At the suggestion of the Philadelphia Pro Soccer Foundation "How can I help" page, I emailed Governor Rendell and my state rep and senator. Go here to do the same. We need to push them to support a franchise bid. Pressuring Garber and MLS is nice, but ultimately they'll decide based on the local political and financial climate. Here's my letter. We should have talking points for different target audiences (if we don't already). What do you think of my approach? Give feedback and we can compile talking points for others to include in their letters. Dear Governor Rendell, I urge you to do everything in your power to bring a Major League Soccer franchise to Philadelphia. The benefits to the city and state are numerous. Soccer Economy: Soccer is the fastest growing sport in the country in terms of players and fans with millions in consumer dollars and corporate investment potential. Both New York and DC have seen the benefit of getting in on the ground floor of this boom. Pennsylvania cannot afford to miss out and fall further behind. Youth and Community: A professional franchise will provide additional resources for existing youth soccer programs and create new opportunities for our region's countless soccer players of all ages. Soccer is also renowned for bridging the troubling divides between and within various immigrant communities and native residents. World Class: For Philadelphia to be recognized as the world-class city it is, it needs to participate fully in the world's most popular sport. The publicity and facilities associated with a soccer franchise will enhance Philadelphia's image and facilitate future Olympic bids and similar efforts. There is a tremendous ground swell of local, national, and international support for bringing a Major League Soccer franchise to Philadelphia as seen by recent articles in Philadelphia Weekly, Sports Illustrated, and The Guardian (United Kingdom). An organized and fervent fan base of soccer voters will be anxiously following your actions. Sincerely, XXXXXXXXXXX
Re: Pressuring Politicians Way to bring the heat...welcome back to the boards. Dear Governor Rendell, As a lifelong Philadelphia sports fan, like yourself, we have been fortunate enough to have every major sport here to support. But over the last several years, soccer has begun to overtake hockey as the fourth major sport, and sadly, we don't have a team. The fans seem organized, the rumors of potential owners exist, please consider throwing your support behind MLS in Philadelphia. I know budgeting is tight, but the possibility for economic impact from visiting fans and local fans supporting the local economy by making purchases near the stadium location, increasing ridership on public transit, and providing a good source of additional income for local residents who can assist at concession stands and as ushers in the Soccer Specific Stadium. The "Beckham Effect" will have the same impact on MLS cities that the Manchester United exhibitions did here. We can't afford to wait to get in while cities like Salt Lake are drawing over 17,000 per game. Imagine the passion of Philadelphia in MLS...25,000 people standing and chanting for 90 minutes...I can't wait! Please help bring MLS to our great city. Sincerely, Bryan76
Re: Pressuring Politicians Thanks. Sorry I disappeared for a while. Student teaching kicked my butt. I like the style of your letter. I only wish I thought Rendell would actually read it himself. Has there been much talk of the political angle? Does anyone know anything about the anatomy of previously successful efforts? I'm sure city and state government needs to be on board for a stadium to happen. Are any city council members known soccer fans? It would be great to have a champion for the cause. If it comes down to a stadium deal, we could even do a lobby day at city hall and/or in Harrisburg.
Re: Pressuring Politicians I actually wouldn't worry about this, it is my understanding that efforts are further ahead than anybody (except those who read this board) believe.
Re: Pressuring Politicians That's good to hear. Still, it's seriously troubling that at least some of the other cities have investors who are out in the open. To me that implies that they have proposals that are solid enough to withstand the scrutiny of publicity and that the opposite may be true of Philadelphia investors. I'm hoping I can be dissuaded regarding the validity of this conclusion.
