are real teams.
Much of this brings back memories o the NASL past. The original NASL was the premier league of North America through the 70s and 80s until similar circumstances led to its demise. Though the Tampa Bay Rowdies lived on long after the original NASL, it seems like history may repeat itself. The Rowdies are in good financial standing and will be here to stay even without the NASL.
. . .
The Rowdies were asked to comment on the rumors and referred me to the Bill Edwards Group, which is a majority owner of the club. No response came from them. The NASL was also asked to comment, but the director of public relations for the league, Neal Malone, said the league has no comment on the situation .The league did release a statement ensuring the owners were meeting to ensure a viable 2017 season.
http://www.cltampa.com/arts-entertainment/sports/article/20834583/tampa-bay-rowdies-look-for-league-alternatives
Tampa Bay Rowdies look for league alternatives?
And no, it is not MLS.
Colin O'Hara
Sep 28, 2016 1 PM
Soccer is a fickle sport in America. We do things a little different than the rest of the world. Normally, if a team wins the championship, they are promoted to the next level of play. If that were the case, the Rowdies would have joined Major League soccer in 2011. But it’s not.
A recent article in Sports Illustrated — published this week — has caused a stir among those who watch soccer in America, as it reported the North American Soccer League is in trouble. The NASL’s Ottawa Fury reportedly plan on leaving the league to join current “third” division league, United Soccer League, and the Rowdies might be right behind them.
Most folks know about Major League Soccer, the top league of soccer in these United States, and if you have been paying attention to anything in the Tampa Bay area for the past six years, you probably also know about the North American Soccer League, where the Tampa Bay Rowdies play.
. . .
The USL will use this to their advantage. Rumbles through social media and articles such as the one published in Sports Illustrated indicate the USL will petition to become the nation’s new second division league while the NASL drops to third. The problem with USL is it houses many of the MLS’s farm teams. Imagine the Rowdies playing the likes of Orlando City’s reserve team. This is akin to the Tampa Bay Rays playing the Albuquerque Isotopes or Toledo Mud Hens in AAA. Yeah, those are real teams.
Much of this brings back memories o the NASL past. The original NASL was the premier league of North America through the 70s and 80s until similar circumstances led to its demise. Though the Tampa Bay Rowdies lived on long after the original NASL, it seems like history may repeat itself. The Rowdies are in good financial standing and will be here to stay even without the NASL.
. . .
The Rowdies were asked to comment on the rumors and referred me to the Bill Edwards Group, which is a majority owner of the club. No response came from them. The NASL was also asked to comment, but the director of public relations for the league, Neal Malone, said the league has no comment on the situation .The league did release a statement ensuring the owners were meeting to ensure a viable 2017 season.
The NASL Might Be Disintegrating
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.starsandstripesfc.com/2016/9/27/13046344/the-nasl-might-be-disintegrating
The NASL Might Be Disintegrating
The NASL might be falling apart. Here's a look at what's been going on and what might be done to save the league.
by Adnan Ilyas Sep 27, 2016, 8:30a
Recently, news involving several teams in the North American Soccer League has come out. It's been known for some time now that Rayo Oklahoma City was in some trouble. With their major backer, Rayo Vellecano being relegated from the Spanish first division, the club found itself cash strapped. At one point, one of the owners took some of the turf in order to prevent it from being auctioned off. However, Rayo OKC is not the only team in trouble. It's been discovered that the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, a club with a long history of mismanagement, has been struggling to pay its players, with some months salaries coming late. Now, the league's owners have announced that they will not fund the team for the remainder of the season. Rumors have also come out that at least two teams may be abandoning ship for the USL, the third division league. First the Ottawa Fury, and then the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Both Ottawa and Tampa are rumored to be upset with the instability and politics of the league and see USL as a better, safer, and cheaper environment (with Tampa also interested in jumping up to MLS.)
. . .
