What possible leverage could this provide MLS in Austin? The two situations have nothing to do with one another at this point. Re: a "delay," Fischer made it very clear yesterday that the powers that be in Columbus really wanted more time to get this arranged. Fischer stated repeatedly that it was MLS that wanted things signed, sealed and delivered in Columbus by year's end, not the investment group. This is a huge and extremely complex pair of interlocking projects. According to Fischer, literally hundreds of people are working nights and weekends to get this done.
Well, see, any day now they're going to agree to the agreement they agreed to two months ago. Everyone is very excited. Or they would be if they could stop huffing Mexican ditch weed long enough to pay attention. I just want to see how they announce this utterly news-free news. Will they try to make a big splash, bring in Fatboy to repeat a few scripted lines before a VP from Elizabeth Christian PR physically drags him away from the microphones, demand that Adler put on a clean shirt, hide Creepy Dave Greeley in a closet so as not to frighten the children? My bet is that they go full Dog-and-Pony, with gauzy stadium renderings, a couple local corporate sponsorship announcements and best of all, season ticket deposit info. Some are saying the latter is a key component, that Trusty McPappysCash is sure that they can line up thousands of eager fans desperate for front-of-the-line ticket rights. It says here that he's just delusional. But don't you think he has to try and match the Columbus roll out? He can't just have Richard Suttle and Mayor McCheesy issue a release, can he? That would be the smart way to handle it, which is why I don't believe it. He's surely pissed about all the attention the Columbus announcement got and he wants him some.
Agree. His gain so far is unrealized, but it is only a matter of time, assuming he (or someone that is competent) brings the project off. Ultimately he is going to get rewarded for being a total dirtbag. But without his treachery, we wouldn't be where we are now. So while I will always say f96k that guy, I'm glad it happened. Can you imagine being offered upfront the opportunity to trade Sir Tony, Earl of Douche, and his minions for Edwards, a billionaire, and a super awesome new stadium and training facility?
Something about seeing this made me change my perspective on all of this... In the long-arch of history, people will only remember how this ended. Our children will be sitting comfortably in a well-located stadium downtown. One will say to the other, "hey, do you know the odd story about how they started building this stadium? At first wanted to take the team away forever! But then..." It will be great that future fans can take all of this for granted.
I think the biggest hang up currently is the City Council vote on Monday. That gives us infrastructure and land. No land = no stadium. Once that passes, gears start moving. JW said that Monday is a big day. My guess is that this is what he was talking about. Tuesday on the other hand.....
I'm interested to see future Austin investorship. It will be like the exact opposite of Columbus. Columbus: Big money guy is Haslam, but face of organization will be Edwards. Austin: Big money guy is TBD, and face of the team will be this big money guy. Precourt will just kinda be there because he once paid 60 million dollars to try and steal a team away from a community.
Opportunities could mean anything, Teams coming to the USA for the World Cup will need places for training, and Columbus could rent out the Stadium and the training ground to World Cup teams, and they just jump on a plane to Indy or ??
I believe that County is meeting that night, I think T-Bone said that. Edit: Found it Looks like City Council vote for funds would be Monday, and I believe Franklin County Commissioners meet Tuesday.— Jonathan Smith (@DegenerateTBone) December 6, 2018
While I agree, I think that timing has largely passed. The 2002 viewing parties were magical, partly because of the timing of the games and the fact that nobody expected us to go that far. The 2006 edition sort of rekindled the magic, but by 2010, there were so many other places to watch games (well, until the Claddagh disaster...) that not a whole lot of people showed up to the stadium. But I wouldn't be opposed to trying. As far as Fischer's statement, I interpreted that to be in regards to the 2026 WC which I think was mentioned then as well.
I haven’t been local in a long time, so honest question... With basically ever city member saying they were on board last night, and less than 96 hours to drum up opposition, Is there a way this doesn’t pass Monday night?
The commissioner lady (God help me I can't remember her title) who spoke yesterday was enthusatically in support and indicated other comissioners would have been there yesterday but just weren't available. I mean, they're essentially paying a reasonable amount of money to get a new public park. I don't think anyone is fighting that idea. Except for some anti-stadium-subsidy sh*its online, who probably aren't from Columbus... Seriously, the comment section on the MLS article and parts of Reddit are a cess-pool of misinformation and knee-jerk reactions. I've seen no oppistion from anyone who 1) is from Columbus, and 2) is even moderately important.
I don't know if you can still buy additional season tickets, but I added two additional 2019 season season tickets in October a couple of weeks before the last game.
I don't know if I would say it is in the bag ( I enjoy speculation but not assumptions) but I will say I got to speak to two of the County Commissioners recently. Both were positive and seemed supportive of things.
I'm not sure, I just recently read Downtown Soccer Stadium and Mixed Use Development Districts, This Sort of Thing is My Bag, Baby, by the Columbus City Council
It's been a long 14 months for all of us. Time to look forward to new Crewsmas, shitty MLS refs, 2019 Realist Fan and elbowing Jay Heaps in the face. Life is good.