Atlanta Silverbacks to shut down in 2009

The country's economic crisis has claimed a victim in the American soccer scene. The USL-1 Atlanta Silverbacks will not field a team in 2009, citing the economy as well as the potential arrival of an MLS expansion team in Atlanta in the coming years.

"This was an extremely difficult decision that was prompted by the dynamic events in our economy and the soccer community," Silverbacks general manager Michael Oki said. "We would like to thank all of our fans and partners who have supported the team over the years and hope they continue to come out to the women’s games."

There is no word yet on what this means for the contracts of the team's current players, including forward Mac Kandji, who is currently on loan to the New York Red Bulls, who will play in the MLS Cup Final on Sunday. The Red Bulls acquired Kandji on a loan deal that included an option to buy Kandji's contract outright.

What do you think of this development? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[Camjam]

Didn't this team just start the beginning phase of a soccer specific stadium like 2 years ago? You'd think they would be in better financial shape.

[mikeK]

Could save the Red Bull money if they let the loan expire and just sign him as a free agent. Might work out well.

[Ben]

I saw them here in Seattle two years ago in the USL-1 final. The Sounders crushed them 4-0, but I never thought then that two years later they'd be gone. I wonder what how the other USL teams are coping?

[Isaac]

Sad. The USL is a source of some great talented players. I hope they come back soon.
What happens during the January transfer window when someone wants to buy a player? does it just work out normally?

[Pat]

This deserves much more than you gave it. Could this happen to other USL teams? They have a huge infrastructure in ATlanta like youth teams, stadium, and practice facility. This is a sad story.

[Tim F.]

I wonder if the Silverbacks ownership spoke to the Atlanta bid team/Arthur Blank to see if they were willing to help out (or buy out current USL team) at least until transitioning to MLS team if they were awarded one; the Seattle model seems to be a solid one.

The Atlanta bid/ownership team would be able to show their commitment to the game in Atlanta. Either way, I don't see how this would do anything but be neutral or could hurt Atlanta's attempt to land a MLS franchise.

Their odds have to be close to Ottawa or even lower no?

[Notlanta]

I really hope Atlanta never gets an MLS team. Worst professional sports fans in the country.

[ag nigrin]

Damn... I hope the economy doesn't trash the league! I hope Macoumba will stay with Red BUll NY!

[John]

Screw you. You know absolutely nothing about Atlanta fans.

One, our teams usually suck (1 championship in city history) so that hurts attendance.

Two, Atlanta is a city of transplants; something you wouldn't know since you've been in your mother's basement for 12 years in East Jesus exit 243 off the turnpike. This means people come to Atlanta already cheering for a team.

Thirdly, there is little to no public transportation in Atlanta, and it is impossible to get to stadiums with our traffic.

Fourth, we care more about college sports. Few things compare to SEC and ACC fans.

Fifth reason; we have other things we can do. We actually live in a warm, open, cheerful city. When you live in the misery of Boston, yeah maybe you will go to a few more games instead of standing on the corner sniffling with donut all over your face.

Sixth: USL teams translate in no way to MLS success. Toronto, anyone? Anyone?

Finally.....does NO ONE see the other possibility here. Could this be done considering an impending announcement of a team being given to Atlanta? Its definitely something that should be considered here.

And anyone who is using this opportunity to insult the fastest growing developed major city in the world, get a life. There's a reason everybody wants to be here now.

[BigJake]

This is a shame. I guess they could have used the transfer fee for Kandji. MLS needs to help USL-1 out by buying players, much as all top leagues around the world help their lower divisions.
I agree with Tim F. that the potential ownership group for an MLS franchise ought to get some hands-on experience before spending the big bucks.
Chill out, John. Even you admit Atlantans aren't big fans of pro sports teams. The Braves won, what, 12 Division chamionships in a row, but you could walk up & buy playoff tix. LA lost its NFL teams & FL its MLS franchises. So, relax in the sun & have a cold one! Living well is the best revenge.

[Mikemike]

John,
I'm sure Atlanta is a nice city, but I think you just gave reasons for why Atlanta fans are bad fans. Didn't seem to disprove that that they are bad fans.
-mike

[JC]

I don't get what John's trying to say. He makes a huge list of why Atlanta fans don't support pro sports, and then goes on to say that an MLS team should be considered there. Don`t think that makes much sense.

