RebKell's Junkie Boards

[five_to_the_third]

We attended the Boston Breakers at Sky Blue FC match on Saturday, where the announced attendance was something like 1,850. (This appears to be actual number of bodies through the gate, unlike the way that other league calculates attendance. ) That brought to mind a preseason interview, someone affiliated with Sky Blue said, IIRC, they needed to average 4,000 fans at each home game to ensure breaking even. Just looked back at the box scores for the preceding 4-5 home games (which I missed) and saw attendance figures ranging from 2600 to just over 4,000. Anybody keeping tabs on attendance for other WPS teams relative to their stated goals?

[toad455]

I haven't been able to find any website keep track of WPS attendance. It seems that LA, Washington & Chicago are averaging over 4,000 a game.

_________________
LET'S GO LIBERTY!!!!!!

Twitter: @TBRBWAY

[Lioness08]

I'm a season ticket holder for the Pride and attendance has been sparse. I think we've surpassed 4K a few times, but it's often more like 2K-3K.

I really hope this league can survive.

[Hawkeye]

I'm tracking the WPS attendance and comparing it to last season. It doesn't look that great. Bear in mind the Philadelphia-Boston match from the 8th doesn't have an attendance number posted:

Atlanta(9 games) Avg 3,664
Philadelphia(9 games) Avg 2,883
Washington(9 games) Avg 4,078 (Drop of 1,799 from 9 games in 2009)
Sky Blue FC(7 games) Avg 3,462 (Rise of 7 from 7 games in 2009)
Boston(10 games) Avg 4,370 (Drop of 295 from 10 games in 2009)
Chicago(8 games) Avg 4,102 (Drop of 409 from 8 games in 2009)
FC Gold Pride(9 games) Avg 2,989 (Drop of 657 from 9 games in 2009)

2010 Attendance 65 games (Phily from Aug 8 not posted)
235,381

2009 Attendance 65 games
327,878 - Drop of 5,489 total attendance

2010 Attendance Avg
3,621

2009 Attendance Avg
4,676 - Drop of 1,055 avg after 65 games.

Unfortunately I will be surprised if the league plays 2011.
Just to make payroll (23 players avg salary is 32,000) with an attendance avg of 3,621 each teams needs $203.26 from EVERYONE who walks through the door. Don't see how they can continue losing this much money. Marketing people are SO failing at their jobs.

[toad455]

the league does need help. I'd say the average person doesn't know the league exists. The best team(LA Sol) folded and St. Louis folded mid-season. That's never good for any league. I'd say they'll be around next season, but that might be it.

_________________
LET'S GO LIBERTY!!!!!!

Twitter: @TBRBWAY

[Hawkeye]

A good number of the teams play in 5000 to 8000 seat stadiums with Boston (at Harvard), Chicago at the Fire's stadium and next year Philadelphia is moving to the new Phily Union stadium. It really shouldn't be that hard to find 5000 people in the cities these teams play in--it's like they don't really WANT to be big--hell I'd settle for average right now. Whoever is in charge of these teams need to be slapped awake.

And yeah--I would be more than happy to push a team where it could be, but we shall see. I'm hoping they play in 2011 and beyond, but who knows.

And now they might want to expand to Dallas of all places?!?! The MLS can't even be supported there--huge mistake for Dallas. It would make more sense to go to Houston, Denver, brig back LA (but not at Home depot center for obvious rental issues and being third tier when it comes to game dates) and Phoenix before Dallas.

[Hawkeye]

The Pride passed 4000 for just one game--the last one, drew 4,003

FC Gold Pride averaged only 3,056 a game down 817 from 2009 for a 61% capacity.

[Hawkeye]

Boston didn't do much better than Philadelphia for their playoff game--2,676 was all that bothered to show up for the game. At least it's about 300 more than showed up in Philadelphia.

Here's hoping FC Gold Pride can sellout their 5,000 seat stadium for a final. I seriously doubt it, but I hold out hope.

Seems that no one in the league knows how to market or, ya know, advertise the league. So sad.