FC Bozeman Special Meeting – January 30, 2003
Board Members Present: Phil Rotherham, Carson Taylor, Jack Dockery, Jeff Pearce, Bill Locke, Jen Gummer, Rick Sojda, Martie Stewart
Others in Attendance: Pam Smith, Mike Rivas, Tim Guenzler, Pam McCutcheon, Jeff McGuire, Mary Ann McGuire, Dane Gamble, Kurt Buecle (?), Sue Manfretti, Julie Rodriguez, Linda Miller, Tina Coyle, Steve Birrell, Mary Ann Sojda
Meeting called to order at 6:02 p.m.
NOTE: MSP – Motion, Seconded, Passed
Tim Owen was out of town. Phil Rotherham presided over the meeting.
The meeting must be adjourned by 7:00 to go to the Adam Bronken Sports Complex meeting at City Hall.
The meeting was called to discuss the possible club sponsorship by Puma.
Tim Guenzler explained what sponsorship would mean to the club. He was floored when Puma offered to come talk about sponsorship.
Discussion.
There is concern from teams with good uniforms now. Many just purchased new uniforms last year. Some teams have much money tied up in good warm-ups and bags.
Mike Rivas – This is a great opportunity for the club. From a coaches perspective, when you go out on the field and look sharp, it gives an immediate first impression that this team in not a joke. When sponsors come in to sponsor you it is usually a one time thing. If you decline, they will go somewhere else.
Puma wants a three year contract with a local rep to handle everything. The contract hasn’t been awarded to either Universal Sports or The Soccer Shop.
Nothing will be signed until the contract has been reviewed and agreed upon item by item, such as, phasing in option, minimum order amounts, etc.
Right now, timing is definitely an issue, whether it is Puma or Adidas. Stock is running out in all warehouses.
Motion by Carson Taylor, Seconded by Rick Sojda
MSP: Move that the Club continue negotiation with PUMA in an attempt to reach an agreement consistent with the Club's concerns as raised in the meeting. That a report be brought to the Board at the February 5 meeting so that a decision may be made. If a decision regarding sponsorship or ordering must be made before February 5, then the current contract and decision, made in December will stand.
The concerns involve whether or not the sponsorship can be phased in, and on what basis---Where whole teams have to buy new uniforms they would buy PUMA, where teams have uniforms that work for them---bought last year, they would not have to buy this year. Where teams are split, we would stick with Adidas if the expense would impact a significant number of players. (52 was a number attached to kids on split situations, or maybe all) In either case the idea is to see what PUMA will do with these issues, so that we can decide on 2/5.
Other concern--- how broad is this sponsorship---all soccer equipment, just uniforms. Warm-ups, gear bags, etc. We would like these to either not be an issue or also be grandfathered in.
As to all this, could we commit to buying only PUMA as we buy new, but not have to get rid of perfectly good clothing, equipment etc. just to meet PUMA's contract.
Other question - Could we just do a contract which will start next year?
This will be continued at the February 5 Board Meeting immediately following the open meeting.