[Joe]

John, that was a pretty sweet litany of reasons why MLS won't work in Atlanta. It's not college football.

[yameson]

I hope Red Bulls can keep both players.

Speaking of which, the Sports Illustrated site >
claims Angel is considering a return to Argentina. Any reality to this?

[Eugene]

Very sad. The economic situation is BRUTAL. Two years ago they were probably more or less fine financially. Heck, people who were fine this summer are feeling a lot of pain now.

[The Gentleman Masher]

I don't think Atlanta fans are bad sports fans...and to another point...whether they are or aren't has no bearing on MLS.

I look at MLS alot like I look at the NHL. The Thrashers have a pretty loyal, decent sized, fan base here despite only making the playoffs once, and getting swept in the first round.

Thrashers fans are typically not Falcons fans, Hawks fans, or Braves fans, they are hockey fans, first and foremost. They supported the IHL's Knights to the tune of 12k or so fans a game, and they support the Thrashers.

The folks that would support the Atlanta MLS team would be much the same. They'd rather go to an MLS game than a Braves game.

And, besides, this whole "Atlanta has bad sports fan" premise is based on the fact that, once upon a time, the Braves didn't sell out a NL Divisional Series game with a 4pm first pitch.

Other than that, you are basing it on fan apathy in regards to teams losing consistently over periods of a decade or more. I don't care what fan base you are...unless you are mindless Cubs fans...you probably will stop showing up as much after 10+ years of losing. Agreed?

[brett]

first let me say, this does suck for the USL... its never good to see a team go under, especially while we are trying to develop the sport in the country... hopefully Atlanta realizes that they wont see a MLS team, and the owners who are interested in a soccer team will bring back the silverbacks...

BigJake - "MLS needs to help USL-1 out by buying players, much as all top leagues around the world help their lower divisions."

the problem is that the USL doesnt see themselves as a lower league... they see themselves as a competitior of the MLS... they work out no affiliations...

if the USL had any hopes of remaining a league they would work with the MLS and settle as a 2nd division... yes they have some decent teams (some have excelled this season in CL, while we MLS teams failed horridly), but overall the USL cannot see themselves as financially solid as the MLS.....

the MLS extended their hand, but the USL didnt want to be seen as the US 2nd division...

[RK]

The Silverbacks blame the possible MLS team, yet IMO this only hurts or kills that possibility.

If Blank were serious, I think he would've saved them. He just announced some reductions in giving from his foundation for next year, so I bet he decided now was not the time.

As for the stadium, it is constantly under construction, and it was quite nice for what it was.

Gentleman Masher, I moved to Atlanta 5 years ago. On my first day here I was able to buy a ticket for (the final) game 5 for the Braves. So it isn't just one game. However, there are plenty of people and money here to support a soccer team.

[Jags98]

I see this as a push from the Backs to make the mls bid work and not go to Kenn. Ga. area. It gives them an opportunity to get out of ownership and a wonderful opp for Blank to take over and move into mls. They already have a stadium, centrally located, a name, and a following. Forget about the Cobb area for soccer. You would only cater to the soccer family for support. The latino market would be crushed, they are already pushing them out around there. Strict drivers lic and home/living laws to keep them away.

[RK]

Jags, the current Silverbacks home isn't big enough for MLS. And there isn't enough room for expansion either, IMO.

[Tim F.]

Jags98 ...

MLS expansion franchises awarded next won't start playing in MLS until 2011. What are they going to do for men's professional soccer in Atlanta for the next two years?

[LJ]

Much of the team should consider a move to Austin where USL is expanding for 2009.

(Earthquakes to Houston type move)

[nate]

If Atlanta is chosen over Portland, St. Louis or Montreal the world is a cruel place.

[RK]

And now you know why the Silverbacks were holding out for as much cash as possible for Kandji...

[Andy]

Actually, the initial stadium design was expected to hold around 15,000, which isn't that much smaller than Colorado's or others. Right?

[john in atl]

I'll take this as a positive that MLS may be coming to Atlanta. I still firmly believe that a Blank-backed franchise will do well in MLS. Silverbacks games were poorly attended, but top-level pro sports do reasonably well in attendance, critics be damned and check your facts while you're at it.

[The Gentleman Masher]

RK - there are many issues that factor in Braves' fans playoff lethargy. 1 is that they typically get an early 1st pitch so the Sox, Yanks, or Cubs can be on in primetime.

