Silverbacks to MLS?

[BrokeFoot]

I'm sure this has been discussed somewhere on BigSoccer, but I haven't found it. Does anyone have a good sense of the feasibility of the Silverbacks buying into MLS as an expansion club?

It just seems logical to me that all of this investment in infrastructure, player development and community involvement needn't be done twice. I don't think Atlanta can support 2 professional clubs. I know the stadium will be on the smallish side for an ideal MLS SSS, but maxing out a 15,000 seat stadium (projected) should be the least of a club's worries. I think the stadium could accomodate expansion.

Anyway, I'd be interested in any thoughts, links or info on this subject.

[Mike22]

I'm sure this has been discussed somewhere on BigSoccer, but I haven't found it. Does anyone have a good sense of the feasibility of the Silverbacks buying into MLS as an expansion club?

It just seems logical to me that all of this investment in infrastructure, player development and community involvement needn't be done twice. I don't think Atlanta can support 2 professional clubs. I know the stadium will be on the smallish side for an ideal MLS SSS, but maxing out a 15,000 seat stadium (projected) should be the least of a club's worries. I think the stadium could accomodate expansion.

Anyway, I'd be interested in any thoughts, links or info on this subject.

every USL-1 team has been discussed somewhere as a possibility for moving into MLS. the same answer applies to all of them: the owners, thus far, have not expressed any interest b/c they lose control of player signings and there are massive costs associated with expansion fee, costs associated with building a large(r) stadium, etc.

ask the owner about the feasibility.

i'm sure if they start selling out every game at this 3000 seat stadium, then it'll be expanded to something like 7000. then, IF that sells out consitently, it could expand even more and perhaps lend some credibility to the idea that Atlanta could support MLS. but that's a LONG time away.

[MPoole]

I had an odd idea today, and it is completely specuative. I have been confused by the fact that the new Women's league spoke very heavily about Atlanta as an opening team at first and have since clammed up. There is also one team of the eight that they won't say who it is. What if the reason they are not announcing the last Womens pro team is because they are going to add the Women's Silverbacks and the Silverbacks to the MLS? I'm sure that if they were going to join, the Silverbacks wouldn't want to announce their bid until after the current USL season. They could join the MLS and start the Women's season at the same time in the 2008 season.

I know its completely out of left field and with no facts to support it what-so-ever, but still something to think about.

[gosh1976]

There are others that know more about what plans the Silverbacks may or may not have but I'm under the impression that the investors that keep us on the MLS and Don Garber radar are not associated with the Silverbacks. Or at least the Silverbacks are not the only investment group that keeps us on the radar.

Apparently there is some interest in making the move from USL to MLS by the Silverbacks but I don't know how serious it is and they want to do it slowly. here is an article from last year about the silverbacks and their plans.
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2006/05/15/focus4.html?page=2

here is another article from last year about MLS coming to atlanta http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2006/07/31/story1.html?page=2&b=1154318400^1321995

One of the things I worry about with The Silverbacks stadium is the traffic getting in and out of the stadium when and if it is expanded to meet the needs of an MLS franchise.

[BrokeFoot]

Good stadium access would really require an upgrade to the overapass at Northcrest, some additional right-of-way width and a stop light at the entrance. To my thinking those are relatively small obstacles that developers overcome fairly routinely. The location of the stadium really couldn't be better, with the exception of the fact that there is no close-by MARTA station.

[oldie]

Parking is going to be a huge problem also. There has been some talk of a parking deck on the hill and that would solve the problem. They could also purchase the Driving Range across the street from the Park.

[MPoole]

I think that the driving range would be the best way to go, they could also use it for some more rec fields. Especially since any expansion to that side of the stadium would probably wipe out 2-3 of the current fields.

[gosh1976]

I'm sure they could figure out the stadium issues and I'm sure they could do it for much cheaper than a plan could be devised and executed at another site.

One question is will the other investment group take the plunge before the silverbacks decide it's time to make the jump.

It would be nice to see the Silverbacks do it but I'm not fussy I just want a team.

[BrokeFoot]

One thing to consider is that MLS is going ask the question as to whether or not Atlanta can support 2 professional soccer teams. I think a proposal to MLS to build on an established team with an existing brand new stadium would be more attractive than starting from scratch in a market that has previously established competition.

[denver_mugwamp]

One thing to consider is that MLS is going ask the question as to whether or not Atlanta can support 2 professional soccer teams. I think a proposal to MLS to build on an established team with an existing brand new stadium would be more attractive than starting from scratch in a market that has previously established competition.

If there was a new MLS team in Atlanta, then the Silverbacks would go the way of the Lynx and whatever the heck that USL Division 3 club was in SLC. (EDIT: Anybody remember the Foxes, who tried to compete with the Rapids when MLS started?) I'm not from Atlanta, so I don't know if it would be worth keeping the Silverbacks name or not. But if Atlanta already has land for a MLS-size stadium, then that would be a huge advantage.


The next few months should be very interesting. Everyone assumed that San Jose was a lock for 2008 but now they might still be in a holding pattern for couple of years. If there really is a serious group in Atlanta that's willing to cough up the expansion fee, then Atlanta could be in MLS real quick.

