Nick Sakiewicz, CEO & Operating Partner for Keystone Sports and Entertainment, LLC., again joined us in our chat room to answer the many questions that our guests had to ask.  Below is the transcript of the chat session which occurred @ 7pm on Thursday, November 13, 2008.

Nick Sakiewicz: Good evening everybody! Nick here. Hope everyone is getting ready for the Chicago vs. Columbus game tonight. It should be a real good one.

heynow: This is indirectly Philly MLS related, but can you shed any light on the concern that has been expressed on a certain internet message forum that the Linc possibly doesn’t have appropriate field dimensions for FIFA events like a men’s national team WorldCup Qualifier or World Cup matches? Thanks Nick

Nick Sakiewicz: The Linc is appropriately sized for exhibitions, but not for official FIFA competition.

Mike Thomas: Three part question….. Are there specific marketing and advertising plans in place yet? What demographics does the team intend to go after? And will Philly MLS be trying to tap into the “mainstream” philadelphia sports fans and scene or go a different route?

Nick Sakiewicz: 1)Yes, marketing was supposed to start in October, but because of strong season ticket deposit sales we decided to save the money and push it out to start in January. You will see the marketing initiatives beginning after the 1st of the year with a name-the-team campaign.

Nick Sakiewicz: 2) Soccer fans.

Nick Sakiewicz: 3) Not sure what a mainstream fan is. Not really interested in spending a lot of time and effort going after non-soccer fans. We’re going to focus all our attention on soccer fans.

Jim Christie: Any thoughts on having a pub/bar in the stadium? I’d love to see a local brewery like Victory in Downington open up there

Nick Sakiewicz: Yes, we are working on a number of options. None have been solidified to date, however we’re having good conversations with a number of operators.

ChefJim27: Who do you think raises this year’s cup?

Nick Sakiewicz: Columbus.

Tom Gritter: What’s the status of hiring the majority of the front office and coaching staff? When do you hope to fill those positions? Thanks Nick!

Nick Sakiewicz: Q 1 2009.

Mark C.: Red Bull Park seems to be ahead of its time, as far as MLS stadiums go. Is there any chance our stadium will be modelled more closesly to Red Bull Park instead of, for example, Pizza Hut Park? Most of us are hoping for a more “enclosed” stadium.

Nick Sakiewicz: I don’t know much about Red Bull Park since I left before they redesigned the building, so I’ll have to reserve judgement for when we play our first game there because everyone knows I’m not allowed at Red Bulls games.

Landy Kakes: What are you thoughts on Landon Donovan training/playing with Bayern Munich? Beckham with Milan?

Nick Sakiewicz: I think it’s good for Beckham to stay fit in the offseason. I did that many times with players in NY and Tampa and it always worked out well. I’m not a big fan of sending my star players on trial with other clubs while they’re under contract with us. If Bayern is interested in Landon, they should just buy him.

Bob Collom: Hi Nick, In a previous chat session you stated the new stadium would be wired for HD. Any decision yet on 720p vs. 1080i? If so, what made you choose one over the other and are you considering any “state of the art” asset management systems such as a tapeless workflow environment? Daktronics for the scoreboard / Jumbotron? p.s. – Congrats on the Groundbreaking!

Nick Sakiewicz: Good question. Do you work for an electronics manufacturer?

Nick Sakiewicz: Seriously, we will have some major announcements very soon with regards to the technology in the stadium. You will be very impressed.

BradYoutz: Congrats on the impending ground breaking. What has been the biggest surprise to you so far as you and the “Zolo” team build an organization from the gound up?

Nick Sakiewicz: Frankly, my biggest surprise is that we have almost 30% of the stadium reserved for season tickets and we still have yet to start our marketing initiative.

Matt R: how will you be marketing to area soccer clubs?

Nick Sakiewicz: We’ll have a team of club reps in our front office headed up by someone who we just hired, who is standing behind me, that will be servicing each club and acting as a liason and service rep for whatever those clubs need.

