Birmingham, alabama

[DCSharksFC]

here's the link:
http://www.nbc13.com/vtm/news/local/article/birmingham_city_council_approves_money_to_start_b.j.c.c._expansion/83278/

wow is all i can, i know they've hosted a game or two here and there, but wow, this is a little out of no where, and i have no idea how this would hold up come september 1st when sec football consumes the south

[Alabama Soccer]

I think it could work, however the Birmingham team would be crazy to go up against football. Scheduling would be the biggest issue. I think they could actually schedule around Bama football dates. I graduated from the University of Alabama, which is only like 35 minutes away from Bham, where there were students from all over the country who were soccer fans. I live in Montgomery now and I would drive to every home game. The question is would soccer fans throughout Alabama? I think they would.

[martincr70]

Those who are interested in seeing this happen need to get in the Atlanta expansion forum and get in the B.O.S.S. forum. It is a group starting up who's purpose is to get a team in the south, not just Atlanta.

Maybe we can get some momentum and make this dream a reality.

[EPJr]

http://www.udderlyridiculous.com/images2009/UDDERLY_RIDICULOUS_SCREEN.gif

[City Dave]

Why? Because they might get a stadium before we do?

[DavidP]

If MLS went to Birmingham, it would be the ultimate slap against Atlanta. I for one would not watch another MLS match, and I sure as heck would not go to Birmingham to see a game (nothing against B'ham; it's a great town). I would lobby like crazy to get a USL team back here, but NOT a reincarnation of the Silverbacks. And I'll bet you it would be a cold day in you-know-where before Atlanta hosted any major soccer game after that. If MLS doesn't want us in their league, they can do without our TV ratings as well.

But if they can pull it off, then more power to 'em.

[Alabama Soccer]

If MLS went to Birmingham, it would be the ultimate slap against Atlanta. I for one would not watch another MLS match, and I sure as heck would not go to Birmingham to see a game (nothing against B'ham; it's a great town). I would lobby like crazy to get a USL team back here, but NOT a reincarnation of the Silverbacks. And I'll bet you it would be a cold day in you-know-where before Atlanta hosted any major soccer game after that. If MLS doesn't want us in their league, they can do without our TV ratings as well.

But if they can pull it off, then more power to 'em.


Dude I'd drive to Nashville or Atlanta to see an MLS team. I want soccer to come south and if that means its in Atlanta, Bham or Nashville then I'm in. Do you love soccer? Do you want it to succeed in this country? If so then you need MLS to do well. Look this Birmingham expansion is just a rumor. I have no doubt in my mind that MLS wants to be in Atlanta, but wouldn't they want Atlanta to have a rival? You really need to think about if you want soccer to succeed in this country or you just want the convenience of having a team in your back yard. Get your priorities straight and support soccer where ever it is.

[DavidP]

Dude I'd drive to Nashville or Atlanta to see an MLS team. I want soccer to come south and if that means its in Atlanta, Bham or Nashville then I'm in. Do you love soccer? Do you want it to succeed in this country? If so then you need MLS to do well. Look this Birmingham expansion is just a rumor. I have no doubt in my mind that MLS wants to be in Atlanta, but wouldn't they want Atlanta to have a rival? You really need to think about if you want soccer to succeed in this country or you just want the convenience of having a team in your back yard. Get your priorities straight and support soccer where ever it is.

Dude, my priorities are straight. I love soccer, period (I've been involved with soccer probably longer than you have been alive). If in fact Birmingham can pull off an MLS bid, then good on them. BUT, if Atlanta is passed over for Birmingham, I will consider that a slap in the face, just as I would if Atlanta was passed over in favor of any other smaller market with a lesser fanbase. And if that does happen (and stranger things have happened), my take would be that MLS doesn't need Atlanta, and thus does not need me. I hope MLS succeeds, don't get me wrong, and like I said, if B'ham can pull it off, then fine. I don't have to like it, and I don't have to support their decision, and I won't. Atlanta, in case you haven't noticed, has been treated like crap on this board in particular, almost to a point to where I don't care if we get a team or not; I'm just tired of it. Putting a team in Birmingham would be, for me, the absolutely last straw. I would hope, however, that you guys would give a team the best support you can.

