The Revs didn't have much of a choice. They may have to lie, but when they opened up an "Ask the front office" blog post for questions, instead of rah-rah fanboy softballs, they got 3 questions, repeated in variations multiple times: 1) Roster / DP? 2) Stadium? 3) Shirt sponsor / marketing? Almost all the questions were variations on: what is going on? what are your plans? what are you actually doing? With attrition of fans reaching the hardcore supporters now, they don't have much choice but to address these issues. No one wants to hear about anything else; no one will be impressed unless something is actually done. Honestly, the Krafts run sports team and packaging supply businesses. They don't understand retail and their delusions to the contrary are going to kill them until they cut their losses, bring in a general partner who DOES know retail, and turn over control. Except the Krafts don't have the slightest inclination or emotional capacity to turn over control. It will be interesting when the money suck starts affecting the Patriots as well as the red-headed stepchild Revs.
If you think attendance is bad now...wwwwwhhhew doggy. I'm gonna say almost half the hardcore support, already deeply jaded, would just pack it in after such a statement. To say nothing of the casual support (such as it is). Unless that statement was followed with a huge outlay in marketing, signing a big name player(s), and getting a jersey sponsor. Otherwise the status quo + no chance of leaving Foxboro? Thanks, I'll watch from home. Team Ops security doesn't arrest my friends for cursing when they're sitting on my couch.
Yeah, but I guess the point is, all those people will get to that place sooner or later when they figure out the team doesn't intend to move, assuming they don't. There really is no gain and much to lose that I can see in saying 'we want to find our own stadium solution' if they have no legit desire in that direction. And there's especially no gain in all those motions they'd have to be going through.
People are getting to that place faster and faster around here. I honestly don't think the front office appreciates that their lack of action on any front is driving away their hardcore supporters. They'll never lose the AYSO crowd, they always need an alternative to mini-golf. Their retort is that in percentage of STs renewed, we're tied for fourth. Bragging about being tied for fourth is sad enough and that's saying nothing of the fact that could mean we only have about 500 STHs left (in comparison to 2 or 3K at RBNY for example).
What are you talking about?? Other than infrastructure, Kraft built the stadium himself. In fact he left the Hartford deal which was the sweatheart deal to build Gillette on his land he owned wiht his own money.
It may be a cynical ploy, but since the Boston area is full of the most self-important NIMBY types, ready to sue at the drop of a hat, on the entire East Coast, it behooves them to move slowly and quietly if they want an urban stadium.
Kraft also learned from the South Boston attempt to build a new Pats stadium. That do not do this privately and not involve local leaders and residents.
From looking at "this Old House" series on TV the Boston area , even if want to change a window or a door in your house or paint your bedroom red or blue, you must tell the city about it. I am sure you can't hide to build a 25k stadium right under your nose.
I want to thank the Revs fans for keeping the rest of us informed. It's going to be a long and difficult trek, and I wish you guys the best of luck.
Bob Kraft has spoken: http://www.boston.com/sports/soccer/articles/2010/07/13/his_cup_runneth_over/?page=1 Not under the gun? ugh...maybe not financially and maybe because you own your stadium but come on, WE WANT OUR OWN STADIUM. The comment about hearing offers around NE, personally doesn't really make me very happy, I want this team in Boston.
And FRISCO IS A WONDERFUL LOCATION that has been NOTHING BUT GOOD FOR THE LEAGUE and we can only hope New England builds somewhere AS STRATEGIC AS FRISCO!!! Sincerely, Bigsoccer.
I realize this, it's just a bit disheartening that there's no real urgency to the process. I'd also say it's a little more than a few dozen fans. It's fans that don't want to go to an 80% empty stadium to watch a soccer match. It's potential fans of the Revs that would absolutely attend games if they had their own stadium and could harbor a thoroughly positive game day experience. It's important that the organization chooses the right location, but looking for an SSS didn't start yesterday, it's been a long, drawn out 6 year process that hasn't really gone anywhere.
Hey, in 25 years when Oklahoma City and North Dallas blend into one giant megalopolis, everyone's gonna be real jealous of that Frisco location.
I live 3 miles from the proposed stadium. I'd be a season ticket holder if they built it. And I hate the Revs. Trust me, I completely understand. But the fact is... you've got really shitty ownership. And that's not likely to change. I'm sorry. <snarf!>
If public transport went anywhere near Gillette on revs gamedays you'd see far fewer complaints. Playing on turf sucks, Playing in an empty stadium sucks, but the number one complaint I hear from people is "I can't get all the way out to Foxboro, isn't there a train?" I drive out from Waltham for every game so it's not that big of a deal for me but more than half the people I ask to go with me don't have cars and would love to go if they could just get there without me having to drive into cambridge/somerville/brighton/allston to pick them up.
Coming from the north, we won't get into the whole North Station / Green Line / Red Line / South Station insanity -- I'm not sure which corrupt Boston politician to blame for this mess, but it's far older than Bob Kraft. Suffice to say, even if game day trains ran from Boston, for anyone noticeably north of Boston, that wouldn't do much good.
If you want to know about what's being planned for that area, and thus what the chances and details of a stadium site are, you should go here and start reading: http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/currentmaterials.asp?area=mls What happens in the next couple of years regarding the Green Line Extension is going to have a huge impact on any development in this area. Of particular use: Maintenance Facility Presentation (I think this is Option L, which I'm fairly sure is what the MBTA is going to go with...): https://www.commentmgr.com/Projects... House_Somerville_Final_6_12--Maint Facil.pdf Brickbottom Presentation (The proposed T station that would be nearest a stadium): https://www.commentmgr.com/Projects... House_Somerville_Final_6_12--Brickbottom.pdf And now, my completely uneducated educated guess at possible stadium sites. I used Pizza Hut Park and Crew Stadium as a size gauge to determine reasonable fit. Click to see the full size image. "Viable" site options are highlighted in green, with the southern location being the most likely, in my mind. YMMV.