Another is a fairly large stadium (over 50k for baseball), and the fact that Atlanta fans still haven't warmed up to this Wild Card idea.

Time was, you win your division, you're in the NLCS. Baseball, like most other pro sports (including MLS) in this country has done its part to demean the regular season.

Maybe they'll appreciate it more now that the playoffs aren't a given for the Braves every year.

Either way - baseball fans usually do not = soccer fans. They're usually the first to tell you soccer is boring, which is horribly ironic since they like baseball. :)

[RK]

Andy, look at the surrounding area, though. There is no room for parking, streets, access, etc. 15k trying to get to that stadium would back up on to Spaghetti Junction!

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Should be interesting a)to see if Redbull buys Mac and b) who else raids the team

[RK]

Insult to injury: the AJC (Atlanta's paper) has no info on this nor do they even have a section on their web site for soccer. A little support would've been nice at some point...

[Felix]

Even though I'm not a USL fan, I'm saddened from the perspective of being an American soccer fan, and wanting all professional soccer clubs in the US succeed.

[CD]

John,

Settle down there buddy. Its in the 20's right now in Atlanta you don't live in the Caribbean. I take public transportation to Atlanta sporting events all the time. I have been here the last 20 years and I concur the Atlanta sports fans don't fill venues unless there is a trendy factor involved. I rather enjoy that because it allows me to go to assorted sporting events for well below list price.

Sad to see a soccer team leave Atlanta and shame on the soccer fans I know in Atlanta that thought the USL was below them. I wish the Backs could have completed their stadium initially with functioning bathrooms and the sports bar they talked about and they might have kept some of the fans that showed up the first year.

[CD]

John,

In the middle of downtown Atlanta we have an ACC football team and Georgia Tech football never sells out unless they are playing a team that brings a lot of fans. They play on Saturday when traffic isn't bad and they won a National Championship in 1990. They are very competitive this year and they still don't sell out.

[daniel in the atl]

i would love to see an mls team in atlanta with a stadium within walking distance of a marta station. everyone knows that comparing mls to the usl is apples to oranges. with blank's money and a new stadium near public transportation mls could be a big success here in atlanta.

[Ethan]

John's first post was really a work of art regarding why Atlanta does not deserve an MLS franchise.

I'm not sure if this has been stated previously, but I think this hurts Atlanta's chances. If USL cannot survive, why should we think MLS would, especially when some of the other options have had successful USL clubs whose fans would LOVE an MLS club.

And I don't understand John's Toronto example. Toronto FC is a fantastic club. They haven't won much (yet), but their fans are excellent.

[MetroFlip73]

CD pwn3d "John"

Sorry to hear about the 'Backs folding. I still think MTL gets a spot (stadium and owner in place), and now with Pujols getting involved with the STL bid, I think Atlanta's chances, without Blank, are slim. With Blank, who knows, maybe he'll finish the stadium, if he thinks it's a good investment.

[RK]

No one cares about GT -- it is all about Georgia (and the SEC) here. And GT's stadium is perhaps the worst that I've ever been to.

Metro, what are you talking about? Blank is the one who made the bid for MLS Atlanta.

[Jevis]

Gooood

[Scott A]

Whichever two cities MLS picks, there will be a fair amount of people disappointed and some people saying MLS is clueless. What's clear, however, is that any picks that include Atlanta, Ottawa, Miami, and maybe Vancouver will provoke the strongest negative reactions

[Andy]

RK,

How true. I experienced that (not all the way back to the junction, mind you) when there were only maybe 2k attending the game.

[John in Atlanta sucks]

John,

Atlanta is a crap city and sports town. Good riddance.

[Brian (Atlanta)]

Instead of looking to build a SSS in Kennesaw, I would look at where the old GM plant was. I know that several developers are getting ready to bid on the property. It's close to 285, 85, and Marta. And it's a lot more convenient for a lot of the Hispanic population in Dekalb and Gwinnett.

[John]

I wasn't listing reasons we should have a team...I was listing reasons why we shouldn't be labeled "bad" fans.

I don't think Atlanta should be in this round of teams frankly...that being said...here are reasons we should be in the round following.

