San Antonio Scorpions Reveal Nike as Sponsor as City/County Pro Sports Study Due Next Week
Gordon Hartman and his North American Soccer League team the Scorpions held a press conference in San Antonio on Wednesday. They announced what the organization called a major sponsorship with Nike. However, the Beaverton, OR based company did not send a representative to the press conference. The Scorpions press release did included a statement from the company.
“Nike proudly sponsors our U. S. national team, and our support of the Scorpions further demonstrates our commitment to the growth of soccer and our professional teams in the U. S.,” said Joe Elsmore, Nike’s director of North America sports marketing. “We’re proud to play a part in Soccer for a Cause, a wonderful charitable effort that combines soccer and special-needs individuals who need it most.”
Specific terms of the sponsorship agreements were not disclosed at an afternoon news conference.
A number of prominent businessmen and government officials have gotten on board with Hartman’s Scorpions, who are scheduled to take the field in 2012. They include former Minnesota Vikings owner Red McCombs and former San Antonio mayor and head of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Henry Cisneros to name a few.
Another prominent businessmen who supports Hartman’s Soccer for a Cause is Harvey Najim who is chairman and CEO of Sirius Computer Solutions. Like Hartman he is also a philanthropist. He spoke at the press conference Wednesday stating that he is supporting the Scorpions. Najim said he would purchase 500 seats for every game, giving children of special needs and the underprivileged a chance to watch professional soccer.
When Najim spoke he took the opportunity to take a shot at Spurs Sports & Entertainment who are also attempting to start a soccer team in San Antonio with USL PRO.
“It’s a little warm in this room,” said Najim. “But I imagine it’s really hot at the Spurs offices.”
“I think it’s humorous, sure,” said Leo Gomez, vice-president of public affairs for the Spurs. Gomez spoke to Richard Oliver of My San Antonio.com about the comment. “But beyond humorous, it’s unfortunate. We’ve been straightforward with everything we’ve done, and have not been making jokes about it.”
Hartman said he’s also secured financial support from Namin but did not disclose any dollar figures. He did however, release to some city and county officials his 150-page business presentation that included cost analysis, revenue projections and detailed renderings of a planned stadium at his STAR Soccer Complex according to another My San Antonio.com report.
Hartman said publicly at a press conference several weeks ago he is trying to secure $8 million from the city and county to build his STAR Stadium for the team.
Currently the city of San Antonio and Bexar County are conducting a joint feasibility study on pro sports in the area that is scheduled to be released next week. Part of the independent study will look at both Gordon Hartman’s STAR Soccer Stadium and Spurs Sports & Entertainment’s proposal of working with the school district [SAISD] to revamp the 23,000 seat, 70-year-old Alamo Stadium.
Although not confirmed by city officials, several sources in San Antonio told IMS on Wednesday evening that the study “will not” recommend the city or county spending money on STAR Soccer Stadium at this time. The press conference could have been a reaction to that knowledge as Hartman continues to garner support for his team.
In December Hartman was asked what he’d do if he did not get public funding for his stadium. He replied, “I don’t know. Right now I’m just focused on getting the public funding.”
The press conference did not allow for public questions although Hartman, representatives of the Scorpions and of the NASL, including league CEO Aaron Davidson, were there to answer questions privately.
It was also revealed that the Scorpions have already sold 1,005 season ticket packages for 2012.
Comments are closed.
Out of the 1005 season tickets sold, are 500 of the tickets those purchased by Harvey Najim? He said he bought 500 tickets for every game, which should mean these were season tickets.
That would certainly lower the gross total actually sold to third party fans.
I wondered the same thing Bart and actually had that in the article and decided to pull it. Of course I was writing that when there was no one to contact.
@Bart
Do you just wait around at home constantly checking to see if there is a new article on IMS so you can be the USL police??
Why do you care so much if people are excited about certain aspects of the potential NASL season? Why do you have to bash everything NASL related?
