Alan Rothenberg says they've "blown it" in San Jose market I was (am) listening to the soccerfanatics radio show (soccerfanaticsradio.com - a good listen by the way, every Monday 3-6 pm pdt) and they had Ridge Mahoney on as a guest. After talking about the Confed Cup among other things, they turned to the "San Jose market". Mahoney, who says he attends every home Quake game, was talking to Rothenberg at last Saturday's game, and he quoted Rothenberg directly as saying "they'd blown it" in San Jose, and it would take years to get it back. If ever. Not sure why I'm really posting this, just figured it was interesting coming from one of the godfathers of American - and particularly, Bay Area - soccer. Don't know who he meant by "they", but in light of all the other reasons people try to give for the lack of attendance - marketing, Silicon depression, etc. - figured it sort of summed up the general malaise that is San Jose attendance. Here's to hoping he's wrong. Just let this thread die if you don't want to be reminded of it, but please don't shoot me, I'm only a fool in middle-aged clothing passing on a little morsel.
Did he give the reasons why he felt that way? Or did he just make a statement and not back it up with some substance?
I don't think they would ever list the cause, or point any fingers, that's just not good business. I think anyone who has been following the team the last few years would say its a result of ineffective marketing, and failure to capitalize on the successful 2001 season. We have never had a very creative, or visionary front office.
didn't say much more. did mention that since AEG didn't really take over 'til January that it took a while for them to get their people in there and they started off behind. other than that, didn't really add to the comment except to say it was unlikely MLS would move them, at least in the near future, as that showed too much instability (notwithstanding TB and Miami) and there was really nowhere to move to; in fact, they were looking to expand. just seemed to say they were going to give AEG time but it would take A LOT of effort.
- Wasn't Rothenburg interested in acquiring the franchise a couple years ago? I just wonder if there isn't a little sour grapes or gamesmanship in his comments. - While he did a good job running the WC in '94, I wouldn't calling him a "father" of soccer in this country. He was a pretty good business consultant, so his observations are of interest.
I'm not asking him (or anyone else for that matter) to point fingers. But to simply say "they blew it" is ridiculous without saying why you feel that way. I'm not asking him to say why it is the way it is. Just to simply back himself up. That's all.
Re: Alan Rothenberg says they've "blown it" in San Jose market Are you sure Rothenberg said that recently? Cause I know he said it a few years ago. Not too long before that he'd made a somewhat disparaging remark about SJ being a minor market.
      That is basically what it amounts to. The front-office will need to do A LOT of work to win over the fringe-fans and others that the previous SJ front-office regimes lost through apathy and/or neglect (and the pre-Yallop team's ineptitude). If AEG is willing to spend the money to do it, though, it can be done!       With the exception of the sudden, mid-week playoff home game against the Crew, the Earthquakes averaged about 12k in attendance for the entire second half of last season - and only two of those games were boosted by visiting LA fans. Last season it most likely was the World Cup momentum mixed with slightly-increased advertising/marketing, which means that the advertising/marketing will need to be tremendously increased to make up for the lack of World Cup momentum this season... but that should have been done anyway.       GO EARTHQUAKES!!! -G
      He definitely said something like that a few years ago, even stating how the new front-office needed some time (I believe that it was SVS&E had just taken over at the time). He may have felt that he needed tosay it again as SJ has once again seen a front-office turnover (this time to AEG).       Right before the inaugural 1996 season began, Rothenberg told a bunch of Galaxy supporters at a rally that they would defeat "That Rinky Dink Town Up North".       Ironically, two years later Rothenberg and Japanese advertising agency Dentsu came that close to becoming San Jose's Investor/Operators (the Asian Stock Market Crash that year ended that plan, though).       GO EARTHQUAKES!!! -G
I like to think that in spite of our problems, we have managed to keep our head above water even in the worst of times. It doesn't seem like it matters what happens now, or what the front office does, or doesn't do. I know we aren't going to set any records for attendence anytime soon, but we are getting by, aren't we?
There is a huge difference between just getting by in life and actually succeeding in life. And the same goes for business. I'd rather the team be really successful (on the business side of things) than just be getting by.
