Rayo OKC

[Laramie]

RAYO OKC AND MINNESOTA UNITED FC DRAW, 2-2
Attachment 12820

Rayo OKC on a run now. Unbeaten in 8 out the last 9 games. We play NY Cosmos this weekend for 1st place in NASL!

Proud of how both Oklahoma City's two professional soccer teams have played (NASL RayoOKC/USL OKC Energy FC). What's more impressive; both franchises have their games televised.

Wish there were someway; these organization could join forces--get the City of Oklahoma City to build a state-of-the-art Riverfront stadium (7,000-9,000 seats) flexible for expansion.

We have two franchises (combined) that average 10,000 plus fans. Just think what the impact would be if we had a nice riverfront stadium. Our community soccer base is diverse and strong.

[OKCretro]

With expansion fees estimated to be at $200 now, I don't see how we get a team.
http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/2921608/mls-expansion-fee-could-go-as-high-as-$200-million

[Laramie]

With expansion fees estimated to be at $200 now, I don't see how we get a team.
http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/2921608/mls-expansion-fee-could-go-as-high-as-$200-million

Understand your concern:

A group spent $350 million in 2006 (10 years ago) to purchase an NBA franchise that eventually called OKC home.

MLS is no where on the level of the NBA; however, MLS is on more solid financial footing than the old NASL model of the 70s-80s when Oklahoma had a team (original Tulsa Roughnecks). The current MLS model doesn't mirror the NBA's small market model.

MLS stadium ready model requires a minimum of 18,000 seats. We may see a future minimum around the 25,000-seat range.

A 7,000-9,000 seat riverfront stadium would go over well for our current NASL or USL. We want to have the facility expansion capabilities in place.

MLS may not be the our only future goal for a riverfront venue with expansion capacity.

[OKCretro]

Laramie,
don't get me wrong I would love a MLS team. would love to see it happen but with the current economy right now in okc I don't think its possible.

[Laramie]

Laramie,
don't get me wrong I would love a MLS team. would love to see it happen but with the current economy right now in okc I don't think its possible.

Certainly not now.

The current MLS model puts more financial support into the league vs. the individual franchise. Doubt if you'll see more than 24-28 franchises by 2024. That's why future expansion will be so costly.

You could see OKC on the radar post 2020 if some kind of start-up facility completed. Funk missed a golden opportunity back in the early 2000s (pre Thunder) to purchase an MLS franchise when the initial ground work was crafted ($10 million franchise fee). He opted to purchase the PCL Redhawks instead.

UCO wanted to partner with Funk to expand Wantland Stadium in Edmond to 25,000. Robert Funk also talked about obtaining an NHL franchise during that period.

[Tydude]

francosy: Hearing that many BIG changes could be happening in #RayoOKC Front Office. Spaniards are here and can't get around with $.
francosy: Spaniards have advised #RayoOKC staff and players that changes are coming. People could get fired, players might have to move in together...
francosy: Some have described today as a 'hostile or weird' day in #RayoOKC day..
https://twitter.com/francosy/status/761039537199915008

[Tydude]

Breaking News: Rayo OKC head coach Resigned and Sold Out Strategies is no longer part of Rayo OKC

[LakeEffect]

Breaking News: Rayo OKC head coach Resigned and Sold Out Strategies is no longer part of Rayo OKC

http://newsok.com/rayo-okc-coach-ste...rticle/5512579

[d-usa]

This has become a weird mess overnight...

[OKCretro]

with SOS leaving the team I don't see them back next year.

[Laramie]

This has become a weird mess overnight...

This is not a good sign for Oklahoma City. The two franchises (NASL/USL) together has shown us the overall strength potential of our market (MSA).

If we lose the NASL; will Funk/McLaughlin continue to push our market to its potential?

[d-usa]

This is not a good sign for Oklahoma City. The two franchises (NASL/USL) together has shown us the overall strength potential of our market (MSA).

I know it looks bad on the surface to have a minor league team folding, but even as a member of The Grid I feel comfortable saying that the folding of Rayo OKC won't be due to the local market, the on-field performance, or the management of an ownership team that I despise.

The Spanish side took a beating at home and got relegated to a lower division. They are broke and they can't justify spending any money on a minor league team in Oklahoma when their own team in Spain can't even compete and their stadium is crumbling. They are trying to cut their losses and are making some hard, and horrible, choices here in Oklahoma to save money (or maybe even try to make a tiny bit of money). If it wasn't for the Spanish owners, I think Rayo OKC would be doing fine right now.

Reports were that they were seeking a buyer of their share of Rayo OKC, and if true then it is a bit concerning that they weren't able to find anyone to buy it.

If we lose the NASL; will Funk/McLaughlin continue to push our market to its potential?

Their response will be the deciding factor there, that's for sure. The two ownership groups hate each other, and they won't do anything to help each other out (at least that's my opinion). But since SOS already left Rayo OKC that might make things a bit easier for the Energy to be the "good guy" and try to safe the face of soccer in OKC.