Did Aaron Davidson sleep with your wife or something? Your constant negative comments are starting to get pretty pathetic..
Get a life.
@Jacques: “Why do you care so much if people are excited about certain aspects of the potential NASL season? Why do you have to bash everything NASL related?”
He proves there’s balance in nature. Since you go off on USL the way you do.
In a related story, 1,005 season tickets for a team that will begin play in 15 months sounds like a lot. An awful lot.
Jacques,
Bart’s post was short and asked a good question. You should reread it. He didn’t say anything about USL. Stop being so sensitive and support your team in what ever league they play. Bart like many are skeptical about NASL, and after this weekend rightly so.
Jacques,
There’s a tool that many folks have called a cellphone. They have applications that let them know when someone posts a new article on their favorite blogs. This makes it possible for them to comment almost as soon as the article is posted.
Not that I use such a new-fangled device. But I’ve heard of it.
Methinks someone is going to get a yellow card shortly! The ticket seemed like a legitimate point to me. Nice to see the team getting some backing, all they need now is a stadium and a sanctioned league to play in. Piece of cake!
Let me try that 2nd sentence again; the ticket COMMENT seemed like a legitimate point to me. Think first, then type, got it!
Whoa. Aaron Davidson is sleeping with people’s wives?
Just like SR to try to get something going, in jest of course. Aaron Davidson is a good family man.
BQ, I read it here and since this site is the NASL publicity machine that others have stated it must be true.
As the former coach of a very successful San Antonio CYO Zone II soccer team, the 2001-2006 OLPH Scorpions, I am looking forward to becoming a season ticket holder. I would like to offer you our team icon, a scorpion with a soccer ball on its back and its tail wrapped over the top. Congratulations and good luck.
You know many people here are bickering over things that aren’t the meat and potatoes of what is really wrong with the NASL Plan in SA. Most of this post was also included in a San Antonio newspaper article in which Hartman shared the following info:
“According to Hartman’s figures, which include $300,000 a season in sponsorships and $150,000 in annual stadium naming rights, total revenue with 2,227 paying fans would be just less than $1.43 million — roughly $1,300 below projected expenses.”
No one seems to be arguing a few important points. With these figures and with 15 home games, that would be a average ticket price of just over $36.00 at a stadium that holds 5400 fans? Considering that almost half of those supposed 2,227 fans have already put their deposits down, wouldn’t that make their average season ticket packages somewhere around $540?? On top of that, how many of those deposits (not including those 500 from Najim) were purchased by members of the Crocketteers?? Does this team expect the supporter’s group to pay that type of money for a supporter’s season ticket?
Lets compare on two levels:
1) Texas MLS teams: FC Dallas has supporters season ticket packages for $220 and three other packages for less than that price (including one that has an all you can eat component), and Houston has 5 season ticket packages less than that that price. The MLS average ticket price as of 2009 was roughly $25….
2) Other NASL teams: Tampa Bay has two packages ($240 and $180). Montreal (other than their Prestige, Platinum and VIP seating) all are lower in cost. Even Minnesota starts are $135 and goes to $310.
These figures makes me think that although this team has Michael Hitchcock “consulting” they really don’t get it and their whole Soccer for a Cause (while VERY noble) will either be a complete failure because their bottom line will not look anything like they think it will, or it will cause ticket prices to be so high for them to make a profit that they won’t even hit the 2227 that they are forecasting.
Some of you might question my dispute of these figures, but I have personally had extensive dealing with both NASL and USL and have in-depth knowledge of the plans from both leagues. I know these average ticket prices are not gonna make it and therefore these figures do not jive at all.
Edmonton’s season ticket prices are $330 for general seating and $400 for reserved seating. I don’t see ticket prices being an issue at all, but the lack of marketing on the other hand…
@KT – I was thinking the same thing, 1,005 season tickets over a year before the team plays it’s first game tells me they are doing something right over there. With no sarcasm detector available I can’t be sure, but I just hope you’re not suggesting those numbers are somehow intentionally inaccurate.
