My thoughts on the possible signing of Landon Donovan.

[Papa Shango]

As someone in the US, I'll disagree. People here know the old big 4 - ManU, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool. There is a fast growing awareness of Tottenham and City. Even so, if you ask most "soccer aware" but not avid fans who their team was, more often than not, the answer I get is Fulham. (I know, it astounds me too)

From McBride, to Keller, to Bocanegra, to Johnson, to Dempsey - they have had at least one american field player for a long time.

And in fairness, we've had Howard through it all, but goalkeepers are not thought of in the same way. Donovan's first stint did more to raise Everton in the American mind than years of Howard.

Dempsey, Howard, and Donovan all in the Everton team would be HUGE for us and our exposure, and the time couldn't be more right. The American market is RIPE and still largely unclaimed as far as EPL teams go. People have "heard of" teams, but most have never actively "rooted for" or considered themselves real fans of a particular team.

We have had a fair few ourselves though in McBride, Moore, Howard as you say. I just think the abroad stuff for any nation is overstated these days. Nobody will beat out the Man Utds and Liverpools abroad.

I do agree in a way that if we get these types of players we should make the most of them in terms of merchandising but signing them just for that reason would be wrong.

Obviously they are both good players but the lack of resale value does concern me.

 

[chriswho]

We have had a fair few ourselves though in McBride, Moore, Howard as you say. I just think the abroad stuff for any nation is overstated these days. Nobody will beat out the Man Utds and Liverpools abroad.

I do agree in a way that if we get these types of players we should make the most of them in terms of merchandising but signing them just for that reason would be wrong.

Obviously they are both good players but the lack of resale value does concern me.

I hate to say this, but McBride and Moore were too early for the American market. Americans were learning about "soccer" back then, but VERY few were following careers. And you ask most anyone who McBride played for, they would tell you Chicago or Fulham, no one would know about his stint with us, it was too short and too early.

I don't think the "abroad stuff" is overstated. and I don't agree that nobody will beat out the ManU's and Liverpool's in the US. Most of this country didn't care about the sport when they were kings. We are just getting to the point where we care. Everyone's heard of those two, but few would call themselves "fans" yet.

I see a potential perfect storm right now. The American audience is Ripe and unclaimed. TV networks are buying contracts up and are now invested in building an audience for the future. Euros are this year, and WC is in 2. IF Everton could secure Howard, Dempsey, AND Donovan for the run up to the WC, our entire country would consider themselves Everton fans.

Now you make a good point about merchandising though, as just cause we are fans, we may not buy a ton yet. Don't expect every fan to have multiple kits, etc. But you would create a generation of American fans which could be quite valuable in a few years.

I'd love to see this happen.

 

[Avaseer]

When Cahill scores, it's always a major sports highlight of the day over here in Aus. Basically your going to maximise your exposure buying all dem yanks.

 

[Papa Shango]

When Cahill scores, it's always a major sports highlight of the day over here in Aus. Basically your going to maximise your exposure buying all dem yanks.

Oh im sure it gets highlighted. But in real terms (ie money) what does it actually do?

Our shirts etc only get sold on the official site or kitbag anyway so its kinda pointless.

 

[Skeleton Crew]

Li Tie was a more than capable player. He played a big part in the season he played until getting injured. Moyes wanted him before any sponsorship deals.

Li Wiefeng was crap like yeah.

I honestly dont think the US thing means anything in the grand scheme of things. We are already well known in the States.

No we're not.

Saturday mornings at the pub its the Arsenal jerseys, the ManU the RS...

Its not a sea of Blue (or pink)..despite my efforts to recruit every one of my girlfriends.

 

[Avaseer]

Oh im sure it gets highlighted. But in real terms (ie money) what does it actually do?

Our shirts etc only get sold on the official site or kitbag anyway so its kinda pointless.

That's true, but in the internet age it's not terribly hard to order online. Once the kitbag deal lapses or Everton decide making money on shirt sales worldwide is a good idea, it would be far better having your brand foundations pre established instead of trying to do it all at once.

Theres likely a bunch of closet Everton fans in Aus due to Cahill and once they decide to market and sell kits internationally, there is already a valid reason why people would buy a Cahill everton shirt over anything else.

I would imagine the same would be reflected in the states.

 

[Skeleton Crew]

I hate to say this, but McBride and Moore were too early for the American market. Americans were learning about "soccer" back then, but VERY few were following careers. And you ask most anyone who McBride played for, they would tell you Chicago or Fulham, no one would know about his stint with us, it was too short and too early.

I don't think the "abroad stuff" is overstated. and I don't agree that nobody will beat out the ManU's and Liverpool's in the US. Most of this country didn't care about the sport when they were kings. We are just getting to the point where we care. Everyone's heard of those two, but few would call themselves "fans" yet.

