Supporters Summit

[FC5280]

So who went and how did it go?

[jimmyco]

A detailed post should come later on today. Quite a bit was bandied about.

[BPBlueSox]

:mad: :mad: :mad:

[klh23]

That good?

[IllBeats Hooligan]

For those of you that did not attend, you missed a really great show. Sparks were flying right after the Rapids gave us there 2007 proposition. Which goes as follows:


The Centennial Firm will be relocated to a section behind the net on the South end of the stadium.
The seats will be located 20-30 rows from the field.
The player's tunnels are located on the North Bank, terminating our proximity to the players we love.
50% price increase for new season ticket holders.
The Centennial Firm has only generated $9000 for the Rapids this season, a figure which the organization views as REPLACEABLE income.
Little respect is given for the “Word of Mouth” advertising we perform on a weekly basis.
Seniority is not important. The life time season ticket holder will be relocated.


That is just a few of the main points. Others will post their thoughts and opinions about the meeting.

For those who were not present, do not fear. We did not accept any of these terms. We demanded a meeting with Jeff Plush to negotiate on all topics. However, the organization made it clear that they are fixed on where they stand. If they did budge, it wouldn’t be much. Essentially, they view the passionate fan's "dollars" as secondary income. We are being allocated to make way for the fan who won't pay for the seats they want to give us. After a long, disgusting meeting nothing was resolved. Our future is in our hands, we need to stick together with a unified front. To all, the Centennial Firm is more than a numerical figure looked at on a dollar sheet. It is passion, it is friendships and family, it is comfort and camaraderie, it is loyalty for OUR team. This is why we will win. Centennial Firm: One Passion, One team, One Goal.

Brown
Commander and Chief

P.S. This is for the Rapids Organization:
LOYALTY DOES NOT MEAN STUPIDITY
:mad:

[BPBlueSox]

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That sums it up pretty nicely. The Rapids have really, really, really, really pissed me off after today. Someone needs to explain to me why I should support this ********ing club that just shits all over its supporters.

[klh23]

So should I not buy my season tickets for next season or what?

[chilistrider]

Until further notice Marcus is not accepting deposits for new season tickets with C-Firm.

[Rapids Front Office]

Until further notice Marcus is not accepting deposits for new season tickets with C-Firm.

Marcus here......

Deposits for C-Firm will still be accepted, however it is completely in your right to not place a deposit. I will be giving persons interested in the Centennial Firm the option of placing a deposit (which of course is 100% refundable). However I do completely understand if you do not wish to do so.

Meeting with Jeff Plush is currently being arranged. It will be helpful if 5 to 6 people are designated to speak for the group. From the people I met today I would recommend the following persons speak to Jeff on behalf of the group:

Victoria Baldwin
Greg Jock
Eric Aguilar
Paige & Tel

Please voice your opinions and questions to one of these persons (or whomever is designated to speak on behalf of the many supporters that we do have)

I will continue to do what I can to assist in this matter. As always my email and phone are open to you all at mmyrick@pepsicenter.com and 303-405-6123.

Thank you for your long standing support and I sincerely hope to continue to see all of you.

Marcus Myrick
Account Executive
Colorado Rapids

[IllBeats Hooligan]

Marcus here......
Meeting with Jeff Plush is currently being arranged. It will be helpful if 5 to 6 people are designated to speak for the group. From the people I met today I would recommend the following persons speak to Jeff on behalf of the group:

Victoria Baldwin-->Chilistrider
Greg Jock-->Hesinfashion
Eric Aguilar-->Illbeats Hooligan
Paige & Tel-->?

Please voice your opinions and questions to one of these persons (or whomever is designated to speak on behalf of the many supporters that we do have)


Marcus Myrick
Account Executive
Colorado Rapids

BigSoccer names for each

[klh23]

OK, I understand now!

[Bonji]

This is really disturbing.

[rockymtn_mike]

This is really disturbing.


i'll second that.....

Dear Rapids Front Office: Do you fooking care about us or should we take our business elseware (Boulder Rapids ????)

[Quinn 33]

I wish I could have attended. Here are my personal thoughts about the offers.

