2012 Tampa Bay Rowdies Attendance Discussion

Discussion in 'Tampa Bay Rowdies' started by speedcake, Jan 29, 2012.

  1. kenntomasch

    kenntomasch Member+

    Sep 2, 1999
    Out West
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Probably the way to go for you. Good idea.

    Like Portland did.



    Wait, what?
     
  2. FNovoa

    FNovoa Member

    Dec 28, 2000
    Redington Shores, FL
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Kent, I see you're a contributor to uni-watch. I love that site.
     
  3. XaviusX

    XaviusX Member

    Mar 21, 2001
    Tampa, Florida
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    More like Seattle did:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_Sounders_(1994–2008)#Year-by-year

    Portland's attendance numbers were Fantastic by Division 2 standards:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland_Timbers_(2001–2010)#Year_by_Year

    I just hope we've got a Front Office that is willing and capable of keeping this boat afloat until the next big thing happens. What that is? I have no clue, but building our own SSS would be a start and would give us a much greater sense of security.
     
  4. G Enriquez

    G Enriquez Member+

    Apr 1, 2002
    Tampa
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  5. FNovoa

    FNovoa Member

    Dec 28, 2000
    Redington Shores, FL
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    I echo chris' sentiments. We NEED our own SSS or own ALF outright to maintain a stable base if we are to be taken seriously. Let's get it done FO.
     
  6. FNovoa

    FNovoa Member

    Dec 28, 2000
    Redington Shores, FL
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies

    I had a great time as well. The Florida Derby always has a special meaning, even though the Stickers have not beaten us at home. I like new traditions: Strikers going 0-fer anywhere in Tampa Bay.
     
  7. kenntomasch

    kenntomasch Member+

    Sep 2, 1999
    Out West
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Um, I know. That's why I said that.

    Seattle, Montreal and Vancouver all won second-division titles over the years. But that's not the only "formula" to get to MLS. That was my point.

    Support your team in the short term and the long term takes care of itself. If you're always concerned with how you get to MLS, you're not concerned with the here and now.

    Being in MLS is neither (a) in your control nor ( b) the be-all, end-all.
     
  8. FNovoa

    FNovoa Member

    Dec 28, 2000
    Redington Shores, FL
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    I know ill be plain jane around here (and i dont care) but I just want a(n) SSS. I want to start small and get big.

    Tampa Bay and MLS should not even be in the same sentence in my opinion. It's way too early. Give us several years, steady attendance, and our own stadium and then I will welcome the talk. But it's crazy to talk MLS when we don't even know where the Rowdies will play in 2013.

    BTW, when is that announcement? At seasons end?
     
  9. kenntomasch

    kenntomasch Member+

    Sep 2, 1999
    Out West
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    What? About where they'll play in 2013? They've said they expect "many years" at Al Lang, and the renovations they're making would seem to indicate they're going to be around longer than another six months.
     
  10. WhiteStar Warriors

    Mar 25, 2007
    St.Pete/Krakow
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Stick with St.Pete, start winning games and fans will show. slowly but steadily.
     
  11. XaviusX

    XaviusX Member

    Mar 21, 2001
    Tampa, Florida
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    As someone who was completely devastated when the Mutiny folded, I'm just happy to have a local Pro Club. If it takes us 10 years to get our own Venue, then so be it, 'cause I would rather wait that long than not have a club to support at all.
     
  12. USAUnited33

    USAUnited33 Member

    Dec 31, 2008
    Tampa, FL
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    To tell you the truth I don't believe winning games will make a big bump in attendance. Look at the Rays, they have been winning seasons since 2008 and they play in the best baseball league in the world but we barely see the attendance rise unless its the playoffs or a Boston/NY game.

    I believe that there are many factors that contribute to the lack of attendance. Having the stadium in St. Pete does hurt the team because a large portion of the population is in Tampa where many of their fans may be. The advertising has been terrible this year. I haven't seen anything up here by USF at all regarding the team. Luckly I have them on facebook and twitter or else I wouldn't had known the season started.

    I also heard that another pro team will be placed in Tampa next year. If that is the case (and if I am still living in Tampa next year) I would gladly support the closest club to me. If this new club promotes well in the area the Rowdies may see a good portion of its fanbase jump ship to this new club, myself included, just because it is located in Tampa.
     
