Hey man, how many times does it need to be explained to you (even within this thread), voters were not voting on any sort of stadium deal. They were voting for or against funding a youth complex. OnGoal was going to have to build their stadium with private funds no matter what. Next to a youth complex would've been favorable yes; but it doesn't kill anything.
You say it's a level playing field but yet you still ignore the quotes that I posted from the same article that you used. The difference between Philly and KC is the fact that On Goal WANT the team to stay in KC, they said so in the article that you used. The fact that they are still working and plan to still work to keep the Wizards in KC does not create a "level playing field" as you say in this situation. The Wizards have the ownership committed to KC which is a big tilt in KC's favor on this "playing field." And has been stated, the youth fields were the only thing on the ballot, NOT a Wizards stadium.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/15965477.htm The Kansas City Wizards are still set on Overland Park for a soccer stadium even though voters rejected a property tax increase for youth soccer fields nearby. The Wizards still want to surround the stadium with youth fields, said Robb Heineman, a principal in the team’s ownership group. “Obviously, we’re disappointed by the results around the youth fields, but it doesn’t really sway us,” Heineman said.
They just saw their stadium costs go from 57 million to 72 million (infrastructure and needed environmental junk - 15 mill). It sways them. The project cost just grew 26%.
Bryan I am not sure OnGoal will go ahead with the same project. Probably go after a cheaper stadium now. But I find it interesting that the article I posted above makes reference to the Overland Park people feeling "rushed" by the Wizards and the Park District. For some reason, they were told that if the Wizards didn't get the Overland Park stadium they were going to leave the area (wonder where???).
Not me (never been there, ever). However some guy named Garber did tell the Wizards "figure it out or you will be moved" and it was published to the world to read.
OK, get your tin foil hats conspiracy theorists. Lamar Hunt for all he's done for soccer and the fact that his biggest money maker, the NFL's Chiefs, is still in town didn't want to risk the public backlash of selling the Wizards out of town. He knows how unprofitable they are, especially in a behemoth of a stadium. Lamar convinced Don Garber to plant some stories about the necessity of moving the Wizards if a local owner wasn't found. Lamar meanwhile cut a deal with Don that when the Wizards were sold out of town, the team would retain it's colors and records. The vote will now be seen as the impetus that will temporarily drive the Wizards out of town, eventually to be replaced by the new Wizards when a Kansas or Missouri county opens their wallet. OnGoal, a faceless conglomerate of monied investors, will gain immediate income from the selling of the club and turning it over for at least 50% more than they paid just recently and eventually when a stadium is built locally, they will profit from having a team in a SSS. [/tin foil hats]
All good except OnGoal isn't a faceless conglomerate. They are rich guys who have caught the vision of MLS and what pro soccer can become in the US. They are also local KC people who want the team to stay in KC, not Philly, Rochester or Hong Kong. Kind of puts a kink in your tin foil hat.
But at the same time, people can't stop buying tickets to Cerner - they can stop buying Chiefs tickets. There is more than one person to direct their anger at. And when and if there is an announcement, bet on the least recognizable one talking during the press conference. Sort of like the guy in a red shirt in an original Star Trek. (you are all dorks for getting that dorky reference)
I'm split about this whole issue. Part of me doesn't want to steal a franchise from other supporters, but another part of me wants an MLS franchise in Philadelphia ASAP. If this did happen, they would absolutely have to change that name.
While I have heard some encouraging news lately, I seriously doubt the Wizards or any MLS team is moving to Philly any time soon. So don't worry about the turmoil of depressed supporters in other cities. Its unjustified.
Look here's the end of the story... Wish all you want, but with ownership or a stadium, you will finally get your team, if you get all your ducks in a row, in 2010. Not before 2010, but 2010. That's if you get an ownership group together and a stadium plan that will actually get built. Nobody is moving to Philadelphia. You will get an expansion franchise. If you get your act together. Not before. 2010.
Wait...that's the end of the story? Well if you say so, I'll just go ahead and be sad now. I'm glad you've finally cleared all this up for us.