Questions For Peter Wilt - M1

Discussion in 'Milwaukee' started by olderandwiser, Apr 16, 2007.

  1. olderandwiser

    olderandwiser New Member

    Jul 13, 2005
    Milwaukee
    Are the 8,000 season ticket equivalents the result of a State fee increase for its 60,000 (or so) registered youth players?
     
  2. Peter Wilt

    Peter Wilt Member

    Jun 11, 1999
    Whitefish Bay, WI
    Nope. 60,000 complimentary vouchers, (one per registrant. Approx. half projected to be redeemed), average of two paid companion tickets per free voucher, plus minimum commitment of selling 1,500 season tickets to or through WYSA members in a private pre-sale and incentive bonuses for selling next 500 season tickets (which i'm very confident they'll do, because the only place anyone can buy season tickets in the beginning will be through the WYSA).

    30,000 redeemed vouchers divided by 15 home games = 2,000 season ticket equivalents.
    60,000 paid companion tickets divided by 15 home games = 4,000 season ticket equivalents
    1,500 paid season tickets by members = 1,500
    500 more season tickets to reach full incentives = 500

    Total = 8,000
     
  3. mcnaulty21

    mcnaulty21 Member

    Feb 6, 2007
    Wisconsin
    Club:
    Fulham FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Taking this into account, what would the approx seating capacity be for the stadium?
     
  4. Peter Wilt

    Peter Wilt Member

    Jun 11, 1999
    Whitefish Bay, WI
    Probably 20k. It's better to err on the low side, because it will create seat scarcity. Building it with expansion capability would make sense, too.

    peter
     
  5. mkecane

    mkecane New Member

    Sep 9, 2004
    Milwaukee
    How does a group such as MPS go about seeking a lead investor? It's can't be going through the phone book and asking if s/he is interested and capable of owning a franchise, right? Seriously, though, is there a list that agencies create of people with the means and interest, is it through connections you've got, or what (as much as you can say, anyway)?
     
  6. Peter Wilt

    Peter Wilt Member

    Jun 11, 1999
    Whitefish Bay, WI
    All of the above. We've used existing relationships, networking, contacting Wisconsinites on the Forbes list and used agencies that specialize in putting together high net worth individuals with appropriate sports investment properties.

    The universe for capable MLS investors is much smaller (a few thousand) than the universe for capable investors in the new women's league I'm also working on (tens of thousands) due to the disparity of funding.

    peter
     
  7. Pack87Man

    Pack87Man BigSoccer Supporter

    Sep 1, 2001
    Quad Cities
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Peter, I am a Wisconsin sports fan in all pro sports. I love the Brewers, Bucks, and Packers. However, I haven't lived in Wisconsin since I was 4 years old, or 21 years ago. I've thrown myself into being a Fire fan. Is there any way I'm going to get a connection to this team? I'm kind of torn on this question.
     
  8. Peter Wilt

    Peter Wilt Member

    Jun 11, 1999
    Whitefish Bay, WI
    This is certainly a hypothetical question, but interesting nonetheless. It's a very difficult situation. Personally, i don't believe that geography should be the sole deterimining factor of a person's team loyalty. There are other factors including parental persuasion and exposure to and success of a team during one's formative years that influence one's fandom.

    i became a Packers fan in an odd way. I grew up in Bears country (McHenry,IL) during the Pack's Glory Years thinking my dad was a Packers fan. It wasn't until i was 13 years old that i realized that my dad wasn't a Packers fan at all. While growing up on the south side of Chicago, he was a fan of Comiskey Park's NFL tenant, the Chicago Cardinals and like any good south sider, hated the NFL team that played at Wrigley Field, the Bears...after the Cardinals moved to St. Louis, he stopped cheering for the Cardinals and during my formative years, when i thought he was cheering for the Packers, he was really cheering against the Bears.

    Once ingrained, i believe a true fan shouldn't change his loyalties. Being a fan is not like buying a nice suit. You can't just change it once there's a nicer looking suit for sale.

    This is a unique situation though with an expansion team coming into your "home" market. The decision would be made easier - though not necessarily "right" - if you lived in Wisconsin and the Fire was in a down period or the organization wasn't earning your support in other ways when the Milwaukee team launches.

    I think switching fan loyalty would have to involve establishing emotional connections to the new team via personal exposure to players and staff and influence of friends, families and fellow Wisconsinites.

    It's a very personal decision though and i don't think i or anyone else should try to tell you what to do if we are successful getting the team for Milwaukee and Wisconsin.

    peter
     
  9. MLC_United

    MLC_United New Member

    Sep 9, 2005
    Crete, IL
    I know you can't give an exact location. But by any chance is the possible location in West Milwaukee?
     
  10. olderandwiser

    olderandwiser New Member

    Jul 13, 2005
    Milwaukee
    Peter, this is an interesting statement. Stay with me on this. There are two givens here; one is that even though both the Wave United and the Rampage were USL teams, each garnered a certain percentage of loyal support from their respective camps over the past several years, perhaps more so with the Rampage because of their longevity. The other given is that neither team exists today. Do you think part of the difficulty in selling the MLS idea to "people" in Milwaukee might in any way relate to those who have had an allegiance to one team or the other (or both) who may have been disenchanted/hurt/pissed off by the collapse of both teams?

    Question No. 2. Are you currently spending more time on the MLS bid or the Chicago women's team? (I'd understand if you want to plead the Fifth on this one.)
     
  11. mcnaulty21

    mcnaulty21 Member

    Feb 6, 2007
    Wisconsin
    Club:
    Fulham FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Peter,

    After the San Diego stadium bid fell through, where does that put the Milwaukee bid? Does this increase the chances, or just open the door for another city?
     
