For 205k hes about as good a #2 forward as anybody else. The problem isnt that he cant play, its that hes not worth two million. Look at the lame ass strikers Atlanta is sending out there. Adi would be a huge upgrade.
Yes a $240M stadium is completely shallow pocketed. Cute you think financing isn't something that happens often. Almost as if you didn't know there are two separate markets for such a thing. Covering new crew stadium in black paint may look nice but its really its just a drape over a bare bones stadium with substantial infrastructure costs (that the city paid for). Also already heard people complaining about rise in ticket pricing, like they expect sports owners to swallow $200 million in stadium costs. Pretty good investment if ask me.
Put your money where your mouth is. I sat through the hour long sales presentation for the luxury areas/suites for Crew stadium. What are you basing this on?
I see the Austin/Columbus dick measuring contest is making a comeback. Sigh. Can't we just agree that it is awesome that both teams will soon have a brand spanking new stadium to play in? And that, in the end, 90% of team owners end up being insufferable jerks out for themselves?
But to answer your question, no we can not agree that it's awesome that Austin got a team/stadium. Not with the jackwad owner and how he got it. Nothing against most of their 200 fans. Aside from that I'm all for league expansion and growth of the game - just rather see it be ethically and organically.
Semantics my friend. Pretty much been ferreted out that they did not sell the many deposits but rather claim to have sold a number of deposits that indicated said depositors would potentially purchase the equivalent of that many seats. 1 deposit could reserve right to purchase I believe up to 8 tickets. So by Precourt logic/math his 3,750 deposits will translate into 30,000 seats - I mean since he has that historically successful sports executive Andy Loughne running the show how could he be wrong? (catch the sarcasm?)
In short, not really. We don't know how many people put down deposits for individual season tickets. We know that people who put down deposits could claim up to 8 (I think) season tickets, but there was no extra financial cost for doing so (again, I don't think). Please correct me if I'm wring about this. How many individual deposits were taken that tallied those 30K seats (with one deposit able to claim up to 8 seats), we don't know. How many of those 30K seats will translate in actual season tickets, once people are given the opportunity to buy, we don't know. Look, as a Crew fan, I hate this team. Or, rather, I hate their owner. If Precourt sold to someone else, I'd care no more about Austin than any other expansion team. That said, and despite the spin surrounding their actual number of season ticket deposits, I assume they'll draw well. Sellouts all season long? I have no idea, and personally doubt it (I'm biased, obviously) based on other things I've observed about support in the city. I'm especially dubious about the total lack of an traffic, logistical plan for a stadium that's supposed to open next spring. But we'll see.
I remember people saying the same thing about Atlanta. (No added cost for more deposits, refundable, what percentage will actually buy) but it seems as though a vast majority activated their deposits. Austin only needs about 65% to activate, much less assuming more people have added to the list and they reserve a couple thousand for sponsors and individual/group sales.
One indicator of their conversion rate is that they are still actively pursuing more deposits. So are they not converting as expected? Where the initial reports a sham? You see it's hard to believe anything that comes from Precourt &/or Loughne, because they have a history of unethical and deceiving behavior. The best thing that could happen for Austin is for Precourt to quickly sell out and disappear. Until then the entire organization has a bullseye for criticism and cynicism. No one outside that city will accept them or root for their success.
We've already sold out premium seats. General and supporters tickets go on sale soon. But what do I know. How are the new Columbus stadium "waitlist" seats selling?
Quite a bit behind Austin on the timeline as Crew are just now selling the premium seats but will be late summer before fans get opportunity for supporters and other sections. But thanks for asking. Austin should sell out, they should have a healthy list on sponsors. They are the 1st professional sport in town after all. Still unclear how all those eager fans are going to get to and home from the stadium. Whatever happened to that traffic study anyway?
Being Crew fans, for some weeks now we've been in full torches and pitchforks mode about how our FO is moving ahead with ticket sales for the new stadium. I have to assume that for Columbus, Austin, Cincinnati, this is just an impossible situation. Endless months of lockdown/physical distancing coupled with a suddenly terrifying economic situation flips upside down whatever season ticket campaigns plans these teams had. I have a call with a rep on Monday, but as catfsh says, it'll probably about premium seats, only, and that's just not what I'm looking to buy. Rumor has it seats in my price range might be available come August. But I'll believe it when I see it.
Yes it's true there are many of the long time faithful that are anxious and even a bit annoyed with how Crew are approaching their sales process. The focus so far has been only on premier seating and the complaints have been about pricing for some that have sat in that general area of current stadium. But with the sticker shock is serious first class upgrade to amenities/experience. And of course it cost more to go first class. No idea how sales are going to date. But it will surely ramp up once other sections are opened up for sale. Just got keep the eager long timers calm until they get to plunk down their cash on whatever seats fit their budget.
It's going to be tough across the board. The financial devastation this pandemic is causing to ordinary Americans is definitely going to cause an impact. Luxuries are going to be the first to go, and season tickets to sports/theater/etc are a luxury. With the lack of actual events, there'll be a bit of a delay, but when it comes time to start writing checks or punching in credit card numbers, teams are going to see retention rates fall. Some fans will opt for cheaper seats or go from full season to mini-plans. Every year sees some outright losses due to any number of factors, but with people losing jobs that kind of casual spending is going to tighten up. At least Columbus, Cincy, and even Sacramento have existing ticket holders to work with. Saint Louis, Charlotte, and Austin are the ones basically starting from scratch. And of those three, at least the Charlotte group will have the NFL team and its fans paying the freight for the stadium expenses.
Strangely, bad economy tends to strengthen attendance! People have more free time. Prices may struggle, but I'm optimistic. *the above is based upon limited evidence and is a theory that may not be backed up by reality, but if anyone wants to check MLB/NHL/NBA attendance and overlap it with recessions, I think it will bear out.
Eh. They'll give proper notice, have the new meeting, and vote 'yes' to the stadium again. And if it turns out to be a no vote, NSC can always play at Nissan until a new deal is worked out...or until new county "sports authority" board members are elected.