Zip It: An Open Letter to Hunt Sports Group
April 1st, 2010 . 9:19 pm . By: Jay Brownlee
Dear FC Dallas Owners & Management, Sports have a way of capturing the minds of people like almost nothing else. We fans experience a season with our beloved favorite team in a way that can best be described as devotion. Our experience is directly tied to the performance of the club. Each year we begin with optimism and end the year worrying about how the next will go. We experience highs and lows, but through it all we live to love our team. And the team I am speaking of, in particular, is FC Dallas. I am not an original FC Dallas fan. In fact, I first attended matches in 2005. I loved it so much I bought season tickets in 2006. As fortune would have it, I moved away from the Metroplex and have only been able to attend matches here and there since. I’m no soccer expert. I guess I know it well enough that I am allowed to write match reports for 3rddegree.net, but I really don’t believe I’m any sort of genius. I do, however, have a profound and undying love for FC Dallas. FC Dallas is “my” team. There will be no other. This is why I am writing you today. You see, I am frustrated, afraid, and sad about my beloved team. I can sum up the reason for my feelings in three simple words: Hunt Sports Group. God bless Lamar Hunt, he was a great man. His legacy in the world of American soccer can never be under-estimated. Mr. Hunt poured both his money and his soul into American soccer for the benefit of the sport. His work is widely appreciated for good reason. But I worry about Hunt Sports Group. There has long been speculation among fans that HSG were not prepared to utilize their resources to ensure FC Dallas was operated in a way that would establish the club as a premier MLS franchise. I am sorry to say that the speculation is being made more concrete with each passing year of HSG ownership. The problem seems to be money. I want to state up front that I believe FC Dallas should be a profitable enterprise. In fact, I want FC Dallas’ investors to experience handsome returns on their investment. I have been heartened when it was noted that this club has been in the black. But a sports business is a two-way street: where investors should be rewarded for their faith, the fans should be rewarded for their loyalty. Unfortunately, with respect to treatment of the fans, HSG has been a woeful failure. HSG has continued to raise season ticket prices year after year, even when the team on the field has been no better than mediocre. The poor results on the pitch have surely not helped, but the steady, inexorable decline in attendance is much more troubling. It has become an issue of such proportion now that the story is being picked up league-wide. FC Dallas has become a club to feel sorry for, to worry about, to bemoan. It’s so bad that they worry about FC Dallas attendance in Seattle, center of the MLS universe. Meanwhile, ticket prices escalate, marketing diminishes, and meanwhile, back at Pizza Hut Park, concessions have gotten so bad as to be an outrage. New caterers were touted last year, yet the quality of food and service is nothing sort of abysmal. Lines extend far into the concourses. Concessioners run out of food even before game-time. But you’ve heard these gripes. If you have not, it is only because someone has purposely stopped these complaints from getting to the right people. There can be no other explanation. And now it’s becoming apparent to those of us left that HSG simply does not care about us, the fans. In effect, HSG has already told us “No” when we’ve asked for improvements. We have come to expect that a full house, good concessions, and a good team are apparently too much to ask. Never mind dreams of designated players. We are pretty sure HSG is simply not willing to fix these and other problems. While I do not pretend to know the mind of others, I believe there are many who feel similarly to me. We simply want to be appreciated. We want owners committed to the club that will ensure it’s the best in MLS. Last season, we got the fans’ meetings. Unfortunately, nothing positive other than some short-lived fuzzies over being heard resulted from those meetings. We were promised action and got higher ticket prices. That does not work. We need to hear from HSG. It is time. HSG needs to step forward and engage the fans. It would be a wonderful thing if they simply let us know they cared about our experience. It would be even better if they acted to correct these glaring problems. It is time for HSG to demonstrate a concrete commitment to this club, both on and off the pitch. This commitment must be as visible as Drew Carey’s bespectacled face hanging out of the pressbox at Qwest Field. I have high hopes this letter will make a difference. Unfortunately, I fear it will be ignored. Please, prove me wrong. And do the right thing; fix the problems. Please. –Jay Brownlee 45 Comments Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI Leave a comment |
amen,brother….
