Jerkunica has lofty goals for pro soccer team

[Reignking]

http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2006/12/11/smallb4.html?b=1165813200^1387521

Jerkunica has lofty goals for pro soccer team

For Atlanta Silverbacks LLC owner and technology entrepreneur Boris Jerkunica, the pieces already have been set in motion to someday put soccer on the same playing field as the "Big Three" -- football, baseball and basketball.

The key word is "someday."

...

[BigKahuna]

http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2006/12/11/smallb4.html?b=1165813200^1387521

Jerkunica has lofty goals for pro soccer team

For Atlanta Silverbacks LLC owner and technology entrepreneur Boris Jerkunica, the pieces already have been set in motion to someday put soccer on the same playing field as the "Big Three" -- football, baseball and basketball.

The key word is "someday."

...

Awesome, I was looking for a full version of this article. Cheers.

[BigKahuna]

As the NFL was formed in 1970 by the merging of the American Football League and the National Football League, he believes a similar thing could happen with the MLS and the Silverbacks' United Soccer Leagues.

"We will go major league," he says.

Someday.


this is the most interesting part, really. Nothing else really remarkable except his idea of putting a pool on top of the bar....not a great idea, IMO.

My stance on the Silverbacks remains unchanged....I think they they would like to go to MLS one day, but not as it is right now. If they are losing money paying $7k a month in wages, imagine if he was paying out 25 times that?

They know it is slow and stable growth for the Backs, which I agree is best for them. But I also feel like there will be a race to get one of the 18 or 20 MLS teams, so unless a MLS/USL merger will happen in the next 10 years, we have to fight as if the Silverbacks aren't even in contention for MLS.

[MPoole]

This may be why we have never heard anything about an Atlanta MLS team...

I remember reading an article a year or two back, when Garber came to visit Atlanta. He spent a lot of time with Jerkunica and commended him on what he was doing with the Silverbacks and the stadium.

I wonder how much he knows and is not telling us? I have long thought about the MLS and USL merging as the MLS seems to be steering clear of the areas that have a strong USL team base (Rochester, Seattle, Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami) And including Toronto would be the MLS's equalizer for the Islanders in the USL. I just wish that the would do it all sooner. I know that it is far too early, and 2010 is probably too soon as well, but I want to watch some great soccer. I'm sorry to the Silverbacks, but right now they just are not generating top quality players. I think that that would be something that could change if they moved to the major leagues and got some TV time.

[AtlantaFan]

I have long thought about the MLS and USL merging as the MLS seems to be steering clear of the areas that have a strong USL team base (Rochester, Seattle, Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami) And including Toronto would be the MLS's equalizer for the Islanders in the USL.

MLS did not steer clear of Toronto's USL team, Lynx. It seemed like a strong USL fan base - had a radio deal, but I'm not sure if attendance was healthy.

[BigKahuna]

This may be why we have never heard anything about an Atlanta MLS team...

I remember reading an article a year or two back, when Garber came to visit Atlanta. He spent a lot of time with Jerkunica and commended him on what he was doing with the Silverbacks and the stadium.

I wonder how much he knows and is not telling us? I have long thought about the MLS and USL merging as the MLS seems to be steering clear of the areas that have a strong USL team base (Rochester, Seattle, Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami) And including Toronto would be the MLS's equalizer for the Islanders in the USL. I just wish that the would do it all sooner. I know that it is far too early, and 2010 is probably too soon as well, but I want to watch some great soccer. I'm sorry to the Silverbacks, but right now they just are not generating top quality players. I think that that would be something that could change if they moved to the major leagues and got some TV time.

I feel like it'd be bitersweet if the Backs became our MLS Representative. Yes, I would be beyond happy, but I've been to many games and I just can't seem to get pumped for their kiddy atmosphere. I don' know...its still so early for the Backs, so I'll give them a few years before passing judgment.

[MPoole]

I feel like it'd be bitersweet if the Backs became our MLS Representative. Yes, I would be beyond happy, but I've been to many games and I just can't seem to get pumped for their kiddy atmosphere.


I have to agree with you, but I think that the Silverbacks coule become so much more with very little effort.

#1- the mascot has to go.

Even as far as mascots go, he's a poor attempt. For a better, more aggressive, adult version of the brand all I really have to look for is the Ghost t-shirt they had a year or so back. That was a great look, just the silouette of the Gorilla with red eyes.

There is so much that you can do with the Silverbacks theme. Get one of those scoreboards that can show video like the Braves have. Whenever the keeper makes a great save they can play the video from Disney's Bedknobs and Broomsticks where they are in a soccer match against the inhabitants of the Island of Nabombu. (for those of you who never saw that classic film, the keeper is a gorilla who hangs from the crossbar and slaps the ball away.) It would be just as good for the kids, and it would just be a great celebratory graphic for everyone. The gorilla doesn't have to be cute either. A gorilla can be a strong, intimidating image as well.