1. 5.6 million people in metro atlanta. Biggest market left to MLS (a little bigger than Miami)

2.The southeast has no coverage. North Carolina and Georgia consistently contribute very good soccer players, and need representation. This is especially true as the MLS invests more in youth developement.

3.Large transplant population actually works with MLS, not other sports. People come in as Jets fans, or Indians fans, or Pistons fans etc., but the MLS is young enough where they will not have an MLS team. So while that hurts our other teams, it would not hurt a hypothetical MLS team.

4. Very large hispanic population.

5. Blank. He knows how to get it done. If you look at the Falcons, they always sell out. That included last year (with the most abhorrent team I have ever seen) and this year (when we were supposed to be horrendous). He's great with advertising, and no owner commits himself to his players like Blank (see Fl. Branch). He would invest.

6. (and possibly most important) Atlanta is chock-full of young professionals. Maybe more so than any other city, people who get degrees in the south end up in Atlanta. These are people who love soccer. You go down to the pub to watch an Arsenal match in the morning, and you can't find any space amongst the sea of red. This is the crowd that supports MLS more than any other.

7. Atlanta is a media haven (The various Turner companies). The games would probably be picked up by Turner South, which has more coverage than most local broadcasters. FSS otherwise, and that still covers the southeast. Like the Braves, the team would be more than just the Atlanta team. While this doesn't necessarily boost attendance, it does improve league interest/merchandise sales/ratings.

8. Atlanta is becoming increasingly gentrified (partly because the young professionals). This is putting more people into areas where they could easily travel to games.

9. Atlanta has tons of major companies, which is great for selling those expensive seats. Coke, Delta, Home Depot, Cingular (now subsidiary of at&t).

I don't think the Silverbacks folding relates. Why would Blank buy them? It's a non-sequitur; if Blank wants an MLS team and got it, he would than have to fold his USL team, and he would be devaluing his own business. He's too smart a businessman for that. It also wouldn't be a gesture of good will to MLS, because MLS doesn't have any relation to the USL. Why would they want Blank to save what is effectively a competitor's franchise?

There is logic here. My previous argument was sheer frustration with all the idiots out there who bandy about these stereotypes about Atlanta. For some reason people can't accept the fact that we are a major city (and competitive with every city outside of LA, Chicago and New York). Yet for some reason everybody wants to move here (and then when they've gotten a cushy job and living situation that didn't exist in their hometown speak down towards those who are actually from Atlanta).

[kpugs]

Contrary to a couple of prior posts, this is not a surprise or a big story. Are you guys kidding?

MLS teams still operate in the red. I'm not sure the MetroStars/Red Bulls have EVER turned a profit in 13 years. Yet we're surprised a minor league soccer team in Atlanta is going under?

No offense to USL--I think the league is important. But let's face it, it wouldn't be a surprise if a ULS team went under when our economy was soaring.

It's unfortunate for sure, but it's not a big deal nor a surprise.

[RK]

Brian: that is the -ideal- place. And who knows -- maybe the credit crisis while undermine the proposed plans for it, allowing Blank to develop something. But, as it is now, it is probably too expensive.

Love your last paragraph, John. Atlanta does a have huge booming young professional population. However, I think the Silverbacks' stoppage does hurt, because it demonstrates that soccer (regardless of level) isn't being supported well-enough here.

[John]

I respect your opinion RK, and I used to agree, but with Blank in the picture, and with the success of Toronto, I've changed my mind.

USL simply doesn't translate. There are people who are obsessed with Baseball who would never go to a minor league game, for example.

I didn't ever go to USL games. I do go to high school games though. There just isn't anyway that I can connect with USL. If I want local soccer, I'd rather see some of the local talent. If Georgia Tech had a solid soccer program, I'd go there as well.

It's not something I can put my finger on, but you see it fairly regularly.

I think with Blank's commitment a team would succeed. Not as much as Portland or Montreal, but it would succeed. But I think it'd make more money than the aforementioned teams, and spread the name of the league more due to its market, and therefore is worthy of a spot in '13 or whenever the second round is.

[Dale Murphy]

Anybody know what this means for the facility, which hosts hundreds of adult and kids league teams (including mine)? This is a selfish question, I suppose, as I can't live without playing this winter!!!! What am I gonna do instead -- go to the gym?!? I hate the gym!

[The Gentleman Masher]

Nate - why should St. Louis get a team when they don't even have a USL team?