Well said!
Your post reminds me of when my MetroStars were owned by AEG. The indifference was staggering. I hope HSG steps up to the plate like Red Bull stepped up for us. It makes all the difference in the world when your owners care about you.
This beats my letter:
“you guys suck!”
can we bring the Corn man back?
Excellent letter — and sums up how we feel, too.
The increasing in ticket prices has seriously impacted the three of us attending games. We have two teens and college looming. Money matters. I want so much to back out there rooting for FCD, but managements makes it more difficult each year, it seems. When we do finally go this year, we have vowed to eat beforehand and skip the woeful concessions at PHP.
Thanks, Jay!!
Well JB … I join you in saluting Lamar Hunt and his devotion to Soccer in America. Much like Sam Walton those who came behind him have not lived up to his standards … too sad!
I hope your letter gets some attention! How about you and 3rddregree.net put together a petition to the Hunt Sports Group that the FC Dallas fans can sumbit online and we can add our comments.
Being in West Texas we don’t get to Frisco and Pizza Hut Park as often as we would like to but we are FC Dallas fans. Tell us where to sign!
See you at the pitch,
The Maverick
Question: HSG owns Columbus as well, and they’ve been doing alright. Are they just choosing to ignore FCD?
@Bruce
If you look more closely Columbus is suffering the same sorts of pains as FCD, except the quality of play on the pitch has definitely been better in recent years.
Columbus has had one of the top two or three teams in the league, yet their attendance, although not as severe as Dallas’, has also been sloping down.
I agree with everything Jay said. I would like to add this, as well. The days of “if you build it, they will come” are over. The days “Sphinx” ownership (see nothing, say nothing, do nothing) are over. The days of absolutely zero visibility in the media are over. We will not support the same ol’ same ol’. Nonaction will result in nonsupport.
Big difference in when Lamar had a hand in things as opposed to his kids running the show. FCD, Columbus, Kansas City Chiefs all have gone downhill.
Cheers,
sean
I echo Maverick. Can some web-savvy person put up a site with a catchy name and an online petition? If anyone at HSG even knows about 3rddegree, they probably think we’re just the diehard blowhards.
Good letter. I live in Seattle and agree that even here people are confused by the poor attendance figures in Dallas. I really hope things turn around for you guys, it benefits everyone in the league. Though I have not been to Pizza Hut Park, from what I’ve heard it is in the middle of nowhere and fairly inaccessible. Best of luck.
“Can some web-savvy person put up a site with a catchy name and an online petition?”
Perhaps instead of a petition, we can put up a fan run grass roots advertising site. it could sponsor grass roots advert campaigns, have some cool slogan, professional graphics (for public credibility sake), and a link to 3rd degree, big soccer, etc.
Nick, poor attendance is cause the fans have given up hope. I know few players and i am tired of making an effort.
I am tired of paying TOP $$ for club season ticket seats only to have them let someone who paid $5 take my whole row when i get up.
I am tired of getting to know and like the players only to see them cut even when they play really well.
When i relented last year and walked up to buy tickets at the gate for me and my boys…only to be told all they had were seats for $80 each! $80!! They said they were sold out…we were 10 mins into gametime and the place was EMPTY…when i asked the ticket guy to look at the empty stadium he shrugged and said ‘oh well’.
Oh well back at ya. FCD front office stinks. I watch the Juniors play now. cheaper, better soccer and less player turnover.
I hope SH wins this year and it all turns out great…but if it does not then they are getting what they deserve.
*yawn* No offense, but didn’t another letter like this get published last season? If they won’t take the time to read a 200+ page proposal from people in their own organization, what makes you think they would spend a second on this?
Don’t get me wrong. I am frustrated at the attendance and the lack of atmosphere that an empty stadium portends, as well as the issues you list so eloquently…but the best thing this letter can do is give you an outlet for your frustrations. I hope it did provide you that and I look forward to seeing everyone at the Columbus match.