@PHXsoccer71 – The article doesn’t say, but are you assuming that the expected revenue from those 2,227 fans is based solely on ticket prices? Perhaps they’re estimating concession and merchandise sales based on that number somehow as well? Or perhaps there are other things involved in their figures they just did not detail? All I’m saying is you’re jumping to some conclusions with what appears to be a less then complete picture of the team’s financial big picture.
In regards of the article, I think it is great Scorpions FC seems to be moving along so well. The question of the 500 tickets being part of the 1,005 or not to me is pointless. Who cares who bought the tickets? They’re either sold or they’re not. That’s semantics that don’t matter at the end of the day. If I win the lotto on Saturday and go buy 500 Strikers season tickets and donate them to local charities, should that somehow count against the team or the league? It’s just a silly thing to try and nit-pick.
In these tough times I’d say it wouldn’t be surprising if Hartman was denied the public funding he is looking for, no matter what his cause is or what the study says. Public monies funding any kind of stadium venture in this country is a REAL tough sell right now. I sincerely hope he does have some sort of back up plan in place. He seems to be pretty adept at attracting some high profile people to his cause. If he can get a few more to kick in a couple million each, he might be able to privately fund it . Otherwise, I guess for the time being they’ll have to make do with the STAR complex, right?
As founding member of the Crocketteers, we will not look to be paying more than MLS supporters for season tickets especially for lower div soccer.
If Scorpions are thinking high season ticket prices as PHXSoccer71 calculates, I am sure our members will have issues completing their purchase of season tickets.
We will plan to talk with Scorpions management as things progress further with the team. It is on our agenda to one day discuss supporters group section prices.
@PHXsoccer71,
Busted out the calculator to confirm your figures:
TOTAL REVENUE $1,430,000
- NAMING RIGHTS $ 150,000
- SPONSORSHIPS $ 300,000
= GAME REVENUE $ 980,000
2227 average attendance x 15 games = 33,405 total attendance
$980,000 divided by 33,405 = $29.34 avg per game ticket price.
Also need to add in concessions to the entire mix which would reduce the average ticket price as those would be additional revenue. Not sure about parking.
Current NASL schedule has 14 home games. Through in pre-season, exhibitions, potential Lamar Hunt Cup home games, etc… and total home games could also be higher than 15 (can anyone confirm how many total home games the Stars had last year?). Each home game above 15 reduces the average ticket price I calculated above by $1.83.
Still seems a bit higher but not as bad as $36.00 ticket.
“Edmonton’s season ticket prices are $330 for general seating and $400 for reserved seating.”
Is that in American or Canadian?
IMS DEFINITELY has the best commentor’s on the web. You guys are the best.
Stars ticket prices.
Pitch Side Tickets: $315 ($21/game)
Reserved seats with chairbacks: $210 ($14/game)
Adult General Admission: $135 ($9/game)
Youth General Admission: $75 ($5/game)
Supporters’ Section: $150 ($10/game)
BQ “Supporters’ Section: $150 ($10/game)”
Thanks for that info. I would like to know other NASL Team supporter section pricing.
I enjoyed reading the calculations; it shows thoughtfulness on the part of readers. I like it. Please do not forget that home games also have the added benefit of income from additional advertisement sales opportunities such as, banners, logo’s on tickets, public announcements. A number of others mentioned concessions; and that’s a really good point because the funds generated are quite incredible and labor cost very minimal.
Having said that however, I can certainly appreciate the position of the Crocketteers (thanks for the comment at Michael Marcias); it would be sad to see the average American fan be kept out of the stadium by excessive pricing. Hopefully, the Scorpions front office will not simply max out ROI, but also build home game culture; especially since they already have such a great organization as the Crocketteers. In my opinion every city needs a group like this.
Anyhow, I think San Antonio will be doing well, particularly if they are able to secure Texas derbies with Houston and Dallas. That scenario is not likely without USSF sanctioning but I expect all that headache will be in the history books by the start of the 2012 season.
