Clark Hunt is selling the Columbus Crew soccer team

[memyselfI]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Very well said. My exact thoughts as well, but i understand soccer has a niche.

Also, while i admire what Sporting KC has done, i wonder how much of their rise in popularity has to do the Chiefs and Royals alienating their fanbase away? Would Sporting KC be nearly as popular if the Chiefs and Royals were winning?

Yes, they would but maybe not as fast of a turnaround.

The growth of soccer has steadily increased over the past fifteen years. Not just in loser KC but other places in the US. That means it's popular in places where there are winning franchises not just in downtrodden markets.

The growth of the internet and social media and it's acceptance with a younger demographic, many of whom played soccer, has helped expedite the popularity of the sport as its now easier to follow without major media coverage. It's one of the sports that has grown in popularity WITHOUT major media being involved. ESPN and NBC Sports jumped on board when they saw the upward trajectory of popularity. THEY DID NOT CREATE IT. Now with increased media coverage and games being seen almost every week the growth will continue.

Back to KC, many of the younger fan base of SKC has NEVER seen a winner in this town either as a child or as a young adult. The fact that SKC got to the semifinals in their first year of rebrand and aggressively targeted and marketed towards a younger demographic was not only pure genius but a bit of good fortune.

In addition, their becoming the largest youth soccer club in JOCO and all ages of kids wearing a Sporting shield on their uniform will practically guarantee a perpetual interest in the team. What kid going to Sporting games won't want to wear their shield while playing and vice versa. I know if my son wasn't in his last years of club soccer it would be a huge draw for him.

The young and visionary owners of SKC have laid the groundwork for a good deal of sustained success. Will it fall apart if the team starts to fail? Maybe but probably not any more than what we see with the Chiefs or Royals. There will be a core group of fans who follow the sport and love their team no matter what. Like the Royals and Chiefs.

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by InterruptingCow

Yes, they would but maybe not as fast of a turnaround.

The growth of soccer has steadily increased over the past fifteen years. Not just in loser KC but other places in the US. That means it's popular in places where there are winning franchises not just in downtrodden markets.

The growth of the internet and social media and it's acceptance with a younger demographic, many of whom played soccer, has helped expedite the popularity of the sport as its now easier to follow without major media coverage. It's one of the sports that has grown in popularity WITHOUT major media being involved. ESPN and NBC Sports jumped on board when they saw the upward trajectory of popularity. THEY DID NOT CREATE IT. Now with increased media coverage and games being seen almost every week the growth will continue.

Back to KC, many of the younger fan base of SKC has NEVER seen a winner in this town either as a child or as a young adult. The fact that SKC got to the semifinals in their first year of rebrand and aggressively targeted and marketed towards a younger demographic was not only pure genius but a bit of good fortune.

In addition, their becoming the largest youth soccer club in JOCO and all ages of kids wearing a Sporting shield on their uniform will practically guarantee a perpetual interest in the team. What kid going to Sporting games won't want to wear their shield while playing and vice versa. I know if my son wasn't in his last years of club soccer it would be a huge draw for him.

The young and visionary owners of SKC have laid the groundwork for a good deal of sustained success. Will it fall apart if the team starts to fail? Maybe but probably not any more than what we see with the Chiefs or Royals. There will be a core group of fans who follow the sport and love their team no matter what. Like the Royals and Chiefs.

Great points. I also think that MLB has steadily been losing the attention of younger generations for years.

Its almost as if kids are saying now "MLB, yea, my Grandpa and Dad like to watch that"

It doesnt help much when their playoff games run until Midnight on school nights.

[memyselfI]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Great points. I also think that MLB has steadily been losing the attention of younger generations for years.

Its almost as if kids are saying now "MLB, yea, my Grandpa and Dad like to watch that"

It doesnt help much when their playoff games run until Midnight on school nights.

I think MLB is just too slow and quiet for this ADHD constant stimulation generation. The piped in organ music doesn't help. That is why baseball stadiums like the Royals have done things to add an excitement element to the game. Like beer gardens and playgrounds. If they really wanted to make it interesting they'd mix the two...



I like baseball and enjoy going to the games but there is no one in my house who will go. They find it incredibly boring.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by InterruptingCow

The growth of soccer has steadily increased over the past fifteen years.

Due to infiltration of foreign governments, communists, Muslims, and illegal aliens.

[rtmike]

Originally Posted by Whitlockbabymomma

In addition, their becoming the largest youth soccer club in JOCO and all ages of kids wearing a Sporting shield on their uniform will practically guarantee a perpetual interest in the team. What kid going to Sporting games won't want to wear their shield while playing and vice versa. I know if my son wasn't in his last years of club soccer it would be a huge draw for him.

My daughter's team has been called the Timbers a couple decades anyways. We just absorbed a club so there was talk of what the name might be?

Fast forward to the beginning of summer. The Portland Timbers are just across the river (just like KC, Mo. & KC, Ks. in that a river separates. With us it's Vancouver, Wa. & Portland, Or.) & approached our club, Vancouver United, & 3 of the top tier clubs' in Portland about starting up what they call an Alliance. So now it's North (us), eastern, western, & south Timbers. We also had a sponsor step up so the uniform kit has "Director's Mortgage" on the front with each club's insignia up in the front corner.

It's cool for the kids' since all the clubs were top notch to begin with so the name Timbers is well represented in the NW. Got to talking to someone & the NW has grown some decent players.

