How do you define "just fine"? Last year they were 8th, out of 8, in the Texas league in attendance. This year, so far, they are 7th, out of 8.
San Antonio & Oklahoma City are similar in that for the bulk of professional & semi-professional sports in our market based on disposal income we could be reaching a point of saturation. A previous link you (U.S.Rufnex) gave us earlier showed that we would be marginal if MLS soccer was in our area: http://wagesofwins.com/2011/10/31/could-your-city-give-a-sports-team-a-good-home/
Tulsa has put their bid in for several tournaments now that they have the facility requirements (Oneok Park & BOK Center) needed. Keep those tourist dollars in Oklahoma.
OK, I put together something yesterday. What does everyone think about this? a 9,000 seat "temporary" stadium could be constructed (fairly crudely, yes) for a little over $800,000. And I used the first bleacher system I could find on the internet. I didn't look for the lowest cost. I know this doesn't take into account; the cost of the land the grass for the field Press box lighting concessions, etc... But couldn't the "temporary" structure be made more "permanent" as they went along? You could replace temp bleachers with permanent stands in waves. I noticed that Sac Republic is doing "pretty much" the same thing with their "Bonney Field" for a little over $3,000,000. They already have US rugby match booked into it, as well. So, it appears to be a money maker. Why would one, or both of the groups in OKC NOT look into this route for a stadium. Pros? Cons? Discuss please...
Good start-up stadium for the low budget fans who come well feed and leave ready for bed. You'll need a stadium with amenities to 'pay the bills' with different social classes for support. Sports today has fan social class (high society, middle class, peasants), you have to separate the elite 'high society' from the middle class and us peasants. High society wants 'chair back, arm-rest' seats in separate sections to spotlight their dress & arrival with their own concession section & restroom accommodations. These money spendthrifts pay the bills, their mottos; 'money is no object' & 'mother owns a mansion with 7 bedrooms.' The loud peasants on the other hand are not concerned with details. Give us beer, bleachers, brunch & a boom relief room with a competitive team--we're game (LMAO). A start-up stadium will need a section with 2,000 box reserve chair-back & 2,000 general reserve concrete base support bleacher seats and 4,000 rodeo bleacher type seats (minimum 7,000-plus capacity) will be needed as a start-up. Something that could be modified and/or expanded (reserve & general admission) as the season ticket base grows. Estimate that you'll need a minimum of $20-$25 million for basic construction (excluding land acquisition). Something similar to Don E. Porter Hall of Fame Softball Stadium structure in Oklahoma City's Adventure District. Imagine this seat setting in a soccer-football configuration without the baseball infield. This seat setting would be about as low budget as you could get for a start up. Oklahoma City has the potential to become a good professional soccer market in time.
Oklahoma City Energy ownership talks private-public partnership to get new stadium constructed. Phase I (7,000 seats), Phase II (20,000) as they hint about MLS future: The Energy does not have a firm location chosen yet, Energy co-owner Bob Funk Jr. said. The Energy has identified five potential locations for its new stadium, but won’t reveal the potential sites for competitive reasons. The team hopes to build the stadium in the next three to four years and could eventually pursue public money to help build the venue. “I am in favor of some type of public-private partnership, because I would like to see everyone buy into this,” Funk said. “Everyone has to buy in for this to succeed.” http://newsok.com/energy-fc-considers-where-to-build-soccer-stadium-in-oklahoma-city/article/4748134 Let's see how this develops over the years. This is the path Funk should have taken back in early 2000s when an MLS franchise would have cost $10 million; now it's $75 million. A stadium could have been added to MAPS III. Now we're looking at 2017 when the MAPS IV referendum goes on the ballot. Key: If Oklahoma City is willing to partner with the Funks to get this stadium built, we will be in a position to be considered for MLS expansion.
There's no way people here are ready to pay for an MLS stadium any time soon. Maybe in 10 years if people come out for games. Not now. The Energy is making a good run, but it's a long way to the MLS.