@Tom – You are right – you do have to take into consideration the Sponsorship figures, etc. However that is assuming he hits his goals for sponsorship dollars. Does the 500 tickets Najim bought fall under Sponsorship revenue or under ticket sales. My point is still valid though – he is going to be charging a higher avg priced ticket than MLS does. That won’t fly!! $27-29 avg price is ridiculous. Don’t forget if he is going to have any seats that are reasonable priced for D2, that would create a situation that he would also have to have top ticket pricing upwards of $40-45 a ticket on the high end. Other than Montreal are there ANY other NASL teams that have anywhere close to a $40-45 dollar per game ticket?
Carolina $20 top price
Miami / Strikers – $15 GA – most expensive Suite tickets average out to $350 per season
Montreal – $40 Canadian (and they have a much bigger stadium, longer history, and much more fervent fan following to get away with it)
Minnesota – $30 top price
Tampa – $18
@smatthew – I would think that would be Canadian if its was taken off of their website.
@michael macias: the $10 per game cost that BQ listed is from the Season Ticket breakdown (which includes a scarf). So, a real supporters ticket for the Nessy is only $9 per game if you don’t want the scarf.
I just received confirmation from SA Scorpions PR man , Bob McCullough the the figure does indeed count the 5oo youth tickets purchased by Najim. I appreciate his honesty.
Also, he told me that have sold 100 season tickets since yesterday. So that is still pretty impressive if you’ve sold over 600 season tickets. I’m guessing there are a number of teams in the NASL and USL that would be quite happy with those numbers.
I don’t share the sentiments that 600 tickets is a impressive number!
SA announced their team in October, and considering that we have a city that has been clamoring for pro soccer 600 isn’t a # that the ownership group should be jumping up and down over. Especially since they are being led by Michael Hitchcock who supposedly is such a ticket sale guru! It doesn’t matter how long until they kick off – SA HAS A TEAM and we are only talking about $25 deposits! In my opinion it shows that the people of SA aren’t so confident about the Scorpions!
Brian – you definitely just strengthened my argument – those 500 tickets have just been identified as youth tickets, which means that almost 1/4 of his ticket sales are already on the very low end of the price spectrum. Considering youth tickets are about $10 – he would now have to sell 500 tickets for almost $50 a pop to keep up his average that was projected (approximately $29 per).
Is this real? So sad.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Carolina-Railhawks-Registered-Trademark-/230578981079?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35af9408d7#ht_500wt_1156
Frankly, I don’t see any reason for San Antonio to not count the generous contribution of the purchase of 500 season tickets. And to sell 100 more tickets in a 24 hour period is mighty fine marketing.
Miami FC could learn a lesson from it newest participant.
Dave says, with tung in check.
Maybe Traffic will buy it!
@Bart – Lets also remember this fact! These are only 600 deposits at $25 per! Not actual season tickets sales. (I’ll be generous and say that Najim’s are probably season youth ticket purchases). How many of those deposits will actually translate into tickets when the actual prices come out? If they are as high as it seems – not many! On top of that – 100 deposits in 24 hours with the type of media coverage of a press announcement like this isn’t that big of a feat!
I will also add this – lets extrapolate that that $29 per cap also includes their estimates for merch and concessions. Then lets also say that San Antonio announces that their average ticket price per game is in fact $15. That would mean that they are expecting $14 per person on average for Merch and Concessions per game. That is NEVER going to happen in D2. Most teams average between $4-5 per for Concessions in D2 and about $1.00 for merch per game.
In comparison, Toronto FC, which has the highest concessions average by FAR of any team in the US, averages $11.00 per. The fact that they hit that # is just unbelievable – but I won’t dispute it, they have a machine up there!!
So lets look at his average of $29, deduct a conservative $5 per cap for C&M – thats still leaves $24.00 per ticket, and a ticket prices that would be higher than the MLS average ticket price.
