BRYC Girls TD Larry Best leaving for Washington Spirit

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like folks think there is tremendous value in VA DA families attending NWSL matches. I suspect that doesn't amount to nearly as much revenue or value as you think it does. And as long as they are renting fields it is unlikely that the DA operation generates much profit, especially considering the number of coaching resources they devote to it.

NWSL Academies are meant to form pipelines of talent and to expand your brand exposure. With the geography and competition present in the NoVA area for Elite players, I think the process will be decades long there. That is, unless they form a strategic partnership with another club like FCV. Barring that, I suspect there is minimal loss involved in dropping VA DA.It could well be that the bang for the buck just isn't there on the VA side.

From FCV's perspective, I don't see the value in any sort of partnership with WS. They don't need the incremental talent, they can't afford all those coaches, WS brings no significant field access with them, it means a loss of control, and the pipeline to the pro's is there whether there is a partnership or not. Most girls are focused on college and not NWSL anyway.

Actually true revenue of just the DA piece is easily calculated. Roughly 100 players at $5k a pop is half a million dollars of guaranteed revenue year over year. One million when you include the MD side. That doesn’t include family and friend ticket sales, merchandise, concessions, and everything else that goes away when those families do. Good luck finding loyal Spirit fans after they are left out in the cold, if it were to come to that.

Well, it isn’t 5k a pop so that number is wrong.

[Anonymous]

maybe they want to expand or something or do something different in the fall. You'd you don't know. He doesn't want to paint himself into a corner or commit to the unknown

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: maybe they want to expand or something or do something different in the fall. You'd you don't know. He doesn't want to paint himself into a corner or commit to the unknown

He is already painting himself into a corner by not being upfront about at least the general intention and goal of DA. If parents have little confidence that a DA will be there next year they will just leave. Parents are not going to have their kids risk being on the outside looking in because a CEO is thinking about the DA’s future while other clubs are starting their IDs as soon as next week.

[Anonymous]

The writing is on the wall for Spirit VA DA. Spirit parents can ignore it or embrace it. Posters who post about this topic aren’t necessarily haters, they are simply realistic and they just might know a thing or two.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The writing is on the wall for Spirit VA DA. Spirit parents can ignore it or embrace it. Posters who post about this topic aren’t necessarily haters, they are simply realistic and they just might know a thing or two.

You’re probably right. Once they make a final decision, either way, which I imagine should be soon, everyone will know. As Larry and company are fresh hires, if/when this does happen, it’s important to understand that this has nothing to do with wins/losses on the field or any noble intention to thin out the DA field in NOVA, it will lay squarely upon the whims of Steve Baldwin, who has evidently decided this on his own. Seems like DC has a plethora of tech “executives” who enjoy dabbling in areas like pro sports where they have little understanding. Here’s yet another example.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The writing is on the wall for Spirit VA DA. Spirit parents can ignore it or embrace it. Posters who post about this topic aren’t necessarily haters, they are simply realistic and they just might know a thing or two.

You’re probably right. Once they make a final decision, either way, which I imagine should be soon, everyone will know. As Larry and company are fresh hires, if/when this does happen, it’s important to understand that this has nothing to do with wins/losses on the field or any noble intention to thin out the DA field in NOVA, it will lay squarely upon the whims of Steve Baldwin, who has evidently decided this on his own. Seems like DC has a plethora of tech “executives” who enjoy dabbling in areas like pro sports where they have little understanding. Here’s yet another example.

Good to know, but hardly a comfort to those of us who’s DD’s turned down ECNL spots with well established clubs to come to Spirit VA DA...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The writing is on the wall for Spirit VA DA. Spirit parents can ignore it or embrace it. Posters who post about this topic aren’t necessarily haters, they are simply realistic and they just might know a thing or two.

You’re probably right. Once they make a final decision, either way, which I imagine should be soon, everyone will know. As Larry and company are fresh hires, if/when this does happen, it’s important to understand that this has nothing to do with wins/losses on the field or any noble intention to thin out the DA field in NOVA, it will lay squarely upon the whims of Steve Baldwin, who has evidently decided this on his own. Seems like DC has a plethora of tech “executives” who enjoy dabbling in areas like pro sports where they have little understanding. Here’s yet another example.

Good to know, but hardly a comfort to those of us who’s DD’s turned down ECNL spots with well established clubs to come to Spirit VA DA...

Completely agree, but apparently, if this happens, he simply doesn’t care. I wonder how he’d feel if it were his daughter who were caught in this kind of mess after committing to what one would think would be the most stable option of the DA bunch (an NWSL franchise). Guessing he might feel differently then.

[Anonymous]

^^ I think this speaks to the genuine concern of parents. Real world deadlines are quickly approaching whether the new owner wants to take time or not.

[Anonymous]

if your DA player is so great, anyone will take them right? so no need to worry

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:if your DA player is so great, anyone will take them right? so no need to worry

Look in the mirror and reassess

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:if your DA player is so great, anyone will take them right? so no need to worry

What a crappy person you are.

[Anonymous]

Not only that-most DA’s are already established with players and aren’t looking to absorb a full roster of players from another DA program-no matter how talented.

Spirit is really screwing families over big time...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:if your DA player is so great, anyone will take them right? so no need to worry

Why be so snarky? No one is saying your DD isn't the greatest. Some of the Spirit players ARE so good that any DA will take them. But that's not the point. They went to Spirit to begin with for a reason -- maybe some weren't the best when they first tried out with but have developed, crazy though that sounds. Maybe some were a victim of politics at other clubs -- it shockingly does happen. Maybe some came from a club that already had a pet player in their position. Maybe some just liked the idea of the affiliation with the pro club. Some players ARE happy there and they -- adolescent teenage girls -- will be thrown into an uncertain situation during college recruiting years, which sucks.

[Anonymous]

Spirit still has a chance to make the right decision and not do this. Hopefully Baldwin and company have someone reading this board so they can see the impact they will have on others with this terrible decision.

[Anonymous]

IF this does happen....

Every kid must break into an existing roster. Hard. Extremely hard to do at this level. Most will find homes at the expense of other kid who will be cut from the roster and displaced. They in turn will need to find new homes.

20+ displaced DA kids per age group looking for new homes in NOVA is a win for ECNL.

It's better for EVERYONE to announce it early.