Atlanta: The team of the South?

[BigKahuna]

In light of Garber's recent comments, MLS definately wants to see expansion into the southeast US and obviously Atlanta is probably the best, if not the only market for that expansion. My hope is that when we get a team, that we will be more than just an MLS team in Atlanta...my hope is that we will be the MLS team of the entire south! I hope that every soccer fan from Oxford, MS to Charlotte, NC would feel somehow attached to this team despite the geographic separation. The team would represent the south as a region and as a culture. My question is...how could this be done? Like the Braves, how could an MLS team in Atlanta become the "South's Team?"

Here are a few of my thoughts:

-First, its all in a name. Is there possibility of choosing a name that doesn't preclude fans from outside of Atlanta from identifying with the team? A suggestion would be to go the way of the New England Revolution and decline from using "Atlanta XXXXX" as a name and instead use something like the "New South XXXXX."

-Regional TV package...obviously this is why the Braves, "America's Team" (probably the "South's Team" to be more accurate), are so popular. When Ted Turner owned the team, he broadcasted nearly every game on TBS so baseball fans, when watching baseball on tv, were watching the Braves. They became familiar with the players and chose to support the one team they could see play every game.

-"Away" Home games....How could we claim to be the team of the south and not do significant traveling around the region to promote the team? I would do preseason in Charleston, Chattanooga, or in Mississippi every year and have a few exibitions or even a few regular season home games (thats right...one or two) in a city like Birmingham, Nashville, or Charlotte. We go to the fans evey once in awhile in hopes that they will, in turn, come to us.


Having regional appeal for this team would be difficult but entirely possible if done right. The chance to market merchandise to 7 states as opposed to one, and to sell regional TV rights all across the southeast is a great opportunity for a team here to make a little extra income. I think the future owners of the team should keep all this in mind.

Any thoughts or other suggestions?

[Eleven Bravo]

In light of Garber's recent comments, MLS definately wants to see expansion into the southeast US and obviously Atlanta is probably the best, if not the only market for that expansion. My hope is that when we get a team, that we will be more than just an MLS team in Atlanta...my hope is that we will be the MLS team of the entire south! I hope that every soccer fan from Oxford, MS to Charlotte, NC would feel somehow attached to this team despite the geographic separation. The team would represent the south as a region and as a culture. My question is...how could this be done? Like the Braves, how could an MLS team in Atlanta become the "South's Team?"

Here are a few of my thoughts:

-First, its all in a name. Is there possibility of choosing a name that doesn't preclude fans from outside of Atlanta from identifying with the team? A suggestion would be to go the way of the New England Revolution and decline from using "Atlanta XXXXX" as a name and instead use something like the "New South XXXXX."

-Regional TV package...obviously this is why the Braves, "America's Team" (probably the "South's Team" to be more accurate), are so popular. When Ted Turner owned the team, he broadcasted nearly every game on TBS so baseball fans, when watching baseball on tv, were watching the Braves. They became familiar with the players and chose to support the one team they could see play every game.

-"Away" Home games....How could we claim to be the team of the south and not do significant traveling around the region to promote the team? I would do preseason in Charleston, Chattanooga, or in Mississippi every year and have a few exibitions or even a few regular season home games (thats right...one or two) in a city like Birmingham, Nashville, or Charlotte. We go to the fans evey once in awhile in hopes that they will, in turn, come to us.


Having regional appeal for this team would be difficult but entirely possible if done right. The chance to market merchandise to 7 states as opposed to one, and to sell regional TV rights all across the southeast is a great opportunity for a team here to make a little extra income. I think the future owners of the team should keep all this in mind.

Any thoughts or other suggestions?

it's as if you picked it out of my own head!!! I would love the Regional TV package and "away" home games for friendlies..in fact i suggested that for the Silverbacks ;)

To be nitpicky, the problem with "New South" is you have to take in effect that some people might say "what's wrong with the old south?" But i understand where you are coming from and calling the team "Southern" might piss some people off too. (i really want to avoid pissing off people) What i might suggest is throw the name in the motto like "Southern Legacy", but the team name could be Atlanta XXXX.

[rossgreen]

Terminus, baby.

[BigKahuna]

So what else could we do to have regional appeal?