Just doesn’t work in my book!
I would argue that for the US soccer landscape having received deposits for 100 season tickets in one day is truly an accomplishment. In fact, considering that it’s D2 with a newly announcement competitor (USLPRO secured by the Spurs) and the uncertainty of the USSF sanctioning…I’m quite impressed. Ultimately, I credit not only the front office but also the Crocketteers. Let’s go Scorpions.
@fotbalist – Check your facts – The Spurs aren’t a newly announced competitor. The Spurs secured USL well before Hartman. Hartman took a calculated risk that when he announced that the Spurs would decide to not move forward with their USL plans.
Even if its a non-refundable deposit – $25 is not really a big risk to roll the dice with in the case that the USSF doesn’t sanction them.
In my opinion, if I made a deposit and then decided after I learned about high ticket prices to not get tickets – then that is my loss. HOWEVER, lets say that USSF doesn’t sanction the NASL and the team never takes the field. I would venture to say a large group of people that paid a deposit for a professional team that doesn’t exist would be able to get their deposits back. Even if they didn’t again its $25 – an amount many people, even in this economy, pay for a night at the movies, dinner, etc.
If the Scorpions have ticket prices are as high as they could be, all the Spurs have to do is come to the table with a well organized, competent front office, assemble a good product on the pitch in a viable stadium, and present the fans with reasonable ticket prices and they would immediately position themselves as the game in town, even as USL Pro.
@Dave
Unfortunately, it is very real. I’m just gutted.
http://www.indyweek.com/triangleoffense/archives/soccer/
http://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/can-professional-soccer-survive-in-cary/Content?oid=1983328
Unrelated to this article, I know, but Carolina RailHawks are putting everything up for sale on eBay and Craiglist:
http://www.indyweek.com/triangleoffense/archives/2011/01/27/swoops-felled-railhawks-selling-mascot-name-everything-on-ebay-craiglist
@PHXSoccer,
Do you work for the USL or SSE. Just wondering because you seem to hate the fact that the Scorpions FC are doing well. Oh and Hartman Announced his team first. The Spurs were just were fiddling their fingers thinking that no one would take that step.
@Dave I know its off topic and I have no idea if it is real but you should look at Craigslist for the Raleigh area and search soccer. look to see what is sold. It looks like the Railhawks are having a fire sale, mascot uniform, jerseys, balls, plaques, even office furniture and TVs pretty much everythign the Railhawks have.
@Dan – no I don’t work for USL or SSE – actually don’t even live in SA. Just someone who knows a bit about both leagues and the San Antonio pro soccer scene. The fact is that SS&E put down their deposit and secured their slot in USL (at the time D2) well before Hartman, and even though they might have fiddled and didn’t make a public announcement doesn’t change that fact – this is also why Hartman was courting the Spurs to be tenants in his stadium before he made the decision to be a franchise owner. He knew they locked the market in USL.
My issue is that most people on this forum are making the Scorpions and PMI out to be the group to be reckoned with. The fact is is that both groups are lacking:
The Scorpions:
1) They are part of a league that has no sanctioning in D2 or any league for that matter. If the NASL doesn’t get sanctioning in 2011 – I will venture to say that they will lose two teams (my opinion is Tampa & Puerto Rico) as they will go back to USL (or PR will go to their domestic league). That will sure help their positioning for 2012, even with SA.
2) The original investor group from Mexico, including Jorge Campos & Pepe Mirabent (DAO) pulled from the project because they didn’t quite agree with the concept of Soccer for a Cause.
3) The revenue and ticket figures that they provided showcase that the group doesn’t quite get ticket pricing and are going to price themselves out of contention.
