The TBR Mailbag, Vol. 2

The TBR Mailbag is a bi-weekly feature brought to you by the TBR front office to allow you, the fans, to write in and ask questions about the team, organization, and the return of professional soccer to Tampa Bay. If you have any questions you would like answered, please email us at mailbag@tbrowdies.com.

We have some great questions this week and wanted to thank everyone who took the time to write us. We will be doing our best to answer all of your questions, highlighting some in the bi-weekly TBR Mailbag feature.

We took this week’s questions to our staff to answer, including going back to team Owner and President Andrew Nestor. We look forward to hearing from more of you, and discussing things further with all of you on the message board.

Q: Mr. Nestor, with you taking over responsibilities of GM for the team, could you tell us more about the GM role and qualifications?
AN: There are several aspects of the General Manager position with the two most important tasks being (1) management of soccer and player development operations, and (2) coach and player contract negotiations.

As discussed in the last mailbag, I will be working with our Technical Director, Perry Van Der Beck, and ownership group to hire our head coach. We will then develop our sporting philosophy dictating the type of players we sign, our training curriculum and our player development initiatives.

I will oversee our coaching staff’s efforts in building out our scouting program and, on an ongoing basis, oversee our coaching staff’s leadership and training of our pro club and academy.

I have personal background and knowledge of player and team training through my playing experience and fitness / sports training experience as well. I have a deep understanding of player development options and regulations, as well as the US and foreign soccer markets. I will lean on our soccer and sports medicine experts for recommendations.

I will be the point of contact for all player agents, soccer clubs, and TBR player development affiliates, negotiating player contracts, player loans, and affiliation partnership structures. Van Der Beck and our coaching staff scout players inside and outside of our organization and make player recommendations. I will negotiate player contracts based on our staff’s recommendations using our “secret sauce” and considering the overall marketplace.

I have a finance / investment banking background that has prepared me for this role, including private equity acquisition lending in the hospitality sector, extensive private offering and valuation structuring, and M&A analysis. Our Chairman, Hinds Howard, who I work with to develop team budgets, has experience including primary analysis of a $1+ billion hedge fund, portfolio management, and investment banking experience.

Q: As a season ticket deposit holder when will we be getting updates on how we can purchase season tickets, and where can we buy Rowdies merchandise?
TBR: Once we publically announce our playing venue, we will release the official seating chart and pricing. TBR will directly contact all season ticket depositors to discuss ticket options. We will host a meet-your-seat day for depositors at the stadium to actually see the field and seating lay out and meet our staff.

Merchandise will be available again soon. Merchandise will be available through the website and brick-and-mortar locations. We are currently developing a new private-label online store with a broad array of high-quality products. We are also working with local retail stores to make sure that you will be able to find merchandise at your favorite local shops.

Q: Would the Rowdies be interested in sponsoring our team/event/organization?
TBR: As an organization we are looking forward to being an active member of the Tampa Bay community. We have already been involved in many events, from YMCA camps, school and PTA events, soccer tournaments, and partnering with area charities. We are always looking to get involved where we can. With that said it is not possible for us to sponsor every event. If you have a team/event/organization you would like the Rowdies to be a part of, please contact Andrew Suggs at partnerships@tbrowdies.com.

Q: Will there be any future watch parties or gatherings where we can meet the owners?
TBR: As things progress, there are plans for many different watch parties and events where there will be the chance to meet fellow soccer supporters, TBR Owners, players, management and staff. Events will be held throughout the Tampa Bay area in various traditional and nontraditional venues. As an organization, we look forward to meeting as many fans as possible. We will host several different events this fall as we gear up toward next season, including meet-your-seat night at the stadium for season ticket holders, nights to meet and interact with players and coaches, a jersey premiere party, US National team viewing parties, regular Rowdies Pub Nights, soccer beach days and more. Stay tuned for more details.