The NASL could take up ownership of the flailing clubs until another owner could be found. This would allow the clubs to keep existing and reduce the need to immediately place expansion teams. However, this would require the league take payments from the other owners in order to keep the clubs afloat. The league did this previously with Minnesota United. That said, it's a very unpopular with the cash-strapped owners and would almost guarantee that Ottawa and Tampa leave, along with potentially other clubs like Edmonton and Charlotte Carolina Railhawks.
. . .
Apparently, the USL is open to the idea of taking clubs from the NASL. The league is already doing it, at least if the rumors are true that Ottawa and Tampa are already jumping to USL (and I do indeed think they are true). Those clubs that are willing to curb their ambitions and accept a role as a lower division team with a focus on developing burgeoning talent would likely be welcomed. This would reduce traveling costs and guarantee that the stronger teams would at least always have somewhere to play. Merging would even allow USL to take that DII status they want. There's only one exception. The New York Cosmos are not welcomed. The Cosmos have managed to tick off seemingly everyone outside the NASL and that includes the USL. They don't want the Cosmos messing with the more stable dynamics in the league.
http://www.starsandstripesfc.com/2016/9/27/13046344/the-nasl-might-be-disintegrating
The NASL Might Be Disintegrating
The NASL might be falling apart. Here's a look at what's been going on and what might be done to save the league.
by Adnan Ilyas Sep 27, 2016, 8:30a
Recently, news involving several teams in the North American Soccer League has come out. It's been known for some time now that Rayo Oklahoma City was in some trouble. With their major backer, Rayo Vellecano being relegated from the Spanish first division, the club found itself cash strapped. At one point, one of the owners took some of the turf in order to prevent it from being auctioned off. However, Rayo OKC is not the only team in trouble. It's been discovered that the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, a club with a long history of mismanagement, has been struggling to pay its players, with some months salaries coming late. Now, the league's owners have announced that they will not fund the team for the remainder of the season. Rumors have also come out that at least two teams may be abandoning ship for the USL, the third division league. First the Ottawa Fury, and then the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Both Ottawa and Tampa are rumored to be upset with the instability and politics of the league and see USL as a better, safer, and cheaper environment (with Tampa also interested in jumping up to MLS.)
. . .
The NASL could take up ownership of the flailing clubs until another owner could be found. This would allow the clubs to keep existing and reduce the need to immediately place expansion teams. However, this would require the league take payments from the other owners in order to keep the clubs afloat. The league did this previously with Minnesota United. That said, it's a very unpopular with the cash-strapped owners and would almost guarantee that Ottawa and Tampa leave, along with potentially other clubs like Edmonton and Charlotte Carolina Railhawks.
. . .
Apparently, the USL is open to the idea of taking clubs from the NASL. The league is already doing it, at least if the rumors are true that Ottawa and Tampa are already jumping to USL (and I do indeed think they are true). Those clubs that are willing to curb their ambitions and accept a role as a lower division team with a focus on developing burgeoning talent would likely be welcomed. This would reduce traveling costs and guarantee that the stronger teams would at least always have somewhere to play. Merging would even allow USL to take that DII status they want. There's only one exception. The New York Cosmos are not welcomed. The Cosmos have managed to tick off seemingly everyone outside the NASL and that includes the USL. They don't want the Cosmos messing with the more stable dynamics in the league.
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Desolation Row. A final post on the off-field drama at Rayo OKC
(Follow link for full article.)
http://midfieldpress.com/2016/09/27/desolation-row-a-final-post-on-the-off-field-drama-at-rayo-okc/
Desolation Row. A final post on the off-field drama at Rayo OKC
by Alan Chapman - September 27, 2016
http://midfieldpress.com/2016/09/27/desolation-row-a-final-post-on-the-off-field-drama-at-rayo-okc/
Desolation Row. A final post on the off-field drama at Rayo OKC
by Alan Chapman - September 27, 2016
Exclusive: California NASL Expansion Bids Take Form
(Follow link for full article.)
http://midfieldpress.com/2016/09/26/exclusive-california-nasl-expansion-bids-take-form/
Exclusive: California NASL Expansion Bids Take Form
by Chris Kivlehan - September 26, 2016
Midfield Press has been in touch with an expansion group in San Diego that is targeting a Spring 2018 debut in the North American Soccer League. While we cannot reveal the group’s identity out of respect for their process, we can share that it is the same group that was reported by NBC in May as planning to start in USL for the 2017 season.
