Forbes | Sporting Park: One of America's Best Sporting Experiences

[|Zach|]

Sporting Park: One of America's Best Sporting Experiences

http://www.forbes.com/sites/prishe/2...g-experiences/

From a consumer’s perspective, Sporting KC is among America’s best sporting experiences.

Bold statement? Perhaps, and not one that would likely apply to sports fans who cannot stand soccer.

But when you consider all the things that make a person’s complete consumption experience at a sporting event enjoyable and memorable, Sporting KC takes a back seat to few within the professional sports realm.

And from a broader perspective, the Kansas City region (both in Missouri and Kansas) is slowly seeing the economic fruits of its various regional development projects.

FANTASTIC CONSUMER EXPERIENCE AT SPORTING PARK

On March 30th, we attended a Saturday night match-up between Sporting KC and Montreal Impact. A highly anticipated affair given that Montreal came into the match with an unbeaten 4-0 mark, facing a home side that was the defending 2012 Eastern Conference champions.

We had some inkling as to what kind of afternoon/evening we were in store for based on my previous experience at the facility for the USA v Guatemala World Cup qualifying match in October 2012. But whereas nationalistic spirit was on display that night, what we were treated to on this night was Blue Heaven.

There are numerous attributes that comprise a consumer’s total sports experience:

- Facility

Sporting Park is first-rate, and it is no surprise that USA Soccer is heading back there October 11th for their final home World Cup qualifier versus Jamaica.

An open-air facility, Sporting Park is architecturally designed such that most if not all the seats are covered from the elements. Furthermore, this design traps fan noise within the facility…creating more of a home field advantage.

My co-author herein, a former Division I soccer player who has attended numerous professional soccer matches both in the United States and in Europe including the 2006 World Cup in Germany, noted that the stadium is as good as he has seen for a stadium of its size…and that includes stadiums that have hosted World Cup matches and important club competitions.

- Fans

Boisterous, engaged, united, and educated. What more can you ask for.

Walking into the stadium, numerous people had scarves and jerseys representing the team’s colors. The atmosphere felt like a proper soccer match…almost as if attending a professional match in Europe.

Additionally, most of the more ardent supporters had chants memorized which permeated throughout the stadium. Given the crowd noise throughout the match, many media members were shocked that the attendance wasn’t greater than the reported 18,609 in attendance.

- Complementary consumer activity

Conveniently built next to the Legends Outlets, Warren Buffet-owned Nebraska Furniture Mart, Cabela’s outdoor recreation merchandise and outfitter, and the Kansas Motor Speedway, there are countless ways to entertain oneself and make a full afternoon/evening of it.

- Ease of transportation

Though a 15-minute drive west of downtown Kansas City, the facility is less than 2 miles off Interstate 70. And since crowd sizes are between 18-20 K, traffic before and after games is highly manageable.

SPORTING KC PART OF A BROADER RE-BRANDING EFFORT IN KANSAS CITY

Long known for their tasty barbecue, the elegant Plaza, and home to rabid Chiefs football fans, the Kansas City region has become a better destination for out-of-town visitors/events thanks to a myriad of both urban developments (Power and Light District most notably) and sports facilities (Kansas Motor Speedway, Sprint Center, and Sporting Park).

There is no doubt, however, that the success of Sporting KC in recent years has led to the additional visibility associated with the U.S. National Team performing in K.C.

In 2011 and 2012 respectively, Sporting KC averaged 17,810 and 19,404 fans…among the league’s best. And in light of all the factors that build upon a fan’s high-quality sporting experience, combined with the decided home-field advantage that Sporting KC enjoys at Sporting Park in part due to its loyal supporters, it is no surprise that this facility has become a must-have on Team USA’s home qualifying schedule.

And why a trip to Sporting Park is a must-see sporting spectacle. Certainly if you are a soccer fan, and more generally, for sports consumers who simply appreciate a superior sports consumption experience.

[|Zach|]

Originally Posted by Wonton Prejudice

God that's ****ing awful. That's a professional sporting event? Seems like a ****ing lame ass high school game.

What about it exactly?

[|Zach|]

Sweet high school though.

[|Zach|]

I never even saw this video from the other night. From 3 angles.

[KurtCobain]

Originally Posted by |Zach|

Good times.

A few questions if you don't mind...


Am I correct that there are three periods instead of two halves? How long is the intermission between these periods? What's the price of a beer? Other concessions? Finally, what are 'corner kicks' and 'power playa'?

[|Zach|]

Originally Posted by something cooler

A few questions if you don't mind...


