OT: Insane "New" Silverdome plans
http://www.kckrs.com/behold-the-insane-silverdome-plans-that-could-brin…
http://www.motorcitysupporters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=ar…
If they actually pull this off this will be amazing. I am not an engineer so I'm not sure if anything like this is possible or how much it might cost.
I am under the impression that Detroit would be able to support an MLS team. That is just my opinion, but since I live in California I can't say for sure if that is true.
What do you guys think about Detroit getting an MLS team?
October 12th, 2011 at 8:53 PM ^
to MLS!
I'm not sure about the sensus fidei (sense of the faith) of the soccer/sports fans in metro Detroit, but myself and some other friends of mine have been hoping for a team for quite a while. I think the soccer excitement that has picked up here surrounding the World Cup has lit a little fire in many people in this country. If a team did come to the Silverdome, it'd be pretty cool if it turned out to be as lively as the fans make it out on the west coast (Seattle, Portland, LA).
October 12th, 2011 at 8:56 PM ^
This would be very neat as a concept and for Detroit, but something tells me Orlando might be next as there isn't anything near FLA for MLS and they have a good 2 ND level team now.
October 12th, 2011 at 9:38 PM ^
Detroit could be a soccer town I think. I'll admit it's a longshot, but consider that Detroit is a huge metropolitan area - despite the hollowing out of the city, there are still 4 million people in Wayne, Oakland and McComb. Additionally, there actually is a large international presence in Detroit - I've felt like it's one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the Midwest, behind only Chicago. "Mexicantown" isn't populated by WASPs, and Detroit does have a significant population of 1st generation Eastern European immigrants. Add in the fact there is a large arts community in the city - I imagine these guys would fit the "hipster" bill posited above - that Detroit is an incredible sports town, and has a large number of Fortune 500 companies, and I could see a 30k seat soccer stadium turning a profit.
As for building this...as the links say, the cost would be "astronomical." Turning it into a two-story facility would mean you'd need to beef up the footings - which essentially means you'd have to tear it down, rip out the old concrete, and pour new footings and foundation. As said above, you may as well do it from scratch. You pretty much are anyway.
October 12th, 2011 at 10:10 PM ^
Seems like there's always a plan to bring an MLS team to Detroit, but never any actual interest. ~2003ish there was a push to try to bring MLS to Tiger Stadium.
I'll believe it when I see it. Though if it does happen, Goose and Drago HAVE to be involved, right?
October 12th, 2011 at 10:55 PM ^
after you see what they are doing in Moscow for the 2018 World Cup. If one particular stadium actually gets built as planned, it would set a good precedent for this Silverdome concept.
October 13th, 2011 at 12:27 AM ^
In the proposed configuration the Express and the Pistons could play there at the same time. There might even be a Kelly Tripucka sighting.
October 13th, 2011 at 1:36 AM ^
I remember when Trevor Frances came over from England and played for the Detroit Express in '78 and '79. In '78 the Express made it two rounds into the playoffs. The Express had a fairly large fan base...but England stop letting their star players come over to play and the Express missed the playoffs in '80. I think they became an indoor soccer team for a while but flopped!
I enjoyed the Express in the old NASL. It would nice to have a MLS team in Detroit. If Kansas City can have a team named sporting, I think Detroit could support a team.
October 13th, 2011 at 6:31 AM ^
Let's face it,most people hate soccer ...
October 13th, 2011 at 9:07 AM ^
No way will MLS work in Detroit right now. When the Rockers and Neon (later Safari) were in town, they were essentially giving tickets away and people didn't go. Oakland County would be able to support the team financially, but people are not really interested in soccer right now. In 5-10 years support wil be different. Competing with the Wings, Tigers, Pistons, Lions, Wolverines and Spartans will not work until every single one of these teams starts sucking. Successful MLS programs/markets often do not compete with other professional sports (e.g. Kansas City and Seattle).
October 13th, 2011 at 1:25 PM ^
Soccer on the top level...then basketball or hockey...AND an amphitheater on the bottom?
Sounds awesome. Doubt it happens, but I would love for it to take place.
October 13th, 2011 at 1:28 PM ^
You're not going to get a D1 game, and soccer fields are wider than football fields...but if you had the markings...why not get a Detroit Catholic Central vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary there up top?