Author: David Shama

David Shama is a former sports editor and columnist with local publications. His writing and reporting experiences include covering the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Gophers. Shama’s career experiences also include sports marketing. He is the former Marketing Director of the Minnesota North Stars of the NHL. He is also the former Marketing Director of the United States Tennis Association’s Northern Section. A native of Minneapolis, Shama has been part of the community his entire life. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota where he majored in journalism. He also has a Master’s degree in education from the University of St. Thomas. He was a member of the Governor’s NBA’s Task Force to help create interest in bringing pro basketball to town in the 1980s.

Vikings Stadium Differs from MLS Model

Posted on March 19, 2012March 19, 2012 by David Shama

A new Vikings stadium could also be home to a Major League Soccer franchise. The Vikings owners have shown interest in owning a Minneapolis MLS team, although the proposed downtown fixed roof stadium doesn’t conform to the MLS facility model.

The MLS website states that in 2011 13 of the 18 franchises played in venues built for soccer. Those stadiums have capacities about one-third smaller than NFL facilities including the proposed stadium here with projected seating of more than 60,000. Then, too, none of the MLS franchises play in fixed roof stadiums.

But Djorn Buchholz, chief executive officer of the Minnesota Stars FC North American Soccer League franchise, doesn’t think a covered stadium is a deal breaker in acquiring a MLS franchise. “It’s not an ideal stadium for soccer, but we are in Minnesota, and we could (sometimes) have three feet of snow on the ground,” Buchholz told Sports Headliners.

The Stars will play their first game of the season at the Metrodome on April 7. The game was scheduled indoors because of weather concerns. The remaining regular season home schedule will be played outdoors at the National Sports Center in Blaine.

Buchholz said the MLS regards Minneapolis as a possible franchise location and he described this area as “one of the remaining top markets.” He hopes the Stars will be part of a cooperative venture with a new MLS team here, rather than a competitor.

Soccer in this area has seen highs and lows, ranging from the Minnesota Kicks tailgating phenomenon and capacity crowds at Met Stadium during the 1970s to the struggles of other franchises in more recent times. Although the Stars won the NASL playoffs last year, the franchise has sold only 300 season tickets for 2012 but Buchholz is optimistic about renewed interest in soccer here.

The franchise averaged about 1,800 fans last year, an increase of approximately 700 from the season prior, he said. This year he’s projecting an average of 3,000 and 5,000 in 2013.

Stars tickets are affordable including general admission seating available at $5 for the home opener on April 7 against the Carolina RailHawks.

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Tubby Smith Has South Carolina Ties

Posted on March 16, 2012March 16, 2012 by David Shama

Will South Carolina pursue Tubby Smith for its basketball opening?

The Gamecocks fired fourth-year coach Darrin Horn earlier this week after South Carolina finished with the worst record in the Southeastern Conference, 2-14. The Gamecocks were 10-21 overall, their third straight losing season under Horn.

Smith’s name is likely to come up as a successor to Horn. Smith was once an assistant coach at South Carolina. His agent, Ricky Lefft, is based in the state working as an attorney and assistant professor at South Carolina.

The Gophers coach and his agent could be restless after Smith’s five seasons in Minnesota. Smith has two years remaining on his contract but hasn’t been able to agree on an extension despite many months of speculation that a deal would get done. University of Minnesota president Eric Kaler told WCCO Radio’s Sports Huddle on Sunday that contract considerations need to wait until a new Gophers athletic director is hired in the coming months.

After winning a national championship at Kentucky and being an annual SEC power, Smith’s transition to Minnesota has been a challenge. His program has faced off court problems including numerous player transfers and on court he has never coached a Minnesota team to better than a 9-9 record in the Big Ten Conference, or gone beyond an opening game in the NCAA tournament. His last two teams have produced conference regular season records of 6-12. His Big Ten record, including conference tournament games is, 39-53.

Smith’s five year resume has been criticized by fans and media more so this year than ever before. That criticism and the lack of progress by the athletic department in developing funds to build a state-of-the-art practice facility could be factors — along with his contract situation — in convincing Smith to look elsewhere if he can find the right opportunity.

Smith will be 61 in June and wants to continue coaching. But his age and mediocre results at Minnesota don’t make him the hot coaching commodity he once was. Yet South Carolina is a basketball program that has fallen on tough times and might see the image Smith built winning SEC championships at Kentucky as a quick fix.

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Wild Face Challenging Offseason

Posted on March 16, 2012March 16, 2012 by David Shama

Look for the Wild to make an offseason to-do list that could include signing New Jersey’s Zach Parise or Nashville’s Ryan Suter, or both.

That’s the opinion of an NHL expert who told Sports Headliners the franchise wants to improve its scoring and upgrade its image by adding a talented player or two. Parise, who was born in Minneapolis, ranks in the top 25 this season in both goals and points. Suter, a defenseman with Nashville, was an NHL All-Star this year. Both have expiring contracts.

Possibly complicating the offseason for the Wild, though, is a looming NHL labor strike that would hit the franchise’s budget if the season were shortened or cancelled. The NHL collective bargaining agreement expires September 15 and famous negotiator Donald Fehr will represent the players.

The NHL expert said the Wild lost over $20 million during the NHL “work stoppage” 2004-05 season. This season, assuming the Wild don’t’ make the playoffs, will result in a loss of at least $8 million, he said.

The team has only 12 regular season games remaining and is 13^th among 15 Western Conference teams in total points. After a strong start to the season, the Wild has faltered badly and appears almost certain to miss the playoffs for a fourth consecutive year.

Season tickets totals have been declining in recent years and the NHL expert believes perhaps up to 25 percent of season tickets might not be renewed in 2012. The total season tickets could drop to the 8,000-9,000 range, or roughly half of the franchise’s all-time high. “It’s hard for fans to plop down money with the team they put on the ice,” the source said.

The disappointing season on the ice can impact future revenue streams beyond season tickets. Areas like sponsorships, suites and signage.

The Wild haven’t been able to score goals and lack the depth to replace injured players. Mikko Koivu, Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Guillaume Latendresse have been among the contributors unable to play. “They pretty much have to play a perfect game to win,” the source said.

First year coach Mike Yeo isn’t to blame for the disappointing season. “I don’t think you can point a finger at him,” the source said. “There have been so many lineup changes and injuries.”

The source believes the Wild may trade veteran goalie Niklas Backstrom during the offseason. That would relieve the team of an estimated $6 million salary, money that could be used trying to sign a Parise or Suter. But even with the addition of some star power, the Wild will be trying to rebuild with young players.

“The Wild are basing a lot of their future on young players acquired through the draft and trades,” the NHL expert said. “There’s no guarantee all those guys are going to make it. It’s going to take awhile for them to get acclimated into the league and make any kind of impact.”

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