News: USL Pro News 2011 Season [R]

In fairness to the Stars, weren't they forced to promote themselves to the next level, against their better judgement? Or is my memory going kaput?

 

You answered your own question, but are unwilling to accept what that answer means. Higher and better finances mean higher quality players, coaches and programs. Yes the league is in its infancy now and has many more hurdles to overcome, but you are looking at the situation in a vacuum. There is a similar level of play now between some markets in the USLpro and NASL, but that will change quickly the longer the NASL survives.

2000 x $12 = $24,000 extra revenue per game just from ticket sales
$24,000 x 16 = $384,000 extra revenue/ season in a 9 team league w/16 home games

Figure extra parking, concessions and merchandise from those 2k more fans pushes that easily past $400k for the season. Average ticket price would probably be a little higher and average attendance likely would be higher than 6k based on how Rochester has historically been capable of performing.

Is your 2k increase in attendance still a sarcastic "woopie" for you?

They'd be losing money, but you'll have to provide some decent evidence that it'd be significantly more. Especially since you grant them a minimum 2k attendance boost by moving back to D2.

yes, because Montreal is setting the standard of play and style this year so far.

Agreed.


Will just say that if a D2 team is averaging at least 6k fans and still can't justify the higher expense of playing in the NASL then they probably shouldn't be in the soccer business.

 

Good points by speedcake. I'd say a D2 team needs to be averaging around 5,000 to be viable over time. And some of you that are over stating the increase in expenses for the NASL over USL are just generalizing. Is anyone claiming LA's travel expenses are significantly less than an NASL team's, say Atlanta for example? Every situation and market is unique.

Blanket statements are useless. What each team out there D2 - D4 needs to do is make a thorough analysis of their operation, market, and the options available to them. If you have confidence in your personnel and your business model, you should be able to figure out the proper level on the pyramid for your club, and then get to work at making it flourish. What I see over the landscape and history of lower level soccer is more often than not, teams "playing it safe" and trying not to spend any money, pretty much just a wing and a prayer that fans will someone find out about their team and show up en mass. Be intelligent enough to figure out your spot, and then actually be aggressive and make it work.

In closing I'll chime in with speedcake's assessment - if you've got a club that can average a 5,000 - 6,000 fanbase, then by God you should be able to figure out how to make D2 work. If 2,000 - 3,500 is realistic for you, then maybe D3 is where you should be. Between 3,500 - 5,000 probably depends on your situation and could go either way. But all this assumes some money and effort into promoting your team locally, that's a real key.

 

Now this I don't follow. MLS is more in line with what the Championship draws. Last year MLS was 16,675. The Championship(2nd Div) was 17,891. You are talking about League Two(4th Div) in the UK and it averages around 4,700. You seem to be referring to Bradford City(11,000) which draws about 4,000 to 5,000 more than the next team. They are a former EPL club with a 25,000 seat stadium that has fallen on very hard times. They are an exception to fall so far. The rest of the league draws little and should never be brought up with MLS.

I agree. Except there is real progression of academy talent in the US. Have you been paying attention to DC United and Dallas? And the other clubs? Academy players are popping up everywhere in MLS. This is one area I feel pretty confident about now. The non-MLS DA clubs are either partnering up or getting pushed aside.

Actually the whole league is a bust and not just two teams. But there are other factors involved beyond soccer. The inherent problems in getting women's professional sports to be accepted and the total incompetence of the league to start. Say what you want about MLS and NASL, but they have smart people running things.

 

Alter 45 minutes the mighty Rhinos down 2-0 at the FC New York

 

finishes 2-1 to FCNY over Rochester.

 

a few years ago Rochester still was MLS bound, now they are knee deep in third division relegation soccer

what a shame

 

and to add insult to injury their was no live feed of the game and their bus got a flat tire....

 

They've hit ROCK BOTTOM, from now on things can only improve

 

attendance ROC @ NY was 1030

 

First USL PRO win ever for the Dutch Lions

Dayton 2 - 1 Shitsburg

 

Okay. I take it the players don't bother looking in the stands much.