MLS Attendance

I came across the averages attendence numbers for each MLS team for this past season.  For the first time in a while, KC didn't have the lowest attendance in the league. Unfortunately, we didn't do a whole lot better than that..  The thing is, our number is just under 100 short of averaging a sell out the CAB.  Next year with the new stadium, I don't see any reason why Sporting KC couldn't be in the top 10.
I'm still amazed (and a little jealous) of the support the city of Seattle gives to the Sounders.  It's pretty awesome.

Here's this year's average attendance:
1. Seattle - 36,173
2. LA - 21,437
3. Toronto - 20,477
4. Philadelphia - 19,253
5. New York - 18,443
6. Houston - 17,310
7. Real Salt Lake - 17,095
8. Chicago - 15,802
9. Columbus - 14,642
10. Chivas USA - 14,575
11. DC - 14,549
12. Colorado - 13,329
13. New England - 12,988
14. Dallas - 10,815
15. KC - 10,287
16. San Jose - 9,659
 
 
Like I said, I don't see any reason we couldn't add about 5,000 to our average.
I know of at least 12 people that will do their best to bring that average up.
And yes, I'm talking about the BSE.
 
 
Also, just as a side note, I was in Dick's Sporting Goods today picking up some ping pong balls for a couple games of Beer Pong tonight and I saw they had some Sporting KC gear.
I'd say it's average at best..  I know they probably haven't had time to get really cool stuff together yet, but come on.  Basically everything had just a huge Sporting KC logo on the front of the shirts. 
There was a hoodie that was pretty cool, but I'm gonna wait until some really legit stuff comes out.
 
Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving.
 
Eat a lot... Drink a lot... and then GO WIZ.
 

Supporting Sporting

Well, it's official.  We are now Sporting KC. 
I wasn't sure how to feel about it at first, but upon further review, I'm ok with it.. and it's growing on me more and more every minute.
However, I can't say the same about a majority of my friends (including some members of the BSE). 
Here are some examples of the texts and Facebook comments I received shortly after the announcement:

-Dude.  Worst move ever by the Wizards org.  FC Kansas City would have been 10 times better.
-What a bunch of BS.  I can't believe they did that.
-Where's the dislike button?  They're the Wizards!
-How stupid.  Sporting Kansas City?  Sounds like we're "Wearing" Kansas City.
-What the eff is a "sporting?"

I get it.  Nobody likes change.  Granted, it's hard to rebrand a team that's been around for 15 years, but... They want to sell tickets and get everybody in KC excited about soccer again.  It seems to me that they're doing their best to put KC Soccer on the map. 

With what will be one of the best soccer specific stadiums in the country and the new Overland Park Soccer Complex, Kansas City could soon be a major hub in the development of young american soccer players.  I think that would be pretty sweet.

Like I said, when I first heard about the rebranding, I really didn't know how to take it.  As a loyal fan of the Wizards since their inception, it was difficult for me to accept the loss. 
Let me take you on a little jorney I experienced in the time leading up to last night's announcement. 
I like to call it "The 5 stages of rebranding."

Stage 1 -
Denial
The first reaction to learning of the rebranding of my cherished soccer team was to deny the reality of the situation.  It is a normal reaction for me to rationalize overwhelming emotions when dealing with my soccer team.  It is a defense mechanism that buffers the immediate shock of going from the Kansas City Wizards to Sporting KC.  I did my best to hide from the facts.  Denial was a temporary response that carried me through the first wave of pain.

Stage 2-
Anger

As the masking effect of denial began to wear, reality and it's pain surfaced.  I was not ready for this.  The intense emotion was deflected from my core, redirected and expressed to the outside world as anger.  The anger was aimed at OnGoal, the new name, the new logo, and even complete strangers.  I felt guilty for being angry, and this made me more angry.

Stage 3-
Bargaining

The normal reaction to feelings of helplessness and vulnerability is often a need to regain control.

If only I had started a petition to keep the name…
If only I had done something to make the Kansas City Wizards more popular…
If only we had made it to the playoffs this year…

Secretly, I tried to make a deal with God in an attempt to postpone the inevitable.


4. Depression

I feel into a depression associated with mourning the loss of the identity of a soccer team I have grown to love dearly over the past 15 years.  I worried about buying new Sporting KC gear.  I worried that, in my grief, I had spent less time with others that depend on me.  This was a tough stage for me to get through..  I think all I really needed was a hug.

5. Acceptance

Reaching this stage of mourning is a gift not afforded to everyone.  Fortunately, my trip to P&L last night helped me move quickly from depression to acceptance.  The loss of my team's identity was fairly sudden and (more or less) unexpected.  However, I have learned to accept the changes that have been made.  Unfortunately, I think some fans may never see beyond their anger or denial. 
 
 
 
As fans, there was nothing we could do about the rebranding of the team. 
Our only two options are to either accept it, or not. 
 
While the stadium, logo, name, colors, and uniforms might be new; the heart of our team remains. 
Our future may have taken a turn some may not like; but our history can not be taken away from us. 
I have accepted and am growing to love the idea of Sporting KC.  
 
That said; to me, we are and always will be, THE WIZARDS.
 

      

 

 

 

Sporting KC?

Well, it looks like it's pretty much official.. Unless we're thrown a wicked curveball tomorrow evening at P&L for the official unveil, it seems as though we're now Sporting KC.

I guess I'm ok with that. But, if we don't keep the nickname 'Wizards,' I might lose it.. Seriously. For real fans like the members of the BSE, there is just too much history to let a name like the Wizards die. (Cause we support the wizards, the wizards, the wizards!)

I do have a couple questions about the new logo though.

1) let's start with the obvious.. It looks a lot like the eastern conference logo.. Like, A LOT.

2) If we're going to be Sporting KC, shouldn't 'sporting' be at the top? Because right now, it reads "Kansas City Sporting." That's confusing.

3) I know people were throwing out the name Kansas City SC (for the record, I would have been cool with that, too). It looks like they incorporated the SC into the new logo also. So, the way I see it, by looking at the logo, we are now Kansas City Sporting Soccer Club. That's an effing mouthful. We might as well be Chivas Kansas City Sporting Soccer Club FC City United. No? too much?

Anyway, I guess my main point is that I'm ok with the re-branding. I get it. Trying to appeal to more people. Blah blah blah, whatever. But I'll tell you one thing, The BSE will still call the Wizards the Wizards.

That is the BSE's official stance. Take it or leave it. And if you don't take it, Reddell will shove you over.

Will update again after the unveil.