Hey gang. Glad to do this test chat. Looking forward to all the tough questions ;-)
Since I don't have any questions yet I'll ask one. How many unhappy Chelsea fans are out there tonight? I thought it was a pretty lame game until Ronaldo scored that great goal but then it turned dull again after Chelsea scored. So I really was torn between the two games because I like Man U's style of play but I have a very good friend at Chelsea
Stone: Hi Nick - First, congratulations on getting the team. I know that it was an arduous process. Can you discuss the process with MLS and their main concerns before granting Philadelphia a team?
Hey Stone! Thanks. The process with MLS was very good. As you may know I've been with the League since day one and we always wanted to bring a team to Philly. So convincing MLS was not an issue. The biggest thing was getting the right stadium deal done and that meant the right financial deal. There was never a question as to market or fan base
aristocrat7601: Is it true that sons of ben will have their own entrance to the new facility?
The SOB are the best fan supporters group in the League and deserve their own entrance. So we designed their very own entrance. It's going to be awesome to dedicate an entire section to our supporters
rj_adidas: Is a chance that the team will have a shirt sponsor? If so, will it happen at the time of the first match?
I certainly hope so and we are working with a number of companies right now to get on the shirt. Shirt sponsorship is one of the best and most valuable opportunities for a company that wants almost unlimited exposure
aristocrat7601: Will the new facility have a style similar to Citizens Bank Park with lots of outdoor dining and food with a local flavor?
The stadium will have a character of it's own unlike any other stadium/arena in the market. However, like CB Park (which I happen to think is very nice for a baseball stadium) ours will have many areas for food and entertaining including ones with river and bridge views
Eric Grady: Do we know where in the stadium our section is going to be relative to the field?
Eric, yes the SOB section which was exclusively designed seperate and apart from the rest of the bowl is located in the south end (riverside) behind the goal from corner kick flag to corner kick flag
Chris Hapka: When can we expect a groundbreaking in Chester?
Sometime this fall. Not exactly sure of the exact date yet but we have to get in the ground this fall
Stone: I think Commissioner Garber has done a fantastic job since becoming Commissioner (new stadiums, designated player rule, television deals, expansion teams, etc.)... but if you could be Commissioner for a Day, what are the top three things you would change about MLS?
Great question! Commissioner Garber has done an amazing job. He has navigated some very tough waters and big challenges, some that still exist and will continue to exist for some time to come. The things I would work to change are things the League is working on now. The first would be to continue to put the "Game First" and fine tune everything we do to make sure we put the very best and most competitive product on the field. The second is really try to make sure that our National Team players and available for all MLS matches while supporting the efforts of the National Team. The third would be to develop opportunities for retiring players and I don't mean just hiring them and putting them in positions without any training. I would look to create an executive development program that would train people to be proper front office personnel cause this stuff is hard ;-)
DesmondObrien: What colours are we going to be ?
Not sure yet. Look at a lot of options. Talking with a lot of people. Doing a lot of research. The culmination of all of that will come out this fall some time for all of the fans to see and opine about. We would like our fans to be involved in choosing our colors and logo design
Mark Dunfee: Will the rapidly rising costs of steel have any effect on the stadium plans?
Steel has already had an effect. we're not using any!! Just kidding but we've had to take some different looks at the designs as a result. Tell China to stop buying steel
DesmondObrien: Real turf or artificial ?
Huh???? Only the real thing. Grass only!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chris Hapka: There's been a lot of speculation about the name of the team, and a lot of fans seem to like the idea of using "Athletic" or "Athletics" in the name, since it has a Philly connection and a soccer connection. Since Lew Wolff is a fellow MLS owner, can you tell us if anyone has spoken to him about the possibility of getting the rights to the "Philadelphia Athletics" name if it wins the name poll?
I have not spoken to Lew and we are only looking at the possibility right now along with a lot of other names
Mike Rennick: Hi Nick, MLS hasn't always done the best job of developing their own players. What's the Philly concept for youth development?
