April 3, 2025 • 48 mins
Warren Smith has been watching Northwest Arkansas evolve for decades. What started as family visits in the 1990s has transformed into a mission to bring professional soccer to a region he describes as having "come into its own." As co-founder of Ozark United FC, Smith brings the experience of five successful sports franchise launches to a community he believes is perfectly positioned for soccer's growth.
In this revealing conversation with Managing Director Wes Harris, Smith takes listeners behind the scenes of the club's development, sharing why their recent stadium site change represents not just a location shift, but a strategic evolution. "For us, this new location is really about creating a sense of place," Smith explains, highlighting how modern sports experiences extend well beyond game time, with fans typically wanting 4-5 hours of entertainment surrounding the event itself.
The club's grassroots approach appears to be working. With 7,500 potential season ticket holders already registered—enough to potentially sell out their planned venue before breaking ground—Ozark United is now considering a larger initial capacity. While the timeline has shifted to a 2027-2028 launch, Smith remains undeterred, noting that his first sports project took six years from concept to completion.
What stands out most is the club's commitment to building something truly embedded in Northwest Arkansas culture. From partnering with Sporting Arkansas on youth development to supporting the local Marshallese community's first international tournament, Ozark United is demonstrating that professional sports can be a vehicle for community advancement.
Smith's parting message speaks volumes about the club's philosophy: "This is your team, everybody. We need you to participate. I want to create a movement." For soccer enthusiasts and community members alike, the invitation is clear—the journey to professional soccer in Northwest Arkansas isn't just happening; it's being built together.
Ready to join the movement? Follow Ozark United FC on social media and visit their website to add your name to their growing list of supporters.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
Pitch to Pro is the official podcast of Ozark United
FC.
This will be our platform totell our story about the club
and the special place that wecall home, Northwest Arkansas.
This is a journey we want tobring you along for the ride.
We'll share what's going onbehind the curtain, help educate
the community at large aboutsoccer, our league, and give
(00:25):
updates on the progress of theclub along the way.
Together, we'll explore andunpack our journey to
professional soccer, the magicthat is NWA, our community, and
talk all things soccer from onthe pitch to behind the scenes,
telling the story of our club.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Pitch to Pro Podcast is proudly sponsored by
PodcastVideoscom byPodcastVideoscom.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Podcastvideoscom is Northwest Arkansas' premier
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The recording studio andservices save you time, money
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They are dedicated to helpingyou create, record and publish
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(01:07):
Hello everybody and welcomeback to the Pitch to Pro podcast
.
I'm your host, wes Harris,managing Director for Ozark
United FC, northwest Arkansas'sprofessional soccer club,
playing in the United SoccerLeague.
Today we've got a bit of aspecial edition episode on deck
for everybody.
I am joined by our very own MrWarren Smith, co-founder of
Ozark United FC.
(01:27):
Warren, thanks for joining metoday, sir.
Thank you, wes.
Sorry about your arm.
Hey, you know, every now andagain you got to get reminded
about how old you are and hownot young you are anymore.
So officially retired frommen's league soccer.
It happens, the game believeseveryone.
That's right.
Jamie Carragher, I think, has afamous saying leave the
football before the footballleaves you, and I didn't listen.
(01:48):
But yeah, hopefully back on themen here.
But you know, before we jump in, let's remind folks and maybe
for new listeners, you know wehad some pretty big, awesome
news this week and releasingsome new renderings, new stadium
site and all of that.
But I want to give people, andjust remind them who you are,
your background.
You know you've got a long,illustrious career in sports.
(02:10):
You won't say that, but I will.
You're too humble and just howit's led you here to NWA.
How did you come here into NWAin this project?
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Well, first, of all, thank you for having me and I
and want to know what a greatjob you're doing for us and
thank you, um, really excitedabout, kind of where we are in
this project, um, especially now.
But, um, I started coming herewhen my grandmother moved here
in 1990, back when we used tofly into tulsa and drive a
(02:42):
couple hours and and then driveand fly into Tulsa, drive a
couple hours and, and you know,on this damn highway that was
being built that took forever,yeah, highway 49.
And so I've, you know, beenwatching this area grow for a
long time.
They'll come in at least once ayear, um, and then my parents
moved here in 2006, 2003, 2003or 2006, I can't remember.
(03:05):
Anyways, you know, because theywere here, we started coming
more often and they fell in lovewith it, you know, and we were
just, if you spend time hereit's hard not to fall in love
with right.
So really we came to appreciateit and really wasn't thinking
of anything professionally, hadan opportunity to help a little
bit on the baseball front, early, early, early in conversations,
(03:30):
and, you know, helped direct,you know, to affiliated programs
.
But anyways, watched this areagrow and kept looking at what
the possibilities could be, andas I'm developing projects in
other markets, you're still notreally paying attention to it.
And then, all of a sudden, Ithink Northwest Arkansas came
(03:51):
into its own, is it?
And when you?
It became a place where peoplewere not just enjoying
themselves here, but they cameconfident in themselves here.
It's a good way to put it, yeah,and and and and that then they
also are starting to realizethat they're competing with
(04:12):
other cities, and so, as thathappened, you know, it just
happened to be that Chrisconnected with me with his great
idea and it was a good time forme to actually, you know, it
was at first a bad time, youknow, because I was in the midst
of San Diego, but I started tothink more about it.
The league asked me to playmore of a startup role for them,
(04:34):
and it just happened to be thatthis, after really really
digging deep into the research,it made a lot of sense, right.
60% of the population is notfrom here.
Soccer is their number onesport, you know.
Generally, from whereverthey're from, the age groups are
young, they're wealthy or atleast making good income, and
generally people just had areally good attitude about
(04:57):
living here, which is the mostimportant thing for us.
Actually, pride in your city,yeah, and then tapping into that
, right.
So that's really what led mehere and I'm really excited to
be here.
It's been a long project, right,so it's been a couple years
since we announced ourintentions.
I want to remind people this isnot my first rodeo, right, you
(05:18):
mentioned that, but this wouldbe officially my sixth project,
and my first project took me sixyears, wow.
My first real soccer startup,uh, project, the Sacramento
Republic football club, took,you know, three years, right.
And so here we are coming up onyear two.
(05:38):
Yeah, um, we learned a lotthrough the process, but we've
also accomplished a lot, youknow.
We've been able to, you know,build a brand around what you
know the people really caredabout.
They cared about, you know,celebrating this region.
They cared about the name Ozark.
They cared about being united.
They cared about, you know, howthese four towns really became
(06:01):
one community.
And then, you know the colorsand the name and you know, the
celebration of Arkansas justreally kind of, you know, seemed
to unite.
You know, for us, as you know,location, location, location.
We thought we had a really goodproject in the very beginning,
but it became small very quickly.
We also had some restrictions.
(06:22):
There was an REA, you know,basically preventing us from
being able to develop, you know,retail, which we frankly need
around the stadium, right?
Speaker 1 (06:31):
So and tell people a little bit about why that
matters in and around thestadium.
I mean, we've said it a littlebit, but in terms of being the
success of stadiums, especiallyin our league, in and around
other entertainment options, uh,and why that's important I
would ask everyone to pause fora minute and think about their
(06:52):
experience in sporting events.
Speaker 3 (06:54):
Okay, uh, you go to the university of arkansas games
.
You're probably doing sometailgating, right?
uh, you go to some n games inOklahoma City or Memphis, you're
probably you know, enjoyingthose downtown locations and
(07:16):
actually being entertained inand around that event.
And you know, if you're goingto baseball games, pretty much
the same, right, because most ofthem are downtown, or you're
tailgating, but no matter what,you're extending your experience
.
Experience, yeah, it's not justthe game, right, right.
And as these games have gottenlonger, um, you know, our sport
has gotten, you know, it's beenthe same start to stop, it's.
You know, soccer is basically245 minute halves with a 15
(07:39):
minute halftime, so it's twohours start and stop and people
want to be entertained between,you know, on industry average,
four and five hours.
So if you're going to want to beentertained, we got to put, we
got to put a stadium on in alocation where, uh, it's easy to
walk and be entertained.
Um, so when we first, you know,our first property, we thought
(08:03):
that we had it because we'regoing to be close to a lot of
that, but we also learned thatthere is that stuff that we
could control.
So for us, this new location isreally about, you know, being
able to create a sense of place,yeah, create a sense where
people can come and enjoy notjust the match but things around
(08:24):
the match.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
No, and I think that that's a great point.
People can come and enjoy notjust the match but things around
the match.
No, and I think that that's agreat point.
It's you know we were close toentertainment, but it also there
were things that could we helpcontribute and build upon even
more.
You know that entertainmentdistrict and feel so.
I think that that is a greatinsight there, too, on the how
do people like to be entertained, for how long and why.
(08:46):
That's important once they moveright.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
They're probably thinking about, you know, gosh,
she had a good location.
But also, this is betterfreeway access, better access
and egress to the facility.
There's more ways in and out.
So, again, we've been thinkinga lot about our guest experience
, and that experience is notjust inside of the stadium, it's
(09:08):
how you get there, it's whathappens around it, and so on and
so forth.
Speaker 1 (09:12):
No, that's a great point and I mean, you know,
let's dive in a little bit.
You said you know this isn'tyour first rodeo.
Let's talk about, if you would,some of your prior projects.
You know they are you, you, yousay this internally all the
time.
These, these projects are hard,they take a village, uh, they
are never linear.
(09:32):
Um, if you could share justsome of your experiences on your
, some of your other projectsand how, maybe you know how, how
are we tracking here in in NWA?
Why are you confident, um, um,in our project here as it
relates to some of those andwhere we stand?
I don't know.
That's kind of a loadedquestion, but well.
Speaker 3 (09:49):
First, I'm confident because of this community and
who they are, what, um, whatthey've told us, what they've
wanted.
It's not like we're coming intoa market where people don't
want this is, is it?
That's number one.
Number two you really look atthe DNA of the sport.
It matches really well withthis community.
(10:11):
It really does.
