Does The Club Owe You Anything?

[SoupInNYC]

That's fair. And it says "fan unveiling" which does not preclude a broader unveiling such as the media event.

I'm usually on the "don't complain" / "don't do anything if you'll be unhappy if it's not reciprocated" side of these kinds or issues, but for some reason this doesn't feel quite right to me. A few reasons this may be so, stated not because I think I'm right but moreso to clarify my position:

• Do we really think the media people would have cared if the fans had gotten first shot at this, vs. the other way around? I feel like if we are going to get covered by them, it's gonna be because we are in a massive media market, or we are doing well. It's hard for me to believe that they would care as much about our training facility as the fans would.
• Pandering to the media may be incrementally better for exposure. Maybe. But this is exactly the kind of calculation which makes our club come off as plastic or inauthentic at times.
• I don't want us to underestimate the value that the SCs and SS add to the experience of being a fan. I'm not in there myself because the people I sit with won't budge, but I appreciate what they do for the match day experience. Just as much if not more than I appreciate whatever incremental value the media adds to our club.

I suppose in the end, if we are going to be calculative about this, I'm not convinced that the "likelihood of incremental value" * "incremental value" for media is that much greater than it would be for some of our hardcore fans.

I think these are valid points, and I understand where you're coming from here in your position, but I'll take your first bullet point:

• Do we really think the media people would have cared if the fans had gotten first shot at this, vs. the other way around?

I don't think the media people would have cared if the fans had gotten a first shot at it. But also, why should we as fans care that media people got the first shot at it? So what? This is something the club didn't have to open to the fans and they did so and now some of the fans are shitting on them (I want to be clear that I don't think you are shitting on them, but just pointing out where some of the fans may be coming from).

 

[Kangaroo Jack]

im not saying theyre right but theyre also not the only ones to complain about things... Ive seen this board complain about plenty of things the club does. Even for this event for example, almost everyone here thought that they were owed more than a first come first serve email. There were even comments like "i spend so much on these tickets and just because i didnt get to my email before someone else i dont get a spot" (paraphrasing). Im not disagreeing the club could have done better but its also thinking the club owes you something more than what they gave because youre not perfectly happy about how they handled something.

Ill admit i misread the email at first too and thought it said it would be unveiled by the fans first even though it just said its going to be a fan unveiling event. So while the club didnt necessarily lie, i can see how some people may FEEL duped.

At the end of the day i dont care i wasnt going to the event anyway nor do i know anyone that was going to the event.

 

[joe]

I think these are valid points, and I understand where you're coming from here in your position, but I'll take your first bullet point:

• Do we really think the media people would have cared if the fans had gotten first shot at this, vs. the other way around?

I don't think the media people would have cared if the fans had gotten a first shot at it. But also, why should we as fans care that media people got the first shot at it? So what? This is something the club didn't have to open to the fans and they did so and now some of the fans are shitting on them (I want to be clear that I don't think you are shitting on them, but just pointing out where some of the fans may be coming from).

I'm just upset that the club showed the facility to all those construction workers before I got to see it. Hopefully they learn their lesson with the stadium.

 

[Christopher Jee]

I think people sometimes read things into ads and reviews that aren't there and end up disappointed because they deluded themselves. I know I have been guilty of this, as I have on occasion gone back after a disappointing experience or purchase to the text that created my expectations, and I realize I completely misread it.

I truly don't understand even being concerned about media pre-access. It seems incredibly naive.

As for the supporter clubs and people who travel. I further stand by what I wrote when I first responded to this thread when Dan first raised it. If want to travel to a lot of away games -- good for you. If it's fun, and you can afford the time and money, then I'm glad you found an activity you enjoy so much. But when they start insisting they they be recognized -- officially by the club -- as the best type of fans, and specially rewarded [which they already are in some ways but I guess it's not enough] -- I can't get behind that at all. The club juggles these things to reward different fans and no matter what people complain.

