Thank you for the warm welcome!
I am glad to answer any and all questions the best that I can.
We do not know anything about soccer league in Usa but I have been in Oklahoma and I do not think soccer is very representative over there. On the other hand, as you say, two teams in your city would not be profitable. So, what is the interest in this operation? Presa lies?
It will be very difficult for OKC Rayo to achieve profitability in the short-term (see below reasons).
(1) Flawed Business ModelThe NASL is a more costly business model than USL (
http://www.uslsoccer.com) independent teams such as Energy FC (@energyfc), Tulsa Roughnecks, Sacramento Republic FC and Louisville City FC. NASL teams face very expensive travel costs, especially OKC Rayo, as teams are spread out across Canada, Eastern U.S., Florida and Puerto Rico. There are no teams in the Central U.S. and the West coast (
http://www.nasl.com/teams). The increased travel costs plus player salaries that are usually higher than USL teams force NASL teams to charge higher season ticket prices (logically) to break even (or achieve profitability).
With the above information you would imagine that Rayo OKC's season tickets would be much higher than Energy FC's, right? Well, they're not. They're way less (head scratcher!?!?).
For a premium, seat-back seat at midfield, Rayo OKC is charging $510; Energy FC is charging $600. For a seat on the penalty box line (18 yard box), Rayo OKC charges $243; Energy FC is charging $375.
RayoOKC Season Tickets:
http://www.rayookc.com/season-ticketsEnergy FC Season Tickets:
http://www.energyfc.com/2016-taft-stadium-seating-map/In addition, Yukon Stadium (where Rayo OKC will play) only seats 6,000; where Taft Stadium (where Energy FC plays) seats 7,500. Advantage Energy FC. What's crazy to consider is that Energy FC averaged 4,650 fans per game and still did not achieve profitability in 2015. Remind me again, how can Rayo OKC possibly sell cheaper tickets with fewer seats and still achieve profitability?
How is Rayo OKC going to make up this large revenue gap? It has more expenses to cover, right? The next best opportunity to make up revenue is in corporate sponsorships. This is where Rayo OKC is really in trouble.
Oklahoma businesses prefer to invest locally and invest in ways that benefit their customers and employees. Rayo OKC having a majority foreign owner will not be appealing. Very few Oklahoma businesses have customers in Spain where goodwill and additional brand visibility could be obtained.
In addition to the challenges around sponsoring a 'foreign' business, Rayo OKC did not create a brand and identity that reflects the history and preferences of the residents in Oklahoma City and Yukon. Simply copying Rayo Vallecano's branding is unoriginal in context to the community of Oklahoma City. From a merchandising standpoint, American consumers are use to more progressive looking logos; logos that they feel are stylish and not too distracting (
http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/08/best-lo ... on-bullets).
Generally speaking, NASL and USL clubs need to monetize sponsorships fully to have a great shot at achieving break-even. There is no TV revenue in the NASL or USL. To date, since November 10, 2015, Rayo OKC has announced zero (0) sponsors!!! Not a great start. The season starts in February 2016.
(2) Competitive Advantages of Energy FCLocally, Energy FC has many unique advantages (see the below list). To date, Rayo OKC's marketing strategy is to promote their product as a more 'premier' level of soccer; a higher grade of professional soccer. That's it. Their whole marketing strategy is to undermine (or insult) Energy FC. In all reality, NASL quality of play is not better than USL. In May 2015, during the U.S. Open Cup, USL teams beat NASL teams 7-0 (
http://goo.gl/QuMTkg).
- Two (2) year head start
- More profitable business model (cheaper travel, player salaries, etc...)
- Soccer specific FIFA grade playing surface (pitch)(https://goo.gl/XA1Zhf)
- 7,500 capacity stadium 5 miles northwest of downtown
- Rivalries ('derbies') with Tulsa, St. Louis, Louisville, Kansas City...
- In-state derby with Tulsa Roughnecks (Black Gold Derby)
- Established supporter group (http://www.thegridokc.org)
- Coming off a season that ended in the USL western conf. finals (https://goo.gl/HLZd1u)
- Stability in coaching / general manager
- Committed, renewed sponsors
- Beloved hispanic players with mexican heritages.
- Considered a top-tier USL club (well-managed)
- Better schedule, in Spring and Summer (doesn't compete with College Football and NBA team)
(3) Supporter Culture of Energy FC SupportersEnergy FC supporters, who are members of The Grid (@thegridokc), are very loyal to Energy FC. Our members are very knowledgeable, passionate soccer fans, and follow many of the teams in the EPL, Champions League, La Liga and MLS. Our members take pride in painting tifos, singing chants, traveling on buses to Tulsa, and watching european soccer together on Saturday mornings. We've been very successful the past two years creating new traditions inside the stadium. We have a great relationship with the front office and ownership of Energy FC. In 2016, ownership has allowed The Grid to broker (or sell) season tickets and discounted individual game tickets in the supporter section on behalf of the club (
http://www.thegridokc.org/shop/). The Grid gets to keep a % of ticket sales to help finance tailgates, tifos, drums, flags, etc... We're very happy and ready to grow by 100% in 2016. We want to fill the stands behind the north goal (550 seats).
The City of Yukon is a suburb and is primarily an affluent and middle class community. There is not a large population of young adults (25 - 35 year olds) near Miller Stadium. It's mostly young families, farmers and large home owners. To put it nicely, soccer fans in OKC do not want to drive to Yukon which is 15 miles (20 minute drive) west of downtown. Considering that many fans prefer to drink beer during soccer matches, many fans will not want to attend to avoid driving long distances under the influence of alcohol.
(4) Disgruntled Rayo Vallecano SupportersLocal media and social media is beginning to pick up on the frustrations that Rayo Vallecano supporters (rayistas) have with Raul Martin Presa ('Presa'). Skepticism is growing about the financial solvency of Rayo Vallecano, especially if the club is relegated from the premier division. There is doubt that Presa will choose not to fund future capital calls (secondary investments) for Rayo OKC due to the conflict and pressures created in Vallecas by supporters.
The business community (sponsors) and citizens of Oklahoma City ('OKC') will be disappointed to learn of the way your women's soccer team has been managed and treated (
https://goo.gl/vNvUsr). Women's rights (equal pay) are very important issues in the U.S. Considering that Sold Out Strategies and Sean Jones also manage a professional women's soccer club (
http://www.oklahomacityfc.com/), it's very appauling that they would approve the decision to work with a club that does not support its women soccer players fairly.
SUMMARY - MY PERSONAL OPINIONSa. Sold Out Strategies aggressively sold the investment to Raul Martin Presa due to a desire to satisfy personal grudges against the ownership of Energy FC (
http://goo.gl/asUuT0).
b. Sold Out Strategies was not getting paid management fees prior to the announcement of Rayo OKC. Now that a team is officially entered into the league (NASL) and capitalized with investment, Sold Out Strategies can now get paid.
c. Rayo OKC has intentions to undercut Energy FC and flood the market with cheap tickets and sponsorships to gain more fans and corporate relationships.
d. Rayo OKC will not be profitable because the market is too small; not enough fans to create large audiences.
e. Rayo OKC will require many rounds of additional investment in order to afford top quality coaches, players, youth academies and facilities.
f. Rayo OKC will relocate to a different city in 2017, if it has not already shut down.
g. I will be very surprised if Rayo OKC takes the pitch by Feb. 2016. They have not announced a coach, player signings, sponsors, or attracted loyal supporters. If announcements are not made soon, fans will not be confident enough to place season ticket deposits and purchase merchandise before the season actually starts.
#onevoiceonecity #ADRV