Re: Pressuring Politicians I saw Rendell on the 4th of July, but did not even think about talking to him about soccer...sorry. Anyways I wrote him this. Dear Governor Rendell, I have been cursed with the fact that I was born a Philadelphia sports fan. During my short life, every single major Philadelphia sports team has been to their respective championship, yet none have won. Even worse than being a Philadelphia sports fan, I am a soccer fan from Philadelphia. I had always looked at the creation of a Philadelphia MLS team as a longshot, until one day when I was searching the internet for any news on the subject. That is when I found the group called the "Sons of Ben". They are a group dedicated to the creating of a Philly team. I signed up right away not knowing exactly what it was, how many members they had, or if I would even wind up having to do anything. After beening singed up for 5 months or so, I finally had my chance to help out at a MLS sponsored tourniment in Philadelphia. I am so determined to have an MLS team created in Philly that I showed up at the NE airport to meet a bunch of strangers at 5:45 AM just to help the cause. This event is what convinced me that a Philadelphia team is not only a a good idea, but it is necessary. There is obviously a MLS fanbase in Philadelphia other then the 360-strong Sons of Ben. The tourniment was a great success and Philly's MLS spirit came out in the open. I believe, from that tourniment, to the Sons of Ben, to everyone I know or have ever met, and to the soccer culture of the greater Philadelphia area , that we would have no trouble selling out 20-25 thousand seats at a home game. It is time for Philadelphia to have a Major League Soccer club. Soccer is one of the most played sports in the area and I believe that it could become an even larger part of culture is a team is created. Players will continue playing through highschool and more players like Bobby Convey will come out of the Philadelphia area. All in all, if I had to choose between a Philadelphia team winning their respective championship and the creation of a Philadelphia MLS team, I would have to go with the MLS.
Re: Pressuring Politicians Please. I'll take mine sauteed in organic butter with asparagus on the side. Still, I would be very curious to know in general terms why else investors would be so silent. They can't arrange it all in secret. After all, even if a stadium is privately funded and on private land, they'll need zoning variances etc.
Re: Garber Online Chat [Philly PBP Thread] Here are the Chester Bills http://www.legis.state.pa.us/dtsear...yword&CiRestriction=chester &CiScope=20070txt Have fun digging
Re: Garber Online Chat [Philly PBP Thread] Might offer like a tax break or even a land break if they build up the area around the stadium.
Re: Garber Online Chat [Philly PBP Thread] Maybe it's time we started writing our local state congressmen and senators. http://www.state.pa.us/papower/taxonomy/taxonomy.asp?DLN=31786
Re: Garber Online Chat [Philly PBP Thread] Maybe create a standard SOB letter for patrons to send out
Re: Garber Online Chat [Philly PBP Thread] This was the only relevant thing I could find: 27 (ii) City of <<Chester>> 28 (A) Acquisition, construction, 29 infrastructure and other related costs 30 for the downtown revitalization 5,000,000
Re: Garber Online Chat [Philly PBP Thread] State legislators from Chester city area: Thaddeus Kirkland (D) http://www.pahouse.com/kirkland Dominic Pileggi, (R) dpileggi@pasen.gov http://www.senatorpileggi.com
Re: Garber Online Chat [Philly PBP Thread] http://www.legis.state.pa.us/dtsear...cope=20070txt&CiRestriction="city of chester"
Re: Garber Online Chat [Philly PBP Thread] I think PA residents would be better off contacting their local representatives and senators...the Chester contingent obviously wants that money coming into their city. Widespread support is more important.
Re: Garber Online Chat [Philly PBP Thread] This is a statewide issue. Contact your local state senator and rep.
Re: Garber Online Chat [Philly PBP Thread] http://www.house.state.pa.us/index.cfm http://www.pasen.gov/index.cfm
Re: Garber Online Chat [Philly PBP Thread] And what exactly would we say to our (your) legislator? "Please support a soccer stadium in ??Chester?? city? To my knowledge, there is no bill yet. My suggestion is that if it is in Chester, then the legislators from there can give us info on what bill or when.
Re: Garber Online Chat [Philly PBP Thread] What I am saying, should we have draft a letter so that every SoB can send. Have one letter that can be available to anyone to send to their local rep.
