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.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

The Chiefs fan in me hopes that Clark is going "all in" on the Chiefs.

This.

[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.

[memyselfI]

Originally Posted by |Zach|

Sports Illustrated is actually doing a big story on Kansas City and soccer...the team and how much the community has embraced the sport as a whole. Should drop pretty soon.

LOVE IT. I think the sports media is embracing a winner in KC because they now it's sooo freakin rare. The fact that it's soccer and that KC has a long standing history of being a soccer town (since the 60s) is just icing on the cake. We are now on the international map as a destination to play in Livestrong. That can only mean good things for the future of KC because big named players who never heard of KC will consider coming here do to the stadium, fan base, owners, franchise...etc.

[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

Originally Posted by soopamanluva

hold on, What?
explain this again please...

Have you tried clicking on any of the links provided about the time of that post?

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by mr. tegu

Soccer faces many of the same flaws that hockey faces. Both are fun in person but the way the game plays out is all too often anti-climatic, un-suspenseful, and boring. A three nothing lead in soccer with 40 minutes left is a snooze fest. Watching teams play keep away for twenty minutes is painful. You don't see a football team get to the opposing team's 40 yard line then retreat back to their own 10 so they can start over again and burn the clock some more.

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?

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Raiderhader

No, I understand it, I just do not agree with the way it works. If neither team wins then neither team deserves points.

It is a fundamental difference in our thinking that we just will not agree on.

That's what you get in a sport created by communists.

[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.

[memyselfI]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

That's what you get in a sport created by communists.

Football is ubiquitous in Texas. Pro Football, college football, high school football, pee-wee football; In fact, every form of football except the original: European football, which most Texans believe to be a commie plot.

-Sheldon Cooper

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

I think MLB is just too slow and quiet for this ADHD constant stimulation generation.

THE TRUTH.

[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.