Just sayin'.

[BringSoccerToIndy]

If Atlanta is passed over for Birmingham, then there is a good reason for it. Maybe it is ownership or maybe an undesirable stadium location. Garber wouldn't pass up a city like Atlanta for Birmingham unless Birmingham had a much better bid. It would be a slap in the face from Blank and whoever was behind the Atlanta bid, not from MLS.

[Alabama Soccer]

Dude, my priorities are straight. I love soccer, period (I've been involved with soccer probably longer than you have been alive). If in fact Birmingham can pull off an MLS bid, then good on them. BUT, if Atlanta is passed over for Birmingham, I will consider that a slap in the face, just as I would if Atlanta was passed over in favor of any other smaller market with a lesser fanbase. And if that does happen (and stranger things have happened), my take would be that MLS doesn't need Atlanta, and thus does not need me. I hope MLS succeeds, don't get me wrong, and like I said, if B'ham can pull it off, then fine. I don't have to like it, and I don't have to support their decision, and I won't. Atlanta, in case you haven't noticed, has been treated like crap on this board in particular, almost to a point to where I don't care if we get a team or not; I'm just tired of it. Putting a team in Birmingham would be, for me, the absolutely last straw. I would hope, however, that you guys would give a team the best support you can.

Just sayin'.

Alright everyone DavidP will not be supporting a team in Birmingham. Did everyone get that? Look I've started a bunch of threads on a Southern MLS team, threads that you have been apart of. I got the same crap from everyone else saying it will never work. Well for once southerners are coming out of the woodwork to support southern soccer and all you have to say is no not in Birmingham? I can pretty much assure you that Atlanta will get a team, but does that also mean you can't be happy about Birmingham being in the discussion about getting one also?

[jasontoon]

And if that does happen (and stranger things have happened), my take would be that MLS doesn't need Atlanta, and thus does not need me.

Be careful. Expressing a reasonable opinion like that around here will get you branded "bitter", "crybaby". or worse. Believe me, I know.

[DavidP]

Be careful. Expressing a reasonable opinion like that around here will get you branded "bitter", "crybaby". or worse. Believe me, I know.

Thanks; I'll be careful. :)

[DavidP]

Alright everyone DavidP will not be supporting a team in Birmingham. Did everyone get that? Look I've started a bunch of threads on a Southern MLS team, threads that you have been apart of. I got the same crap from everyone else saying it will never work. Well for once southerners are coming out of the woodwork to support southern soccer and all you have to say is no not in Birmingham? I can pretty much assure you that Atlanta will get a team, but does that also mean you can't be happy about Birmingham being in the discussion about getting one also?

Well, like I said, if B'ham was able to pull it off, then more power to them. My beef would not be with Birmingham, but with MLS, for snubbing Atlanta, the same as if MLS snubbed ATL in favor of Miami, Nashville, Charlotte, etc. Not my town, not my team. Having said that, though, a dome would be good for Birmingham, as it can be used for much more than just soccer and football. Whether is should be paid for on the public dole is another question.

Now if both B'ham and ATL got one, that would be sweet. ;)

[Nella FC 85]

Well, like I said, if B'ham was able to pull it off, then more power to them. My beef would not be with Birmingham, but with MLS, for snubbing Atlanta, the same as if MLS snubbed ATL in favor of Miami, Nashville, Charlotte, etc. Not my town, not my team.

I'm sorry for being rude but get over yourself, MLS has not snubbed Atlanta, nobody in Atlanta has put up a good offer to get MLS, you need a rich owner (Arthur Blank while interested doesn't have any pieces in place and from what I read the government doesn't want to help now) and a stadium, you have neither at this moment thats not MLS fault.

IMO having a team in Birmingham could actually be a good thing for an Atlanta team as it might raise interest in the south enough that a future Atlanta bid becomes a real possibility and you would have a rival.

But whining that your city deserves it more and you won't support MLS is a childish thing to say... even if jasontoon thinks differently, your argument isn't reasonable.