Great question and my personal passion! We will have an Academy with between 200-250 elite players between the ages of 8 and 16. These player will be the very best of the best in the area that our scouting network will identify. The Academy will partner with Youth Clubs, High Schools and Colleges to identify these players. The goal will be to develop as large a quantity "pool" of players to choose from and our full time Academy coaches will choose the 200-250 players that come to the Academy. Player development is a numbers game. No team in the world manufactures players. You have to have a big net to identify large quantities and then have the right environment to development the very best ones you can find.
aristocrat7601: What are your thoughts on signing an aging player from Europe ( ie. Beckham) to create fan interest in a new market? Love to see a guy like Ronaldo ( the Brasilian) or Cafu.
Well we already have well over 4,000 season ticket holders and I'm not sure we need an expensive, older player to generate fan interest because it's already here. I think the best way to create a brand and continue fan interest is to win championships. Soccer/football is still a team sport and one player does not make a team. It takes every player on the roster to win and I'd rather focus our efforts on finding the right combination of 28 players that wins games
PhillyJD: When will you begin to interview coaching candidates? And do you have a "wishlist" of possible coaches created?
Already started. But we won't make a hire until some time in 2009
jim manion: Hi Nick..thanks for joining us in the chat...i think its really cool when front office members communicate with fans through blogs and chats...do you think its a possibility to secure a tv deal to show every game with a local channel?
Thanks Jim. I certainly am expecting that every game we play that is not a National TV game will be televised by our television partner whomever that will be. We're working on that now.
Steve Holroyd: Nick--I'm all set to "gear up." At what point do you expect to have Philly MLS kits, shirts, jackets, etc. in stores? How long after the name/color selection?
Great question Steve. We'll come oout with some stuff by the end of this year but it will only be some prelim merch. We expect the full kits will be available sometime in Q3 or Q4 2009. We're meeting with adidas next month and will have a better handle on that timeframe.
Scarf Machine: What will, and will not, be allowed in terms of fan "tifo" in the new stadium?
Scarf....No automatic weapons or weapons of any kind, no explosives, no fireworks. Most everything else will be negotiable. ;-)
Redland78: Hello Nick! So when are tryouts? (kidding)...What are the possibilities of adding homegrown local talent to the roster? There is signifcant soccer talent playing professionally with phildelphia roots, and I'm sure plenty more to come. I doubt there are many philly area players on the sixers, eagles, or phillies rosters. It would be really neat to see and make a nice story.
I agree. We'll have a series of open tryouts and invite only player combines for local talent. Again that is part of casting the widest net for player ID. Those tryouyts and combines will be held in 2009
Chris Carr: Off the wall question: I have been reading the rumor mill of Zidane's return to football. It seems to be around the same time we will be ready to go? Are there any international players that Philly has their eye on? I will mow your lawn every day for a year if you bring Zidane here.
I don't have a lawn but if Zidane can win us a championship then he's eligible to play for us. Yes, I like all the people that run teams watch endless amounts of soocer and are always looking for that special player or even positional player that can help us win. The recruiting process has started already but we won't sign anyone till late 2009.
peter: Nick, who do you think will win Euro 2008?
Not England. Seriously, I think Italy is my favorite, followed by Portugal and Germany. I don't think there will be a surprise team like Greece this time. Players will be ready for surprises like that
Mario in SJ: Has MLS considered split ownership of players like trhey do in Serie A. This could allow our young players to stay in the states while getting more pay. At the end of the term the co-owners submit sealed bids for the players contract.
Never. Bad practice and the only reason they do that in Italy is because the teams are so poorly run from a business standpoint that have no choice. You mortgage your future when you give up ownership of the player contract. I also think it's a dis-service to the player.
jen: nick, who do you think will be a better rivalry philly-DC or Philly-NY! Maybe even Philly-NE, I'm a Mainer?