Nick Sakiewicz: By the way, his name is Mike Quarino and his number is 302-552-2910.

wolfe07: Where do you think would be the best spots to find players that will contribute the best to the club? Do you think we will be importing players from abroad?

Nick Sakiewicz: Yes, in order to be competitive out of the gate during our first year we’ll need to do a great job signing our complement of foreign roster spots.

BradYoutz: How does it feel to know that you originated the phrase Zolo?

Nick Sakiewicz: Actually, thanks to Matt Ansbro’s horrible handwriting, the ZOLO was born. LONG LIVE ZOLOS!

ChefJim27: Will there be a “write in” option in the NTT campaign? How might that be handled?

Nick Sakiewicz: We are close to signing a title sponsor that will lead the effort communicating the campaign throughout the marketplace. We will be announcing that shortly, with the campaign to start after the 1st of the year.

Landy Kakes: Do you like the redesign of the MLS Cup?

Nick Sakiewicz: Love it. Tiffany & Co did a tremendous job creating something that is more traditionally soccer.

heynow: Will the Chester stadium have appropriate dimensions for FIFA events?

Nick Sakiewicz: Yes.

Greg Cohen: when will we hear the “earth shattering news” ?

Nick Sakiewicz: Groundbreaking is December 1st. KABOOM!

BradYoutz: With the 12/1 groundbreaking scheduled are we still on schedule for a home season opener in 2010?

Nick Sakiewicz: Yes.

ChrisWirth: When will actual team operations begin such as training exhibitions? Is there any regulation on when an expansion team can begin training or signing players?

Nick Sakiewicz: 1st team training will start Feb. 1st 2010. The first time we’ll be able to sign players would start at the expansion draft after the ‘09 season and in the transfer window Jan. 2010.

Landy Kakes: Any idea when we’ll see more stadium renderings? seating arrangements? 12/1 maybe?

Nick Sakiewicz: We won’t be putting out any more renderings. Designs are final. Pricing and sections willl be out before the end of the year. The actual “select your seat” chart will not be finalized until the middle of next year.

BradYoutz: Has there been any progress on local TV for the team? Who would be your dream team to announce the first season’s games?

Nick Sakiewicz: Still in discussions with potential broadcast partners. Not sure of the talent that would be available for our games. Finding the appropriate talent to broadcast soccer games in America is one of the most difficult things to accomplish.

Nick Sakiewicz: I love Ray Hudson. Not just cause he was my roommate in Tampa but because I love his passion, knowledge, and respect for the game.

ChrisWirth: In the future would the franchise be interested in expanding to a usl team to feed the MLS roster.

Nick Sakiewicz: Possibly.

Mark C.: Creating a great atmosphere in our stadium is important to all of us. Have you thought about emulating the English Premier League, and moving the fans closer to the field than other MLS stadiums?

Nick Sakiewicz: We could not possibly get our fans closer to the field without violating FIFA regulations. The 1st row of seats is a FIFA minimum. 22 feet from the touchline. The reason some of the older Euro stadiums are closer is because they were constructed before FIFA’s modern rules and are therefore grandfathered in.

BradYoutz: Have you made any recent trips overseas recently for the express purpose of scouting players or will you leave that 100% to the head of Soccer Ops?

Nick Sakiewicz: Not for scouting players. It’s too early. That will be left to the Head of Soccer Operations, with the exception of players in which we’ll be required to make major financial commitments to.

Dan Gontkof: Any new developments on finding a training facilty?

Nick Sakiewicz: Yes.

Mike Thomas: Is there any concern that the local media may not support or feature the club frequently? Any way of combatting that if it does happen?

Nick Sakiewicz: We’ve been getting pretty good coverage for the level of activity we have been producing. We’ve met with all the major and secondary media outlets and have had a great response from their management with regards to the level of coverage our team will receive.

