Mark McCullers: Will he be employed this entire season?

Flyer Fan · Mar 10, 2014

Let's have a little chat about Mark McCullers, shall we? When Anthony Precourt hired Gregg Berhalter and gave him the sporting director title, McCullers graciously "stepped aside" from GM duties to assume the role of President, focusing exclusively on the business side of the organization. Prior to Berhalter's arrival McCullers, as business buzzword lovers are wont to say, wore many hats: he was responsible for both on- and off-field efforts.

From a business perspective, McCullers and the Crew can claim a number of successes. In fact, they do just that on his about page on the team's web site. One can read about the accomplishments there if so inclined and, to be fair, those accomplishments should not be ignored.

However, for years the Crew organization - McCullers specifically - has been publicly touting three key areas necessary for the organization to be successful: jersey/presenting sponsor, stadium naming rights, and a season ticket base of at least 10,000 by 2012. To date, the organization has failed to achieve two of the three goals. The team is currently on its second uniform sponsor, and Barbasol appears to be the perfect marriage of a company with local ties looking to become more known. Stadium naming rights have been discussed for years as a key component to the organization's success but, despite companies "kicking the tires," it is still a goal unfulfilled. Finally, Goal 10K was announced in September 2011 - co-opting the supporters' term "massive" - yet even last year McCullers confirmed to Adam Jardy the team hoped to surpass 7,000 season tickets in 2013; 70% to the goal past the goal's stated achievement date.

While batting .333 might get you into Cooperstown, is it enough for the team's business leader to keep his job? He has thus far failed to deliver on two of the three publicly-stated major foundations for the organization's success, and that doesn't even bring into consideration the team's unfulfilled goal of a new training facility and something recently about a new TV deal. It is fair to say there are circumstances which the team can use as a hat hanger - namely, the "economic downturn" - but as the team's business leader it is also fair, in my opinion, to question McCullers's continued employment.

cleazer · Mar 10, 2014

I thought Goal 10K was more open-ended.

Lucky Day · Mar 10, 2014

cleazer said: ↑

I thought Goal 10K was more open-ended.
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When it was first announced they said they had planned on getting there by 2012, but as time has passed they've just basically said "we're working towards it".

hardhead · Mar 10, 2014

To add:

Dave Greeley, former Chicago Fire President, is one of Precourt's closest advisors and on the PSV payroll. The Crew restructured their organization in a way that Greeley restructured Chicago. It was Greeley who accompanied Precourt to KC for the all-star game and owners meetings last season after he purchased the club.

I've discussed this a few times on the board, but I think McCullers was kept on for continuity and to connect the new administration in with the local ties, but I predict he'll be gone and probably replaced with Greeley no later than first kick 2015.

ZipSix · Mar 10, 2014

I just want to publicly thank Mark for his contributions to the club and wish him well in his future endeavors.

Mark, we'll always have 2008, but the Warzycha extension, the season ticket holder scores fiasco and the new TV contract which blacks out half the fan base are strikes 1, 2 and 3.

kgilbert78 · Mar 10, 2014

hardhead said: ↑

To add:

Dave Greeley, former Chicago Fire President, is one of Precourt's closest advisors and on the PSV payroll. The Crew restructured their organization in a way that Greeley restructured Chicago. It was Greeley who accompanied Precourt to KC for the all-star game and owners meetings last season after he purchased the club.

I've discussed this a few times on the board, but I think McCullers was kept on for continuity and to connect the new administration in with the local ties, but I predict he'll be gone and probably replaced with Greeley no later than first kick 2015.
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I thought the same thing from the start of the Precourt era. But I was not aware of this. So it makes even more sense.

Crewster · Mar 10, 2014

Does anyone have any evidence that McCullers is not doing exactly what Precourt wants done? If there is none, why would he be fired?

the_rickler · Mar 10, 2014

The Crew name outside of Columbus is almost non existent. I lived in Nelsonville most of my life and spent a lot of time in both Athens, Logan, and Lancaster and there is almost no mention of The Crew in these areas. I'm sure this is also true the further north of 270 as well. Also you would have figured we would have had sold the stadium naming rights by now after 15 years.

kenntomasch · Mar 10, 2014

hardhead said: ↑

To add:

Dave Greeley, former Chicago Fire President, is one of Precourt's closest advisors and on the PSV payroll. The Crew restructured their organization in a way that Greeley restructured Chicago. It was Greeley who accompanied Precourt to KC for the all-star game and owners meetings last season after he purchased the club.

