Here is a 'team' that has never played a game, do not have a league, do not have a stadium (well the Revs don't either), and do not even have any players, yet they are making bigger splashes than many MLS teams, Revolution especially included. Honestly I am not sure whether I am angry, sad or impressed by this. They are doing something that we as Revolution supporters can only dream of, yet we have a team and are in a league. One can only hope that as the league grows the Revs will grow with it, however it is sad to see that the Revolution need to go with it.
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| We'd love to see a similar Revolution campaign in Boston. |
The former Kansas City Wizards were one of those teams that just existed, you didn't really think much about them. They had a goofy name and no real home, they were playing in a 10,00 seat baseball stadium, awkward to say the least. A funny thing happened on the way to the forum for Kansas City; they realized it was time to get serious... they lost the goofy name for... well another goofy name. Sporting Kansas City was announced as the new team name and that they were going to build a new stadium, their own home, all in the past year or so. They are now building a stadium that looks to rival Red Bull Arena as one of the best soccer stadiums in the country and they have quickly made themselves relevant in the Kansas City market. It didn't take very long it just took some effort and investment. Sporting KC so far has sold over 9,000 season tickets, still more than half our average attendance in 2009 and it would almost sell out their old home.
I know, I know, we should just be happy we have a team or some shit like that right? Wrong, this is New England... we don't just have teams... we have teams that matter, and if you want to compete in this market you damn sure better matter. I'm glad Kraft helped save the league when times were tough, but times aren't tough for the league at all anymore. Times are tough for the New England Revolution however, why aren't you stepping up to the plate now to save your own team?
This is not a lashing out against the Revolution Front Office, as many, myself included, have been known to do from time to time. Sometimes those comments are justified and sometimes they are not. However on many times I have had the occasion to speak with members from varying levels of the FO and I have come to the conclusion that this isn't about inept people running the marketing departments or even the team (well maybe Mike Burns... sorry but I can't find anything I like about the guy). The Krafts are treating this team as an investment, no more no less. Do the Krafts care about the team? Sure they do but they care about it like any person would care about their investment. They put their money in hoping to see it turn into something great but they are biding their time to give it the extra push, waiting for the right moment, waiting for security in the league to know that they can put more in; waiting... waiting... waiting...
The reason we don't have the success that other teams have is not because of the fact that COO Brian Bilello holds more than one, or even 2 jobs with the Krafts,
"In addition to his role with the Revolution, Bilello also works on other aspects of The Kraft Group's operations, including but not limited to the New England Patriots, Gillette Stadium, Patriot Place and other new business ventures." (link)
it's not because the Marketing Department has no idea what they are doing. Its that they aren't being given the tools to succeed, and by tools I mean money. Why don't we have a Designated Player yet? Not because we are "waiting for the right player" it's because Kraft would have to pay extra outside the salary cap... Why do we think our COO has multiple jobs within the Kraft organization? Kraft doesn't see the need to have one person focus on the running of his soccer team and nothing else. Why do we have the almost comedic Revs Girls, and maybe a billboard in Braintree that few people will see instead of billboards along the Route 93 (The Boston Breakers had billboards on I-93 this past summer) and downtown? Because Kraft probably gives them a shoestring budget to work with, which subsequently is how I think the rest of the team is forced to operate. Granted this is an opinion and educated guess of what goes on, and I am not intimating that this is fact however I would love to be proved wrong, and just maybe the Revolution and Krafts themselves will do that.
There is a market for soccer in this country, MLS is going into it's 16th season and it is stronger than ever. This league is not going to fold anytime soon like the NASL. The growth of soccer in the past few years has been amazing to watch. Owning a professional soccer team in the United States does not have to be seen as a risk anymore. So why is the Kraft family running this team like a slum-lord runs an old apartment building in an up-and-coming neighborhood? The neighborhood is better now than when you bought it and now the neighbors want you to fix up your property, otherwise it's bring their values down. The New England Revolution used to be one of if not the flagship team of MLS, we need to and can return to that, they owe it to the sport, the players, and most importantly the fans and future fans. Soccer is here and it is here to stay. Bob and Jonathan do right by your team and your name, re-invest in this team and let it re-take it's rightful place at the top of the league.
It's a travesty. Most people now would kill to have a MLS team already in the fold like New England does, but it treats the team like a minor league organization. Feels like such a waste of an opportunity. Feels like Kraft or whoever runs this team like most cities run their WNBA teams...sort of just like a formality to be PC.
ReplyDeleteThe Timber's campaign this year was brilliant...they practically made the city feel like if you weren't a Timbers fan then you were going to be out of the loop. The campaign implied pride and a sense of unity. Their marketing has already paid off huge and it will no doubt keep paying dividends as the season goes on.
You are also right in that KC is going all out, and the fans will repay them. Though the name is a completely stupid copycat Euro tag, the team is giving hope to the fans by giving them what they want...a badass SSS and a commitment to becoming a globally recognized team.
So here we are, back in New England...out in the middle of nowhere a team plays second fiddle to the Patriots with NO signs of that changing anytime soon. This Biello dude goes on the news and says a bunch of redundant fodder (in a very boring, monotonous tone I might add) that isn't exactly going to get Rev fans jumping out of their seat.
Where's the public event rallies? Hell, the Timbers rolled an airplane into a hangar just to introduce their new jerseys.