  13. fsufiji

    fsufiji Member

    Apr 6, 2010
    Auburndale FL
    Club:
    Orlando City SC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Looked for you last night Tank. When the rain started in the second half and the mob doubled in size(we are under cover) the fans who had been listening to us sing joined in and became supporters.
    The word of mouth growth is very slow.
    I don"t know what changes are being referred to as having been made by the FO to ALF, the tiny sign on the baseball score board or the Big sign in center field. They painted the locker rooms white this year and fixed the broken changing stations (big deal). Fan zone outside should keep the kids from kicking soccer balls around the tailgaters which may lead to more early arrivals. Several folks who walked past the mob including some player's girlfriends complained they had to park well away from the park but that just means people are coming to the games.
     
  14. WhiteStar Warriors

    Mar 25, 2007
    St.Pete/Krakow
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Bucs can't even sellout games in TAMPA, it's more than that.

    The merchandising aspect of having Rowdies then not have Rowdies to FCTB then back to Rowdies is one whole aspect.

    The team not making playoffs in year 1.

    The stadium has horrible sightlines although the best seats are sold out means something.
     
  15. kenntomasch

    kenntomasch Member+

    Sep 2, 1999
    Out West
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    You do know they've done it before, right?

    You do get that the post-Super Bowl purging of popular players, signing players of some ability but shady character, losing, a perceived detached owner, a coach in over his head and a really bad economy have had something to do with all this, right? You get that, right?

    And even then, they were playing to 98% capacity as recently as 2008. And a sign in 2012 that they're turning the corner (assuming Freeman doesn't continue to regress) and they'll have a much easier time of it.

    None of which has anything to do with why an organization with a track record of bad decisions made one that they didn't have a whole lot of other choices about, and it's been a hindrance to them.

    You can talk about St. Pete all you want, I heard all about the waterfront and the museums and what a great location it would be. But it's a problem. It's not one they can solve right away. But it's a problem.

    And it's time you stopped projecting that onto everybody else, especially since you don't care about attendance anymore.
     
  16. WhiteStar Warriors

    Mar 25, 2007
    St.Pete/Krakow
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Actually me and some others can make the argument because we actually attend games, and I attended games in St. Pete and Tampa and will follow anywhere they play.

    1. You do know that the old-Rowdies were the only franchise at that time right? You do know that they had the best world players at that time right?
    So no comparisons.

    2. You do know that NFL is the number 1 sport in U.S. right? So comparing Bucs to Rowdies or rays is like comparing apples to oranges.

    3. It's funny that you are supposedly a soccer fan, yet you can find excuses for Tampa Bucs, but you can't find excuses for Rowdies. The only thing you say it's on the wrong side of bay.

    4. OK attendance genius where did the FCTB/Rowdies have the lowest attendance in St. Pete or Tampa??? case closed. but you will find a excuse anyway.
     
  17. kenntomasch

    kenntomasch Member+

    Sep 2, 1999
    Out West
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    They were in 1975. But not after that.

    Why are we comparing them to the old Rowdies, again? How about comparing them to the rest of the NASL, where they are lagging?

    You made the comparison, jagov. You said "The Bucs can't even sell out in TAMPA." Do you have short-term memory loss in addition to your other issues?

    No excuses, just facts. Oh, and they are on the wrong side of the Bay. And that's not their only problem, which I just frigging said. You read what you want to read, believe what you want to believe, and you never ever learn anything.

    You're the one who comes up with excuses for the Rowdies. They lost the name, they didn't make the playoffs the first year, blah blah blah. Is that what being a soccer fan is? Coming up with excuses? My club, right or wrong? Good luck with that.

    What, the lowest for a single game? 1,698 the first year against Austin. Which is sooooooooooo much lower than the 1,775 for Edmonton in the fifth game at Al Lang last year. You're right. Case closed. St. Pete is soooooooo much better.

    How much of their 2010 attendance average did they lose when they moved across the Bay? 23% would be the answer. And after three home games this year, how far off are they from last year's first three games in St. Pete? That would be "another 11%."