      Personally, I not only agree with you, but I'll even go one step further: the Bay Area not only ranks among the highest cost-of-living in the country, but also ranks among the highest unemployment rates in the country in the last few years. Considering that potent combination, the SJ attendance is certainly getting by the best that it possibly can.       Also, tons of families had to move out of the area for more affordable housing in the last few years, so of course attendance didn't suddenly jump back up when the Quakes started winning... and most of those who moved into the Bay Area during that period are loyal to their sports teams "back home". This seems to be something that those "Move San Jose" morons from elsewhere on BigSoccer don't seem to, or more likely refuse to, understand... although maybe they will soon, as the bad economy is begininning to affect their attendances as well, bringing their numbers down to SJ's recent numbers.       GO EARTHQUAKES!!! -G
      And I'd rather have a brand-new Porsche than what I'm currently driving, but that ain't gonna happen anytime soon (especially in this economy).       If America's beloved pasttime is currently experiencing attendance woes, then there's no doubt that soccer is, as the rest of MLS is beginning to feel as well (look at the recent attendance figures all around the league).       Bottom line is that the league will have to ride this bad economic wave before we see start seeing huge attendance increases. Spending money on advertising/marketing now will certainly help speed that up, though, and will help keep MLS recognizable in casual fans' minds once the good times start rolling again.       GO EARTHQUAKES!!! -G
I agree with you Goodsie. It's gonna take some time. And things are not always gonna be easy. And I'm sure they're not now. But simply striving to get by is not good enough. I won't accept that kind of attitude from my team. I'm sure they don't have that kind of attitude. But, if they did, it wouldn't be good enough for me.
Perhaps he is referring to the league's past mistakes in first selling the team to the Krafts and then later selling them to SVSE. Both set the team back for years, until AEG recently purchased the team. Hopefully St. Phil will be able to make some positive improvements in the attendance region. Any committed owner at this point would be a positive development for the team. The only problem I have with comments like this (in general) is that they're quick to point out the problem but don't have any solutions (but isn't this always the case?)
      I'm not saying that money alone will solve everything, but having enough money to pay enough commited front-office staff to turn the attendance around is a must. And as we probably know, Uncle Phil has some money.       The harder you try, the closer you'll get. That's understandable.       GO EARTHQUAKES!!! -G
Exactly!!! We've all heard what the problems are. A million times at least!!! I'm tired of hearing it, but not getting any suggestions on what they think we should do. We all know there's problems, but what can we do about it?
      I agree... I believe that this is exactly what he meant by "We blew it" ("We" being the league owners). If this is indeed the case, then my respect for him (for acknowledging this) will have gone up for him tenfold!       Either that, or they have some possible solutions that they're not ready to reveal to the public just yet?       GO EARTHQUAKES!!! -G
      Actually, he's not one of the Godfathers of Bay Area soccer since he was, and still is, from Southern California, and had nothing to do with Bay Area soccer prior to World Cup '94 (and even then, he was in charge of the whole tournament, not just the Bay Area venue).       Milan Mandaric, Dan Van Voorhis, Peter Bridgwater, Johnny Moore, among others ... now those guys are the Godfathers of Bay Area soccer!       GO EARTHQUAKES!!! -G
If that's the case, then don't pay any attention to his opinion at all. He's probably a Galaxy fan. Ugh.
You, and I and most people on this board won't or don't want to accept, "good enough". But its the FO who are making that decision unfortunatly.
In response to Noah, yes, Ridge definitely said Rothenberg said this just this past Saturday. Yea, I think this was the implication of what he was referring to, that the Quakes (and their respective owners or non-owners) had blown it in the years '97 - '00 or around there, and the situation had never recovered. And sorry Goodsie if I thought Rothenberg was a Godfather of Bay Area soccer. I'd always thought that since he came very close to buying the Quakes in '98 that that had been his domain for quite some time, but I guess I was mistaken.
It doesn't matter if he is or is not a Bay Area godfather of soccer. What matters is that he's pretty influential in US soccer, and his opinion probably reflects what others in MLS think. This is a good thing, as it means that nobody is seriously considering moving the franchise, and that the MLS powers-that-be will be patient for the near future. Now if someone could pump in more money...
I feel obliged to point out in every thread discussing attendance that you can make a difference. Take your friends to a game and bring them by the Club Quake tailgate. Refer a friend to buy tickets through the ClubQuake ticket referral contest at www.clubquake.org. Take your team to the game. Write the Mercury News... You know the drill. I'm preaching to the choir.
I know that Quake's attendance is always a hot topic of conversation, but I'm tired of reading the myrid of excuses why people won't come. I want to read about what's being done to CHANGE the attitude of casual fans. Is there anything else that we can do besides talk up the Quakes to friends and family? How about pitching in (or fundraising) for a newspaper add or billboard FROM THE FANS. It would say something like: Where are you? The San Jose area has one of the best soccer teams in the country. They feature one of the brightest stars in the world in Landon Donovan. They have won a championship and are always competing for league honors. Yet, for some reason, only a few fans show up to watch the most exciting team in town. Spartan Stadium has one of the best atmospheres in all of Major League Soccer, but not when it's empty. We want you! We, the hardcore fans, want you to join us in supporting OUR team. Please come to at least one game. Judge the team for yourself. Bring a youngster who likes to play soccer and give them a very special event to remember. We need you! Help us to support the best team in Major League Soccer. Sit next to us. Cheer with us. Laugh, cry, sing and rejoice. Feel the passion that we long to share with you...... We'll see you? Right? You'll be there to lift us all up, won't you? Signed, San Jose Earthquakes faithful (in here insert ticket contact info, tailgate stuff, ect)