Orlando City Soccer PR Stunt Misses the Goal in Parramore

Looks like Buddy Dyer and the city of Orlando finally are catching on that the dialogue shift in Parramore is here to stay. They can no longer blatantly lie about the gentrification or outright ignore the cries of Orlando’s historic African-American community. It’s clear everyone knows something is not sitting right with the residents regarding the new MLS soccer stadium.

So they are trying some old PR tricks…and guess what, they aren’t working. The City of Orlando and Orlando City Soccer team got very negative responses as they attempted a quick PR stunt donating frozen turkeys to a local grocery. Because, you know, that’s what is going to help Parramore. Read some of the responses from Lawrence Robinson’s coverage.

When leaders like Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs admit they have never really visited Parramore despite her office being just a few blocks away, it’s no wonder these politicians don’t understand why their PR tricks won’t work. Corporate welfare and gentrification are no way to impress the people of Parramore.

It’s unfortunate Major League Soccer is walking into this Orlando mess. Dyer uses things like the MLS team as a wedge, to make it seem like “us vs. them” instead of truly building the City Beautiful by involving everyone who is impacted. Parramore does not need more PR stunts.

The people of Parramore want a real seat at the table and they deserve one.