[NDR] Free Kick Masters at Reliant

Re: [NDR] Free Kick Masters at Reliant on 12/22

Ran into Rene Walter, guy who's putting it on, a few days ago. According to him, a big promotional push is about to start for it. Said a new website will be up, plus footage from the previous event. So far, the last statement has come true, although you have to join as a member before you can watch more than a minute-long clip. Beckham and Zidane are also involved, even though they're not listed on the site yet (would take this with a grain of salt, although since Zidane's participated before, it seems realistic at least).

The most exciting news for me was that negotiations are underway to bring Shunsuke Nakamura in to participate. He called his lawyer in front of me to confirm because he knew the guy was Japanese, but couldn't remember his name. IMO, this contest would be a joke without Beckham and Nakamura since it's a free kick contest.

There should be more good keepers involved though, with all due respect to Kahn and Canizares.

 

Re: [NDR] Free Kick Masters at Reliant on 12/22

Man, you're not paying attention because Glenn is pushing it, both live on his show he mentions it, and he runs ads for it too during his radio show. I think I've also seen ads on his tv show for it. Also, there have been ads in the paper for it also. Which is pretty amazing since it's, what, still 5 months away. Even the Olympics barely get that much press so far in advance.

 

Re: [NDR] Free Kick Masters at Reliant on 12/22

They've been advertising it on the big Reliant Park board on the South Loop.

Reliant Park also has an email list and I get promos for upcoming events all the time, so I expect to get one for this event at some point. (I forgot how I got on that mailing list - maybe from buying tix for events there through TM.)

 

Re: [NDR] Free Kick Masters at Reliant on 12/22

You may use this link to to subscribe to Reliant Park's email list:

http://reliantpark.com/contact/insidetrack.asp


I was looking at the FKM site and they have a video with some highlights of the previous event that took place in Marbella, Spain. Zidane is there. No idea who are the other players.

http://www.freekickmastersusa.com/Home.asp




The Chronicle had an ad the other day about the event. It was about a 1/4 of the page.

 

Re: [NDR] Free Kick Masters at Reliant on 12/22

I wouldn't say that ESPN won't promote this event beause it is soccer, ESPN is making a big push to increase its coverage of soccer. But more like you said, it isn't a game.

 

Re: [NDR] Free Kick Masters at Reliant on 12/22

The Disney Sports Network has the following:

European Champion's League
Euro 2008
World Cup 2006, 2010, and 2014 (in conjunction with sister ABC)
MLS Prime Time
U20 World Cup 2007
Women's World Cup 2007 and 2011
MLS All Star Game
MLS Cup (ABC)

I've seen more then just Beckham highlights on Sportscenter. And there are rumblings that ESPN is looking at having a channel focused on soccer and international sports, whether that is starting a new channel, converting Deportes, or buying Sentanta (which would make sense cause then they'd get some EPL rights).

Keep in mind that this is the first deal with MLS and it only covers 26 regular season games, 3 playoff games, the All-Star Game, and the Cup.

Can Disney improve its soccer coverage, of course. The bigger problem lies with their regular on air "talent" most of who know little about soccer and continue to be, in the words of Jean Girard "Like a frightened baby chipmunk, . . . scared by anything that is different."

This is one of the rare situations where the suits realize the money making potential of soccer, and sooner or later the on air folks are going to have to go along with the program.

 

Re: [NDR] Free Kick Masters at Reliant on 12/22

I'm new here...but i just wanted to get in on this by saying I bought my tickets today and i'll be there!

 

Re: [NDR] Free Kick Masters at Reliant on 12/22

Well, let be the first to welcome you to our boards.
And how much are the tickets??

 

Re: [NDR] Free Kick Masters at Reliant on 12/22

Tickets range from about $25 to $750. I'm not sure where the $750 tickets are, but i would think you would get to take a shot yourself if you are paying that much! Mine are in the bottom section, row D and i got them for $100...still a lot of money, but to see those guys do what they do best up close...it's worth it.

 

Re: [NDR] Free Kick Masters at Reliant on 12/22

For $750, Beckham better sit in my lap, or vice versa.

 

Re: [NDR] Free Kick Masters at Reliant on 12/22

i hate to be a grinch, but i will probably ship this event. just seems to corny....like a American Gladiators or a slam-dunk contest. i just don't get it and i would rather watch these players in a real game.

 

Re: [NDR] Free Kick Masters at Reliant on 12/22

Don't you dare hate on American Gladiators. I will have Turbo and Gemini come to your house and beat you into a pulp, then have Ice and Diamond come in a violate you in a bad way.

 

Re: [NDR] Free Kick Masters at Reliant on 12/22

Last night this nice looking lady came up to us before the game by the gate. She said "here you go, Dynamo fans" and gave us the Free Kick Masters handout. We asked her if any Dynamo players were going to be in it and she said yea, then I think she said there would be two. We asked her who they were, and she said the fans would vote for them, starting this week on the team website. Maybe a kicker and a goalie?

That's cool, huh?

 

Re: [NDR] Free Kick Masters at Reliant on 12/22

Sweet!

 

Re: [NDR] Free Kick Masters at Reliant on 12/22

You know what, after thinking about it, she might have said it would be on the FKM website? Not sure. It would be better if it were on the Dynamo site. We'll see....

 

Re: [NDR] Free Kick Masters at Reliant on 12/22

Has anyone gotten tickets to this yet? Anyone interested in getting tickets to this? They seem a little steep but I was considering it anyway. If Dynamo players are involved, I definitely want to go.

 

Re: [NDR] Free Kick Masters at Reliant on 12/22

I haven't gotten tickets yet but I'm planning on going.

 

Re: [NDR] Free Kick Masters at Reliant on 12/22

+ 1

 

Re: [NDR] Free Kick Masters at Reliant on 12/22

the over/under on the date they'll cancel this sham due to low ticket sales - Nov. 15....

 

Re: [NDR] Free Kick Masters at Reliant on 12/22

got two tickets back when they first went on sale. they were the $45-50 ones.