I have no problem with that. but how many people are out there like you? also some Tampa fans might just say I had my soccer fix for today so I'm not going to support Rowdies. Overall I think it's a stupid move by USL.
It's not really a USL move, they sell franchises right on the website (no joke) If you have the money to buy a team and you want to put it in Tampa which has no pro soccer team within City limits the league is not going to say "hey bad idea", VSI has there HQ here so its convenient for them.
I was just checking. It should be interesting to see what develops with the Flames. Honestly, the area could support two minor league teams if they both got their acts together. Despite what the kid in the tinfoil hat believes, I don't think that the USL purposely is trying to destroy the Rowdies. Even if VSI manages to build a stadium in 'Central Tampa' whatever that is defined as, there is enough for both clubs to draw 5,000 a game. Possibly even more. Many soccer people will go to both if given the chance and opportunity. The question is exactly how ambitious the VSI group is and whether the Rowdies will up their game.
I agree with you! I can tell you that the VSI guy I spoke to if he wasnt just making things up was pretty serious with the plans for this team. Even I was amazed at how much he said they were putting into this. But it all remains to be seen
"Honestly, the area could support two minor league teams if they both got their acts together." and if they don't we lose both teams brilliant. This isn't NYC and even they think they can't support two major league teams. or why don't Rowdies play apertura in St. pete and Clausura in Tampa. or why
The median attendance for both USL Pro and NASL is around 3000 or so, so its your opinion that both teams cannot both draw 3000 a game which is 6000 combined between both teams.
yea that's mediocre it should be one team "trying" to draw 6k, but now it will never happen, especially since the momentum is on the Rowdies side with the team reaching 2nd place and who knows after the semi-final game and NY Cosmos coming to town next season and potential friendlies.
How come you don't put the blame on Rowdies front office, as much as we dislike Orlando if we had there front office and marketing the Rowdies would draw twice as many fans. How come the Rowdies dont market at USF like the Flames do? How come when I call to buy tickets on game day the Rowdies office doesnt always answer the phone? How come they show now intention anymore at building a stadium? No Marketing, No Stadium, No communication = Mediocre Attendance
Well what's Orlando's marketing: "we will be in MLS in 5 years" maybe. that's their marketing campaign. The stadium situation in St. Pete is hard but they are working with baseball commission to build something for the future. Marketing sucks I admit but what can they do? what will VSI do differently? we don't know, they could be the next FC New York.
I wasnt aware they were working with baseball commission to build something for the future. I must have missed that. So if you agree marketing does suck, so what do you think they should do about it?
more billboard advertising, advertise on local sports radio, have maybe a concert after 2 games a year, more friendlies with international teams, advertise games on baynews 9. bring back dollar beer nights.
Not really. Like what? Well, with their insistence they'll build their own stadium at some point, at this point they're no worse than the start of the Rowdies.
Listen to a interview with Perry van der beck on Ultras alive 2 months ago, he said "we are working for future". Tell that to PR and Portland and KC for that matter they all started playing on baseball fields. How's the new OC stadium doing?
everything on bigsoccer is not validated unless it's a podcast or a news story link. Mayor Greco said they were supposed to build a MLS facility in fairgrounds near casino in tampa that was back in 08.....Barcelona bid for a Miami team....nothing happened.
Hi soccer Joe, how do you know who I spoke with? I didn't even know who he was but he seemed honest and a nice guy.
If they 'building something' in cooperation with the baseball commission, they might want to let their existing and potential fans know what that might be.
PR still plays on a baseball field. Staying in the same place unmodified with no other plans coming out of your FO is not "we are working for the future". (nice grammar, BTW) We have two prime sites to choose from, and are expecting an announcement some time this fall. Back on topic.