Fine, we understand that Zoffinger isn't a fan of soccer.
While commenting on the fact that the new team will have Red Bull in their name, the NJSEA honcho had the following to say as reported on bigapplesoccer.com http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/article.php?article_id=5602 :
"we are not happy with their announcement that their new name is Red Bull New York. Their home stadium is a New Jersey landmark, and it is an insult to us for them to remove the name of the state. We strongly object to this lack of respect for the State of New Jersey. I have reached out to the team and Major League Soccer and told them of our displeasure."
When talking about the new stadium, he went on to say:
"How should the taxpayers of Hudson County feel when they learn that the team will not have the name “New Jersey” on their uniform?" he asked.
Ugh. Here we go again. Where's the lack of respect from the New York Giants (who have the NY logo on their helmet) and New York Jets? Suddenly, Zoffinger considers soccer such a big sport that it's an insult to a state? If its such a damn important sport, why did the NJSEA crap on the MetroStars whenever they were given the opportunity?
But here are a couple of other points for such a big fan of the league and team:
1. They didn't remove the NJ name. It hasn't been there for a while. Originally known as the NY/NJ MetroStars, the team removed the "NY/NJ" prefix a while back and was officially known as the MetroStars until Red Bull took over.
2. Why shouldn't the Red Bull organization be free to call the team whatever it wants? If "New Jersey" is insulted, I guess the residents can feel free not to go an watch the team. This is a marketing decision made by Red Bull, which I imagine is better at measuring the potential impact of the naming on marketing then the NJSEA. I can completely understand it being a bad MARKETING decision to name the team New York if they were playing in Trenton, but Secaucus and Harrison are a 10 minute drive from NYC.
3. Do other NJ residents despise the existence of West New York? We should ask the Hudson County Residents.
4. Lets be honest, without its close proximity to New York City, what type of housing or retail market would exist in the northeast part of Jersey? (or southern Connecticut and Long Island for that matter.) I venture to guess aside from the beach front community, there would be a lot of farms in most of the tri-state area.
5. Giants Stadium sucks for the league. Always has, always will. Its been a drain of money. We play on a plastic field that's been modified to suit the NFL teams. The atmosphere sucks. The employees mock the sport when you're there, etc.
6. The teams lease expires at the end of this season, and Zoff has stated they won't play there next season with New York in their name. The new stadium in Harrison won't be ready until 2008, due to delays. So, what do they do? Can the Red Bull company add some incentives to complete the project in less time? If not, move the friggin team for a year to Long Island where the Rough Riders play. Can't move them to Rutgers because, guess what, NJSEA runs that complex as well.
7. I'm curious if the residents in Harrison will complain, or those of Hudson County for that matter, when RED BULL ARENA opens and creates jobs and commerce that doesn't exist. Will the residents complain when the value of their homes increase? When their residents work for the stadium? When conventions and concerts are held in their city when soccer isn't being played?
8. Its time for Zoff to just keep quiet and be the nice guy as the stadium is being built. Stop caring about soccer, like you always have.