Ethan - we have an instance of a city getting an MLS team, San Jose, when they didn't support an MLS team!

Atlanta is now the 7th largest media market in the country...to ignore it in trying expand the scope and brand of MLS...would be foolish.

[RK]

John -- I'm afraid it has nothing to do with you or me, but the reinforced perceptions that soccer and sports teams in general aren't supported here.

I've been to one SBacks game, myself.

Dale: it's a money-maker. The leagues will continue.

[Jacob A.]

I'm sad as a fan, and as a proponent of seeing this sport grow in this country.

I had my fun at those games, got to see good product on the field, and fell to love a guy like David Hayes. It's sad, but I know this is part of life.

And for whoever said "Atlanta is a crap city and sports town". Wrong. We may not be great as fans in terms of turning up, but we're fans. The Hawks couldn't sell tickets, but local and national game ratings for tv were some of the highest in the nation for the NBA. Same with the Braves. As has been pointed out, the Falcons were sold out last year, you know, the one when our qb went to jail, the team as a whole sucked, and our coach left in the middle of the night.

But don't say this is a crap city, it's simply untrue.

[Tom in GA]

Some of these comments are just jealous and bitter at the fear their city isn't going to get an MLS team.

Atlanta would support an MLS team and only a person outside of this area would argue otherwise. As I've said in a previous post, if the Thrashers can get 6-8k fans to attend a midweek game even when they suck (watching a sport very few of them played themselves), I guarentee you that an Atlanta MLS team would consistently get 10k+ to weekend games.

[kizzak]

With regards to Atlanta there are several factors to keep in mind:

Weekday games are pretty much dead in any sport in Atlanta because how the city is set up, traffic is poor for hours and most people live 20+ miles out of the city. That cuts a chunk of people that might ordinarily travel to games on the weekend that don't because they don't want to be bothered due to work the next day.

The Braves average 30k which isn't great for a MLB team but does not prove a low ceiling of support for a MLS club.

The Hawks have been poorly managed since before I was born so it's impressive that they averaged less than 12k only one year since 86-87.

The maligned Falcons draw 80-90% of capacity, so their attendance isn't too terrible.

The Thrashers average have averaged between 13 and 15k since coming into the league, which is impressive for an area that plays almost no hockey. That range of averages compares favorably against most other non-natural hockey cities.

I think the Dream are drawing decently for a WNBA team though this is their first season.

As for GT, a variety of factors go against them (small school, many out-of-state/country students, many Atlanta-area people are fans/alum of other schools) yet up until this year they managed to fill up over 90% for most of the Chan Gailey years. This year they are going to be way down because plenty of GT fans didn't like the crap scheduling and weren't going to waste their time (2 FCS teams, Duke, MSU, UVA, FSU, and Miami at home - only three decent games)

If anything showed the potential for an Atlanta MLS team, it was a friendly between the Silverbacks U-23 and a Liverpool academy team this year (U-17s I think). On short notice, limited marketing, and a weekday, Remax was filled to capacity.

College football is the heart and soul of the south, but there are enough immigrants/youth soccer groups in the area to support a MLS team if it's sold correctly and placed correctly. A MLS team outside of 285 is doomed to fail and even one inside 285 will have difficulty without being within walking distance of a MARTA station. Ideally I see an average of 12-13k consistently going to matches during the summer with some fall off when college football season starts.

[chris]

Atlanta suffers from what teams in Florida always have. Many of the people who move there still support the teams from where they came from and college sports are more popular then pro sports. That said, its also a major league sports town so I don't know if a USL team not drawing well would really have an impact on how an MLS team would draw. I think if Blank got behind it people would view it as major league and it may have a chance to do well.

[SonicDeathMonkey]

It's sad to see any soccer franchise go thru this, especially a local one. John hits on a point with the Silverbacks...I use to take my son to a game or two before the new stadium, but for whatever reason, whether it was marketing or just that it was minor league, it just never took with us. I do remember wondering why they had hottubs full of drunks behind one of the goals and thinking that was kinda odd. I still feel that if Blank can get a stadium deal in place by spring, Atlanta will be in the conversation.