4) I have heard many quotes from Hartman – in which he feels that a D2 franchise will be the main funding mechanism for Morgan’s Wonderland. Although again – I find this to be a noble cause, even Aaron Davidson has come out and stated that D2 franchises do not make profits (especially substantial) profits and questioned his profitability promises. Most franchises actually show losses year in and year out. This again makes me think that the ownership group doesn’t quite understand things
PMI, is also not the force many are making them out to be. Yes, they are PR and publicity experts, but that expertise usually lies in self-promotion:
A) I really don’t want to hear again that Hitchcock was the architect of PHP, Hitchcock really didn’t have anything to do with the groundwork for PHP, that was all negotiated before his arrival, Lamar and John Wagner were the main players there.
B) I also don’t want to hear that PMI is a force in ticket sales, can anyone say Baltimore? His well thought out playbook really helped increase their ticket sales. I am not saying this would have helped them keep their team, as the loss of Crystal Palace as a funding mechanism was a big blow – but PMI successfully sold an average of 1075 tickets per game in Baltimore and helped CPB to a solid last place in attendance last season. Even Miami sold 200+ more tickets per game!
C) The biggest example of PMI/Hitchcock’s “prowess” in the board room was the turnaround both on the field and in attendance figures the year after Hitch was fired from his post with FCD? Is that a coincidence?
I am just a bit tired of the love affair with NASL and Gordon Hartman, especially in my opinion they have done absolutely nothing as of yet. To be fair, I honestly don’t like how the USL has done things either – the petty bickering on both sides has left a lot to be desired. We need a strong D2 league in the US and unfortunately NASL isn’t the ticket at all!
Hey Brian when you go on Kick This give them hell they have been putting down NASL ever since the breakaway and they are totally USL-biased.
@WSW
Are you sure your not getting Kick This Mixed up with SoccerSam. I heard a recent episode online and they think NASL will get sanctioned. Of Course maybe i’m thinking of A Kick in the Grass. Okay I’m lost.
@PHXSoccer71
I think Hartman is talking Long Term profit plan and I’m not sure the SSE gets soccer, especially when they what to use a High School Football Stadium that will Remain with Astroturf and Football lines While in lower division soccer. All I’m Asking is that you give Hartman a chance before you judge him. Oh, and Also it is important that the lower Divisions get straightened out and push to be more long term then short term.
@PHXSoccer71
I am not trying to argue here, but I thought I would bring something up. Maybe they will charge those prices, and that might be the right key.
A few reasons I have for that are the dozens of teams that have failed before. Maybe charge a professional amount for a professional product. I think people will take team more seriously as well. I will use an example I used with one of the guys from F.C. Edmonton. If you took a nugget of your poop and placed it on eBay for a buck no one would bid at all, but if you placed that same nugget on eBay for nine grand you might get some bids. I could let you figure that one out on your own, but I will summarize nicely. If you sell and market a product well, regardless of it’s value, it will do well. If you undersell it, then the people you are selling it to, will undermine it. Wrong or right, people tend to think that a more expensive product is better. Like all the morons that buy Macs or Volkswagen.
Maybe D2 needs to treat its products with dignity and some respect as to what it is before trying to convince the general public of its perceived value. Have you not noticed that as new MLS teams enter the fold they charge more and more, and they are not in the red as much as places that undersell their team so much, people don’t respect the product. Dallas and Colorado were perfect examples.
A few years back the fast food chain Subway was deep in the red, and an employee brought forth an idea to the board. He had noticed that people that had come in were trying to not go to other fast food chains. His idea was to spend hundreds of millions in building way more locations near existing McDonald’s. His logic was correct and Subway, with a massive marketing bill, has risen to heights that franchise has never seen before.
Maybe we should be spending twenty to thirty bucks a game, maybe the USL Pro league and the NASL should aggressively market. Spending hundreds of thousands to do so. Marketing can be wonderful or just plain evil. If I am ever within a mile’s radius of Justin Bieber, and I know about it, I will do everything in my power to beat him to a pulp for being the second worst thing to ever happen to my country.
San Antonio might just be the team to tip the scales and sell out and sell well. Hindsight, a little more money is completely worth the health of your team.
