Despite the fact that we play in the shadow of the Kodak corporate HQs and use their lots for event parking, Kodak is nothing more than a corporate sponsor. Not even a major sponsor. A local real-estate firm is the shirt sponsor and HSBC bank has their name on our shorts. I'm sure Kodak will have some sort of corporate suite in our new stadium but I doubt they'll go beyond that. It would probably help them to get a beter market share in the world digital camera market if they could get sponsorship with a soccer team. But the Rochester Rhinos even in the MLS aren't going to do that. Xerox, the founders of photocopying technology also have their world HQs in Rochester as does contact lense giant Bausch&Lomb. Also despite the fact that Kodak is the biggest employer in the area, it has laid off more than half of it's work force in the past 20 years. So there are probably more disgruntled former Kodak employees in the area than there are current employees. There are many better sources of money for an MLS bid in the area. One is Constellation Brands the worlds largest conglomerate of wine and spirits brands, owned by a local family (not a public company). One is Tom Golisano, billionaire founder of Paychex Inc, and of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres, and a likely Republican candidate for NY state Government once the current governor leaves office. Another is the Wegman family who owns the Wegman's Suppermarket Chain, one of the highest rated Supermarket Chains in the country and the highest rated company to work for in the United States. Another source of funding could be from Rochester natives Joel Glazer and his father Malcolm who still have residences in the area and who have opened offices for their NFL team in the area as well. There are many many sources for current owner Frank DuRoss to connect with to come up with the money for an MLS team.
No, Kodak's not struggling with digital imaging, they're #1 in the US Market in digital camera sales, unfortunately none of those digital cameras are made in the United States and have very little outside of the R&D surrounding them to do with Rochester. Kodak's employees, on the other hand, are hurting from the switch from film to digital imaging. Most of the 25 to 30 thousand employees who were forced out (early retirement or layoffs) have found new jobs, especially with the 20-30 Kodak off-shoot companies, but most of the new jobs don't pay as well and offer the same benefits afforded Kodak employees in the boom years.
Thanks to everyone, specially to drew_VT_6 for the wide and accurate answer he gave. About that, Glazer ... the ones who bought recently the main packet of the Manchester United ?! I'm sure the answer is yes ... OT Looking to this situation, I can't avoid to make a comparison with my hometown soccer team. Modena is a medium size city with a rich industries background: from motors to tiles to food, lot of people in Modena and surrounds have deep pockets and high visibility. Despite that, we struggled in the recent past to find a local owner willing to put some money on the table and build up something good, someone able to let us make that step ahead. The actual owner doesn't come from Modena, to confirm that. A part from that, I didn't know about Kodak situation, probably they have now something better to care about than become a major sponsor with the Rhinos. But damn is it possible that no one wants to help DuRoss make the big step and take mls to Rochester?
If Glazer didn't give a crap about soccer in Tampa, where he controls everything, why would he give a crap about one in Rochester? ~bitter Floridian MLS fan
Let's put it this way, before next April, Rochester has nowhere for an MLS team to realistically play games. FDR has stated once the stadium is done he will put time, energy and money into securing an MLS team. Once he puts his mind to it, I am sure he can easily secure the necessary funding. By the way go to: http://photos.rhinossoccer.com/index.php?cat=1 to see the latest photos of our new stadium scheduled to open next spring.
Thanks for your link, actually I'm monitoring all the SSS being built there, from PHP in Dallas to Bridgeview and Paetec Park too. Here are some links referring to our stadium: http://www.tifonet.it/modenafc/index-5_file/stadio_file/stadio.jpg http://www.tifonet.it/modenafc/index-163_file/braglia/braglia/i/braglia37.jpg http://digilander.libero.it/canary/stadio.jpg
Are you sure? I know they did move the the headquarters to Stampford but I am pretty sure about a year ago they moved back to Rochester. I thought I heard and read about that. When was the last time wikipedia was updated?
Because of significant tax breaks....World Quarters of Xerox were relocated From Rochester to Stamford, Conn. back in 1969. Presently only a few hundred empoyees work at their HQ....but the "meat and potatoes" of Xerox remain in Rochester, NY. Over 10,000 people work in Rochester ...administration, manufacturing and Reseach and development. There were rumors floating around regarding Xerox moving back to Rochester a few years ago...but it remains in Stamford, Conn.
Newest from Garber: Rochester, New York: The USL's Rhinos really do a great job up there and we look forward to the debut of PAETEC Park this year. Although we have no specific plans for expansion into Rochester, we are in regular conversations with Frank DuRoss of the Rhinos. http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20060410&content_id=55957&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp
Here's a video clip on PaeTec Park. GM Matt Ford says it makes "the MLS" a viable option. Channel 13 Tour of PTP