NFL
By Keith Richards
The 2023 season for the Colorado Rapids started with optimism. It was cautious optimism, but it was still optimistic. As the season progressed, that cautious optimism turned to discontent with the fanbase. That discontent from the fanbase with owners reached a breaking point this week. To say that the relationship between the fans and the owners (Kroenke Sports & Entertainment) is fractured would be an understatement. The relationship is officially broken.
Earlier this week, Centennial 38 posted a strong condemnation of Rapids ownership; particularly regarding the 2023 season, which is the breaking point for C38. C38 is the largest independent supporters group for the Rapids. They were founded in 2013 after the merging of three other independent supporters groups.
C38 is unanimously considered to have the best gameday experience for fans and fills over a thousand seats across Dick’s Sporting Goods Park every match. Having reached their breaking point this season, Centennial 38 had this to say, “This is without question the worst year we have experienced as supporters in our Colorado Rapids history. While there have been too many seasons in the past that have been disappointing, 2023 has surpassed these in numerous ways.”
Centennial would go on to say, “The organization’s record on the field speaks for itself. Without going into extensive detail, it is abundantly clear that too many mistakes have occurred under Padraig Smith even while considering the limited resources provided. However, we should not pretend the problems begin and end with the team president. The common denominator of the Rapids’ many problems is Kroenke Sports & Entertainment.”
To have frustrated your largest independent supporters group to reach their breaking point to this extent is very telling. Through Josh Kroenke, KSE would soon respond to the grievances of C38. In their response, KSE stated, “We respect our supporters and are grateful for the passion they demonstrate for the Club, while also acknowledging and understanding their frustrations. We are committed to the Rapids’ long-term success within the core principles of the club and to being a club that our fans and all Coloradans can be proud of.”
KSE’s statement would conclude, “Our supporters will always be the lifeblood of our club. We hear you and we look forward to having an ongoing dialogue with Centennial 38 over their concerns and our plans for the future.” First, how quickly KSE responded was shocking. Their response came three hours after Centennial 38 posted their letter. Second, many fans question if Josh and KSE truly understand the extent of their breaking point.
To better understand why fans have reached their breaking point and understand their discontent with ownership, you’d have to take a closer look at KSE as a whole. Below are some of the other teams owned by KSE and their recent success:
• Los Angeles Rams – 2021 NFL Champs
• Denver Nuggets – 2023 NBA Champs
• Colorado Avalanche – 2022 Stanley Cup Winners
• Colorado Mammoths – 2022 National Lacrosse League Cup winners
• Arsenal F.C. – 2nd Place in the Premier League last season
So, why have fans reached their breaking point? They’ve reached their breaking point because it’s not like KSE is inept concerning team ownership. At the highest levels, KSE has been successful and brought championships to their squads. Just this offseason, Arsenal broke their club transfer record fee by obtaining Declan Rice from West Ham for £100 million ($131 million in US dollars). The $131 million dropped on Rice is roughly 37% of the entire net worth of the Rapids. Based on that move alone, can Josh and KSE say they value the Rapids and their fans?
Following the exchange with C38 and KSE, I polled a few of the Rapids’ faithful and asked them their feelings on the current situation of the club. I asked them the following questions:
1. How long have you been a Rapids fan?
2. What was your breaking point in terms of your current frustration with team ownership?
3. If they (KSE) refuse to sell, what are three things they can do to improve the team and regain your trust?
Unsurprisingly, the responses of the eight fans who answered were very similar. Kevin Esquivel has been a fan for five years. Kevin stated, “My breaking point was the lack of financial support for player transfer and the club facilities. Also, having the office be absolutely clueless on how to do a proper job as a club.”
Jared Geisler, a fan of 12 years, stated his breaking point was a three-game road stretch last year where the Rapids lost by a cumulative score of 12-1. For Alysia, a fan since 2011, her breaking point was “after the signing of Navarro and Tavares and seeing no change in the formations.” Alysia would continue by saying, “Witnessing loss after loss following the return from Leagues Cup was disheartening, but almost expected as the beginning of the season [the Rapids] couldn’t even punctuate a home win until midway into the season.”
For @RyderAshby, their breaking point was the lack of attack throughout this season and the dying scoreboard. In all seriousness, the scoreboard has become a laughingstock among the Rapids faithful. Cody, known in Rapids Twitter circles as TheColoradoKid, echoed a similar sentiment to Ryder. Concerning his breaking point, Cody stated, “[The] breaking point for me was losing to [Real Salt Lake] in a span of 48 hours, but also coming into the year without a #9 for the second year in a row.”
Regarding what it would take for KSE to regain their trust, the answers were very similar as well. Another fan of 10 years, known in the Rapids Twitter circles as Juanners, stated, “If KSE don’t sell, they need to clear house. They can assemble a way better group of leaders than the current crop. Get a guy who knows the sport and can have clear connections and give them the reigns to build this team out.”
Zach, a fan of four years, stated, “Just an honest attempt to put a competitive club out there and fairly priced tickets to show that they actually give a [expletive] about us instead of building yuppie [expletive] like the North Boundary.” The increase in the price of season tickets was a major point of contention and alienated many fans. Quite a few decided not to renew their season tickets.
Known as Papa Edge, a fan since 2015, believes the owners should appoint a supporters trust to give input on club decisions. Ryder believes the club should invest, hire a good coach, and actually develop academy players. Beyond the respect and treatment of the fans, Cody believes in the respect and treatment of players as well.
TheColoradoKid stated, “If they (KSE) won’t make the fans their supposed ‘lifeblood’ in Josh’s words, at least make an actual training facility so the players feel safe and comfortable during practice; so that don’t have to worry about picking up injuries during practice.” Facilities have been a large point of contention this season as well. Given the major injuries that have occurred over the past two seasons, how could it not be?
Jared would echo the feelings of Cody. As for one of the things KSE could do to restore trust, he stated, “Producee plans for STADIUM redevelopment (assuming scoreboard is the first part and would stay through the process) not plans for the real estate around the stadium.” When I say the scoreboard is a big point of contention and a possible breaking point for many fans, I’m not kidding.
Kevin and Alysia would offer, arguably, the most revealing answers concerning their desires for KSE. Kevin stated, “Having the support in the community and having the means to back up the current manager and the players so they can fight for the badge with pride instead of out of sympathy.”
Alysia stated, “If KSE refuses to sell, they need to visit the facility and team. We shouldn’t feel like an afterthought and actually invest in the Rapids. We want to see amazing signings of decent players.”
As mentioned at the start, the relationship between Rapids fans and Rapids ownership is broken. That said, they’ve not reached the point of no return. Though many have reached their breaking point, they have solid ideas of what KSE can do to regain their trust and make the Rapids experience enjoyable and worth it once more. Only one question remains: Will Kroenke Sports & Entertainment listen?
Team NBS will be in the building tomorrow night at the Rapids welcome New England to Commerce City. Normally, I would give a prediction of the outcome, but there are bigger things than the match tomorrow. Centennial 38 plans to lead a protest where fans wear black and walk out of the match in the 20th minute. I’ll be there to keep everyone up-to-date on the match and the situation between fans and ownership. If you feel the same as C38, be sure to support them and purchase some merch!
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