The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

Former Tulsa Roughneck's fans will remember Gieorgio. 

RIP..........

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/46919678/ns/sports-soccer/

...from an Italian rebroadcast of KTUL video from August 31st, 1980 playoff game at Giants Stadium....

BigShot Q&A: NASL Commissioner – David Downs
Columnist Herb Scribner interviews NASL commissioner David Downs, who recently received a contract extension
by Herb Scribner   |   Wednesday, February 29, 2012

http://www.soccernewsday.com/usa/a/90/bigshot-q-a-nasl-commissioner-david-downs

QuoteWhat about historical NASL markets like Calgary or Tulsa? Does the NASL try to get back in to either cities that are under or non-existent for soccer but still have plenty of players and fans as well?

DOWNS: Both of those cities are under consideration for the exact reasons you cite.

Does the NASL do better in former NASL markets of the 1960-80s?

DOWNS: Both Tampa Bay and Fort Lauderdale have benefitted from the strong legacy left by their original NASL clubs, but it's not a requirement for success in our league.

Almost every club that rebranded back to NASL nicknames like Sounders, Timbers, Whitecaps, Earthquakes, Rowdies, Strikers, Lancers (indoor), etc have done well since in terms of local recognition, branding, merchandising and possibly bridging a gap to past fans. Do you want to see more MLS, NASL, and other clubs resurrect old NASL club names? Like the Boomers in Calgary, Roughnecks in Tulsa, or the Chiefs in Atlanta?

DOWNS: Where the history and the legal status of the marks of the old NASL clubs permit, it seems to make sense.  But in Atlanta, for example, the team has a long association with the name Silverbacks, so suddenly changing to the name Chiefs may or may not have the desired result.

Is the New York Cosmos possibly the strongest brand that came out of the original NASL? Do you foresee the brand coming back to the top tier of American soccer?

DOWNS: Quite possibly, and we would welcome their participation in our league as they prepare for success in MLS.

If the ownership group doesn't steer the NY Cosmos into MLS, would the NASL try and get them instead?

DOWNS: It would make perfect sense for the two brands to be reunited again.

...Tulsa, oil capital of the world....



...1979 game includes panoramic view of Zingo at Bell's, the back of Billy Eckstein's head (he sang the national anthem at that game), the music of Amii Stewart, and a Tulsa goal.... take that, Giorgio...  ;D