BendJack
First Team Player
I'll just try and answer a few questions here. I'm on cellphone and in between stuff, so hope it makes sense.
Iwas born in Swansea, have family in Swansea and I'm visiting very regularly due to work and the affinity I've always had to my birthplace.
I've been a Swans supporter all my life. Supportng the club through the dark years, too!
As for the comments on "cringe", I can only agree. There's virtually zero imagination in American sports - it's all so technical and clinically commercial. This largely extends to the supporters, too.
Over the last decade or so, "soccer" (allegedly!) has become much more popular in the States and, much like the UK, many 'fans' are attracted by the larger clubs with larger budgets and more successes. However, there is undoubtedly a growing number of people getting into football who appreciate nuances of Championship football in the UK as more competitive.... However, being American, too many associate Championship football with being superior only by its name (because it sounds like it's superior to "Premier", right?).
This is where the US owners have done well this time around, because Swansea City FC has an identity in the US. Commercially, our beautiful club is recognized by more 'Yanks' than ever before! I brought a couple of American friends with me to a game at the stadium a few months back. We lost - sure! But the buzz of the live atmosphere and what's happening on the pitch is pure theater at times! They loved it and so talk about it, today.
In other words, given a chance most Americans will come around to football. The Swans, if they continue on the path of commercial success in the US, WILL impact the US audience through enlargement of the fan base. We Americans may seem fickle - and many are - but we're also fiercely loyal to our passions. The challenge is highlighting the club out there more to create these passions!
This is where weed comes into it.... Or, Snoopdog, even!
Iwas born in Swansea, have family in Swansea and I'm visiting very regularly due to work and the affinity I've always had to my birthplace.
I've been a Swans supporter all my life. Supportng the club through the dark years, too!
As for the comments on "cringe", I can only agree. There's virtually zero imagination in American sports - it's all so technical and clinically commercial. This largely extends to the supporters, too.
Over the last decade or so, "soccer" (allegedly!) has become much more popular in the States and, much like the UK, many 'fans' are attracted by the larger clubs with larger budgets and more successes. However, there is undoubtedly a growing number of people getting into football who appreciate nuances of Championship football in the UK as more competitive.... However, being American, too many associate Championship football with being superior only by its name (because it sounds like it's superior to "Premier", right?).
This is where the US owners have done well this time around, because Swansea City FC has an identity in the US. Commercially, our beautiful club is recognized by more 'Yanks' than ever before! I brought a couple of American friends with me to a game at the stadium a few months back. We lost - sure! But the buzz of the live atmosphere and what's happening on the pitch is pure theater at times! They loved it and so talk about it, today.
In other words, given a chance most Americans will come around to football. The Swans, if they continue on the path of commercial success in the US, WILL impact the US audience through enlargement of the fan base. We Americans may seem fickle - and many are - but we're also fiercely loyal to our passions. The challenge is highlighting the club out there more to create these passions!
This is where weed comes into it.... Or, Snoopdog, even!
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