I think they all will be good rivalries but the best ones should be New York and New England because those cities traditionally hate Philly. NY will especially be good because I have a gold shovel from their stadium and it will be nice to win games there ;-)
soccerman900: Do you think in a couple years the MLS could move to a single table set up? Should the MLS move to a single table set up?
Not sure. Personally I'm a big fan of single table but the problem with single table is that this country is so big and the rivalries are not as intense as in Europe when you have three teams within walking distance of each other. Also, we don't have relegation and a single table without relagation losses its luster
Mike Rennick: What influence will the MLS team have in developing the area around the stadium, ie. the MLS club's soccer practice facility, youth fields, and most importantly, a pub within walking distance of the stadium?
We have all the influence because we (the owners) are the developers.
Patrick: Hi, Nick. Thanks for the time, we appreciate it. I was wondering if you (even at this preliminary stage) have plans or thoughts of partnerships with established clus in S. america, Europe, Mexico, Spain, or Germany?
Yes, I have established relationship with clubs in all those countries. We will look to bring quality international opponents to our stadium to play in tournaments and friendlies
Patrick: What do you think should be done with player salaries and the salary cap? Move the cap higher or pay higher salaries to lower level players? Or Both?
As the business warrants move the salary cap higher to attract and keep higher quality players. Money does not make a quality player no matter how much you pay him.
rj_adidas: Where will the team's training facility located?
No sure yet. That is one of the things we are doing right now. We will issue an RFP to a list of eligible facilities and make a choice based on criteria we have. The team will not train at the stadium. That is reserved for game days only
maestro: I'm not sure what the regional rail situation to Chester is, but are you working with SEPTA to add/increase service to the stadium?
Yes The R2 SEPTA line currently stops at Chester Station in down town (about 1.5 miles from stadium and at Highland Ave stop which is about 9 blocks from the stadium. We'll have shuttles from both stations to the stadium on game day
BradYoutz: Any chance we could see a pub in the stadium?
If I have my way YES! with Boddingtons on tap please!
slitz: Thanks for bringing a team to philly Nick. Do you anticipate that the stadium will be used for international friendlies/ WCQ matches?
Thank you. It's a honor to come to a city with a real fan supporters group. We will bring many international games including qualifiers if we are able to convincve US Soccer to play them in Philly.
Chris Hapka: What do you think the impact will be of having the team play its first season in a World Cup year?
Good question. We'll plan on doing a lot of events at the stadium around WC matches such as viewing parties. If we're able to secure a Pub that will be a great place for that activity.
Frank: What about food in the stadium? Will it have places like Tony Luke's or Lee's Hoagies or some other local favs like the Phillies have?
We are looking to have many Philly centered food traditions in the stadium. That is a big priority for our food and beverage plan
Patrick: Any ideas on advertising strategies to get the non-soccer fan into the stadium to see a game? What methods might work in Pennsylvania that might not apply to New York metro area?
I think there are certainly enough soccer fans in the philly metro area to fill an 18,500 seat soccer stadium so I'm not sure we'll have to go after non-soccer fans. The best strategies is playing good football and the best kind of football is winning
Mark Dunfee: Will our entrance be a staircase to the concourse or a tunnel directly to our section?
Tunnel. With lots of Son's of Ben signage
Patrick: What will the Philly team do to replicate the success of franchises like Toronto?
On the field we are committed to winning and playing good soccer. Off the field we hope to emulate what Toronto has done but I think a lot it has to do with their great fans.
PhillyJD: Do you plan on continuing to do these chats periodically with the fans?
Yes absolutlely! I've done these in both NY and Tampa and they are great!
Thanks to everyone for joining us on the chat tonight. I'm looking forward to the next one and sharing what is going on behind the scenes here at MLS Philly 2010. I cant wait till I can refer to us by Team name! I just want to say that even though we're only about 3 months old we really have the best fans in Major League Soccer. The rest of the partners and I feel so blessed to have such a great