Am I correct that there are three periods instead of two halves? How long is the intermission between these periods? What's the price of a beer? Other concessions? Finally, what are 'corner kicks' and 'power playa'?

Haha...are you trolling me?

Oh well you prob are...

Two 45 min halves (plus a few mins tacked on) with a halftime that seems the same as NFL never really thought about it.

Beer is 3 bucks before the game and 6-11 depending on what you get in game.

Corner kicks are corner kicks there are no power plays.

[KurtCobain]

Originally Posted by |Zach|

Haha...are you trolling me?

Oh well you prob are...

Two 45 min halves (plus a few mins tacked on) with a halftime that seems the same as NFL never really thought about it.

Beer is 3 bucks before the game and 6-11 depending on what you get in game.

Corner kicks are corner kicks there are no power plays.

I think I've gotten hockey and soccer confused.

Not trolling, just interested.

So the corner kicks, why do they get to do those? I've caught a couple soccer games on TV kind of, and seems like they do that alot.

[|Zach|]

Originally Posted by something cooler

I think I've gotten hockey and soccer confused.

Not trolling, just interested.

So the corner kicks, why do they get to do those? I've caught a couple soccer games on TV kind of, and seems like they do that alot.

Depends on the style of play...in KC they attack a lot so it happens often.

Think of the possession rules in this instance similar to basketball...if your team is the last team to touch it then the other team gets the ball.

In soccer if the other team is the last team to touch the ball and it goes out the back of their end of the field and not the side you are awarded a corner kick. So say you shoot the ball and the goalie blocks it but it goes out of bounds it was last off of him so it is a corner kick for you.

This creates a dangerous situation for the defense if you want to limit goals you want to limit corner kicks you give up.

[KurtCobain]

I get you. So you'd never see a guy just throw it in from beside the goal post, right?

I hate taking people to royals, tigers and chiefs games when they don't know what the **** is going on. That's the main thing that keeps me from going to a sporting game, I don't want to be that guy.

[threebag]

Cauterizing Your Asshole > Shitting Through Cauterized Asshole > Soccer

[KurtCobain]

Also, I like the concept of that rule. I bet soccer coaches or coordinators design some killer plays around those corner kicks.

[|Zach|]

Originally Posted by something cooler

I get you. So you'd never see a guy just throw it in from beside the goal post, right?

I hate taking people to royals, tigers and chiefs games when they don't know what the **** is going on. That's the main thing that keeps me from going to a sporting game, I don't want to be that guy.

Haha, everyone has to learn somehow.

But yea you will never seen a throw in from the back (the endline)

If it goes out on either of the sides then that is where a guy will throw the ball back in... where ever it went out...in that case very similar to basketball.

No power plays foul wise...fouls are hard to explain but generally you have to play the ball and not the man. If a foul is committed the advantage is a free kick. So if your guy gets fouled? He gets to kick the ball at the spot of the foul with the defense giving him about 10 yards cushing. The closer it happens to the goal the more dangerous. Even if it is far away it creates a free chance to advance your offense without interference.

A bad foul...or harmful foul...or a foul that was obviously done to keep the opposition from being in a great position (like getting beat by an offensive player and just dragging him down) will earn you a yellow card. It is like warning. Two yellows cards and you are ejected.

If you do something dangerous that could obviously cause harm or if you are wreckless you get a red card. That is an immediate ejection. You also get a red for denying and obvious goal scoring opportunity. (tackling a guy who is about to score a goal on you something like that)

[|Zach|]

Originally Posted by something cooler

Also, I like the concept of that rule. I bet soccer coaches or coordinators design some killer plays around those corner kicks.

No doubt.

It puts goalies in an awkward position of going out to try and knock out a ball coming their way...they can be bold and try to clear it out and risk getting beat to it or they can be conservative and risk it connecting well with an opposing offensive player.

Some guys (and this is rare) are good enough to kick it in by curling it directling from the corner position.

At 53 seconds.

[Goldmember]

I'm not a soccer fan but bought a Groupon deal, either last year or the year before, and went to a game, mostly to check out the new stadium. The crowd was very enthusiastic and loud. The game was pretty entertaining as it was pretty physical for a soccer game. I can see where the younger fans are attracted to a successful franchise. After all, most grew up watching the Royals suck year after year, now the Chiefs do. I can see where fans look to other sports. Fans like winners.

[Deberg_1990]

heh, got to question |Zach|s timing with these soccer threads. He always manages create or bump them on significant event days for the Royals and Chiefs. Coincidence?

[Gonzo]

I wonder if there's a soccer hall of fame? If so, it's probably the size of a highway rest area, right? I mean the only busts enshrined there would be that guy Pele and Posh Spice's husband.