Any chance that Miami FC become a MLS franchise in the future???

[Juan Luis Guerra]

Just wondering. My cousin who lives in Miami Dade near south beach thinks so. He claims that the team is getting popular in the Miami area and with good marketing and an expanded stadium why not. I personally think that Tropicana Field is too small, but can be easily adapted to a MLS stadium, just like they did with the Fusion. If this ever happen, then they should change the name back to Miami Fusion.

[SoccerPrime]

Miami FC average a little over 2000 a game this year. While thats not too bad and they have already said they are coming back next year, its nothing great either.

Their current stadium, Tropical, has a capacity of about 7,000. Supposively before the season they talked about expanding it this off-season but I personally believe they will only renovate/improve it. Since they never even hit 7,000 once all year, why expand?

As for MLS, MFC's owners, Traffic Sports, has said they don't have interest in MLS because of the single-entity structure. However, Garber has mentioned that "someone" in Miami has contacted them about expanding MLS back to South Florida.

Does that answer your question?

[midwestsurfer]

And I'm not sure if Horowitz's territory rights ever expired (as he is still an MLS investor but not team operated).

I know after he folded the team he maintained the rights to the market. But I don't recall right now whether there was a time limit.

I'm actually going to guess not though. Several sources mention him maintaining the option as well as an option to launch another expansion team if he wanted to. But nothing gives dates about those options expiring.

[MightyMouse]

Actually, MLS should be looking into Puerto Rico. Over 10k this past weekend and its starting to heat up down here. What is really going to be interesting is if River Plate Puerto Rico ever takes off the in island rivalry may be the ticket we need to take this sport to the next level.

[SoccerFanatic1012]

Guess what, they wouldn't even need to expand Tropical Park stadium. There's a soccer-specific stadium sitting in Ft. Lauderdale that was the old home of the Miami Fusion. It was built in the NASL days, check out this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockhart_Stadium. Has a capacity of over 20k.

Miami FC could conceivably move there for a couple of seasons while they build a new stadium closer to Miami.

[SoccerPrime]

Unfortunately, MLB Orioles have pitched a plan to Ft Lauderdale and Broward Schools to level Lockhart and build a small baseball stadium for spring training.

http://rc.sun-sentinel.com/sports/custom/business/sfl-fortlaudstad07sep07,0,4632833.story?coll=sfla-sports-business

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/15488552.htm

[Rocket]

Thread moved from MLS General to MLS Expansion

[SoccerPrime]

FYI

If the Orioles plan goes forward, Broward County/Ft Lauderdale pro soccer (as well as any Miami FC's plans) aren't the only ones to be in trouble.

Florida Atlantic University plays their home football games at Lockhart too.

However, FAU is planning to build a $100 million indoor dome for basketball and football.

Read more here: http://www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2005/11/07/Sports/Carrier.Clone.Florida.Atlantic.Copies.Syracuse.With.OnCampus.Domed.Stadium-1047460.shtml?norewrite200609130933&sourcedomain=www.dailyorange.com

[hipityhop]

Just wondering. My cousin who lives in Miami Dade near south beach thinks so. He claims that the team is getting popular in the Miami area and with good marketing and an expanded stadium why not. I personally think that Tropicana Field is too small, but can be easily adapted to a MLS stadium, just like they did with the Fusion. If this ever happen, then they should change the name back to Miami Fusion.

This is priceless. You want a soccer team in the poorest sports city in the country, with no history of support for a team, yet your upset because they are building a stadium with OWNERS in Kansas City.

Are you sure you want the MLS to survive?

[Juan Luis Guerra]

This is priceless. You want a soccer team in the poorest sports city in the country, with no history of support for a team, yet your upset because they are building a stadium with OWNERS in Kansas City.

Are you sure you want the MLS to survive?

First, Fusion's attendance was better that the Wizards. I went to a game in Miami ( Fusion vs Dallas ) and the atmosphere was excellent. There were about 12 k that day.

Second, I'm just asking. When KC's fan convince me that they will bring at least 15k per game, then I might change my mind. In New York ( my team ), I'm positive that the Red Bulls will average at least 18k. We love soccer in New York and though we are treated like slaves at Giant Stadium, still some of us come anything.

[ButlerBob]

I'm not even a KC fan, but here's evidense that they can average 15 k for a season. This was also the last year that they had a full front office, a good marketing budget and didn't have the threat of relocation hangin over their heads.


http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/history/archive.jsp?year=2003&content=stats_league


Back to the orginal topic of this thread. I don't think the current USL 1 franchise is ready to move up to MLS. I'm not sure if they are ready to make the necessary upgrades (ie front office, marketing budget, stadium) to move up. I do think eventually MLS should return to Miami or South Florida. However, they have a very fragmented soccer market and would take a big effort (ie front office/sales people, marketing/advertising budget) to build and sustain a customer base. I would expect that Miami will grow their customer base over the next few years. I think they have had a great first season, for having put their franchise together in about 6 months.

