Jim Strother has been a loyal fan for a decade and a capo too in his time
Jim Strother has been a Seattle Sounders season ticket holder since 2007. But a series of Front Office decisions this year have forced him to come to a once unthinkable decision. He won’t be renewing.
In this Fan Op-Ed (which does not necessarily represent the views of Prost Amerika), he explains what has driven him this far:
Fan Op-Ed: “I’ve been a Sounders ST holder for 10 years. Why there won’t be an 11th”
by Jim Strother
I am continuing to be disappointed by the actions of the Front Office as the season rolls onward. Gaffe after gaffe, it seems to me that nobody there has any concern whatsoever for the fanbase. Let me illustrate my points.
First, the club decided to retain Sigi Schmid as head coach despite failing, with ample opportunity, to return to and win MLS Cup. His recent comments about be just good enough to get into the playoffs has me concerned that a quality side is not his top priority.
Cascadia Corner Editorial: #sigiout is a sticking plaster for a bigger wound
Second, the club decided to not renew the contract of Ross Fletcher, despite his passion for the city and the club, and him moving his family here just prior to said non-renewal.
“This is a highly arrogant attitude that completely sickens me. It is shameful and disrespectful to be treating the most passionate fanbase in the league in such a pitiful manner.”
Third, the club decided to replace a beloved announcer with somebody who is a card-carrying member of the supporters group of our biggest rival.
Op-Ed: Sounders Announcer Gaffe Continues to Baffle
Fourth, the club decided to introduce dynamic pricing and increase the price of matches based upon who the opponent was, instead of making sure that soccer was accessible to all.
Fifth, the club decided to hand its branding responsibility to somebody who is an avowed and passionate Dallas fan, because they couldn’t find anybody in Seattle to promote the Sounders brand.
Sixth, the club continues to insist upon mid-season friendlies scheduled at inopportune times during the season adding to fixture congestion in an attempt to make as much money as possible, because that is what soccer is all about anyway.
Photo courtesy of Jim Strother
Seventh, the club decided to allow a corporate sponsor build a tifo that will make no mention of the importance of the club, but instead brag about that sponsor’s minor contribution to Seattle overall.
Press Release: Sounders, Delta team up for tifo project
Eighth, the botched release of the new app and then forcing the fans to use it before it was completely tested. This late in the season several of my friends are still having issues with it.
Ninth, should I even mention at this point the choke point that is bag check, and the necessary adoption of clear bags to show the whole world my personal belongings?
MLS bans large bags and purses in sweeping new security measures
Keeping in mind all of the above, plus the fact I have held season tickets every single year since 2007, I have now come to the point of my letter.
Under no circumstances will I be interested in renewing my season tickets to Seattle Sounders FC from this moment forward. I am sick of giving my hard earned money to an organization that has no grip on plot, and clearly has no interest in making sure that they listen to the people that ultimately pay the bills: us fans and supporters.
Jim celebrating in happier times
This is a highly arrogant attitude that completely sickens me. It is shameful and disrespectful to be treating the most passionate fanbase in the league in such a pitiful manner.
Never again will I spend money on tickets or merchandise until the club gets its act together. I will not buy Open Cup tickets. I will not buy playoff tickets. I will not buy any future match day tickets via the front office’s outlets, but instead will go through friends or StubHub.
Remember what former Scotland manager Jock Stein once said, soccer without the fans is nothing.
Also See:
MLS must “Cross the Line” and talk about Trump, Zlatan and Georgia
