SWOT ANALYSIS
MISSION | VISION STATEMENT
DELIVER A THRILLING, YET PROFESSIONAL FAN EXPERIENCE, AN
EXCITING WAY TO UNLEASH THE AREAS PASSION FOR SOCCER,
AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO UNITE THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
DELIVER AN EXCITING AND ENGAGING FAN EXPERIENCE
DESIGNED TO FOSTER A COMMUNITY OF DEVOTED FANS.
HISTORY
Founded August 12th, 2015, by a group, lead by Carl H. Lindner III
Semi-Finals in Lamar Open Cup 2017
Made it to USL Playoffs in both years as a team
Shattered USL and Lamar Open Cup attendance records
Defeated many MLS teams and are in consideration to become an
MLS team
STRENGTHS
Fanbase shown to be loyal and growing
Growth
Consistently breaking records
April 2016 - 20,947
May 2016 - 23,375
September 2017 - 30,417
Loyalty
2016 Averages: FCC - 17,834; CC - 17,125; LCFC - 7,218
2017 Averages: FCC - 21,212; CC - 15,439; LCFC - 9,281
STRENGTHS
Cincinnati has been deprived of a soccer team
Incredible potential fan-base growth
Surrounding area can also benefit
UC Campus starting grounds
Incorporated into the everyday lives of students
STRENGTHS
Fastest growing sport in country
Games shorter on average than other sports
Baseball: 2 hours 58 mins
Football: 3 hours 12 mins
Soccer: 1 hour 30 mins
Better overall performance than other local teams
Reds finished last place in division 3 years in row
Bengals ranked 30th offensively and 28th defensively so far in 2017 season
FC Cincinnati ranked 6th in USL in 2017 season
WEAKNESSES
Lack of own stadium
Competing field time with other teams
Cannot be promoted to MLS
Lacking a soccer only stadium is a hindrance
WEAKNESSES
Seasonal-based profit
Preseason and offseason
Season overlaps other sports
Money spent on other sports teams
Infrastructure needs to be able to accommodate crowds
Website crash
WEAKNESSES
Fanbase is Family-Oriented
Majority of soccer fans are young millennials
Only 50% of U.S. citizens have a basic interest or
understanding of soccer
The MLS cup was viewed by 2 million people, whereas the
MLB All-Star game was viewed by 8.7 million
OPPORTUNITIES
Soccer is increasing in popularity
Since 2010:
106% increase in total attendance (more than doubled)
5,438 more tickets sold/game
Increase in 7 of past 8 years
OPPORTUNITIES - Team
Build existing talent on team
Buy players from different nations
Different perspective on game
Different understanding of game
Players with a versatile understanding of game will be able to
better adapt to variations of opponents playing styles
Djiby Fall Justin Hoyte
Senegalese Nationality English Nationality
Played in Kazakhstan, Belgium, Played in England and The
Denmark, Senegal Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Named Danish Player of the Year
in 2007 and 2009
Top goal scorer
OPPORTUNITIES - Team
FCC should seek to buy former foreign legend players
Having a legend on the team:
Add to teams talent understand different playing styles
Play better as a team win more games
Increase fan turnout at games
Great players
E.g. Bastian Schweinsteiger
17,383
2017 had highest average home
game attendance since 1998, when
they became an MLS team
2017: Bastian Schweinsteiger signed
with Chicago fire
2005, 2007, and 2008 were the highest
average home game attendances of their time
2005: Landon Donovan signed
2007: David Beckham signed
2008: Donovan was highest goal-scorer and
MVP, Beckham had the most assists
New York City FC New York Red Bulls
Founded in 2013 Founded in 1994
2017: NYCFC had the 5th highest 2017: NY Red Bulls had the 8th
home game attendance Highest home game attendance
OPPORTUNITIES - Off Season
Stadium can be used for more than soccer
Music festivals/concerts
32 million people go to festivals each year
Cincinnati Music Festival
New stadium could provide ideal size and environment
Breakaway Festival
Held at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus
18,300 Facebook Likes, very successful
COLUMBUS CREW RELOCATION
Columbus Crew likely to relocate to Austin, TX in 2019
Expand fan base
Ticket sales
Build brand
Closest team to Cincinnati/Columbus is Chicago Fire
Threats
Stadium
UC teams that play during FCs Season
Fanbase draw and costs with using the fields
College attendance
Off campus, less college kids there
Bengals Stadium
Still being paid for by taxpayers, creates resentment towards new
stadium
Threats
Two different, unrelated news apps available for download
Splits the fanbase, lack of consolidation
Social media isnt too high on soccer
Less coverage, less free publicity
The increasing spotlight on head/neck injuries
Hinders the popularity of game, thus hindering growth
Threats
MLS/Team
Other teams in Cincinnati
Bengals, Reds, Cyclones
Columbus Crew, split the fans?
Only 110 miles away
Losing the MLS bid
Ending contracts, who will they lose out on acquiring?
Recommendations
Purchase land for stadium
Increases chances for MLS spot
Invest in foreign players
Diverse understanding to the game
Assets to the team
Host concerts, music festivals, and festivals at new stadium
Continue to make the community a priority, especially families
Expand fan base outside of Cincinnati
Consolidate to one news feed app
SWOT Team Specialists
Strengths Specialists: Alex Belkin, Jacob Bakonyi, Bria Million
Weakness Specialists: Mike Ciesko, Logan Montgomery, Sean
Kamphaus
Opportunities Specialists: Nonso Okonji, Eric Michael, Josh
Davidson
Threats Specialists: Tony Condy, Tiernan Hull, Chris Fenter