EDIT: I just drafted and deleted before posting a litany of complaints by different factions of fans that their special brand of fandom isn't rewarded properly. This did not include any general complaints, like the stadium food should be better and cheaper or STH renewal gifts better. I just went through the type that say "fans like me deserve _____, especially when those other fans get ______" It went on quite a bit. I decided it would make too many people annoyed for no real benefit so I cut it. But I really, really can't stand it.

A couple years ago my signature here was [quoting from memory] "No matter what type of fan you are, there is someone here to explain why you are doing it wrong." I think we grew out of that phase, but some of this complaining -- and mostly not on this forum but in other venues -- is a variant of the same thing. There is no reason to be upset that the club does something nice for someone who isn't you, and no benefit to be had by judging fan groups against one another. And to be clear, "you" in the previous sentence means everyone including me, and not in any way particularly Christopher to whom I'm responding.

I mostly agree. Like said above, I think it's just ... unresilient for people to set themselves up in situations where they do things with an unvoiced expectation of reciprocation. However I was also trying to make a purely self-interested (from the club's perspective) case for orienting this whole PR campaign towards the fans vs. the media. And yeah, I can see how that wasn't clear or emphatic because I myself am far from clear about how I feel about this.

I think these are valid points, and I understand where you're coming from here in your position, but I'll take your first bullet point:

• Do we really think the media people would have cared if the fans had gotten first shot at this, vs. the other way around?

I don't think the media people would have cared if the fans had gotten a first shot at it. But also, why should we as fans care that media people got the first shot at it? So what? This is something the club didn't have to open to the fans and they did so and now some of the fans are shitting on them (I want to be clear that I don't think you are shitting on them, but just pointing out where some of the fans may be coming from).

To be fair, the club's messaging is very fan-friendly. You and I may be too cynical to take it at face-value, but you don't see the club harping on about the importance of media. I don't know if media is included in the compact they were referring to when they said "we are one". I don't see pictures of JSB on the wall of the training facility (tbf, nycfc pigeon was captured right in front of his own picture on social media). So I don't think it's crazy for this to come off as a disingenuous look for the club.

Again, I don't think my feelings are completely resolved on the matter, and I don't think the matter is cut and dry. But neither then should our condemnation of the fan reaction be, imo.

 

[SoupInNYC]

im not saying theyre right but theyre also not the only ones to complain about things... Ive seen this board complain about plenty of things the club does. Even for this event for example, almost everyone here thought that they were owed more than a first come first serve email. There were even comments like "i spend so much on these tickets and just because i didnt get to my email before someone else i dont get a spot" (paraphrasing). Im not disagreeing the club could have done better but its also thinking the club owes you something more than what they gave because youre not perfectly happy about how they handled something.

Ill admit i misread the email at first too and thought it said it would be unveiled by the fans first even though it just said its going to be a fan unveiling event. So while the club didnt necessarily lie, i can see how some people may FEEL duped.

At the end of the day i dont care i wasnt going to the event anyway nor do i know anyone that was going to the event.

While I agree with you that there are also plenty of complaints here, I disagree in the particular complaint you highlighted as an example (and perhaps you did so just because it was the freshest in memory since it wasn't long ago).

To provide context, I really didn't care, as there was no way I was going to be able to attend this event. But to send this out, without any heads up prior to it being a first come, first served sign-up, severely limited who was going to even have a legitimate chance at responding to it. Instituting a click to sign-up and lottery system, or even a couple days prior, announcing that the sign-up will be first come, first served, starting Thursday at 10am, or whatever is a much more suitable scenario.

I don't think the complaints around that on this board were in regards to the club owing anything more. It was much more to how they bungled the availability to this event, and I think those are important to separate.

I do agree with you, though, that there are often complaints on this board that can fit into the "club owing us something".

