Re: FUNDS APPROVED! - Wizards Stadium Thread v8.4 As far as competing for soccer headlines, I can see it both ways. It might actually be perfect timing that the two events coincide. You might see it as "competing for soccer headlines", but the problem is that usually there are no soccer headlines to compete for. Except for during a World Cup, that is, when it seems that even people who are normally ambivalent about the sport are suddenly thinking and talking about it. That's a perfect time to build a connection between the excitement people are feeling toward the WC and the Wizards stadium/team. The perfect time for the opening would be right after the WC, with news of the stadium being released in a way that builds anticipation during the WC. Just not too long after the WC. We don't want to allow time for enthusiasm to wane. The first or second weekend after the final would be perfect.
Re: FUNDS APPROVED! - Wizards Stadium Thread v8.4 I agree to not agree with any of those ideas. I think any time near the end of the world cup or right after would be nice. Who knows what the schedule will be like by that year, maybe we will be in the playoffs as well.....World Cup is only time non-soccer maniacs watch soccer or at least know theres something big going on, may tempt them to come out. I'd imagine the opener will be sold out anyway, and surely be close to sold out for the remainder of the season. I don't think it makes a marketing difference. "June 25, 2006 In the Grand Opening match at TOYOTA PARK, an overflow crowd of 20,133 sees the "Men in Red" use goals by captain Chris Armas and midfielder Thiago to notch a 2-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls. " Thats a sellout, but the games following the Opening saw a drop. I will call FIFA today, to see if I can change up the World Cup Schedule, they usually get right back to me......so hang tight.
Re: FUNDS APPROVED! - Wizards Stadium Thread v8.4 However, the ESPNZone/Pub/Whatever it is should be open for all the people not travelling to South Africa. That would be a great way to introduce the stadium a little early without actually opening it.
Re: FUNDS APPROVED! - Wizards Stadium Thread v8.4 Can there be a better commercial for the stadium opening than the World Cup? It should be packed however many games we see there in 2010, esp if the KCW have another couple of good seasons! Fire up the Hype Machine. M.
Re: FUNDS APPROVED! - Wizards Stadium Thread v8.4 But so much of it isn't the least little bit funny. The hate and racism usually expressed in the comment sections is truly frightening.
Re: FUNDS APPROVED! - Wizards Stadium Thread v8.4 Again, the reason I'm waiting (but not holding my breath) for the Star to make you have to register to have to post comments.
Re: FUNDS APPROVED! - Wizards Stadium Thread v8.4 Congrats to your organization. Nothing better that I love to hear than a new stadium being approved. Can't wait to see it built. Every team deserves their own soccer specific stadium.
Re: FUNDS APPROVED! - Wizards Stadium Thread v8.4 This would be great because the WC is pretty much the only soccer event that ever hits the main-stream in the US. It's how a lot of people get into it...I know I've already said that it's how I got into soccer. If there had been a brand new soccer stadium in town right after the WC I would've definitely gone. Heck, it's why I went to my first Menace game...especially since it was the playoffs. All I know is that the Chiefs are depressing, the Royals forgot what the word 'playoff' means, and their rennovations will, hopefully, be done AFTER Hillcrest is completed, plus it'll be right after the WC. This may be happening at the perfect time...then again I might just be overly optimistic.
Re: FUNDS APPROVED! - Wizards Stadium Thread v8.4 My preference would be to open the stadium at the beginning of a new season rather than midway through. I can see the argument for trying to get a World Cup bounce, but is that too dependent on the US doing well? Hypothetically, if the US were to go 0-3 and come home early would that hurt a potential opening?
Re: FUNDS APPROVED! - Wizards Stadium Thread v8.4 I don't think so. I wish it were different, but most people in the US don't really care about the national team, they end up cheering for another country, anyways. Although, if the US does well I could see it impacting it a little.
Re: FUNDS APPROVED! - Wizards Stadium Thread v8.4 i disagree about this comment. i think people care every bit about our national soccer team as they do about our basketball team or any other type of national squad. the media doesn't give it the same treatment, but that's a foregone conclusion. also, those that you find cheering for another country are probably doing it as a second-team-type thing, but would choose the united states in head-to-head. obviously, there's exceptions like recent immigrants or clueless morons.
Re: FUNDS APPROVED! - Wizards Stadium Thread v8.4 You're both right. Head to head, and in general, people will root for the US team. However, there is a lot of interest in teams that aren't the US team. Partly, I think that there is a kind of vague expectation that the USMNT will not do very well. Partly, too, there is the idea that soccer is a Foreign Sport, therefore people look for a foreign team to follow. Also, the media do very little to promote interest in the team outside of the WC. That's just the way it is, unfortunately, but what's good is that every WC year, there are more people who are converted to fans, and some start following their local team. Mark, I hear what you are saying about ideally starting at the beginning of the season, but I thought that that ship had sailed. Even starting demo at the end of September we were saying that we were looking at May 2010 at the earliest. As it is, I reckon they'll have to hustle in order to even be ready by the end of July 2010.
Re: FUNDS APPROVED! - Wizards Stadium Thread v8.4 I'm sure he meant something like the beginning of the 2011 season.
Re: FUNDS APPROVED! - Wizards Stadium Thread v8.4 Not that it matters a whole lot cause it's not official renderings, but has anyone noticed how the new renditions of the stadium and surrounding area has a new stadium placeholder? This one more square than the one at the bottom of the Hillcrest Road blog? new old
Re: FUNDS APPROVED! - Wizards Stadium Thread v8.4 You're right. I read his post too fast the first time and missed that he said "a new season". Sorry, Mark, for the misunderstanding. Of course, that means that I have to out and out disagree. No way do I think we should wait for the following year if we can move in earlier. Look at the Salt Lakers. They only had a very few games in their new stadium this year, but it was a great success.
Re: FUNDS APPROVED! - Wizards Stadium Thread v8.4 I don't see that right now (on Hillcrest Road at least) - where did you get that from?
Re: FUNDS APPROVED! - Wizards Stadium Thread v8.4 The one I have marked as old is down at the bottom of the Hillcrest Road website. Just go and hit your end button and you'll see it. The one I have marked as new is on the Wizards website in the gallery for "New Wizards stadium plan approved" on the main page.
Re: FUNDS APPROVED! - Wizards Stadium Thread v8.4 Nice find- I see where one says "Preliminary Site Plan" While the newer one is simply "Site Plan". "I've got to spread reputation around"
Re: FUNDS APPROVED! - Wizards Stadium Thread v8.4 Covered the rep... Does not look like there is a roof over the Cauldron in this version.
Re: FUNDS APPROVED! - Wizards Stadium Thread v8.4 It also looks like there is a beach on the north side of the stadium.....maybe that will be the tailgate area. Sand, sun, and beer....can't beat that for a good party, right?
Re: FUNDS APPROVED! - Wizards Stadium Thread v8.4 Also, you'll notice that the buildings in the office complex just to the right of the stadium no longer cast a shadow! Either they've decided to install some serious artificial lighting around this area or this "office complex" has been moved *underground*.
Re: FUNDS APPROVED! - Wizards Stadium Thread v8.4 I wasn't being too serious, just did not put a smilie on it...