Steve Davis Goes Off
September 24th, 2009 . 1:36 pm . By: Buzz CarrickIf you haven’t found Steve Davis’ blog yet, this one is well worth a read. Davis rips the front office a new one on the anniversary of the re-branding of the Dallas Burn. I actaully think a re-branding was a good idea, but I do agree it was botched by HSG. On almost every other point though I agree with Davis, particularly the penny pinching nature of having an accountant run things. Here’s an example… Rant on. Did you know HSG cut the cel phone service for FCD employees? I’m sure losing the Verizon sponsorship was part of the problem, in essence making it an added, perhaps even unforeseen, expense. But isn’t company cel phone service a part of the basic equipment you need to do your job for many positions? So General Manager Michal Hitchcock, Head coach Schellas Hyndman, and assistants like John Ellinger, etc., etc., now don’t have phones; making them the one team in the league that doesn’t. Can you imagine traveling, coaching, scouting, working combines, trades, drafts and signings without having a cel phone? But far beyond the coaching staff, shouldn’t the ticket sales and sponsorship staff have cal phones? Sales right? The one area that makes everything else work. The one area that most directly effect the bottom line. Do you know a sales guy who isn’t constantly on the go, working phone and emails? They call it a Crack-Berry for reason. Impossible to do you job? No, they can get their own I’m sure. But it sure as heck is a morale killer when your company won’t give you the basic equipment you need to do your job. To me that makes this a clear cut case of a bottom line expense that got cut without thought for the greater good. Rant off. Anyway go read Davis. He is the Dean around here. 8 Comments Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI Leave a comment |
Great read, it really is sad the “progress” of this team since HSG took over.
Wow. Man. “Burn” indeed. He torches FC Dallas. And boy do they deserve it. Sign me up with the people who hated the re-branding, hated putting a stadium in Frisco, and hate the product on the field. I”m sure as hell not going to root for another club, but that doesn’t mean I have to root for this team.
HSG is Steve Davis’ ACORN!
My problem, and I’m sure this has brought up ad nauseum, is that you are in the middle of (American) football country here and you rebrand the name to have Football in it.
Like one of the comments said, it’s a confusing name, especially to people who are casual fans. At least people knew the Dallas Burn. Shoot I used to hate soccer and knew about the Dallas Burn. Now, whenever I bring it up, they ask, “FC Dallas? Oh is that the Dallas Burn?”
I’ve ran into a a few people wearing Dallas Burn gear while I was working out. I ask them if they’re FC Dallas fans and they shake their heads no. But they used to go to the Cotton Bowl to watch the Burn…it’s just sad.
While he brings up a lot of very valid points, the rebranding of the team has NOTHING to do with its lack of success. The failures of the ownership in putting together winning teams, making the game day atmosphere enjoyable AND affordable and marketing the team are the reasons for the empty stands.
With all due respect jonesing, I think the rebranding is another symptom of that general disease.
I live in Houston. After the last USA/Mex. game down here a couple of years ago, me and my friend Chris (he owns a soccer shop in Austin, go check it out) were hanging out in the parking lot and who walks by? Oliver Luck, strolling along trying to find his car like every other schmuck in the Reliant parking lot. So we call him over, and he talked to us for a good while about the US team, his team, and the rivalry with FCD.
He is a good GM – he gets what it takes.
Hitchcock (and HSG) is not – and does not.
And, I know it wasn’t Hitchcock who rebranded the team. But, as Xanthippas said, it’s a symptom.
Play ball (players do) and give a shit (FO does not).
Is that to much to ask for?