Tuesday, March 05, 2013

AUDL Retention Rate

Knowing that small businesses have a high rate of failure made me take another look at what has occurred with the American Ultimate Disc League. The AUDL started their 2012 season with 8 teams -- 4 teams in the Western Division & 4 in the Eastern Division.


After their first season, AUDL retained only 50% of teams (4); two (2) of which moved from their original locations [Revolution from Louisville/Lexington to Cincinnati; Dragons (née Hunters) from Buffalo to Rochester]. The other 4 teams [Cranes, Constitution, Rampage & Spinners] are no longer in the league.

Thankfully for the AUDL, the planned expansion was executed; otherwise, the AUDL would be the size of one division in a first-year pro Ultimate league.
CHART: Status of the Original 8 AUDL Teams
Arrrrgh...! I think this combined chart, originally posted on twitter, is finally correct.
STATUS: Original 8 AUDL Teams

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Philadelphia city still has an AUDL team, just a new owner. Seems like missed information or a purposeful neglect.

Sludge said...

Dear Anonymous @ 6:49AM,
You are right, Philly's new team is the Phoenix. The charts shown are based on the original (2012) TEAMS, not their location. So, the original team in Philadelphia (Spinners) is considered as "exited" since they played in the 2012 season & then left.
Per your perspective on AUDL original cities, I count: 5 left (3 exited + 2 moved), 1 replaced (Philadelphia), & 2 no change (Indy, Detroit). Lemme know if you would like a chart to display the original AUDL city retention rate & I'll be happy to post.

Anonymous said...

Just note, only one of those was a "business failure" in columbus. The CT and RI teams were terminated by the league and the spinners moved onto their own thing. Thus, to the point of your original post about small business failure rate, you're really looking at 1 out of 8 that truly failed.

Sludge said...

Dear Anonymous @ 3:21PM,
Interesting point about what defines "business failure". By your definition, you are correct - 1 team (Columbus) failed.
One could argue that differences of opinion about territory license agreement (RI, CT) or league structure (PHL) led teams FAILing to currently be in the AUDL. As far as the re-location for Revolution & Hunters/Dragons, there would have to be some sort of business failure to prompt a move away from their original location(s).
In actuality, there have been only 2 teams that endured - without moving or changing names - the AUDL's 1st season; Indy & Detroit. Who could have predicted??? Out of those 8 teams - Indianapolis, Indiana & Detroit, Michigan.

Anonymous said...

I don't think relocation constitutes failure. Are the Oakland Raiders failures because they moved from LA? All jokes aside, it was a better opportunity for the organization. Your points are well taken, but I think you'll see stronger organization overall for the Dragons and Revolution compared to last year, which only strengthens the league. Replacing smaller markets like CT and RI and trading them for some of the places they are this year, will be better as well. I don't think you'll see this kind of turnover again in the league. Time will tell though.