[chapulincolorado]

Back to the orginal topic of this thread. I don't think the current USL 1 franchise is ready to move up to MLS. I'm not sure if they are ready to make the necessary upgrades (ie front office, marketing budget, stadium) to move up.

And more importantly, do they have the $$$ to pay at least $10M for entry fee and then $$$ to keep a team in Div 1 level?

[SoccerPrime]

And more importantly, do they have the $$$ to pay at least $10M for entry fee and then $$$ to keep a team in Div 1 level?
Miami FC, owned by Traffic Sports of Brazil, has lots of cash on hand to do, pretty much anything.

But with the stress of the S. Florida market and the single-entity nature of MLS, I don't see MFC moving up any time soon.

[cleazer]

Out of all the USL-1 cities, Miami certainly wouldn't be my first choice to join MLS. I'd definitely prefer to see Rochester or Vancouver or Montreal join in a few years. Puerto Rico would be a better choice too. In fact, I think MLS would even be more popular in a place like Des Moines than Miami.

First, Fusion's attendance was better that the Wizards. I went to a game in Miami ( Fusion vs Dallas ) and the atmosphere was excellent. There were about 12 k that day.

When KC's fan convince me that they will bring at least 15k per game, then I might change my mind. So wait a minute. You're okay with Miami getting 12K for just one single game, but you demand 15K from KC for every game? Are you just being an ass or are you a total idiot?
In New York ( my team ), I'm positive that the Red Bulls will average at least 18k.The only way the Red Bulls will average 18K is with double-headers. They've had 7 games this year with attendances under 10K. No reason not to expect the same next year.

[Juan Luis Guerra]

Out of all the USL-1 cities, Miami certainly wouldn't be my first choice to join MLS. I'd definitely prefer to see Rochester or Vancouver or Montreal join in a few years. Puerto Rico would be a better choice too. In fact, I think MLS would even be more popular in a place like Des Moines than Miami.

So wait a minute. You're okay with Miami getting 12K for just one single game, but you demand 15K from KC for every game? Are you just being an ass or are you a total idiot?
The only way the Red Bulls will average 18K is with double-headers. They've had 7 games this year with attendances under 10K. No reason not to expect the same next year.

So, I guess u r really a KC's fan or I'm wrong?. You know better than me all the embarassment we've been through with national televised games from Arrowhead. There are many 4, 5, 6 and 7k games, even when the team is not playing bad. Maybe I'm wrong, but strongly believe that KC is not a good soccer market. I dont care how committed "some" people are about the success a a new SSS far 10-15 miles from the city. If you ask me about moving the Wizards to Philadelphia my respond will be a big YES.

[SoccerPrime]

So, I guess u r really a KC's fan or I'm wrong?. You know better than me all the embarassment we've been through with national televised games from Arrowhead. There are many 4, 5, 6 and 7k games, even when the team is not playing bad. Maybe I'm wrong, but strongly believe that KC is not a good soccer market. I dont care how committed "some" people are about the success a a new SSS far 10-15 miles from the city. If you ask me about moving the Wizards to Philadelphia my respond will be a big YES.
Well Wizards are staying in or near KC for the now, so get used to it.

Lets remain on topic of Miami FC moving up.

The "KC market sucks; no it doesn't" debate is long past its time.

[AndyMead]

So, I guess u r really a KC's fan or I'm wrong?.
It says "Crew" under his name.

You know better than me all the embarassment we've been through with national televised games from Arrowhead.

So you're saying the one game per year on national TV that KC gets is an embarrasment? - and frankly most of those games have been in the 15k-20k range.

There are many 4, 5, 6 and 7k games, even when the team is not playing bad.

Link?

[SoccerPrime]

Great, now Andy has found Juan Luis Guerra's KC posts. This thread is toast.

:)

[cleazer]

So, I guess u r really a KC's fan or I'm wrong?. You know better than me all the embarassment we've been through with national televised games from Arrowhead. There are many 4, 5, 6 and 7k games, even when the team is not playing bad. Maybe I'm wrong, but strongly believe that KC is not a good soccer market. I dont care how committed "some" people are about the success a a new SSS far 10-15 miles from the city. If you ask me about moving the Wizards to Philadelphia my respond will be a big YES.I have no idea what any of this had to do with my post or why you quoted it. Perhaps that was an accident. And no, I am not a KC's fan. And if you ask me about moving the Red Bulls to Rochester my respond will be a big YES.
Lets remain on topic of Miami FC moving up.An admirable attempt to keep this thread on topic, but there really isn't much to say on that subject, is there? That was just a silly rumor started by Juan Luis Guerra's cousin who lives in Miami Dade. :D

[Juan Luis Guerra]

I personally think that Miami Fusion was not a failure. There were not compromise, but the fans were there. They were doing slightly good for the most part. MLS lost its faith in the Florida market. End of the story. I think that Miami MLS team can eventually draw more fans than the Marlins. In fact, I think the Marlins vs Fusion thing almost brake equal attendancewise. With a strong city and private marketing committment, Miami has a place in MLS.