NYT: SUM buys out CW

[BuffloSoldier]

Revenge is a dish... (http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/17/sports/soccer/17soccer.html?pagewanted=2)

Major League Soccer's marketing company, Soccer United Marketing, yesterday completed the acquisition of the name, logo, Web site and contracts of ChampionsWorld, a bankrupt outfit based in New Jersey that promoted North American tours of European clubs the past two summers.

[Northside Rovers]

No way.

[Dr. Wankler]

Holy cow.

Wonder if this is a good idea. I mean, does anyone know if CW ever made money?

[DoctorD]

The problem with this takeover is that SUM is only interested in money and television rights. They will probably put CW in debt. CW will no longer be able to sign the teams they want. And SUM is run by a bunch of Americans.

Oops - wrong takeover.

[texgator]

Holy cow.

Wonder if this is a good idea. I mean, does anyone know if CW ever made money?

Being as they are bankrupt, I'd have to say no. But at least this way SUM can arrange tours that will.....including using MLS controlled stadia to keep costs lower. Maybe not right away....but in the future. If Metro ever gets their stadium deal finalized, MLS will control stadiums in the three biggest markets in the country.

[Sachin]

They made some serious cash, but expenses were way out of line with their revenues.

Sachin

[JRstriker12]

I hope this means a few MLS vs. Euro team match-ups in future tours.

[Dr. Wankler]

I hope this means a few MLS vs. Euro team match-ups in future tours.

I'm not sure myself. Ultimately, if MLS is to really succeed, it needs to do so on the basis of MLS matches that mean something, not matches that the opponents (rightly) treat as pre-season friendlies or post-season vacations.

[monster]

The week just got remarkably better for me.

[texgator]

I'm not sure myself. Ultimately, if MLS is to really succeed, it needs to do so on the basis of MLS matches that mean something, not matches that the opponents (rightly) treat as pre-season friendlies or post-season vacations.
I don't even think this is an issue. There is no reason that MLS clubs can't participate in international friendlies. It might bring soccer fans, who for one reason or another aren't currently MLS fans out to see the product. The problem is that Euro clubs want to have these tours right smack in the middle of the MLS season. Not good timing for the league.

[Dr. Wankler]

The problem is that Euro clubs want to have these tours right smack in the middle of the MLS season. Not good timing for the league.

When else could European team want to have them?

I don't mind the occasionally friendly. I don't want them to become the highpoint of the season for fans. I wonder if SUM is thinking something along the lines of double-headers: Metros vs. Revs in the first match, AC Roma vs. Chelsea in the second match.

In any case, as of right now, I come down with Monster: anything that ********s up Giorgio Chinaglia's week definitely improves mine.

[MasterShake29]

I think CW's problem was high expenses and a couple games which didn't draw well. They had 3 games in Giants Stadium virtually back-to-back last year, that couldn't have helped.

I wouldn't mind replacing the all-star weekend with a series of 8-12 friendlies, each with an MLS team vs. a "CW" team (or a Mexican team in some markets) at the MLS team's home stadium. Then for other games MLS and CW can coordinate schedules (including USOC and USNTs) so there's no conflict with them and everyone is happy.

[texgator]

When else could European team want to have them?
Yeah...ummm...that's my point.

I wonder if SUM is thinking something along the lines of double-headers: Metros vs. Revs in the first match, AC Roma vs. Chelsea in the second match.
That's a great idea...and possibly what the league is thinking about. I don't know how much you'd have to pay these teams to play, but its a great way to increase ticket sales from 8,000 to 20,000 for a random summer weekend night, without increasing operating expenses. Of course, you wouldn't be able to charge season ticket holders anymore for these games, but individual game tickets could be doubled or tripled (in some cases).

[Dr. Wankler]

Yeah...ummm...that's my point.

You know what: I think I mistook you in my mind for someone else who sort of believes that the world revolves around us, and that the Europeans should drop everything to help us promote American soccer. I apologize for that mistake.


That's a great idea...and possibly what the league is thinking about. I don't know how much you'd have to pay these teams to play, but its a great way to increase ticket sales from 8,000 to 20,000 for a random summer weekend night, without increasing operating expenses. Of course, you wouldn't be able to charge season ticket holders anymore for these games, but individual game tickets could be doubled or tripled (in some cases).

I wonder if the doubleheader would work even better on a wednesday or something. That would be good. A doubleheader at some MLS stadiums on a Wednesday night. Then that weekend, incorporate Matt's idea for replacing the all-star game with MLS teams vs. CW teams. And there'd still be ways of working these tours into non-MLS cities... and for MLS to make any money off it.

Regardless, it's fun spending other people's money.

[Shabs]

You know what: I think I mistook you in my mind for someone else who sort of believes that the world revolves around us, and that the Europeans should drop everything to help us promote American soccer. I apologize for that mistake.




I wonder if the doubleheader would work even better on a wednesday or something. That would be good. A doubleheader at some MLS stadiums on a Wednesday night. Then that weekend, incorporate Matt's idea for replacing the all-star game with MLS teams vs. CW teams. And there'd still be ways of working these tours into non-MLS cities... and for MLS to make any money off it.

Regardless, it's fun spending other people's money.

That turns into a very late outing on a work/school night.

[texgator]

Whats also cool about the doubleheader idea....if you can make them a regular, consistent event....they become a great season ticket selling point. Hey, look, potential season ticket buyer.....you can buy a package for $20 a game, but you get tickets to this event featuring big time Euro teams that costs the walk up customer over $30.

[Motterman]

Well, it was unlikely that CW was going to work with Manchester United again, especially after what happened in Chicago. Plus, with Glazer's takeover and his aim to promote the team in the United States, it seems he'd probably do something on his own to accomplish this anyways.... I'd like to see a Manchester United vs. US Team friendly. Howard and Spector could play a half for each team. :cool:

[Tea Men Tom]

It doesn't seem like they bought much -- name, logo, Web site and contracts -- so if CW signed any multi-year deals, SUM agrees to complete them. Might mean a deal for the All Star game and maybe a couple of double headers but beyond that it can't mean much, can it?

Giorgio, any comment? :)

[Dave141]

That turns into a very late outing on a work/school night.

I think he was being sarcastic.

However, the way the attitude has been turned up to "off the meter" levels in this forum lately, it's not always so easy to tell.

{For example, see http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=198420, if you haven't read it already]

[Dr. Wankler]

I think he was being sarcastic.

I wasn't being sarcastic. There's precedent for wednesday night double headers racking up pretty good sized numbers.

And even on a school night, no less.