I agree with Jamez, although i appreciate everyone’s frustrations it’s also time for us to do our part. We’ve got a good squad this year that has the potential to make a real run at the play-offs and can beat any team on it’s day and we need to play our part by making the effort to get to the stadium (it’s only 25 minutes from downtown down a straight highway, it’s not in Timbuktu) and cheering on the boys.
All the constant badmouthing of the club from fans just turns off more people from attending games and continues a self-perpetuating circle. I’m not saying we shoudn’t voice our conerns or raise issues, of course we should, but we should also take a balanced view and point out the positives, like the improvement in our squad versus this time last year, which didn’t happen by accident. Kevin, you’re point about being asked to pay $80 for walk-up tickets is valid and is inexcusable, but the other points about player turnover and not knowing the current squad aren’t. This is MLS, turnover is always high, and if you don’t know the current squad then get to know them, it’s not difficult. You keep going to watch the juniors, I’ll cheer the pros into the play-offs
I hope HSG takes this letter to heart, Dallas fans have put up with a lot of crap management and if anything I’m just thankful Columbus hasn’t been put through quite the same amount.
The Dallas FO is horrible and I really feel for FCD fans, keep attending games but make your protests there as well. Perhaps banners in the SG’s that make the cause more visible on TV and in the stands.
I got great tickets for the last MLS Cup in Dallas, won in a shootout by the Dynamo. I sat right behind the Dynamo family & friends at field level. That’s when I converted. I’ll always be a Burn fan. But HSG and FCD lost me when I saw what a difference having a front office, coach and players working together on the same page could make. I keep up with 3rdDegree because this is the only thing the Dynamo is missing, and it’s the best thing FCD has left.
I have decided to keep quiet until hearing WACKO4BURN! Supporters should do what they do best… SUPPORT THE TEAM! Are things perfect? Hell no, but the on field play is gaining ground fast and off field we have people who are starting to slowly take notice of the supporters. Gone is the kiddies play pen and back is the beer garden. Season Tickets in the supporters section are $10 per game with a $20 donation to the supporters group of your choice. Dan Hunt is seen at games and personally brought us all hot chocolate at the Pioneer cup when we supported the TEAM through a blizzard! So there are a lot of positive things happening.
As for leaving FCD for the Dynamo… no person who cheers for the Orange was EVER a real supporter of FCD! The reason why 3rd Degree is so bloody awesome is because THEY believe in this team on the field and we the Real Supporters appreciate it and believe in them! Have fun in Robbie Stadium with your orange clad mental midgets, and we will have fun in the MLS Cup this year!!! I BELIEVE IN FCD!
Get off the caffeine for starters. Was Dan’s hot chocolate spiked with extra caffeine?
It was so freezing cold at that game that he could have brought over anything hot and we would have appreciated it! BTW I like caffeine AND I am drinking the red coolaid…. and lovin’ it!
I BELIEVE IN FCD!
I BELIEVE IN FCD!
I BELIEVE IN FCD!
I BELIEVE IN FCD!
I wonder if FCD is suffering from fan backlash? The organization is doing what they’ve always done, which is nothing, but the fans are seeing all the great things being done by other clubs like Seattle or NY and now Philly and we’re all left wondering: “Why not here?” Heck, even casual fans know about the big stuff going on elsewhere.
It seems clear that HSG don’t really care about the fans or the fan experience and the comparison with teams that do is getting to be too stark to ignore anymore. It feels like we’re being cheated.
signed
Since the players threaten to strike… how about FCD fans threaten to strike a particular game if things don’t improve… just a thought.
They could strike for the home opener. Oh wait I think that kinda happened?
It all comes down to money spent vs. quality of play. My season tickets went up from $920 to $1100 in 2 years. In that same time, the team missed 2 years of the playoffs.
Prices go up, quality goes down, stadium goes empty. Not really hard to figure that business model out, but HSG can’t manage it.
