I don't think it's an either or proposition. A team with fans who only have passion and don't support the team with dollars, won't last very long. Successful teams have fans with passion and fans who support the team with money.
Kind of insulting...don't you think. You are saying you can't be a "true" (whatever that means) fan if you don't piss away money without concern on the team you support. Nonsense...especially to those of us that money might actually go towards other things, like a child's future education, retirement, a vacation once in a while. You know, stuff like that. My dad was a true Bronco supporter for as far back as I can remember...I would put him against any fan of any team as far as loyalty and passion. He attended 2 Bronco games in his entire life. He put other things, like his family, first. I can throw all the money at a team I want, and it sure as hell doesn't make me any more of a "true" supporter than someone that has other priorities for their money...
Spending money isn't supporting the team; it's supporting the business. Now we need the business for the team to exist. But we don't need to spend money on the business every chance we get to support the team. They have my season ticket which is for them revenue they have in the pocket and essentially a free loan for the upcoming season. As for the marketing things such as pint glasses being for sale. I would like to see the MLS have a lot more stuff for sale. I noticed this having a new lil' nephew. I'd love to get him a Rapids shirt, the parents some Rapids gas mask for changing the diapers and things like that. But the team and the MLS as a whole doesn't seem to have anything aimed at that age group. When I'm in Target I notice all the other CO teams have little kids clothes in there. But I don't see anything for the Rapids. It'd be great to see a lot more of this stuff, the lil' kids stuff, the pint glasses and such. But I suspect part of the appeal of these offers for tickets + schwag is that you can't just go out and buy what they're giving away with the tickets. Hmmmmm.... maybe that would be something to do instead of scarves for the supporters groups, pint glasses.
so all I need to do to be fan of the match is bring a keg!? right on!! It was fun hanging out with the gang!! the picture w/ Chelo and the RMC was the topper! can't wait for next game! Go Rapids!!