Comments on: Getting Friendly: The Business of MLS Midseason Exhibitions

By: Sgc

Sgc — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:41:21 +0000

For what it’s worth, season ticket holders are getting a discount of roughly the amount of a regular season ticket ($20). I am still 60/40 towards not going, because a) it’s a discount off a really high price, one of those “Tiffany’s sales” that’s still not all that affordable, and b) it’s an August afternoon, and depending on what this summer is like, the heat could really kill the entertainment value.

I don’t agree that these friendlies “do nothing to introduce people to the[sic] MLS.” These same teams played in Seattle a few years ago, and United scored a wonderful goal in a 1-1 draw, leaving favorable impressions all around. I like to think that helped them get an MLS team. See the article “Nights like this show soccer can work here”
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20060810&slug=kelley10

And if I thought this match would have as much entertainment value as that one did, I’d likely go. I did go to the DC-Chelsea game in FedEx a few years ago, and it was neat to see DC score first (then Chelsea brought in the first team at half time and took it home).

By: Ben Berger

Ben Berger — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:35:55 +0000

Frank:

I get your point about how moving League games marginalizes MLS ,as does bringing in grass (although in fairness to TFC, the argument against grass has long been weather related). However, I do think that these MLS teams can gain fans through the added exposure the get through these games. If you are a Real Madrid fan who doesn’t pay attention to MLS and you go to the game against DC and enjoy yourself or are impressed with a particulrar player or the team as a whole, you might make the effort to come back.

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:26:44 +0000

These useless friendlies do nothing to introduce people to the MLS. People go because they want to see Chelsea, Real Madrid or Barcelona. It does nothing to increase their interest in MLS. In fact, moving MLS games to accomodate a friendly proves that a meaningless friendly is more important than the MLS. Also, these foreign powers are important enough to deserve real grass while MLS teams are expected to play on artificial turf.

By: Ben Berger

Ben Berger — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:32:44 +0000

The DC situation is a strange one. Given the small number of season ticket holders (relative to the size of FED Ex), they could generate some good will with their season ticket holders by giving them free seats, perhaps with the opportunity to purchase an upgrade.

In Toronto, it is a different issue because of the smaller stadium.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:09:24 +0000

As victory said, these a basically money grabs. That is understandable because clubs are either losing money or barely making money. This ever so slightly raises the profile of the clubs even though they are facing a club whose players probably aren’t fully fit, aren’t organized and may not be giving their all in an exhibition match. The quicker the leagues profile rises and becomes profitable the better. If the leagues clubs were profitable, they were consistently filling SSS, and the cap was raised to 4-5 million then I would be completely against this. This blatantly puts money ahead of being healthy and competitive in league play. Right now, it is a necessary evil.
One thing that bothers me is DC United making season ticket holders pay for the Real Madrid game. That is a big eff you to their organizations diehards. The game should be free to the season ticket holders as a treat for their support. They play at the massive RFK Stadium, they will make plenty of money.

By: victory

victory — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:25:38 +0000

These games are a simple money grab by TFC, Seattle and everyone else. There is never a good reason to move a League match.