The Centennial Firm will be relocated to a section behind the net on the South end of the stadium.If we get the front rows, I can live with being behind the net.

The seats will be located 20-30 rows from the field.Thats an insult. Not acceptable at all.

The player's tunnels are located on the North Bank, terminating our proximity to the players we love.If we get stuck having our seats at the endline, we should at least get to be by the tunnel.

50% price increase for new season ticket holders.I currently have a front row seat in 127, if they think I'm going to pay 50% more for a seat thats 20 rows back behind the goal...they've got another thing coming.


Are they serious. I mean it, is this a joke? They are going to put us in some of the most distant seats in the new stadium when they can't even get 5k to show up on a Saturday night? I refuse to bend over backwards for seats when they can't even get anybody to attend games in the first place. I'm am not going to take that. If anybody who is working for the Rapids reads this, I want to make something perfectly clear...I will NEVER accept those terms when this club has no marketing to speek of, dodgy public relations, AND (most importantly) ABSOLUTELY NO DEMAND FOR SEATS. This club has not demonstrated enough dedication to any of its fanbase; whether it be the casual, hardcore, soccer moms, or Hispanics, to warrant this kind of outrageous offer. Front Office, you can do better...and you know it.

[Quinn 33]

I want to add that I would be willing to step forward and negotiate with Front Office. I have no qualms with coming to a fair compromise.

[boomersooner027]

Just a few comments from someone who really wants to see the supporters in Denver grow:

The endline is the best place for a rowdy supporters group. You get less flak from the families because they know that is "your place."

Don't let them pull the 20th row crap. A good compromise would be accepting the endline seats but demanding the front 5 rows or whatever your row needs are.

Ticket prices are bound to go up as you go into a new stadium. That's even more reason to get endline as you don't price out your target crowd(younger, enthusiastic people.)


If they won't compromise with you, then say f it and just do whatever you want. I really don't mean this as a backhanded comment, but you're small enough to be able to do your thing at the front without pissing off too many people.


Good luck guys I look forward to coming up there for my third FCD game in Denver next year.

[Quinn 33]

I personally think we should get a general admission section at the north-end by the player tunnel.

[JoeSoccerFan]

The Centennial Firm will be relocated to a section behind the net on the South end of the stadium.
The seats will be located 20-30 rows from the field.



Help me understand - why would the Rapids consider that this is acceptable or even wise? Do they reallly want a supporter group behind a collection of families?


Given the attendance, why would the Rapids think that they don't need every dollar - even if it's only $9,000? Just another reason why it's important to have large supporter groups to prevent these kind of things.


Something doesn't make sense....

[TeamUSA]

Help me understand - why would the Rapids consider that this is acceptable or even wise? Do they reallly want a supporter group behind a collection of families?


Given the attendance, why would the Rapids think that they don't need every dollar - even if it's only $9,000? Just another reason why it's important to have large supporter groups to prevent these kind of things.


Something doesn't make sense....

The Rapids think that because they now own the stadium it is time for fans to get on their knees and kiss the execs arses and be thankful about it too. It is just flat out arrogance from the executives.

As was mentioned on Saturday, they have the numbers/statistics and know what this market will do. I think they have been using the marketing funds to call the Psychic Friends Network.

[JoeSoccerFan]

The Rapids think that because they now own the stadium it is time for fans to get on their knees and kiss the execs arses and be thankful about it too. It is just flat out arrogance from the executives.

As was mentioned on Saturday, they have the numbers/statistics and know what this market will do. I think they have been using the marketing funds to call the Psychic Friends Network.

Thanks Sam (Sam, right? it's been many years).

Still doesn't make sense - arrogance from soccer execs in America. :confused: It's not like they invented gold-plated turds.

You have a new stadium, so there's an opportunity for excitement, bring in new fans, etc. However, why would you want to alienate your current fanbase? I would expect a multi-pronged marketing effort geared to families, young soccer kids, 20 somethings and soccer fans (etc).

In DC, the fanbase is growing by aggressive marketing through the club towards families and soccer clubs. Additionally, the supporter groups continue to grow by bringing friends, who then start coming, etc. Luckily, we have a good relationship with the FO and the DCU FO has some of the best minds in MLS.

Good luck...