An Open Letter to the Washington Spirit (and NWSL)

Dear Washington Spirit and NWSL,

Let me first say that we're excited to have professional soccer back at the Maryland Soccerplex. I've got my family's tickets for the first two home games and bought the voucher pack months ago. We're really looking forward to some warm nights cheering on the players and enjoying the soccer.

Let me also say that I understand this a huge and risky investment on the part of the owners. Likewise, it is a bit of risk for us to get too attached to a team after Freedom I and Freedom II. The MagicJack fiasco still makes my daughters angry, despite the very good lesson in economics that it was.

However, if you are in, then so are we! Don't fail us!

Here are 11 tips (from a fan's point of view):

1. Keep ticket prices low and parking free. You will get the fans of women's soccer. You need to also be able to get the soccer fans or those just looking for something to do to go on a whim and the promise of a pleasant evening watching a sporting event. I should be able to get a family of four in the park for less than $80.
2. Make it easy. Soccer families (your initial audience) are busy busy busy on Spring weekends. Motivating to see a Spirit game after two or three youth games on a Saturday and possibly more on a sunday might be difficult. Make the experience exciting but effortless so we'd rather be there than on the couch with a beer. (See #7 and #8 below).
3. Don't be gimmicky. The game itself is the product and it is good. Don't do anything that draws attention away from the game as you'll turn away fans of the game. Your initial audience might be soccer families but with some patience and good quality, your long term audience will be the fans of the game.
4. But have a little pomp n' circumstance. It's not a youth game. Build it up a bit! Get some music. Make it professional!
5. Create rivalries. I am not sure how to do in a league's first year but there needs to be some reason 'rock the red'. Even though many coming to see the games are going to come to see USWNT stars on other teams, you want them cheering for the Spirit. Loudly. Passionately. We should be yelling at Alex Morgan when she comes to town, not cheering!
6. SWAG - get shirts and gear into the local sporting goods stores. I should be able to walk into Modells in Germantown and buy a shirt. This is advertising for your product!
7. Have good food. Give me a reason to have dinner in the park and not at Panera's in Germantown before the game. Find a local vendor who might benefit from the exposure.
8. Have good beer. With Flying Dog and other local brews nearby, these should be served. Again, think local!
9. Get a good announcer.
10. Make good use of new media (including Patch, which should really focus more energy on the local sports scene) and old media such as bulletin boards in coffee shops).
11. Don't allow Dan Borislow anywhere near the pitch.

We wish you the best of luck this season!

Sincerely,

A Fan/Father/Husband/Manager/Coach

The Spirit's first home game is Saturday at 7 PM.