From Metrofanatic comes news that Giants Stadium aka "The Swamp" aka the most inappropriately large MLS venue will be downsized for the 2008 season. Tickets will only be sold for the side of the field that the TV camera sees, with the exception of section 101 which is home to the Empire Supporters Club.
In addition to filling out the seats for the cameras, this will allow for fewer staff on game day since 3/4ths of the stadium will be closed. New England has been doing this for close to 5 years now and while I agree with the economics of it (since RBNY lose money every time they play in Giants Stadium) it makes for an absolutely horrible fan experience. As an RBNY season ticket holder I will take this opportunity to launch the following plea out into cyberspace.
Please for the love of God and soccer, don't do this. Most soccer fans in the area already think this team/league are a joke. Why supply them with another punchline if this is (allegedly) to be the last year in this stadium? You are rich, so why not skip on Christmas bonuses this year for your employees and do a solid for your fans.
I know at least 2 Red Bull employees read this blog regularly so maybe they will hear my cries. But even if they do they will probably ignore them since I have just asked for their boss to Scrooge them out this year.
UPDATE: Word from RBNY front office is that this only applies to new season ticket holders and single game tickets. Existing season ticket holders can keep there old seats...but apparently they really want you to move and are prepared to offer you an autographed photo of Juan Pablo Angel in exchange for relocating.
4 comments:
Sean, I usually agree with you. But on this one you're wrong. MLS teams have a responsibility to make the games look good on TV. Putting all the fans on one side will make the games look much, much better on TV. That alone is enough reason to do it.
Frankly, they should have started doing this 12 years ago.
Davey B-
Make the games look good fro who? The 1,100 people watching on MSG? What about the 12k inside the stadium...they have to look at an 8 story wall of emptyness.
MLS has no responsibility to appeal to anyone but those that show up to games on a regular and routine basis. If someone wants to sit with friends and family on one side of the stadium and not in seats that they are being forced into, let them have it. Don't walk away from a ticket sale.
re: "The 1,100 people watching on MSG?"
The point of putting all the fans on one side is to make it look better, so MORE that 1,100 people will want to watch it! In other words, your premise (that not many people are watching) only supports my conclusion, that the Red Bulls need to change what they are doing.
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