OT: Huge Pittsburgh soccer news

[Joe the Panther Fan]

They will because they are not permanent MLS members like they are, it adds interest to the league in non-MLS markets and you have 4 more TV markets to tout.

As I said before, it's obvious that you do not think the same way that business owners worth billions of dollars think. There's a reason those people are billionaires and you aren't, and why you post ridiculous ideas on message boards and they don't.

The current MLS expansion team fee is $200 million. And yet you think that the people running the league and the teams are going to turn down $800 million, an amount that will almost certainly increase as time goes on, in order to essentially let four team in for free.

Yeah, that's going to happen.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

As I said before, it's obvious that you do not think the same way that business owners worth billions of dollars think. There's a reason those people are billionaires and you aren't, and why you post ridiculous ideas on message boards and they don't.

The current MLS expansion team fee is $200 million. And yet you think that the people running the league and the teams are going to turn down $800 million, an amount that will almost certainly increase as time goes on, in order to essentially let four team in for free.

Yeah, that's going to happen.

They would not be a part of MLS in the same sense and would not get an equal share of the revenue. The $200 million bought the newer teams permanent residency in MLS. If the Riverhounds play a couple years in MLS for free, the owners wont care.

And the reason they are billionaires and I am not is because they were born that way. The easiest way to become a billionaire is to be born into an extremely wealthy family.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

But what if the promoted teams actually become good, actually make the playoffs, or have a good stadium and better attendance than the regular MLS teams, at what point will they get angry about not being permanent, they eventually feel like "The Dreamers" in the immigration debate, doing the right things but still scared of being deported.

MLS could always consider them as a "permanent team" by expanding. Then they have to pay the MLS entrance fee and adhere to MLS's stadium demands and other things.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

They would not be a part of MLS in the same sense and would not get an equal share of the revenue. The $200 million bought the newer teams permanent residency in MLS. If the Riverhounds play a couple years in MLS for free, the owners wont care.

And the reason they are billionaires and I am not is because they were born that way. The easiest way to become a billionaire is to be born into an extremely wealthy family.

Every time you post about this you reinforce the fact that you have no idea what you are talking about.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Every time you post about this you reinforce the fact that you have no idea what you are talking about.

I don’t know. I don’t have an interest or enough of one to give it serious thought. But if teams in markets like Pittsburgh had a chance for promotion, guys like me may pay attention. And if those teams were promoted to the MLS for a season, guys like me may become fans. If enough of us do, that brings more value to a league. Marketing studies would need to be done. But sometimes people are able to see the forest through the trees. And some can’t.

That said, people who are involved with MLS, and those who cover MLS for a living, know that it’s not viable and would never happen...even though it might sound good.

 

[wvkeeper(HN)]

There are several reports here locally that David Tepper is lobbying MLS to bring a team to Charlotte, and is using the new Carolina Panther training facility as a "sign" to MLS that he is serious in spending the cash.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

That said, people who are involved with MLS, and those who cover MLS for a living, know that it’s not viable and would never happen...even though it might sound good.

Right. It's certainly some fan's wet dream, but it simply is not going to happen. If you paid $200 million for an MLS team do you have any interest at all in allowing four teams into the league that have to pay $0 to get in? Of course you aren't, if for no other reason than you've just devalued the team that you paid all that money to get.

Add to that the fact that there are still numerous places out there, for instance Charlotte as the previous post mentioned, who are willing to pony up the $200 million, then why, exactly, is it that MLS should or would have any interest at all in $0?

Hint, they don't.

The Premier League isn't as popular as it is because Millwall has a chance to make it to the top league. It's as popular as it is because of Man U and Liverpool and Chelsea and Man City and the teams like that. The teams at the bottom of the league basically make no difference at all in the overall popularity of the league. La Liga isn't as popular as it is because Lugo has a chance to make it to the top league. It's as popular as it is because of Barca and Real and maybe a little bit due to Athleti. The teams at the bottom of the league basically make no difference at all in the overall popularity of the league. The notion that what will make MLS more popular is if the Pittsburgh Riverhounds or the Charlestown Battery have a chance to be in the top league is silly.

 

[Pitt79]

As I said before, it's obvious that you do not think the same way that business owners worth billions of dollars think. There's a reason those people are billionaires and you aren't, and why you post ridiculous ideas on message boards and they don't.

The current MLS expansion team fee is $200 million. And yet you think that the people running the league and the teams are going to turn down $800 million, an amount that will almost certainly increase as time goes on, in order to essentially let four team in for free.

Yeah, that's going to happen.

I guess this is like healthcare? One of those things that every other developed nation in the world can do, but the USA can't, LOL

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

I guess this is like healthcare? One of those things that every other developed nation in the world can do, but the USA can't, LOL

The US does health care, but that's a story for another thread.

Nobody does what SMF is proposing, and the only reason that he proposes it is because he wants the system here to be like it is elsewhere, but the game didn't get it's start here the way that it did in most of the rest of the world, so it's easy for anyone with even half a brain to understand why what the rest of the world does isn't going to happen here.

