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Deep south professional soccer....
Posted on 9/29/12 at 12:10 am
Posted on 9/29/12 at 12:10 am
When will the deep south get an MLS team? Where should said team be located?
I think a professional soccer franchise would be profitable in Birmingham and here's why...
1) Contrary to popular belief, Birmingham has been home to many "quasi-successful" professional sports franchises. (USFL Stallions, Minor league hockey Bulls, XFL Boltz etc....) MORE TIMES THAN NOT, THE LEAGUES FAILED NOT THE FRANCHISES. LINK
2) Hispanic Explosion.
3) Soccer has zero Alabama or Auburn collegiate affiliation. Every Alabamian that gives a shite about soccer could support it.
4) Birmingham is the renaissance city of the south. New Barons baseball stadium (Regions Park) is currently being built downtown (The Barons have set minor league attendance records in Hoover), Operation New Birmingham, Repeal of state liquor brewing laws, The city's approval of a new entertainment district.
5) Birmingham was a successful home to the 1996 Olympic soccer games
6) MLS season doesn't conflict with college football.
7) The next closest team is in Houston.
8) UAB has a better than average international student population.
9) Home games could be played at either Legion Field or the newly constructed Regions Park.
10) Geographic center of the south.
Why it will never happen: Birmingham Politicians.
So tell me why I'm wrong or tell me why I'm right. I want a pro team in the south.
I think a professional soccer franchise would be profitable in Birmingham and here's why...
1) Contrary to popular belief, Birmingham has been home to many "quasi-successful" professional sports franchises. (USFL Stallions, Minor league hockey Bulls, XFL Boltz etc....) MORE TIMES THAN NOT, THE LEAGUES FAILED NOT THE FRANCHISES. LINK
2) Hispanic Explosion.
quote:Much of this growth is in Birmingham.
The size of the state’s Hispanic population more than doubled from 75,830 in 2000 to 185,602 in 2010.
• This change represents a growth rate of 144.8 percent, compared to a 5.1 percent growth rate
in the non-Hispanic population.
3) Soccer has zero Alabama or Auburn collegiate affiliation. Every Alabamian that gives a shite about soccer could support it.
4) Birmingham is the renaissance city of the south. New Barons baseball stadium (Regions Park) is currently being built downtown (The Barons have set minor league attendance records in Hoover), Operation New Birmingham, Repeal of state liquor brewing laws, The city's approval of a new entertainment district.
5) Birmingham was a successful home to the 1996 Olympic soccer games
6) MLS season doesn't conflict with college football.
7) The next closest team is in Houston.
8) UAB has a better than average international student population.
9) Home games could be played at either Legion Field or the newly constructed Regions Park.
10) Geographic center of the south.
Why it will never happen: Birmingham Politicians.
So tell me why I'm wrong or tell me why I'm right. I want a pro team in the south.
4
Posted on 9/29/12 at 12:42 am to DriveByBBQ
1. While there are probably many soccer fans in Alabama, how many would travel from Mobile, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa etc. on a weekly basis over the course of an eight month season? Attendance numbers would be below average.
2. There still is far too much ignorant negativity towards soccer in the Deep South. Commie, gay sport for nancy Europeans etc. etc. for it to attract soccer novices.
3. Other markets in the "south" are further ahead in the pecking order for potential MLS franchises. San Antonio leads the NASL in attendance and will have a new stadium for next year. Orlando and Atlanta are also better options for MLS.
4. Hispanic populations have supported MLS poorly despite the league's attempted marketing advances to that demographic. Mexican fans still see MLS as an inferior league to the Mexican leagues, and see soccer as a cultural trait of their ancestral homeland. Houston is the only MLS franchise to effectively draw Hispanic fans. MLS focuses its marketing now towards the classic soccer mom demographic and now more so towards young adults in the 18-25 range.
5. Hosting one game exhibitions and competitive matches successfully does not equate to hosting a team effectively for an extended season.
At best a Birmingham team would see the success of the Columbus Crew, shoddy attendance with some decent on-field play. At worst it would rival the poorest USL-Pro/NASL clubs.
2. There still is far too much ignorant negativity towards soccer in the Deep South. Commie, gay sport for nancy Europeans etc. etc. for it to attract soccer novices.
3. Other markets in the "south" are further ahead in the pecking order for potential MLS franchises. San Antonio leads the NASL in attendance and will have a new stadium for next year. Orlando and Atlanta are also better options for MLS.
4. Hispanic populations have supported MLS poorly despite the league's attempted marketing advances to that demographic. Mexican fans still see MLS as an inferior league to the Mexican leagues, and see soccer as a cultural trait of their ancestral homeland. Houston is the only MLS franchise to effectively draw Hispanic fans. MLS focuses its marketing now towards the classic soccer mom demographic and now more so towards young adults in the 18-25 range.
5. Hosting one game exhibitions and competitive matches successfully does not equate to hosting a team effectively for an extended season.
At best a Birmingham team would see the success of the Columbus Crew, shoddy attendance with some decent on-field play. At worst it would rival the poorest USL-Pro/NASL clubs.
Posted on 9/29/12 at 12:47 am to DriveByBBQ
Atlanta, then Orlando. Sorry.
Posted on 9/29/12 at 4:25 am to WarSlamEagle
What thenry said plus the MLS has made it much harder to add a franchise in recent years.
Posted on 9/29/12 at 5:33 am to DriveByBBQ
NOLA Fightin' Crawfish FTMFW! 
Posted on 9/29/12 at 5:35 am to LSUCanFAN
Posted on 9/29/12 at 5:45 am to DB10_AFC
Only MLS team I would support(outside TFC bien sur) plus y'all know they'd have a fleur des lis on the uni... 
plus y'all know they'd have a fleur des lis on the uni... Posted on 9/29/12 at 5:46 am to LSUCanFAN
oh and frickamontreal
Posted on 9/29/12 at 8:37 am to DriveByBBQ
I would drive up from Montgomery for several of the matches, but the best option in the South is Atlanta or Nashville.
Posted on 9/29/12 at 10:06 am to thenry712
quote:
4. Hispanic populations have supported MLS poorly despite the league's attempted marketing advances to that demographic. Mexican fans still see MLS as an inferior league to the Mexican leagues, and see soccer as a cultural trait of their ancestral homeland. Houston is the only MLS franchise to effectively draw Hispanic fans. MLS focuses its marketing now towards the classic soccer mom demographic and now more so towards young adults in the 18-25 range
I agree with everything you said.... but the Fire also draw a decent Hispanic crowd, as do the Galaxy. And Chivas. All 147 Chivas USA fans are Hispanic.
Posted on 9/29/12 at 1:31 pm to thenry712
Are there any decent semi-pro teams around??
ETA: and how legit are they, and do they recruit internationally??
ETA: and how legit are they, and do they recruit internationally??
This post was edited on 9/29/12 at 1:36 pm
Posted on 9/29/12 at 1:46 pm to Pumpkins
quote:
Are there any decent semi-pro teams around??
The New Orleans Jesters are in the PDL. It's like the 4th division of soccer in the states. They have a few international guys on the team with one English guy and couple of Welshmen. It's not a great league but it's a decent developmental league.
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