Here is a list of some news stations and reporters that you may want to contact about showing Athletica games/highlights. Channel 11 http://www.cw11tv.com/pages/kplr_contact Channel 5 programming@ksdk.com Rene Knott : rknott@ksdk.com Frank Cusumano : fcusumano@ksdk.com Katie Felts : kfelts@ksdk.com Channel 4 sports@kmov.com kmov-programs@kmov.com Channel 2 http://www.fox2now.com/about/ktvi-contactus-sports-form,0,1907671.htmlstory You could say something like: Hello, I'm writing today because I have an interest in the new soccer team, The St. Louis Athletica. St. Louis has a rich soccer tradition and the area should know what this team has to offer. I ask that you have highlights of the games during your newscasts or if at all possible, show the games. There are fans ready to show support. Thank you for your time, ___________ Let's get some inboxes filled.
Do we know if the Athletica front office has tried getting any of these stations in particular? If I can focus my efforts on one inbox, I'd like that. =-)
Not sure. We know they are going for someone to broadcast it, but it can't hurt to try and get all the networks to at least show highlights. They can spend time showing high school highlights, so they better make 1 minute to talk about world class athletes.
Ron Jacober on KMOX did interview Lori Chalupny this morning for about 5 minutes. It was pretty much the normal questions, but a lot of people listen to KMOX, so it helps. Lori gave the phone number and website address for people interested in tickets. But KMOX plays more to an older audience. I think we need people of all ages, but for the most part, the WPS fan is going to be younger or parent of a young player.
That may be true, but I wouldn't rule out an older group. Interestingly, a significant part of the U of Portland women's soccer following is in the 40 to 70 age group, many with children long gone and many with no affiliation with the U of P other than soccer. I'd bet that a major portion of the season ticket holders fit within that group. They are avid fans and are among those who will travel long distances to see the women play. If you can capture a significant number from that group, they're likely to have staying power and have the income to provide important support. Good luck, your Army's efforts are very impressive.
Any chance that Fox Sports Midwest might be interested in broadcasting some games? I don't live in the St. Louis area anymore, but we do get Fox in the north-central Illinois area (mainly because theybroadcast the Cardinals), and, other than the FSC broadcasts, that would be my only chance to see the team play.
I think it is remote. The problem is the Cardinals. Fox Sports Midwest covers roughly 130 Cardinal games. It doesn't leave room for much else during the spring and summer. Out of Athletica's 20 games, 10 are on Saturday, 6 on Sunday, and 4 on Wednesday. I think going through the schedule, there was only one of the 4 Wednesdays where there wasn't a Cardinal game. It looked like out of the 10 Saturday games, FSM might be able to do 2 or so. Sunday would be the ideal time since the Cardinals usually play day games on Sunday and if they are on at night, it's on ESPN. But 5 of the 6 Athletica games on Sunday night are already being shown on FSC, so there would only be one game out of those that FS-Midwest might do. So there are only about 4 that could be telecast around the Cards. Four would be better than none, but something tells me that Channel 11 is our best bet here locally. The other option would be to show the games on taped delay. I don't know if that's being looked at or not.
Considering the recent coverage from KMOV and KSDK, I say we re-double our efforts for sending e-mails to those two stations. What thinks you all? =-)
I don't know if any of the franchises have a local package yet, certainly not a complete package. Fox Sports Midwest is going to be almost impossible because of the Cards. There are 10 Saturday games and 4 Wednesdays and FSM will be covering the Cards almost every one of those days.
What about Charter local access? They show HIGH SCHOOL stuff for pete's sake! They could show some Athletica games and it would be better than nothing. Somebody from the Athletica needs to contact Charter or Channel 11 directly about showing games.
Charter? As in just recently filed for bankruptcy charter? I think the wps can find better bed fellows than that. CBS!! They produce quality stuff.
LOL! You won't get a national over the air network to broadcast WPS. They don't even broadcast MLS except for the MLS Cup and maybe 1 game a year.
Honestly....the last thing want is television for home contests. In a league such as this our success is made at the gate. We need as many people out there as possible.
Yeah, but it would be nice if road games were televised or at least online to view. This next game at Boston can't even be followed without some sort of viewing. Soccer is a very visual game and you can't even really tell what's going on even on radio and there is no radio. Matchtraker is a joke and not worth it so WPS needs to get some games on TV or at least open up some online viewing options. I'd even pay if they want.
Yeah....I feel you on that. However, the expenses would be problematic for a league that is trying to keep costs low. Plus, no station would be willing to take the risk because of the lack of ratings it would bring in.
But with technology these days where anything and everything is online to view they should be able to have the games online to view. They can even charge a fee for it.
Agreed. Until the middle of May I am out here in western North Carolina, so I'm going to be missing both home and road games. So I totally feel ya but hell 8 out of 11 ain't bad
On the games where I'm at, I'll try to provide some kind of a match report afterwards. The trouble is when you're cheering, photographing, and analyzing, you tend to miss stuff. We're out of luck, except for matchtracker and twitter, for Boston. I'll be at the next four games after that: 4/25 vs. LA Sol 5/3 at Washington 5/9 vs. FC Gold Pride 5/23 at Chicago The 5/3 game will be televised on FSC if you have it.
WPS is supposedly working on online options for this season so we'll see what happens for later in the season.
Yeah....tragically around the dorm here you can't get a dish and we have bottom of the barrel basic cable. Nearest bar that even has FSC is like a 45 minute drive. thank you though for the offer.....if you are writing one anyways I'll be glad to read it but don't make any special effort for lil ol me ;-)
It's no problem, I was just saying to not expect the best quality from me. Hey, if you can drive from Carolina to get here for the opener, I can take a few minutes to give you an idea of how the game went. Besides, it's always interesting to compare notes with others who were at the game. I was surprised, but basically everyone that was at the St. Louis/Chicago game had pretty much the same general opinion of how that game went, although there are always going to be differences on some points.