 

[Kangaroo Jack]

While I agree with you that there are also plenty of complaints here, I disagree in the particular complaint you highlighted as an example (and perhaps you did so just because it was the freshest in memory since it wasn't long ago).

To provide context, I really didn't care, as there was no way I was going to be able to attend this event. But to send this out, without any heads up prior to it being a first come, first served sign-up, severely limited who was going to even have a legitimate chance at responding to it. Instituting a click to sign-up and lottery system, or even a couple days prior, announcing that the sign-up will be first come, first served, starting Thursday at 10am, or whatever is a much more suitable scenario.

I don't think the complaints around that on this board were in regards to the club owing anything more. It was much more to how they bungled the availability to this event, and I think those are important to separate.

I do agree with you, though, that there are often complaints on this board that can fit into the "club owing us something".

you are 100 percent right i legit picked it because it was the freshest thing i could remember. I was just using it as an example albeit maybe not the best example i could have picked.

Also, just for clarity im on neither side of the fence on this one. I can see why people could possibly be upset but also am not so sure how much of a right they have to be upset.

 

[Ulrich]

I think people sometimes read things into ads and reviews that aren't there and end up disappointed because they deluded themselves. I know I have been guilty of this, as I have on occasion gone back after a disappointing experience or purchase to the text that created my expectations, and I realize I completely misread it.

I truly don't understand even being concerned about media pre-access. It seems incredibly naive.

As for the supporter clubs and people who travel. I further stand by what I wrote when I first responded to this thread when Dan first raised it. If want to travel to a lot of away games -- good for you. If it's fun, and you can afford the time and money, then I'm glad you found an activity you enjoy so much. But when they start insisting they they be recognized -- officially by the club -- as the best type of fans, and specially rewarded [which they already are in some ways but I guess it's not enough] -- I can't get behind that at all. The club juggles these things to reward different fans and no matter what people complain.

EDIT: I just drafted and deleted before posting a litany of complaints by different factions of fans that their special brand of fandom isn't rewarded properly. This did not include any general complaints, like the stadium food should be better and cheaper or STH renewal gifts better. I just went through the type that say "fans like me deserve _____, especially when those other fans get ______" It went on quite a bit. I decided it would make too many people annoyed for no real benefit so I cut it. But I really, really can't stand it.

A couple years ago my signature here was [quoting from memory] "No matter what type of fan you are, there is someone here to explain why you are doing it wrong." I think we grew out of that phase, but some of this complaining -- and mostly not on this forum but in other venues -- is a variant of the same thing. There is no reason to be upset that the club does something nice for someone who isn't you, and no benefit to be had by judging fan groups against one another. And to be clear, "you" in the previous sentence means everyone including me, and not in any way particularly Christopher to whom I'm responding.

The food should still be better. That’s a universal truth.

 

[Mario]

the least they could do is give me free season tickets for life

 

[adam]

The food should still be better. That’s a universal truth.

I’ve realized that as long as they let me bring my own food in, I can have better than anything they could possibly offer.

 

[Midas Mulligan]

The club owes me the responsibility of never caving to self-aggrandizing peckerheads who want recognition for choosing to spend their lesiure time and money on away games. Let's be honest, it ain't like those going are bringing us a lot of honor most of the time.

Go if you want. But your trip is its own reward, jack.

 

[NYCFC_Dan]

LionNYC has traveled to majority of away games this year. What would you like in return for your commitment and unwavering support?
Quote reply in stadium thread so the club sees it.

 

[LionNYC]

LionNYC has traveled to majority of away games this year. What would you like in return for your commitment and unwavering support?
Quote reply in stadium thread so the club sees it.

An all expenses paid trip to Abu Dhabi flying on the Etihad First Class Apartment and staying in the most expensive suite in the city.

In actuality, I don’t expect anything in return. Maybe a heads up in terms of what flights the team is on or what hotel they’re staying in would be nice. I’d rather talk to front office and executives travelling with the team than the players.

