MLS Confidential on Contracts/Stadium

[HalaMadrid]

From MLS Confidential, 25 July

2. EXTENSIONS: As it turns out, the July 1 date by which MLS player contracts are guaranteed for the season is not set in stone.

More than a dozen players, according to sources, were asked to sign extensions by which their contracts would not be guaranteed until later dates.

Some players were reportedly told they would be waived if they didn't comply. Extensions run for 60 days and thus a player's contract isn't guaranteed until Sept. 1.

Four Fire players have signed the extensions and so have at least two members of the Galaxy, according to a source.

By pushing back the contract-guarantee date, teams gain additional time and perhaps necessary salary-cap space to add new players, either as discoveries or by trades.

Teams do not have to freeze their rosters until Sept. 22, the final day of the regular season.

3. NAPERVILLE : Another nationally televised game is scheduled for this Saturday at North Central College, renowned for its football lines, cramped dimensions, and a sticky surface that's unbearably hot in summer sunlight.

The Fire hosts the Metros in what should be a critical clash between bitter rivals in the Eastern Conference race, but will become yet another entry in Chicago's travails this season.

Forced out of Soldier Field because of renovations and rebuffed in its efforts to build a modular stadium at Arlington International Racecourse, the Fire will likely have to play at NCC again next season and return to Soldier Field in 2004.

Political and financial snarls scuppered the Arlington deal. Track management would grant a five-year guarantee for use of its land and Anschutz Entertainment Group cost projections required several more years for a deal to be financially feasible.

The price to assemble and maintain the facility would also have been more than the $12 million to $15 million originally estimated.

An AEG source said the project and its revised cost of approximately $25 million did gain internal approval by several departments but was nixed at the top level.

According to a source, the project was approved by AEG President Tim Leiweke. If true, the top level would probably mean operator-investor Philip Anschutz.
No comment.

[Jeremy Goodwin]

Originally posted by HalaMadrid
From MLS Confidential, 25 July


No comment. Well, I've never heard that the field was sticky before.

Gotta keep those lolipops in yer mouths kiddies.

[YanksFC]

I'm not sure what to make of that. I'm left scratching my head. Makes you wonder where the Fire are on AEG's list of priorities. Looks like they're definitely behind the Galaxatives.

[joseph pakovits]

Man, even the league is ripping on Crapinal Stadium! How freaking sad is that??? :eek:

I think I'll call all my friends and tell them to actively avoid watching this game on TV so they don't get completely turned off on soccer for life. Can't ESPN2 broadcast another game, please? It's not like they don't know this game will probably suck given the stadium and the heat.

[Fanaddict]

I know it's not my money but if Anschutz really was thinking about the Fire and its fans he would have taken a chance on Arlington. We could have had a regulation sized grass field and all the stands in place from day one. Also it would have been in a better location to get to, with a bigger capacity. With all his money 25 million is like pocket change.

[joseph pakovits]

Originally posted by Fanaddict
I know it's not my money but if Anschutz really was thinking about the Fire and its fans he would have taken a chance on Arlington.

I know that the Fire organization and AEG made mistakes during the Arlington deal but I put most of the blame on the Arlington debacle on King Richard Daley II, not the Fire or AEG. There is no way in hell we're getting a Firehouse anywhere near the city of Chicago (including the inner suburbs) as long as Daley wants us in Soldier Field. He has the poltical clout to trash almost any permanent stadium deal like he helped trash the Arlington deal.

[theburden]

Originally posted by joseph pakovits

He has the poltical clout to trash almost any permanent stadium deal like he helped trash the Arlington deal.

Are you kidding? a stadium is a drop in the bucket for Daley. If he can get what ever he wants done with O'hare, mind you, O'hare involves the U.S. Congress and other Federal institutions, then where the Fire plays is nothing.

[Karl Lagodzki]

Originally posted by theburden


Are you kidding? a stadium is a drop in the bucket for Daley. If he can get what ever he wants done with O'hare, mind you, O'hare involves the U.S. Congress and other Federal institutions, then where the Fire plays is nothing.

Burden,

Joe's point is about politics, power, not money. For Daley the revenues from the Fire may not matter, but they might for the park people, and you better believe that that relationship IS important to Mayor Quimby ... oh, er ... Daley.

Your "analysis" involving O'Hare is one big, fat red herring. Don't be a burden.

[joseph pakovits]

Originally posted by theburden


Are you kidding? a stadium is a drop in the bucket for Daley. If he can get what ever he wants done with O'hare, mind you, O'hare involves the U.S. Congress and other Federal institutions, then where the Fire plays is nothing.

You hit the nail on the head. O'Hare or any other airport involves the Federal government over whom Daley has no control. A Firehouse doesn't. Daley can't bully the Feds like he can bully one suburb of Chicago.