Midfield Press previously shared that we have been in touch with a group in Los Angeles looking to start in Spring 2017. The L.A. group would need official acceptance into the league soon in order to be ready in time for Spring 2017, however they feel they have all of the pieces in place to make a strong debut next season if approved.
Neither the Los Angeles or San Diego groups are officially accepted in the league at this time, but they both have impressive backing and roots in the community. Both groups continue to prefer the NASL model over USL despite the recent reports of turmoil with several current NASL clubs. Brian Andres Helmick of the San Francisco Deltas calmed fears when speaking to the Telegraph, “We have a core group of strong owners and there is a lot of potential. I believe there are things the league should have done differently in the past and we’re actually really focused on getting aligned around our vision and what are the alternatives in the future. Expect to see differences in how we operate.”
http://midfieldpress.com/2016/09/26/exclusive-california-nasl-expansion-bids-take-form/
Exclusive: California NASL Expansion Bids Take Form
by Chris Kivlehan - September 26, 2016
Midfield Press has been in touch with an expansion group in San Diego that is targeting a Spring 2018 debut in the North American Soccer League. While we cannot reveal the group’s identity out of respect for their process, we can share that it is the same group that was reported by NBC in May as planning to start in USL for the 2017 season.
Midfield Press previously shared that we have been in touch with a group in Los Angeles looking to start in Spring 2017. The L.A. group would need official acceptance into the league soon in order to be ready in time for Spring 2017, however they feel they have all of the pieces in place to make a strong debut next season if approved.
Neither the Los Angeles or San Diego groups are officially accepted in the league at this time, but they both have impressive backing and roots in the community. Both groups continue to prefer the NASL model over USL despite the recent reports of turmoil with several current NASL clubs. Brian Andres Helmick of the San Francisco Deltas calmed fears when speaking to the Telegraph, “We have a core group of strong owners and there is a lot of potential. I believe there are things the league should have done differently in the past and we’re actually really focused on getting aligned around our vision and what are the alternatives in the future. Expect to see differences in how we operate.”
Nashville pro soccer backers unite in push for MLS team
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.wbir.com/sports/nashville-pro-soccer-backers-unite-in-push-for-mls-team/326820791
Nashville pro soccer backers unite in push for MLS team
http://www.wbir.com/sports/nashville-pro-soccer-backers-unite-in-push-for-mls-team/326820791
Nashville pro soccer backers unite in push for MLS team
Pro soccer’s AFC Lancaster Lions show improvement in first season
(Follow link for full article.)
http://lancasteronline.com/sports/soccer/pro-soccer-s-afc-lancaster-lions-show-improvement-in-first/article_f7bf6078-84c6-11e6-aff3-6b754b2dc088.html
Pro soccer’s AFC Lancaster Lions show improvement in first season
http://lancasteronline.com/sports/soccer/pro-soccer-s-afc-lancaster-lions-show-improvement-in-first/article_f7bf6078-84c6-11e6-aff3-6b754b2dc088.html
Pro soccer’s AFC Lancaster Lions show improvement in first season
Philadelphia Fury Build Upon NASL Ambitions While Growing The ASL
(Follow link for full article.)
