How Can Cardiff City Invest in America
Fri Jul 12, 2013 2:07 am
Some ideas of mine from my new blog: http://americanbluebird.wordpress.com/
Soccer as a sport in America is gaining ground but still is no where near where it could be or, I would argue, should be. I think more and more people, such as myself, are finally coming around to realize how great of a game this is. As far as the Premier League’s place in the American consciousness, it is ever more limited. Outside of Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, few other clubs are known by many in the US, outside of the hardcore soccer fans. The exceptions would be those clubs who have major American stars on their team, such as Tottenham and Everton. This means there is an opportunity for a club like Cardiff City to create a fan base in the United States.
With NBC Sports taking over coverage of the Premier League in the US and putting every game on live television, Premier League teams will get more coverage and will be in more American homes than ever before. So how can Cardiff City take advantage of this opportunity? Here are a few ideas…
1. Sign some top American Players
If there is one thing that will bring American eyes to CCFC it is bringing American players to CCFC. I know as a casual fan, I would always stop to watch a Tottenham or Everton game so I could see Dempsey and Howard play. Americans love to see their own thriving at the top levels, and will tune in to watch their players play. While this doesn’t guarantee these people become Cardiff fans, it does at least expose them to the club. I was really hoping this would be addressed during this transfer window by adding Jozy Altidore. Jozy is having a great run with the US National Team during World Cup qualifying and would have been brought a lot of buzz and eyes to Cardiff. Unfortunately, Jozy has signed just this week with Sunderland. Although, we missed out on Altidore there is a new option available now (if you believe the rumor mill) that could bring even more buzz, Clint Dempsey. Dempsey would not only be a great addition to the club, but as the newly named captain of the US National Team, he would definitely bring a lot of buzz to the capital. I would also like to see Malky invest in some of the younger, up and coming talent. If a young US player comes up who you think can play at the Premier League level, take a chance on him. I envision guys like Luis Gil and DeAndre Yedlin being potential future signings.
2. Tour the United States
If you want to get in front of American fans, the best way is to come to America to play. I know for selfish reasons I would love this, a chance to see Cardiff play without paying the money to travel all the way to Wales (which is something that is on my bucket list). A tour of friendly games in the US would go along way towards introducing American fans to the Bluebirds and towards potentially giving those unattached fans a reason to cheer for CCFC. Not only do they need to come to the US, but they also need to schedule the right kind of clubs. The games need to be in the major soccer cities, not just the major American cities. Seattle, Portland, Kansas City and Columbus should provide big crowds and, thus, more bang for the buck. And it can’t be just a once every 4 or 5 years deal. If Cardiff City really wants to make an investment in the US market (and all the US money) they need to be here every year or two.
3. Invest in the United States
Manchester City has recently become partners in the new MLS franchise to be located in New York City. That shows than Man City is serious about investing in the US. Does that mean I think Cardiff should do the same? Of course not. Vincent Tan may be a billionaire but neither he, nor the club, have the find of money to invest in MLS teams. I do believe, however, that Cardiff City can invest in soccer in the United States. I believe they can do so through youth training. Perhaps something as simple as youth clinics and coaching clinics during friendly tours of the US, or perhaps something as advance as a Cardiff City youth training center in the United States. If Cardiff City can help to get more young people involved in soccer in the US, it can help turn them into Cardiff City fans. This could also help develop a pipeline of talented youth players to the club.
The opportunity is there. It would be hard to find a bigger untapped soccer market in the world than the United States. Cardiff City has an opportunity to take advantage of this market by purposely investing in it.
Soccer as a sport in America is gaining ground but still is no where near where it could be or, I would argue, should be. I think more and more people, such as myself, are finally coming around to realize how great of a game this is. As far as the Premier League’s place in the American consciousness, it is ever more limited. Outside of Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, few other clubs are known by many in the US, outside of the hardcore soccer fans. The exceptions would be those clubs who have major American stars on their team, such as Tottenham and Everton. This means there is an opportunity for a club like Cardiff City to create a fan base in the United States.
With NBC Sports taking over coverage of the Premier League in the US and putting every game on live television, Premier League teams will get more coverage and will be in more American homes than ever before. So how can Cardiff City take advantage of this opportunity? Here are a few ideas…
1. Sign some top American Players
If there is one thing that will bring American eyes to CCFC it is bringing American players to CCFC. I know as a casual fan, I would always stop to watch a Tottenham or Everton game so I could see Dempsey and Howard play. Americans love to see their own thriving at the top levels, and will tune in to watch their players play. While this doesn’t guarantee these people become Cardiff fans, it does at least expose them to the club. I was really hoping this would be addressed during this transfer window by adding Jozy Altidore. Jozy is having a great run with the US National Team during World Cup qualifying and would have been brought a lot of buzz and eyes to Cardiff. Unfortunately, Jozy has signed just this week with Sunderland. Although, we missed out on Altidore there is a new option available now (if you believe the rumor mill) that could bring even more buzz, Clint Dempsey. Dempsey would not only be a great addition to the club, but as the newly named captain of the US National Team, he would definitely bring a lot of buzz to the capital. I would also like to see Malky invest in some of the younger, up and coming talent. If a young US player comes up who you think can play at the Premier League level, take a chance on him. I envision guys like Luis Gil and DeAndre Yedlin being potential future signings.