A lot of people might not kindof the older Northwest Arkansans
, if I say that correctly,northwest Arkansans, I believe.
Thank you, they might thinkdifferently about that, but it's
the people that live here nowthat have come here.
Yeah, definitely will feel it.
And then it's like everycommunity is different, right?
(10:35):
So this one is less familiarwith the sport, less familiar
with sports as an asset class,less familiar with, frankly, how
to get these things done andgenerally what it takes.
But in every single case, whenI say it takes a village, that
means it really the 7,500 peoplethat we have on our database,
(10:59):
the input that we get from ourfans on social media.
We never really asked our fansto go out and do stuff, but as
we now are going through thepublic process, as you know, we
just received last nightapproval on the zoning for that
site, but we're going to have alot of public meetings around
the stadium and we're going toask our fans to come to those,
(11:22):
articulate their desires and letthe city council, the planning
commission, hear that, becauseit's their club.
At the end of the day, wes, youand I will be gone, they'll
still be here and they'rehelping to build this.
In fact, they're helping tobuild their club.
(11:44):
So when I say it takes avillage, it really does, and
it's our job to create a dynamicwhere they can participate.
And we've done a good job oflistening.
Now we're going to start askingthem to participate in
different ways.
You're aware of the Marshallesecommunity and the event that
(12:04):
they'll have.
I'm sure you'll talk about that, but that's one where we can
make a difference.
So you know that's kind of whatwe mean by it takes a village
and it takes time, um, but atthe end of the day, so, um, I'm
sure you're going to askquestions on kind of where we
are from a financial standpoint,but I'll let, I'll follow your
lead.
Speaker 1 (12:24):
Yeah, and it you know those are.
Those are great thoughts andinsights and it's it's things
that you know we talk about andfeel confident about.
But I think it's important forpeople to hear from somebody
that's done this been there inmultiple different markets, has
come up against differentobstacles in these projects to
hear that level of confidencecoming from you in our project
(12:44):
and why projects.
To hear that level ofconfidence coming from you in
our project and why, and in ourcommunity and why we're so
bullish on on you know thefeedback that we've gotten and
the feelings that we feel aboutthe project in our you know our
fans are telling us how they'refeeling about too.
Yeah, so, um, you know, isthere ever?
Is there ever a point?
Uh, you know in some of yourpast projects that you know
(13:05):
these things are not linear,right, like we have this stadium
site move and people don'tnecessarily know all the reasons
you know for it and they maythink one way or another.
But can you give you know someexamples in past on?
Maybe it was Portlandturnaround, maybe it was
Sacramento getting started andRayleigh Field at the Rivercats,
(13:26):
or whatever it was.
These things happen right andit's opportunities to learn and
get better and, you know, feedthat into the project.
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
I think it all boils back down to, though, how you
operate as a business andlistening to your clients, hey.
So my best example would be inthe sacramento republic football
club.
It was 2012.
Uh, we pulled the trigger, madean announcement that we were
coming, um, and guess where wewere going to play?
(14:00):
We're going to play at a placecalled hugh stadium, which is at
the sacramento city college 23000 seats, beautiful facility,
but american football field withlines, surrounded by a track.
As we were talking to ourcustomers, guess what I heard
whatever you do, don't play on afield that is american football
(14:23):
lines, uh, has a track aroundit and is artificial.
Um, and you know, I didn't knowthat, I didn't know why, right,
but apparently it was all aboutbeing true to the sport, um, so
we had to listen and we didn'thave all the answers, but it did
lead to what became bonniefield, which is a modular
(14:45):
facility that, ultimately, webuilt on the California State
Fairgrounds in partnership withthe State Fairgrounds.
So it's somewhat similar here tohere, except for the
technologies have changed.
It's so much greater.
You know, that was a $10million project.
This is going to be a $30million project.
So just stadium, yeah, and youknow, but know, but you know
(15:06):
what the fans, the fans told us,right, um, and so if you listen
to your fans, um, you're goingto be successful.
Yeah, um, and it may takelonger, it may take shorter, um,
but you know, as we start toget.
You know, let's be real, thisis a community and all
communities have decision makersin the community and you know
(15:33):
kind of people that have been inthe community a lot longer,
have a lot higher status thatultimately somewhat control what
happens in markets.
Right, the good news is theyall seem very supportive and I
think we've got, you know,things really moving in the
right way.
But we are going to start,because we've been listening,
asking our fans to articulatewhat they want.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
So, and I think that that's just a great model and
always something you know don'tovercomplicate it.
Listen to your customer whichis a good, fresh reminder even
for me right now sitting heretalking to you is don't
overcomplicate it.
Listen to what people want andtry to go and execute the best
(16:16):
that you can within the confinesand constraints that you can
deliver, and continue thatprocess.
It's iterative as you continueto build.
Speaker 3 (16:26):
Business 101, right Now in sports.
Imagine building a brand that'sbuilt by fans and they feel
that ownership because it istheir club.
It's just a magical experience.
It really is for them and forus, right.
Speaker 1 (16:42):
Yeah, and we felt that throughout the brand
process too.
It's why we took our time withit and dedicated a ton of
resources and time to it,because we knew we needed to get
it right and needed to get thatfan input.
So let's you know you kind oftouched on this a little bit,
but let's talk a little bitabout you know a lot of people.
We've almost come up on twoyears here.
(17:04):
July It'll be July, so we'restill not quite there yet, but
we've done a lot more than maybewhat people realize.
Uh, and a big part of that isgoing out and talking to
different individuals and groupsabout, uh, about ownership and
(17:24):
investment.
How do those conversations go?
Share what you can in terms ofkind of our process and you know
people want kind of tounderstand where we're at and
what are those next steps.
So we have to be respectful ofindividuals and their privacy,
but whatever you can share interms of bringing people under
(17:46):
the tent just a little bit onthat front.
Speaker 3 (17:48):
Sure, as you know, and as we've shared in the past,
this is about getting peopleexcited, getting them on board
and then showing momentum andimproving the business model.
So we're designing, building,flying the plane all at the same
time.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
And I think that's maybe a little bit different
than maybe some people mightthink of in terms of process and
other markets that they've seenright.
So share a little bit aboutthat and why that's been a
successful model for you andyour other markets too.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
So no disrespect to the great people in Lexington,
kentucky.
I just did a tour there thisweekend Beautiful facility,
similar, same manufacturers,similar system, but different
that we're trying to bring here.
Very well, you know the league,you know, goes to markets and
tries to get wealthy people toactually say yes, and they did
(18:45):
that.
They had a gentleman there thatactually pulled the trigger and
built a League One team.
They advanced this to league orchampionship and also put a
Super League team.
The problem is the stadium isempty.
It's a beautiful facility, it'snot empty, it's just not full.
It's not empty, it's just notfull.
(19:12):
No-transcript, and that provingthe financial business model.
That's how you get investmentinto the club.
And all the people that we mayhave talked to here that don't
really understand sports mightlike what we're doing, but they
think we're kind of a little bitcrazy until they start to see
(19:32):
the fact that we're actuallymeeting our objectives in the
business model.
To give an example.
So there are two big sources ofrevenues that we actually have
in professional sports obviouslyticket sales and sponsorships.
Right, as you know, we've donea really good job in getting
people excited.
(19:53):
We have 7,500 people on thelist that want to potentially be
with us.
My experience has shown thatthose people turn into.
Roughly 40% of those peoplewill buy season tickets and of
those they'll have 2.4 ticketsper person.
So we're 2.4 times what would40% of 7,500 be?
(20:18):
You know it's a little over3,800.
Right, so we're at 5,000 seasontickets right now.
So of the 5,000 seat venue thatwe are designing, we're already
sold out and, as you know, we'relooking at the possibility of
delivering something bigger.
So we're proving the tickets ofdelivering something bigger.
So we're proving the tickets.
We just also, in partnershipwith the Sporting Arkansas, have
(20:41):
developed a youth program withthem and really just helping
them advance the youth programfor all of the Northwest
Arkansas kids, making sure it'snot just for Sporting Arkansas
but for all the kids, and did areally good job in our first
year of that.
We're also bringing asponsorship deal to that.
(21:01):
That's very interesting andwe'll announce soon.
So we're now proving thesponsorships and it's been my
experience and it won't be untilwe get the principal investor,
until after we get that namingrights agreement in place,
whether it's the kid agreementor the stadium naming rights.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
And for folks those are generally the two largest.
That's right, both from valueand holding hands and
partnership outwardly to thecommunity, but also ticket size.
That's right.
So I think that that's you know.
I didn't fully answer yourquestion.
Yeah, keep going keep going.
Speaker 3 (21:43):
I want you to keep.
Well, I want you to ask.
But I mean what we were.
As you know, we also had a lotof local people to help to fund
our startup.
Yes, and so it's.
We haven't raised a money.
We just don't have all of thestadium money that we are going
to need.
And what we're hearing fromthem is they love what we're
(22:04):
doing, we love the community, wewant to make a difference.
Keep going, keep going, keepgoing.
And now, as we're you know wedid.
We came to the market.
We looked for the principalowner that ideally came from
Northwest Arkansas.
Yeah, that would be my perfectscenario because they know this
community fans can develop arelationship with them and
(22:27):
ultimately, you know, it may notbe like a personal relationship
, but it's going to feel like,yeah, that's the, that's the
owner of my club and that personyou know can they see out and
about in the community.
They going to feel like one.
That's the owner of my club andthat person they see out and
about in the community.
They get to say thank you andthat's magic and we tried that.
And obviously there's more thanenough wealth here, but also I
(22:51):
would say that the people ofthat wealth here don't really
understand professional sportsas a business model.
It has only recently become anasset class that is very
powerful.
Um, as you are seeingvaluations, you know, go through
the roof, nfl great example,even in our league, you know
team most recently traded above100 million.
(23:13):
You know you're starting to seejust huge growth, right right.
So now what we're doing isgoing out.
Ultimately, they might not havegotten just through a stadium
project.
Speaker 1 (23:44):
Additional value propositions Right, and one that
is A understood, long timeunderstood, and B in a market
that's growing, et cetera, etcetera.