I'm going to ripoff MLK and say "I have a dream." I have a dream where the New England area, a diverse and educated area full of sports nuts and Irish pubs, is crazy about the Revolution. At the games people chant in patriotic themes, recalling the spirit of the fighters of the Revolution. Huge flags wave all around the stadium. Around the New England area you see as much Revolution gear as you do Celtics and Patriots. All through the week people are chattering about yesterday's game, and can't wait until next week's. The team gives people a real sense of pride.
Bottom line: marketing WORKS. Good marketing that is. Creative marketing leads to increased fan interest. Increased interest leads to higher attendance. Higher attendance inspires players to step up their game. Improve gameplay wins more games. More games won increases fan interest. The cycle continues.
And by "marketing" I'm not talking about some local tv promo that looks like it was made by a high school A/V club. Shit, look what the EnergyDrinks did with their "There are two ways to get to RedBull Arena" video campaign, That was a high quality production. When you look like you actually put some EFFORT into getting people to come to games, they will. And a couple bimbos in Revs jerseys walking around flirting with guys is not going to cut it either.
And notice how when there are foreign stars thinking about joining MLS they always say the same few cities? "I'd be interested in playing for _____ one day" usually ends up being NY, Seattle, or Portland (at least for the time being.) Why is that? Because those owners have created a soccer environment that is just toooo exciting to not want to join. I mean hell, if I was a soccer star the thought of playing in front of Portland this year in what looks like will be a crazy, passionate atmosphere sounds awesome. I could only imagine the sold out crowd chanting my name and treating me like a god.
The Revs have basically turned themselves into the Oakland Raiders in a sense. They're like the team no player wants to go to in fear of disappearing into obscurity. They know they'll go there and get treated like a minor league athlete. Hell, Randy Moss almost disappeared off the face of the Earth there until (ironically) the Patriots saved him. If it weren't for the sorry state DC is in too, this would be enormously embarrassing for New England.
Thanks "you say"... all I can add is ... ditto.
ReplyDeleteWell said Brian. Unfortunately, until the Krafts stop running the Revs as a stadium filler to cut operating costs during the Patriots offseasons, not much will change.
ReplyDeleteSo it's not about bashing the FO but you bash it anyway. Same old MO from the same bitter Revs fans. Give it up, no one cares except for you losers.
ReplyDeleteFuck this dick ^^^^^.
ReplyDeleteNice write up but this line is suspect "billboard in BRIANtree that few people will see..." (CAPS mine).
Thank you anonymous for your thought provoking and insightful comment.
ReplyDeleteWell said Brian. I agree with all of it.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, very brave to make a comment without putting your name behind it. Clearly everything is just fine the way it is.
Awesome to see the "bitter Revs fans" comment come up from someone. Typical.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Brian ... and a well thought out response by "you know."
Nailed it man. Great post.
ReplyDeleteReally well written and completely true, Brian.
ReplyDeleteBeing Anon and saying no one cares made me giggle. Obviously someone cares enough to hide their identity.
I understand this is suppose to be an opinion piece but it loses credit when you assume what the Revs are doing. Brian, try getting facts before posting a rant.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, drugs are bad.
Chris,
ReplyDeleteFirst off, thank you for commenting and not hiding in anonymity. I do appreciate commetns that don't agree with what I have to say as long as peopl aren't going to hie behind a screen name or "anonymous"
Yes this is an opinion piece, I don't need credibility end of discussion.
However I will discuss a few things because I'm a nice guy and willing to engage in thoughtful discussion.
I may be making assumptions on what the team is doing but I assure you that the comments and ideas I talk about are not fabrications pulled out of my ass. Some are actually straight from people "in the know" whose identities I will not divulge.
No one has a problem when people write these kind of articles about the Red Sox or the Bruins or the Patriots or the Celtics, why should the Revolution be any different? Let's face it media coverage sucks for the Revs even in the blog world. We are going to wrote what we want how we want and we're going to be different. If you don't like it I encourage you to go write your own blog and tell me how
am why I am wrong.
I have seen and heard many try to cut people down who make statements similar to the ones I have made but not once have I seen anything more than that, anything that supports the "other side" without tearing down "my side". Consider this a call to action, maybe it won't be you but someone should try to tell the other side without just trying to tear down those that disagree with them.
Secondly since there seems to be some confusion, this is not an anti/fuck the Front Office commentary, in fact it is meant to be the opposite. Other than people involved in player acquisition I have nothing but respect for the Revolution staff. I used to not feel that way however the more I have spoken with and gotten to know members of the organization that has changed. They do care and they are doing the best they can but with limited resources, that is the point of this post.
Actions speak louder than words, please use your 'facts' to disprove my theories.
The only drug I'm on is football (and maybe ibuprofen)
Well said, Brian. I couldn't agree more.
ReplyDeleteIf an organization has been doing the exact same thing for almost an entire decade, all the while saying the same things (that then do not jive with what they actually do...or do not do) I think you can safely assume what they're doing/not doing. We've heard the same talk about them being disappointed and about them being ready to do something (anybody recall Mike Burns' statement last pre-season about the team being very active in the transfer market?) again and again.
ReplyDeleteAwesome really well written and completely true.
ReplyDeleteThanks Brain. I agree this.
Marketreach