[Sterlinho]

John,
I actually like your arguements for an MLS team. I used to live in NY and now live in Seattle. The problem with all the RBNY fans is that they think NY and the Tri-State area are the center of the world. You will never get it past them unless they've lived outside of that bubble. I've seen people post that Portland shouldn't get a team because they're too close to Seattle and San Jose. Yeah, like Boston, NY, Philly and DC aren't within a day's drive of one another.
I'm sad to see a USL team go away. I believe that MLS needs the USL to survive and grow the sport in alternate markets. I just wish that MLS and USL could get together to make it one cohesive entity to better organize the markets and different leagues. Who knows, maybe this is a sign that ATL won a bid? ATL and Miami could start a new Derby. How's that for all the haters of the Southeast?

[brett]

The Gentleman Masher - alot of markets dont have USL teams... and alot of the current teams didnt have USL teams.... whats your point??? simply b/c you have a USL team does not mean that a MLS team would survive... i am NOT arguing one way or the other, i am simply saying that thought process is ridiculous...

STL is the home of youth soccer.... they produce some of the best overall talent... they have one of the top youth programs in my opinion, having played against teams from STL throughout my youth... if any market DESERVES a team it would be STL... you can make your arguements about any other team, but quite frankly there are few you can make against STL that would hold water...

[northzax]

as a genera;l rule, minor league teams (and sorry, USL, but that's minor league) operate on razor thin margins under the best of circumstances.

[JMAC]

Regardless of the economic environment, the USL has always been a revolving door.

Since 1997, 35 USL-1 clubs have folded or self relegated due to finance.

[Jeff]

Good riddance.

[johnnybegood]

Atlanta is an ideal place for an MLS team. I can not wait to purchase my season tickets and enjoy the entertainment.

[Tony H]

Atlanta should be favored over Ottawa. Every other bidder should be favored over Atlanta and Ottawa.

[Joe]

Today the USL goes out of business & dies, tomorrow MLS goes out of business & DIES. No One Would Miss the MLS if it DIED

[The Gentleman Masher]

Atlanta is approaching 6 million inhabitants. There is not any other market, save for Montreal, and another team in NYC that offers that large of a market.

And the youth soccer argument might be the dumbest one I've heard. Strong youth soccer programs do not = conistent ticket sales or season ticket holders. Adults buy those tickets. You need a large number of ADULTS to be able to fill a stadium. You don't need soccer moms reluctantly dragging their kids to one or two MLS matches a year to sustain a franchise.

St. Louis is a withering city that only cares about its baseball team...just because Brian McBride played college soccer there, and alot of the guys from the 1950 World Cup team lived in St. Louis, doesn't mean it will support a team. It has little corporate heft, and has lost half its population in the last 50 years. You might as well put a team in Trenton.

To add to that point - Atlanta NEVER let a team from the most successful sports league in this country, the NFL, walk away like St. Louis did with the football Cardinals.

Atlanta offers vastly more of those than does Ottawa, St. Louis, Portland, Rochester, etc., etc.

[Tim]

Atlanta will never have an MLS team. Terrible fans. Almost as bad as Phoenix.

[brett]

The Gentleman Masher - ironic that you mention the youth does not equal sales, as many of the pro-atl posters are using the large latino population as one of their arguements....

a large latino population means crap... otherwise places like Chicago, LA and even houston and FCD should have NO PROBLEM selling out each game.... majority of that latino population that expansion teams boast about follow other leagues, whether it be S.american or mexican... and unless you pull a fire (bringing over a big latino name) you most likely wont attract them to the games....

STL is enriched with soccer, from young to old.. there is no denying that...

can a team in ATL succeed?? sure, i dont see why not... and if what you say is true it could very well succeed....

but you are quick to point out what doesnt equal ticket sales, but nothing you can say will definately equate into ticket sales... you make points, but you have absolutely no idea if it will succeed or not.... you claim reason why it could, but that doesnt equal ticket sales...

also a serious question... how long will people remain season ticket holders if ATL's team continues to fail once they get a MLS side?? i mean TFC has hit rock bottom 2 yrs running.... SJ didnt make the playoffs this season, altho they stood a chance... RSL entered their first playoffs this season after not being in it for 2 straight....If ATL is picked, they will join after Seattle and Philly.... so How long will ATL fans remain season ticket holders if their team fails to get to the playoffs year after year???