We don't need to talk about thereal estate NFA right that's
growing, et cetera, et cetera,like we don't need to talk about
the real estate NFA right.
So I think that the combinationof that is also not just for
the national scale but alsopotentially here in the local,
(24:04):
especially if we get that when,not if when we get that lead
domino to fall.
That's right.
You know they've all been, Ithink, really supportive and
shared their support, just maybesome hesitancy on being the
lead domino.
Speaker 3 (24:19):
That's right and and there are some things that are
changing within the league inthe united states soccer
federation that could befavorable.
You can't really get into thedetails of that, but let's just
say the requirements.
35 may be going away here inthe in the near future, and that
just so the fans know that theprincipal owner needs to take
35% of the capital stack.
Speaker 1 (24:39):
Yeah, so if you're talking just team and stadium,
what we shared is roughly $50million project.
You guys do the math.
It's roughly in the 17-ishmillion dollars.
That's what we say and meanwhen we say principal owner.
Somebody needs to have andrepresent at least that amount.
They can take the whole thingdown, they can take down half if
(25:00):
they want majority ownership,and sometimes that happens.
Speaker 3 (25:04):
But in order to move forward, that's the mandate from
the governing body of soccer inthe US and there's some
juggling that you can do, butgenerally, principally, that's
exactly right yeah.
Speaker 1 (25:16):
There's a lot of creativity, as I've learned.
Speaker 3 (25:19):
Well, in soccer there's a lot of creativity.
Right, there is, and that'sreally you know.
We have to have the samecreativity on the business side.
Speaker 1 (25:27):
I love that analogy there is.
Soccer is one of.
I just did it's a bit of anaside, but I just did a coaching
course over the weekend,continuing down my coaching
licenses, and one of my fellowclassmates.
We talked about why we love thegame and he said it's one of
(25:48):
the only games out there or atleast the one that he felt did
it the most on a bit of aspectrum where it is player led
on and less coach influenced.
Um, and so much I think of thatparallels into the business side
where and the fans and therelationship with the club and
(26:09):
how that is a different dynamicand other sports and the
creativity on the field and yourhands off and you have to be,
there's no timeouts, all ofthose things.
Anyway, I thought that you saidthat without me ever sharing
that with you and that's prettyinteresting.
(26:31):
But so at you know, it's notthat the to, to to kind of
circle back to our conversationon on kind of principal owner
and ownership and how that is.
We obviously couldn't do whatwe're doing if we hadn't raised
money and had local ownership.
That's right.
Um, we also, uh, it's not likethese projects can't be
successful with with, you know,a primary or somebody like that,
(26:54):
being maybe not from thismarket but care deeply about the
market and still coming in andbeing present and making sure
that we're looking for that in apartner.
So it's not a a must make orbreak.
It just is something that wewould prefer to have and you
know that can also evolve overtime as we prove success right.
Speaker 3 (27:17):
Well, yeah, wes, let's just look at and be
truthful, right?
Most of the teams that areowned in the major league
sporting markets are not ownedby people that live in those
markets.
Exactly Right they're.
You know, mr Walton hereprobably cares deeply about
Denver maybe even more so nowafter he was able to acquire the
Broncos Right about Denver.
Maybe even more so now after hewas able to acquire the Broncos
(27:39):
right.
It's not?
You know, having good owners isthe most important thing, but
if we could have a local one,it's even a little bit better.
Yeah, sure, and, as you know,we're hiring a firm that
actually is going to, that'sfamily office oriented, to help
us actually really have reallygood conversations, since
they're really, ultimately, thebiggest players, the family
(28:00):
offices, in real estatedevelopment.
They also happen to be lookingfor the asset class.
Speaker 1 (28:07):
And talk a little bit if you can.
I mean, it's so case by caseand it varies, but just because
maybe your primary is, maybe not, not from the market, there
could be limited partners thatonce they see that dominant, oh
my gosh, I want to come in.
Speaker 3 (28:23):
And we've certainly had those conversations as well
with local folks I really thinkthat's where it's we're going to
find most of the local peopleto come in and it's very
important that we actually have,um, that and to that, uh,
primary owner if he's from outof town or she's from out of
town to actually have somebodythat they can stand with,
because they have those businessrelationships, they understand
(28:45):
the politics.
So we were going to surroundthe people with them and, as you
know, a number of thesefamilies are very interested.
They just want to see theprincipal first, sure.
Speaker 1 (28:59):
So you started talking about it.
But maybe you know what's nextin terms of that conversation
and kind of where do you seethat going?
We, you know, you just kind ofhit on it, but we are looking to
kind of take the next step,next level, with this investment
.
That kind of can help maybeaccelerate that conversation.
Speaker 3 (29:22):
Well, yeah, I mean all the all scale.
Well, I think folks need to knowis that there's people you know
, investment bankers or you know, ultimately, organizations that
actually you know getcompensated to actually connect
and bring investment.
And this is a firm that has gota great reputation and one that
(29:44):
we've hit it off with and justlike a lot, and has had a lot of
success in that area.
So we're just starting thatpath More to come on it but
ultimately, the more the peopleget excited about this, the more
they support us at city councilmeetings.
A couple things need to happenbefore somebody's going to come
(30:04):
in.
Yeah, we need to get thestadium approved from the city.
We need to get, you know,ideally, naming rights or a you
know kit partnership of somesort, and we need to start
actually converting you know kitpartnership of some sort and we
need to start actuallyconverting you know some of the
folks which we can't do untilthe stadium's approved on the
(30:24):
list, you know to season tickets, and then the rest is going to
be kind of like dominoes,knock-on effect.
That's right.
Speaker 1 (30:34):
So, yeah, let's get into you know, I think people
want to know now, is you right?
So, yeah, let's get into.
You know, I think people wantto know now, is you know?
And and let's talk about it we,we need to extend the timeline.
Um, you know, when we initiallylaunched, we said targeted to
to start playing 2026 with thismove on the site.
Um, you know, and we don't need, let's be, we don't need the
(30:57):
development to be done to startplaying.
That's right.
The stadium will be first.
The stadium will be first.
So we're not waiting just to bevery, very clear and make sure
we're transparent there.
We're not waiting for thedevelopment to then build the
stadium.
Stadium will be the very firstthing on the, on the docket and
make sure that that is.
You know, our timeline is notdelayed by anything with the
(31:18):
development surrounding it.
Speaker 3 (31:20):
We may choose to do a building at the same time,
right, because there's someefficiencies there, sure, but
definitely this will be aproject that's built out over
time.
Speaker 1 (31:32):
Likely not you know right away, not all delivered at
the same time.
Speaker 3 (31:36):
Back to I think where you're going.
On the starting of the season,I mean, hey, listen, we didn't
know exactly.
We had hopes.
The good news is we're stillusing modular facilities.
They still take eight months tobuild once you move your dirt,
you know.
So it's less than a yearproject, which is the great news
(31:57):
.
If you look at where we arefrom a timing standpoint, we get
approvals within the six-monthperiod.
Then the dominoes can start tofinally fall.
Speaker 1 (32:12):
We never really got final approval on that other
stadium location right, we didand we were kind of far down the
path.
I think that that's also a goodthing for us is we've got such a
great working relationship withthe city and all those involved
and our partners that arehelping us to kind of develop
this and do all thepre-development work and the
(32:33):
stadium is largely staying thesame.
We're not all of a suddenupheaval and overhauling the
stadium design.
So all of the great feedbackand all of the things that we
heard that went into the stadiumdesign.
It's kind of lift and then youmay have to tweak a couple
things just based on the layoutand all of that kind of thing,
but largely the same stadiumdesign.
(32:55):
But we do have to kind of goback, go re-through all a lot of
the permitting process and andworking with the city.
But we've got a great workingrelationship with them.
They're very familiar with theproject now, uh, so that
hopefully shouldn't take maybeas much time with all the back
and forth and the questions butI'd take it a step further.
Speaker 3 (33:14):
I think they're very excited about this development
project.
You know, I had a meetingyesterday where they expressed
that and they want to see,obviously, the zoning pass last
night.
That's very favorable.
Could not do it without thezoning right.
So, but back to the timetable.
(33:35):
I think, listening, there's alot happening in soccer.
But back to the timetable, Ithink, listening, there's a lot
of happening in soccer.
So our goal is to really kindof in the beginnings, you know,
being optimistic and hopeful andcould it have happened?
Yes, but 2026 is a big year inprofessional soccer.
Being able to, you know, takeadvantage of that is very
helpful, right, is very helpful,right.
(33:56):
But now, because of thetimetable, it's going to take
probably to at least 2027.
I'm more comfortable, as youheard last night, 2028.
But there's also keep in mind,we're two projects that play two
different seasons, right.
So we have two teams and so onethat starts in March, one that
(34:18):
starts in August.
So we've got some flexibilityon kind of which team comes
first.
You know, let's get approvals,let's, you know, finalize the
capital stack and then startbuilding, and they're working
towards building, and then we're, you know, proving out the
business model even further,getting people excited.
And then we're, you know,proving out the business model
(34:38):
even further, getting peopleexcited.
Here's one thing I know, if Ican Professional soccer is going
to happen in this region and ifit doesn't happen with us, we
have laid all the groundwork forthat to happen in a very
impactful way, but I do believethat it's going to happen with
us.
I'm really excited about it.
I wouldn't still be here.
(34:58):
The thing about me is that I'mlike a dog on a bone that can't
get off it right, and I have nothad one project that I've
gotten involved with that I'venot been successful.
Every day you're assessing risk.
Every day you're looking atwhere we are in the process.
Every day, as you know, we talkinternally what's working,
(35:20):
what's not, how far are we?
And every day it seems like wekeep coming up with the same
answer.
You know, yeah, today was hard,but doggone it.
Look how close we are.
Or doggone it, look what we didtoday.
You know we, you know so,anyways, really excited.
I'm sorry to be talking so much.
Speaker 1 (35:40):
No, it's great.
I mean it just shows thepassion that's there for the
project in the area and I mean Iget to see it every day with
you.