http://midfieldpress.com/2016/09/27/philadelphia-fury-builds-upon-nasl-ambitions-while-growing-the-asl/
Philadelphia Fury Build Upon NASL Ambitions While Growing The ASL
http://midfieldpress.com/2016/09/27/philadelphia-fury-builds-upon-nasl-ambitions-while-growing-the-asl/
Philadelphia Fury Build Upon NASL Ambitions While Growing The ASL
MLS commissioner to visit Cincinnati
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.fox19.com/story/33254983/mls-commissioner-to-visit-cincinnati
MLS commissioner to visit Cincinnati
http://www.fox19.com/story/33254983/mls-commissioner-to-visit-cincinnati
MLS commissioner to visit Cincinnati
MLS Expansion: Atlanta United names Martino head coach
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.socceramerica.com/article/70529/mls-expansion-atlanta-united-names-martino-head-c.html
MLS Expansion: Atlanta United names Martino head coach
http://www.socceramerica.com/article/70529/mls-expansion-atlanta-united-names-martino-head-c.html
MLS Expansion: Atlanta United names Martino head coach
Is FC Cincinnati ready for big leagues? MLS commissioner visiting soon
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.wlwt.com/article/is-fc-cincinnati-ready-for-big-leagues-mls-commissioner-visiting-soon/3914393
Is FC Cincinnati ready for big leagues? MLS commissioner visiting soon
http://www.wlwt.com/article/is-fc-cincinnati-ready-for-big-leagues-mls-commissioner-visiting-soon/3914393
Is FC Cincinnati ready for big leagues? MLS commissioner visiting soon
Whitecaps look to improve Champions League seeding in game against Central FC
(Follow link for full article.)
http://cfjctoday.com/article/543124/whitecaps-look-improve-champions-league-seeding-game-against-central-fc
Whitecaps look to improve Champions League seeding in game against Central FC
http://cfjctoday.com/article/543124/whitecaps-look-improve-champions-league-seeding-game-against-central-fc
Whitecaps look to improve Champions League seeding in game against Central FC
Soldier Field reportedly a finalist to host 2017 MLS All-Star Game
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-fire/soldier-field-reportedly-finalist-host-2017-mls-all-star-game
Soldier Field reportedly a finalist to host 2017 MLS All-Star Game
http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-fire/soldier-field-reportedly-finalist-host-2017-mls-all-star-game
Soldier Field reportedly a finalist to host 2017 MLS All-Star Game
Former Argentina coach Martino heading to MLS
(Follow link for full article.)
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/former-argentina-coach-martino-heading-mls-184814023--sow.html
Former Argentina coach Martino heading to MLS
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/former-argentina-coach-martino-heading-mls-184814023--sow.html
Former Argentina coach Martino heading to MLS
CONCACAF Watch: MLS teams can make their lives easier
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2016/09/27/27923532/concacaf-watch-mls-teams-can-make-their-lives-easier
CONCACAF Watch: MLS teams can make their lives easier
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2016/09/27/27923532/concacaf-watch-mls-teams-can-make-their-lives-easier
CONCACAF Watch: MLS teams can make their lives easier
Former Barca boss Gerardo Martino in charge at MLS newcomers Atlanta
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.eurosport.com/football/former-barca-boss-martino-in-charge-at-mls-newcomers-atlanta_sto5876059/story.shtml
Former Barca boss Gerardo Martino in charge at MLS newcomers Atlanta
http://www.eurosport.com/football/former-barca-boss-martino-in-charge-at-mls-newcomers-atlanta_sto5876059/story.shtml
Former Barca boss Gerardo Martino in charge at MLS newcomers Atlanta
The 4-2-3-1 revolution has (finally) conquered Major League Soccer
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/mls-formations-4-2-3-1-revolution-conquered-major-league-soccer
The 4-2-3-1 revolution has (finally) conquered Major League Soccer
http://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/mls-formations-4-2-3-1-revolution-conquered-major-league-soccer
The 4-2-3-1 revolution has (finally) conquered Major League Soccer
Ex-Argentina coach Martino hired by new MLS team in Atlanta
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/article104410416.html
Ex-Argentina coach Martino hired by new MLS team in Atlanta
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/article104410416.html
Ex-Argentina coach Martino hired by new MLS team in Atlanta