[legalbuzz]

A couple of points:

As an Atlanta soccer fan for years, I am not going to say that this is an indicator that Atlanta is set for an MLS team but I do think that the Silverbacks owners are looking at Blank's bud as writing on the wall. THe Atlanta Knights owners did the same think once Turner started bidding for an NHL team. You see, they know Atlanta will likely eventually get a team and if they do, it will go to Blank and his company, not to them. Why invest further if you know you are going to be put out of business eventually? Sell the players and put the money into your amatuer and women's facilities (which are quite nice). I suspect that this will ultimately be their course of action.

On a side note, as a GT alum, difficult to compare GT with the rest of Atlanta. I must point out not only is GT a smaller school than most major football schools in the region, a large percentage of the alumni actually live California, NY, Seattle, Washington DC. These, combined with an ill-concieved stadium expansion idea, are the major reasons why they hardly sell out their home football games. UGA on the other hand, has most of the non-matriculation fans (i.e. rednecks), as well as a larger alumni base. As a result, they sell out most of their games. GT sold out most of their games the last few years of the pre-expanded stadium. Unfortunately, the fan base hasn't grown with the stadium. Hopefully it will as Coach Johnson suceeds.

Atlanta fans got bored with the Braves. They will be out in droves once they start winning again...just like they are with the Falcons right now.

[Andy in Atlanta]

Some of my thoughts may have been already posted but here goes...

I live in Atlanta and I play in the over 30 premier league in Remax stadium... honestly, I have never been to a 'Backs game despite living 4 miles from the venue...Why? Because there is no publicity at all. The stadium is actually quite nice and frankly the fact that they have 3 fields at the facility is great but as others have said... unless they buy out the driving range across the street there is no way to accomodate a 15k all seater stadium. The area however is exactly where it needs to be. It is right in the heart of the Buford Hwy area which is not just Latino but also Asian. Cobb county would not work and you still get a nice influx of Gwinnett county attendees (if marketed right). If Blank does back the team and markets it the way he has marketed the Falcons in the past then it can succeed. There are a ton of "soccer" people in Atlanta who would come if the team was presented in the right way.

Another point... I am shocked that they have gone under considering the stadium runs leagues every single night and the 3 fields are never empty from 7-11pm every night @ $6000 per team... that is well over $1500 of revenue each night after paying refs and operating costs... I know it costs a lot to run a fanchise but it is not like these players are being paid a lot... just confusing that this came out of nowhere.

[Andy in Atlanta]

Sorry $600 per team (7 game schedule)

3 fields and 4 games on each field per night. Averages out to be about $150 per game after you pay the ref. Works out to be about $2000 a night then you have to pay the lights bill and the few "stadium officials"....that is were i got my figure.

[alex in atlanta]

Atlanta is a crap city? really? Thats funny! The silverbacks are a horribly run franchise theres no marketing for them and the stadium they built is crap. They don't even cater to the HUGE youth followng here in atlanta. If you don't think soccer would work here your an idiot. or you've never been to george pierce park on the weekend when the soccer fields are full and the baseball fields are mediocre. Even the highschool soccer playoffs in the state get noticed. To compare the silverbacks to what MLS would be is just wrong, because Mls brings in names that USL doesn't imagine Blanco in atlanta? Plus all Atlanta sports hate New York teams, instand rivalry plus coke is here imagine the team having a shirt sponser with Monster energy drinks. The potential is great becuase this will be the first time a major soccer organization will be here and that will attract fans from alabama, south carolina and tennessee so this idea that it wouldn't work is ridiculous.

[Erik]

As a person from Atlanta I will give you this insight. The Silverbacks had recently built a new stadium (they were playing out of a junior college for years and the games were horrible to go to) and around it they built up a soccer complex for 7 v 7 and some 11 v 11.

I had played out of this park for a couple of years and it was/is booming. There were hundreds of people out there playing day after day but this didn't seem to translate into ticket sales for the team.

The location isn't ideal for the park, but it's not horrible either. Right at a major intersection of two highways. What I seeem to sense which I see with MLS as well, is that the Latin American community does NOT come out and support teams. The park was filled with all Latin only teams but I can bet they weren't at any of the games.

It's a sad day for Atlanta soccer fans. The Silverbacks were a class organization and hopefully we will get an MLS team at some point. There is NO reason for ANYONE in the south to support MLS.

On a side note, Atlanta fans only support a winning team. Look at the Hawks, Thrashers, Falcons... The Braves, up until recently always had solid support after 14 years of championships.