COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Crew announced today that, with the help of its fans, it plans to "Black Out" the stands at Crew Stadium for its 5 p.m. showdown against the Los Angeles Galaxy on September 30. Fans attending the nearly sold-out game against the Galaxy are encouraged to show their support for the Black & Gold by wearing black attire to Crew Stadium that night. The "Black Out" is intended as a rallying point for Crew fans in attendance, while also providing an electric atmosphere for a match that is sure to have MLS playoff implications. While Crew fans are encouraged to don any piece of black attire for the September 30th contest, limited edition "09.30.07 Black Out" shirts will also be available for purchase that night in the Crew Gear merchandise store, while supplies last.
Not to be a nay-sayer, but this thing is going to flop in their faces. Also, they better try selling these shirts in more places than just the merchandise store or we'll see these damn things on the clearance rack for ages. Has there been any marketing of this outside the team's website? Local TV or radio? Billboards or even a half-page advertisement in the local paper(s)?
Besides, doesn't black not really show very well on the tele? That's why Blue Jackets and Penn St. do "White out" nights. And when OSU wanted to recipricate the PSU white-out they did a "Grey out" game and not a "scarlet out" game. And considering all the seats are yellow... Even with a sell out, it's not like they pack you in where you are litterally squeezing in between your seat neighbors like at Ohio Stadium, there's still plenty of exposed bleachers.
Good luck talking a ton of kids out of wearing their Official LA replica Beckham home jersey. This white shirt will contract nicely with the "black out"
Last year when WVU played at Louisville, the Cardinals had a "black-out" and it showed pretty well on TV, but then again, they may have had some aerial coverage shots that helped to add to the appearance.
We're more than a month out. They want to get the word out to the small segment of fans that visit their website first, I'm sure as it gets closer they will get the message in more places. You really think there will be that many Beckham jerseys? People are coming out to see Beckham, but not to cheer for him.
I was at Dicks Sporting Goods on Saturday at Polaris, they had one rack of Yellow Crew Kits and 3 of Beckham WackyWeedLife jerseys. So yeah, I agree, I was worried about the number of Gals fans (well in shirts anyway) vs Crew fans.
OSU did a "Scarlet Out" not a "Gray out" last year. The Blue Jackets and PSU did a "White Out" becuase they are prominant colors in their uniforms. If they really want to have this work they should be giving out free shirts.
Giving away free shirts would eat up the profit they are making off this Beckham package. Is this game even going to be on ESPN 2?
The point is is that they ought to be able to get Sierra Mist or someone like that to sponsor the shirts, get them out there for free like @ white out nights for the CBJ. Buy shirts? Best of fooking luck with that then...
[SIZE=-1]Maybe you should put some clothes on, if you want to keep fighting crime today?[/SIZE] (rep available on the ID...)
I think the FO is prob thinking that if enough of us die-hards, who think about the Crew on other days than just on game day, will come decked out in black... then poor chumps that didn't get the message (and don't forget the looser kiddie Beckham-jersey-wearers) will buy the black tee-shirts bc they feel left out. Just a thought. But I'm sure that's too optimistic in any case...
Actually, considering how long this has been sold out and the price of the tickets, I wouldn't be surprised if there is a person in pretty much every seat.
Assuming Beckham even bothers to come to Columbus of course. Game is on Direct Kick and HDNet. So it's not like many people will see it on tv anyway. I think it's more of just an "atmosphere at the stadium" kind of thing.
The Crew will probably wait until the week of to promote the shirts to the common fans on the fence as to what to wear...