For domestic matches, FIFA allows as little as 50 yards. http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/federation/lotg_en_55753.pdf It would be tight for sure, just pointing out that it shouldn't be dismissed based on this issue alone.
Though I think there is some credit to a financial partnership to bring a soccer franchise to NOLA, there is no real soccer history for the city outside of "it's been played there a long time." We thought this with St. Louis and that NASL franchise fell flat. I see New Orleans to a similar city to Las Vegas. Great city to visit, but not many people think of it for much else.
What's the FIFA limit for clubs in a first division? I am pretty sure the MLS rules or USSF rules for professional stadia are 65 yards wide and at least 105. This may only be a mindfact, but I'm usually pretty good on these things.
The Saints and Pelicans beg to differ, as do the record number of Super Bowls. NASL St Louis fell flat because of ownership, which is usually the reason most if not all minor league teams fail. In the hey days of the Gamblers, attendance was over 2,500 for a 3 year run. Had the baseball people at the Zephyrs deferred to the soccer people, it probably would have grown to over 4,000. Alas, miss steps were made, people ran for Congress, and the team died a slow and painful death.
I'm sure, if Vegas had the facility, a Super Bowl there would be a huge success. I think New Orleans would be an interesting pick, but I'm not sure about the viability. Also, that stadium looks nice!
Having spent time in both cities NOLA is not even close to comparable to STL in terms of soccer. And STL has more than twice as many people in the metro area.
The agreement specifically prohibits more than 10 "Non-Football Major Events" per year, and defines those as events that would reasonably expect to bring more than 2500 cars to the neighborhood. Again... There is NO parking. As the renderings show, this is a residential neighborhood! Also, my feeling from following the negotiations that allowed stadium construction is that there are... other concerns with soccer. Let me put it this way: this is a very elite, very white, exclusive neighborhood. They have some problems with Tulane students, but do have a relationship with Tulane and Tulane has been a good neighbor. In my opinion, the limitations over major events at the stadium were based on concerns that New Orleans public HS football games would bring an "undesirable element" (e.g., low income African Americans) to their neighborhood. Now how do you think they will warm to the idea of thousands of NOLA catrachos with drums and horns swarming their neighborhood 20-25 days a year? I'm not calling the neighbors racist, but... Oh wait, I am. There will not be MLS at this stadium. It doesn't make sense on too many levels. And in the end, it's a tiny market, with little to no soccer supporting history, that won't add any tv revenue to the league. So let's get serious.
Mr. Crazy dude who thinks NOLA will get MLS: Do you think its possible that Benson is trying to bring MLS to San Antonio? That would make more sense. Benson has ties there and wanted to move the Saints there.
Benson lives in San Antonio a good part of the year, but I think he has no desire to bring a team there. He learned after Katrina that there's a lot of money to be made in sports in New Orleans. While initially he tried to move the Saints to S.A., only to have that plan blocked by Tagliabeu, all Benson has done since has been invest in New Orleans. In the last five years, he has: bought the NBA Hornets/Pelicans bought the Fox news station affiliate bought a major highrise in downtown New Orleans The Tulane Stadium agreement with the neighborhood is a small obstacle to overcome, if it needs to overcome it at all. Is it a legally binding contract? If the Tulane Stadium did fall through, there are lots of other options: a renovated Gormley, the new stadium on the west bank, or a new stadium in Metairie near the Saints facility.
Cool, thanks for letting us know that there are now other options for the potential MLS team in New Orleans.
Tishoudy, are you backing off of your position that MLS is all but a sure thing in NOLA? Haven't heard anything from you since your proclamations.
Nothing is a sure thing if it's not written in a contract and signed by both parties, but I still hold that New Orleans is number one on the expansion cities.
Would be a great reason to visit my family in the BR but perhaps it's best to start with a solid USL or NASL team.
What did you get a yellow card for? == I still can't find anyone else with any info, and I've hit over a dozen "in the know" types.
But you said that he and Malcolm Glazer paid for the Tulane stadium specifically to bring MLS to New Orleans. And then bristled when we pointed out how that was total bullshit. You also said that Orlando was not getting a team as a result. Are you ready walk back that ridiculous statement now too, or is one blatant backpedal enough for one night?
SYoshonis, don't let facts and silly reality temper your opinion. It all depends on your point of view, and medication.
Really? Please elaborate. By the way, what are your credentials, and where do you live? When was the last time you were in NOLA?
Odds are against NOLA/MLS - but that last guy annoys me. The city is rebounding from Katrina, the state is rebounding, and NOLA has an NFL (30 year wait for season tickets) and the NBA (rapidly improving and selling tickets pretty good as well.).