Didn't know where to put this but thought it was worth noting. FC Cincinati Attendance is running ahead of the Crews. Don't have the exact numbers handy but so far they have had 20,000 plus for the first game,16,000 plus in the pouring rain for the second game. An article today says they are pushing for 25,000 fans at May 14 game against Pittsburg What they have going for them is that they are new and there are a lot of soccer fans in southern Ohio and northern KY. The games are played at the University of Cincinnati. Their prices are very reasonable, if you are a UC student you can get a ticket for $5.00. There highest ticket is $25.00. If they can continue with that kind of Attendance they may have an argument for MLS. At least that is their hope. Carl Lender is their major owner and he is financially sound. They would be a great rivaly with the Crew. Don't know what Attendance would be after ticket prices are raised to cover the cost of a MLS franchise but it is a good sign for soccer in the state and the USA.
The problem is that if they become an MLS team, the price hike will be high, and attendance will plummet like you mention. Unless they could bring in a big-ish name player. But I doubt they'd be willing to shell money out for that, and I doubt player interest in going there would be greater than player interest in coming to C-Bus I wouldn't rule an eventual MLS team there out completely, but I fully expect other larger market cities (San Fran, Sacramento, Detroit, perhaps Tampa again, maybe San Diego or St Louis, etc, etc.) are more likely to get teams before Cincy.
I'm of the opinion that having MM as a consultant has helped. While there are differing opinions of Mark (especially concerning the TV deal, which has been discussed to death), he knows MLS and knows the soccer market. Look, I'm still impressed with that kind of attendance even at those low prices for some folks like students and kids. There was a time when you couldn't get 20K to a game if you gave them away. There's apparently real interest there, for a team that really isn't that high quality.
Cincinnati FC average: 15,491 Columbus Crew SC average: 17,145 Just sayin' Still impressive I agree, but let's see how they are doing in say, year three, before we shower them with accolades. Sadly, I don't think there is a check big enough for Garber to allow multiple teams in Ohio. I'll eat a soccer boot if I'm wrong.
They got pretty close on the first and we'll likely never know how close on the second (rumors were that the league squashed at least one deal). But that's not the point.
Had to run a few errands today and had WLW on the radio. WLW hates soccer. They are the home of the Reds and Bengals and UC and Xavier football and basketball. They have never said a nice word about soccer. It was on Billy Cunningham's show and they were talking nicely about FC Cincinnati. Talking about the good Attendance and play. They talked about the upcoming Pittsburg game and if the soccer team could do what no other Cincinnati team could do and that is beat a Pittsburg team. It is the first time since the Crew came into existence that WLW has said a kind word about soccer. I remember a few years back that a Crew rep ( maybe MM) was on the radio with Seg Dennison, their NASCAR, etc.,sports reporter. Seg Dennison was a customer of mine and he didn't have any love for soccer. Sounds like they are softening their view of Soccer! It's possible that Carl Linder, fc Cincinnati owner, United Dairy Farmer's owner, advertising dollars could have something to do with the softened attitude towards soccer!
It's a new team, and pro soccer in Cincinnati has been spotty & crappy before this -- it's telling that what is essentially a division 3 team is creating this kind of buzz. It also hasn't hurt that they've signed on some recognizable names (MM, Harkes) in the world of soccer, and a local rich dude to finance the whole deal whose dad used to own the Reds (ie: "ins" with the local sports old boys/media).
I'm of the opinion, that the Crew need a better "rival" Cincinnati could be it, maybe Indy. Both would be great. Even Detroit. I'd like to see all of them. Attendance at those games could/would likely be the highest of the season. Add in passionate suporters and it could be hella fun. I think this is just what the Crew need... rather than hate on TFC (although that is fun) or pretend Chicago is the evil empire. I'd certainly be more likely to go to an away game in one of those cities.
Don't be crazy. We could easily support a 64 team league. Every team makes the playoffs. BOOM. Rich forever.
Don't know were in the (heck) my post went, but it probably wasn't that great a post and I'm too lazy and don't want too rethink it all over again! I just wanted to support the idea of many devisons and a playoff system like the NFL!
The Columbus Crew hold the MLS rights to Ohio, FC Cincinnati would have to pay them to end the exclusive agreement. Now nobody knows if that agreement expires or not, but RedBull was paid by NYCFC to play. I read about the RedBull being paid, I asked the former GM of Chicago Fire and Indy 11 and he said that he knew that the Hunts had an exclusive agreement for Ohio, but didn't know the details.
With all the talk I have heard on WLW, I wonder if they have a financial interest in the team. They are new and in a honeymoon period, attendance will drop unless they deliver wins and a title. I would love to see a team down in Cincy, but see me in 2-3 years if they can maintain 15K plus next season or in 2018.
I honestly don't care. What were the Crew's initial attendance numbers? The Bungals aren't playing yet, the Reds had a fire-sale... Their USL team is the only "game" in town at the moment. Talk to me in 5 years when the shine has worn off or they start losing.