I have the photo taken at the home match against Dallas in August 2004 in which the Quakes were wearing retro red kits. Your snark is misplaced.
John Todd has been the San Jose Clash/Earthquakes team photographer since very early on, maybe 1996. John almost certainly took a photo of the banner at Spartan Stadium. I can't find the photo at either John Todd's ISIphotos or on Getty Images (who the photo might have gone to as WireImage (later acquired by Getty) was the league's official photo agency in 2004.) It's not totally surprising as most images from the 2004 season are no longer available in either archive. I shot the 2004 USOC Final for the Chicago Fire and the 2005 SuperDraft for the league, and only a handful of shots from each of those remains online in the Getty archive.
I agree, but how do you even measure any of that? This was always the sticky thing of the Modell thing, it could come down to the complete opinion of some judge as to whether a weird and ambiguously written curio of a state law had been met or not. The unknown here would certainly scare any major investor. Whether it could actually have held up over the long haul, well I have my doubts. But, MLS and PSV certainly didn't want to waste time and money figuring that out.
Well it would be interesting to ask Garber or some others to see how much it actually affected things... conversely it may have also palyed a part in getting investors in Ohio to pay attention. I am not sure the Modell law would be or can be so effective... aside from creating some timing to shop around a team which would be easier in MLB, NHL, NFL, and NBA than it would be MLS, or really any league with less central control. In the end if a business isn't working, it won't work, no matter if you hold the owner hostage to it. A possible unfortunate outcome could have occurred if MLS and soccer in the USA were not in the ascendency... and Columbus was certainly saved because MLS has become a prized commodity among the richest class. But, imagine if MLS were still 20 years in but not seeing the kind of economics and success that they are currently. Let's say PSV bought the team in this unstable time, and was still bleeding out money with no light in sight. His only shot is moving the team, but the ghost of Modell haunts Ohio. Somehow, the law holds and forces the team to stay. PSV are now in a lose, lose. No one wants to buy, and they can't move (honestly I don't believe the law could do this, but lets play out a hypothetical). PSV has two options, continue to operate a team at a significant loss, or fold the team and walk away. Anyway, it easy to see where an ironclad Modell law could essentially end a team anyway, or provoke a significant law suit against a city or state... for a pro sports team. Unfortunately the Modell is poorly thought through and worded. A better law would call for a period for entertaining offers like Modell, but with clearer parameters and then some kind of renumeration of tax benefits to the local government to make a move. In the end the Modell law was a vanity law, that plays well among Ohio fans, but probably has no bite. It is interesting to analysis its role in the whole Crew process, and it certainly played some kind of role, maybe more than we think because MLS is still small potatos. In the end we never got a final ruling, and I am sure the judge in question is probably happy he didn't have to rule.
This hypothetical doesn't make sense. If nobody wants to buy, the Modell law allows a move after six months notice is given.
It feels to me that these two sentences contradict each other. A vanity law vs. role, maybe more than we think.
Your takes on this have been almost universally poor from the start. Showing a lack of knowledge about the situation in Columbus, the Modell law, past statements by Precourt/Garber, and on and on. I will say this, at least you are consistent! On MLS & Modell, even if it was a huge factor in the Crew staying (and it was, anyone who thinks otherwise is just burying their head in the sand), there is no way MLS would admit that in a public forum.
From the other day: https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2018-10-19/mls-in-austin-someday-someway/ The last quote sums it up very well: ...but Pool said it would benefit the city, because Precourt acted "as if he had a team to bring to Austin" and that he needed to do so under a strict deadline. The news Friday has left a bad taste in Pool's mouth: "I just don't find Precourt to be especially trustworthy as a partner."
Yes, I know. I think you missed my point, which was about a potential "ironclad" type of Modell law in every state. One could certainly conceive of certain states over reaching on such a law in a way that could be bad for the business of professional sports. You'll note I suggest that at least financial renumeration is made for entities that lose out financially to a franchise relocation.
I am one for nuance, especially when we don't have much info to work on. For me thats the big question, how much of a role did the Modell law play in influencing the sale here? The Modell Law always struck me as a kind of vanity law, something lawmakers did to curry a brief celebrity by showing they were going to stick up for the little guy sports fan. Its vagueness almost feels symbolic. Anyone know some of the history of its instigation?
Hmmmmmm. The entire post was a hypothetical about another poster's idea of Modell laws across the country. It was guessing in thin air, because I don't really think most states would pass such a law. Many government's entire game plan is tax breaks for businesses. And I never said it didn't have a role, I just wonder in the complexity of it all how much of a role it did have?!!?!?!?!?! Lighten up.
Possibly, but there were quotes from other city officials basically seeing this as positive news assuring Austin gets a team. Politicians tend to have their angles and agendas. If Pool scuttles the deal, there is plenty of time to find another site. If I was a betting man, I would put money on MLS being in Austin by 2021.
Let’s bet. The Austin people running their mouths on twitter deleted their accounts when they lost a bet with me about the Crew moving, maybe you will be the stand-up Austin person when you lose? You buy me season tickets in Columbus if Precourt doesn’t field a team by 2021, I’ll do the same for you if he does. Deal?
I do think this is an interesting question... Did the Modell Law and the lawsuit have any real consequence? Probably the best answer we'll get will be in Miki Turner's book. But, in the least, it created an environment where MLS had to listen to offers. MLS's single entity structure and current expansion mode propably helped... Since the league owns the teams, and adding teams, creating a team whole cloth in Austin for Precourt and leaving a team in Columbus with new investor was possible. So, this situation was unique amongst professional sports leagues. I doubt the NFL would create a team under similar a situation, but MLB might. Big, it's hard to ignore other factors... The #SaveTheCrew movement mobilized a lot of people, created buzz, and built a long list of potential season ticket holders. Then there is Austin... It's hard from a distance to gage interest there, but it seems like they were hard pressed to get large groups of supporters. The hipster 6 meme existed for a reason. To cover the idea of a failing team... Much of Precourt's issues were self inflicted. He didn't relate well with the business community in Columbus. In his defense, there was friction there from issues with Lamar Hunt, who did at least try to maintain relationships. There is a story of Precourt making potential sponsors pick up their checks at a dinner he threw for them. Even so, until this year, and the announcement of the move, attendance was consistent. So, let's see what attendance and local business support is like over the next few years.
And like everything the devil is in the details. If a Missouri "Modell Law" had prevented the Wizards from moving to Kansas - because of the public investment in the HST Sports Complex - the other option would probably have been to have the team fold. Instead the team is still in the same "city" and serving the same fans, just from the other side of state line. Unintended consequences are also a risk. I guess FCC is stuck forever more on the north bank of the Ohio River.
Art Modell was the owner of an NFL team called the Cleveland Browns. After what could only be called a series if owner induced financial issues, Art Modell started to look fondly at Baltimore. Halfway through the 1995 season, Modell declared ge was outta here and the next day voters approved $175m in stadium renovations, but, alas, it was not to be, Modell was still leaving. But he still had three years left on his lease with the city, which promotly sued his ass.. As the lawsuit dragged on, the sides decided to settle and Modell moved the team to Baltimore, but gave the city a cool $9.5 million, and left behind the name, brand, and history. This, understandably, angered people and the Ohio legislature passed the Modell law.
That happened 23 years ago, Dave... I’m not sure anyone under 40 that isn’t from the Ohio area would necessary know the history...