The fact is that Daley wants the Fire in the new SF to help pay for the costs of its renovation. So he has the motivation to work as hard as he can to ruin any potential permanent Firehouse that would take the Fire out of SF. This is why we're not gettign a Firehouse anytime soon unless Anschutz pressures enough Illinois state politicians. Maybe some downstate or suburban Republicans would love to screw Daley over as much as Daley is screwing us.

[Chris M.]

Originally posted by theburden


Are you kidding? a stadium is a drop in the bucket for Daley. If he can get what ever he wants done with O'hare, mind you, O'hare involves the U.S. Congress and other Federal institutions, then where the Fire plays is nothing.

Not true. First, when ramrodding the SF deal through, Daley was relying on rental and ancillary income from the Fire to make the numbers work. At $50,000 rent a game, they would have a tough time finding replacement income for roughly 20 days a year.

Second, a Firehouse built in the suburbs would also be used for a number of other events (concerts, sports etc.) that would potentially suck money away from the city if the alternatives of SF, the United Center, McCormick place etc. are passed over.

To think that Daley sees the Fire, and its potential stadium, as nothing but an annoying little gnat is naive. Obviously, its not an issue as large as O'Hare, but it has a big enough economic impact to warrant serious attention from King Richard. I always thought he should go by "Dick" to distinguish himself from his father.;)

[Iceblink]

Originally posted by joseph pakovits
Man, even the league is ripping on Crapinal Stadium! How freaking sad is that???


Where do you get this?

MLS Confidential is a mailing from Soccer America, not the league.

[joseph pakovits]

Originally posted by Iceblink


Where do you get this?

MLS Confidential is a mailing from Soccer America, not the league.

OK, I stand corrected. I don't subscribe to e-mail lists as they clog my e-mail box so I figured if it was "MLS Confidential" it came from the league.

Still, SA has parroted any MLS positions for so long it's almost the same thing. It's still pretty bad when even a rabidly pro-soccer media source here rips a stadium as "renowned for its football lines, cramped dimensions, and a sticky surface that's unbearably hot in summer sunlight."

My other points re: Daley et. al. still stand.

[NotAbbott]

As much as some people want Uncle Phil's head on a platter these days, you're getting on his case because he didn't make a bad business decision. No more than a five year commitment and $25 million down the drain isn't necessarily a good investment just because Tim Lieweke said okay.

I'm not 100% sure, but I'm guessing that, with the National Team tie-in and Home Depot deal, the L.A. project has a definite timeline where it pays itself off, even if MLS goes away. The Harrison stadium, as I last read it, has a pretty clear path to paying itself off. Arlington didn't, end of story. Yeah, there's an "in for a penny, in for a pound" argument to be made somewhere, but that's easy when it's not your money.

Later,
COZ

[theburden]

I understand all of your points, and i dont dissagree with them, however what i was really referring to was that the Illinois political machine can pretty much do what ever it wants.

[joseph pakovits]

Originally posted by theburden
I understand all of your points, and i dont dissagree with them, however what i was really referring to was that the Illinois political machine can pretty much do what ever it wants.

There is no "Illinois political machine".

There is the Democratic Party Machine in Chicago that can influence everything that happens in Chicago and most of the surrounding counties and suburbs as long as the feds and the state government do not object too strongly. The Chicago Machine, however, is not the formidable organization it was under King Richard I and it cannot dominate state or federal politics as the battles over O'hare and the possible Peotone airport have amply demonstrated.

The Republican Party Machine is in solid control of all downstate politics and the wealthier surburban towns and counties.

If there is any hope for a permanent Firehouse anywhere near Chicago, it is with them and their hatred for Daley and his Machine. Technicaly, Daley must still obey state law and if the state legistlature ordains that a Firehouse be built in Chicago, Daley can fight and squirm and make it as difficult and time consuming as possible but in the end even he must submit. If I was AEG I'd be going over Daley's head and lobbying with the state government to approve a stadium deal.

[willydonc]

Originally posted by Chris M.
Obviously, its not an issue as large as O'Hare, but it has a big enough economic impact to warrant serious attention from King Richard. I always thought he should go by "Dick" to distinguish himself from his father.;)
Da Mare Richard I was known as Dick. Da Mare Richard II shall, in our house, be forever known as Ritchie.

[willydonc]

Originally posted by joseph pakovits

If there is any hope for a permanent Firehouse anywhere near Chicago, it is with them and their hatred for Daley and his Machine. Technicaly, Daley must still obey state law and if the state legistlature ordains that a Firehouse be built in Chicago, Daley can fight and squirm and make it as difficult and time consuming as possible but in the end even he must submit. If I was AEG I'd be going over Daley's head and lobbying with the state government to approve a stadium deal.
And Joe, who is in control of the Illinois House? My Republicrat Ward Committeeman (13th Ward), Mike Madigan. Who will very likely be the next Governor of Illinois? Why 33rd Ward boss Richard Mell's son-in-law, Rod Blagojevich. If Pate Philip gets run out as State Senate President (there's another crook for ya) what Republicrat will replace him? Emil Jones from . . . Chicago.

