"That is fine."

Over the course of the last year, I have had the privilege to work with some really amazing people for one goal: the long term success and survival of the Atlanta Silverbacks. The men I worked with represented the most passionate supporters of a 20 year old piece of Atlanta soccer tradition, with support stretching from the Atlanta area to Florida with myself and Shawn Laird to the UK and Michael Moriarty. Together, we built what became the ASFC Trust, garnering support for our fan ownership initiative from all around the world. For all the hard work and money put in, I personally want to thank all of you. You guys know who you are and you are all awesome.

Between the initial 2015 iteration of the #SaveOurSilverbacks campaign to have us remain in the NASL and our connection with Phoday Dolleh and Alvin Glay, we worked to get the Silverbacks into a position where they could be looked at as the club we envisioned: the premiere soccer club of Atlanta.

When we worked with conjunction with the NASL, we worked on an understanding that the Trust would own a portion of the team. Even though our plan fell short, we at least appreciated the NASL's willingness to work with us and the fact that, even when they shut down the team, they were extremely transparent. Even in our disappointment, we understood their motives from a business perspective.

Since February, we have worked with both Phoday and Alvin as the new owners of the club. They began our relationship by embracing the fans and coming to an understanding that the Trust would like to own a part of the team eventually. While we had disagreements, namely changing kick times, closing parking lots and turning people away, and hosting Atlanta United's affiliate Charleston Battery, we forgave them those things. We looked at those as simply growing pains - something that could be worked through in the offseason and corrected by 2017.

What we could not work past was the blatant disregard of their most enthusiastic supporters by Phoday and Alvin. We were offered the opportunity to buy part of the Atlanta Silverbacks reserve squad who would be competing in the ADASL. We were told point blank by Phoday in conversations he had with Steven Bayley, an Atlanta Ultra and leader of the charge to have an ADASL team, that if we raised $6,000 by the ADASL sign up deadline, then we could own a percentage of it. Steven stepped up and set up a GoFundMe page to help raise the money on August 16, 2016. We asked the team to tweet out a link so that we could use their followers to get a larger reach.

Less than a week later, we were told by Alvin that the ADASL team wouldn't happen because they didn't have the resources and they didn't want to use the club social media accounts for fear of bad press. Even that, we overlooked and we carried on. One day later, after Paul expressed our frustration to Phoday, he responded that we had to stop the GoFundMe campaign and said he would give us time to take the page down. The team would then make an announcement (Still waiting on that....).

We at the Trust felt that the club had undermined our credibility as an organization. We had looked to our supporters, both of the Backs and fellow soccer fans, to help us support the club we love. We began reaching out, but we abruptly had to stop and backtrack. This means that the next time we ask for help, we will have no support because even our own club doesn't support us.

Just yesterday, Paul was told by Alvin, who complained we were acting childish, that "Just because I said I was going to do something doesn't mean I have to do it." When we are told to take down a campaign because you won't support us, we take it down. We don't expect you do change your mind again. We also didn't expect you to refuse help from an organization whose main and only purpose is to support your club. The links between members of the Trust, Atlanta Ultras and Westside 109 means that the most ardent Silverbacks fans are working together to support the club we love.

When told they would lose their most ardent, loyal and vocal fans, they responded, "That is fine."

If you are okay with losing the fans who drove to Miami for a playoff game from Atlanta, then yes, that is fine.

If you are fine with relegating your team to the back burner of an amazing soccer city, then yes, that is fine.

If you are fine with ensuring your investment in a 20 year old club never grows past searching for transfer fees, then yes, that is fine.

If you are okay with bad press, then yes, that is fine.

If you are fine with killing true support for your club, then yes, that is fine.

Ownership Poll

We as fans of the Atlanta Silverbacks have a unique opportunity if we can find a way to unify behind the team. I'd like to know what the interest is in forming a group to buy ownership in the team. Please complete the poll to let me and the NASL know what you wish to do for our team. If the submit button doesn't work, go to this link, please. Sorry for the inconvenience.
http://vote.pollcode.com/51346296

How interested would you be in fan ownership of the Atlanta Silverbacks?