@Daniel Blodgett – in theory your argument might be valid. However, there are perceived values for many items.
Toyota will never sell a car for $100K and be more expensive than their big brother Lexus.
No one will pay $5.00 for gas, no matter how much you market how good it really is, when there are stations across the street for $2.85
But if you are going to use that argument, then I guess the Spurs have the edge don’t they? They already are a well established PROFESSIONAL SPORT entity, they basically are a 600lb gorilla and have the entire SS&E bank vault at their disposal to make their project a success. Their basketball team has been one of the best teams in the NBA for years! (Trust me as a Suns fan – that was hard to type!). You cannot compare the Rampage with Soccer – as many semi-pro hockey teams are not doing very well. However, aren’t the Rampage doing quite well this year?? You might knock them, but you can’t take away that SS&E know sports! They also would have the edge as far as sponsorship revenue as well.
Hartman, he has a soccer complex, which is very nice, but not really breaking the bank. In fact, STAR was the funding mechanism for Morgan….how is that doing? He has Morgan’s Wonderland, which is also in the Red (from several reports). He has a guy that has successful self promoted himself into a soccer guru, despite the fact he was terminated from his last employer for under-performing.
So if anyone can put a product on the pitch that warrants $40-50 bucks – I would think that the Spurs have a much better shot marketing and putting together the right team to get that done.
On Friday, the City/County study will come out. Does anyone think that it can support the city and county paying for a soccer stadium in a league that is unsanctioned, at the time of the study, in a down economy and when another proven sports marketer is looking to vie for the same group of soccer fans? I fear for Hartman’s group that unless there is a plan B in place the Nike T-shirts given out at the press conference will join the ranks of my other failed San Antonio sports t-shirts that gather in my bottom dresser drawer. Anyone want to buy a slightly used San Antonio Gunslingers T-shirt autographed by Jason Garrett?
@ PHXSoccer71 – I stand corrected. SS&E did secure their USL2 agreement first; but it was really never truly launched to the fans until after Hartman began making his push with the NASL team. (also apologies for my mistake above)
@ Daniel Blodgett – I like your arguments. I’ve actually have appreciated your comments on this site for some time now. I have to rethink that, however, because you dissed Mac and VW owners. I don’t Daniel….lol…
oops…too rushed. that was supposed to say: “I don’t know, Daniel…lol…”
Doh!
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/politics/article/Northeast-Side-soccer-plan-now-faces-roadblocks-982398.php
Ya, am going to try to get something up on this and Hartman’s response. It seems pretty outrageous that a county has a no-compete clause with SS&E. But they’re not the first. More on that when I get my article up sometime this weekend.
@BQ – Didn’t see anything in that article referring to a no-compete clause. Now I’m even more anxiously awaiting your report on this! I really hope Hartman can find a way to get his stadium deal in place, one way or another.
@ striker I missed it the first time around as well there is a page two to the article but the link is kind of obsucred by other items on teh webpage. Just look for it at what appears of the end of the article
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/gms/2182874802.html
And a blow-out on everything Railhawks related. This makes me sad, very sad. They had the best soccer logo that I have seen in a long time. It wasn’t quite a damn shield or a freaking euro name, and it had some sense to the history of Cary, North Carolina. I would have liked to see the named sold to the next ownership group. If we get an F.C. Carolina, then I will put a hole through a brick wall like Hulk.
Also they could market well, and their local media actually wrote real articles about them.
@mikey – Thanks for the tip. I see it now. I find it VERY odd that the County would enter into that type of agreement covering all sports. Pro basketball teams, sure. But soccer? That’s just dumb. I don’t know Hartman from Adam, but if he’s so rich, and he’s able to schmooze with so many other rich people, I’m not sure why we can’t find some other philanthropically motivated millionaires to help him come up with the $8 million if he doesn’t get the public funding. For a guy like him, and the people in the circles he moves in, $8 million doesn’t sound like a lot of money.