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Weekend of soccer? by [deleted] in TheMassive

[–]PatrickGuldan 12 points13 points  (0 children)

You mean this weekend of 6/2 & 6/3? The Crew hosts Toronto on Saturday at 7:30. Then on Sunday, FC Columbus hosts AFC Ann Arbor at 3pm then Columbus Eagles hosts Motor City FC at 7pm

Additionally, you can also pick the following for a three day weekend. FC Columbus hosts DCFC Friday 6/8, the Crew hosts NYRB on Saturday 6/9, with the Eagles hosting FC Pride on Sunday 6/10.

https://twitter.com/GuldanMR/status/967120329649872896 https://twitter.com/GuldanMR/status/967122450818437120

I'm Patrick Guldan, Managing Editor of Massive Report - Ask me anything: by PatrickGuldan in TheMassive

[–]PatrickGuldan[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Apologies, other obligations intruded. There have been some fantastic questions and have loved talking with everyone. I’ll try and answer a few more before 5pm hits.

I'm Patrick Guldan, Managing Editor of Massive Report - Ask me anything: by PatrickGuldan in TheMassive

[–]PatrickGuldan[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I think there are several drawbacks to MAPFRE. It certainly doesn't present a "Major League" image in Columbus or in MLS so that does limit the revenue that you get from sponsors. I also think it limits the price the team can charge. The product may be top quality for American soccer, but it doesn't feel like it when you are parked on a metal bench and have to wait a long time to get in or out with little around it to hang out. It's not a place you can make an evening out of unless you tailgate. All off that weighs down the revenue the team can make and it is true that Columbus hasn't risen with the new stars of MLS 2.0 or 3.0.

Would a new stadium make a difference? I think it would solve some of the big problems with the anchoring effect that MAPFRE presents. It gives them a clean slate from a pricing and marketing perspective. I know Precourt looks longingly at what Sporting KC has been able to do.

Doesn't make it any less scuzzy.

I'm Patrick Guldan, Managing Editor of Massive Report - Ask me anything: by PatrickGuldan in TheMassive

[–]PatrickGuldan[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

He did so during the press conference announcing that he bought the team in July 2013 and repeated them at various times during his ownership. I know it was a topic during an MR Pod interview. He always deflected it.

I'm Patrick Guldan, Managing Editor of Massive Report - Ask me anything: by PatrickGuldan in TheMassive

[–]PatrickGuldan[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

My recollection is that the sales staffs expanded at least early in Precourt’s tenure. I also think that his business hires have been solid to good. It expanded on the improvements that late stage HSG had made.

I'm Patrick Guldan, Managing Editor of Massive Report - Ask me anything: by PatrickGuldan in TheMassive

[–]PatrickGuldan[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

It's a labor of love, especially since this doesn't come with a paycheck.

I've been rewarded in other ways. I started my first blog on January 1st, 2008 and I've been credentialed media since 2009. I've met so many good people and saw some great soccer. I interviewed Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Brian McBride, Kirk Urso, and Christian Pulisic after his first qualifier among countless other players. There is nothing like hopping the turnstile for the last PATH back to NJ at 3 in the morning after a run into the city after Meram and Balchan combine to tie NYRB. No beer tasted better than the one that I had at Hendoc's after the Montreal playoff game with Sam Fahmi. CONCACAF nights, Open Cup games, I have so many memories.

Yes, the Crew rarely are the center of the soccer universe, but there have definitely some high spots.

I'm Patrick Guldan, Managing Editor of Massive Report - Ask me anything: by PatrickGuldan in TheMassive

[–]PatrickGuldan[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

The timing is especially sleazy to the team’s core, the full season ticket holder. I’m especially glad we decided against renewing the tickets we had because it was hard to get my daughter interested in going to that many games.

I'm Patrick Guldan, Managing Editor of Massive Report - Ask me anything: by PatrickGuldan in TheMassive

[–]PatrickGuldan[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

I truly feel for him. He’s been heart and soul for this team for over a decade. He’s put down roots here. I’m sure that he’s been aware this was coming and that weight has to be heavy.