I’m a new season ticket holder, made a few games last yr, I’ve enjoyed many games overseas including world cup games and for some reason never really heard much about mls. I only decided to look into mls because I wanted my nephew to enjoy the game like I do, while I so wish we had a bigger/wilder fan base I’ve truly enjoyed the games at PHP. I can understand all the feelings I’ve read so far, and I hope things do get better and Hunt gets more involved with the Team.
You broght in this coach, raised prices, got rid of the heart of texas drew, kenny, and toja well teres no faith in office and the coach friends dont win championships. Soccer players do ,not friends in office and on field. Well said JB
Does the woman in the CougarLife.com ad in the margin go to FCD games? Count me in if she does….
Great letter and some even better responses.
The problem is this is Texas…the show me you’re a winner and I’ll maybe then make the effort to attend state…but because it’s the sport called soccer and it’s “not cool” because it’s not an american sport…why bother. Sorry but that’s it. We can all yell and scream at ownership, but until the culture (like the hispanics in the early 2000’s) embraces the sport..it doesn’t stand a chance here in TEXAS.
Harry C. — Then how do you explain Houston’s success in MLS? They have pretty good attendance. That surely is partly due to the support of the Hispanic population, but there are also many, many Texans that attend. I have been there and seen it several times.
I think what you say is certainly an explanation for why part of the potential fan base doesn’t show up, but that could almost be said for any of the MLS cities (in their own way). I think the real solution is that the team wins, the front office puts on a good game-day show and then markets the games well to each specific potential fan base — everyone has a different trigger. Some mainly want quality soccer, some a cheap party, some want a fun family Summer outing, some want to feel included in the passionate tradition and respected for what they bring to the stadium.
We all want the people paid to think about all the factors everyday (the front office and others) to figure it out and get folks to come have a great experience and enjoy the sport whatever their motivation is for attending.
And Houston’s 2 recent MLS Cups have certainly helped tremendously, which does support the point Harry C. made about “show me you’re a winner…”
I do hope that FC Dallas can show it this year and at least get back to being a solid playoff contender for the Cup — and hopefully win it!
Harry C makes a lot of sense. Can’t we just stop whining for 1 season, and concentrate on the good things happening within FCD. I hear all your gripes month after month and they are justified on the whole. Indeed, I have felt this way myself on occasion, but I don’t let it eat into my love of the team and my hope for the future.
There is no “overnight fix” for this team. As fans of FCD, we need to do what we do best… go out to the games and scream for the guys in red stripes. If you can’t find the passion to do this anymore, then fine, don’t. But please stop complaining about every little thing that doesn’t go the way you want. IT GETS US NOWHERE!
I hope that FCD puts together a great run this season, but if they don’t then I will surely still go along and support the TEAM! I refuse to waste my energy talking about fan strikes and new owners. It is what it is… and I support the TEAM through good times AND bad! Call me an idiot if you like… but leave MY team to go about proving their worth on the field. I BELIEVE IN FCD!
Markus – Houston is successful for 3 major reasons: 1) they are a winning team playing exciting soccer, 2) their stadium location, and 3) HISPANIC fans.
With #1 you’ll never draw…look at Chivas in LA…trying but without winning sorry. And now DC and San Jose face the same issues.
But Dallas is a hard place…you have winning teams like the Cowboys, Mav’s, Stars (not this year) and Rangers..pretty hefty competition ofr the sports fan $$$. Inject the Roughriders and the fact that it is hot as hell on those red, uncovered seats and you have a bad combo.
I’ve known lost of ‘front office workers’ at Dallas Burn and now FCD and they are trying with limited resources. Marketing funds are non-existent, employee satisfaction and turn-over have never been higher.
When you have a stadium that makes it’s $$ from concerts, soccer will always take a back seat. Sorry but that is how it really is..until the team puts a winner on the field.
Not a season ticket holder here, but I watch the games on TV. FC Dallas has the 3rd highest entry point for tickets in DFW. You can get in to a Mavs game for $2 and a Rangers game for $6. Until they address pricing and marketing/promotions they will run this club into the ground. As a family of 4, I can not afford to spend $80 on tickets every weekend.
