Downtown2007 wrote:A new stadium in ESTL right on the river with great views of the skyline is my vote. North of the landing would be 2nd.
east side, hey, I like that idea...now that's a man thinking outside the box!
east side, hey, I like that idea...now that's a man thinking outside the box!
Checketts was born and raised in SLC, so I doubt he would want to move the team. He is a smart enough guy that he can figure out a way to market the team enough to keep it there. But luring an expansion team isn't a bad thought, and I would think that he would keep his options open...but I don't know if you can own two MLS teams the way you can't own two MLB or NFL teams. He's developed a working relationship with Tony Sansone, so perhaps he could talk Tony into putting together an ownership group.
I like the East side location, how about right on top of the Casino Queen site. You've already got great parking.
In all seriousness, a near southside wouldn't be a bad location either. Or how about close to the new SLU arena. Then the SLU soccer could move in and use the new facility and upgrade their practice facilities.
I like the East side location, how about right on top of the Casino Queen site. You've already got great parking.
In all seriousness, a near southside wouldn't be a bad location either. Or how about close to the new SLU arena. Then the SLU soccer could move in and use the new facility and upgrade their practice facilities.
Why can't we have a stadium in the North Side, they need development?
I would not trust this guy to design anything, or have any say, with either the Blues, or if he comes to St. Louis with the MLS. I do not want to change the topic, but SLC is the most horribly sprawled city I have visited. Few spyscrapers, and all suburbs. I do not want to stereotype him as being suburban, but if he lived his entire life in SLC, and attended BY, which is in the burbs, then his knowledge of stadium design, or urban building practices, is questionable.
He can run any team he wants, just stay away from he stadium design and surrounding development.
I would not trust this guy to design anything, or have any say, with either the Blues, or if he comes to St. Louis with the MLS. I do not want to change the topic, but SLC is the most horribly sprawled city I have visited. Few spyscrapers, and all suburbs. I do not want to stereotype him as being suburban, but if he lived his entire life in SLC, and attended BY, which is in the burbs, then his knowledge of stadium design, or urban building practices, is questionable.
He can run any team he wants, just stay away from he stadium design and surrounding development.
Doug,
You can relax, Checketts was born and raised in SLC, but he lives PT in NYC, and spends a lot of time there. He's a former owner of the NY Rangers. I think he's a smart businessman, and wouldn't mess things up like that.
You can relax, Checketts was born and raised in SLC, but he lives PT in NYC, and spends a lot of time there. He's a former owner of the NY Rangers. I think he's a smart businessman, and wouldn't mess things up like that.
Thanks Sam, its been a stressful weekend for me, glad to hear that.
What about the North Side, are there any good spots for a soccer field?
What about the North Side, are there any good spots for a soccer field?
- 10K
If we were ever to build a soccer facility, I would prefer to see it on the SLU campus as opposed to the north side - it's much more accessible.
- 366
Building a soocer stadium in the North would be great so people would go there and the place might acctually eventually be cleaned up. But just like building a new oil refinery its a big risk.
- 6,775
stlpcsolutions wrote:What about the North Side, are there any good spots for a soccer field?
If, by "North Side", you mean the area just north of downtown, like around the Bottle District, then yes, there is plenty of room.
If, by "North Side", you mean North St. Louis, i.e. Fairgrounds Park, O'Fallon Park, etc., then forget it. That plan would be dead on arrival.
- 6,775
St. Louis Texan wrote:Thats what i mean it would be a huge risk.
And one that no one would take.
The Central Scrutinizer wrote:St. Louis Texan wrote:Thats what i mean it would be a huge risk.
And one that no one would take.
Maybe if the rehabs spread, and the areas are a bit more stable?
- 6,775
stlpcsolutions wrote:The Central Scrutinizer wrote:St. Louis Texan wrote:Thats what i mean it would be a huge risk.
And one that no one would take.
Maybe if the rehabs spread, and the areas are a bit more stable?
I would prefer not to wait 20 years! I want a team NOW!
I would discourage another new stadium in or around the downtown area. This area already has three stadiums, and imo, doesn't need another superblock project with the attendant parking garages and 40K people in at 7 and out at 10. Let's keep the residents coming in, but possibly look at some other locations for a new stadium.
How about making it part of a larger residential/shopping complex similar to ballpark village? I like the east riverfront idea, or possibly even further east along a metrolink stop. Or possibly in some of the more depressed areas along Hwy 70 between the airport and downtown. The SLU stadium idea could work as a temporary home until the new digs could be built.
In one of supposedly the best soccer regions in the country, it really is nuts we don't have a team.
How about making it part of a larger residential/shopping complex similar to ballpark village? I like the east riverfront idea, or possibly even further east along a metrolink stop. Or possibly in some of the more depressed areas along Hwy 70 between the airport and downtown. The SLU stadium idea could work as a temporary home until the new digs could be built.
In one of supposedly the best soccer regions in the country, it really is nuts we don't have a team.
- 10K
Might work well as part of the Chouteau Greenway/Chouteau's Pond plans - the vacant land is already there and its disruption of the street grid would be minimal.
- 366
Honestly i would rather see a basketball team before a soccer team. There is a bigger fan base for Basketball plus they might not have to build an arena for a couple years since the Savis Center would be open. Then if it is a succesful team they could build a basketball only fascility.
- 6,775
St. Louis Texan wrote:Honestly i would rather see a basketball team before a soccer team. There is a bigger fan base for Basketball...
Given the failure of the Hawks, I wouldn't bet on that.
Central,
That was about 50 years ago! The NBA was greatly different back then, and the league overall was struggling. Plus, St. Louis has one of the higher attendance averages in the league, they were just sold to out of town interests (Atlanta) and moved because of the instability of the league.