Gerardo “Tata” Martino named first head coach of Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/sports/professional/gerardo-tata-martino-named-first-head-coach-of-major-league/article_0bc23bf1-8f35-598b-b938-99d392936280.html
Gerardo “Tata” Martino named first head coach of Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United
http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/sports/professional/gerardo-tata-martino-named-first-head-coach-of-major-league/article_0bc23bf1-8f35-598b-b938-99d392936280.html
Gerardo “Tata” Martino named first head coach of Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United
Gerardo Martino to Atlanta turn heads in Major League Soccer and beyond
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/2960033/gerardo-martino-at-atlanta-will-turn-heads-in-major-league-soccer-and-beyond
Gerardo Martino to Atlanta turn heads in Major League Soccer and beyond
http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/2960033/gerardo-martino-at-atlanta-will-turn-heads-in-major-league-soccer-and-beyond
Gerardo Martino to Atlanta turn heads in Major League Soccer and beyond
No Pity in the Fountain City
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.themaneland.com/2016/9/27/13065918/lion-links-9-27-16
No Pity in the Fountain City
After a record-breaking year in the USL, FC Cincinnati has put itself on the map as a soccer town and has made it clear that it would like to be in consideration for a place in Major League Soccer. So, as the USL regular season wraps up, and the USL playoffs begin, MLS head honcho Don Garber is set to take in the sights. Garber will be hosting a public event in the city and will certainly be hoping that another grassroots franchise can take the MLS by storm and FC Cincinnati can follow the Orlando City blueprint for success.
http://www.themaneland.com/2016/9/27/13065918/lion-links-9-27-16
No Pity in the Fountain City
After a record-breaking year in the USL, FC Cincinnati has put itself on the map as a soccer town and has made it clear that it would like to be in consideration for a place in Major League Soccer. So, as the USL regular season wraps up, and the USL playoffs begin, MLS head honcho Don Garber is set to take in the sights. Garber will be hosting a public event in the city and will certainly be hoping that another grassroots franchise can take the MLS by storm and FC Cincinnati can follow the Orlando City blueprint for success.
Nashville pro soccer backers unite in push for MLS team
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/2016/09/27/nashville-pro-soccer-backers-unite-push-mls-team/91117302/
Nashville pro soccer backers unite in push for MLS team
http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/2016/09/27/nashville-pro-soccer-backers-unite-push-mls-team/91117302/
Nashville pro soccer backers unite in push for MLS team
Monday, September 26, 2016
Open Letter September 26, 2016
September 26, 2016
Hello All. This is another in a series of open letters
urging Miami Beckham United (MBU), David Beckham’s attempt to launch an MLS
club in Miami, to consider talking to Bill Edwards and the other owners of the
Tampa Bay Rowdies, as an alternate backup plan if the Miami situation does not
work out. As I mentioned in my last letter I am documenting some of this letter
writing campaign in my blog (“support
your local football club dot blogspot dot com”). I observe that the search
for a stadium in Miami has not been going very well for MBU, with no news in
several months:
So maybe a word of
explanation or two about why I started this blog.
So, MBU needs a SSS,
and a billionaire investor, otherwise they are dead in the water, MLS discount
or no. MLS won't allow this situation to go on forever; this situation has been
dragging on for two and a half years; the plan was to get Miami into MLS for
the 2018 season and time is running out.
Well, conveniently,
there is a stadium on a harbor, in Florida, a downtown, urban waterfront
stadium, about a four hour drive north-west from Miami: Al Lang Stadium in St.
Petersburg. The Tampa Bay Rowdies play there. The Rowdies have a 41+ year history
and have name recognition worldwide amongst soccer fans of a certain age. Owner
Bill Edwards is a local St. Pete real estate developer who is also active in
the entertainment business and may actually already (or at least potentially)
have some contacts through his entertainment business with David Beckham and
Beckham's business partner Simon Fuller.
