Another minor-league sport in Portland bites the dust. http://www.dwightjaynes.com/the-portland-lumberjax-are-out-of-here Not surprising. -Pop
I remember there were actually people who thought that we "didn't need the Blazers" anymore, because we had the Lumberjax. Hopefully the MLS team doesn't fold or leave after a few years. I'm tired of the 2nd rate leagues running rough-shod through Portland.
More in depth story from O-live. http://www.oregonlive.com/lumberjax/index.ssf/2009/05/lumberjax_done_in_portland_tea.html Here are several things that I saw with the Jax. 1. Heavy tv advertisement on KGW or other stations in 2006. I never saw any tv ads for the team in 2008 or 2009. 2. Why didn't I see enough of the Jax players going to local High Schools creating fundraisers or actually showing up to random events? The marketing department did jack shit on community type events. 3. The fan base was great (more than the winterhawks attendance) 4. Ticket prices were affordable but every year they would open up a few sections of the 300 level and then the next year they wouldn't. 5. No family ticket packages? Blazers do it. 6. I think the marking department was a failure in this franchise and not the fans of Portland
I think there are several reasons why you should bet on MLS vs previous failures in this city: The team will be starting from day one with one of the largest and most passionate supporters' groups in all of North America. So the atmosphere is already spoken for. The league plays during a time where there are no competing sports in Portland. It's an outdoor sport during a time when Portlanders love to be outdoors. Merritt Paulson, based on his track record with the Beavers and USL-Timbers, promises to be an active and involved owner, and he has a good amount of financial backing compared to most owners in the league The team will play in its own stadium, which gives them a stronger position to sell luxury tickets to corporate interests, sell sponsorships, etc. -Pop
Jay Isac mentioned that the RG even reduced the price on renting out the suites. Looks like the RG was making an effort with the team, had decent attendance. It still looks like the Lumberjax marketing department failed big time on reaching out to the public both with the media, schools or hospitals.
I went to a few Lumberjax games and attended the playoff game on Friday in which they got their ass kicked. I think the games where entertaining, sucks to see them go. I agree with Soda. MLS wont have a problem here in Portland. One thing Soda didnt mention was the large hispanic population that will support the Timbers and could/should open up some sponsorship opportunities.
Matt S. (weatherman) on KGW (5/5/09 broadcast) joked about the fallout of the Lumberjax but he mentioned that he checked out the Professional Lingerie Football league. Hmm this could be interesting. i have a feeling a lot of men season ticket holders would go to this. http://www.lflus.com/index1.html
Canzano did't seem to care. He wants the grander things such as MLS. http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/or...f/2009/05/jaxs_exit_opens_door_for_other.html Ouch towards the Jax management!
Wouldn't it be a trip if Merrit Paulson owned the Jax and also included them in the http://www.majorleaguelacrosse.com/ in the summer time? Then he could have a team year round.
