5/2 News

[montgjules]

Originally Posted by bordelais7

Only for those who are uninformed enough to let themselves be slapped.

Having the game in Provo means we get to see Real Madrid. Having the game at RES means we get another visit from Universidad Catolica.

What it comes down to is that RSL is doing a sub-par job of explaining decisions like this to the community. Consequently these politicians appear to the equally-uninformed general public to be making valid statements.

🕺 I wish I was smart like you.

[RSL Punk]

Again, we need to go on a charm offensive. As stated in the Trib article this morning, the FO isn't commenting about the leaked numbers on the advice of their lawyers. Which means that the opposition can say just about anything they want about whatever number they see or can make up. But...so can we. I'd personally err on the side of truth, but the Trib is obviously swallowing whatever numbers they throw at them.
For example:

And, entering its second home game this past weekend, RSL ranked 10th in attendance - out of a 12-team league.

Um, no. And as of this week, we're at least sixth. The only mention I've been able to find that might justify this quote was a stats sheet from Soccer America magazine that the reporter would have had to just have counted up the list to get us at tenth (New England and Chicago weren't on the list, having not played at home yet).
One of my bigger peeves here is that we don't have all the numbers. If the intent of the leak was to make the numbers available to the public, well, where are they? Instead, we're getting the numbers as spun through the opposition. Again, write a letter to the editor, write your councilperson (if you live in SL County). Write the Trib's Reader Advocate and demand a copy of the documents. Then start spinning on your own.

My two cents.

[beaveman]

And, entering its second home game this past weekend, RSL ranked 10th in attendance - out of a 12-team league.

Actually, their data is correct. I figured out how they determined it, and must admit it is CRAP! Before last Saturday, RSL ranked 10th in the league in TOTAL attendance, not average! Through 4 weeks, our total attendance was 16,132 thus placing us behind the CRapids with a two match total attendance of 20,284 (an average of only 10,142) and KC - 26,579 in two matches for an average of only 13,290.
Just another example of how reporters should do a little background check on their data before they start publishing claims.
After this week, RSL ranks 8th in both average and total attendance.

[Aerick]

Originally Posted by Dadof3

While you are correct re their misstatement of what the game is, they are correct in that it is a total slap in the face to the County and is horribly timed...

I disagree. This may be a brilliant move, and perfectly timed. I think that once they see the kind of draw that can occur for a stadium that is fitted better to the game in a different county, you'll have SL County officials begging to have the stadium built in SL County so that they can retain the business. Additionally, whose to say that after that game occurs, RSL won't tell SL County that they are considering a Utah County location instead because of SL's "feet dragging"?

Despite popular belief, I think RSL still holds some significant bargaining chips.

[RSL Punk]

Originally Posted by beaveman

Actually, their data is correct. I figured out how they determined it, and must admit it is CRAP! Before last Saturday, RSL ranked 10th in the league in TOTAL attendance, not average! Through 4 weeks, our total attendance was 16,132 thus placing us behind the CRapids with a two match total attendance of 20,284 (an average of only 10,142) and KC - 26,579 in two matches for an average of only 13,290.
Just another example of how reporters should do a little background check on their data before they start publishing claims.
After this week, RSL ranks 8th in both average and total attendance.

I'll agree that's crap--Chicago has to rank last as they still haven't played a game at home (and won't until their SSS opens). The significance is that we're averaging about 15-16,000, which is our median attendance for last year. And really, median is what we should be worried about. Average is a nice indicator, but we can (and should) affect that with things like the RM game and the 4th and 24th of July fireworks games.

And I'm glad Aerick's here to be hopeful for me--great points, man. While we're at it, let's get Tooele County involved. They didn't seem to have a problem greenlighting Larry's Park O'Pollution. Hmmm....

[Aero]

Originally Posted by beaveman

Actually, their data is correct.

That's usually the problem with statistics. They can be manipulated to show just about anything the manipulator wants to show. Unfortunately in this case, the general public is just not informed enough to realize just how skewed these numbers are.

[beaveman]

Originally Posted by RSL Punk

Average is a nice indicator, but we can (and should) affect that with things like the RM game...

If the RM game was held as a double header with an MLS match... Yeah, it would be nice to include, but it doesn't count. Sorry.

I would have to guess our attendance is going to dip, probably to around 13-14,000, for the rest of the season. First match was the home opener, second was a chance to see Landon, so we can't expect to stay around 16,000 all season. Still, that will put us at least in the middle of the pack with the rest of the league.

[AreliusIV]

Originally Posted by beaveman

Actually, their data is correct. I figured out how they determined it, and must admit it is CRAP! Before last Saturday, RSL ranked 10th in the league in TOTAL attendance, not average! Through 4 weeks, our total attendance was 16,132 thus placing us behind the CRapids with a two match total attendance of 20,284 (an average of only 10,142) and KC - 26,579 in two matches for an average of only 13,290.
Just another example of how reporters should do a little background check on their data before they start publishing claims.
After this week, RSL ranks 8th in both average and total attendance.

Someone should write a letter to the Editor to complain about the Trib's blatant negative bias toward RSL...

[RSL Punk]

Originally Posted by beaveman

If the RM game was held as a double header with an MLS match... Yeah, it would be nice to include, but it doesn't count. Sorry.

I'm thinking more in terms that the Trib is getting at: attendance that affects the team's bottom line. Sure, we were 2nd in the league last year only because we counted the FC Dallas doubleheader, but if you're counting ticket sales, the RM(?) match might do some serious damage to the losses we're incurring. 60,000 butts in seats would be wonderful for the bottom line, no?

[Rover]

Originally Posted by RSL Punk

I'm thinking more in terms that the Trib is getting at: attendance that affects the team's bottom line. Sure, we were 2nd in the league last year only because we counted the FC Dallas doubleheader, but if you're counting ticket sales, the RM(?) match might do some serious damage to the losses we're incurring. 60,000 butts in seats would be wonderful for the bottom line, no?

Just for the record, if you take out all the inflated attendance games (like the USMNT game) around the league, RSL still finished in third (16,533), just behind DC United. Everyone was way behind LA in attendance last year.

Interestingly, our current average, although admittedly after only two games, is 16,280. If that average holds up, we'll finish in the top five again. Of course, that's a very big "if" considering how the team is playing right now.