Alright, this is a stupid post but I'm curious if its been on anyone elses mind at all. Are they ever going to effing redisign our MLS site?? I was checking out the whole Colorado re-branding, and they've really done up their site nicely. NE is the only other team that's really drastically updated the way their site looks as well. I guess after looking at the way Red Bull Salzburg has their site all pretty with cool galleries, and cool downloads . . well, I want one too. *sniffle* Anyone else feeling this? I know, I know, not important, inconsequential . . but STILL!!
Re: RBNY Webite I love the fact that our last transaction is Dunivant, firing Mo, and naming Richie the head coach.
Re: RBNY Webite You're absolutely right...it's not important, inconsequential. I stopped writing my own websites after college, but I've been on the Internet since I was 12, and I'm still of the mindset that simple is better, and flash is just there for people who (and these are the words I've always used, so don't take it personally) need a life. If I want pictures and videos, there's always someone around here who has a link. But if I really want that sort of stimulation, I go watch TV or read a book. And even if I didn't believe all that (and I do), it's still not important, inconsequential.
I don't know what you're talkin about. Our site is the same template all MLS teams go with. I love the template. The new Colorado website is great too. I don't know what you're talking about NE's website being drastically updated?? Still looks like a fan site from the 90's to me. New England - Now that's a team in need of a new website..and logo...and name!
I don't mind if they keep the same template, but they have to keep it updated. If they aren't going to update the portlets like Transactions, Injuries, etc., they should remove them. They make the site look unprofessional, listing that our last team transaction happened in June 2006. Oh, and I want a flash game where we can play the part of Red Bull players taking penalty shots against opposing team goalkeepers. Bonus goes to adding free kicks and an opposing team wall where we can aim for our hated rivals below the belt. Oops, missed that shot (or did I?)
Might I recommend a glasses prescription? NE's site is the one team website that strays the furthest from the MLS web design template. I think we should be able to do that too.
no dude. You're spot on, and given the investment in IMAGE that Red Bull has I'm really surprised that they haven't got someone on it full-time. Content is King, but delivery makes the brand.
The problem is we're looking at the same cookie-cutter MLS website for each team, besides Colorado and NE. The RBFO do need to hire someone to redesign and keep their site up to date, instead of just sending misc. info to MLS for them to update. And why not...they have someone to do the Salzburg site, no?
I agree. One look at the official Red Bull site should show what the potential for our site could be. I hope we invest a little time and energy into it and make it a little better.
Does anyone know if RBNY controls the content on the website? Since it has the same look and feel as many other MLS websites (including the league site itself), I'm wondering how much the RBNY FO does on the current site. Might be a better use of time to update the website than to create sock puppets and post comments here.
IIRC, they control the content but I'm not sure about the layout. The only bit of "flair" we've had was the splash page of Reyna. I want some flash layouts and video clips.
Red Bull does great job managing the look and feel of their web presence globally so I'm surprised that they haven't made more of an effort with RBNY. I am guessing that the next 18 months will be the true test of RB's intents. The run up to the opening of Harrison will show whether they are serious about this market or not. Will we see the acquisition of some "name-brand" talent? Will we see innovative and sustained marketing initiatives? Will we see them break the web mold? I'm still holding out for a yes to all, they don't strike me as an organization that aims to fail and it will take a yes to all of those questions (and more) to actually succeed. I'm not looking for ManUtv or anything but it seems as though the web does present the ideal channel through which RBNY could initially begin to really engage both the hard-cores and casuals alike. Please... I hit BS, Metrofanatic, Ives' blog and Big Apple Soccer once a day. I NEVER GO TO the "official" site. That is a TREMENDOUS missed opportunity for RBNY and I'd expect them to rectify that sooner than later if they're serious about the Metro area.
How about an email maybe I think that would help.. I have a feeling MLS is pulling the strings with the site which I hate MLS just keeps making the rules up as they go
At this stage all MLS "rules" are notoriously bendable. Nobody in the league office is going to give a rat's arse if RBNY goes Rebel Radio on their site.
During the season, MLSnet is a decent source for keeping the MLS team wikipedia articles up to date, and the historical info is imperfect but also useful. But, like dustmite said, numerous unofficial sites are much better at providing basic information on RBNY than MLSnet is, which makes the site useless for NY fans. What's worse, some teams don't have a strong unofficial web presence, so you actually have to rely on MLSnet for info. MLSnet has made good efforts (like Quick Kicks), but when it comes to the bread and butter of updates, stats, rosters, news, and general info, improvement is needed. From what I understood the last time MLSnet came up on N&A, the NE and CO sites are different because those teams were locked into prior contracts with other web developers, and they too will be switching to the leaguewide template in time. That may not be accurate - it's just what someone said. A lot of us believe that one reason sports leagues are so addictive is that they are systems of information - once part of the system has been absorbed, people want more, more more: they gotta fill in the gaps; it's just how minds work. The more information that's available, the closer people can get to complete understanding of the system, and the more obsessed they get. Call it a "supply side theory of sports fandom" - point is, providing excellent, accurate, obsessively detailed, and up-to-date information over the internet is not just a service for the fans, it is a basic business interest for the organization, insofar as it increases the breadth and depth of MLS fandom.
It's not just the RBNY site that has extremely old crap lying around. This is the injury list on the MLSNet site:
Whew... I thought Magee would be out til May sometime with that torn MCL. Behold the healing power of the flu!