http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_soccerblog/2007/03/meeting_with_th.html Clip and save. Indoor soccer franchises that have lasted 5+ years: 35 Indoor soccer franchises that have lasted <5 years: 55 Indoor soccer franchises that began play within the last 10 years and lasted 5+ seasons: 2 (Philadelphia KiXX and second St.Louis Steamers) Indoor soccer franchises that began play within the last 10 years and lasted <5 seasons: 10 (Three of which are still active and could reach 5 years - California, Chicago, Detroit)
They will make it easily. The question isn't really how long can they exist, it's how much they can impact soccer and impact the community. They have the opportunity to be big-time and I believe they will be successful. The FO are not myopic in their thinking, yet not biting off more than they can chew. There is a huge need for indoor soccer at the youth and adult levels in Orlando that is not yet being addressed, the international and tourism elements of Orlando are unique in comparison to the other MISL cities, and soccer in Orlando is begging for a professional top-tier team to rally behind. I'm looking for big things from the Sharks.
No one makes it easily. Rich Bradley has been in the league before, that's a positive. I don't see this at all as a Raj Kalra situation. These guys have taken the time and seem to be doing the right things (as much as we can tell at this point). But it's absolutely not easily done, as history shows us. I hope they do make it. I hope everybody makes it. I hope we have 12-16 teams in the league within the next five years.
They look like they are doing things the right way. However, those people that are youth and adult indoor soccer players should talk to Tom Higginson to have their needs met and not a pro team. Also, I can tell you that Tourism and Internationalism didn't help San Diego one bit.
This sounds like something from the Bush administration. All you forgot to say was "Bradley, yer doin' a heckuva job."
Wow, more Bush speak: (Ryan) our tickets are affordable, the average ticket price is $13, $14. Dude, the CHEAPEST ticket is $13-$14. Unless you average in the freebies and some deep discounting (and yes, they still exist). As for Bradley saying we'll be suprised by the following they attract, I have one question and one question alone that will determine their following: HOW MANY SEASON TICKETS HAVE YOU SOLD?
Clip and save, not because of the historical data given, but because it proves the point that real businessmen, knowing how difficult a start-up business is to build, grow, and maintain, are committing to five years to make it work. These guys know it will take five years, maximum, to make the final determination as to whether the club has the legs to survive in the market. And their willingness to commit, verbally, to five years tells me that they have a decent shot at making it. Not a guaranteed shot ... but a better-than-50-50-shot. Orlando may not survive two years ... but if they don't make it to at least Year Three, it will be because the bleeding ends up being far more than they ever imagined. I would venture an educated guess that they're showing losses at least until Year Five. The success of the club will be determined by how much lower or higher their losses are compared to their business plan. They could lose money well into their sixth or seventh year if their losses are smaller than they projected, and if their losses grow smaller with each passing season. Brien
I think Kenn is saying clip and save because they went on the record that they were giving it 5 years. Plenty of other people have said the same thing and not delivered on their promises. Under the current MISL model it's likely they'll lose money for as long as they own the team.
No, clip and save because someone is saying they'll do something when history shows us it's unlikely they will. Lots of people commit to lots of things. The original owners of the Indiana Twisters committed to three years and were out after 22 games. Real businessmen know that there are going to be losses for a number of years. But prospective owners aren't always told the truth about it, nor are they always patient enough to ride it out when the expenses are greater than they budget for and the revenue is less. Five years, maximum, to make the final determination? I'd say you'll have a pretty good idea halfway through year one. I'd say you'll have an idea after the opener, but let's be generous. If they're averaging 3,900 a game towards the end of year one, it's not going to get a lot better.