[Eleven Bravo]

I feel like it'd be bitersweet if the Backs became our MLS Representative. Yes, I would be beyond happy, but I've been to many games and I just can't seem to get pumped for their kiddy atmosphere. I don' know...its still so early for the Backs, so I'll give them a few years before passing judgment.

does the Silverbacks give military and college discounts already? maybe in the stage it's in now, it's not the best timing, but when the stadium goes up to 8,000-20,000 i would think it would be absolutely essential.

And that would definately help it avoid the kiddy atmosphere.

[Eleven Bravo]

This may be why we have never heard anything about an Atlanta MLS team...

I remember reading an article a year or two back, when Garber came to visit Atlanta. He spent a lot of time with Jerkunica and commended him on what he was doing with the Silverbacks and the stadium.

I wonder how much he knows and is not telling us? I have long thought about the MLS and USL merging as the MLS seems to be steering clear of the areas that have a strong USL team base (Rochester, Seattle, Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami) And including Toronto would be the MLS's equalizer for the Islanders in the USL. I just wish that the would do it all sooner. I know that it is far too early, and 2010 is probably too soon as well, but I want to watch some great soccer. I'm sorry to the Silverbacks, but right now they just are not generating top quality players. I think that that would be something that could change if they moved to the major leagues and got some TV time.

I agree. I think a lot of things that are handicapping the Backs right now:

A) poor advertising. Granted, i don't live in Atlanta, but i've never seen or heard anything on the TV, radio, or newspaper about the Silverbacks. And the far majority of people that would be willing to go to the games are not going to search out information about the team as much as i am.

*that brings up another point, the Silverbacks really need to try and include all of Georgia and as many southern fans as possible.

B) the fact the majority of players are not from the south. You can say what you want, but southerners (or any one for that matter) are going to be more willing to want to watch local talent than a bunch of second tier guys who have no tie to the region. It's why college football is more popular than pro football. And unless it's Ronaldo or a group of guys that can dominate the league than don't expect to impress too many people.

*I will say that Ukah, Jarun, McLaughlin, and McManus are good local signings though. Even though McLaughlin and McManus aren't from Georgia, they're good signings because like how Chelsea, Real Madrid, Man Utd, etc.. go after players that will help them market the team, they'll help us tap into the Alabama and Tennessee market.

*Markets i'd go hard after:
1) Atlanta
2) rest of Georgia
3) Alabama
4) Tennessee
5) Mississippi

*Other markets i'd try to tap into:
1) Northern Florida
2) South Carolina
3) North Carolina
4) Kentucky
5) Arkansas
6) Louisiania

Hopefully, with the longer the PDL and youth teams are around the more local talent will be involved. This will definately help attendance.

C) the fact that it's second division sport that already struggles in this country competing with top division talent. say what you want, but Atlanta can have as many fans as anybody else in the country...the thing is that you have to use your brain!!!

I'd be willing to bet more kids are playing soccer in Georgia than any other sport, and they would be more willing to follow soccer if they could follow top level soccer on a more often basis than every 4 years for the world cup.

I could go all day on this topic, but i'm sure you get the general idea that the fanbase is there just they're not going to show up if you don't try to reach out to them. Take this for example, my brother-in-law is a sports fanatic and watched every game of the world cup with me and would be willing to go to MLS games, but why would he want to go to a second division Silverbacks game in front of a crowd of 2,000 over a Bulldogs game in front of 90,000 that offers more of the "sports atmosphere". And the majority of the guys i played soccer with feel the same way. So if you want to tap into a larger market than you're going to have to be a little bit more aggressive.

[Eleven Bravo]

I have to agree with you, but I think that the Silverbacks coule become so much more with very little effort.

#1- the mascot has to go.

Even as far as mascots go, he's a poor attempt. For a better, more aggressive, adult version of the brand all I really have to look for is the Ghost t-shirt they had a year or so back. That was a great look, just the silouette of the Gorilla with red eyes.

There is so much that you can do with the Silverbacks theme. Get one of those scoreboards that can show video like the Braves have. Whenever the keeper makes a great save they can play the video from Disney's Bedknobs and Broomsticks where they are in a soccer match against the inhabitants of the Island of Nabombu. (for those of you who never saw that classic film, the keeper is a gorilla who hangs from the crossbar and slaps the ball away.) It would be just as good for the kids, and it would just be a great celebratory graphic for everyone. The gorilla doesn't have to be cute either. A gorilla can be a strong, intimidating image as well.

