Looks like this time next week we will officially know who one of the four new teams will be. http://orlandocitysoccer.com/news/?article_id=1650 Hopefully Atlanta will be next!
Big news coming to Orlando City Soccer next week http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/blog/2013/11/big-news-coming-to-orlando-city-soccer.html
Yup, and regarding the first announcement on Monday the 18th with Orlando Health, random twitter people are speculating about stadium naming rights. If that were true I'd think they'd have to show some sketches (even though I think everyone agrees the woods bagot images are it). EDIT: actually if i bothered to read the link you posted it would be obvious where the speculation is coming from: So it seems like stadium porn for the new Orland Health Stadium or whatever. Then the next day MLS in 2015. Cool.
Soccer team invites fans to presumed MLS announcement Stadium naming rights deal may also be in works http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...-soccer-announcement-20131113,0,2262780.story
Yup, but I'm just speculating based on the available facts. (It was reported earlier this year that OCSC was using Woods Bagot, WB still have the MLS Stadium design up on their website, and well .... it's an awesome design ) My guess is that the WB stadium on their website is the full $110-120M stadium. Since they're $30M or so short of that, my guess is that they'll have to present a cheaper version along with the final vision. The cheaper version being the same stadium with the north end not enclosed (Horseshoe shape a la the Earthquakes) and other lack of amenities. Hopefully they get the additional money from the state this spring. But this is all speculation based on what I've followed on line and based on zero insider info of course.
Orlando City Soccer to make two landmark announcements http://www.myfoxorlando.com/story/23958552/two-landmark-announcements-planned-for-november-18-19
If that does wind up being the final design,the Lion's Den will be one of the best stadiums in MLS. Even if they have to cut some corners here and there. That stadium will be a proper 'English"styled rectangular stadium. With the seats right on top of the action.
Orlando City SC confirms they will be next MLS franchise http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/...-sc-confirms-they-will-be-next-mls-franchise/
Yeah I have seen some of those design pictures and it look awesome. I am still expecting Atlanta to a team but if for whatever reason we don't I guess I can get behind Orlando City!
But how does this square with OC's, and Mr. Rawlins' specifically, statement that the club were not using WB and that WB posted those images as nothing more than spec designs because they were trying to obtain this piece of business? At one time, WB was the name making the rounds because they've done a few other fairly prominent soccer parks. But that day a month ago when the images started circulating, the club replied as if they were trying to keep the cat from getting out of the bag.
Hey, it's just a guess...and I could very easily be wrong. I didn't read anything in their statement that specifically said it wasn't their 1st choice plan. I read it as them trying to tamp down expectations because, presumably, they didn't have full funding for the design (i.e. the extra $30M). They stated the images were spec designs by WB for the purposes of trying to get their business .... but that's not inconsistent with it still being the correct design, and, subsequent to county approval, they will sign a contract w/ WB. I didn't see a statement by OC saying they weren't using WB. Perhaps I overlooked it. All I saw was, as another poster put it, plausible deniability. I suspect we'll find out Monday! Either way, I trust the brain trust to produce a nice stadium.
Agreed, and I remember that's exactly what all of us were saying later that day, too: WB or not WB (no Shakespeare pun intended there...), but that stadium looks fantastic and we'd love to have that one.
Plus, isn't it interesting that WB has still not removed the sketches from their website? I would have thought if they still weren't in the running to design the stadium, they would have had to take them down by now. Not sure, just spec. But excited about Orlando City joining MLS. Opens the doors for the rest of the Southeast (although I think San Antonio should be in, too).
Doubtful it is naming rights for the stadium. Bright House paid $15mm for UCF stadium and CFE paid about half that for the UCF Arena. MLS stadium is worth a minimum of $20mm over 1o-year and could be worth as much as $4omm depending on the network TV deal in place when they start playing. Orlando Health is a non-profit and does not have the deep pockets to name a stadium. It would also be poor judgement in the face of all the escalating costs of healthcare. The last thing they need are photos of hospital admins and doctors hobnobbing in a luxury suite. My money on the presser is a revealing of the new team kit which Orlando Health has had rights to since the team moved to town. In regards to potential suitors for naming rights to the stadium, look for a company in the financial sector such as a bank or insurance company. The stadium offers a gateway to Orlando's growing Hispanic population while still playing to the masses. I would put the following companies at the top of the list: Fifth-Third Bank Wells Fargo SunTrust State Farm Farmer's Insurance Allstate Geico Progressive The wild card will be Jet Blue Airlines which is opening up new routes in in Latin markets. With the county and city putting up so much money for the construction of the stadium, I doubt a public-private group like Visit Orlando would spend the money for the naming rights, however, it would deliver a far greater return than buying straight ad-time to promote the City as a vacation destination. Visit Orlando has been pouring money into the Citrus Bowl since the start of time but I doubt they could justify spending 2-4mm a year on one venue/sport. It is fun to speculate but all will be answered very soon.
I could see it being a long term deal on jersey rights. But given the cost increase for OH going to MLS, I wonder if it's worth it for them. Do any other mls teams have such local jersey sponsors? I'd guess the increased price would make it more economically sensible for larger more geographically diverse sponsors. Who knows. You make valid points. We will know soon enough.
The Chicago Fire's shirt sponsor,Quaker Oats,corporate office is based in Chicago. Although,it is a national brand.
It's not like local is the problem, it's reach. Is it to Orlando Health's benefit to advertise nationally with MLS?
Good point.They don't have a national or international footprint. Although they could advertise in the new stadium on the electronic advertising boards.
The one place yesterday's news (11/13) hasn't appeared is on MLS.com. MLS likely wouldn't put even a small mention of next Tuesday's event on their website because they don't want to take away from all the pomp and celebration next Tuesday; it's like they'd be scooping Orlando City SC if MLS said anything that would be interpreted as official before any official statement or announcement. There's no other reason, right?
My first thought was Orlando Health re-upped for 2014. Sort of a swan-song and (hopefully!) victory lap through the last season in USLPro, for the exact reason you mentioned: OH does not have nor does it need a national nor international presence, so this will probably be their last season in any form of prominent sponsorship role.
Actually the new heart center and the MD Anderson Cancer Center are advertised and promoted as national care centers for their respective treatments. I think your hunch is right as it is not as efficient as doing SEO or health targetted advertising but Orlando Health has been touting those two centers as national treatment centers in their press.