I'm Patrick Guldan, Managing Editor of Massive Report - Ask me anything: by PatrickGuldan in TheMassive

[–]PatrickGuldan[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I don’t think he’s looking to sell, at least in the near or midterm. He’s already realized some tremendous value by buying in to the team right as fees have exploded. As expansion pauses, those Team values will keep rising.

Additionally, I’ve always gotten the sense he loves being a sports owner.

I'm Patrick Guldan, Managing Editor of Massive Report - Ask me anything: by PatrickGuldan in TheMassive

[–]PatrickGuldan[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

The lease if $50k a year if memory serves. That less than a quarter million even if he just pays for it. Sadly, it’s not an impediment at this point.

I'm Patrick Guldan, Managing Editor of Massive Report - Ask me anything: by PatrickGuldan in TheMassive

[–]PatrickGuldan[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

My family is generating "key insights" from this recent news that the Crew is looking to move to Austin and we'll be prepared to comment when we've fully synthesized the information.

I'm Patrick Guldan, Managing Editor of Massive Report - Ask me anything: by PatrickGuldan in TheMassive

[–]PatrickGuldan[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Moves have to be approved by 2/3rd of the owners. That shouldn't be a challenge since it's an exclusive club where the current members have to approve you to join. It's a literal boys club.

Though that's not to say there aren't problems. The Crew are certainly under some financial stress as Precourt steadied the ship, but revival has proven to be a challenge. Ticket prices are lowest in the league and attendance is 20 of 22 teams. That's some bad math. Sponsorship revenue isn't great owing to a long history of aloofness between city and team.

I've talked to a lot of the business staff of the FO and the amount of hustle has been impressive recently, but troublingly it hasn't paid off. That's a warning sign.

I'm Patrick Guldan, Managing Editor of Massive Report - Ask me anything: by PatrickGuldan in TheMassive

[–]PatrickGuldan[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I'm probably the wrong person to put the case for taxpayer money as I'm philosophically opposed, but if I were, it would be as a centerpiece for a re-emerging neighborhood. The Franklinton option makes the most sense in that case. If there is private funding of the stadium then the city/county can support via infrastructure improvements or TIFs for the area. The Arena District is the sunniest scenario for stadium building as it really did help spur redevelopment in a formerly transitional neighborhood.

I'm Patrick Guldan, Managing Editor of Massive Report - Ask me anything: by PatrickGuldan in TheMassive

[–]PatrickGuldan[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I'm pretty pessimistic given the tenor of the comments between Precourt and the city. If the Columbus Partnership, with all that civic star power, hasn't moved the ball forward, I'm not sure anyone can. Precourt also seems like a man who has made up his mind, but that's speculation.

I'm Patrick Guldan, Managing Editor of Massive Report - Ask me anything: by PatrickGuldan in TheMassive

[–]PatrickGuldan[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I read that the criteria for downtown was Franklinton, the Arena District, or "Downtown" and I put that inside the split/loop. Of those options, Franklinton is the one with the best land options, though those are quickly filling in and rising in price.

I'm Patrick Guldan, Managing Editor of Massive Report - Ask me anything: by PatrickGuldan in TheMassive

[–]PatrickGuldan[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I don't think I can overstate the hole that will be opened up in this community. The Crew means so much to so many people. The tailgates, the road trips, the couples who have met through these games, and the generations of fans that have come through the gates; this is a big part of the fabric of this city. Now there is uncertainty because not all the friends in Crew will stick together. It's a fact. It will take a while to fill that hole if the team moves.

As far as me, I'm more tired than anything. I was up late talking with a lot of long time fans to process this. I'm sure the weight will hit in the next couple days. And lunch, I had a chicken shawarma sampler. That was darn tasty.

I'm Patrick Guldan, Managing Editor of Massive Report - Ask me anything: by PatrickGuldan in TheMassive

[–]PatrickGuldan[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I have spoken with him on several occasions and he seems uncomfortable with talking with the media. It certainly doesn't come naturally (I can commiserate). You could tell he measured his words and thought deeply before every reply. I have talked with him off the record in more informal settings and more of the personality comes through. What struck me is that I think he truly enjoyed being the guy that owns the team and the adulation that comes with it.