Strongly interestedSomewhat interestedNo OpinionSomewhat disinterestedStrongly disinterested

pollcode.com free polls

Atlanta Silverbacks Email Drive

I am a huge fan of soccer, especially the soccer being played in my second city, Atlanta, GA. You might have heard that there is an MLS team coming to the Georgia Capital, but there is another team that means more to most of the soccer fans in Atlanta. That team is the Atlanta Silverbacks. They have been Atlanta's soccer team since 1998 and a staple of the soccer scene.

The Silverbacks have come under some trouble the last couple of years. A lack of leadership and investment from former owners led to the team being sold to the NASL. The NASL is still looking for ownership for the team. I hadn't given much though to this ownership structure until tonight. I came across the Supporters United page on Twitter (@allsupporters1). It is a group dedicated to keeping the Silverbacks in Atlanta. In conversations with a couple of others on Twitter (@CraplantaUnited and @American_red13), discussions came up about the potential for fan ownership of the Silverbacks, which could be a way to not only save the team, but ensure it stays in Atlanta.

Nashville FC, a NPSL team, have complete fan ownership, a la the Green Bay Packers, and it has worked for them thus far.The problem with fan ownership is that it comes with the caveat that higher tier leagues, as far as Google will take me, require majority ownership in a team. Basically, they want someone with deep cash reserves to control the team. Obviously, majority is at least 51%. Fan ownership could be bought as shares to forge a lasting connection between the Atlanta Silverbacks and the city of Atlanta. Fans like myself would love to be a part of their team with an actual voice in day-to-day operations.

I propose that we as a fanbase contact the NASL front office and let them know just how many fans would be willing to take part in such a venture. We can prove that the Silverbacks are a viable part of Atlanta and our fan community in the city and even abroad (I'm looking at you, @SilverbacksUK!).

Below is a copy of the email that I sent to Commissioner Peterson and the front office. (I'm not sure about the Commissioner's email, but if it follows their standard format, it's bpeterson@nasl.com.) The rest of the front office are: Director of Business Development & Legal Affairs Rishi Sehgal (rsehgal@nasl.com), Director of Public Relations Neal Malone (nmalone@nasl.com), Director of Operations Brian Melekian (bmelekian@nasl.com), Manager of Public Relations Steven Torres (storres@nasl.com). If we show that we are united against losing our homegrown and not bought team, then send emails to the NASL front office to show our support and resolve. Copy my email verbatim or just take what you need and write from your heart. Just show the NASL that we care about our Silverbacks and we want to be a part of their success.

ATTN: Bill Peterson

Atlanta Silverbacks Ownership Opportunity

Mr. Peterson,

My name is Ben Whitehead and I am an ardent supporter of the Atlanta Silverbacks organization. As such a supporter, I have done research on the team and its operations. I understand the Silverbacks have had ownership issues in the past and are owned by the NASL at this time.

Though the NASL, in its current iteration, has not been around as long, the Silverbacks have been an Atlanta staple since 1998. Longevity in American soccer is something that should be rewarded. Atlanta has potential to be a hotbed of soccer. The Gold Cup ticket sales showcase this. It is with the interest of the city that I write you.

To my knowledge, there is still a need for ownership in Atlanta. I and others who love the Silverbacks feel that a viable option would be minority fan ownership. As I understand it, a Division 1 or 2 soccer organization must have at least 51% majority ownership from a party, but there is nothing that specifies the structure of the other 49%. I believe that there is a special opportunity here in Atlanta. If you look at the example set forth by Nashville FC of the NPSL, they have proven that fan organization can work and people will be more invested in their team, quite literally in some cases.

From a publicity standpoint, this could be a fantastic opportunity for the NASL to gain some positive publicity in the city before the launch of Atlanta United. Forging a connection with the city before MLS has a real opportunity could go a long way towards the Silverbacks’ long-term viability. By offering shares of the Silverbacks to Atlantans and those of us like myself who are fans from afar, the NASL can market the Silverbacks as “Atlanta’s Soccer Team” or “The Team Built by Atlanta.” This could potentially save the NASL money as well. Even if new ownership doesn’t come by next season, the League would only be responsible for 51% of the cost, rather than all.

Thank you for your time and consideration. As I stated, there are many more who would enjoy this prospect to be a part of their city’s team. We would love to create a strong barrier between the city and the Silverbacks.

Thank you once again,

Ben Whitehead