But I think it's great for thecommunity to see it as well from
again.
Somebody that has done thismultiple times successfully in
multiple markets, multiplesports leagues, to feel that
(36:01):
passionately and strongly aboutour project here is reassuring,
especially for somebody that'sworking in it every day.
My wife certainly takes somesolids in that right.
But I think this kind of pivotand the opening of the scope, I
mean there's just kind of pivotand the opening of the scope.
(36:25):
I mean there's just.
We've heard so much from peoplein terms of how they want us to
engage and that this needs to bemore than just a pro men's and
women's soccer team and I thinkthat this is one part of that.
It's a big part of that, theshift in kind of the development
sports anchor district and thatbeing a big trend in sports
anyways.
But yeah, and in terms of howwe deliver value and to the
(36:48):
community, to the investmentcomponent of that as well.
But we're going to beeverywhere and so involved and
this league is such a grassrootsleague and the relationship
with the fans is so special, issuch a grassroots league and the
relationship with the fans isso special.
I think we can kind of end itmaybe a little bit here is
(37:10):
what's next for us?
I mean, we kind of talked aboutit already, but what can people
expect from us?
Kind of going forward, and wemay not have all of the answers
right now, guys, but we aretrying to, as hopefully you guys
can see, be open and honestwith you guys on where we're at
and continue to listen to you aswe go forward.
But maybe some closing thoughtson where we're going and what
(37:34):
people can see from us.
Speaker 3 (37:36):
Well, listen, I mean, we started right.
We have a grassroots team thatis out growing relationships,
(37:56):
right?
So they're getting peopleanswering questions, getting
people excited about what we'reultimately doing, getting names,
starting the relationshipprocess.
Once they come in with us, westart communicating with them
and actually continuing to growthose relationships.
And actually continuing to growthose relationships.
I think that's where you'regoing to see the bulk of the
change for us is really tryingto understand our customers a
little bit further what theywant, what they don't want,
preferences, what's yourfavorite beer, Seriously, and
then making sure it seems likelocal beer is very, very
(38:19):
important.
So, all right, what do you meanby that?
So how do we mean by that,right?
So how do we actually do that?
Do we have one big local or dowe have, you know, as many taps
from locally as we can, right?
So just a small example.
And then being out everywhere,because really it's all about
(38:46):
relationships, right?
So we just happen to have abrand that we need to develop
and want to developrelationships with tens of
thousands of people.
Yeah Right, sacramento Republichas got over 100,000 people now
in their database, which we willhave eventually, but right now
we have 7,500, which is a greatnumber to start with.
So a lot of grassrootsmarketing, mainly because that's
(39:09):
who professional soccer is.
It's like getting out like wedo in soccer you go out and you
play, you go out into theleagues or you go out in the
parks, right, but you go out,right.
So we're going to go out andthen just keep building on that,
right.
(39:29):
So that's number one.
I think number two is continueto be.
I think we want to do a betterjob updating and being open and
vulnerable and sharing kind ofwhere we are in this process.
Uh, engaging, um, and then justlike celebrating as.
Back to the marshallese right,so, yeah, second largest or
(39:54):
largest population ofmarshallese people outside of
the marshall islands, right?
Um, they were the last.
Speaker 1 (40:01):
We'll tell the group they're the last last un nation
to have a national soccer team,um, and, but that's changing now
.
Uh, and big shout out to tolloyd uh owers and and his team,
uh, woody watson here locally,uh, matt weber, uh, or matt webb
sorry Matt, if I got your lastname wrong Matt and co, the
(40:26):
whole team doing phenomenal work, and they're going to host
their first ever kind ofinternational tournament here
locally in Northwest Arkansas inAugust.
And you know how do we helpsupport them and support the
game?
Right, you know we're going to.
You know, heads up, lloyd,you're going to get a phone call
(40:48):
on how we can talk about it,right?
Speaker 3 (40:51):
So, yeah, we want to make a difference for them,
right, exactly, we can have ourfans, and if we can come and
have our fans come and dosomething for them, you know
they're going to have theirfirst international match played
in arkansas.
So cool, yeah, what a moment,right?
Yeah, if we can help bring theresources enough to, maybe they
can play in front of, maybe theycan play at the university of
(41:11):
arkansas, if they would let them, or, you know, we'll find a
place.
If not, you know, um, you knowthere's great high schools here
with great soccer fields, butnonetheless, they're going to
play, right, and we that's avery important community for us
we want to make a difference forthem, and so that is how we're
(41:36):
going to grow this brand andthat is what we're going to do.
To be successful is to continuedoing things that make a
difference in this.
Speaker 1 (41:40):
It all hits back to our, our mission, vision and
using the sport.
You know, yes, it's soccer,that's great, but using it for a
way and a vehicle to do good inour community and make it a
better place to live, work, play, amen.
So well, warren, any other lastthoughts that you want to leave
people with?
I think we've had a great convo, great update, but we keep
(42:02):
onward, we keep going.
Speaker 3 (42:03):
Yes, so yes, so, um, listen, I mean, but quick, I
mean I think it's important toreally look at the timetable.
Speaker 1 (42:09):
when we knew we needed to pivot, it was what
june the last year, june of lastyear, when we started having
those conversations june may andjune late may, um, and then and
at that time, um we did it wentback to our site selection
process.
Speaker 3 (42:26):
We're able to find a piece, but then we had to
assemble a bunch of pieces right, and that took time and um,
very different than the firsttime around.
Speaker 1 (42:36):
Exactly right, one owner, that's right, right.
So that also is a for folksthat were kind of like where is
it?
Where is it?
Yep, that's a big piece thattakes a lot of time.
If you've ever bought a houseor anything, that's one lot with
one owner.
We did it with almost doubledigits.
Speaker 3 (42:52):
And I want to say thank you to those landowners
because they ultimately caredeeply about what we're trying
to accomplish and they lovedwhat we're doing, what we're
about about and the differencethat we're making in the
community.
So they wanted to.
You know, some of them maybehave taken a little bit of price
reduction because of that,right so, which is amazing to us
, right?
So, anyways, long story, youknow, it took I mean so it was
(43:16):
really a year into the processum, and where we knew we needed
to pivot and it just took sometime.
I hope and I believe that we'rejust going to be able to
accelerate that now, because nowwe control our own destiny.
The last thing I want to saythis is your team, everybody.
(43:36):
This is your team.
We need you to participate.
I want to create a movement, man, because when people come to
soccer matches and thehellbenders are just like
yelling and screaming and havinga great time singing songs,
those non-soccer fans becomesoccer fans immediately, right?
(43:57):
So let's speak up as soccerfans, those that know the game,
those that love what we're doing.
Let's speak up as soccer fans,those that know the game, those
that love what we're doing.
Let's speak up together, right?
So, when we ask you, I'mhopeful that you can participate
, because it's about creatingthat movement.
Yeah, because that movement canbe really powerful, we can make
a difference together.
As you know, one of our big, biglong-term objectives is to
(44:17):
build a true soccer complexMm-hmm Right, true soccer
complex, right?
Um, it'd be an economic driverfor the region to actually can,
you know, get some of these verylarge events that are going to
Kansas city and Dallas not comein here?
Yeah, um, oklahoma city'sadding 24 fields to their
portfolio this year.
Yeah, you know that's.
(44:38):
That's something I think thatwe can do and, and you know,
can't do it without peoplespeaking up.
Speaker 1 (44:46):
No, and I mean we've already even started working
with a company sports facilitiescompany uh, to even start
looking into feasibility of that.
I want to make sure we hit onthat because that's also a big
part of you know what we'veheard from people recognize, um,
people, us recognizing that.
But also I want you guys tounderstand we have heard you, we
(45:08):
get it.
We need fields in NorthwestArkansas, even without us, we
just need it, period.
There's not enough at all levelsof sport, but especially soccer
, and you guys have said, hey,can you help deliver this, can
you help be a leader there?
We have started to look intothat.
Yes, there is a need, but itdoesn't happen without your
(45:30):
support and you guys speaking up, especially with community
leaders, public officials etcetera.
And we'll continue to share inhow you can help support those
efforts as we go, share in howyou can help support those
efforts as we go.
But I'm glad you brought thatup, warren, that's another big
part of you know the roadmap andthings that we know are
(45:50):
important to folks here in thecommunity.
Speaker 3 (45:52):
So yeah, I mean, if you look at Arkansas soccer
participation growth, there's noway these leagues can serve the
public without substantialgrowth in these facilities, and
they're hard to do, even at justbuilding fields right or
(46:12):
maintaining fields it is, but Ido believe that we'll be able to
make a very significantdifference in that area.
Speaker 1 (46:19):
I do too.
I do too.
We certainly have some land forit out there, yeah, in that
area.
Speaker 3 (46:22):
I do too.
I do too.
We certainly have some land forit out there.
Yeah, wesley, as we close, Ijust want to say thank you for
being such a believer, such afan of all that we're doing and
being somebody that is true toour values, because that is
really the most important thingthat we can do is do and say, or
say and do what we are tryingto to do, and say we believe in
(46:45):
there, do after we say say whatyou.
Speaker 1 (46:48):
What is it?
Uh mean what you say?
Say uh, do what you say, orsomething like that.
I don't know.
Whatever it is, living into it,I appreciate it, warren.
Uh, thank you guys forbelieving in me and and bringing
me along for the ride, man lastyeah, last shout out because we
didn't mention chris's namemuch.
Speaker 3 (47:03):
But you know, gosh, he cares deeply about this
community.
That's a fantastic and reallywants us to do this right man.
He's still very active, as youknow.
We talk every day and reallyappreciate all that he has done
to actually grow relationshipsand and articulate you know why
this is so important in thisregion.
(47:24):
I can only be here every coupleof weeks, but he's here every,
every, every.
Well, not every day because ofhis work, but as close as he can
be.
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (47:33):
Big shout out to Chris and his uh efforts I mean
even you know, back toconversations back with Jake and
all of that kind of thing tohelp deliver this.