[pitchpipe]

Silverbacks in MLS. . . I like the idea. Ever since the folding of the two Florida teams the MLS hasn't had a presence in the deep south. Atlanta being a focal point for the region, there could be an untapped mass appeal factor involved as well.

Having a stadium so close to Atlanta also gives a leg up (Frisco is SO far away from Dallas and you have to take a toll road to get there) on the competition.

If Atlanta had MLS I wouldn't feel so bad about leaving Houston!

[BrokeFoot]

If there was a new MLS team in Atlanta, then the Silverbacks would go the way of the Lynx and whatever the heck that USL Division 3 club was in SLC.

I'm sure fans would ultimately favor the MLS team. But the Silverbacks owners/investors still have a lot of investment money to make back that they've sunk into that stadium. I can't see them folding easily or moving to another city. The bulk of their income comes from the amateur leagues (my rough estimate is ~$20,000/month with demand growing), which would not go anywhere just because another MLS team came.

I really think the Silverbacks and their stadium are a significant problem for the proposal of any separate MLS team in Atlanta.

[jross]

I am new to the world of local Atlanta soccer so please point out my ignorance if I'm out of place. But how much does fan support actually play into the scheme of moving Silverbacks to MLS? If it plays any role I don't see the 'backs moving anywhere. The die hard fans are great, but what is the club doing to gain attendance? Is the game's broadcast on FSN gonna play a part in that plan?

Also, how much are investors looking at the minimal attendance of the USL team to base their decision on starting an MLS team?

Or should we not compare the two?

[ATL_Iron]

I am new to the world of local Atlanta soccer so please point out my ignorance if I'm out of place. But how much does fan support actually play into the scheme of moving Silverbacks to MLS? If it plays any role I don't see the 'backs moving anywhere. The die hard fans are great, but what is the club doing to gain attendance? Is the game's broadcast on FSN gonna play a part in that plan?

Also, how much are investors looking at the minimal attendance of the USL team to base their decision on starting an MLS team?

Or should we not compare the two?


I think they need better media coverage, This year with the web broadcast is excellent news as it makes following them much easier.
But also they need to win more. I think the lack of play-offs has really hurt them

[canammj]

I Watched The Minesota -atlanta Game Tonight.. Is That A Real Grass Field? It Looked Like There Were Reflections Off The Lights At Angles And Yet In Other Areas, Looked Wet Or Damp Like Grass...
Is It Currently The Same Size As Charleston? What Were The Cement Posts With The Flat Tops Behind The Goal And Banners?

[oldie]

Charleston - 120x75 5,113
Atlanta - 112x72 4,000

Atlanta Remax uses Fieldturf. The stadium currently seats 4,000 and with expansion it will seat 15,000. They are building a concourse that will circle the stadium and the fans will enter from the top down to the seats. They plan on putting endline seats on the south end after the concourse is completed and in the near future an upper deck will be added to the west side. A sports bar will be added at the north end of the stadium this year.

[ATL_Iron]

I Watched The Minesota -atlanta Game Tonight.. Is That A Real Grass Field? It Looked Like There Were Reflections Off The Lights At Angles And Yet In Other Areas, Looked Wet Or Damp Like Grass...
Is It Currently The Same Size As Charleston? What Were The Cement Posts With The Flat Tops Behind The Goal And Banners?

No its artificial turf, and the posts are the rest of the stadium being built,

[BrokeFoot]

I think they need better media coverage, This year with the web broadcast is excellent news as it makes following them much easier.
But also they need to win more. I think the lack of play-offs has really hurt them

Yeah, the media coverage is virtually nill. Also, the stadium has only been there half of a season and isn't completed. With the stadium completed and a little promotional push (especially to the northern suburbs), I think attendance would rise.

[canammj]

Charleston - 120x75 5,113
Atlanta - 112x72 4,000

Atlanta Remax uses Fieldturf. The stadium currently seats 4,000 and with expansion it will seat 15,000. They are building a concourse that will circle the stadium and the fans will enter from the top down to the seats. They plan on putting endline seats on the south end after the concourse is completed and in the near future an upper deck will be added to the west side. A sports bar will be added at the north end of the stadium this year.
============
I think when finished, you are on par with Rochester for facilities etc..
and maybe slightly ahead with the practice/complex/youth teams etc.
-
I once saw the old Atlanta NASL team (Chiefs?) at the Rose Bowl with 60,000 on a 4th of July game against the Aztecs... From what I remember, the NASl Atlanta team didn't draw particular well..Loved their uniforms- red,white and blue combo that could have easily been a US NATS uniform.. If you build with your current foundation of facilities and supporting youth teams etc, its the proper way, just make take a little longer and I wish Atlanta well...

[GTMerciless]

I think it is doubtful that the Silverbacks would fold if a new MLS club came to town. As was said a lot of revenue comes from the non USL-1 team. Also the 'Backs survived with terrible attendence before and they could do it again, I'm sure there are enough people that would attend 'Backs games over a different MLS team, at least enough to cover costs.

Not to mention Boris would have to know how unlikely it would be for a non homegrown club to make it here. Yah, I see the 'Backs out lasting any MLS team here unless of course we get a rich russian interested in the city.