2. Tour the United States
If you want to get in front of American fans, the best way is to come to America to play. I know for selfish reasons I would love this, a chance to see Cardiff play without paying the money to travel all the way to Wales (which is something that is on my bucket list). A tour of friendly games in the US would go along way towards introducing American fans to the Bluebirds and towards potentially giving those unattached fans a reason to cheer for CCFC. Not only do they need to come to the US, but they also need to schedule the right kind of clubs. The games need to be in the major soccer cities, not just the major American cities. Seattle, Portland, Kansas City and Columbus should provide big crowds and, thus, more bang for the buck. And it can’t be just a once every 4 or 5 years deal. If Cardiff City really wants to make an investment in the US market (and all the US money) they need to be here every year or two.
3. Invest in the United States
Manchester City has recently become partners in the new MLS franchise to be located in New York City. That shows than Man City is serious about investing in the US. Does that mean I think Cardiff should do the same? Of course not. Vincent Tan may be a billionaire but neither he, nor the club, have the find of money to invest in MLS teams. I do believe, however, that Cardiff City can invest in soccer in the United States. I believe they can do so through youth training. Perhaps something as simple as youth clinics and coaching clinics during friendly tours of the US, or perhaps something as advance as a Cardiff City youth training center in the United States. If Cardiff City can help to get more young people involved in soccer in the US, it can help turn them into Cardiff City fans. This could also help develop a pipeline of talented youth players to the club.
The opportunity is there. It would be hard to find a bigger untapped soccer market in the world than the United States. Cardiff City has an opportunity to take advantage of this market by purposely investing in it.
Re: How Can Cardiff City Invest in America
Fri Jul 12, 2013 6:40 am
The USA should be a definate target for Cardiff City.
They estimate about 2 to 3 million welsh/welsd desendents
Living there -
Its a growing sport (brad friedel reckons 4th top sport behind
Bball/NFL and baseball) and there is potential for marketing, players and
MLS or 2nd tier team link up.
Players are far more likely to play in the football league than
Thai, Malay or Indonisian players.
A no brainer in my book
Plus we have an affinity due to our ex players Eddie Johnson
And Godfrey Ingram.
Perhaps annis and carl are over there on a factfinding mission
This week!?
They estimate about 2 to 3 million welsh/welsd desendents
Living there -
Its a growing sport (brad friedel reckons 4th top sport behind
Bball/NFL and baseball) and there is potential for marketing, players and
MLS or 2nd tier team link up.
Players are far more likely to play in the football league than
Thai, Malay or Indonisian players.
A no brainer in my book
Plus we have an affinity due to our ex players Eddie Johnson
And Godfrey Ingram.
Perhaps annis and carl are over there on a factfinding mission
This week!?
Re: How Can Cardiff City Invest in America
Fri Jul 12, 2013 8:20 am
When I was in New York a few years ago they had a welsh day
Some facts http://saintdavidssociety.org/AboutUs/aboutus.htm
Some facts http://saintdavidssociety.org/AboutUs/aboutus.htm
Re: How Can Cardiff City Invest in America
Fri Jul 12, 2013 9:25 am
If red shirts are for Asia then we should match them with blue shorts (with white stars), we would then be the all American Red, White & Blue PL team 
Re: How Can Cardiff City Invest in America
Fri Jul 12, 2013 9:30 am
Way way way ahead of yourself on that one. Lets just finish 17th for the next few years.
Re: How Can Cardiff City Invest in America
Fri Jul 12, 2013 9:30 am
Xcasual wrote:When I was in New York a few years ago they had a welsh day
Some facts http://saintdavidssociety.org/AboutUs/aboutus.htm
On the link it says that famous Welshmen include Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy and General Robert E. Lee. Seems that inadvertently we the Welsh were responsible for the American Civil War. What's the odds one lot were from Cardiff and the other from Swansea
Re: How Can Cardiff City Invest in America
Fri Jul 12, 2013 2:46 pm
kingdong wrote:Way way way ahead of yourself on that one. Lets just finish 17th for the next few years.
I agree that the focus needs to be on staying up, but I think the club can still do steps 1 and 2, invest in American players and tour the States with preseason friendlies.
Re: How Can Cardiff City Invest in America
Fri Jul 12, 2013 7:00 pm
Jereme.
Welcome.
1st of all i'd like to congratulate you on a very well written post which was also very intersting.
Congratulations also on Becoming a Blubird and mastering the Ayatollah
I shall be following your future posts with intersest and excitement.
Spread the Cardiff City word my friend.
Welcome.
1st of all i'd like to congratulate you on a very well written post which was also very intersting.
Congratulations also on Becoming a Blubird and mastering the Ayatollah
I shall be following your future posts with intersest and excitement.
Spread the Cardiff City word my friend.
Re: How Can Cardiff City Invest in America
Fri Jul 12, 2013 7:34 pm
Totally agree. The States are going through a football awakening, the time for teams to capitalize is now.
Welcome to another American Cardiff fan, our numbers are swelling.
Welcome to another American Cardiff fan, our numbers are swelling.
Re: How Can Cardiff City Invest in America
Fri Jul 12, 2013 9:07 pm
I think we need to stay up first and get established. There is no point investing abroad now, if we go down the money will soon run out and the investment would be stopped.