Sorry guys, if BQ reports it, it's almost certainly true. My heart goes out to all you Aztex fans. I know what it's like to lose your franchise.
We heard this rumor before, and the Aztex quickly dismissed it. That being said, IMS is usually a pretty good source. If this happens, I will be absolutely gutted, and quite angry. I realize Phil must be taking some amount of loss on the team, but...
I've posted some comments at Brian's article. I agree, his history for accuracy makes this very concerning. However, what I'm hearing from Phil Rawlins is that although a possibility, it is not as much of a done deal that one might think.
A move would be very depressing. I honestly can't say how good the Austin market is for a professional soccer team is, but I hope that it can work out. In the long run, I don't see any reason why the Aztex could help Keep Austin Weird. Nothing would be weirder than a wildly successful, grassroots soccer franchise in the middle of Texas. In a lot of ways, this scrappy D2, developmental approach would seem to fit into the culture of Austin. Regardless, I hope the team can stay. I would be gutted to see them go.
Everyone, it's ALL HANDS ON DECK! Email the Austin Aztex and let them know you want to keep D2 soccer in Austin. Email info@austinaztex.com and tell them the what for. If you're on twitter, then retweet the following for all your followers to see... Retweet this @austinaztex soccer fans and supporters, so we can keep pro soccer in Austin! KEEP THE AZTEX IN AUSTIN!!! #KeeptheAztexinAustin
So did you find out if Brian's article is more rumor than not? I'm interested to hear what spurred an all hands on deck. I REALLY hope this works out for you guys.
At this point, we're no closer to know if the rumors from Inside Minnesota Soccer are rumors or truth. It depends on who you believe. At this point, we cannot assume which is why we need everyone to Tweet, Facebook and email their thoughts to the Austin Aztex FO letting them know how you feel. Silence will be interpreted that we don't really care, so a move to anywhere outside of Austin wouldn't matter. If we're loud enough, we let them know that the support is here, and that a move away from Austin will not be good for business.
I hope it's not true. I think Austin is a great market and the support you gave to your team was very good this year (we just need to look at the increase in attendance).
Read this from Orlando expansion forum: https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showpost.php?p=22062150&postcount=525 -MM of Crocketteers
Sounds to me like it amounts to the same thing. The Aztex owner is going to divest himself of the Aztex and invest in the new Orlando team. If there isn't a buyer for the Aztex, the result is the same: new Orlando team, no Austin team.
Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe Phil is doing well enough and has enough connections that he can actually be involved in two teams. My hopeful thought of the moment.
Could the announcement by NASL that they are putting a team San Antonio have a direct in-pack whats going with the Aztex move to Orlando ... October 4 ... NASL Announce a professional soccer team for San Antonio . http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/North_American_Soccer_League_coming_to_SA_104308314.html
Let's be honest. If additional investors are coming from the EPL, then they don't want to start from scratch. They will want to work with an epxerienced front office, coaching staff and ownership familiar with U.S. soccer. Who better for that than Phil, Kay and Adrian?? So why not throw in a team full of D2 successful players in the bargain? I don't know if they are staying or going. A move for moves sake doesn't make sense, but a move as a part of a bigger plan does.
I have tremendous regard for anything Brian writes on IMS, so I'm very concerned about the Aztex' future in Austin. I've re-tweeted the messages from Chantico's Army on @bundesliga4u and the NASL Fanatic twitters and sent an email of support at info@chanticosarmy.com. The NASL Fanatic blog fully supports professional soccer in Austin. The Aztex had a remarkable, exciting 2010 season and support has grown. As an AC St. Louis fan facing the uncertainty of our franchise for 2011, I certainly feel the pain of the outstanding Aztex supporters, and hope the team remains in Austin.
It's highly unlikely that a league would allow an owner to have stakes in two different teams, for competitive reasons. I know MLS has that situation, but the revenue sharing makes it a different animal. I really feel for you guys. I just hope Austin fans realize that Orlando isn't "stealing" your team. The financial realities of the USL Pro situation make Austin an impossible market for a team. It isn't Phil Rawlins' fault that there aren't any USL Pro teams remotely close to Austin. From what I understand, this decision wasn't taken lightly.
It should also be known that the decision isn't final, from what we're hearing from Phil this morning. However, the choice to go to USL Pro is one that we've not heard from the organization (and to a large extent, that's what we have to go from). We're keen to see the game expand in the US, and having a team in Orlando, as well as other supportive cities, would be great for the game. Just not at the price of our own team surviving in Austin. I'd be interested, to the extent you can share, what your thoughts are from an Orlando perspective of what's going to happen?
I've shared as much as I can (maybe even too much) here: https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=967807&page=53
The blog MatchFitUSA has picked up the story as well: http://www.matchfitusa.com/2010/10/aztex-rumored-to-be-headed-to-orlando.html