I mean it's such an amazingproject and look where we are
now and uh and sharing, andhopefully everybody feels the
same way, and onward and upwardwe go, uh.
So, warren, thanks so much forjumping on and joining me here
(47:55):
today.
I think that that's going to doit for this episode of Pitch to
Pro.
We hope you enjoyed it.
Be sure to catch all of ourepisodes on PitchToProcom, or
look for PitchToPro on YouTube,spotify, apple or wherever you
get your podcasts.
For more content until nexttime.
Speaker 2 (48:10):
Northwest Arkansas cheers, amen thanks for joining
us on this episode of thePitchToPro podcast.
Be sure to tune in again in twoweeks for the next installment
and check out the Stoppage Timeseries for a recap of today's
episode.
Be sure to find us at Pitch toPro on YouTube, instagram and
everywhere you get your podcasts.
Until next time, northwestArkansas cheers.
Pitch to Pro is the official podcast of Ozark United
FC.
This will be our platform totell our story about the club
and the special place that wecall home, Northwest Arkansas.
This is a journey we want tobring you along for the ride.
We'll share what's going onbehind the curtain, help educate
the community at large aboutsoccer, our league, and give
(00:25):
updates on the progress of theclub along the way.
Together, we'll explore andunpack our journey to
professional soccer, the magicthat is NWA, our community, and
talk all things soccer from onthe pitch to behind the scenes,
telling the story of our club.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Pitch to Pro Podcast is proudly sponsored by
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Speaker 1 (00:46):
Podcastvideoscom is Northwest Arkansas' premier
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(01:07):
Hello everybody and welcomeback to the Pitch to Pro podcast
.
I'm your host, wes Harris,managing Director for Ozark
United FC, northwest Arkansas'sprofessional soccer club,
playing in the United SoccerLeague.
Today we've got a bit of aspecial edition episode on deck
for everybody.
I am joined by our very own MrWarren Smith, co-founder of
Ozark United FC.
(01:27):
Warren, thanks for joining metoday, sir.
Thank you, wes.
Sorry about your arm.
Hey, you know, every now andagain you got to get reminded
about how old you are and hownot young you are anymore.
So officially retired frommen's league soccer.
It happens, the game believeseveryone.
That's right.
Jamie Carragher, I think, has afamous saying leave the
football before the footballleaves you, and I didn't listen.
(01:48):
But yeah, hopefully back on themen here.
But you know, before we jump in, let's remind folks and maybe
for new listeners, you know wehad some pretty big, awesome
news this week and releasingsome new renderings, new stadium
site and all of that.
But I want to give people, andjust remind them who you are,
your background.
You know you've got a long,illustrious career in sports.
(02:10):
You won't say that, but I will.
You're too humble and just howit's led you here to NWA.
How did you come here into NWAin this project?
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Well, first, of all, thank you for having me and I
and want to know what a greatjob you're doing for us and
thank you, um, really excitedabout, kind of where we are in
this project, um, especially now.
But, um, I started coming herewhen my grandmother moved here
in 1990, back when we used tofly into tulsa and drive a
(02:42):
couple hours and and then driveand fly into Tulsa, drive a
couple hours and, and you know,on this damn highway that was
being built that took forever,yeah, highway 49.
And so I've, you know, beenwatching this area grow for a
long time.
They'll come in at least once ayear, um, and then my parents
moved here in 2006, 2003, 2003or 2006, I can't remember.
(03:05):
Anyways, you know, because theywere here, we started coming
more often and they fell in lovewith it, you know, and we were
just, if you spend time hereit's hard not to fall in love
with right.
So really we came to appreciateit and really wasn't thinking
of anything professionally, hadan opportunity to help a little
bit on the baseball front, early, early, early in conversations,
(03:30):
and, you know, helped direct,you know, to affiliated programs
.
But anyways, watched this areagrow and kept looking at what
the possibilities could be, andas I'm developing projects in
other markets, you're still notreally paying attention to it.
And then, all of a sudden, Ithink Northwest Arkansas came
(03:51):
into its own, is it?
And when you?
It became a place where peoplewere not just enjoying
themselves here, but they cameconfident in themselves here.
It's a good way to put it, yeah,and and and and that then they
also are starting to realizethat they're competing with
(04:12):
other cities, and so, as thathappened, you know, it just
happened to be that Chrisconnected with me with his great
idea and it was a good time forme to actually, you know, it
was at first a bad time, youknow, because I was in the midst
of San Diego, but I started tothink more about it.
The league asked me to playmore of a startup role for them,
(04:34):
and it just happened to be thatthis, after really really
digging deep into the research,it made a lot of sense, right.
60% of the population is notfrom here.
Soccer is their number onesport, you know.
Generally, from whereverthey're from, the age groups are
young, they're wealthy or atleast making good income, and
generally people just had areally good attitude about
(04:57):
living here, which is the mostimportant thing for us.
Actually, pride in your city,yeah, and then tapping into that
, right.
So that's really what led mehere and I'm really excited to
be here.
It's been a long project, right,so it's been a couple years
since we announced ourintentions.
I want to remind people this isnot my first rodeo, right, you
(05:18):
mentioned that, but this wouldbe officially my sixth project,
and my first project took me sixyears, wow.
My first real soccer startup,uh, project, the Sacramento
Republic football club, took,you know, three years, right.
And so here we are coming up onyear two.
(05:38):
Yeah, um, we learned a lotthrough the process, but we've
also accomplished a lot, youknow.
We've been able to, you know,build a brand around what you
know the people really caredabout.
They cared about, you know,celebrating this region.
They cared about the name Ozark.
They cared about being united.
They cared about, you know, howthese four towns really became
(06:01):
one community.
And then, you know the colorsand the name and you know, the
celebration of Arkansas justreally kind of, you know, seemed
to unite.
You know, for us, as you know,location, location, location.
We thought we had a really goodproject in the very beginning,
but it became small very quickly.
We also had some restrictions.
(06:22):
There was an REA, you know,basically preventing us from
being able to develop, you know,retail, which we frankly need
around the stadium, right?
Speaker 1 (06:31):
So and tell people a little bit about why that
matters in and around thestadium.
I mean, we've said it a littlebit, but in terms of being the
success of stadiums, especiallyin our league, in and around
other entertainment options, uh,and why that's important I
would ask everyone to pause fora minute and think about their
(06:52):
experience in sporting events.
Speaker 3 (06:54):
Okay, uh, you go to the university of arkansas games
.
You're probably doing sometailgating, right?
uh, you go to some n games inOklahoma City or Memphis, you're
probably you know, enjoyingthose downtown locations and
(07:16):
actually being entertained inand around that event.
And you know, if you're goingto baseball games, pretty much
the same, right, because most ofthem are downtown, or you're
tailgating, but no matter what,you're extending your experience
.
Experience, yeah, it's not justthe game, right, right.
And as these games have gottenlonger, um, you know, our sport
has gotten, you know, it's beenthe same start to stop, it's.
You know, soccer is basically245 minute halves with a 15
(07:39):
minute halftime, so it's twohours start and stop and people
want to be entertained between,you know, on industry average,
four and five hours.
So if you're going to want to beentertained, we got to put, we
got to put a stadium on in alocation where, uh, it's easy to
walk and be entertained.
Um, so when we first, you know,our first property, we thought
(08:03):
that we had it because we'regoing to be close to a lot of
that, but we also learned thatthere is that stuff that we
could control.
So for us, this new location isreally about, you know, being
able to create a sense of place,yeah, create a sense where
people can come and enjoy notjust the match but things around
(08:24):
the match.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
No, and I think that that's a great point.
People can come and enjoy notjust the match but things around
the match.
No, and I think that that's agreat point.
It's you know we were close toentertainment, but it also there
were things that could we helpcontribute and build upon even
more.
You know that entertainmentdistrict and feel so.
I think that that is a greatinsight there, too, on the how
do people like to be entertained, for how long and why.
(08:46):
That's important once they moveright.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
They're probably thinking about, you know, gosh,
she had a good location.
But also, this is betterfreeway access, better access
and egress to the facility.
There's more ways in and out.
So, again, we've been thinkinga lot about our guest experience
, and that experience is notjust inside of the stadium, it's
(09:08):
how you get there, it's whathappens around it, and so on and
so forth.
Speaker 1 (09:12):
No, that's a great point and I mean, you know,
let's dive in a little bit.
You said you know this isn'tyour first rodeo.
Let's talk about, if you would,some of your prior projects.
You know they are you, you, yousay this internally all the
time.
These, these projects are hard,they take a village, uh, they
are never linear.
(09:32):
Um, if you could share justsome of your experiences on your
, some of your other projectsand how, maybe you know how, how
are we tracking here in in NWA?
Why are you confident, um, um,in our project here as it
relates to some of those andwhere we stand?
I don't know.
That's kind of a loadedquestion, but well.
Speaker 3 (09:49):
First, I'm confident because of this community and
who they are, what, um, whatthey've told us, what they've
wanted.
It's not like we're coming intoa market where people don't
want this is, is it?
That's number one.
Number two you really look atthe DNA of the sport.
It matches really well withthis community.
(10:11):
It really does.
A lot of people might not kindof the older Northwest Arkansans
, if I say that correctly,northwest Arkansans, I believe.
Thank you, they might thinkdifferently about that, but it's
the people that live here nowthat have come here.
Yeah, definitely will feel it.
And then it's like everycommunity is different, right?
(10:35):
So this one is less familiarwith the sport, less familiar
with sports as an asset class,less familiar with, frankly, how
to get these things done andgenerally what it takes.
But in every single case, whenI say it takes a village, that
means it really the 7,500 peoplethat we have on our database,
(10:59):
the input that we get from ourfans on social media.
We never really asked our fansto go out and do stuff, but as
we now are going through thepublic process, as you know, we
just received last nightapproval on the zoning for that
site, but we're going to have alot of public meetings around
the stadium and we're going toask our fans to come to those,
(11:22):
articulate their desires and letthe city council, the planning
commission, hear that, becauseit's their club.
