We have got to behave

WorldBall · 03-07-2005, 09:20 AM

Guys, we have got to behave or we will lose. Yes, I jokingly call my kids the 'soccer hooligans', but the last thing that we need is get a reputation for being the bad boys of local sports. I think that we can work on this RDA issue, but attempting to intimidate the people that decide these things for us will only hurt us. Please don't pick fights with the wrong people. We have got the have the reputation that soccer is a benefit to the community or MLS in Utah will go bye-bye.

There is still a chance that Gov. Huntsman will veto this legislation and that is were we should concentrate our efforts. Everyone should email or call his office explaining why this is bad for Utah. Huntsman is pro-business and pro-jobs, explain to him that this will employ more Utahns and generate tax revenues by using RDA to build a soccer stadium. Tie it into tourism and the Olympics for good measure.

http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_2598394

Senator feels heat from fans of RSL
Vandals scrawl messages on home of state legislator
By Thomas Burr
The Salt Lake Tribune

State Sen. Curt Bramble's Provo home was vandalized with chalk messages on Saturday night and a note was left saying that the Republican senator has declared war on soccer fans.
Bramble sponsored legislation during the just-finished legislative session that would, among other more far-reaching things, prohibit using Redevelopment Agency funds for sport stadiums, a change that could hurt the chances for the state's new Major League Soccer team to build an arena in downtown Salt Lake City.
The perpetrators of the vandalism, according to Bramble, wrote in chalk on his driveway that "you have declared war," a theme similar to that of a letter left on Bramble's front porch - along with an oversized soccer ball. Another message alleged that "Bramble hates fans," the senator said Sunday.
The letter was signed RSL, the acronym for Real Salt Lake, the team's name, though Bramble says he doesn't believe the team was involved. But he said the messages and note were jarring.
"It didn't damage anything, other than cause some real anxiety with my wife and kids," Bramble said. "The fact is a debate of ideas is fine. But when people start writing messages on your driveway, your sidewalk, the street in front of your house and your wife and kids get concerned about it, that's out of bounds."
Team spokesman Trey Fitz-Gerald said, "The organization does not condone such tactics."
"We will continue to work with them [lawmakers] and other government officials to get a stadium," Fitz-Gerald said.
"I should take this opportunity to remind our fans that there's a right way and a wrong way to express your opinion," he added, noting this was not the right way to get what the team needs.
Bramble had cleaned up the chalk graffiti by late Sunday afternoon and did not take any pictures. He said he did not report the incident to police.

tburr [at] sltrib.com

rabble-rabble · 03-07-2005, 09:26 AM

I had my fears that something like this might happen. At least they had the sense to simply “make a statement” by using chalk which apparently was somewhat easy to remove, and leaving an oversized soccer ball in the yard, rather then causing more expensive damage.

I for one, and many other fans would love to see a soccer specific facility in the near future as it will greatly help the team be successful, but I am realistic enough to know that most taxpayers out there have the attitude that if the team wants a stadium, let them build it themselves. This sort of activity is never going to win people over to our side and if anything will make them feel more strongly against helping pay for the stadium.

While I frequently disagree with some of the decisions made up on Capital Hill, I have to admit that most of the constituents are probably in agreement with the decision to not use RDA funds for stadiums. I believe that if they announced that the state was spending $50 million on a stadium in downtown Salt Lake and raising taxes to pay for it, while the soccer community might mostly favor it, most of the taxpayers would be furious.

I might suggest some other more positive approaches to helping get the public to favor a stadium. Talk excitedly about soccer when you meet non-soccer fans. Tell them about the upcoming US-Costa Rica match and what an important it will be. I might suggest that for those of use with season tickets, if there are some games you cannot attend, give the tickets to a casual sports fan who doesn’t know much about soccer to introduce them to the sport and the atmosphere of attending a match. Wear soccer clothing in public and at work (if your workplace allows it). I try to wear a US-themed shirt on days when the US Men’s team in playing and Blitzz (now RSL) clothing on days right before a big match. I have soccer themed wallpaper on my desktop at work, and try to have soccer schedules and standings on the bulletin board by my desk to make people more aware of the sport and how the local team is doing.

