It makes sense you’d want to go after soccer fans, but if the issue is quality of play, there’s not much you can do there. MLS is working in it, but it’s a slow process, and if the competition is with EPL, La Liga, etc, the ROI surely is not there to make quality of play that level of priority. The demographic of the “soccer fan” just doesn’t seem large enough.

Seems like the goals should be keep appealing to families, support the supporters so they can drive the atmosphere with the goal of keeping it more enthusiastic than roudy. Use both of these tacks to draw in the general sports fan gradually. Ultimately it’s about more than just filling stadiums through discount tickets. You want people spending money on merchandise, and you want the sport to gain a following on tv.

Bowing and scraping to the almighty family (who doesn’t care less about the game on the field) isn’t the answer either (although in SLC my guess is they don’t have a lot of choice). Treat the season ticket holders and supporters groups like gold – because they are. The supporters groups in particular make the game more exciting (did you see all the shots of the Sounders supporters during the game vs. Barca?). And make sure it’s cheaper to be a STH than to walk up and buy tickets – that’s a must.

One advantage to MLS is its far lower (than other pro sports) ticket prices. Focus some sales funds on colleges (where they’re starting to form their sports viewing habits), and others on cross-promotion (local ads inserted in English/Euro soccer broadcasts).

And always – ALWAYS – listen to the fans. A guy like utePhan should have already been contacted by a RSL rep about his concerns. That’s just good business.

I am hoping I am an exception to the rule, but after being a season ticket holder for 4 years now my excitement for the league has definitely diminished rather than increased. I believe there are 3 factors that have caused this:

1. The treatment from the team front office. I don’t know how it is in other cities, but I feel like the RSL front office has focused its attention on other groups (like families and non-soccer fans) and has forgotten the “hardcore” fans. Season ticket prices have increased every year, yet the promotions that are offered to get people to the games are so good that I feel like I’m getting ripped off as a season ticket holder. I could have easily bought tickets for every game via promotions, spent much less money, and actually had better seats at least 75% of the time this year.

2. Referee quality. I cannot tell you how many times an MLS game is decided by the referee. Every game I go to I am just hoping the official doesn’t think he has to make a name for himself and decide the game. And no, I am not a fan that jeers at every call that goes against the home team. Actually, I frequently find myself siding with away fans on the referee blunders. There is rarely consistency and it makes the games unwatchable at times. This is the main reason I stopped following the NBA and I think is a true detriment to MLS.

3. Quality of play. I do think the quality of play is slowing increasing in MLS, but not quickly enough. The incredibly low salary cap and the league basically handling all salary negotiations is sending the best young domestic talent elsewhere. If I was an up and coming talent, I know I would much rather play in a “lower” European league than in MLS with all of its restrictions and the league handling of transfers, etc.

I am still undecided, but am leaning towards not renewing my season tickets for next year. I’m sure I will continue to go to games, but I can see myself eventually losing all interest in the league if I don’t see improvements in the near future. Sorry for such a long post, but I thought I would share my story.

I like your story and I think it is more common than many think.

Erik: Why do you think that?

From a business standpoint, I don’t think the investors putting up money to buy franchises would sign on for pro/rel. In a salary cap League, one or two injuries can turn a mid-table team into a relegated one with nothing to be done to salvage it. In this environment, do you think the business model could support pro/rel?

Look at how many cities have USL teams?