Jacksonville on short list for NASL expansion.

Discussion in 'Tampa Bay Rowdies' started by G Enriquez, Jul 13, 2013.

  1. G Enriquez

    G Enriquez Member+

    Apr 1, 2002
    Tampa
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  2. speedcake

    speedcake Member

    Dec 2, 1999
    Tampa
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yep, would be interesting if this happens. Jacksonville is a shit hole, but with little competition for pro sports dollars, close vicinity to several other NASL markets, etc it could be good.
     
  3. Bluesfan

    Bluesfan Member+

    DC United
    Aug 12, 2000
    Tampa
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    Scotland
    Please, tell us how you really feel. Don't mince words.;)
     
  4. G Enriquez

    G Enriquez Member+

    Apr 1, 2002
    Tampa
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I don't know where they plan on playing but,there is a very nice minor league baseball stadium right across the parking lot of EverBank Field. The stadium is home to the Jacksonville Suns,a class Double A minor league team.

    There are other NASL teams,Rowdies included,that play in minor league baseball stadiums. The Virginia Calvary,are owned by the same company that own the Loudoun Hounds baseball team.


    Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baseball_Grounds_of_Jacksonville
     
  5. XaviusX

    XaviusX Member

    Mar 21, 2001
    Tampa, Florida
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I welcome the addition of Jacksonville, FL to the NASL! :thumbsup:
     
  6. Bluesfan

    Bluesfan Member+

    DC United
    Aug 12, 2000
    Tampa
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    Scotland
    George, the problem with active baseball stadiums is three fold. First, they aren't configured well to view soccer. Second, the infield creates a crap playing surface. Third, getting good weekend dates can be a problem. The Rowdies have eliminated the third by moving to ALF, but still deal with the first two.

    Remember GSF? I would think that the Baseball Grounds in Jacksonville would be a very similar setup. Horrible first impression for your product, even if you have a stadium plan. The best option in Jacksonville would probably be UNF with a solid stadium plan for the long term.
     
  7. G Enriquez

    G Enriquez Member+

    Apr 1, 2002
    Tampa
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I agree with all of your points Jim. I don't enjoy watching soccer in a baseball stadium,the sightlines are horrible. I'm not familiar with UNF's soccer stadium. I seriously doubt that they'll play at Everbank Field,way to big and expensive for a NASL team.

    The reason that I thought that the Baseball Grounds could be a viable option for them was that the stadium is centrally located and it is a beautiful little stadium.
     
  8. G Enriquez

    G Enriquez Member+

    Apr 1, 2002
    Tampa
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  9. G Enriquez

    G Enriquez Member+

    Apr 1, 2002
    Tampa
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  10. G Enriquez

    G Enriquez Member+

    Apr 1, 2002
    Tampa
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  11. sportzfrk99

    sportzfrk99 Member

    Jun 22, 2009
    Gainesville, FL
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Thanks Charlie... you don't hear me complain about Tampa or St. Pete... :(
     
  12. sportzfrk99

    sportzfrk99 Member

    Jun 22, 2009
    Gainesville, FL
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    All of those reasons that the Baseball Grounds would be great. But yes, all of those drawbacks would exist as well.

    I'm curious if the city and Khan could work out a good lease deal with the NASL team for EverBank considering Sea Best is such a huge sponsor of the Jaguars (the largest actually). But yes it is way too big.

    UNF screams "second rate" to me. The campus is secluded, although alcohol friendly. Building a stadium in that area would work great, but playing at Hodges doesn't really appeal to people. But the field would be the best of all the stadiums appropriately sized.

    All have positives and negatives to being a temporary home. The new stadium has to be constructed within a few years of the team starting. Mark has the money to make it happen and wouldn't require massive public funds.
     
    FNovoa repped this.
  13. G Enriquez

    G Enriquez Member+

    Apr 1, 2002
    Tampa
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The San Antonio Scorpions just moved into their new stadium,Toyota Field, this season. It has a capacity of 8K and can be expanded to 18,500 if needed. Something like this can be built.

    Scorpions finally have their 8,000-seat field of dreams
    http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/...ly-have-their-8-000-seat-field-of-4429684.php
     
  14. XaviusX

    XaviusX Member

    Mar 21, 2001
    Tampa, Florida
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    Don't worry, Jake. I like Jacksonville. It's waaay better than FTL and Orlando! :)
     
    sportzfrk99 repped this.
  15. speedcake

    speedcake Member

    Dec 2, 1999
    Tampa
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    haha, welcome to Bigsoccer, my friend :D

    I did see the Jim Rhodes Circus Sideshow in downtown Jacksonville, so that was pretty cool.
     
  16. Bluesfan

    Bluesfan Member+

    DC United
    Aug 12, 2000
    Tampa
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    Scotland
    Having another close rival would be nice.
     
    FNovoa repped this.
  17. FNovoa

    FNovoa Member

    Dec 28, 2000
    Redington Shores, FL
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies

    I concur.
     
  18. Bluesfan

    Bluesfan Member+

    DC United
    Aug 12, 2000
    Tampa
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    Scotland
    Would be too much to ask if we could kick the crap out of them every game like we do the Strikers?:D
     
  19. sportzfrk99

    sportzfrk99 Member

    Jun 22, 2009
    Gainesville, FL
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Except this franchise won't be ran by Traffic! So no, don't count on it :)
     

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