I see a potential perfect storm right now. The American audience is Ripe and unclaimed. TV networks are buying contracts up and are now invested in building an audience for the future. Euros are this year, and WC is in 2. IF Everton could secure Howard, Dempsey, AND Donovan for the run up to the WC, our entire country would consider themselves Everton fans.

Now you make a good point about merchandising though, as just cause we are fans, we may not buy a ton yet. Don't expect every fan to have multiple kits, etc. But you would create a generation of American fans which could be quite valuable in a few years.

I'd love to see this happen.

Well I would've related McBride with Columbus since was the first overall player signed in MLS. (for Columbus Crew) but that's me and that's my favorite player.

but as a sidenote...on Fox Soccer Channel (premier american tv network dedicated to soccer. ..owned by Ruport Murdoch tho). Guess who the new analyst is? Brian McBride. He did the coverage of the FA Semi.

...as for the kits. An order to America takes less than 7 days. that's pretty standard for ANY internet order no matter where someone is located.

 

[Extratime]

Oh im sure it gets highlighted. But in real terms (ie money) what does it actually do?

Our shirts etc only get sold on the official site or kitbag anyway so its kinda pointless.

I guarantee you that with the Nike kit the shirts will be sold here in the states by any Nike partners. It's a pain in the arse to get the Everton kit here. Fans like me, and new fans that will surely join the cause just from seeing Lando put on an Everton kit will then have access to the kits. This will generate both revenue and awareness of the club. Football has a solid base here in the states and the people love any team that gives Americans a chance to play overseas, but especially in the BPL.

Global awareness is so key to clubs these days it's ridiculous. You would not believe the number of Manchester United fans here in the states, let alone around the globe. If Everton can tap into that it may help us attract a buyer that is willing to splash the cash.

 

[Brennan]

There's absolutely nothing to suggest a Donovan permanent deal is even close to being completed. Calm down people.

 

[Skeleton Crew]

There's absolutely nothing to suggest a Donovan permanent deal is even close to being completed. Calm down people.

Stop being reality...

 

[ChicagoToffee]

No resale value + our finances = lunacy.

Hate to say it but RFUS is on the money - it would have to be a pretty low price. Donovan has got another 3-4 years on him but for what the Galaxy will want and what Ebepton can afford (unless Forshaw was sold for a gazillion dollars), don't see it happening.

 

[ChicagoToffee]

I guarantee you that with the Nike kit the shirts will be sold here in the states by any Nike partners. It's a pain in the arse to get the Everton kit here. Fans like me, and new fans that will surely join the cause just from seeing Lando put on an Everton kit will then have access to the kits. This will generate both revenue and awareness of the club. Football has a solid base here in the states and the people love any team that gives Americans a chance to play overseas, but especially in the BPL.

Global awareness is so key to clubs these days it's ridiculous. You would not believe the number of Manchester United fans here in the states, let alone around the globe. If Everton can tap into that it may help us attract a buyer that is willing to splash the cash.

Tell me how many Fulham kits you've seen in the US? I'm in Chicago - a good soccer city - and I've never seen one in 11 years. I saw a Dusseldorf kit at the Lincoln Park Zoo this past weekend. Not one Fulham kit in 11 years but Dusseldorf finds a way to represent.

 

[The-Golden-Vision]

There's absolutely nothing to suggest a Donovan permanent deal is even close to being completed. Calm down people.

He was actually seen riding tandem with blue bill into Finch Farm.

 

[Roztitute]

He was actually seen riding tandem with blue bill into Finch Farm.

I saw him in the Goodison chippy earlier lad

 

[EFC NY]

Tell me how many Fulham kits you've seen in the US? I'm in Chicago - a good soccer city - and I've never seen one in 11 years. I saw a Dusseldorf kit at the Lincoln Park Zoo this past weekend. Not one Fulham kit in 11 years but Dusseldorf finds a way to represent.

I have also never seen a Fulham kit.

Soccer is growing as a spectator sport in US. Its been very popular as a participatory sport for many years now. What is key is the ESPN SportCenter now gives it some attention. For better or for worse, SportCenter (a highlight show, for those unaware) goes a long way to setting the sporting agenda in the USA. What they deem big becomes big. Towards that end, what saddens me is that Fox has won the next contract for WC rights in USA (it might not start until 2018??). Not having ESPN/ABC as your partner I think hurts exposure.

Another point, when competing for the growing American audience, we are also competing against Barca and RM, not just the super rich English sides. You can make the argument that Barca and RM are the two most popular clubs in the states. Certainly, I see more Barca and RM shirts than for any other club. Man United may be the only other club up there.

What should be done is that their should be a BPL superstore in Times Square or inside some prominent shopping malls. Store would do well in my opinion, provide great marketing, and would attract a lot of shoppers. Obviously, this would require some cooperative effort on the part of the clubs, but would be a great showplace.