Me, Jangle, Westman, Sam, Mosiah et al

[Peter R]

How many of you attend MLS games regularly? (I know Mo is in JA, anyone else? just ignore this question)... but for everyone how much would you pay (an average ticket price) to attend an MLS game? My last question is not about what they charge...but what you think the product is worth.

Thanks.

[Peter R]

FYI, I rarely if ever watch MLS...I think I watched maybe two games on TV last year if that... and second, I would pay maximum $10 US to attend a match...I don't know if I would get in for that price.

[Assasin]

AS a family man i can't wait for mLs to come to Atlanta. It is the only pro sporting experience i can take my kids that only cost under 40 dollars. When I lived in NY they tried in many ways to reach out to the caribbean community. They had double header with jamaican national team, they had caribbean day in association with top jamaican, haitian and trini promoter but the caribbean crowd wouldn't support.

The games are no epl game but it is good to see the young kids taking part and how they parade the different youth teams within the communities at halftime. i have licked out against the mls but it serves a great purpose like no other league especially for our players who until the mls who only had a college career.

[Me]

When I am in the States I occasionally attend an MLS game. On TV, I will watch one game per week for the season.

$20.

[Assasin]

yeah man it is the only sport you can get in fi dat price. not even woman basketball to rhatid.

[Sam !!]

I have only been to one MLS game ever. I think it was in lazaroni's first stint as head coach when there was a double header at Giants stadium with the Metrostars in the first game and Jamaica vs Colombia in the second. I travel extensively when on work duties(Although I'm based in Jamaica) and there are a couple cities that I would surely check out their MLS club's....

I'm really excited about the Red Bulls new stadium and Chicago is definitely somewhere that i would take in games regularly with the Fire because I just love the city. I wouldn't mind paying 15-20 bucks a game.

[Karl]

Been to few while I was in New York. I had to travel approximately 56 to see games....then 56 back.

I remember once a few of us arranged and attended a game together at Giants Stadium. I think Scaly, Assasin, HL and Lazie (?) were there.

Cannot remember the ticket price.
$10.00 would be good.

[Peter R]

Thanks...It's good to know you support the MLS; I actually feel a way at times that I do not watch especially when there are Jamaicans and other Caribbean people playing.

Just so you know at $20 that would not be enough to cover costs. The ticket structure though in Toronto for example which drew 20,000 (essentially sold out) at home games last year, has ticket prices starting at $21, $32, $50something and $85 for regular season games. So they would have decent revenue last year and enough to pay their players more than $33k a year.

The problem seems to be the league's control of everything. The eperience of the NASL has probably made the stewards of this league take a very conservative stand in how they develop the league.

Check my response in the "draft" thread regarding the size difference of TV contracts between EPL and MLS...

[Tilla]

I have been occasionally, especially if Kansas City have a Jamaican in their squad. Since Khari, Hue and Shavar left, I have not attended any games here. This could change with KC signing Akeem Priestly.

The last game I attended at arrowhead, I think I paid something like $22 for admission. There is also an $8 charge for parking too.

They should be building a new stadium for the wizards which will be closer to where I live than traveling to Arrowhead. Also, I think I will find it more appealing when the team has its own soccer specific stadium and not have to try and fit into the over sized Arrowhead. I could be making more effort to go and support the team in the coming season.

[Peter R]

Last year I went to see Ja v Canada in Toronto...first time at BMO field which pleasantly surprised me... there are virtually no bad seats; it baffles me why anyone would pay $85 ther as the $30 seats are almost as good. I purchased cheap seats ($22) as it was me and my two boys going; I know exactly what you mean about the family outing for a reasonable cost. The cost of the eats and drink jacked me up big time...anyway, it was worth it. Unfortunately that game was a draw for us; had we won it... oh well.

BTW that $22 was less than what Jack Warner charged to go see the Soca Warriors in Trinidad for qualifying. Haven't and won't be going. Ticket prices here were approx $33US bleachers and $80US grandstand.

The good thing for MLS is that if the league becomes more successful they probably wouln't have to raise ticket prices much if any...hopefully TV contracts would be more lucrative than they are now.

Hope Atlanta gets the franchise soon. I read somewher that they're only adding 3 teams for now.

[Me]

Just so you know at $20 that would not be enough to cover costs. The ticket structure though in Toronto for example which drew 20,000 (essentially sold out) at home games last year, has ticket prices starting at $21, $32, $50something and $85 for regular season games. So they would have decent revenue last year and enough to pay their players more than $33k a year.

The problem seems to be the league's control of everything. The eperience of the NASL has probably made the stewards of this league take a very conservative stand in how they develop the league.

Check my response in the "draft" thread regarding the size difference of TV contracts between EPL and MLS...

Just because I am willing to value it at $20 dollars does not mean others will not pay more. They get an average of 16.5k in attendance per game. Supposedly 3 teams are operationally profitable, with a few more on their way especially since they are moving towards the soccer specific/stadium ownership structure.

As for this TV rights and 350 million debt, that is not fooling me one bit. Teams are rumoured to have lost 350 million since inception, that does not mean they are 350 million in debt (Notice how MLS is private and careful to not let anyone know their figures).

Secondly, MLS has created their own little private special purpose vehicle called SUM (Soccer United Marketing).

Who are the owners of SUM? The MLS franchise owners.
Is SUM profitable? Yes
Does SUM pay out all the TV money it gets to the clubs? No
Who controls the Barcelona summer tours where 90k people will show up? SUM
Who own the rights to Mexican team games in the States? SUM
Superliga? SUM
Who sold WC rights for 100+ million when they bought it for 40 ml? SUM

You think MLS can afford for the players union to figure out how much money SUM generates. Add to that they just structured a deal to sell International MLS rights. The deal is an eight figure deal.

Shame on MLS and their player minimums.

[Bruce]

Chicago Fire

I just got an e-mail from the Chicago Fire announcing that Cualhtemoc Blanco will be back for 2009.

The Fire have also announced a home-and-home friendly series against Club America of Mexico for 2009. Dates will be announced later.

The center seats are $50, and the cheap seats are $25. I would also have to drive 120 miles to Toyota Park Stadium.

I would pay to see a specific player but right now, I'll have to wait. Besides, I might not make it past the Arlington Park horse track.

[Westman]

I used to drive over 100 miles each way, on occasion to watch the Mutiny in Tampa. However, that team got killed off so I have not seen another since. I have paid good money to see worthless Arena in-door soccer up to last year. I would still pay if it were available. I just love the game.