Love watching the players and attending games, but my money will stay in my wallet. It’s sad, because there is something special about going to a match.
Ben, to be fair, its not every weekend. More like maybe twice a month with 3 weeks gone. There is no cost to park and they do run specials occasionally.
Ben hit the nail on the proverbial head…but I still believe in the boys…I see a win on the horizon…we are still one of the few undefeated teams in MLS…hey let’s be positive around here….$10 end line tickets and $4 beers and I there every game with 5-6 of my friends AND their kids…even at an afternoon game in the middle of the summer…
Harry C. – as others have stated, Houston is doing well and is in Texas. They’re about to build a new stadium, etc.
Your first point is valid and your second (stadium location) is quasi-valid. I don’t understand your third point as you state that this is Texas and Texans won’t be interested in soccer and then you mention Hispanic fans as being the reason Houston is so successful. Ignoring the fact that Hispanics attending Houston games ARE Texan….Dallas and Texas in general have a HUGE Hispanic population so I think that 3rd point can be thrown away.
I think the piss poor marketing and a team that has done nothing in its ~15 years of existence are a bad combo.
James, I got ya, but you have to admit that $80 for a family of four for probably the 5th most sought after ticket (Cows, Rangers, Stars, Mavs and Roughriders in no particular order) in the metroplex is a little absurd. The empty seats prove that point. Soccer is gaining ground in this area and 8-10k is the best we can do most nights?
Ben, i disagree. 80 bucks for 4 is in 2010 not bad. I don’t know if you have been to the cowboys but 80 bucks for 4? more like 80 a ticket to the nosebleed, plus 15-20 parking, 8.50 12oz beers, etc etc.The real problem is that you (rightly, i would say) do not feel you are getting value.
I agree with the value point….
I am striking MLS until it abandons single entity and institutes promotion and relegation. I think that means I will never be an MLS fan. I spent my whole youth with no domestic professional teams, following the APSL, CISL and the rest in Soccer America, praying one day to have a functioning league. This is how God has answered my prayers. Not very funny, my Dear Father.
#1 Move back to the Cotton Bowl
#2 Drop the 18-32 male marketing plan. It’s nice on paper.
#3 Get more practive in the front office and create opportunities instead of planning on ways to cut corners and staff every October.
#4 Bring back Hitch, Andy and the old sales team.
#5 If you do stay in Frisco focus on the family. It’s all you have up there. They eat hot dogs too!
#6 Move the game time away from the youth games so parents don’t have to spend 11 hours on two soccer games in one day.
#7 You don’t need nine men to crop one tree at one time. Be smart with who and what you have during the off season. It all adds up.
#8 Leave the field crews alone. There is not a better group. PERIOD. They do a great job with what they have to work with.
#9 Make all tickets $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for kids. This will help get the dust off the seats.
#10 don’t lose one person in stadium maintance. It’s almost too clean.
#11 Embrace the other youth clubs and make them a part of the FC experience.
#12 Drop the youth program’s name and quit beating you’re chest as the 800 pound gorillia. The 18 other major clubs talk to each other and you made them dislike you which creates no real intrest in those clubs promoting FC Dallas pro games.
#13 Stop wasting you’re energy on the Hispanic crowd. They know what quality soccer is all about and they would rather watch their team on the 42″ LCD and sit in their home with their beer that does not cost $9.00 and sold by the half gallon.
#14 Give up on the supporter groups like the Inferno. They have had over 10 years to increase their size from 40 members to 43 and I doubt if that has happend. Don’t make any special concessions they need to pony up and grow to 300 before I’d cut them a deal. From what I know they are just a group of friends more like a post college frat and not a group that wants numbers but just inclusion on their own little childish click.
#15 It all starts at the front office and they should know it’s not the title or postion they should cut to save money but rather it should be the ones that just want to skate by every week to collect a check.
If it was not for Jimmy Buffet and the other concerts at PHP FC Dallas would be in Tulsa or OKC by now.
Get Hitch Back. He did not have to be here. He wanted to be here. There is a difference.