 

[Pitt79]

The US does health care, but that's a story for another thread.

Nobody does what SMF is proposing, and the only reason that he proposes it is because he wants the system here to be like it is elsewhere, but the game didn't get it's start here the way that it did in most of the rest of the world, so it's easy for anyone with even half a brain to understand why what the rest of the world does isn't going to happen here.

No you're right, I agree, it couldn't work that way here. Sports leagues here are just structured differently. Although for fans it would be more fun with the foreign way, it would make more games and teams meaningful, here it's ONLY ABOUT MONEY. Nothing else. Look at NCAA football, they even decide who goes to playoffs and bowl games based more on who's fans will rent more hotel rooms or what programs draw better TV ratings, rather than on field performance.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

The US does health care, but that's a story for another thread.

Nobody does what SMF is proposing, and the only reason that he proposes it is because he wants the system here to be like it is elsewhere, but the game didn't get it's start here the way that it did in most of the rest of the world, so it's easy for anyone with even half a brain to understand why what the rest of the world does isn't going to happen here.

MLS needs as many interested markets as possible. If a city like Pittsburgh has a chance at promotion, people start caring more about soccer in those cities. If they play a couple seasons in MLS, more people start caring. More interested markets = better for the sport, domestically.

 

[MartyInLawrenceville]

I think an NWSL team could work. Can use Highmark Stadium, would have to put a Klingenberg or big name USWNT player to sell tickets. I think that’s more feasible than an MLS team. Right, wrong or otherwise, I think the Riverhounds are viewed as a minor league team.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

If a city like Pittsburgh has a chance at promotion, people start caring more about soccer in those cities. If they play a couple seasons in MLS, more people start caring. More interested markets = better for the sport, domestically.

The Pittsburgh team plays a couple seasons in MLS and more people start caring. And then they have a bad season and get relegated back to the USL and all those people who became fans and for whom relegation is a foreign concept say "what the hell, they just dropped my team to the minor leagues for having one bad year" and they never give the Riverhounds another thought for the rest of their lives.

Once again, it isn't promotion/relegation that makes the EPL so popular. It's the teams that have an almost zero chance of being relegated that make it popular. It isn't promotion/relegation that makes La Liga or the Bundesliga popular, it's the teams that have an almost zero chance of being relegated that make them popular.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Right, wrong or otherwise, I think the Riverhounds are viewed as a minor league team.

Well the Riverhounds ARE a minor league team, so viewing them as one is, by definition, right.

 

[Pitt79]

The Pittsburgh team plays a couple seasons in MLS and more people start caring. And then they have a bad season and get relegated back to the USL and all those people who became fans and for whom relegation is a foreign concept say "what the hell, they just dropped my team to the minor leagues for having one bad year" and they never give the Riverhounds another thought for the rest of their lives.

Why? What do they go for? Is it because they are major league? Or because they want a NIGHT OUT watching a sport they like. If you're watching them play in MLS, why not watch them play in USL, it's still a fun night out watching a sport. I enjoy minor league sports as much as major league sports, in some way more, there are advantages to it, everything is cheaper, traffic is less, I STILL HAVE FUN, basically because it's all about ME. I go t a few games of the Baltimore Blast indoor soccer every winter, tickets are cheap, it's easy to get tickets and they are usually a championship team, it's FUN, even though they are made up of players who likely suck so bad they can't play in outdoor soccer. I don't know how many fans the Riverhounds draw, but whoever goes regularly, I and sure they are HAVING FUN with their sports ACTIVITY, have a night out, drink some beers, and don't care that it's minor league.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Why? What do they go for? Is it because they are major league? Or because they want a NIGHT OUT watching a sport they like. If you're watching them play in MLS, why not watch them play in USL, it's still a fun night out watching a sport. I enjoy minor league sports as much as major league sports, in some way more, there are advantages to it, everything is cheaper, traffic is less, I STILL HAVE FUN, basically because it's all about ME. I go t a few games of the Baltimore Blast indoor soccer every winter, tickets are cheap, it's easy to get tickets and they are usually a championship team, it's FUN, even though they are made up of players who likely suck so bad they can't play in outdoor soccer. I don't know how many fans the Riverhounds draw, but whoever goes regularly, I and sure they are HAVING FUN with their sports ACTIVITY, have a night out, drink some beers, and don't care that it's minor league.

It's almost as if you don't know that major league sports outdraw minor league sports by a significant margin. And not just in the US, but all over the world.

Why do you suppose that is?

 

[Pitt79]

It's almost as if you don't know that major league sports outdraw minor league sports by a significant margin. And not just in the US, but all over the world.

Why do you suppose that is?

