Whitecaps MLS news

[Vancity]

Originally Posted by agrant

They probably already have a demand for season tickets, and met their goal. If they think they are falling behind, then they'd most definitely do an ad campain. I think once tickets are officially available for next season, then you'll see the marketing heat up.

Thanks, agrant.

good stuff. i'm excited to see how this whitecaps franchise in its first year in MLS, is going to do. it'll be interesting.

[Zassk]

I have seen both TV and radio ads mentioning MLS since the day Whitecaps were eliminated. I thought at the time that it was awfully soon after the painful loss.

[Overground]

They're pretty close to their target of 16k season tickets. I think we'll see a big marketing campaign in the new year coinciding with the signing of a "star" Designated Player before the season starts as well we might see some advertising leading up to Christmas. Their new kits will be in shops starting next month.

[Vancity]

Originally Posted by Overground

They're pretty close to their target of 16k season tickets. I think we'll see a big marketing campaign in the new year coinciding with the signing of a "star" Designated Player before the season starts as well we might see some advertising leading up to Christmas. Their new kits will be in shops starting next month.

I hope we get a "star" player for the team. LA's got Beckham, NY's got Henry. Maybe we should go after Rooney. After all, reports are that he wants to leave Man U. LOL (kidding about him coming here, of course).

[PaperTiger]

I just heard that Seattle got rid of Freddie Ljungberg for this season. Does anybody know if he was replaced wiht a different DP? I thiought he was playing really well for the Sounders.

[Hourglass]

Originally Posted by Vancity

I hope we get a "star" player for the team. LA's got Beckham, NY's got Henry. Maybe we should go after Rooney. After all, reports are that he wants to leave Man U. LOL (kidding about him coming here, of course).

lol, too late. Rooney just signed a new 5-year contract for £180,000 a week. But why not go for Scholes, Giggs or Neville? (ok maybe not Neville) They may be near the end of their careers with United but could still do very well in MLS.

[djmk]

Originally Posted by PaperTiger

I just heard that Seattle got rid of Freddie Ljungberg for this season. Does anybody know if he was replaced wiht a different DP? I thiought he was playing really well for the Sounders.

he was traded to chicago last July.

[djmk]

Originally Posted by Vancity

I hope we get a "star" player for the team. LA's got Beckham, NY's got Henry. Maybe we should go after Rooney. After all, reports are that he wants to leave Man U. LOL (kidding about him coming here, of course).

I will happy if they find someone who can score. This year was pretty bad in that regard. Hopefully Chiumiento will look better next year

[Vancity]

Originally Posted by djmk

I will happy if they find someone who can score. This year was pretty bad in that regard. Hopefully Chiumiento will look better next year

I'm really curious to see who the Whitecaps are going to sign and designate as their "star" player. We need a star player like Beckham. A name that would attract the fan, but also the casual fan too.

Canucks in the winter, and the 'Caps in the Summer. Sounds promising in terms of establishing an even more dominant sports culture in this town.

Oh, side thought, but I was wondering if EA ever made a CFL game for consoles, or PC? Cause I think that would be neat if the CFL could brand their game, and make it into the game industry. So many kids growing up in Canada, playing football, end up wanting to play in the NFL. That needs to change. We need our kids who play Canadian football, to want to play in the CFL.

Anyways. End of my rant. hehe

[jlousa]

Interesting idea about a CFL game, I'm sure EA could use their existing NFL engine an revamp it for an extra player, larger field etc. I can't imagine the CFL holding back the rights, in fact they would probably give them away to increase publicity. I just don't know if the hours involved to do so would be made up in sales of the game. I would probably be lucky to hit 50,000 sales.

I don't believe the Whitecaps will be chasing a marque player that is a has been, I would venture with the staff they have on hand that they will be chasing a couple of players that will best make us a competitive team.

Looks like someone hacked Madden 08 to look like the CFL, probably only the jerseys/helmets/names though and not gameplay. Still a good unofficial effort

• Video Link

[Vancity]

Originally Posted by jlousa

Interesting idea about a CFL game, I'm sure EA could use their existing NFL engine an revamp it for an extra player, larger field etc. I can't imagine the CFL holding back the rights, in fact they would probably give them away to increase publicity. I just don't know if the hours involved to do so would be made up in sales of the game. I would probably be lucky to hit 50,000 sales.

I don't believe the Whitecaps will be chasing a marque player that is a has been, I would venture with the staff they have on hand that they will be chasing a couple of players that will best make us a competitive team.

Looks like someone hacked Madden 08 to look like the CFL, probably only the jerseys/helmets/names though and not gameplay. Still a good unofficial effort

• Video Link

50,000 sales only? really? wow. I thought there were more fans across the nation than just 50,000. I think fans of the game, if EA were to come out with a CFL game, would actually buy the game. I don't know if they could sell it the same price as they would NFL games, but I believe that a lot of fans would buy the game. I'd be interested in buying the game, if EA came up with one.