And also, I might add, potentially with another MBU partner,
Tim Leiweke, whose Oak View Group recently announced the charter members of
their Arena Alliance, which includes Amalie Arena, where Jeffrey Vinik’s Tampa
Bay Lightning play; Vinik has been mentioned in the past by Rowdies fans as a
potential Rowdies owner. His focus is on Tampa, not St. Petersburg, but a large
Tampa Bay Rowdies MLS ownership consortium hopefully would represent the entire
Tampa Bay area.
Things are in a state of flux right now in the USA/Canada
lower leagues soccer world, below MLS (ie, NASL and USL); recent news seems to
indicate that Bill Edwards is taking the Rowdies from NASL to USL, with the
ultimate goal of taking the Rowdies to MLS. Towards that end, there are obvious
advantages for Edwards in an MLS partnership with MBU: the Beckham expansion
fee discount (where other new MLS teams may see an increase of up to $200
million for expansion fees), and also getting into MLS as team number 24, when
MLS may very well be frozen at 28 teams for some considerable time to come,
according to recent announcements (linked on my blog). Here are some (by no
means all) cities that have been talking about, or speculated as having, MLS
ambitions, excluding Miami and the teams joining MLS in 2017 and 2018, in no
particular order: Detroit, Phoenix, Las
Vegas, Sacramento, San Diego, Anaheim/Orange County, San Antonio, Austin, El
Paso, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Rochester, St.
Louis, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Memphis, Chattanooga, Nashville, Charlotte,
Charleston, Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Tampa Bay. Some of these are not
serious; considerably more than four however are very serious, so MLS spots
25-28 are going to face some stiff competition.
Would Beckham & Co. be able to work out an MLS Tampa Bay
Rowdies ownership consortium deal with Bill Edwards? Impossible to know until
someone tries; some Rowdies fans fear, after the firings of several long term,
old time Rowdies stalwarts, that Bill Edwards is too much of a “hands on” owner
to work well with others; however, employees are one thing, and business
partners are something else entirely. Beckham has something Edwards might want;
Edwards has something Beckham might want; compromises and arrangements could be
made, deals could be brokered. No way to know what is possible, unless the
right people start talking to each other; hence these open letters.
Let me include some other matters about the downtown St.
Petersburg location (near Al Lang Stadium) that might appeal to David and
Victoria Beckham, from a non-soccer perspective: St. Petersburg, and the Tampa
Bay area, as an arts, culture, and fashion location alternative to Miami. As I
mentioned in my previous letter, the Tampa Bay area tends to get unfairly overshadowed
by Orlando and Miami in the eyes of outsiders who don’t know Florida well.
Annual events in St. Pete includes the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg,
and the St. Pete Art & Fashion Week (links to these on my blog), and no
doubt others I am unfamiliar with, having not lived in the Tampa Bay area for a
long time. Downtown St. Pete is, however, becoming quite the center for Art
Museums:
St. Petersburg's new
arts destination
Through exhibitions
and education programs, The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art will
emphasize core values of the art that moved Tom and Mary James during their
collecting: action, fortitude, heritage, and integrity.
The James Museum will
not only be another milestone project for our local arts scene but will join
with the Salvador Dali Museum, the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts, the
Chihuly Collection and the forthcoming Museum of the American Arts & Crafts
Movement, among many other entities, in affirming St Petersburg, Florida, as a
sophisticated arts and cultural destination for visitors and residents alike.
There are a number of St. Pete museum openings upcoming,
including the James Museum opening in the Fall of 2017, the Chihuly Collection,
currently at the Morean Arts Center but opening at its own, new location in October
of this year, and the Museum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement which
is scheduled to open at a $40 million dollar, 110,000-square-foot location in
St. Pete some time in 2018. Links on my blog for reference. I’ve just scratched
the surface here but hopefully I have given David and Victoria Beckham in
insight into what St. Petersburg, and the Tampa Bay area, have to offer them,
which may appeal to their interests, if the Miami MLS situation does not work
out.
