It's the dawning of a new era for the soccer fans of Hampton Roads, VA and it's being led by Scott Goodman, the Mariners' general manager, who may be held responsible for what the team does or does not accomplish in their latest inaugural year. In an exchange of questions sent via the ether I had an opportunity to "talk" with Mr. Goodman about a range of topics from the expectations for the Mariners to MLS contraction and beyond. Here's what he had to say as we get to know a little bit about one of the front office men from one of the league's newest old entrants for the 2002 season.
A-League.com: What first lead to the decision to get involved in A-League soccer and, in doing that, why did it involve resurrecting the Mariners?
Scott Goodman: Getting involved with the Mariners is a long story … the long and short of it … We (the ownership group) decided to get involved for several reasons. The biggest factor is the stadium. The Virginia Beach Sportsplex was the FIRST soccer specific stadium built in the United States. I think this is a fact commonly overlooked by the soccer community. Obviously, we plan to make this facility internationally known.
The soccer community here is strong. Wade Barret (San Jose) and Steve Jolly (MetroStars) are just some of the players that this area has produced. Needless to say, there are several A-League players with family ties to the region. The community has shown its strong support for soccer (they got the stadium built) … the community deserves a team and hence this is going to be a community team.
AL: What are the immediate goals you'd like to see the team reach in its first year back?
SG: Our immediate goals … I expect us to make the playoffs the first year. Anything less will be a disappointment. Since the community has such a strong soccer background, they deserve, and should expect, a high level of competitive games.
AL: The much-publicized Sportsplex lease deal was supposedly a large factor in the previous club's failure. Do you feel that the working conditions concerning agreements with the city and the stadium are much better off now?
SG: Hats off to the previous ownership … when they negotiated out of their lease deal, they laid the foundation for a much better deal for the next team that came into the Virginia Beach Sportsplex. Instead of the Hampton Roads Mariners being the operators of the Sportsplex, we only pay a lease to rent.
AL: Is it possible to say how revenues will be divided up between the club, stadium, and city?
SG: The City takes a tax on all ticket sales. All other revenues are the Hampton Roads Mariners.
AL: What is the relationship like between the Piranhas and Mariners?
SG: The Mariners and Piranhas are working together to promote our products. Marketing and Sales have been consolidated. We will have five (5) doubleheaders together.
AL: What are your feelings on MLS contraction and the fairly volatile nature of professional soccer clubs in this country?
SG: The biggest problem soccer has is that it keeps comparing itself to the other major sports, football, baseball, etc. We, as the soccer community, must remember that those sports all operated on very low budget until recently. I know of some A-League players that are making more money than some NFL players made during the 1970's. Football has been a 'major' league sport much longer than soccer has. We need to think small, take small steps to ensure financial viability and dream big. Let us, however, not get confused between thinking small and dreaming big. I think too often, soccer teams think that their expenses need to be big in order to be 'major'. We will only be recognized as a legitimate commercial sport if we can show longevity. With longevity comes greater recognition and respect.
AL: Fusion or Mutiny, who do you feel deserved contraction the least?
SG: I never understood the "Miami" Fusion playing home games in Ft. Lauderdale. When you look at the attendance levels in Florida for international games … look at the most recent Gold Cup games played in Miami at the Orange Bowl … less than 5,000.
AL: What are the similarities between being a road manager for a rock band to being the GM for an A-League soccer team?
SG: Babysitting a bunch of grown men.
AL: Besides the Mariners who are your favorite club(s), domestically and/or internationally?
SG: Internationally … Necaxa and Puebla in Mexico.
AL: How many A-League games have you seen and what do you think of the level of play?
SG: I have seen a dozen or so A-League games in person … 10 or so games on tape. Most of the games I have seen have been in Rochester. What a great atmosphere! We are working hard to create the same thing here in Virginia. The level of play in the A-League is good, but over the long term we hope to be one of the franchises that pushes the game to the next level.
For more info on Mr. Goodman and the Hampton Roads Mariners please pay a visit to their excellent web presence at: http://www.hamptonroadsmariners.com/
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