And they wouldn't have to make it for all platforms. What if they came up with a PC version of the game, and see how well (or not well) the game is received? And if the demand is there from Canadian fans of the CFL, then why not extend that to other game console platforms like the PS2, or the PS3, even.

[EastVanMark]

so much for the notion of the Caps not being able to capture a decent piece of the market...go Caps go!!!

Whitecaps may boost season-ticket target
MLS expansion team close to 16,500 sold

By Bruce Constantineau, Vancouver Sun October 26, 2010 The Vancouver Whitecaps say they're closing in fast on their 2011 season ticket selling target.

So fast, in fact, they might have to expand the target to accommodate the demand for tickets to their inaugural Major League Soccer campaign.

Whitecaps chief executive officer Paul Barber said Monday the club has collected deposits for 15,000 season tickets so far -- just 1,500 shy of the original goal of 16,500.

"We have to sit down and have a good discussion about [increasing the season ticket goal]," he said in an interview. "The appetite seems to be great and we want to be in a position where we can sell as many tickets as we can."

Part of the increased ticket demand comes from a recent pitch to the Metro Vancouver business community.

The team has launched a direct-mail campaign to 12,000 small-to medium-sized companies, reminding them that "time is running out to be a part of Vancouver's next big thing."

Several large companies have already secured tickets and hospitality suites for Whitecaps MLS games, but the club felt it still hadn't fully tapped the corporate community.

"We felt we should appeal to more businesses because ultimately we are going to be downtown and there will be a lot of opportunities for people to entertain clients," Barber said.

The Whitecaps will play their first MLS game at Empire Field in March, with Caps' fans spreading rumours Vancouver will debut against Thierry Henry and the New York Red Bulls.

The team is supposed to move to a renovated BC Place sometime during the 2011 season, depending on when builders finish the $563-million project that features a retractable roof.

Barber said the club originally planned to work around a soccer configuration of about 20,000 seats at both venues. But the increased ticket demand and a clearer idea of seating availability at the stadiums during games means capacity should easily exceed 20,000.

The cheapest Whitecaps season tickets will cost $319, plus applicable taxes and fees. A full range of ticket prices will be released later this week.

The Caps' 2011 expansion cousins the Portland Timbers say they are on pace to sell 10,000 season tickets by the end of this year.

SIDE KICKS: Barber met with Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers and MLS officials in Seattle recently to discuss how many tickets will be set aside for visiting fans to Vancouver-Portland-Seattle games. Vancouver Southsiders supporters are upset with media reports suggesting the Sounders are concerned about security and will allow just 150 tickets for visiting supporters. The teams say the issue will be resolved by next month and Barber expects more than 150 tickets will be set aside for visiting fans.

[email protected]


Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/White...+target/3726289/story.html#ixzz13VeASN8a

[Vancity]

Seems like the club is exceeding expectations. Fast approaching 15,000 tickets already, huh? That's impressive. Hopefully, by the end of this year, they'll exceed their ticket base of 16,500, and boost it up a little bit more. Pack that stadium, and make it an intimidating place to play for opposing teams.

[jlousa]

Not to take away from their accomplishment, but deposits are a lot different then actual tickets sold. If I recall you could get on the list for $50, I would imagine a sizable portion of those won't complete either because they lost interest/moved/life changed or they can't get the tickets they wanted. At least the team will get to keep the funds and will be able to resell some of them.
Having them start at Empire Field will make it feel like they have two inaugural seasons.

[agrant]

Reminds me of the Whitecaps season when they moved from Empire Stadium to BC Place, 5 or so games into the 83 season. Their first game at BC Place was sold out. There will no doubt be some interest in the new stadium, and that will draw some to see a few games. But by the end of the season, I expect the crowds to be just over the season ticket mark (20 to 25 thousand).

[djmk]

Originally Posted by agrant

Reminds me of the Whitecaps season when they moved from Empire Stadium to BC Place, 5 or so games into the 83 season. Their first game at BC Place was sold out. There will no doubt be some interest in the new stadium, and that will draw some to see a few games. But by the end of the season, I expect the crowds to be just over the season ticket mark (20 to 25 thousand).

i was there! i must been about 7 or 8. BC place was packed with over 60 thousand people to watch Seattle. It did not take long for people to realize that BC Place sucks.

that said. I have purchased 2 deposits.

[agrant]

Originally Posted by djmk

i was there! i must been about 7 or 8. BC place was packed with over 60 thousand people to watch Seattle. It did not take long for people to realize that BC Place sucks.

that said. I have purchased 2 deposits.

I was 10 when I was there. I remember a lot of people just staring at the roof, and all the new video screens.

[djmk]

seat selection is here

http://www.whitecapsfc.com/tickets/

[vanlaw]

Originally Posted by djmk

seat selection is here

http://www.whitecapsfc.com/tickets/

Has anyone been contacted yet to select their seats? It says "through November" so maybe they will start next week? I put deposits down the first day (i realize current season ticket holders have priority though), so hoping it will be fairly early.

[thedan8]

Haven't heard anything but I get to pick with the southsiders so I let you know when I do. I've heard rumblings of later next week.