Whether you even care about the MLS, or know who the RiverHounds are is almost irrelevant with this article. Even through this case is focused on this team and it’s situation, the overall ideas of more active fan involvement could be coming soon to major sports within a decade. The idea of fans having a say in drafts, team moves, PR, and stadium issues, has become more easy to facilitate and logistically manage. As the idea of fans being rewarded or having a stake in the team could create longer lasting and more dedicated fan-bases.
This post is complied from and email I sent to members of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds soccer organization about their desire to play in the MLS.
Riverhounds president said: "We are committed to becoming the fourth major franchise in the city and we will. You can count on that because we have a good plan in place and we're on our way." If he is talking major as in Major League Soccer, well then I believe he made a statement that he absolutely can't make good on.
1st off the MLS already has teams in Toronto, Columbus, Washington, and Philly looks like they will have a team shortly, which makes sense given the size of their media market. I see the league maxing out at 20 teams, maybe 22 years down the line. Given the geography, market size, and current team locations, Pittsburgh will be left out. Secondly it's highly unlikely the MLS adopting a similar system to those in Europe of promoting teams. Given the structure of the MLS and high ranking people/organizations, this chance is less than 1%.
A knowledgeable soccer fan will see this is clearly not going to happen.
Currently the only way I see this happening is by overwhelming the MLS with support for a Pittsburgh team, to the point were they will ignore the locations of other teams, to place a team in Pittsburgh.
So then the question now becomes how to create overwhelming support for a MLS team Pittsburgh? I've concluded that regional support alone will not be enough, and national support is a must too.
Make Pittsburgh America's Soccer Team! Make it the people's team. Allow people from all over the country to buy a stake in the team. I would advise something similar to this plan, like a stock market but with out losing your majority ownership. In theory the Riverhounds would sell 100,000 "shares" for a $100 dollars each. One per person. Which would give you the following: one ticket to a home game each year for life, as long as you are in procession of the "share". Once the Riverhounds make the MLS you can sell your "share" back to the team for $500. I think a share "owner" should have access to certain things, such as minority say in votes, draft pick selection, promotions at the stadium, and other special benefits.
It's a very simple idea, but I know it has lots of logistics issues it's similar to this
http://www.myfootballclub.co.uk/ in England. However it really depends on how you structure it.
Instantly you would have Pittsburgh Riverhounds "Evangelists/Shareholders/Fans" all around the country.
First off, let’s say a 100,000 "shares" would raise you $10million for $100 each. Plus you would get unheard of national media attention as well.
The one ticket a season for life would be a great thing, plus no one would come alone, and it would increase ticket sales / attendance.
By giving people the option to redeem their "shares" they would have a great incentive to help the team reach the MLS. Not everyone would redeem their shares, because people would want to have access to the tickets and privileges.
You dramatically increase your fan bases, get tons of media attention and now you would have 100,000 Pittsburgh Riverhound activists supporting the team. I think it's just a matter of time before some US sports organization does something like this, but I can't think of better situation that with the Riverhounds.
And you might want to think of a name change. Well anyway, that's the just of it, and seems feasible, and I believe it gives Pittsburgh the best chance to have an MLS team.
