2020 Season Catch All Thread

350+ player numbers later, we're done. If you missed anything here's a recap.

http://view-from-the-couch.blogspot.com/2020/08/rapids-history-by-numbers-recap.html

 

Well, not looking good for us to watch any more games given Altitude issue with all but Direct TV. Heard many complaining about game 1 of the Av's not being available.

 

I was complaining. Although it appears in this case it was on an NBC channel but was blacked out due to it being a "home game" - I assume this is what the Avalanche/Altitude have dictated. It looks like the Avalanche game scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday) won't be blacked out as it is an "away game." But I'm not sure about this.

The NBA seems to have a different TV deal and thus we can watch the Nuggets more easily.

So, should the MLS come back to the regular season later this month it seems highly likely that we won't be seeing any games on TV in this area unless they are broadcast nationally in whatever TV deal MLS has.

 

#RAPIDS MAILBAG:

Have a question about the team? Tap here to ask: https://t.co/wMsVZilrlw

— Denver Post Rapids (@rapidsnews) August 4, 2020

 

More on this, from a source: MLS has distributed a draft of a schedule for the first 6 games of the resumed regular season to clubs. That covers the first phase of the planned restart, set to run from weekend of Aug. 22-Sept. 13. Schedule as local as possible to minimize travel.

— Sam Stejskal (@samstejskal) August 4, 2020

 

I submitted a question about Altitude. I now subscribe to both the Denver Post and the Athletic. Media subscriptions are one of my covid lockdown things I'm doing with money saved from ... not doing anything else! (except hiking).

 

Happy Birthday 'Celo!

 

We’re B A C K

First up: August 22 home against @realsaltlake.

— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) August 8, 2020

You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers.

Here’s an update on everything we know so far about the upcoming games ⬇️

— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) August 8, 2020

 

With those schedule announcements, the Rapids are sending out messages to season ticket holders as well.

The schedule so far is planned for empty stadiums, but should fans be allowed:

Edit: looks like that stuff is in the Q&A linked above.

 

Q&A says the club is in discussions with Altitude concerning TV and radio broadcasts. Any hope in this or just the same official line?

 

No reason to have any hope based on what's out there. You have two weeks to find...other...options

 

Is there any chance they allow is to watch via ESPN+ in Spanish as they did prior to the COVID shutdown???

I was able to watch every game live in Spanish on ESPN+ but the English feed was blacked out.

I have Xfinity for their Internet and am not going to change that. Century link internet is total crap in my neighborhood and they haven’t tried to improve that for years.

I called Xfinity the other night and had to wait 10 minutes to complain about Altitude still not being offered during these trying times. The poor customer service rep told me that they have been inundated with calls of people complaining. Avalanche Nuggets and Rapids with no way to see their team play in person or on TV.

Hopefully the pressure will eventually work. Time will tell,

 

My option was to quit caring. Running, mountain biking and hiking are much more pleasant than the ridiculous mess that this season and the Rapids have become. Even the modified Little League baseball that MLB is playing is preferable.

 

As was expected, a compressed schedule with opponents that are relatively close to Commerce City. I assume that the five subs will not always be used, but could come in handy once and a while.

Hope that the Rapids are more or less healthy and fit. It will be interesting to see the travel plans. Will they fly into and out of Dallas and Salt Lake City on the day of the match?

 

I was just looking at the six game schedule and the MLS app list them all on ESPN+. No mention of Altitude so I hope they will not be blacked out.

 

The team had definitely had some games where they looked quite good. Outside if the fsl game and red card meltdown, I feel this team is watchable.

Love biking, hiking, etc. Just wondering what I would take for people to be happy. Only a complete win every game out?

 

Who makes the decision about blacking out a Rapids match(es)? Altitude? The Rapids? MLS? I worry that if it's the Rapids and/or Altitude they will have the Rapids matches blacked out on ESPN+ in an attempt to put more pressure on the dish and cable providers they're in a tiff with. It seems like Altitude feels they can "win" by holding out and telling Rapids, Nuggets and Avalanche fans to call their provider to complain.

In terms of Rapids' home matches and TV, unless it's a national telecast it seems that it has to be produced by Altitude, which means that we're at the mercy of their desire for a blackout on ESPN+.

 

Altitude, though IIRC I think ESPN+ matches may be blacked out it all home markets, so it may just be a league decision at this point. Regardless, its been Altitude in the past and its been Altitude blacking out games in the NHL and NBA, restarts so any idea that the Rapids games won't be blacked out is not backed up by what we've seen so far.

And yes, what you describe is exactly why they are doing it. Its one of the few levers they have to pressure Comcast/DISH.

 

At this point I'm thinking the only way I'll see another Rapids match this season is if it's on national TV or if at some point fans will be allowed into DSGP for a match.* Looks like Altitude isn't going to buckle even though the providers seem to hold most of the cards. Wish MLS would step in, if possible, and dictate no blackouts as long as full stadiums aren't allowed.

As for the team, I really believe that the lack of passion in the FSL match in Orlando was a fluke and the cards, etc., in the KFC match did them in. For the most part under Fraser, and to some extent under Casey, the Rapids have been good at the least. Most of what happened in Orlando with this team isn't a real reflection of what they have produced otherwise.

*With limited numbers of fans, masks and social distancing of course.

 

The two game set with FSL will include the Rocky Mountain Cup. Should both games be played in home markets as expected then the Cup will be awarded at the end of the second game. If a game is cancelled or switched to the other market (so one team hosts both games) then the Cup will not be awarded at this time.

The Committee is currently working on plans to have an on-field presentation if possible, though the team's and league's rules in regards to the pandemic may prevent an actual handoff of the Cup. Regardless, the result will be official and the winning team will have the Cup whenever they can for the rest of the season and next season. This precludes any of the remaining 12 games being part of the Cup competition, but it seems unlikely we'd get a balanced schedule between the teams in Phase 2, if there are any games at all. Also the already played MLS Is Back tournament game does not count towards the RMC.

 

Just like most things that KSE touches, Altitude is living at least a decade behind and there is basically zero chance Comcast is ever going to cave, only way is if they go in a separate package (as already offered) every subscriber would have to opt in on for them to get $.

 

I actually have no issues with KSE/Altitude standing up to the demand that Comcast and DISH want to put them on a new tier or make them a separate channel add like HBO. Its a ridiculous stance for the providers to take given that Altitude carries 3 of the 5 major local sports teams.

But Altitude is being stupid thinking they can get the same rates as the last contract. No network is renewing at the same rate as they used to get. That's the reality of TV today.

The logical answer, as it has been from the start, is for Altitude to take less in rates and remain on the same tier.

 

I’m watching the Rockies as we speak. (Gray getting hammered; 8 runs in 3 1/3). What is ATTRM’s contract? Seems like they are in similar positions.

 

They're owned by a much bigger company with its own broadcasting outlets (TimeWarner) so I'm guessing they can take less. Plus when was the last time they had a contract deal, their turn might be next year or something.