Landy Kakes: besides the ceremony for groundbreaking, are there any events planned for that day? You know, like maybe an after-party at a local establishment (cough)**Dark Horse**(cough) to have a few pints with your favorite SoBs???

Nick Sakiewicz: I’m having dinner at Quotations in Media, which is a pretty cool soccer bar. Feel free to join…

Mario Cesarone: Nick, congratulations on the groundbreaking announcement, a major milestone. What is your opinion on the DP and its $400K hit on the Team payroll relative to the competitiveness of the team?

tmoore has entered the room “MtO”

Nick Sakiewicz: Don’t really believe in a “designated” player concept. I don’t believe one player can improve the quality of the team, or for that matter even two players. I believe a team’s makeup must be balanced with depth on the bench in order to play good soccer and win championships. Over time, if you play good soccer and win championships, star players emerge amongst the fan base.

Bob Collom: Do you think MLS is expanding too slow, too fast, or at just the right pace and why? How do you balance “wooing” top talent and potential superstars to MLS while being fiscally sound?

Nick Sakiewicz: One of the best things MLS does is carefully and strategically deploy it’s expansion strategy. With regards to aquisition of talent, MLS also does a good job of balancing the expenditure of money vs. the level of talent in the league. It’s always nice to have more star power and quality, but not at the expense of profitability and long-term sustainability.

Geoff Leavitt: Is there now a relationship or is there any plan in the future to build a relationship with any big European clubs?

Nick Sakiewicz: Several are in the developmental stages.

JCole: It took Seattle just 6 months to name their team…why the delay on naming this one??

Nick Sakiewicz: Seattle named their team in April of ‘08, about a year out from opening. We will name our team at the end of January at about 14 months out.

Tom Gritter: Do you foresee the league ever going to a single-table structure to decide the champion and turning the playoffs into a cup competition that runs throughout the year (ala Carling Cup etc.)

Nick Sakiewicz: Don’t know. That’s the great thing about MLS being such a young league. You never know what the next year brings.

Ryan Patrick: Is there any possibility of a deal with SEPTA to offer season ticket holders a reduced fare on Regional Rail trips to matches?

Nick Sakiewicz: Possibly. Good idea.

Bob – sccaflagger74: Official groundbreaking is the 1st, any idea when we’ll see pilings/foundations, etc?

Nick Sakiewicz: Tuesday, 11/18.

Mike Thomas: Who do you think the frontrunners are for the next set of expansion cities?

Nick Sakiewicz: Don’t really know. I think all 7 bids all were very strong. They all look very good.

Ryan Patrick: How far do you see the club’s influence reaching between New York and DC?

Nick Sakiewicz: As far and as deep into those markets as we can go.

Jim Barnes: Have you given any thought to convertable seating in the SoB section (seats that could fold away to form standing-only “terrace”)

Nick Sakiewicz: Good question. We’re looking at a number of seating options to make it comfortable for the SOBs to stand and also be comfortable in a seating scenario. We’re thinking about it a lot.

Mike E: Does it make sense that New York could win the Western conference in MLS, when they play in the Eastern conference? How would you change the MLS play-off structure?

Nick Sakiewicz: I would love for my good friend Juan Carlos Osorio to win a championship.

Mike Thomas: Seeing how well tickets are already being sold without marketing would you be surprised if all availble season tickets seats were sold? And would this lead to a stadium expansion? what would it take to see Chester stadiums capacity to grow?

Nick Sakiewicz: Given our current run rate, we will cap out at 15,000 season tickets prior to opening day. Effectively selling out the stadium for each game. We’ve designed the stadium to add seating in the north and south ends, which will get the capacity up to 30,000 seats, but we will only do that once we have a healthy waiting list like Toronto.

BradYoutz: How do you account for the implosion of the Galaxy after they signed Becks?