St. Louis could support the NBA if they ever moved here, although I consider the possibility pretty low. The NBA seems to be focusing on being the main attraction in smaller markets, as opposed to fighting for dollars with other pro frachises. Look at Memphis and Okla City, both smaller metros, but no other pro franchises. That would also explain the NBAs flirtations with Louisville.
That was about 50 years ago! The NBA was greatly different back then, and the league overall was struggling. Plus, St. Louis has one of the higher attendance averages in the league, they were just sold to out of town interests (Atlanta) and moved because of the instability of the league.
St. Louis could support the NBA if they ever moved here, although I consider the possibility pretty low. The NBA seems to be focusing on being the main attraction in smaller markets, as opposed to fighting for dollars with other pro frachises. Look at Memphis and Okla City, both smaller metros, but no other pro franchises. That would also explain the NBAs flirtations with Louisville.
- 10K
According to the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/02/sport ... ref=slogin
The 12-team league will grow to 13 next year with the addition of Toronto; to 14 in 2008 with a team in St. Louis, Milwaukee or Cleveland; possibly to 15 in 2009 if Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J., is able to find financing for a $1 billion development project; and to 16 in 2010 with the addition of a team in New York City.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/02/sport ... ref=slogin
- 6,775
The question now is, do we have any rich soccer fans who would want to own a team? And can they talk SLU into expanding or replacing Hermann Stadium? Or even find a spot somewhere on the edges of downtown.
We sure hope so!
We sure hope so!
- 366
Well I have friends here that say that the MLS isn't really that good. They used this analogy.
European Football:NFL :: MLS: European soccer league
So a team might not mean a whole lot.
European Football:NFL :: MLS: European soccer league
So a team might not mean a whole lot.
- 6,775
St. Louis Texan wrote:Well I have friends here that say that the MLS isn't really that good. They used this analogy.
European Football:NFL :: MLS: European soccer league
So a team might not mean a whole lot.
But, the level of play is getting better. There is no doubt about that. The thing that is keeping it down now is the salary cap. But that is by design - they are growing the league slowly and responsibly.
According to Sunday's NYTimes, there is preliminary talk about playing against club teams from Central and South America, ala the Champion's League. So imagine the St. Louis (Stars?) vs Azteca, or Boca Juniors, right here in the shadow of the Arch!
trent wrote:Central,
St. Louis could support the NBA if they ever moved here, although I consider the possibility pretty low. The NBA seems to be focusing on being the main attraction in smaller markets, as opposed to fighting for dollars with other pro frachises. Look at Memphis and Okla City, both smaller metros, but no other pro franchises. That would also explain the NBAs flirtations with Louisville.
According to an article from the St. Louis Business Journal in Feb 2006, St. Louis can't even support its existing teams. According to them, the total personal income of STL in 2003 was $104.8 billion and to support the 3 teams we already have - we would need a total of $157.9 billion. Thus we, according to their formula, can't support what we have already - much less add an NBA team. They cited loosing the Hawks decades ago, the football Cardinals moving nearly 2 decades ago, and that the idea of moving the Blues out was/still is being talked about.
I don?t really agree with them - considering the popularity of all three teams already here, and remembering 11 years ago how well the Rams were received, I have no doubt that the area would support another team.
- 10K
According to the Salt Lake Tribune:
Major League Soccer will decide "within the next 60 days" whether Cleveland or St. Louis will be granted an expansion team for 2008, commissioner Don Garber said after the second annual Real Salt Lake kickoff luncheon Monday.
The league already has awarded an expansion franchise to Toronto for next season, which will force the league to use an unbalanced schedule, with seven teams in the Eastern Conference and six teams in the Western Conference. The league will return to equally balanced conferences when the newest team joins the Western Conference in 2008, Garber said.
MLS plans to expand to 16 teams by 2010.
http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/mls_news ... &fext=.jsp
To send an email to the MLS: feedback@mlsnet.com
Twenty questions with Commissioner Garber
...
Peter F. in Provo, Utah: I loved the 2005 season. Will we see any more expansion teams for the 2007 MLS season?
Don Garber: I understand expansion questions accounted for more than 30 percent of all questions and I'll answer it first from a global perspective and then touch upon the many markets our fans asked about when submitting questions.
First, we'll be adding Toronto as the 13th MLS team in 2007. We'll have an official announcement in Toronto soon that will provide more details, but we're very excited about the opportunity in Canada.
Second, it is my understanding we received many questions about San Jose and the Bay Area. It is our intention to bring Major League Soccer back to the Bay Area with a new expansion team as early as possible. You may have read that we are in discussions with Oakland A's co-owner and managing general partner Lew Wolff about purchasing the rights to an expansion team in the Bay Area. We are continuing those discussions and hope to be able to announce more details soon.
As for the other cities that many of you asked about, we have had significant interest across the country. In fact, we regularly receive cold calls from potential investors looking at MLS expansion. This is not something that was occurring even a few years ago. Here's a brief overview on each market:
Philadelphia: Philadelphia is a market we've always wanted to be in, but we did not have a suitable home for an MLS team. We recently announced that we have entered into an exclusive negotiating period with Rowan University as the potential site of a soccer-specific stadium and an MLS team. Rowan is located about 20 miles outside of Philadelphia in Southern New Jersey. The president of the university looked at The Home Depot Center as the model for what they want to do at Rowan. There is still work to be done, but our plan is to have a team playing at the new stadium in Rowan in 2009.
St. Louis: Another great soccer market ... we continue to have discussions with a few potential owners for an expansion team in St. Louis, and each prospective owner realizes that a soccer-specific stadium is needed to bring an MLS team to the area.
To send an email to the MLS: feedback@mlsnet.com