  12. Peter Wilt

    Peter Wilt Member

    Jun 11, 1999
    Whitefish Bay, WI
    1) yes, I'm sure there are some people who feel that outdoor soccer has failed and they don't want to try it again, because they think the same thing may happen. If the investment is made in the brick and mortar for a 20,000 seat stadium, however, it's pretty safe to assume the team will be around for a very long time.

    2) Depends on the week. I'm now on the player's committee and chairman of the marketing committee for the new women's league, so lately (last two months), I've probably been spending more time on that.

    Next week, however, happens to be a busy week for the Milwaukee MLS project, so I'll end up working more on that for the week.

    peter
     
  13. Peter Wilt

    Peter Wilt Member

    Jun 11, 1999
    Whitefish Bay, WI
    It was San Jose not San Diego. It may help a little, but San Jose seems to be prepared to pursue a Plan B. I think if we can lock down our site and secure the lead investor, we'll get a team regardless of other markets.

    peter
     
  14. mcnaulty21

    mcnaulty21 Member

    Feb 6, 2007
    Wisconsin
    Club:
    Fulham FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Oh duh, I knew that. Bonehead moment #2 for the day (#1 being a fantasy baseball decision). Thanks for the answer anyhow.

    p.s. - I was at the Fire game when they inducted you into the Ring of Fire. After seeing the reception you got from their fans (especially S8), I'm really glad you're the guy leading the MLS charge here in Milwaukee. Thanks for all your hard work.
     
  15. olderandwiser

    olderandwiser New Member

    Jul 13, 2005
    Milwaukee
    Peter, if a 20,000-seat stadium is built, what average paid attendance number would you be happy with (other than the obvious 20,000)?
     
  16. illwauk

    illwauk Member

    Mar 27, 2007
    Milwaukee
    oops... wrong thread
     
  17. illwauk

    illwauk Member

    Mar 27, 2007
    Milwaukee
    Neither, I'm just new and didn't know that I was asking for priveleged information. Although I think it shows great initiative on your part to reach out to fans this way.
     
  18. the rodg

    the rodg New Member

    Dec 16, 2006

    Being a "busy week for the Milwaukee MLS project" would that mean some possible information good or bad for us this week?
    I have a million other questions but about 6-8 weeks ago i heard 60-90 days
    we would hear either way.To me i guess, im a little tired of all the speculation and bush beating id rather hear the news and either celibrate and raid the piggy bank for the season tickets im buying or as painful as it would be to do,give up on the whole thing and become a fire season ticket holder(not 4 every game,to far of a drive)!
    Peter, it takes a special kind of person to handle all the things your doing the way your doing it.Either way this ends, thanks for all the hard work and best of luck with all yout future ventures.
     
  19. Peter Wilt

    Peter Wilt Member

    Jun 11, 1999
    Whitefish Bay, WI
    Thx very much. Today was a pretty good day. But no public info for awhile, sorry.

    Even if we're successful, we won't be taking season ticket money until late 2008, so go ahead and spend the money on Fire tickets.....or beer...or MLS Direct Kick.

    peter
     
  20. USRufnex

    USRufnex Red Card

    Tulsa Athletic / Sheffield United
    United States
    Jul 15, 2000
    Tulsa, OK
    Club:
    --other--
    We're now over a year removed from Commissioner Garber's Jan. 2006 expansion announcement that there'd be an announcement in 60-90 days announcing a 14th team "in the midwest." :D

    --and anytime I hear "60-90 days" from MLS, I translate that to mean "two to three years." ;)

    It's frustrating to see so many ups and downs in places like Cleveland, St. Louis, Philly, Milwaukee, etc... (and in my case, Tulsa)... I mean, MLS doesn't have anywhere near the political clout of an NHL, NBA, MLB or even minor league baseball... just seems like if these cities had teams for 3-5 years BEFORE engaging in discussions with political leaders and real estate developers, you'd get a better location/more $$$/better TIF deal/more political support.

    My question: Do MLS owners and/or league officials ever argue amongst themselves over the wisdom of putting so much emphasis on new stadiums, especially for expansion teams?

    Follow up question: Okay, this is theoretical... but how much of a harder sell would it have been to get the Fire into a new stadium if the team itself were new and had never played a game?
     
  21. Peter Wilt

    Peter Wilt Member

    Jun 11, 1999
    Whitefish Bay, WI
    A) No. Three points:

    1) The League doesn't HAVE TO expand.
    2) The League doesn't want partners that aren't going to have a viable business model and without their own stadium they won't.
    3) Leverage for a new stadium is never greater than before the team is awarded.

    B) Hard to say for sure, but my guess is that it would have been easier if the Stadium attempt came first. The City of Chicago would have seen that the economic impact of a new stadium on the city would've gone from a base of zero to whatever number they would have attributed to a new team and stadium. As it was, they thought we may end up staying at Soldier Field or paid for the stadium ourselves since we were an ongoing business committed to staying in the League.

    peter
     
  22. MU88

    MU88 New Member

    Sep 19, 2005
    I heard that, as of today, a soccer stadium project in Milwaukee is a go. Now, does that mean an MLS, college, high school or public stadium. I don't know. My source did not say any more.
     
  23. MU88

    MU88 New Member

    Sep 19, 2005
    As a follow up to my last post, the project could be at Marquette. I am now being told that Marquette University is proposing construction of a new grandstand at Valley Fields that will include modest concession service facilities, public spectator restrooms, and ticketing and spectator service amenities.
     
  24. MLC_United

    MLC_United New Member

    Sep 9, 2005
    Crete, IL
    Since your source did not say anything else. Who or what is your source?
     
  25. MU88

    MU88 New Member

    Sep 19, 2005
    Well, one of my sources was a reporter. I can't mention the other.
     

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