But let’s please not turn negative by trying to intimidate our opponents. This only adds to the “hooligan’ stereotype that too many people have about the sport and will only hurt our efforts to help RSL build a long healthy successful franchise in the MLS.

bordelais7 · 03-07-2005, 09:59 AM

1)

Quote:

Tell them about the upcoming US-Costa Rica match

Amazing how many soccer-loving people I've talked to in the last couple of days who had no idea that this match was scheduled.

2) I'm jealous of Bramble. Dude got a free oversized soccer ball.

3) Yeah, we should probably behave. In the end, though, I agree that this legislation is actually a blessing in disguise, since I don't think a bond would have passed. Gives us a reason to get going on looking at alternate sources for funding.

Rover · 03-07-2005, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabble-rabble

But let’s please not turn negative by trying to intimidate our opponents. This only adds to the “hooligan’ stereotype that too many people have about the sport and will only hurt our efforts to help RSL build a long healthy successful franchise in the MLS.

Concur.

Ethically, we should never resort to this kind of juvenile stupidity. It doesn't help advance soccer and only gains negative attention, however harmless it was intended to be.

Strategically, it's just dumb. As rabble-rabble says, we must keep our message positive. Acts of vandalism, however low-level, don't help that. It's certainly not going to convince taxpayers that we're worthy of a stadium.

I'm frankly embarassed that anyone would associate this "prank" with RSL, the Loyalists, MLS, and soccer in general. I don't know who did it, but I highly recommend we distance ourselves from it (official statement from the Loyalist leadership) and make it clear that this is not what we're about.

Let's get the focus off this state senator and back to our team and what we will add to the State of Utah.

Don't want to overreact, but these things have a way of setting the wrong tone. We kickoff in less than four weeks. Let's keep it positive.

Deuce · 03-07-2005, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabble-rabble

But let’s please not turn negative by trying to intimidate our opponents. This only adds to the “hooligan’ stereotype that too many people have about the sport and will only hurt our efforts to help RSL build a long healthy successful franchise in the MLS.

Yes I concur...

after all, we don't want to be like Manchester United Fans! Do we?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rover

I'm frankly embarassed that anyone would associate this "prank" with RSL, the Loyalists, MLS, and soccer in general. I don't know who did it, but I highly recommend we distance ourselves from it (official statement from the Loyalist leadership) and make it clear that this is not what we're about.

I whole heartedly agree with this bit! When i heard on the radio that the vandal(s) left a note that made reference to RSL it really made me angry...

I think we should vehemently renounce the incident and re-double our efforts to get a positive message out to the public...

Jose Luis Luviano · 03-07-2005, 11:15 AM

Now, instead of THINKING that soccer fans are *******s, people around here (first and foremost, the RSL front office) now KNOW that soccer fans are *******s.

Nice going.

It could be a case like this, but I would tend to doubt it. Bramble is a state legislator and therefore, by definition, not very intelligent.

Arelius · 03-07-2005, 11:23 AM

The best way to get them to reconsider this legislation is to pack the stadium when the season starts and have 46,000+ rabid fans at the USMNT match. Then, they will see what kind of local market they have overlooked…

Arelius · 03-07-2005, 11:26 AM

…Although I admit, when I first read about Bramble’s bill, I wanted to do something like what these vandals did to that ignoramus…

montgjules · 03-07-2005, 11:34 AM

As the self-elected, unofficial publicity person for the Loyalists (No, I really don't claim to be any part of the leadership at all) I would be willing to write up a press release about the Loyalists, claiming no part whatsoever in this incident and setting the record straight. If we want to do it, it'll have to be released today or tomorrow, right?

Let me know and if you want me to do it, I'll start on it as soon as all three children are peacefully occupied.

Arelius · 03-07-2005, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montgjules

As the self-elected, unofficial publicity person for the Loyalists (No, I really don't claim to be any part of the leadership at all) I would be willing to write up a press release about the Loyalists, claiming no part whatsoever in this incident and setting the record straight. If we want to do it, it'll have to be released today or tomorrow, right?

Let me know and if you want me to do it, I'll start on it as soon as all three children are peacefully occupied.

Do it!!