    "Case closed." That's funny. Okay, I guess that proves it, then. St. Pete is the perfect place. Not a problem at all. All they have to do is win and they'll be fine, slowly but surely, as long as Nestor and Howard and company are patient enough to lose money while you're holding up a scarf and drinking beer.

    Scientists are still hopefully they'll find someone dumber than you, but I don't like their chances.
     
  18. WhiteStar Warriors

    Mar 25, 2007
    St.Pete/Krakow
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    you now that 23% is skewed, why did they draw 8k at franchise opener than went to 5k and then hovering at 3k in Tampa. If you don't count those people who were curious and never came back and they never did. Tampa didn't have the ground breaking support that you claim.

    St. Pete is not ideal but if they improve the stadium infrastructure and the team wins things can happen. BTW were wouldthey play in Tampa? city officials are already looking for land for the Rays near channelside.
     
  19. speedcake

    speedcake Member

    Dec 2, 1999
    Tampa
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Gotta disagree, WSW.

    Attendance in our first season suffered for alot of reasons. But in fact, it held pretty strong over a decent little spread to start the season before it really started tanking.

    These are just some of the factors which eventually caused attendance to erode in our first year:

    1) poor level of play. Let's face it, the team sucked and fans weren't impressed.

    2) terrible field. It looked horrible, played horrible and give credit to soccer fans in Tampa Bay for being turned off by it.

    3) Awful game day experience. Playing in a Yankees stadium was a massive mistake, and we've paid for it ever since. Terrible staff, terrible sight lines, terrible vibe. Listening to "New York New York after every game is enough drive off even diehard soccer fans.

    4) really bad schedule. Having to work around the Tampa Yankees meant weekday games, mid afternoon games, lots of rain and heat. If we had the same schedule then that we have now, even despite all the other negatives I feel we'd have drawn quit a bit better at GSF.

    5) poor marketing. We've been promised that we'd have our "minds blown" for years now, it has never happened other than a few billboards and a couple of cheap commercials that no one ever seems to be able to catch on tv. What gives?

    6) need I go on?


    You'll have to work very, very hard to convince me that ALL ELSE BEING EQUAL if we were right now playing in Tampa we wouldn't be drawing significantly better than we currently do.

    here is another interesting fact. We run analytics on the Mob's website. We know, based on IP addresses, exactly where our traffic comes from. Guess which area is responsible for the vast majority of our traffic and which area accounts for just a small percent?

    No really, guess! :D
     
  20. kenntomasch

    kenntomasch Member+

    Sep 2, 1999
    Out West
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Because they're not a very good organization, all things considered. I mean, come on man. How many times do I have to tell you it's not just St. Pete, but that's a big part of it?

    Hillsborough County's a big place, with lots of people in it. You may have heard about it. The fact that you don't know where they'd play in Tampa doesn't mean St. Pete is the best option. It's not. Obviously.
     
  21. WhiteStar Warriors

    Mar 25, 2007
    St.Pete/Krakow
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    If it was the same field in Tampa aka legends field I disagree, but if it was a SSS in channelside, yes they would have better attendance.
     
  22. kenntomasch

    kenntomasch Member+

    Sep 2, 1999
    Out West
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Okay, take out the first game in Tampa, and it's still 3,565 for 14 games on one side of the Bay and 3,004 for 17 games on the other side.
     
  23. Smoke & Mirrors

    Jul 18, 2010
    Club:
    Ft Lauderdale Strikers
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    If you're going to visit the Big Soccer forums on a gloomy Monday morning while at work, nothing else could possibly entertain quite like the comedic stylings of Kenn vs. WSW! LOL I think I particularly love how everything Kenn says just seems to bounce right off WSW and doesn't deter his wacky postings in the slightest. This in turn seems to enrage Kenn, and thus the never ending circle spins on. LOL
     
  24. brentgoulet

    brentgoulet Member+

    Oct 12, 2005
    PuertoPlata, DomRep
    trop c'est trop :mad:
     
  25. The Irish Rover

    The Irish Rover Member+

    Aug 1, 2010
    Dublin
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Ireland Republic
    A perpetual motion machine!! The world's energy needs and global warming solved forever!!! :D
     

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