At the end of the day, wes, youand I will be gone, they'll
still be here and they'rehelping to build this.
In fact, they're helping tobuild their club.
(11:44):
So when I say it takes avillage, it really does, and
it's our job to create a dynamicwhere they can participate.
And we've done a good job oflistening.
Now we're going to start askingthem to participate in
different ways.
You're aware of the Marshallesecommunity and the event that
(12:04):
they'll have.
I'm sure you'll talk about that, but that's one where we can
make a difference.
So you know that's kind of whatwe mean by it takes a village
and it takes time, um, but atthe end of the day, so, um, I'm
sure you're going to askquestions on kind of where we
are from a financial standpoint,but I'll let, I'll follow your
lead.
Speaker 1 (12:24):
Yeah, and it you know those are.
Those are great thoughts andinsights and it's it's things
that you know we talk about andfeel confident about.
But I think it's important forpeople to hear from somebody
that's done this been there inmultiple different markets, has
come up against differentobstacles in these projects to
hear that level of confidencecoming from you in our project
(12:44):
and why projects.
To hear that level ofconfidence coming from you in
our project and why, and in ourcommunity and why we're so
bullish on on you know thefeedback that we've gotten and
the feelings that we feel aboutthe project in our you know our
fans are telling us how they'refeeling about too.
Yeah, so, um, you know, isthere ever?
Is there ever a point?
Uh, you know in some of yourpast projects that you know
(13:05):
these things are not linear,right, like we have this stadium
site move and people don'tnecessarily know all the reasons
you know for it and they maythink one way or another.
But can you give you know someexamples in past on?
Maybe it was Portlandturnaround, maybe it was
Sacramento getting started andRayleigh Field at the Rivercats,
(13:26):
or whatever it was.
These things happen right andit's opportunities to learn and
get better and, you know, feedthat into the project.
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
I think it all boils back down to, though, how you
operate as a business andlistening to your clients, hey.
So my best example would be inthe sacramento republic football
club.
It was 2012.
Uh, we pulled the trigger, madean announcement that we were
coming, um, and guess where wewere going to play?
(14:00):
We're going to play at a placecalled hugh stadium, which is at
the sacramento city college 23000 seats, beautiful facility,
but american football field withlines, surrounded by a track.
As we were talking to ourcustomers, guess what I heard
whatever you do, don't play on afield that is american football
(14:23):
lines, uh, has a track aroundit and is artificial.
Um, and you know, I didn't knowthat, I didn't know why, right,
but apparently it was all aboutbeing true to the sport, um, so
we had to listen and we didn'thave all the answers, but it did
lead to what became bonniefield, which is a modular
(14:45):
facility that, ultimately, webuilt on the California State
Fairgrounds in partnership withthe State Fairgrounds.
So it's somewhat similar here tohere, except for the
technologies have changed.
It's so much greater.
You know, that was a $10million project.
This is going to be a $30million project.
So just stadium, yeah, and youknow, but know, but you know
(15:06):
what the fans, the fans told us,right, um, and so if you listen
to your fans, um, you're goingto be successful.
Yeah, um, and it may takelonger, it may take shorter, um,
but you know, as we start toget.
You know, let's be real, thisis a community and all
communities have decision makersin the community and you know
(15:33):
kind of people that have been inthe community a lot longer,
have a lot higher status thatultimately somewhat control what
happens in markets.
Right, the good news is theyall seem very supportive and I
think we've got, you know,things really moving in the
right way.
But we are going to start,because we've been listening,
asking our fans to articulatewhat they want.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
So, and I think that that's just a great model and
always something you know don'tovercomplicate it.
Listen to your customer whichis a good, fresh reminder even
for me right now sitting heretalking to you is don't
overcomplicate it.
Listen to what people want andtry to go and execute the best
(16:16):
that you can within the confinesand constraints that you can
deliver, and continue thatprocess.
It's iterative as you continueto build.
Speaker 3 (16:26):
Business 101, right Now in sports.
Imagine building a brand that'sbuilt by fans and they feel
that ownership because it istheir club.
It's just a magical experience.
It really is for them and forus, right.
Speaker 1 (16:42):
Yeah, and we felt that throughout the brand
process too.
It's why we took our time withit and dedicated a ton of
resources and time to it,because we knew we needed to get
it right and needed to get thatfan input.
So let's you know you kind oftouched on this a little bit,
but let's talk a little bitabout you know a lot of people.
We've almost come up on twoyears here.
(17:04):
July It'll be July, so we'restill not quite there yet, but
we've done a lot more than maybewhat people realize.
Uh, and a big part of that isgoing out and talking to
different individuals and groupsabout, uh, about ownership and
(17:24):
investment.
How do those conversations go?
Share what you can in terms ofkind of our process and you know
people want kind of tounderstand where we're at and
what are those next steps.
So we have to be respectful ofindividuals and their privacy,
but whatever you can share interms of bringing people under
(17:46):
the tent just a little bit onthat front.
Speaker 3 (17:48):
Sure, as you know, and as we've shared in the past,
this is about getting peopleexcited, getting them on board
and then showing momentum andimproving the business model.
So we're designing, building,flying the plane all at the same
time.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
And I think that's maybe a little bit different
than maybe some people mightthink of in terms of process and
other markets that they've seenright.
So share a little bit aboutthat and why that's been a
successful model for you andyour other markets too.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
So no disrespect to the great people in Lexington,
kentucky.
I just did a tour there thisweekend Beautiful facility,
similar, same manufacturers,similar system, but different
that we're trying to bring here.
Very well, you know the league,you know, goes to markets and
tries to get wealthy people toactually say yes, and they did
(18:45):
that.
They had a gentleman there thatactually pulled the trigger and
built a League One team.
They advanced this to league orchampionship and also put a
Super League team.
The problem is the stadium isempty.
It's a beautiful facility, it'snot empty, it's just not full.
It's not empty, it's just notfull.
(19:12):
No-transcript, and that provingthe financial business model.
That's how you get investmentinto the club.
And all the people that we mayhave talked to here that don't
really understand sports mightlike what we're doing, but they
think we're kind of a little bitcrazy until they start to see
(19:32):
the fact that we're actuallymeeting our objectives in the
business model.
To give an example.
So there are two big sources ofrevenues that we actually have
in professional sports obviouslyticket sales and sponsorships.
Right, as you know, we've donea really good job in getting
people excited.
(19:53):
We have 7,500 people on thelist that want to potentially be
with us.
My experience has shown thatthose people turn into.
Roughly 40% of those peoplewill buy season tickets and of
those they'll have 2.4 ticketsper person.
So we're 2.4 times what would40% of 7,500 be?
(20:18):
You know it's a little over3,800.
Right, so we're at 5,000 seasontickets right now.
So of the 5,000 seat venue thatwe are designing, we're already
sold out and, as you know, we'relooking at the possibility of
delivering something bigger.
So we're proving the tickets ofdelivering something bigger.
So we're proving the tickets.
We just also, in partnershipwith the Sporting Arkansas, have
(20:41):
developed a youth program withthem and really just helping
them advance the youth programfor all of the Northwest
Arkansas kids, making sure it'snot just for Sporting Arkansas
but for all the kids, and did areally good job in our first
year of that.
We're also bringing asponsorship deal to that.
(21:01):
That's very interesting andwe'll announce soon.
So we're now proving thesponsorships and it's been my
experience and it won't be untilwe get the principal investor,
until after we get that namingrights agreement in place,
whether it's the kid agreementor the stadium naming rights.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
And for folks those are generally the two largest.
That's right, both from valueand holding hands and
partnership outwardly to thecommunity, but also ticket size.
That's right.
So I think that that's you know.
I didn't fully answer yourquestion.
Yeah, keep going keep going.
Speaker 3 (21:43):
I want you to keep.
Well, I want you to ask.
But I mean what we were.
As you know, we also had a lotof local people to help to fund
our startup.
Yes, and so it's.
We haven't raised a money.
We just don't have all of thestadium money that we are going
to need.
And what we're hearing fromthem is they love what we're
(22:04):
doing, we love the community, wewant to make a difference.
Keep going, keep going, keepgoing.
And now, as we're you know wedid.
We came to the market.
We looked for the principalowner that ideally came from
Northwest Arkansas.
Yeah, that would be my perfectscenario because they know this
community fans can develop arelationship with them and
(22:27):
ultimately, you know, it may notbe like a personal relationship
, but it's going to feel like,yeah, that's the, that's the
owner of my club and that personyou know can they see out and
about in the community.
They going to feel like one.
That's the owner of my club andthat person they see out and
about in the community.
They get to say thank you andthat's magic and we tried that.
And obviously there's more thanenough wealth here, but also I
(22:51):
would say that the people ofthat wealth here don't really
understand professional sportsas a business model.
It has only recently become anasset class that is very
powerful.
Um, as you are seeingvaluations, you know, go through
the roof, nfl great example,even in our league, you know
team most recently traded above100 million.
(23:13):
You know you're starting to seejust huge growth, right right.
So now what we're doing isgoing out.
Ultimately, they might not havegotten just through a stadium
project.
Speaker 1 (23:44):
Additional value propositions Right, and one that
is A understood, long timeunderstood, and B in a market
that's growing, et cetera, etcetera.
We don't need to talk about thereal estate NFA right that's
growing, et cetera, et cetera,like we don't need to talk about
the real estate NFA right.
So I think that the combinationof that is also not just for
the national scale but alsopotentially here in the local,
(24:04):
especially if we get that when,not if when we get that lead
domino to fall.
That's right.
You know they've all been, Ithink, really supportive and
shared their support, just maybesome hesitancy on being the
lead domino.
Speaker 3 (24:19):
That's right and and there are some things that are
changing within the league inthe united states soccer
federation that could befavorable.
You can't really get into thedetails of that, but let's just
say the requirements.
35 may be going away here inthe in the near future, and that
just so the fans know that theprincipal owner needs to take
35% of the capital stack.
Speaker 1 (24:39):
Yeah, so if you're talking just team and stadium,
what we shared is roughly $50million project.