We're hoping for the women to someday move in. That would benefit our daughter. She's currently on the premier team at her age level. She wants to play for the National team someday. With the boys, my understanding is they can add a local player & it won't count towards a draft pick or something??? Which is super cool since they signed one of their 1st off the U23 team.

I'm trying to give her what my Father never gave me. It's been super easy so far simply because I'm there for her. I'm her full time chauffeur.

I too, use to hate soccer but have really grown to enjoy it now. The Portland Timbers sell out @ the beginning of the season. We've talked about buying season tickets cause it's actually not that much money!

[memyselfI]

He still owns FC Dallas and he's majorly vested in the MLS so this doesn't mean he's getting out of soccer. He's not a complete idiot. Maybe it means he's selling his teams outside of Texas. THAT would be awesome. Get some local owners to own the team and watch things change for the better...fingers crossed for the Chiefs.

[TribalElder]

Since he couldn't trick Pioli into signing an extension with a new buyout clause it will take some loot to give Scotty the boot

[ChiefMojo]

I do know friends that go to SPKC games purely because they are winners. They care less about soccer as a whole. If the Royals and Chiefs were winners they would never go to a soccer game. Then again these guys would prefer we had the NHL though.

[memyselfI]

Originally Posted by ChiefMojo

I do know friends that go to SPKC games purely because they are winners. They care less about soccer as a whole. If the Royals and Chiefs were winners they would never go to a soccer game. Then again these guys would prefer we had the NHL though.

Truth be told, I know there is a portion of an SKC crowd going for the meat market/party element. You see them not paying attention to the game but rather to the crowd. Whatever. If it's known as a place to go and have a good time because you can meet people then so be it...

It's eye candyville.

[|Zach|]

Originally Posted by InterruptingCow

Truth be told, I know there is a portion of an SKC crowd going for the meat market/party element. You see them not paying attention to the game but rather to the crowd. Whatever. If it's known as a place to go and have a good time because you can meet people then so be it...

It's eye candyville.

Different fans enjoy a team or sport for different reasons be it SKC, Chiefs, or Royals.

[carlos3652]

Just my 2 cents -

For anyone thinking a 3-0 game with 40 min left is a snooze fest - think again -

Barcelona 5-4 away winner vs Deportivo La Coruna this last weekend was amazing -

Barcelona has not lost this season, and Deportivo is in relegation zone -

Barcelona was up 3-0 19 min in - this one went down to the wire. Messi was insane -

I dont care who you are - but if you dont like soccer, and just watch Barcelona and Messi play, its hard not to like them and the sport.

Anyways - Im from Argentina, and I live soccer, Sporting is my US team and while sometimes really hard to watch (as the play is not as fluid as my national team, or local argentina team i root for) its still fun.

[memyselfI]

Originally Posted by carlos3652

Just my 2 cents -

For anyone thinking a 3-0 game with 40 min left is a snooze fest - think again -

Barcelona 5-4 away winner vs Deportivo La Coruna this last weekend was amazing -

Barcelona has not lost this season, and Deportivo is in relegation zone -

Barcelona was up 3-0 19 min in - this one went down to the wire. Messi was insane -

I dont care who you are - but if you dont like soccer, and just watch Barcelona and Messi play, its hard not to like them and the sport.

Anyways - Im from Argentina, and I live soccer, Sporting is my US team and while sometimes really hard to watch (as the play is not as fluid as my national team, or local argentina team i root for) its still fun.

Saturday's game vs. NYRB was retina burn inducing. Jimmy was the only player in blue worth watching. Alas, even while having a crappy game and looking flat they still managed to get a point and keep their streak alive.

[carlos3652]

Originally Posted by InterruptingCow

Saturday's game vs. NYRB was retina burn inducing. Jimmy was the only player in blue worth watching. Alas, even while having a crappy game and looking flat they still managed to get a point and keep their streak alive.

that was very hard to watch - and while Jimmy played incredibly - we were lucky not to lose that game.

i dont remember the last time I watched a game as painful as that one (i think it was worse as I had just watched the Barcelona game).

[-King-]

Originally Posted by carlos3652

Just my 2 cents -

For anyone thinking a 3-0 game with 40 min left is a snooze fest - think again -

Barcelona 5-4 away winner vs Deportivo La Coruna this last weekend was amazing -

Barcelona has not lost this season, and Deportivo is in relegation zone -

Barcelona was up 3-0 19 min in - this one went down to the wire. Messi was insane -

I dont care who you are - but if you dont like soccer, and just watch Barcelona and Messi play, its hard not to like them and the sport.

Anyways - Im from Argentina, and I live soccer, Sporting is my US team and while sometimes really hard to watch (as the play is not as fluid as my national team, or local argentina team i root for) its still fun.

I've always wondered how soccer fans from around the world would like US soccer.

I wonder if American soccer to them is what Arena league is to us football fans.

[carlos3652]

Originally Posted by -King-

I've always wondered how soccer fans from around the world would like US soccer.

I wonder if American soccer to them is what Arena league is to us football fans.

The MLS in my country is looked at as "the retirement league" - where good/great players go to end their career.

Schelotto (Crew) is the one that comes to mind in the last few years who were bench material in Argentina and ended up being the MVP. He was one of my favorite players on my team (Boca Juniors) and he was at the end of his playing career. Came here - and just killed it.

Federico Higuain (Real's Bro) is younger (28) and is staring to buck the trend of younger players coming to play here - but all in all - everyones first choice is Europe. Spain - Italy - England - France, etc in that order. (At least in my country).