Anyone see the article in the
Dispatch about the Crew's financial success and hope?
Basically, the gist of it is:
- Since 1996, the first year, the Crew and stadium events have generated $384 million
- About 70% of that would not have been spent in the area without the Crew's help
- Crew-related spending supported 490 local jobs in 2011
- The Crew have generated $6.5 million in tax revenue for Columbus, $2.1 million for Franklin County, and $14.6 million for Ohio
The Crew were second-lowest in the MLS in average attendance at 12,185 per game in 2011. The Crew are using this to plug sponsors. They need a jersey sponsor and a stadium sponsor. Average jersey sponsor in the MLS is $2.2 million (which is real good considering that Glidden was $900,000 or so when they sponsored). Stadium sponsors average $1.5 million. The Crew are trying to generate 10,000 season ticket holders...they have already surpassed this year's 5,000ish ticket holders.
With the success of the Crew, four straight playoff appearances, multiple Supporter's Shields, and an MLS Cup championship in the recent past, surely there is a savior somewhere?! I was talking with a coach about this...and if only it were to come true, but we concluded that Victoria's Secret and/or The Limited would be a PERFECT sponsorship. Surely Mr. Wexner could help out here?! He gave $100 million to Ohio State recently...that would be good for 100 years of jersey sponsorship for the Crew! Imagine the sales too. Women would want it. It would be VERY popular...in my opinion.
Who knows him? Someone be the savior here!
Roy Keane @roy_keane_Esq