Re: [nas] Corporate sponsorships

As much as that makes sense to adjust unrealistic expectations, I am not sure you can do it mid-season.

 

Now, if you want to criticize the business plan after seasons one or two (where they saw where things were going), that is a different story, although IIRC, the Pax deal happened in reaction to Year One (CNNSI went belly up) and they signed on to a two year deal on short notice, so I am not sure how much freedom of movement they had.

 

And comparing WUSA to the A-League probably isn't a fair comparison because WUSA was supposed to be more than being a glorified W-League - and while WUSA's business plan should have been a lot closer to MLS, or to a lesser degree, the A-League, it was trying to do more than what the A-League does.  Don't get me wrong, I think the A-League and USL in general is a great thing - but it isn't the first division.  And that is what WUSA was trying to be, the womens first division.

 

Back to the subject of changing prices, bear in mind that sometimes, you have to stick to your guns.  Look at CCS - they haven't sold naming rights yet after four years....

 

So Sez Drum'r Boy
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----- Original Message -----

From: MICHAEL CASAGRANDE

To: NAS

Sent: Friday, September 19, 2003 8:34 AM

Subject: [nas] Corporate sponsorships

Dear Bill:

 

My thoughts exactly - I can't blame WUSA for going for the whole enchilada, but when it became clear that corporate sponsors were not going to step forward with the big bucks en masse, it should have been seen that the whole business plan was in jeopardy.

 

A-League franchises do quite well with the sort of attendance numbers WUSA drew.  It should not be beyond the mind of man to find similar venues for the women, who will have to recognize that before stepping up to the Lexus, it is often necessary to drive a few Toyotas.

 

Michael in Tampa