The vast majority of fans are not going to know, nor are they going to care, about the specific reasons why the Spaniards are doing what they are doing. They are going to see "soccer failing" in Oklahoma City, and many new fans who spend money on shirts and scarves are going to be pissed off and wondering if they are even going to finish the season.

If the Energy is wise they will step in and try to act with compassion rather than schadenfreude. Actively try to market yourself to the fans that Rayo OKC captured. Hold special events where people can trade in scarves/shirts/jerseys. Make it clear that it sucks for soccer that Rayo folded, but that soccer is still here if you really want it.

There is going to be a group of people that will never step foot inside of Taft. And there are people at Taft that would make their life miserable if they tried.

But the Energy have a shot at picking up a good chunk of the Rayo fans if they play their cards right.

[king183]

I haven't followed Rayo closely, but I do remember when they were first announced there was a lot of grumbling about the Spanish owners and how poorly he managed his other team in Spain. It may have been right here that I read it, but I remember thinking it didn't portend a bright future. It's unfortunate this is happening because I think OKC will very soon be ripe for an MLS team that could be our second uniting sports force.

[kwhey]

I haven't followed Rayo closely, but I do remember when they were first announced there was a lot of grumbling about the Spanish owners and how poorly he managed his other team in Spain. It may have been right here that I read it, but I remember thinking it didn't portend a bright future. It's unfortunate this is happening because I think OKC will very soon be ripe for an MLS team that could be our second uniting sports force.

Rayo Vallecano got relegated which means they lost a butt load of money and are now scrambling and cutting their losses.

[borchard]

http://www.rayookc.com/news/2016/08/...ak-in-1-1-draw

RAYO OKC SNAPS COSMOS' RECORD-SETTING HOME WIN STREAK IN 1-1 DRAW

[Tydude]

just check tickets for tonights match and there is so many tickets left available for tonights match i won't be surprise after what happen with this team that only 2,000-3,000 people will show up tonight.

[d-usa]

Well, I'm sure that all the bad publicity these past few weeks isn't helping the team any and I wouldn't be surprised if people are going to stay at home if they think that the team is just on life support to finish up the season before shutting down.

Which sucks for the players, especially since they are doing really well right now. Even if the team is done after this season, fans should stay with their team and see them through to the end and support them while they (hopefully) finish the season up on a high note. Let them go out on top of the table and quit in style.

[Laramie]

Attendance hasn't been that good with either team of late. Totally disappointed with our Energy FC who can't buy a goal. Really disappointed with attendance for both franchises which has fallen of late--figures as of August 1, 2016:

35. Oklahoma City Energy FC - 5,097 for eight home games (Total = 40,777) .
40. Rayo OKC - 4,416 for ten home games (Total = 44,160).

Source: http://www.kenn.com/the_blog/

[d-usa]

Which is part of the reason why, if Rayo OKC won't be back after this year, the Energy FC front-office need to start on a goodwill mission towards Rayo fans. At least that's my opinion. Get at least some of those butts into the seats at Taft for next season.

[Laramie]

Which is part of the reason why, if Rayo OKC won't be back after this year, the Energy FC front-office need to start on a goodwill mission towards Rayo fans. At least that's my opinion. Get at least some of those butts into the seats at Taft for next season.

Agree,

If worst comes to worst for Rayo OKC; Oklahoma City Energy FC should begin that goodwill mission (ASAP) with Rayo OKC and attempt to secure some of the their quality NASL players.

There will be a push to upgrade the USL a level up to tier II (same as the NASL).

There's mutual respect for both franchises. Believe that one franchise will be an asset for the OKC metropolitan area.

Oklahoma City Energy FC should begin plans to build their own soccer specific stadium or partner with the City, preferably near the riverfront core development. An 8,000 - 10,000 seat starter for future MLS expansion could draw a solid following of 7,000-8,000 downtown vs. the Taft Stadium location.

[Laramie]

Tough 2 - 1 loss to Miami FC for Rayo OKC, this team just can't get a break.

[Bob Loblaw]

http://www.nasl.com/match-center/1219/okc-vs-mia Attendance = 1,251

Ouch

[Tydude]

Breaking News: Rayo OKC Minority Owner Sean James has removed 40 of 92 artificial turf pallets and the team did not give him permission to remove the pitch and they have no idea where he put it. As of now September 11th game will be happening they don't know which type of field the team will be playing on. Via James Poling from Newsok.com

[Pete]

Very strange and does not exactly inspire confidence in the leadership of this franchise.

[d-usa]

So from what I could gather via Twitter:

-The Spaniards didn't want to spend money on the turf at the very beginning, and just wanted to play on the football field
-He purchased the turf himself because he was concerned about playing on the football field
-Some new conflict now between use of the turf or installation costs
-he took "his" turf