Detroit Not Getting MLS Team
https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/detroit-appears-to-be-out-of-runnin…
Cincinatti expected to be the team who gets the second of the four expanion teams.
Consider me disappointed. I really want to see this city get a team, because I know there is a pretty big local following in Metro Detroit for soccer.
What ruined the bid was the Ford Family stepped into the plans and telling MLS they can use Ford Field. Initial plans were to build a new stadium at the old jailsite, which sounded like a real good idea and probably would have made Detroit the leader.
You win the internet tonight.
That drives me CRAZY.
I remember how this made it nearly impossible to make it through reading Harry Potter.
I can't say I know what MLS thinks, but here's what I do:
- A soccer field is as long as or longer than a football field, 110-120 yds, but much wider at 70-80 -- 22 yds, give or take. Having a soccer-specific stadium means having room for the width (and possibly length) plus a perimeter. Not much room around the field, if you're squeezing it into a football stadium.
- While turf fields exist, soccer should be played on natural grass.
- If a soccer-specific stadium seats around 20K (or whatever), it'll be much fuller than a larger football stadium. Better experience, better crowd sound, I would think.
- Revenue doesn't have to be split with the football stadium owner.
Field size and even surface generally aren't significant issues. Being used by two teams at once, however, can be.
Having a single-use stadium is a big deal. It allows teams to keep more of the revenue and provides a better environment, as it is designed for the sport and for the capacities expected. There are a handful of MLS teams playing in larger football stadiums where it works ok; in general, the empty upper decks make you feel like you're attending a small-time sport, and the reduced revenue from suite sales due to rental arrangements hurts the bottom line. So, your last two points are quite good.
A team that has its own stadium is set up for success. They have attractive suite options, and the fans all get great seats, and you feel like you're at something worthwhile. MLS is immeasurably better now that important games are played in places like Portland, where it LOOKS like it matters, and not in places like the Rose Bowl, which just reminds you that you're waiting until football season.
Great experience.
Hey, let's make sure we give Dan Gilbert his fair share of the blame on this one.
did MLS reject him in comic sans?
god, i sure hope so.
Dan Gilbert getting clowned brings me joy. Can't wait to see Lebron ghost him this summer.
Nah the MLS isn't promo/releg like the European leagues.
They fucked up by changing their plan. If they would have stuck to committing to a downtown stadium, they had a much better chance to get a team.
What part of "we want purpose built, intimate soccer stadiums, not reuse of large football / baseball venues" did the idiots managing the Detroit entry not understand? The league has been generally consistent on this from the start.
Let's fill up LCA for Wings games first and foremost.
Producing a watchable product. At those prices, I will continue to tell the Red Wings (and Holland and Trashill) to f**k right off until they stop dicking around and show SOMETHING resembling a rebuild to get the franchise back to where it belongs.