I look at the Altitude.tv and see no programming efforts for their team or new stadium. This is dissappionting seeing that they put so much advertising in "DSGP the World's Largest Soccer Complex." I would at least like to see a show with coach Clavijo, or maybe Dino Costa and Celo. I don't know how much people watch altitude during the Nuggets and AVS offseason, BUT if they can sell this team to the TV audience then maybe some fans would come out and watch the game in person. Rather than the WEAK 10,000 that showed up in our SSS. Any ideas on shows or programming efforts rather than "The World's Game" commercials...???
Teddy, Cello and myself have a standing offer to the Rapids to do a weekly television series during the season. Chances of that happening with the inclusion of Dino Costa? Not too good. Cello? Well, it remains to be seen I guess. Now the chances of me ever appearing on Altitude...well lets just say that I'd have a better shot at getting a date with Posh Spice. Certainly I believe that Cello should be used as an ambassador for the team (forget me) and the Rapids should seek ways to work him into their community relations program immediately. In addition, the Radio Colorado Network offered to broadcast (in English) the road game in Salt Lake that was not available to those without the DirecTV Direct Kick package...we offered to do it gratas (that means for nothing)...they never returned our phone call after the invitation. Who lost in this deal? YOU, the fans. If that doesn't tell you how much they dislike me...do I need to say any more? Hi Paul!
Bonji I truly hope you were kidding? Nobody ever "trashed" the Rapids marketing efforts - certainly not on te radio program we didn't. If sound discussion, in the name of coming up with ideas, or, if conversation geared towards finding other ways to reach a fan base, or, if comparing what the Rapids do in their marketng efforts in relation to what other teams in MLS are doing (or not) is to be considered "trashing", then I guess I will plead guilty as you have charged? My strained (to put it nicely) relationship with KSE has nothing to do with the Rapids - they are in fact the lone entity in the KSE empire that currently credentials me. What you fail to mention is that the Rapids organizaton should be thrilled, that a a member of the Denver sports media I even know who they are. If there is another current Denver sports talker who can talk up soccer alongside me then please offer him up. My wish would be for more sports talkers in the Mile High City to talk up this game. That should be the Rapids hope as well, shouldn't it? Through Marcelo Balboa's efforts, a show has been created on a signal that broadcasts out of Denver during the hours that it is on with fifty thousand watts. Through these efforts the Rapids organization is the beneficiary of what truly amounts to being a two hour commerical for their organization with zero out of pocket expenses to KSE. Is there another radio show in any other MLS city that is two hours in length devoted specifically and only to soccer? Although the show is "Rapids intensive", what the show is not - and what Marcelo refuses to allow the show to becme, is another in a long line of house organ pieces for KSE...nor should the Rapids hope it ever becomes that. Certainly the Rapids and KSE are more than capable of developing their own soccer programming on their television station - and they should. Those shows will serve as nothing more however, than extensions of their public relations departments - and nothing more than marketing tools designed to pump up interest in their soccer franchise. For our show to become that would be an insult to you - and every soccer fan who grants us their ears every Tuesday night. So to conclude, let me state that if we ever "trash" anything as far as whatever the Rapids are doing - or not doing, it is never done with malice, and always done with an open mind and with the best of intentions from the hosts of the show, who want to see soccer continue to develop and flourish in Denver. The Rapids don't own "From The Pitch". Marcelo Balboa does. I would suggest that anyone reading this board from the Rapids organization who wants to see the program develop into nothing more than an extenson of the Rapids P.R. department...they can do two things. 1-Buy the show from Balboa and replace us with hosts of their own choice. 2-Develop their own show on another station...which is always an option. Question though Bonji...which of the two shows (assuming their was a Rapids produced show) would you listen to the most?
Dino in no means do I want KSE to own "From the Pitch" for it is a great show, you and Cello do an excellent job when it comes to the world of soccer. I just want Jeff Plush to get a ton of Criticism, and a lot of questions about efforts on a DP or a better talent pool. The Rapids are a great attacking team, and Brown serves as a great inside striker type player, but they still lack defense. The continued success of the program will be the continuance of ownership that Cello has, I think you two are bieng disrespected in the Denver media, and the Rapids should be glad someone besides Kendall and KS107.5 market the team. I wouldn't be mad if you guys trash the Rapids for there Lame Duck approach to their fans, THEY JUST DON"T CARE ABOUT US and that hands down makes the Rapids organization a sub par team, and until they show respect to the game of soccer and their fans that pay money to see their product then I wil continue to disrespect the RFO...
The Rapids have always had zero tolerance for criticism. It's pathetic really. Your show is EXACTLY what is needed. You're exactly right - they should be kissing your ass and thanking you with roses. I know someone that broke a big story about the team - a story the Rapids didn't want to get out there - and they were banned from reporting on them. Try that tactic in any of the "Major" sports!!!
It only happens in towns where their is a provinicialism. A radio host got fired in San Antonio for making fun of the Spurs. And since KSE owns 3/5ths of the major teams in Denver, the same rules seem to apply.
Dino, I certainly wasn't trying to disparage your show. I think what you and Marcelo are doing is great and I certainly don't want to listen to a Rapids PR show. You bring a professionalism to Denver soccer radio that has not been imaginable to this point. I had in my mind the conversation about TFC and scarves on the last show. That is all I thought that would have been "thrashing". I suppose I was a bit harsh. You guys are doing a great job, keep it up!
On your show tonight, could you ask Jeff Plush why the Rapids are not giving the season ticket holders pint glasses on thursday and forcing them to buy tickets to a game they already hold tickets for? You should ask him point blank if he really cares about the fans let alone the season ticket holders and if he responds that he does, counter with the question above and other issues that have been brought up here. I would love for him to be asked the "hard" questions. If your not going to ask the questions, will you be accepting callers during his time on the air?
I love it, we need questions like this directed to him. What is the point of having these type of games if nothing is an incentive to us the season ticket holders? I know the RFO is watching right now and they need to start answering some questions. Because i will be an angry fan if I don't get my 2 pint glassesor whatever there given away in any game for that matter...
I urge you guys & gals to flood the phone lines tonight. Direct questions deserve direct answers? 303-485-2152 1-800-531-3815
Dino, I get what you are saying I do... and I hope people do call. But excuse me if I think that it won't matter. Plush can't answer a straight question one on one at a season ticket holder event. Everyone that was there at the branding ceremony should remember how he started to back peddle about two sylables into his speech. Again Dino, I really hope a whole buch of people call and ask these needed and direct questions, but I also hope that you and Chello will push for a straight answer. Plush is too slimy and been in business too long to just come out and answer a question honestly. It's going to take you guys to push for a straight answer.