I know that, my point is just that if you are a fan of the Riverhounds in the MLS and you are going to the games ENJOYING YOURSELF and HAVING A FUN TIME, why would you quit and give up YOUR FUN ACTIVITY just because they dropped to USL, it would still be the same stadium, same colors, same logo? What is it for? To see "the best"? or for PERSONAL FUN FOR YOURSELF? For me it's the later.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I know that, my point is just that if you are a fan of the Riverhounds in the MLS and you are going to the games ENJOYING YOURSELF and HAVING A FUN TIME, why would you quit and give up YOUR FUN ACTIVITY just because they dropped to USL, it would still be the same stadium, same colors, same logo? What is it for? To see "the best"? or for PERSONAL FUN FOR YOURSELF? For me it's the later.

Speaking for me personally, if it was ever announced that USL teams could get promoted, I would automatically become a big Riverhounds fan. I currently dont care about them but if they could win their way to MLS, that would give me a reason to follow the team and actually care if they win or lose. There's a big prize to attain, sorta similar to why I root for Pitt football and basketball. They could theoretically win a National Championship or make a Final Four or CFP even though they probably never will. If it was announced that Pitt had to play in a lower division with no access to that, I'd probably decrease my fanhood.

 

[Pitt79]

Speaking for me personally, if it was ever announced that USL teams could get promoted, I would automatically become a big Riverhounds fan. I currently dont care about them but if they could win their way to MLS, that would give me a reason to follow the team and actually care if they win or lose. There's a big prize to attain, sorta similar to why I root for Pitt football and basketball. They could theoretically win a National Championship or make a Final Four or CFP even though they probably never will. If it was announced that Pitt had to play in a lower division with no access to that, I'd probably decrease my fanhood.

So basically for you, it's not about the event itself. For me it is. I go to sports events not based on what is at stake for the teams, but because that particular day, I'm going for an entertainment event to amuse myself. Like I love Baltimore Blast indoor soccer, the scum of the scum, the players that must suck so bad they don't even play in the USL, they had to go indoor, because they probably couldn't hack the outdoor game at the pro level. For you it's about the level of play, for me it's selfish entertainment, a night out. It's just a standalone thing, those hours I am in the stadium, drinking beer, passing the time, and the games are pretty exciting usually. I'd still follow Pitt even if they went D3 if it was still possible to stream their games, I'd stream Pitt vs.W&J and not watch 'Bama vs. Notre Dame over on NBC.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

So basically for you, it's not about the event itself. For me it is. I go to sports events not based on what is at stake for the teams, but because that particular day, I'm going for an entertainment event to amuse myself. Like I love Baltimore Blast indoor soccer, the scum of the scum, the players that must suck so bad they don't even play in the USL, they had to go indoor, because they probably couldn't hack the outdoor game at the pro level. For you it's about the level of play, for me it's selfish entertainment, a night out. It's just a standalone thing, those hours I am in the stadium, drinking beer, passing the time, and the games are pretty exciting usually. I'd still follow Pitt even if they went D3 if it was still possible to stream their games, I'd stream Pitt vs.W&J and not watch 'Bama vs. Notre Dame over on NBC.

As I said you are in the minority. I need a decent level of play, but more importantly, some goal to root for. Winning a USL Championship doesn't do it for me

 

[Pitt79]

As I said you are in the minority. I need a decent level of play, but more importantly, some goal to root for. Winning a USL Championship doesn't do it for me

You don't ever go to a movie that has no chance for the Academy Award?

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

You don't ever go to a movie that has no chance for the Academy Award?

I go to the occasional Riverhounds game but I am not a "fan." I dont care if they win or lose. I have no emotional attachment to the team. It's just a family night out. If you told me they could win their way to MLS, I become a fan and develop an emotional attachment because MLS is enough of a carrot for me.

 

[Pitt79]

I go to the occasional Riverhounds game but I am not a "fan." I dont care if they win or lose. I have no emotional attachment to the team. It's just a family night out. If you told me they could win their way to MLS, I become a fan and develop an emotional attachment because MLS is enough of a carrot for me.

OK, I can respect that, I go to maybe 2-4 Baltimore Blast games per year, I've never been a "season ticket guy", but I have to say, I do care if they win or lose and I do stream some of there games over watching NBA, NHL or NCAAM games with teams I don't care about. But What you do is fine, if we get a USL team in Baltimore, I plan to be a fan, but I won't go to every game, but I'll probably buy a jersey or t shirt.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

I go to the occasional Riverhounds game but I am not a "fan." I dont care if they win or lose. I have no emotional attachment to the team. It's just a family night out. If you told me they could win their way to MLS, I become a fan and develop an emotional attachment because MLS is enough of a carrot for me.

I’m with you. If there were a chance for promotion to MLS, I may follow them. But until then, it’s no different for me than going to watch the Washington Wild Things...which I have no desire to do.

 

[Pitt79]

I’m with you. If there were a chance for promotion to MLS, I may follow them. But until then, it’s no different for me than going to watch the Washington Wild Things...which I have no desire to do.

Minor league sports depend on proximity as well, I don't mind going to Blast games because they play about 15 minutes from my house and tickets are cheap and available. It it was an hour drive and tickets where expensive I wouldn't go to that either. Same with this USL team Baltimore might get, how often I go is contingiant on convenience and ticket price.