Article re Downturn in Euro Clubs' Asian Tours

[anderson]

Asian backlash as "gold digging" European clubs fall from grace (http://sg.sports.yahoo.com/050731/1/3tvcm.html)"The European clubs' gold-digging Chinese tours have stirred up resentment on the mainland. As well as pocketing millions of yuan for four-day visits, the clubs also spent more of their time busying themselves with commerical promotions and branding activities," Beijing Today said in an editorial.

"Are they just the football equivalent of McDonald's and KFC, eager to break into the mainland market? Are these prestige visits damaging Chinese football's long-term prospects and taking money out of the domestic game?"

...

Manchester United saw attendances slip in Hong Kong and could only half-fill the Workers' Stadium in Beijing, as did Real Madrid.

Real were unable to fill the 50,000-seat Tokyo Stadium in two attempts and Bayern Munich played there with half the seats empty, in a sign that the novelty of the annual tour may be fading.

No fewer than 12 European clubs have descended on Asia in recent weeks, and ticket prices can be as high as two weeks' wages in China.I think some of those questions also get raised about the effects of big European clubs' tours of the US. We've also seen some of the initial enthusiasm (e.g. the first ChampionsWorld tour) dissipate a bit in the US.

Does the involvement of SUM and MLS in the US mean that big European clubs' tours have a better future here?

Does that involvement at least ameliorate some of the concerns expressed in the Chinese press about the effects of these tours on the development of a domestic game?

[dcgoonies]

Does the involvement of SUM and MLS in the US mean that big European clubs' tours have a better future here?

Does that involvement at least ameliorate some of the concerns expressed in the Chinese press about the effects of these tours on the development of a domestic game?[/QUOTE]


I had some thoughts after attending DCU v Chelsea the other night.

1) They need to keep the ticket prices reasonable. Some people who are not that into soccer are not going to shell out 50-75 bucks to go see a friendly game, no matter who is playing. Keep the teams happy but, keep the casual fan coming to the games also.

2) The Chelsea players were off the field so fast, they drew a vacuum in the stadium. Aren't they here to gain fans and get a foothold in the market?
I now think they are pompous, spoiled athletes.....just like so many others. They should have walked around the stadium, greeted fans, actually looked like they were interested in being there maybe.

3) What happens after we beat them? Will they skulk back to England and claim preseason form, etc, etc. Will that be the end of the tours?

4) A couple of years ago, Tottenham was here to play DCU. They ran a coaching clinic open to all fans. They gave away game-worn shirts (I managed to get Keller's, so I'm biased a bit).
Anyway, they seemed interested in meeting us, knowing us and keeping us as fans. I still follow them and have spent money on some of their gear. Chelsea on the other hand, they can kiss my................

So, I guess it is up to the clubs to present an honest open face to us. Not just try to fatten their wallets. We have enough NBA, NHL, NFL and MLB to steal our money. We don't need the EPL doing it also.

[anderson]

1) They need to keep the ticket prices reasonable. Some people who are not that into soccer are not going to shell out 50-75 bucks to go see a friendly game, no matter who is playing. Keep the teams happy but, keep the casual fan coming to the games also.And you would think that reasonable ticket prices would be a fairly obvious requirement. Everton came to Reliant Stadium in Houston last summer to play Pachuca and America. They drew about 8,000 for Pachuca and about 16,000 for America. While Everton (without Rooney by that time) wasn't a huge draw, the ticket prices were much higher than what most local Mexican fans have been accustomed to paying for friendlies in less glamorous venues.

It probably just takes some trial and error to figure out ticket prices, among other things, for some of these games in what are often new venues.

[Renegade of Funk]

Does the involvement of SUM and MLS in the US mean that big European clubs' tours have a better future here?

Does that involvement at least ameliorate some of the concerns expressed in the Chinese press about the effects of these tours on the development of a domestic game?

Unfortunately, I don't think so. The novelty of seeing a major European club, even against a popular MLS team, will wear off in a few years.

I believe it's unrealistic to think that these clubs will drop their ticket prices, given their major worldwide sports business status. I think it's very similar to the real problem in getting broad Champions League coverage in the US--the cost of rights fees and the unlikelihood that major European clubs will cut prices to placate American business interests.

In sum, I think the tours will ultimately fizzle, but probably return down the road.

[depor15]

I think having smaller soccer specific stadiums available in all the soccer markets in the US within a few years (here is to hoping) will help these tours. The stadiums will be smaller and thus easier to fill. it will also give the games a better atmosphere and bringout only the truely interested fan. these stadiums will also make it easier I think to bring over more teams and allow for more and different types of matchups. ticket prices have to be lowered for it to work as the novelty is starting to wearoff.

[anderson]

I agree that interest in seeing two big European clubs play a pre-season friendly at high ticket prices is in decline, especially in markets that have been getting a lot of soccer lately. And it's probably also true that ticket prices for these things probably have to stay higher than the typical MLS league game or a friendly involving Mexican teams.

But I think that interest in seeing a local MLS team play a big European team may have longer staying power. So long as MLS teams have few means of measuring themselves against big name clubs in a meangingful competition, I think fans may be willing to pay something of a premium to see their local team play against some star power, even if it's just a friendly.

Maybe not, but SUM's ability to package the stadiums, opponents, and media deals for European teams may help make these tours more economically feasible.

[Elisa Uranga]

Agreed - come on down to the good ol USA and play one of our MLS teams! Forget about Asia. :)