I'd like to see that video scoreboard too...much more than i would rather see a pool on top of a sports bar.

As far as the mascot, well, i don't know...i think a mascot is ok if you can make him a marketable figure. you don't want to completely ignore the youth.

[Eleven Bravo]

this is the most interesting part, really. Nothing else really remarkable except his idea of putting a pool on top of the bar....not a great idea, IMO.

My stance on the Silverbacks remains unchanged....I think they they would like to go to MLS one day, but not as it is right now. If they are losing money paying $7k a month in wages, imagine if he was paying out 25 times that?

They know it is slow and stable growth for the Backs, which I agree is best for them. But I also feel like there will be a race to get one of the 18 or 20 MLS teams, so unless a MLS/USL merger will happen in the next 10 years, we have to fight as if the Silverbacks aren't even in contention for MLS.


Now Jerkunica is a grown ass man and can do whatever he wants with his money...but that is the DUMBEST idea i've ever heard of before in my entire human life. It's pratically the same as flushing your money down the toilet. Not saying he shouldn't do it ever (even though i never would.) But there are so many things that need to be done to help advertise the club. Most importantly, advertising and having a online webcast of the games (SilverbacksTV) & press coverage. (If i were Jerkunica, i'd charge like $20 dollars for a season pass or $3 a game.)

You have to take for example that the Silverbacks could tap into all of Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee...maybe some fans from Mississippi... possibly Louisiania, Arkansas, and Kentucky.... compete with fans from Florida (northern), South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia (southern). That's a lot more than 99% of teams around the world can say. That's why it's so important to the club's success.

Yeah, it might be expensive, but i truly in the depths of my heart think it will pay off and then give some. Marketing is one of the Braves best tools to make their money, and if you want to take a lesson from how the Braves became so successful than i think this would really help the club financially. Now we don't have the TV deals that the Braves have (and we won't even have a chance unless we're in the top division) but you have to think what can be done for these potential fans to still be able to watch the games. Otherwise, you are just going to continue to compete in a swamped market when you're not offering a top quality product.

I will say this though, i'd try to reach out to these fans first so that they know that the Silverbacks want their business. For example, in the preseason i'd try to have a tour of the south (and maybe a few countries...primarily central america and the caribbean) in the areas i'd try to tap into. Basically, have a "jamboree" of games (invite some college teams and other pro teams) to show the fans that your interested in them. And in all reality, it'd be a good way to raise money. Set up a place for concessions and sales and watch the club's bankroll and popularity grow!!!

[Reignking]

You have to take for example that the Silverbacks could tap into all of Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee...maybe some fans from Mississippi... possibly Louisiania, Arkansas, and Kentucky.... compete with fans from Florida (northern), South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia (southern). That's a lot more than 99% of teams around the world can say. That's why it's so important to the club's success.


You think people are going to travel to see minor league soccer with players that no one has ever heard of?

Besides, there are minor league teams in both of the Carolinas and Virginia, off of the top of my head. And if you think southerners are the only ones in Atlanta, you really haven't been here. What about all of the Latinos, for example? Besides, I would argue that college football is more popular in the south because that is all they had for the longest time.

There is -no- advertising in Atlanta -- it wasn't even news when the new stadium opened.

[Eleven Bravo]

You think people are going to travel to see minor league soccer with players that no one has ever heard of?

Besides, there are minor league teams in both of the Carolinas and Virginia, off of the top of my head. And if you think southerners are the only ones in Atlanta, you really haven't been here. What about all of the Latinos, for example? Besides, I would argue that college football is more popular in the south because that is all they had for the longest time.

There is -no- advertising in Atlanta -- it wasn't even news when the new stadium opened.

I'm not talking about traveling or boosting attendance. I'm talking about them buying stuff and paying to watch the games from the website. And if they're in town, they might decide to go to a game because they've been following them for a longer time.

By the way, i know that Atlanta isn't 100% southern. But that doesn't mean you go off ignoring the whole enitre southern base because they make up a lot of the Atlanta sports team territory (look at the range the Braves have! from MS straight through to NC). I don't understand why some people only concern themselves with attendance. merchandising, new sponsors, and people paying to watch the games on the website will dramatically help improve the club. But you can't get fixated on making the Silverbacks a community-only club.

Now i'm NOT saying that poor attendance is ok. And that's why there should be better advertising in the actual city of Atlanta. The things i would like to see are more billboards, get on spanish radio, military and college student discounts, etc...

one other thing that should be done is the Silverbacks staff need to go to all the major condos and business areas (malls, parks, etc...) and try and sell tickets. Because the simple fact is that most fans are going too be lazy to hunt down tickets to go the game. The Silverbacks need to keep in the public's face as much as possible until they start to sell out every game. Hell, you could get your youth teams to go out there and do it if there's no one else.

