Jose Angulo, the Riverhounds’ top striker, has a 2015 option on his contract. — PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS
DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS
News: A federal judge approved the Riverhounds’ plan to emerge from bankruptcy by December, prompting owner Tuffy Shallenger to declare, “It’s done. We’re off and running.” The plan calls for the team to seek additional sponsorships and to turn a profit for soccer and Highmark Stadium operations within three years.
Views: U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Jeffrey A. Deller’s decision came swiftly in light of the March bankruptcy declaration, and it came down on the right side. He saw that it will take the wealth of Shallenberger, the Connellsville construction magnate, to make this go. He also saw through the disputing minority owners’ posing and, rather than think on a petty level, he put the Riverhounds back on course.
Good for almost everyone, I guess.
But now what?
Jason Kutney, who’s being kept as CEO, needs to do some serious priority shuffling with this organization. I understand that the soccer academies account for 80 percent of the Riverhounds’ revenues. That isn’t to be ignored. But it can’t get mixed up with the main team. Just can’t. Candidly, I don’t want to hear about the academy or the under-18 team or the developmental team or the youth championships. They talk about these cumulatively even more than the main team. That’s been going on too long, and it contributed to some disastrous personnel moves last winter that killed the 2014 season before it could get going. Have one person run the academy, the other running the main team, and don’t even introduce them to each other.
Next, hire a coach and a GM. I don’t like that Niko Katic wasn’t given a chance to return after leading the Riverhounds’ rebound over the summer, but that failing, pay what’s fair for a coach who can achieve both quality results and a connection with the Pittsburgh community. Pay up for a GM, too. Talent procurement in soccer can be difficult and expensive, largely because that talent is spread across the globe. It’s a full-time job.
Bring back Jose Angulo, too. He’s the best player in the league, he’s got a club option for 2015, and I don’t care that he genuinely disappointed some people this past summer. If he leaves, he won’t be replaced. Those types of players are worth the odd headache.
I have a lot more I could say here, but it’s undoubtedly fairer to first see what moves come next.
In the interim, I’ll toss out one last wholly unsolicited — and probably unwelcome — suggestion: Connect with fans online, for crying out loud. The team’s website has an ancient, outdated feel, and it takes far too long for news, videos, etc. to post. This isn’t expensive. Just involves the right people. Get an app, too.
You’ll never sell soccer to the older generation here. Talk soccer to almost anyone over 50, maybe even 40, and you get this archaic reaction like America’s about to be invaded by the commies.
So go for the kids. Get out to the colleges. Give student-rush discounts. And again, get online.
The Riverhounds’ bankruptcy has been largely misunderstood. It was done willfully, to get rid of a lot of lousy organization. It didn’t happen as any reflection of soccer or how it might fare here. If anything, 2013 was as good as it’s ever been for the sport in Pittsburgh.
But that doesn’t mean it can thrive with divided priorities and attention.
November 7, 2014
News/views: Riverhounds’ bankruptcy ended
by Dejan Kovacevic • Columns • Riverhounds
Jose Angulo, the Riverhounds’ top striker, has a 2015 option on his contract. — PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS
DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS
News: A federal judge approved the Riverhounds’ plan to emerge from bankruptcy by December, prompting owner Tuffy Shallenger to declare, “It’s done. We’re off and running.” The plan calls for the team to seek additional sponsorships and to turn a profit for soccer and Highmark Stadium operations within three years.
Views: U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Jeffrey A. Deller’s decision came swiftly in light of the March bankruptcy declaration, and it came down on the right side. He saw that it will take the wealth of Shallenberger, the Connellsville construction magnate, to make this go. He also saw through the disputing minority owners’ posing and, rather than think on a petty level, he put the Riverhounds back on course.
Good for almost everyone, I guess.
But now what?
Jason Kutney, who’s being kept as CEO, needs to do some serious priority shuffling with this organization. I understand that the soccer academies account for 80 percent of the Riverhounds’ revenues. That isn’t to be ignored. But it can’t get mixed up with the main team. Just can’t. Candidly, I don’t want to hear about the academy or the under-18 team or the developmental team or the youth championships. They talk about these cumulatively even more than the main team. That’s been going on too long, and it contributed to some disastrous personnel moves last winter that killed the 2014 season before it could get going. Have one person run the academy, the other running the main team, and don’t even introduce them to each other.
Next, hire a coach and a GM. I don’t like that Niko Katic wasn’t given a chance to return after leading the Riverhounds’ rebound over the summer, but that failing, pay what’s fair for a coach who can achieve both quality results and a connection with the Pittsburgh community. Pay up for a GM, too. Talent procurement in soccer can be difficult and expensive, largely because that talent is spread across the globe. It’s a full-time job.
Bring back Jose Angulo, too. He’s the best player in the league, he’s got a club option for 2015, and I don’t care that he genuinely disappointed some people this past summer. If he leaves, he won’t be replaced. Those types of players are worth the odd headache.
I have a lot more I could say here, but it’s undoubtedly fairer to first see what moves come next.
In the interim, I’ll toss out one last wholly unsolicited — and probably unwelcome — suggestion: Connect with fans online, for crying out loud. The team’s website has an ancient, outdated feel, and it takes far too long for news, videos, etc. to post. This isn’t expensive. Just involves the right people. Get an app, too.
You’ll never sell soccer to the older generation here. Talk soccer to almost anyone over 50, maybe even 40, and you get this archaic reaction like America’s about to be invaded by the commies.
So go for the kids. Get out to the colleges. Give student-rush discounts. And again, get online.
The Riverhounds’ bankruptcy has been largely misunderstood. It was done willfully, to get rid of a lot of lousy organization. It didn’t happen as any reflection of soccer or how it might fare here. If anything, 2013 was as good as it’s ever been for the sport in Pittsburgh.
But that doesn’t mean it can thrive with divided priorities and attention.