I have mentioned in my previous letters the history and
importance of the Tampa Bay Rowdies name and legacy; I seldom go long without
finding reminders of this influence today; more reasons why the Rowdies legacy should
be kept alive and secured by returning the Rowdies to the top flight of USA
soccer, which is MLS, where the Rowdies belong. When Sam Allardyce was being
considered for England manager this past August, stories like these popped up
on my newsfeed:
How Sam Allardyce had
a 'life-changing' experience at the Tampa Bay Rowdies
Sam Allardyce played
just 11 matches for the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the summer of 1983 but he has
described his brief time there as "life-changing".
On the field, the experience
of playing in the North American Soccer League did not yield any success for
the burly centre-back as he struggled to cope with the blazing-hot Florida
sunshine in a Rowdies team long since past their best.
However, the Rowdies'
access to the high-tech facilities used by the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers
completely transformed his outlook on the game.
It was at Bolton
Wanderers where Allardyce became well known for embracing statistical tools
such as ProZone - and his appreciation of sports science can be traced back to
his spell at the Rowdies.
Speaking of the Buccaneers, as a reminder of what I
mentioned in previous letters, the current Raymond James Stadium could be very
useful in transitioning the Rowdies to MLS, while the Al Lang Stadium location
is being rebuilt (similar to how Orlando City are using the Citrus Bowl while their
own new soccer specific stadium (SSS) is being built). More on Sam Allardyce,
the Tampa Bay Rowdies, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
England target Sam
Allardyce turned into one of football’s great innovators by spell in America
But none at home made
an impression on him like the US soccer team Tampa Bay Rowdies, which had
access to all the best training aides because of their links to the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers NFL team.
Allardyce only played
for the Rowdies for five months but the adventure provided him with the
managerial know-how which today sees him in pole position for the England post.
As he finished his
beer he told me: “Nobody does it here like the Rowdies. We still haven’t caught
up in this country. We are miles behind.”
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Rowdies continue to create a new
history and a new legacy in their new NASL incarnation in St. Pete, as
demonstrated here:
Joe Cole, Big Sam and
why US Division two soccer is thriving
“I, I believe. I
believe that. I believe that we will win,” chant the crowd with what has become
the default song heard all over soccer games in the United States. And they do.
On a warm, yet humid evening, my wife and I attended the Tampa Bay Rowdies
versus Jacksonville Armada FC soccer game at the 7,500 capacity Al Lang Stadium
in downtown St Petersburg, Florida.
The ‘Rowdies’ play in
the North American Soccer League or NASL. The league once made famous in the
late 70’s and early 80’s by Pele, Best, Beckenbauer and new England manager Sam
Allardyce who himself played 11 games for the Tampa based team in 1983.
Located next to a
Salvador Dali museum and feet from an Indy car Race Track, the Rowdies are one
of the original NASL teams from those past glory years. Below all the MLS’
franchises these more ‘homely’ clubs are in effect North America Division two.
In an aging but
quaint and connected stadium, this former baseball field has become a caldron
of families, songs, drums, banter and even flares. ‘Ralph’s Mob’ the official
supporters club of the home team occupy a large section of the terraces behind
the goal. A bearded chap wearing a funeral directors hat beats loudly on a
large bass drum emblazoned with team livery. Huge billowing flags are waved
above in a sight probably more common in the San Siro than Old Trafford.
Also in the news recently, some more ammunition to fire at
the doubters who still think that professional soccer in the USA is a niche
sport which will never make any money:
Forbes Releases 2016
MLS Team Valuations
NEW YORK (September
7, 2016) – Forbes announces today its fourth-ever franchise valuations for
Major League Soccer. The average MLS
team is now worth $185 million, up 18% from last year and up a staggering 80%
from 2013. The Seattle Sounders remain
the most valuable team, worth $285 million.
The Seattle Sounders joined MLS in 2009 and have been the league’s most
valuable team in every Forbes ranking since 2013, 2015 and 2016. New York City FC and Orlando City SC join
Forbes’ ranking for the first time, ranking third and fifth respectively.
