[Albion] Why are we doing this US tour?

[Hamilton]

I’m struggling to understand what value we will get from this US tour.

On the sporting side, we’ll be playing a Newcastle side on 29 July and then having to fly our squad home to start the season two weeks later.

On the commercial side, I hardly see this as helping us to sell more shirts stateside.

I just don’t think this is what’s needed on the eve of our most important top flight season.

Is it a good move or a bad one?

 

[Brian Fantana]

You could argue that it is better preparation to be playing other PL sides during pre-season, as it will represent a higher level of opponent than we’d usually routinely face.

 

[WhingForPresident]

Raises the club's visibility in a big market, and serves as a good warm up against teams we'll be playing next season.

As they're effectively PL-endorsed games and will be the only real football going on at the time, I'm sure plenty will tune in around the world.

 

[Zeus]

It’s a good move. Playing to sold out stadiums in America is great for our global profile, we play some relatively competitive pre season friendlies, get the squad together for a decent period of time to team build, and an 8 hour flight is hardly going to give anyway disastrous jet lag. I can’t see any negatives tbh.

 

[Seagull Stew]

It's all about expanding our brand further into the global market. Or something like that!

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Our major sponsor is American Express.

Our Stadium is the Amex...

 

[Bozza]

Chance to visit the outlets and stock up on Nike, Calvin Klein and Polo Ralph Lauren apparel?

 

[pocketseagull]

Won't be about shirt sales, we make very little from that hence not ordering enough stock. All about brand recognition and the 'prestige' of being involved.

 

[Silverhatch]

Our major sponsor is American Express.

Our Stadium is the Amex...

Extremely important for us that the Amex US/domestic execs see the Albion’s principal partner on their patch.

 

[albionalex]

It will probably be hard to assign any tangible benefit, at least for a few years. But as others have said, increases the clubs profile and could attract new sponsors.

Do we know who's keeping the ticket sales?

 

[dadams2k11]

Our major sponsor is American Express.

Our Stadium is the Amex...

I believe PBOBE said in one of the many podcast he has done, something along the lines that American express had some input in the decision as they have been our sponsor for years, and many more years to come, and we've never played in USA.*

*Please be aware, there is a chance I could have completely dreamt that, and it is a load of horse shit.

 

[AZ Gull]

I believe PBOBE said in one of the many podcast he has done, something along the lines that American express had some input in the decision as they have been our sponsor for years, and many more years to come, and we've never played in USA.*

*Please be aware, there is a chance I could have completely dreamt that, and it is a load of horse shit.

Incorrect. We toured the western US after we won promotion to the old First Division.

 

[Springal]

Basically commercial visibility & the Amex / PL tie in.

 

[wellquickwoody]

Extremely important for us that the Amex US/domestic execs see the Albion’s principal partner on their patch.

This, and the fact that the good old US of A is still seen as a massively open marketplace in which the Big Six are yet to take effective control of commercial opportunities. Whereas south east Asia is already full of United/City/Liverpool/Chelsea etc, Middle East will soon be dominated by City and Newcastle, Europe has its own clubs as does South America. Even here because of the ex pats the scene is dominated by the Big Six again. The US provides a wealthy, mainly unattached customer base.

 

[Wardy's twin]

Won't be about shirt sales, we make very little from that hence not ordering enough stock. All about brand recognition and the 'prestige' of being involved.

but you never will sell a lot of shirts if you don't have any....

 

[B-right-on]

Money

Unfortunately makes the football world go round

 

[BiffyBoy100]

Our profile is definitely growing in the US. I was visiting Martha's Vineyard last week and saw an American guy wearing an Albion shirt. Said he's a big fan after seeing us on tv and reading up on our history.

Every PL game is available, so people pick a team (like the mad fella in NYC that sings)

The US is a huge commercial opportunity and will continue to increase our fanbase. Japan next summer?

 

[Mental Lental]

Obviously I'm biased. But they should've gone to Japan.

 

[North Carolina Supporter]

As an American, I’m obviously biased in favor of the US tour. But I think the decision to risk significant capital for this tour indicates that Bloom believes that there will be a return on his investment- in the form of many new Albion fans. There are literally millions of kids that play - but have not yet chosen a club to support. Brighton has the opportunity to capture a piece of this market. The streaming services in the US offer more PL matches and Europa too… it’s a great time to win over US fans… we look forward to meeting some NSC members in Atlanta!

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

As an American, I’m obviously biased in favor of the US tour. But I think the decision to risk significant capital for this tour indicates that Bloom believes that there will be a return on his investment- in the form of many new Albion fans. There are literally millions of kids that play - but have not yet chosen a club to support. Brighton has the opportunity to capture a piece of this market. The streaming services in the US offer more PL matches and Europa too… it’s a great time to win over US fans… we look forward to meeting some NSC members in Atlanta!

Will three friendly games have much impact on who kids choose to support? Will there be a lot of fanfare around the games?