[AtlantaFan]

I like all the ideas except the New South. New South is not a term used like New England to denote the region. It was more of a marketing spin to attract business and investment that was afraid of what the Old South represented the view of some (racial problems, etc). People do say I'm going to New England to see the fall leaves, but they don't say I'm going to New South to soak up some sun. And just saying New South reminds one that there was an Old South, which is not a good constant reminder to have.

When the Atlanta Braves were the only MLB team in the South, being the Atlanta Braves did not stop them from being the favorite MLB team across the region. If Atlanta gets a MLS team, and it is promoted across the region, soccer fans across the region would support it. It was similar for the Atlanta Falcons, back when New Orleans and Miami were the only other Southern NFL teams - the Falcons were the home team for lots of people in TN, AL, SC, NC and the entire state of Georgia.

With the new ownership of Turner South and it becoming an all South sports channel, there is definitely a possibility for regional TV coverage.

[hasselbrad]

Dirty South? :D

[ATL_Iron]

If your going to spread the region so that its not place specific, then the "Inter" term becomes more relevent. A simple "Inter FC" or "Inter SC" The Inter could stand for Interstate, and also "Not piss anyone off" as it has deliniation of region or group.

[USvsIRELAND]

http://www.artistdirect.com/Images/Sources/AMGCOVERS/music/cover200/drh100/h133/h13319e1tkg.jpg

DIRTY SOUTH ALLSTARS SC


Shirt Sponsor:
Crunk Juice Energy Drink
http://i4.ebayimg.com/05/i/06/db/ae/87_1_b.JPG



DIRTY SOUTH ALLSTARS FC!!!!!

-------------Ludacris--------------Jermaine Dupri---------------
-------------------------Usher----------------
---------------------------------------------------------
-----Kanye West--------Andre 3000---------------TI----
---------------------------------------------------------
--Young Jeezy---Bone Crusher--Gucci Mane--Big Boi----
---------------------------------------------------------
---------------------Lil Jon(Capt.)-------------------------

Subs:
Young Joc
Lil Scrappy
Ying Yang Twins
Eastside Boyz
Trillville
YoungBloodz
Pastor Troy
Crime Mob
Dem Franchize Boyz

The craziest guy has to be keeper. (Kaine and D-Roc are the Ying Yang Twins)

:D

[BigKahuna]

DIRTY SOUTH ALLSTARS FC!!!!!

-------------Ludacris--------------Jermaine Dupri---------------
-------------------------Usher----------------
---------------------------------------------------------
-----Kanye West--------Andre 3000---------------TI----
---------------------------------------------------------
--Young Jeezy---Bone Crusher--Gucci Mane--Big Boi----
---------------------------------------------------------
---------------------Lil Jon(Capt.)-------------------------

Subs:
Young Joc
Lil Scrappy
Ying Yang Twins
Eastside Boyz
Trillville
YoungBloodz
Pastor Troy
Crime Mob
Dem Franchize Boyz

The craziest guy has to be keeper. (Kaine and D-Roc are the Ying Yang Twins)

:D

I'd definately holla at some season tickets to see that team... :D

Cheerleading squad captained by Gansta Boo of 3-6 Mafia!!!

[hasselbrad]

http://www.artistdirect.com/Images/Sources/AMGCOVERS/music/cover200/drh100/h133/h13319e1tkg.jpg

DIRTY SOUTH ALLSTARS SC


Shirt Sponsor:
Crunk Juice Energy Drink
http://i4.ebayimg.com/05/i/06/db/ae/87_1_b.JPG



DIRTY SOUTH ALLSTARS FC!!!!!

-------------Ludacris--------------Jermaine Dupri---------------
-------------------------Usher----------------
---------------------------------------------------------
-----Kanye West--------Andre 3000---------------TI----
---------------------------------------------------------
--Young Jeezy---Bone Crusher--Gucci Mane--Big Boi----
---------------------------------------------------------
---------------------Lil Jon(Capt.)-------------------------

Subs:
Young Joc
Lil Scrappy
Ying Yang Twins
Eastside Boyz
Trillville
YoungBloodz
Pastor Troy
Crime Mob
Dem Franchize Boyz

The craziest guy has to be keeper. (Kaine and D-Roc are the Ying Yang Twins)

:D


I can see the stream running down Landon's leg now.

[reedinthewind]

BK! good to see you out of the F-C.N shell! glad to see you're not hiding under a different screen name like someone else I won't mention.

