Thorns Academy $7,000 + a yearr

[Unregistered]

Someone is upset that rumors of a Thorns Academy, and the possibility that it might be subsidized, are hurting recruiting for ecnl.

If the Thorns Academy would have announced first, it would probably be the other way around.

Having three Elite level opportunities in Portland will make for a challenge in assembling sufficient talent to compete at high levels.

[Unregistered]

Not the Fact Set here

I worked for a large company where my job entailed being one of the lead negotiators on deals that involved a lot of different companies and government agencies. Two things I learned are you can't put a timeline on anything, because you just don't know when everything will fall into place. Secondly, you never even hint at details until the lawyers are done and the ink is dry. That is a good way to put yourself into a corner.

I understand your experience is a common occurrence in business and government, however that is not the fact set here.

The Thorns/Timbers have COMPLETE control of the structure and where and how they play the same way any other club has control over who their teams play. An Academy team would have a near automatic entry to the FWRL. A "tournament only" team would have a free rein to schedule the number and quality of tournaments. The budgets for either "choice" are not rocket science and take about one month to compile.

These are the SAME choices they have had for OVER a year since the Academy concept was first brought into the discussion. So you may be willing to give them the benefit of the doubt but they are not doing themselves any favors with their silence OR the delay.

[Unregistered]

I understand your experience is a common occurrence in business and government, however that is not the fact set here.

The Thorns/Timbers have COMPLETE control of the structure and where and how they play the same way any other club has control over who their teams play. An Academy team would have a near automatic entry to the FWRL. A "tournament only" team would have a free rein to schedule the number and quality of tournaments. The budgets for either "choice" are not rocket science and take about one month to compile.

These are the SAME choices they have had for OVER a year since the Academy concept was first brought into the discussion. So you may be willing to give them the benefit of the doubt but they are not doing themselves any favors with their silence OR the delay.

They have to collaborate with the Alliance Clubs.

[Unregistered]

You obvisously don't work in the MKTG dept

One of the first things you learn in corporate America is that radio silence in negotiations is critical. You control the things you can control. It's important.

You can't control rumors or speculation.

This is not a negotiation it is a PRODUCT ROLL OUT. Marketing experts would tell you it's important to tease the target market with tidbits and facts that get them excited (aka Advertising). The T/T's have done just the opposite despite being faced with direct competition!

[Unregistered]

This is not a negotiation it is a PRODUCT ROLL OUT. Marketing experts would tell you it's important to tease the target market with tidbits and facts that get them excited (aka Advertising). The T/T's have done just the opposite despite being faced with direct competition!

They have to work with the alliance DOC's if they want to be successful. Plus, figuring out how to pay for it isn't easy.

[Unregistered]

Whaaa?

They have to collaborate with the Alliance Clubs.

As initially proposed the Academy was an OPEN process why would they have to coordinate with the Alliance Clubs any more than the OPL clubs unless you are saying they are trying to structure a proprietary product. If that is the case I could not MORE disappointed in the Thorns.

[Unregistered]

As initially proposed the Academy was an OPEN process why would they have to coordinate with the Alliance Clubs any more than the OPL clubs unless you are saying they are trying to structure a proprietary product. If that is the case I could not MORE disappointed in the Thorns.

Hold tight. The announcement will come soon enough. Good things come to those who wait.

[Unregistered]

If the cost of the Thorns Academy is similar to the DA, $500 per year, that will be a big hit.

[Unregistered]

Announcement just before CU tryouts

I fully expect the Thorns to make their long awaited announcement in the days immediately before the first round of CU ECNL team tryouts.

The question is should you believe anything they publish?

[Unregistered]

If the cost of the Thorns Academy is similar to the DA, $500 per year, that will be a big hit.

Is there really a difference between $250 and $500. Why charge $500. If they are already subsidizing all of the travel, tournament and coaching costs, what's another $250 price reduction?

[Unregistered]

Is there really a difference between $250 and $500. Why charge $500. If they are already subsidizing all of the travel, tournament and coaching costs, what's another $250 price reduction?

Ok, lets do the math. One plus one equals juicebox squared plus the radius times 3.14. This should give you profit. According to the underpants gnomes.

[Unregistered]

If the cost of the Thorns Academy is similar to the DA, $500 per year, that will be a big hit.

I'm with a TA club but I don't see this happening unless there is no out of state travel at all. It might be $500 plus travel expenses.

[Unregistered]

I'm with a TA club but I don't see this happening unless there is no out of state travel at all. It might be $500 plus travel expenses.

$500 plus travel expenses($4,500) = $ 5,000.

[Unregistered]

Id imagine they would subsidize it like they do the boys but I have no insider knowledge. I suppose we'll see when they announce it. It'd be cool if it were low cost.

[Unregistered]

Id imagine they would subsidize it like they do the boys but I have no insider knowledge. I suppose we'll see when they announce it. It'd be cool if it were low cost.

Low cost= low quality. Who you gonna play? Cause pretty much all your alliance teams suck. Loyalty only gets you so far, and thorns academy is the end of the road then off the cliff you go. ODP as bad as it has become at least is still better than putting the thorns name on rec soccer players. The couple good teams in the alliance will gain nothing, but hey at least the parents can stick together, like thats supposed to make it all better. I ask, are you doing whats best for you or what's best for your daughter? Maybe you can invite the college scouts to your block party BBQ.