Oklahoma City's USL PRO franchise to build soccer stadium with sights on MLS future | THE SIDELINE. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...e-build-soccer-stadium-has-dreams-mls-one-day
Like I said on another forum; Where is it going to be built? When is it going the built? Will it be built with public funds? Will it be built with private funds? Will they built it even IF the NASL team plays in 2015? Not one question was asked in this article. Basically the Oklahoman just reprinted a press release from Prodigal LLC. It doesn't mean anything until dirt gets turned over. Not a damn thing
What does the city of OKC want more USL Pro or NASL considering both leagues are very similiar in talent level? Just curious
The feedback I've been seeing is mostly unanimous for NASL. Alot of that is because of the support for the current PDL team, which is who is trying to bring NASL here. At least, that's what I gather
Acquiring an MLS franchise is simple for Oklahoma City: build a $150 million stadium and purchase a franchise for an additional $80-100 million. It has NOTHING to do with starting in any other league. Listening to Funk Jr., say that the USL is the path to MLS is insulting to the general public and fiction. It's all about money! OKC does not need two soccer teams or two stadiums. Ask Funk if he would be alright with someone building a new hockey arena with a new hockey team. Again, makes zero sense. NASL is the best choice for OKC. The NASL group has a better ownership group that passionate about soccer. USL fails to point out that 8 of their franchises are drawing 2,000 or less. Goodness, 3 are drawing 400-700 fans a game. The USL is in severe trouble. Spend more time impeding NASL than worrying about 8 floundering franchises. TROUBLED LEAGUE to say the least. OKC needs the NASL not USL. Come on OKC get on board.
And boom goes the dynamite... http://newsok.com/both-oklahoma-city-soccer-groups-plan-to-build-stadiums/article/3863566 From the mayor: "While Cornett explained the designs looked very professional, he also said there are a lot of steps in between drawing up the plans and cutting a ribbon on opening day, so he took the meeting for what it was, with good intentions."
OKC FC, our first-year, PDL, semi-pro, play-on-a-small-college-field-with-temporary-bleachers team is outdrawing 4 of the USL Pro teams. I don't know how these teams that draw under a grand can survive, making trips across the country to play, and paying their players and staff. Maybe we should ask Funk how he does it now with is hockey team?
hi all, sorry to jump on your thread, but wanted to get some insight from those "more in the know". As it currently stands in OKC, are both leagues (NASL and USL Pro) still planning to field teams in the near future? Or is there more of a stare down, hoping one backs down? From an outsider perspective, seems interesting that both have staked flags at the same time and same market.
As of right now; Both camps have been accepted into their respective leagues. The USL-Pro team is slated to start playing in 2014, but as of yet, do NOT have a venue, team colors, a name, players, staff, etc... The NASL team is slated to start playing in 2015, and they won the right to play at Taft stadium. There is still a federal lawsuit, filed by the operators of OKC FC, the USL-PDL team, against the USL to be worked out. Both teams have stated a desire to build soccer-specific stadia. That is all....I think
talked to Tim Holt and he said that the USSF does not require that for a Division 3 League team. He emphasized though that the USL is unofficially a Division 2 League...
Require what? Cross-country travel? No, USSF doesn't require that, though you'd be hard-pressed not to when your league puts teams in the Pacific time zone and you play in the Eastern time zone. Paying players? No, I guess USSF doesn't require that, though the market kind of does. And it makes it kind of hard to be a professional league if you have teams that aren't actually composed of players who get paid. Paying staff? Well, USSF's professional league guidelines say: i. Each team must have individuals handling responsibilities of the following positions: general manager, director of marketing/sales, director of communications/media relations, director of promotions/community relations, director of game operations, head coach, assistant coach, trainer, ticketing manager, finance director, and clerical staff. That's not just a D2 requirement, that's a requirement for all professional leagues. Now, can you do all that with volunteers? Not very easily. Or very well. Phoenix FC is doing it right now with almost none of those positions, but they're on their last legs anyway. And I don't recommend it as a way of doing business. And I am, unofficially, 32 years old with two advanced degrees and a Ferrari.
More from Tim...he's threatening to send a cease and desist letter to anyone that posts negative comments about him or the USL. He's also considering an expansion franchise that will start play in 8 days on Long Island. They have stadium plans already as well as 2 youth academies planed. Populous has also been working with James May to construct it.
At this point, I see you getting a handy from Kate long before a USL affiliate in OKC builds a stadium
I like 1 through 4. 5 can take a flying leap. I kinda like 1 best, both for name and for color choice.
Looks like it's the Energy. Welcome to the official Twitter feed of the @USLPRO's Oklahoma City Energy FC.— Energy FC (@EnergyFC) November 14, 2013
I'd have to say I'm a fan as well. I'm pretty excited for Energy FC I like the logo, the colors, and the crest. Overall, I'm pleasantly surprised with what I've seen. I'm not quite sure why there's so much hatred though. It seems as this team has a negative connotation before it's even played it's first match.
Ever been to a Baron's game? If not, go and you will have the answer to your question. Don't want Prodigal to ruin soccer for OKC. Plus, anyone that knows anything about soccer knows that they are FOS. "We are the path to the MLS" is complete BS