[Jasonma]

*Mods, I wasn't sure if this was N&A or General. There are a number of posters here though who wonder about Kroenke and his plans for the Rapids though, especially with his moves with Arsenal, so I thought it would be of interest*

http://fcdenver.org/blog/index.php/2...plushs-letter/

This is a recounting of a conversation with somebody in KSE but not involved with the Rapids and how they see the Rapids being run.

[GVPATS77]

Thank you for this. Nothing really that enlightening, but it more or less confirms the general thoughts here on BS that the teams struggling at the gate are the same teams that aren't getting support at the FO level.

[Revolt]

Interesting read.

The anonymous source makes a good point about the marketing and marketable players. I always thought the club really screwed up when the they traded Balboa a long time ago.

However, the correct answer to Colorado's attendance woes may be combination of marketing, marketable players AND good play.

[DoctorD]

I agree with the comments on the non-benefits of "increased quality of play". There is a lot of moaning here that if only the league increased the quality of play, then attendances would soar. While the quality of play has increased, there is only a slight correlation with attendance, not just in Colorado. What puts butts in the seats is, sadly enough, famous overseas stars. The cognoscenti here look down on those who only come to the game to see Beckham, but in reality they are no better. Instead, they will only come to MLS if it signs some coverboy from 4-1-1 or the Argentine equivalent.

I suspect that one of the lessons MLS learned in its first five years is that attendance per marketing dollar is a lot less than in the NFL, MLB, or NBA. Now once you do turn someone into a fan, they are very loyal. Dealing with the American soccer fan is as bad as dealing with a Japanese customer.

[soccermaul]

Originally Posted by Revolt

Interesting read.

The anonymous source makes a good point about the marketing and marketable players. I always thought the club really screwed up when the they traded Balboa a long time ago.

However, the correct answer to Colorado's attendance woes may be combination of marketing, marketable players AND good play.

Could they bring Balboa back, may be....

[DoctorD]

Originally Posted by soccermaul

Could they bring Balboa back, may be....

Anything to get him out of the broadcast booth.

[mpruitt]

That seems to be the trend with Kroenke. When I asked her what she thinks about Kroenke buying more stock in Arsenal. She replied “good for him” but right now I have no 401K, no bonus, no staff, no budget, no raise, etc. But she conceded that she is one of the lucky ones at Kroenke. Kroenke had to lay off a lot of people to raise enough cash to get a controlling stake at Arsenal.

Emphasis added.

This is a completely bullshit statement. Kroenke isn't investing in the Rapids or Arsenal as a benefactor. He's doing it as a sportsman and a business owner. Businessmen and women make decisions all the time as where to allocate their resources. It's unfortunate that the Rapids organizaion and marketing staff is underpaid and underfunded. But she's right that she's lucky to still be employed.

In effect pouring more money into Arsenal is a defensive investment. In economic downturns that's what smart investors do, they put their funds in established and more conservative investments.

Like it or not MLS and the rapids are still in a high risk/high reward investment growth phase. His investment in Arsenal has nothing to do with her 401k.

It's surprising that they wouldn't take the opportunity to market in and around a new stadium but it's awfully short sited to call their new stadium a "bust." That stadium is going to be around a heck of a lot longer than this current economic downturn.

Moreover, as a fan of a team that desperately needs a stadium all this whinning about not having enough resources makes me want to puke.

[garnet&blackattack]

Originally Posted by mpruitt

Emphasis added.

This is a completely bullshit statement. Kroenke isn't investing in the Rapids or Arsenal as a benefactor. He's doing it as a sportsman and a business owner. Businessmen and women make decisions all the time as where to allocate their resources. It's unfortunate that the Rapids personally and marketing staff is underpaid and underfunded. But she's right that she's lucky to still be employed.

In effect pouring more money into Arsenal is a defensive investment. In economic downturns that's what smart investors do, they put their funds in established and more conservative investments.

Like it or not MLS and the rapids are still in a high risk/high reward investment growth phase. His investment in Arsenal has nothing to do with her 401k.

It's surprising that they wouldn't take the opportunity to market in and around a new stadium but it's awfully short sited to call their new stadium a "bust." That stadium is going to be around a heck of a lot longer than this current economic downturn.

Moreover, as a fan of a team that desperately needs a stadium all this whinning about not having enough resources makes me want to puke.

True. New England is one of the few teams that might be worse off than Colorado as far as upper-management goes (although. at least they have stability and winning ways.)

[Autogolazo]

Originally Posted by garnet&blackattack

winning ways.

42 pts. vs. 40 pts. Yee-haw.

[lala1174]

Originally Posted by mpruitt

Emphasis added.

This is a completely bullshit statement. Kroenke isn't investing in the Rapids or Arsenal as a benefactor. He's doing it as a sportsman and a business owner. Businessmen and women make decisions all the time as where to allocate their resources. It's unfortunate that the Rapids personally and marketing staff is underpaid and underfunded. But she's right that she's lucky to still be employed.

In effect pouring more money into Arsenal is a defensive investment. In economic downturns that's what smart investors do, they put their funds in established and more conservative investments.

Like it or not MLS and the rapids are still in a high risk/high reward investment growth phase. His investment in Arsenal has nothing to do with her 401k.

It's surprising that they wouldn't take the opportunity to market in and around a new stadium but it's awfully short sited to call their new stadium a "bust." That stadium is going to be around a heck of a lot longer than this current economic downturn.

Moreover, as a fan of a team that desperately needs a stadium all this whinning about not having enough resources makes me want to puke.

MLS is way past that phase. If Kroenke wanted out he could sell the team for at least $35m. The only high risk for him and the Hunts and Kraft is not spending any $ on the club (on and off the field) and hoping all the hard work by TFC, Seattle, Philly, Vancouver, LA, etc lifts their franchise value.