 

[Midas Mulligan]

So, on an entirely topical, yet diverging from immediate subject, I would like to have a week long holiday where CFG execs talked like Roma’s president/owner.

This dude is a gem. And the club gains a lot of respect from me for posting it on their website.

http://www.asroma.com/en/news/2018/4/pallotta-it-s-time-for-things-to-change-in-italy-now

ETA: to be clear, I know we don’t have the same problems or at least the same extent. I’m just talking about being frank.

 

[LionNYC]

So, on an entirely topical, yet diverging from immediate subject, I would like to have a week long holiday where CFG execs talked like Roma’s president/owner.

This dude is a gem. And the club gains a lot of respect from me for posting it on their website.

http://www.asroma.com/en/news/2018/4/pallotta-it-s-time-for-things-to-change-in-italy-now

ETA: to be clear, I know we don’t have the same problems or at least the same extent. I’m just talking about being frank.

"The real estate market in New York City is more difficult and challenging than we expected when we first agreed to the expansion terms with MLS. We had a plan with former Mayor Bloomberg, but when his successor took over, we couldn't progress on that plan. But there will be a soccer stadium within New York. And it won't be built with slave labor like what's happening to build the stadiums for Qatar's World Cup, however some workers may come from New Jersey. And yeah, we fucked you with Lampard and picking Jason Kreis as the coach too." - Soriano? Khaldoon? Sheikh Mansour?

 

[Christopher Jee]

So, on an entirely topical, yet diverging from immediate subject, I would like to have a week long holiday where CFG execs talked like Roma’s president/owner.

This dude is a gem. And the club gains a lot of respect from me for posting it on their website.

http://www.asroma.com/en/news/2018/4/pallotta-it-s-time-for-things-to-change-in-italy-now

ETA: to be clear, I know we don’t have the same problems or at least the same extent. I’m just talking about being frank.

Yup. We are Suits FC and it bums me out.

 

[Midas Mulligan]

We don’t have a damn monopoly on ridiculous bitching from fans. I am about damn sick of reading Liverpool supporters complain about

1) UCL final ticket allocations being low - can’t be helped, set by UEFA
2) the club not doing anything to help travel costs - huh? It’s a remote place with few flights.

Apparently, this shit is pandemic across people who travel for matches. How do folks not realize it’s their own decision to go? There’s no divine right for you to afford to attend every match.

Whingy bastards don’t help me overcome my misanthropism.

 

[FredMertz]

We don’t have a damn monopoly on ridiculous bitching from fans. I am about damn sick of reading Liverpool supporters complain about

1) UCL final ticket allocations being low - can’t be helped, set by UEFA
2) the club not doing anything to help travel costs - huh? It’s a remote place with few flights.

Apparently, this shit is pandemic across people who travel for matches. How do folks not realize it’s their own decision to go? There’s no divine right for you to afford to attend every match.

Whingy bastards don’t help me overcome my misanthropism.

Chelsea fans moan about how expensive tickets are, and midfield lower-level seats are 64 pounds for adults and 28 pounds for Juniors. And that's for category a games. Many others are even cheaper.

 

[Mkdaman1818]

Chelsea fans moan about how expensive tickets are, and midfield lower-level seats are 64 pounds for adults and 28 pounds for Juniors. And that's for category a games. Many others are even cheaper.

Expense is all relative so I try to steer clear of those complaints. While 64 pounds for lower level midfields sound really good to me, they may be too expensive for another diehard supporter with different circumstances.

Relatively speaking, nycfc has done a pretty good job at making tickets accessible for all folks regardless of circumstance, with a wide range of price points. While I think their season ticket prices are a bit out of whack considering the value, the wide range of prices is quite good.

 

[Mario]

there are clubs in europe that pay for traveling fans. but thats a different story

 

[Kangaroo Jack]

there are clubs in europe that pay for traveling fans. but thats a different story

NYCFC paid for me to go to hartford. NYCFC the best