You guys do the math.
It's roughly in the 17-ishmillion dollars.
That's what we say and meanwhen we say principal owner.
Somebody needs to have andrepresent at least that amount.
They can take the whole thingdown, they can take down half if
(25:00):
they want majority ownership,and sometimes that happens.
Speaker 3 (25:04):
But in order to move forward, that's the mandate from
the governing body of soccer inthe US and there's some
juggling that you can do, butgenerally, principally, that's
exactly right yeah.
Speaker 1 (25:16):
There's a lot of creativity, as I've learned.
Speaker 3 (25:19):
Well, in soccer there's a lot of creativity.
Right, there is, and that'sreally you know.
We have to have the samecreativity on the business side.
Speaker 1 (25:27):
I love that analogy there is.
Soccer is one of.
I just did it's a bit of anaside, but I just did a coaching
course over the weekend,continuing down my coaching
licenses, and one of my fellowclassmates.
We talked about why we love thegame and he said it's one of
(25:48):
the only games out there or atleast the one that he felt did
it the most on a bit of aspectrum where it is player led
on and less coach influenced.
Um, and so much I think of thatparallels into the business side
where and the fans and therelationship with the club and
(26:09):
how that is a different dynamicand other sports and the
creativity on the field and yourhands off and you have to be,
there's no timeouts, all ofthose things.
Anyway, I thought that you saidthat without me ever sharing
that with you and that's prettyinteresting.
(26:31):
But so at you know, it's notthat the to, to to kind of
circle back to our conversationon on kind of principal owner
and ownership and how that is.
We obviously couldn't do whatwe're doing if we hadn't raised
money and had local ownership.
That's right.
Um, we also, uh, it's not likethese projects can't be
successful with with, you know,a primary or somebody like that,
(26:54):
being maybe not from thismarket but care deeply about the
market and still coming in andbeing present and making sure
that we're looking for that in apartner.
So it's not a a must make orbreak.
It just is something that wewould prefer to have and you
know that can also evolve overtime as we prove success right.
Speaker 3 (27:17):
Well, yeah, wes, let's just look at and be
truthful, right?
Most of the teams that areowned in the major league
sporting markets are not ownedby people that live in those
markets.
Exactly Right they're.
You know, mr Walton hereprobably cares deeply about
Denver maybe even more so nowafter he was able to acquire the
Broncos Right about Denver.
Maybe even more so now after hewas able to acquire the Broncos
(27:39):
right.
It's not?
You know, having good owners isthe most important thing, but
if we could have a local one,it's even a little bit better.
Yeah, sure, and, as you know,we're hiring a firm that
actually is going to, that'sfamily office oriented, to help
us actually really have reallygood conversations, since
they're really, ultimately, thebiggest players, the family
(28:00):
offices, in real estatedevelopment.
They also happen to be lookingfor the asset class.
Speaker 1 (28:07):
And talk a little bit if you can.
I mean, it's so case by caseand it varies, but just because
maybe your primary is, maybe not, not from the market, there
could be limited partners thatonce they see that dominant, oh
my gosh, I want to come in.
Speaker 3 (28:23):
And we've certainly had those conversations as well
with local folks I really thinkthat's where it's we're going to
find most of the local peopleto come in and it's very
important that we actually have,um, that and to that, uh,
primary owner if he's from outof town or she's from out of
town to actually have somebodythat they can stand with,
because they have those businessrelationships, they understand
(28:45):
the politics.
So we were going to surroundthe people with them and, as you
know, a number of thesefamilies are very interested.
They just want to see theprincipal first, sure.
Speaker 1 (28:59):
So you started talking about it.
But maybe you know what's nextin terms of that conversation
and kind of where do you seethat going?
We, you know, you just kind ofhit on it, but we are looking to
kind of take the next step,next level, with this investment
.
That kind of can help maybeaccelerate that conversation.
Speaker 3 (29:22):
Well, yeah, I mean all the all scale.
Well, I think folks need to knowis that there's people you know
, investment bankers or you know, ultimately, organizations that
actually you know getcompensated to actually connect
and bring investment.
And this is a firm that has gota great reputation and one that
(29:44):
we've hit it off with and justlike a lot, and has had a lot of
success in that area.
So we're just starting thatpath More to come on it but
ultimately, the more the peopleget excited about this, the more
they support us at city councilmeetings.
A couple things need to happenbefore somebody's going to come
(30:04):
in.
Yeah, we need to get thestadium approved from the city.
We need to get, you know,ideally, naming rights or a you
know kit partnership of somesort, and we need to start
actually converting you know kitpartnership of some sort and we
need to start actuallyconverting you know some of the
folks which we can't do untilthe stadium's approved on the
(30:24):
list, you know to season tickets, and then the rest is going to
be kind of like dominoes,knock-on effect.
That's right.
Speaker 1 (30:34):
So, yeah, let's get into you know, I think people
want to know now, is you right?
So, yeah, let's get into.
You know, I think people wantto know now, is you know?
And and let's talk about it we,we need to extend the timeline.
Um, you know, when we initiallylaunched, we said targeted to
to start playing 2026 with thismove on the site.
Um, you know, and we don't need, let's be, we don't need the
(30:57):
development to be done to startplaying.
That's right.
The stadium will be first.
The stadium will be first.
So we're not waiting just to bevery, very clear and make sure
we're transparent there.
We're not waiting for thedevelopment to then build the
stadium.
Stadium will be the very firstthing on the, on the docket and
make sure that that is.
You know, our timeline is notdelayed by anything with the
(31:18):
development surrounding it.
Speaker 3 (31:20):
We may choose to do a building at the same time,
right, because there's someefficiencies there, sure, but
definitely this will be aproject that's built out over
time.
Speaker 1 (31:32):
Likely not you know right away, not all delivered at
the same time.
Speaker 3 (31:36):
Back to I think where you're going.
On the starting of the season,I mean, hey, listen, we didn't
know exactly.
We had hopes.
The good news is we're stillusing modular facilities.
They still take eight months tobuild once you move your dirt,
you know.
So it's less than a yearproject, which is the great news
(31:57):
.
If you look at where we arefrom a timing standpoint, we get
approvals within the six-monthperiod.
Then the dominoes can start tofinally fall.
Speaker 1 (32:12):
We never really got final approval on that other
stadium location right, we didand we were kind of far down the
path.
I think that that's also a goodthing for us is we've got such a
great working relationship withthe city and all those involved
and our partners that arehelping us to kind of develop
this and do all thepre-development work and the
(32:33):
stadium is largely staying thesame.
We're not all of a suddenupheaval and overhauling the
stadium design.
So all of the great feedbackand all of the things that we
heard that went into the stadiumdesign.
It's kind of lift and then youmay have to tweak a couple
things just based on the layoutand all of that kind of thing,
but largely the same stadiumdesign.
(32:55):
But we do have to kind of goback, go re-through all a lot of
the permitting process and andworking with the city.
But we've got a great workingrelationship with them.
They're very familiar with theproject now, uh, so that
hopefully shouldn't take maybeas much time with all the back
and forth and the questions butI'd take it a step further.
Speaker 3 (33:14):
I think they're very excited about this development
project.
You know, I had a meetingyesterday where they expressed
that and they want to see,obviously, the zoning pass last
night.
That's very favorable.
Could not do it without thezoning right.
So, but back to the timetable.
(33:35):
I think, listening, there's alot happening in soccer.
But back to the timetable, Ithink, listening, there's a lot
of happening in soccer.
So our goal is to really kindof in the beginnings, you know,
being optimistic and hopeful andcould it have happened?
Yes, but 2026 is a big year inprofessional soccer.
Being able to, you know, takeadvantage of that is very
helpful, right, is very helpful,right.
(33:56):
But now, because of thetimetable, it's going to take
probably to at least 2027.
I'm more comfortable, as youheard last night, 2028.
But there's also keep in mind,we're two projects that play two
different seasons, right.
So we have two teams and so onethat starts in March, one that
(34:18):
starts in August.
So we've got some flexibilityon kind of which team comes
first.
You know, let's get approvals,let's, you know, finalize the
capital stack and then startbuilding, and they're working
towards building, and then we're, you know, proving out the
business model even further,getting people excited.
And then we're, you know,proving out the business model
(34:38):
even further, getting peopleexcited.
Here's one thing I know, if Ican Professional soccer is going
to happen in this region and ifit doesn't happen with us, we
have laid all the groundwork forthat to happen in a very
impactful way, but I do believethat it's going to happen with
us.
I'm really excited about it.
I wouldn't still be here.
(34:58):
The thing about me is that I'mlike a dog on a bone that can't
get off it right, and I have nothad one project that I've
gotten involved with that I'venot been successful.
Every day you're assessing risk.
Every day you're looking atwhere we are in the process.
Every day, as you know, we talkinternally what's working,
(35:20):
what's not, how far are we?
And every day it seems like wekeep coming up with the same
answer.
You know, yeah, today was hard,but doggone it.
Look how close we are.
Or doggone it, look what we didtoday.
You know we, you know so,anyways, really excited.
I'm sorry to be talking so much.
Speaker 1 (35:40):
No, it's great.
I mean it just shows thepassion that's there for the
project in the area and I mean Iget to see it every day with
you.
But I think it's great for thecommunity to see it as well from
again.
Somebody that has done thismultiple times successfully in
multiple markets, multiplesports leagues, to feel that
(36:01):
passionately and strongly aboutour project here is reassuring,
especially for somebody that'sworking in it every day.
My wife certainly takes somesolids in that right.
But I think this kind of pivotand the opening of the scope, I
mean there's just kind of pivotand the opening of the scope.
(36:25):
I mean there's just.
We've heard so much from peoplein terms of how they want us to
engage and that this needs to bemore than just a pro men's and
women's soccer team and I thinkthat this is one part of that.
It's a big part of that, theshift in kind of the development
sports anchor district and thatbeing a big trend in sports
anyways.
But yeah, and in terms of howwe deliver value and to the
(36:48):
community, to the investmentcomponent of that as well.