In other words, if the Silverbacks can't afford to get on TV, newspapers, and radio than they shouldn't just say "oh sh1t! we suck again!" no, they need to get out and actually make people realize there is a team in place. And you can say what you want for those who get offended by how i'm saying the Backs do a poor job advertising, but i have most of family that live in Atlanta and i have never seen or heard anything about the team that i didn't try to hunt down myself.

edit-but you're right about the fact that most of the fans aren't going to want to come to a second division game...so it probably applies more for an MLS team. However, it just depends on how much Jerkunica wants to dominate the region.

[Reignking]

The Braves dominate the south because they were the only team around! Just like the Redskins dominated from DC down through the Carolinas until recently.

If I were going to go to a game, I'd just buy the ticket at the stadium, like I always did with DCU.

I was extremely disappointed that the new stadium got zero publicity...just as the Honduras/Guatemala game got zero, as well (except for Spanish-language media, which I don't read, although I do speak Spanish).

If they don't advertise in Atlanta, they won't advertise anywhere else. Nor should they waste their marketing dollars on it.

[Eleven Bravo]

The Braves dominate the south because they were the only team around! Just like the Redskins dominated from DC down through the Carolinas until recently.

If I were going to go to a game, I'd just buy the ticket at the stadium, like I always did with DCU.

I was extremely disappointed that the new stadium got zero publicity...just as the Honduras/Guatemala game got zero, as well (except for Spanish-language media, which I don't read, although I do speak Spanish).

If they don't advertise in Atlanta, they won't advertise anywhere else. Nor should they waste their marketing dollars on it.

I think it'd be a waste of money to market there NOW but if they were to put a webcast on their website that people could pay to watch the games than they would have to market the team to more people.

The good thing about the webcast is pleases the local fans (for away games) and nonlocal fans (where it's an inconvienence to come see all the games, but would be willing to dedicate an hour and half to watch a game a week). Not only that it creates a buzz around the website if you were to put press coverage, and the more people you have visiting your website the more likely they will be to buy tickets, do some online shopping, possibly volunteer to help out the club, etc...

[BigKahuna]

does the Silverbacks give military and college discounts already? maybe in the stage it's in now, it's not the best timing, but when the stadium goes up to 8,000-20,000 i would think it would be absolutely essential.

And that would definately help it avoid the kiddy atmosphere.

No, they don't.

[Eleven Bravo]

No, they don't.

well, that's about as dumb as the pool on top of the bar idea.

I'd imagine if the Silverbacks were a little more aggressive with their marketing, they'd sell out every game.

[ChuckA]

well, that's about as dumb as the pool on top of the bar idea.

I'd imagine if the Silverbacks were a little more aggressive with their marketing, they'd sell out every game.

They gave away free beer for years for an prior to the game.

They did free face paintings for the kids. My kids wanted to go to the game just because the face paintings were so cool. The wife and I loved the free beer.

All this and they only drew about 2,500 when they were lucky.

They have signed local talent. Jordy played for about three years and he was from Dunwoody HS. Nusum went to Furman Univ. Until recently, the Braves had no one but Chipper from the south. How many southerners do the Thrashers or Gladiators have?

The Braves became popular in the south when Turner bought the Braves and put all 162 games on TBS. The entire south, and most of the country got TBS. They also got WSB after dark, so they could listen to the game on the radio when they weren't in front of the TV.

If the 'backs go to MLS, and a certain part of me hopes they don't unless they get rid of single entity, the revenue stream will change dramatically. First, they will be playing in a much larger stadium and will be receiving more in ticket sales.

The new MLS TV package actually pays MLS for showing the games. USL pays FSC to air their games. Someone made the comment that the 'backs would be much better off if they played on TV. I've watched at least one or two games per year on TV. It's not every week, but they are on TV.

[BigKahuna]

How many southerners do the Thrashers or Gladiators have?


You know, that has always bothered me about hockey. How many AMERICANS are on the Thrashers?

Couldn't ever get into that sport, to be honest.

[Eleven Bravo]

You know, that has always bothered me about hockey. How many AMERICANS are on the Thrashers?

Couldn't ever get into that sport, to be honest.

That's what's wrong with pro sports in America. not enough local players. i know I'd much rather watch college football where the players are actually from or close to where they play.

Hopefully, with the Silverbacks PDL and youth teams they'll be likely to get a few from there??? are there any kids that are good enough on the PDL team?

oh! and whoever thought of hockey in Georgia must have been off their rocker. what next? a jamaican bobsled team?