Clark Hunt is selling the Columbus Crew soccer team

[KCrockaholic]

http://kansascity.sbnation.com/2012/...-columbus-crew

Hadn't seen this posted on here yet.

Not sure that it means anything, but it's partially Chiefs related.

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by |Zach|

You seem to be under the impression that the only exciting part of the game is when they score.

I enjoy good defense as much as about anyone, but that scoring average is indicative of my interest in that game, low.

To be honest though, we have a facility down in Brazil. OMG, those people are stark raving mad about the game. I can't help but feel it is some sort of SDS, they are better at something than we are.

Originally Posted by DarthPioliSatan

Oh yeah; I'd be outta' my chair for the WHOLE THING.

Yeah, I guess watching these guys chasing that ball all over that huge field and using their head as a bat is really exciting once you "get it."

[HemiEd]

Was that guy trying to kick a field goal?

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

Don't forget whats her name.

Zach.

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by |Zach|

When are you going to realize that showing pics ans videos of soccer only hurts your case?

[notorious]

Not going to bash soccer, it's just not my thing.

[memyselfI]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

I enjoy good defense as much as about anyone, but that scoring average is indicative of my interest in that game, low.

I understand it. I share the same view about NASCAR. Who wants to watch five million laps in case of one incredible crash? Then if I see a crash I feel guilty for watching just to see one...no thanks.


But I do love hockey and it's a low scoring game as well.

I figure there is a segment of the population of 40+ who absolutely hate soccer and will likely not budge on that sentiment. Unless they fell in love with the sport when their kid was playing it. That is fine because they are not the target demographic. There are people in their mid to late 30s who are open to the idea if you can get them to a game or two they might become permanent fans but generally they have less distrust or disdain for the sport. They are not the most important demographic to win over right now.

I think 20-35 somethings are. They grew up playing and watching. They tend to be more tech savvy and open to new experiences. Likewise, they tend to be more comfortable with different races and nationalities judging the athletes for their skill vs. place of birth. They are less concerned with the lack of an established American dominance in the sport but want to be a part of watching it get there. This is the age group that if they go to LSP they will return almost without exception. We've taken my son's friends in this age group who had sworn off the sport after they stopped playing or just never kept an interest and they became huge fans. Matter of fact, I can't count how many times I've seen this age group at games with small infants or toddlers in tow. The games tend to be less expensive and if you sit in the more family friendly sections it is a great time for young families. I imagine the kids in these families will grow up playing and loving soccer. What do you know, you have created your future fans.

[|Zach|]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...-and-baseball/

[memyselfI]

Originally Posted by |Zach|

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...-and-baseball/

I liked the article but while the games might be the similar the fan experiences are quite different. Baseball pipes those organ chants over the PA at strategic down times. Fans might begin a clap or a wave spontaneously but for the most part there is a buzz only slightly more audible than a tennis match.

Unlike LSP and some of the other soccer stadiums in the US as well as most of them worldwide. There is singing, chanting, drums, horns, marching and, if you are lucky, even Jesus. I liken the crowd at soccer games more to a college football or basketball game. The chants, even the ones used at most matches, are grass roots. If the crowd is not generating the enthusiasm then the stadium PA isn't pumping in cheers or chants. Yes, they might a couple at the beginning or at the start of second half (IBTWWW, for instance) but for the most part they let the fans do their thing. I love, love, love that aspect of the game. You go not just to watch but to be interactive. You make a pact to get the crowd up and keep them there. It's work in the Cauldron. Doing so creates that 12 man and creates reputations like LSP has.

[Reaper16]

The fan experience is so different because soccer is constantly moving, while baseball's in-between action takes more time than its action.

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

while baseball's in-between action takes more time than its action.

Ironically, you could say the same about football as well. I think the average time the ball is actually in play in a typical game is only like 5 or 6 minutes.

[|Zach|]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

The fan experience is so different because soccer is constantly moving, while baseball's in-between action takes more time than its action.

I connected more so with the first part of the article but yea this is a good point.

Baseball and football are broken down into all these segments. The action stops and a very defined set of circumstances is reset for when the action springs up again.

Soccer is the athletics version of a complete stream of consciousness. That is what can separate the truly incredible players of the world from the decent ones. The ones that can creatively create complex attacking on the fly.

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by KC native

the Hunt family still make a boat load of money from oil/gas. Chunt is diversifying the family businesses, but they still get a good chunk from that. The Hunts are still big deals in the business world down here in DFW

Lamar's step-brother is the oil baron. He was the one who got HL's business. While the rest still make bank, its Ray Hunt that is the one that is the money man in DFW.

[ChiefsCountry]

Man the bitching is bad now for essentially owning a couple of minor league teams in the scheme of things, wait till they purchase an EPL team.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Lamar's step-brother is the oil baron. He was the one who got HL's business. While the rest still make bank, its Ray Hunt that is the one that is the money man in DFW.

I wonder if HL left the oil business to Ray because Lamar was "too obsessed with this professional football fad"?

[WoodDraw]

Originally Posted by carlos3652

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).

Argentina has it's own problems at the domestic level, as well. Most countries these days do.

But every league in the world, aside from the top 3 or 4, struggle to keep players. French teams constantly lose their best players. Same with the big Dutch teams. That's just a reality of the game

All you can do is build up your scouting and academy programs, and work on making the domestic experience as fun as possible. Also, have a rational transfer policy, and reinvest profit. Your best players will always move on, but you can still have a fun league.