Nick Sakiewicz: 1) After this season started, prior to Beck’s arrival, management started to shuffle players and make wholesale changes, which is near impossible to do effectively in MLS. 2) Poor player decisions once Beck’s arrived. 3) Proves my theory that a Designated Player/Players don’t necessarily make for good soccer.

matt petersen: Seiing the SOB Almanack today about supporting Penns soccer team gave me an idea. Any plans for a Carpenter Cup style tourney at the new stadium? I think it would be great to see Penn, Villanova, Temple etc play there like they do at Citizens Bank Park in baseball

Nick Sakiewicz: Yeah, definitely. We’re meeting with all the college coaches on December 14th to knock around ideas like this and create a very special event.

ChefJim27: Will there be a dedicated website and webcam for the stadium and progress of construction?

Nick Sakiewicz: Yes.

Matt R: there seems to be a different mindset between a european born football fan and an american born soccer fan. how will you accmodate both?

Nick Sakiewicz: Not sure what you mean. I’m an American born soccer fan who grew up playing with Europeans. Don’t see a lot of difference. All soccer fans know good soccer.

BradYoutz: Any chance you could come to the Dark Horse for the MLS Cup or will you be in CA?

Nick Sakiewicz: I’ll be at the MLS Cup.

Michael Sabal: Now that LA has completed a full season with David Beckham, do you think they’ve gotten a return on their investment?

Nick Sakiewicz: Yes. And then some.

Mike E: American soccer needs American heros. How can MLS keep top US players playing in their league rather than playing abroad?

Nick Sakiewicz: Don’t understand why you think this way when the rest of the world signs and transfers its players regularly, either within their own leagues or outside their countries. This is the nature of Soccer/Football around the world. We develop players, they play for us, or we sell them. This is the business of Soccer/Football.

Mike Rennick-ACCC Soccer: I’m a college coach. In a previous chat, you mentioned that there would be an initative to involve college coaches. How will that work?

Nick Sakiewicz: On December 14 we have our first meeting with all the college coaches. We’d be delighted for you to join. Email Judah Levine at jlevine@mlsphilly2010.com so we can get your contact information.

Bill Magee: Nick, do other MLS stadiums have separate entrances and sections for groups like the Sons of Ben, or are we unique?

Nick Sakiewicz: Yes, the entryway is unique with it’s own SOB signage and the SOB section stands alone as is also uniquw

Mark Dunfee: do you think there can be another expansion team in canada with the trouble Toronto has had fielding a mostly-canadian team?

Nick Sakiewicz: Yes.

heynow: Will there be cheerleaders at our games?

Nick Sakiewicz: No. However, there have been suggestions that we have attractive male and female community ambassadors.

Jesse: I recently read that the Flyers created a fan advisory board consisting of season ticket holders. obviously chats like this and the calls from your representatives go a long way towards soliciting feedback, but do you plan on creating something similar?

Nick Sakiewicz: Yes.

BradYoutz: Ever think of running for office?

Nick Sakiewicz: No, I’m apolitcal.

MikeBrowning: Do you have any plans on attempting to attract the high school/college level soccer fans to the team?(IE events at some of the areas local colleges?)

Nick Sakiewicz: Definitely looking at doing similar things with High School soccer as we are with the colleges, i.e. State Championship games.

Mike E: In light of what San Jose “achieved” this season, please define success for MLS Philly, on the pitch, in its inaugural season.

Nick Sakiewicz: Winning a championship.

heynow: Will there be tryouts to discover Vince Papalinho?

Nick Sakiewicz: Yes, we will have a series of open and invitation tryouts. You never know what you might find, like the kid Flores on Chivas.

Jeff11: When will you decide on a shirt sponser? Have you been in contact with any companies yet?

Nick Sakiewicz: We don’t decide on a shirt sponsor. They decide on us. We’re in the process of marketing it and are having some excellent discussions with companies we would be very proud having on our jersey.

Nick Sakiewicz: Thanks everybody for these awesome questions. Once again too many to get to that were in the queue. Off to watch Chicago vs. Columbus on ESPN2 with my small but very talented front office staff. Ciao.