[DavidP]

I'm sorry for being rude but get over yourself, MLS has not snubbed Atlanta, nobody in Atlanta has put up a good offer to get MLS, you need a rich owner (Arthur Blank while interested doesn't have any pieces in place and from what I read the government doesn't want to help now) and a stadium, you have neither at this moment thats not MLS fault.

IMO having a team in Birmingham could actually be a good thing for an Atlanta team as it might raise interest in the south enough that a future Atlanta bid becomes a real possibility and you would have a rival.

But whining that your city deserves it more and you won't support MLS is a childish thing to say... even if jasontoon thinks differently, your argument isn't reasonable.

No, no, I'm saying if. If Blank doesn't put in a bid, or can't get anything done on a stadium or anything, and B'ham shows up with the necessary ingredients, you'll have no argument from me (I'll be hacked at Blank though :D). If Birmingham shows up with a better bid than Atlanta, ditto. I'm talking about an out and out snub, not being outbid. I sort of wonder, now, if Blank's bid that was withdrawn was all there is anyway. I will say though, if Birmingham did get MLS instead of Atlanta, our chances would be slim and none, and Slim's leaving work early. It may be that way already.

[Misanthrope]

Guys, guys, guys. Calm down and lets all take a step back and look at what's really going on.

Birmingham has a roughly 2-3 BILLION dollar sewer debt coming due soon.
Birmingham is the 6th most violent city in America. More violent than Oakland. More violent than Gary, In.
Birmingham's mayor is a pathological liar. He also said that this dome would bring a NFL team to town years ago, before he realized that no one's coming here.

This reeks of a study that will lead to nothing as the city of Birmingham goes even broker, and of a desperate mayor trying to latch on to anything so as not to be seen as the guy who presided over the city's financial and social meltdown.

Birmingham MIGHT BE ready for USL-2, not MLS, and that's coming from someone who lives in the Birmingham media area, 2/3 of the way between B-Ham and Atlanta. Every team that's played in this town that isn't the Barons has failed hard.

[Bamamojo]

Guys, guys, guys. Calm down and lets all take a step back and look at what's really going on.

Birmingham has a roughly 2-3 BILLION dollar sewer debt coming due soon.
Birmingham is the 6th most violent city in America. More violent than Oakland. More violent than Gary, In.
Birmingham's mayor is a pathological liar. He also said that this dome would bring a NFL team to town years ago, before he realized that no one's coming here.

This reeks of a study that will lead to nothing as the city of Birmingham goes even broker, and of a desperate mayor trying to latch on to anything so as not to be seen as the guy who presided over the city's financial and social meltdown

Birmingham MIGHT BE ready for USL-2, not MLS, and that's coming from someone who lives in the Birmingham media area, 2/3 of the way between B-Ham and Atlanta. Every team that's played in this town that isn't the Barons has failed hard.


misanthrope, the only thing you are is mis- informed. If you watch the Birmingham market news as you say you would know that the sewer debt belongs to Jefferson county, not Bham. Birmingham is not broke, that is Jefferson county as well.

The other sports teams that have been in Bham have gotten tons of support from the community. The leagues failed, not the Bham teams. check the attendance records and other FACTS before running off about the suck about things that you know nothing of.

Bham is ready and has been for quite a while. just because you get to watch tv from bham doesnt mean you know anything. your post is an epic fail.

[Misanthrope]

misanthrope, the only thing you are is mis- informed. If you watch the Birmingham market news as you say you would know that the sewer debt belongs to Jefferson county, not Bham. Birmingham is not broke, that is Jefferson county as well.

The other sports teams that have been in Bham have gotten tons of support from the community. The leagues failed, not the Bham teams. check the attendance records and other FACTS before running off about the suck about things that you know nothing of.

Bham is ready and has been for quite a while. just because you get to watch tv from bham doesnt mean you know anything. your post is an epic fail.

Which one of these two failed:

Arena Football 2 or the Birmingham Steeldogs?
The SPHL or the Birmingham Bulls / Pelham Prowlers?
The ABA or the Birmingham Magicians?

By the way, great job skipping the parts about how Birmingham is the 6th most dangerous city in America [per capita] and how Langford is a consummate liar.

And as for supporting local teams. There are only 3 teams in Birmingham of note. the Barons, and UAB Football / Basketball.

