Erick Thohir 650

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So do you want to share your thoughts on Inter with all of SempreInter.com’s readers? Do you think your language skills are good enough to get published on SempreInter.com? Well what are you waiting for? Write an editorial and email it to [email protected] and be sure to include your full name (first and last name) in the email. We reserve the right not to publish editorials which we deem unfit for SempreInter.com as well as reserving the right to edit a contributed editorial in order to make it suitable for publication. However, everyone who sends us an editorial will get feedback as to why not their editorial won’t be published or why we decided to publish it.

To kick things off is an editorial from US Inter-supporter Pietro Barone who writes about the positive aspects of a foreign owner. Do you agree with him? Or do you think he’s way off? Write your comments below but remember keep it tasteful. Enjoy!

“The problem is not debt; the real problem is revenue.” Massimo Moratti’s summary of the club’s current situation is the reason why Interisti should be pushing for an investor looking for opportunity, like Erik Thohir. Financially, Inter and most of the Serie A, are very behind Europe’s big clubs. In order to compete on the global market for increased revenue Inter must address two big issues: San Siro and the global market base and brand.

The San Siro is most certainly a holy ground in European football. Its massive impression is certainly an asset to both of Milan’s clubs when they play at home. Unfortunately, the stadium does more damage to Inter than it does good. The revenues of a club owned stadium are required to address the other issues of the club. We shouldn’t think of a new club owned stadium as an opportunity for the future, we should think that the lack of a club owned is an immediate loss. I hate giving credit to Juventus, but their new stadium has contributed to their recent “success.” Inter are constantly losing the missed opportunity for increased revenue. Erik Thohir, and other D.C. United Executives, just struck a deal with the city of D.C. to construct a stadium that would be ready for the 2016 MLS season. Thohir bought into D.C. United in 2012 and in 2013 the deal is completed for a stadium. That’s the kind of opportunity I’d like to see my club’s President take. I understand these plans take time to be put in place. I also understand that if he buys Inter today he wouldn’t build one for a while. But the fact that he’s shown innovation in ever expanding American market is a positive sign for us.

This past weekend during the International Champions Cup I was upset with our Inter fan turnout. As an American-Interista I was hoping to see more American fans like me supporting our boys. What upset me the most was the dominating presence of Chelsea. Outside of the stadium prior to Inter-Valencia, Chelsea-Milan there were a half dozen Chelsea tents handing out free Chelsea flags to wave in the stadium. Anyone who wanted one could grab one. While it may seem like a small detail in a huge operation, it made a difference in the stadium. Chelsea has been working for years to grow their brand in the US and it took a lot of time and money. It also helps that Chelsea WINS these games and takes them all seriously. Chelsea also held a few player camps in the New York City area. That gives the average American fan the impression that Chelsea wants to engage with its fans and expand as a brand. Soccer is still growing in the United States and this was an opportunity for Inter to recruit new fans. I think the opportunity was missed (plus 4-0 to Valencia certainly didn’t help).

We are playing catch up in the global market and while rivals like AC Milan are taking huge steps to grow in the American market. ACMilanStoreUSA.com is a perfect example. If I want to buy Inter gear from the Inter Store it’s going to cost me a lot in foreign shipping costs. ACMilanStoreUSA.com provides North American shipping rates, again making it more attractive to an American fan. Again, I REALLY hate giving credit to the likes of AC Milan but Inter need to be more innovative and take full advantage of these pre-season opportunities. The logic behind that decision to open an American store really helps grow the brand effectively. They are very proactive in North America and often hold camps to engage with young players. Inter certainly benefits from playing games in the preseason, but the business side could do much more to grow the global market base. Thohir, being Indonesian, has access to and special knowledge of the major Indonesian market. There are plenty of Indonesian-Interisti and I am sure Thohir has a plan to engage these fans. Missed opportunities like the International Champions Cup will probably not occur in Indonesia if the President is Indonesian. Asia is an even bigger market than the United States and clubs like Arsenal and Manchester City have already tapped those markets. There is a lot of money in merchandising and it’s an opportunity the club and the President could increase revenue from!

I love Moratti. I am very nervous about our future. But if Moratti thinks he can no longer do it, do we want him to sit around and see? The treble is long past and that team is long gone. I’m tired of waiting for something to happen and want someone to MAKE something happen. With all my expectations in check I think Thohir would be a great opportunity for the club to step back up in Europe.

Oh yeah and finally, Branca has to go.