And, yet, when I say the team isn't profitable, I get slagged as someone who doesn't know what's going on.
As someone who has been a lifelong fan of this sport, and who is a member of the Wave front office, I can tell you that our days are not without challenges. While the team and league are not without our challenges, I would question anyone who quotes someone from another team. I don't know a lot about the operation of the Admirals, even though they are next door, and while we do have a great relationship with them, I would doubt that any member of our team would discuss ongoing financial information about the Wave. Jim and Nancy Lindenberg stepped up last year and did something that nobody else was willing to do. In a tough economy, they purchased a club that was with some significant challenges and in my opinion, have met those challenges head on. We have not been perfect, far from it. But, I do know that our front office, ownership and the soccer operation has worked very hard over the past year to ensure we put the best product on the field, and the most fan friendly entertainment experience off the field. I can't speak for the ownership in Rockford or Chicago or Philly. I do know that the MISL exists today because of people who care about and love this game, remember a time when it outdrew the NBA and NHL, and don't long to necessarily get back to those days, but to create a league that is sustainable long term. Personally, I want (and need) the MISL to be around for my children to continue to enjoy. This league has meant so much to me over the years, and as I have said before - is the reason I am in this profession. Jim and Nancy have done nothing but help provide world class sports and entertainment to the people of Milwaukee. Until an announcement is made otherwise, I would trust that the team is operating as usual. IF there are cash calls to ownership, that is no different from any other team in any other league. It happens every day. On the PR "issues" you addressed: The uniforms that are going to be used for the charity games are being finalized. The fashion show provided a platform to unveil the jerseys - but the designs were not 100% complete. Chellee and the marketing team at the Wave and the Wave of Hope have done a great job taking an idea I brought to them months ago and turning into a reality. What I do know, is the uniforms are going to be cool, the program is going to be copied by teams around the country and we are going to raise a lot of money for charity. I would also like to thank M&I Bank, who on Friday became the official sponsor of the charity uniform program. They are a great partner, and for the next three years will be recognized as the sponsor of this groundbreaking program. Their logo will appear below the numbers on each uniform. On the schedule, it is close to being finalized. There is so much that goes into creating a great schedule for the team and our fans. Please be patient as we go through this process. It's not easy, and we would love for our schedule to be out in July every year, but that is not the reality of who we are. Thank you for being a long time season ticket holder. Thank you for being such a great fan of a such a great sport. We need more like you. If you have any questions related to anything here, please feel free to contact me directly, I would be happy to answer any questions. Go Wave!
On top of the challenge of keeping their own franchises alive, MISL owners like the Lindenbergs have the challenge of keeping the league alive and bringing in more franchises. Not easy.
Try to make this short and to the point. Milwaukee cannot be losing $100,000 per month. That's $600,000 for a 6 month season. Do the math, and you can run a team on a budget of around $600,000. Milwaukee had the best run summer camp program in years past. Did that crash from 3,000 kids to 500 last year? Also, there comes a point when the lightbulb goes off and you say "how can we continue to pay $300,000+ in player salaries when our revenue is $100,000-$200,000? Why do you think Baltimore is dropping 36-37 year old Denison Cabral? Come on guys.. Is this sport really big enough to pay a "front office staff" and guys like Peter Wilt? No disrespect Peter, as I'm sure you are doing the best you can do, but I'd be looking at my ROI with front office salaries. Hell, I'm quite sure college interns can do just as good of a job marketing the game as higher paid full time staffers. Other than hiring college interns, and employing part time players who have full time jobs and get paid very little to play(i.e. PASL) I cannot see any current MISL team (other than Baltimore) continue with their current "business plan" That is just the sad reality of today's indoor game
if the team is not making money u would think that he uses this as a tax shelter for his business losses ??
at this point in time they should just fold there has been no activity with this team what so ever so why bother holding up everything if your not going to beable to play
There is more to this story then u know about Denison Leaving that i Dont get in to on this board. But your 100% correct about the revenue for a team being the major factor of who stays & who goes i dont dont know why no one has seen this comming The blast needs to rebuild its team soon some of our players are past their prime so we need to bring in some younger players & right now the player pool is wide open & i think baltimore will be just fine this year
Baltimore will be just fine.... hopefully they continue to have a league to play in. IF this is true about Milwaukee, I can foresee Philly having the same problem unless the city all the suddens starts supporting the team in droves while playing at Temple...... long shot HOPEFULLY Omaha and KC will get support from their communities.... if not: Baltimore could be playing quite a few intra-squad games next year!
Kramer: It's a write-off for them. Jerry: How is it a write-off? Kramer: They just write it off. Jerry: Write it off what? Kramer: Jerry, all these big companies, they write off everything. Jerry: You don't even know what a write-off is. Kramer: Do you? Jerry: No, I don't! Kramer: But they do. And they're the ones writing it off. Jerry: I wish I had the last twenty seconds of my life back.
I agree with most of what you posted and I only respectfully disagree with the part I am quoting. If matters were settled with the league there is no reason why a schedule could not have been completed well before October. I think the league's failure to come up with a schedule before now is a strong indication that there are some significant unsettled matters, perhaps relating to what teams will be playing.