I have always said that untill NC gets a team, I will support Atlanta. That said the way to get the south behind it is to name the team the Atlanta Rebels, Generals or something like that the "New South" won't fly. Also, you will have to do outreach to the black and latio communities if there is any hint of ol' dixie in it. I always liked Atlanta Firebirds myself as a surething hit all the bases-sound cool-mean something-get Luda to say it name. But thats just RIW and just untill the Revenge of Carolina takes off.

[BigKahuna]

BK! good to see you out of the F-C.N shell! glad to see you're not hiding under a different screen name like someone else I won't mention.

I have always said that untill NC gets a team, I will support Atlanta. That said the way to get the south behind it is to name the team the Atlanta Rebels, Generals or something like that the "New South" won't fly. Also, you will have to do outreach to the black and latio communities if there is any hint of ol' dixie in it. I always liked Atlanta Firebirds myself as a surething hit all the bases-sound cool-mean something-get Luda to say it name. But thats just RIW and just untill the Revenge of Carolina takes off.

What up, boss! Yeah, more local Atlanta action here at the Big Boards but I prefer the F-C. aight.

[reedinthewind]

Its The Southern Lords of Atlanta! Now get it right or pay the price!

Nickname: TS-LA (tesla)

Ha Ha! thats rich

[Georgia Empire]

Terminus, baby.

If the Atlanta team is called Terminus Atlanta i think they should rename Galatasaray to Constantinople Istanbul.

[BigKahuna]

If the Atlanta team is called Terminus Atlanta i think they should rename Galatasaray to Constantinople Istanbul.

Ok, but this thread isn't about a name...its about what can be done to appeal to the entire southeast region. The question is if a name could do that...not what the specific name should be. There are other threads for that. :cool:

[ATL_Iron]

To pose a question to this thread.

Do you think the American public at large would support a team out of their area? You dont typically see it in US sports, with fans regually changing support based on the city they move to or live in.
The one exception to the rule that i am aware of is College Football. where the fan is for life based on the college they went to.

[USvsIRELAND]

To pose a question to this thread.

Do you think the American public at large would support a team out of their area? You dont typically see it in US sports, with fans regually changing support based on the city they move to or live in.
The one exception to the rule that i am aware of is College Football. where the fan is for life based on the college they went to.

Dirty South Allstars FC would have a huuuuuge following!:D

[BigKahuna]

To pose a question to this thread.

Do you think the American public at large would support a team out of their area? You dont typically see it in US sports, with fans regually changing support based on the city they move to or live in.
The one exception to the rule that i am aware of is College Football. where the fan is for life based on the college they went to.

Thats a good point....for this particular situation, I think fans would support a soccer team out of their local area because they have nothing else. Me for exampled, I've supported DC since day 1. If Atlanta got a team, I'd drop that loyalty immediately, but I'm not really sure if I'd do that for a team somewhere else in the south. I guess I'd have to say that as long as a team is in driving distance, I'd rather support them than any other team.

[Georgia Empire]

Ok, but this thread isn't about a name...its about what can be done to appeal to the entire southeast region. The question is if a name could do that...not what the specific name should be. There are other threads for that. :cool:

just a joke ;)

[Georgia Empire]

Thats a good point....for this particular situation, I think fans would support a soccer team out of their local area because they have nothing else. Me for exampled, I've supported DC since day 1. If Atlanta got a team, I'd drop that loyalty immediately, but I'm not really sure if I'd do that for a team somewhere else in the south. I guess I'd have to say that as long as a team is in driving distance, I'd rather support them than any other team.

I think one of the most important factors is the culture barrier. Texas is Texas, D.C. is NOT southern, and Florida may be in the south but it's not "in the south". It would be like having a team in Boston and saying, "hey NYC fans support Boston"...it's not going to happen. Don't get me wrong though, these teams would make great rivalries.

If i had to make a list of potential cities i would support with all my heart, the list would include: Atlanta, Birmingham, Nashville, Charlotte, Greensboro (and the other North Carolina cities), Charleston, and Jacksonville (only because the northern part of florida is pretty southern and it's not far from where my sister lives).

Cities i would support, but would rather have a team closer are: Memphis, Virginia Beach, Jackson, Richmond, and Tulsa.