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Frank Cunha · 05-09-2003, 12:08 AM

News Release
9/4/2003
Phillip Bohn
(763) 785-3668
Thunder To Move More Central In ‘04
14-Year Franchise Looking At Number of Options in St. Paul, Minneapolis, Neighboring Suburbs
BLAINE, Minn. (Thursday, Sept. 4, 2003) – In an effort to meet its fans’ number-one request, the Minnesota Thunder professional soccer team will move into a more central location to play its A-League games in 2004, it was announced today by Thunder president and general manager Jim Froslid.

Founded in 1990, the second-division professional soccer team has played the majority of its games for 14 seasons at the National Sports Center in Blaine, located 15 miles north of Minneapolis.

“We have been observing the success of Jac Sperling and the Minnesota Wild, and what they have accomplished by making the fan the number-one priority,” Froslid said. “We intend to make the entire experience more enjoyable to the fan, and perhaps more importantly, beneficial on the community that decides to embrace us.”

Team officials are exploring a number of stadium options in St. Paul, Minneapolis and neighboring suburbs.

The Thunder’s attendance at the NSC has increased 13 of its 14 seasons, averaging 4,101-per game in 2003, but surveys over the past three years have indicated that fans would attend more games if the team played in a more central location. A more central move also brings the Thunder closer to the some of the largest ethnic communities in the Twin Cities, and places them on a public transportation line, a benefit it didn’t have in Blaine.

The team plans to announce a new season ticket campaign in the coming days to rally fans behind the news of the move, according to Thunder director of Sales and Marketing TJ Varecka.

The Thunder is contractually obligated to play its remaining 2003 playoff matches at the NSC. The team opens a home-and-home, total-goals playoff series in Milwaukee tomorrow night, and will host the second leg Sunday, Sept. 7 at the NSC (5 p.m. kickoff). If the Thunder wins the Milwaukee series, then it will advance to the Western Conference finals and host the winner of Seattle-Vancouver in a similar format on Sunday, Sept. 14, at 4 p.m., at the NSC.

The Minnesota Thunder, founded in 1990, is a professional soccer franchise that plays in the Western Conference of the 19-team A-League. The Thunder's home schedule runs May through September. Information on single-game and season tickets, as well as youth camps, can be found on the team's website www.mnthunder.com or by calling 763-785-3668.

05-09-2003, 12:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
Frank Cunha TS V.I.P. Member Favourite Team: SL BENFICA -BEIRA-MAR Frank Cunha is Offline Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: UNION, NJ. USA Posts: 90,187 vCash: 3081 Rep: Rep Points: 5666 Country:	MINNESOTA THUNDER News Release 9/4/2003 Phillip Bohn (763) 785-3668 Thunder To Move More Central In ‘04 14-Year Franchise Looking At Number of Options in St. Paul, Minneapolis, Neighboring Suburbs BLAINE, Minn. (Thursday, Sept. 4, 2003) – In an effort to meet its fans’ number-one request, the Minnesota Thunder professional soccer team will move into a more central location to play its A-League games in 2004, it was announced today by Thunder president and general manager Jim Froslid. Founded in 1990, the second-division professional soccer team has played the majority of its games for 14 seasons at the National Sports Center in Blaine, located 15 miles north of Minneapolis. “We have been observing the success of Jac Sperling and the Minnesota Wild, and what they have accomplished by making the fan the number-one priority,” Froslid said. “We intend to make the entire experience more enjoyable to the fan, and perhaps more importantly, beneficial on the community that decides to embrace us.” Team officials are exploring a number of stadium options in St. Paul, Minneapolis and neighboring suburbs. The Thunder’s attendance at the NSC has increased 13 of its 14 seasons, averaging 4,101-per game in 2003, but surveys over the past three years have indicated that fans would attend more games if the team played in a more central location. A more central move also brings the Thunder closer to the some of the largest ethnic communities in the Twin Cities, and places them on a public transportation line, a benefit it didn’t have in Blaine. The team plans to announce a new season ticket campaign in the coming days to rally fans behind the news of the move, according to Thunder director of Sales and Marketing TJ Varecka. The Thunder is contractually obligated to play its remaining 2003 playoff matches at the NSC. The team opens a home-and-home, total-goals playoff series in Milwaukee tomorrow night, and will host the second leg Sunday, Sept. 7 at the NSC (5 p.m. kickoff). If the Thunder wins the Milwaukee series, then it will advance to the Western Conference finals and host the winner of Seattle-Vancouver in a similar format on Sunday, Sept. 14, at 4 p.m., at the NSC. The Minnesota Thunder, founded in 1990, is a professional soccer franchise that plays in the Western Conference of the 19-team A-League. The Thunder's home schedule runs May through September. Information on single-game and season tickets, as well as youth camps, can be found on the team's website www.mnthunder.com or by calling 763-785-3668.