I've discussed this a few times on the board, but I think McCullers was kept on for continuity and to connect the new administration in with the local ties, but I predict he'll be gone and probably replaced with Greeley no later than first kick 2015.
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Well, you guys are in trouble, then.

Lucky Day · Mar 10, 2014

the_rickler said: ↑

The Crew name outside of Columbus is almost non existent. I lived in Nelsonville most of my life and spent a lot of time in both Athens, Logan, and Lancaster and there is almost no mention of The Crew in these areas. I'm sure this is also true the further north of 270 as well. Also you would have figured we would have had sold the stadium naming rights by now after 15 years.
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To be fair, I doubt most big teams try to increase exposure to those areas since nobody lives there.

It's more of a problem that people in Columbus, Cincy, and Cleveland still barely know who The Crew is.

mateo319 · Mar 10, 2014

kenntomasch said: ↑

Well, you guys are in trouble, then.
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He sounds like a charmer. http://chicagoprowomenssoccer.blogspot.com/2008/08/we-meet-again.html

KCbus · Mar 10, 2014

Crewster said: ↑

Does anyone have any evidence that McCullers is not doing exactly what Precourt wants done? If there is none, why would he be fired?
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I had that thought.

I have a hard time believing that McCullers is such a complete blithering idiot that he would make a deal like this and not give Precourt any indication of what was coming.

POdinCowtown · Mar 10, 2014

KCbus said: ↑

I had that thought.

I have a hard time believing that McCullers is such a complete blithering idiot that he would make a deal like this and not give Precourt any indication of what was coming.
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It's hard to imagine MM didn't keep AP in the loop on the negotiations and that they were going with TWC which would draw some flack. They were probably surprised by how much though.

Hamburgler03 · Mar 10, 2014

But if MM is reporting 90% or 70% coverage by Time Warner, it could also be seen that this is not such a big deal.

HardHatMike · Mar 10, 2014

Why in the name of Schelotto and all that is good and holy is this not called the "Fire McCullers Thread"? There is tradition to uphold here, people.

Flyer Fan · Mar 10, 2014

HardHatMike said: ↑

Why in the name of Schelotto and all that is good and holy is this not called the "Fire McCullers Thread"? There is tradition to uphold here, people.
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I'm kinder and gentler...

Ch(Elsey) · Mar 10, 2014

HardHatMike said: ↑

Why in the name of Schelotto and all that is good and holy is this not called the "Fire McCullers Thread"? There is tradition to uphold here, people.
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Sack McCullers clap clap clap

HardHatMike · Mar 10, 2014

Get your pink slips ready, girl.

ZipSix · Mar 10, 2014

How many people in the 2006 Northend last game with McCullers photo (featured in A Massive Season) now want McCullers to be sacked?

HardHatMike · Mar 10, 2014

(Raises hand)

TrueCrew · Mar 10, 2014

Ch(Elsey) said: ↑

Sack McCullers clap clap clap
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"If the club pres is an ass clap your hands

If he lies to the fans clap your hands

If you want him fired and you know it

There's one way to surely show it

If you want McCullers fired clap you hands. "

First two lines could use improving.

Maybe the Nordecke should all wear blindfolds to the game.

Lucky Day · Mar 10, 2014

TrueCrew said: ↑

Maybe the Nordecke should all wear blindfolds to the game.
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Would be easier and less props for everyone to just cover their eyes for a portion and be silent.

Maybe a banner with a weeping angel with a Crew shirt on. Somebody had a Cyberman last year, so I know someone's got it in them.

kenntomasch · Mar 11, 2014

mateo319 said: ↑

He sounds like a charmer. http://chicagoprowomenssoccer.blogspot.com/2008/08/we-meet-again.html
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Yeah, and it apparently got worse from there.

i also want to say that i truly hope Dave immerses himself in the culture of the Fire and soccer, learns the sport and leads the Fire to more successes on and off the field.
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He actually did none of those things.

mateo319 · Mar 11, 2014

kenntomasch said: ↑

Yeah, and it apparently got worse from there.

He actually did none of those things.
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Love that the Fire fans don't seem to know *what* he actually did.

https://www.bigsoccer.com/community/threads/greeley-out.1508300/

From that thread, a video in which Greely comes off like a Grade A Douche:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid62129015001?bctid=88503750001

kenntomasch · Mar 11, 2014

All those things are true.