Almost like clockwork, if it's the end of the USL season there has to be drama and this year it resides in Richmond, VA. The Kickers have made noises to the Richmond Times-Dispatch that a move down in divisions may be on the cards for the 2006 season in an effort to reduce costs to better spend the money in other areas of the club. The thought of the long-running Kickers moving down a division certainly set the panic lights glowing for many amongst the fans around the USL. Some have pondered the changes that could occur and the potential of a domino-like effect leading to self-demotion going on with other clubs leaving the USL's top division in a shambles. However, before we go all "chicken little" maybe we should look at the evidence in hand and discuss what we already know?
1) Richmond is not folding. They also have not made any sure commitment to going to the USL2. It's currently just a possibility that they have decided to openly discuss. With all of the rumors circling there is still little actual news to make of the open consideration of this move but the one thing that is certain is that the team is not going to closing up shop.
2) Any move by the Kickers would not be solely from league fees or any one particular cost. According to team president, Tom Depcrynski, "We would not move down to USL2 because of league fees, as a matter of fact that is a small percentage of our budget." Some rumors circulated that this may be a move dictated by costs and while this may have some bearing on the decision it is not based on the league's administration fees.
3) This is not an attempt to coerce changes in the administration of the league or the fees that running a club in the league incurs. In fact, this issue may be concerned more with larger growth for the club in Richmond. "There is no intent or ploy to force any thing on the league office but rather a decision to reduce over all expenses and redirecting those funds to an investment in the overall growth of our entire club which includes our youth relationship and adding something substantial that we are not ready to announce." says Depcrynski.
4) "As far as franchise rights we will still hold the professional rights to Richmond if we are USL1 or USL2." says the Kickers' President. Despite further rumors that Rochester might move to MLS then buy the Kickers' First Division rights in order to place a team in Cary, NC, and finally see Richmond have a "new" club in the Second Division there is little behind the scenes to actually suggest this could or even would happen. Basically, this should signal to Kickers fans that they will, 'without a doubt', have a team next season.
5) And, of course, the USL dutifully says "no comment" on all of this as these situations will likely find some sort of solution and the questions answered at this year's AGM due to happen in a few weeks' time. Despite the fans' desire to know precisely what is going on due to years of tumultuous off-seasons, the league is forced into maintaining something of a code of silence until some concrete decisions are made in some way, shape or form. These decisions will likely come in the couple of weeks.
According to the Kickers' team president, "We are doing something that will help the franchise and the community for a long time." I'm sure fans around the league, not just in Richmond, hope this comes true more than anything else because, not only would it help their franchise and community, it would likely help the entire league over the long-term. The implication, of course, being that a stronger Richmond, much like a stronger Rochester, Atlanta, Charleston or whomever else, makes for a stronger and healthier league overall. The most troubling thing for fans, though, is the almost constant signals, however true or false, that teams are in danger and near collapse.
This rationale is not rampant among the league's fans but it is a concern that lingers and flares up whenever some club starts talking about a move down or financial losses or money better applied elsewhere rather than staying the course in their current position. Simply put, the fans sometimes know better than to not worry. Hopefully, the rumors are proven to be exactly that in a couple weeks time. Meanwhile, fans will look hopefully yet cautiously towards the future.