Someone investing in MLS circa 2001 could have really
cleaned up! But there’s still plenty of room for growth, especially with the
Beckham discount keeping the expansion fee so low compared to what other new
MLS clubs will be paying. Some of the current Rowdies fans may have been upset
by some of Bill Edwards decisions, but overall he has done well in securing and
improving Al Lang Stadium, and making sure that the basic job of running the
club gets done effectively and that everyone gets paid on time; the same
unfortunately cannot be said for our long time Florida rivals, the Ft.
Lauderdale Strikers:
How Fort Lauderdale
Strikers' global ambitions have put NASL club on brink
And very few bothered
to come back, as the Strikers - under Brazilian owners Paulo Cesso, Ricardo
Geromel and Rafael Bertani - began a policy of trying to make the club a global
brand while paying little attention to trying to attract the local community to
come to matches.
Hopefully this will not be a problem for a future Tampa Bay
Rowdies team playing in MLS; building a global brand is all well and good, but
putting down roots in the local community and making sure that local fans show up
and that the team is an active part of the community should always be priority
one; the basic job that has to be done before one can worry about things like
building a global brand.
Finally, a bit of daydreaming on my part. One problem with pro
soccer in Florida is the weather; the Tampa Bay area is the lightning capital
of the USA and heavy rain depresses fan turnout. Roofs would be nice, but cost
money, and soccer really should be played on grass; solutions like moveable
roofs and moveable grass pitches are expensive, but new cheaper technology
might come in handy should the Tampa Bay Rowdies eventually build a new SSS
(soccer specific stadium) at the Al Lang site:
New roof technology
could benefit a new Rays stadium
The roof is made from
ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, an intriguing polymer known as ETFE. It is
stronger than glass but 100 times lighter. It stretches like a rubber band
under pressure, such as from wind or piles of snow.
Most important,
manufacturers can embed ETFE with tiny dots that filter sunlight and lower
temperatures. The result shades fans but still lets them see sky, clouds and
outside surroundings.
"It's kind of a
Minnesota version of an open-air stadium,'' says Michele Kelm-Helgen,
chairwoman of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority. "We looked at
retractable roofs, but we were concerned that given our climate, we may not
have cause to open the roof that much."
A glass wall at one
end of the roof has 100-foot pivoting doors that let in fresh air and breeze.
"Even in the wintertime, you feel like you are outside, but you will be
warm,'' Kelm-Helgen says. [ . . . ]
ETFE construction
typically features at least two membranes separated by air pockets a foot deep
or more that create an insulating pillow effect. Sometimes a middle layer is
added, Wright says, with air pressure valves that move it up or down, allowing
computers to alter the degree of shade as the sun moves across the sky. [ . .
. ]
"ETFE is a good
material. If you understand where the air comes in and where to force it out
and how to keep the air moving, you are not going to create a greenhouse,''
says Soligo. "If people really want an open-air feeling, you can do a lot
for them.''
Singapore, about 85
miles from the equator, has humidity you can slurp. Yet one end of its new 55,000-seat
National Stadium remains open to the city even when its retractable ETFE roof
closes for games.
Rather than cooling
the entire stadium, designers installed air-conditioning vents under each seat.
A digital ticketing system turns them on only when people are sitting in the
seats. Cool air flows down to the playing field so competitors don't get heat
stroke. As air eventually warms, it rises and escapes through vents in the
roof.
Energy costs are 60
percent below those of conventional methods.
See the Forsyth Barr Stadium in New Zealand for the first
example of a fully enclosed, ETFE roofed stadium with natural grass pitch
growing inside. Something along those lines would be perfect on the Al Lang
Stadium site; natural grass soccer pitch, players and fans fully protected from
lightning and rain storms, and yet it would feel “outdoorsy” with excellent
views of the St. Pete waterfront, Tampa Bay, and the other downtown St. Pete
views. And most importantly, it would be considerably less expensive than older
methods of enclosing stadiums from the weather. With the Beckham discount, the
money saved on the MLS expansion fee could be put towards a much better stadium
for the Rowdies.
COYR!
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