Regions park seats 10,800 fans according to wikipedia. According to an article published by the Birmingham News and on al.com, Barons average attendance for 2008 was 4,282. Attendance so far in 2009 is 4,659 per game, which would be a "banner year" according to the article.

A banner year is not filling 46% of the seats.

http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2009/07/birmingham_barons_on_pace_to_h.html

UAB football is 99th in attendance among NCAA I-A [FBS] teams behind such powerhouses and teams serving major metropolitan areas like Troy State, Arkansas State, and Army. Their average attendance is 19,062, in an arena that holds approximately 72,000 fans. UAB fills 26.47% of their potential seats, ahead of ONLY Temple.

Link to PDF file.
http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/2008/Internet/attendance/FBS_AVGATTENDANCE.pdf

Last of the big 3, UAB Basketball. In 14 home games last year, UAB drew 69,337 fans to Bartow Arena for an average of 4,953 fans per game. An exact rank is not given, but it is not among the top 100 drawing college basketball prograns in the nation. Number 100, St. John's averages 5,418 fans/game.

Link to Basketball page with PDF's: http://www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa?key=/ncaa/ncaa/sports+and+championship/general+information/stats/m+basketball/attendance/index2.html

[Bamamojo]

Which one of these two failed:

Arena Football 2 or the Birmingham Steeldogs?
The SPHL or the Birmingham Bulls / Pelham Prowlers?
The ABA or the Birmingham Magicians?

By the way, great job skipping the parts about how Birmingham is the 6th most dangerous city in America [per capita] and how Langford is a consummate liar.

And as for supporting local teams. There are only 3 teams in Birmingham of note. the Barons, and UAB Football / Basketball.

Regions park seats 10,800 fans according to wikipedia. According to an article published by the Birmingham News and on al.com, Barons average attendance for 2008 was 4,282. Attendance so far in 2009 is 4,659 per game, which would be a "banner year" according to the article.

A banner year is not filling 46% of the seats.

http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2009/07/birmingham_barons_on_pace_to_h.html

UAB football is 99th in attendance among NCAA I-A [FBS] teams behind such powerhouses and teams serving major metropolitan areas like Troy State, Arkansas State, and Army. Their average attendance is 19,062, in an arena that holds approximately 72,000 fans. UAB fills 26.47% of their potential seats, ahead of ONLY Temple.

Link to PDF file.
http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/2008/Internet/attendance/FBS_AVGATTENDANCE.pdf

Last of the big 3, UAB Basketball. In 14 home games last year, UAB drew 69,337 fans to Bartow Arena for an average of 4,953 fans per game. An exact rank is not given, but it is not among the top 100 drawing college basketball prograns in the nation. Number 100, St. John's averages 5,418 fans/game.

Link to Basketball page with PDF's: http://www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa?key=/ncaa/ncaa/sports+and+championship/general+information/stats/m+basketball/attendance/index2.html

Bham has crime, yes. I dont know langford personally, so i would not call him a liar. I try not to spew forth the opinions of others without educating myself on the matter first.

uab sux and always will.

there have been plenty of professional sports here that the league has failed. aba , i know nothing about. The others, check the attendance records an corporate support numbers, they were some of the best in the league.

Not going to argue with you because it is not worth it. How about support you state and not try and tear it down. we have enough outsiders trying to do that.

[Eleven Bravo]

If MLS went to Birmingham, it would be the ultimate slap against Atlanta. I for one would not watch another MLS match, and I sure as heck would not go to Birmingham to see a game (nothing against B'ham; it's a great town). I would lobby like crazy to get a USL team back here, but NOT a reincarnation of the Silverbacks. And I'll bet you it would be a cold day in you-know-where before Atlanta hosted any major soccer game after that. If MLS doesn't want us in their league, they can do without our TV ratings as well.

But if they can pull it off, then more power to 'em.

i don't agree with your sentiments. i would support Birmingham as my own city...although, i prefer Atlanta and also think Atlanta is the better choice. However, you can't say it's a slap in the face because it's the Don trying to show he's trying to get into "the south" even if Atlanta doesn't step up.