I say go with a close in suburb with a large Hispanic population that will soon be looking for more honest ways to run a city (and honest pols too). One that can thumb their nose at Ritchie Daley and his sponge minions. Cicero!

[-cman-]

originally posted by willydonc

quote:Originally posted by joseph pakovits

If there is any hope for a permanent Firehouse anywhere near Chicago, it is with them and their hatred for Daley and his Machine. Technicaly, Daley must still obey state law and if the state legistlature ordains that a Firehouse be built in Chicago, Daley can fight and squirm and make it as difficult and time consuming as possible but in the end even he must submit. If I was AEG I'd be going over Daley's head and lobbying with the state government to approve a stadium deal.

And Joe, who is in control of the Illinois House? My Republicrat Ward Committeeman (13th Ward), Mike Madigan. Who will very likely be the next Governor of Illinois? Why 33rd Ward boss Richard Mell's son-in-law, Rod Blagojevich. If Pate Philip gets run out as State Senate President (there's another crook for ya) what Republicrat will replace him? Emil Jones from . . . Chicago.

I say go with a close in suburb with a large Hispanic population that will soon be looking for more honest ways to run a city (and honest pols too). One that can thumb their nose at Ritchie Daley and his sponge minions. Cicero!

Well Willy, from your mouth to the voters' ears as far as the elections go.

Cicero. Hehe, funny. Heh.

But I respectfully think you are missing the point. I firmly believe that Daley the Younger does not care a whit about the Fire except as a revenue enhancement for the Park District and the city.

I think Joe has hit on what a potnential endgame for building a Firehouse within the Chicago city limits would look like.

1.) Secure a deal with one of the collar county suburbs to build a stadium. Announce the fire will play in XXXX beginning April 200? and give notice that they are leaving Soldier Field - as I recall they (will) have that option under the new lease.

BTW, what info is there on the details of the 2004 and beyond leasing arrangments for SF?

2.) Someone on the Mayors staff brings it to Hizzoner's attention that several millions of dollars in Park District, misc. event and tourisim dollars is about to flee Our Fair City.

3.) Richie gets religion and a nice brownfields area -- ideally somewhere in the area withing the new South Loop developments, IIT the former public housing south of IIT and Sox Park (I will never call it Comiskey) -- is found to build a state-of-the art soccer facility for both the Fire and the huge number of city youth and adult leagues that play on (mostly) sub-standard pitches.

4.) Profits!

It plays the suburbs off against the city. Daley the Younger and the Democratic Machine agains the Kane Coutny Republican Machine. A nice bit of political jujitsu. Worst case scenario is we would get a Firehouse, but in the burbs. As long as it's near the Metra and if it can be built in reasonable proximity to a downtown area per Naperville, I can't see that being an altogether bad thing.

[joseph pakovits]

Originally posted by willydonc

And Joe, who is in control of the Illinois House? My Republicrat Ward Committeeman (13th Ward), Mike Madigan. Who will very likely be the next Governor of Illinois? Why 33rd Ward boss Richard Mell's son-in-law, Rod Blagojevich. If Pate Philip gets run out as State Senate President (there's another crook for ya) what Republicrat will replace him? Emil Jones from . . . Chicago.

I say go with a close in suburb with a large Hispanic population that will soon be looking for more honest ways to run a city (and honest pols too). One that can thumb their nose at Ritchie Daley and his sponge minions. Cicero!

It will be interesting to see what happens in the upcoming elections. Will the fallout from Jim Ryan's various scandals be enough to overcome the fact that Republicans still control downstate counties, the ever-growing and increasingly influential wealthy DuPage county and the other rich suburbs? Will the waves of largely Republican wealthy ex-suburbanites flooding into the city eventually finally destroy the Democratic Machine here?

Ah, the ever-shifting sands of Illinois politics!

Anyway, should CART ever abandon its oval racetrack in Cicero, that would make an decent place to build a Firehouse. If Daley would allow it, that is. :)

[Fanaddict]

Originally posted by joseph pakovits


It will be interesting to see what happens in the upcoming elections. Will the fallout from Jim Ryan's various scandals be enough to overcome the fact that Republicans still control downstate counties, the ever-growing and increasingly influential wealthy DuPage county and the other rich suburbs?

:)


George Ryan is the crooked current governor. Jim Ryan is running for governor now and I guess is fairly clean.

I know Daley wants the fire back in SF but it still seems that the fire could have played in arlington heights for a sure 5 years and the only thing holding it up was that anschutz didn't want to gamble 25 million that AP wouldn't extend the contract once five years were up. I still say considering the money he has and what we are forced to play on it would have been a decent gamble.