But we're going to beeverywhere and so involved and
this league is such a grassrootsleague and the relationship
with the fans is so special, issuch a grassroots league and the
relationship with the fans isso special.
I think we can kind of end itmaybe a little bit here is
(37:10):
what's next for us?
I mean, we kind of talked aboutit already, but what can people
expect from us?
Kind of going forward, and wemay not have all of the answers
right now, guys, but we aretrying to, as hopefully you guys
can see, be open and honestwith you guys on where we're at
and continue to listen to you aswe go forward.
But maybe some closing thoughtson where we're going and what
(37:34):
people can see from us.
Speaker 3 (37:36):
Well, listen, I mean, we started right.
We have a grassroots team thatis out growing relationships,
(37:56):
right?
So they're getting peopleanswering questions, getting
people excited about what we'reultimately doing, getting names,
starting the relationshipprocess.
Once they come in with us, westart communicating with them
and actually continuing to growthose relationships.
And actually continuing to growthose relationships.
I think that's where you'regoing to see the bulk of the
change for us is really tryingto understand our customers a
little bit further what theywant, what they don't want,
preferences, what's yourfavorite beer, Seriously, and
then making sure it seems likelocal beer is very, very
(38:19):
important.
So, all right, what do you meanby that?
So how do we mean by that,right?
So how do we actually do that?
Do we have one big local or dowe have, you know, as many taps
from locally as we can, right?
So just a small example.
And then being out everywhere,because really it's all about
(38:46):
relationships, right?
So we just happen to have abrand that we need to develop
and want to developrelationships with tens of
thousands of people.
Yeah Right, sacramento Republichas got over 100,000 people now
in their database, which we willhave eventually, but right now
we have 7,500, which is a greatnumber to start with.
So a lot of grassrootsmarketing, mainly because that's
(39:09):
who professional soccer is.
It's like getting out like wedo in soccer you go out and you
play, you go out into theleagues or you go out in the
parks, right, but you go out,right.
So we're going to go out andthen just keep building on that,
right.
(39:29):
So that's number one.
I think number two is continueto be.
I think we want to do a betterjob updating and being open and
vulnerable and sharing kind ofwhere we are in this process.
Uh, engaging, um, and then justlike celebrating as.
Back to the marshallese right,so, yeah, second largest or
(39:54):
largest population ofmarshallese people outside of
the marshall islands, right?
Um, they were the last.
Speaker 1 (40:01):
We'll tell the group they're the last last un nation
to have a national soccer team,um, and, but that's changing now
.
Uh, and big shout out to tolloyd uh owers and and his team,
uh, woody watson here locally,uh, matt weber, uh, or matt webb
sorry Matt, if I got your lastname wrong Matt and co, the
(40:26):
whole team doing phenomenal work, and they're going to host
their first ever kind ofinternational tournament here
locally in Northwest Arkansas inAugust.
And you know how do we helpsupport them and support the
game?
Right, you know we're going to.
You know, heads up, lloyd,you're going to get a phone call
(40:48):
on how we can talk about it,right?
Speaker 3 (40:51):
So, yeah, we want to make a difference for them,
right, exactly, we can have ourfans, and if we can come and
have our fans come and dosomething for them, you know
they're going to have theirfirst international match played
in arkansas.
So cool, yeah, what a moment,right?
Yeah, if we can help bring theresources enough to, maybe they
can play in front of, maybe theycan play at the university of
(41:11):
arkansas, if they would let them, or, you know, we'll find a
place.
If not, you know, um, you knowthere's great high schools here
with great soccer fields, butnonetheless, they're going to
play, right, and we that's avery important community for us
we want to make a difference forthem, and so that is how we're
(41:36):
going to grow this brand andthat is what we're going to do.
To be successful is to continuedoing things that make a
difference in this.
Speaker 1 (41:40):
It all hits back to our, our mission, vision and
using the sport.
You know, yes, it's soccer,that's great, but using it for a
way and a vehicle to do good inour community and make it a
better place to live, work, play, amen.
So well, warren, any other lastthoughts that you want to leave
people with?
I think we've had a great convo, great update, but we keep
(42:02):
onward, we keep going.
Speaker 3 (42:03):
Yes, so yes, so, um, listen, I mean, but quick, I
mean I think it's important toreally look at the timetable.
Speaker 1 (42:09):
when we knew we needed to pivot, it was what
june the last year, june of lastyear, when we started having
those conversations june may andjune late may, um, and then and
at that time, um we did it wentback to our site selection
process.
Speaker 3 (42:26):
We're able to find a piece, but then we had to
assemble a bunch of pieces right, and that took time and um,
very different than the firsttime around.
Speaker 1 (42:36):
Exactly right, one owner, that's right, right.
So that also is a for folksthat were kind of like where is
it?
Where is it?
Yep, that's a big piece thattakes a lot of time.
If you've ever bought a houseor anything, that's one lot with
one owner.
We did it with almost doubledigits.
Speaker 3 (42:52):
And I want to say thank you to those landowners
because they ultimately caredeeply about what we're trying
to accomplish and they lovedwhat we're doing, what we're
about about and the differencethat we're making in the
community.
So they wanted to.
You know, some of them maybehave taken a little bit of price
reduction because of that,right so, which is amazing to us
, right?
So, anyways, long story, youknow, it took I mean so it was
(43:16):
really a year into the processum, and where we knew we needed
to pivot and it just took sometime.
I hope and I believe that we'rejust going to be able to
accelerate that now, because nowwe control our own destiny.
The last thing I want to saythis is your team, everybody.
(43:36):
This is your team.
We need you to participate.
I want to create a movement, man, because when people come to
soccer matches and thehellbenders are just like
yelling and screaming and havinga great time singing songs,
those non-soccer fans becomesoccer fans immediately, right?
(43:57):
So let's speak up as soccerfans, those that know the game,
those that love what we're doing.
Let's speak up as soccer fans,those that know the game, those
that love what we're doing.
Let's speak up together, right?
So, when we ask you, I'mhopeful that you can participate
, because it's about creatingthat movement.
Yeah, because that movement canbe really powerful, we can make
a difference together.
As you know, one of our big, biglong-term objectives is to
(44:17):
build a true soccer complexMm-hmm Right, true soccer
complex, right?
Um, it'd be an economic driverfor the region to actually can,
you know, get some of these verylarge events that are going to
Kansas city and Dallas not comein here?
Yeah, um, oklahoma city'sadding 24 fields to their
portfolio this year.
Yeah, you know that's.
(44:38):
That's something I think thatwe can do and, and you know,
can't do it without peoplespeaking up.
Speaker 1 (44:46):
No, and I mean we've already even started working
with a company sports facilitiescompany uh, to even start
looking into feasibility of that.
I want to make sure we hit onthat because that's also a big
part of you know what we'veheard from people recognize, um,
people, us recognizing that.
But also I want you guys tounderstand we have heard you, we
(45:08):
get it.
We need fields in NorthwestArkansas, even without us, we
just need it, period.
There's not enough at all levelsof sport, but especially soccer
, and you guys have said, hey,can you help deliver this, can
you help be a leader there?
We have started to look intothat.
Yes, there is a need, but itdoesn't happen without your
(45:30):
support and you guys speaking up, especially with community
leaders, public officials etcetera.
And we'll continue to share inhow you can help support those
efforts as we go, share in howyou can help support those
efforts as we go.
But I'm glad you brought thatup, warren, that's another big
part of you know the roadmap andthings that we know are
(45:50):
important to folks here in thecommunity.
Speaker 3 (45:52):
So yeah, I mean, if you look at Arkansas soccer
participation growth, there's noway these leagues can serve the
public without substantialgrowth in these facilities, and
they're hard to do, even at justbuilding fields right or
(46:12):
maintaining fields it is, but Ido believe that we'll be able to
make a very significantdifference in that area.
Speaker 1 (46:19):
I do too.
I do too.
We certainly have some land forit out there, yeah, in that
area.
Speaker 3 (46:22):
I do too.
I do too.
We certainly have some land forit out there.
Yeah, wesley, as we close, Ijust want to say thank you for
being such a believer, such afan of all that we're doing and
being somebody that is true toour values, because that is
really the most important thingthat we can do is do and say, or
say and do what we are tryingto to do, and say we believe in
(46:45):
there, do after we say say whatyou.
Speaker 1 (46:48):
What is it?
Uh mean what you say?
Say uh, do what you say, orsomething like that.
I don't know.
Whatever it is, living into it,I appreciate it, warren.
Uh, thank you guys forbelieving in me and and bringing
me along for the ride, man lastyeah, last shout out because we
didn't mention chris's namemuch.
Speaker 3 (47:03):
But you know, gosh, he cares deeply about this
community.
That's a fantastic and reallywants us to do this right man.
He's still very active, as youknow.
We talk every day and reallyappreciate all that he has done
to actually grow relationshipsand and articulate you know why
this is so important in thisregion.
(47:24):
I can only be here every coupleof weeks, but he's here every,
every, every.
Well, not every day because ofhis work, but as close as he can
be.
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (47:33):
Big shout out to Chris and his uh efforts I mean
even you know, back toconversations back with Jake and
all of that kind of thing tohelp deliver this.
I mean it's such an amazingproject and look where we are
now and uh and sharing, andhopefully everybody feels the
same way, and onward and upwardwe go, uh.
So, warren, thanks so much forjumping on and joining me here
(47:55):
today.
I think that that's going to doit for this episode of Pitch to
Pro.
We hope you enjoyed it.
Be sure to catch all of ourepisodes on PitchToProcom, or
look for PitchToPro on YouTube,spotify, apple or wherever you
get your podcasts.
For more content until nexttime.
Speaker 2 (48:10):
Northwest Arkansas cheers, amen thanks for joining
us on this episode of thePitchToPro podcast.
Be sure to tune in again in twoweeks for the next installment
and check out the Stoppage Timeseries for a recap of today's
episode.
Be sure to find us at Pitch toPro on YouTube, instagram and
everywhere you get your podcasts.
Until next time, northwestArkansas cheers.
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