Believe me, this would be a REAL soccer stadium.....20+ luxury suites, canopy roof over half of the main seating area, stadium club, improved overall facilities, great site lines, centrally located....it's still a long shot, though, so don't get too excited (trying to manage expectations ) peter
Re: Additional MLS Ties and that's the point. The original question of why won't USL work as a feeder team applies to each of your examples. The solution MLS came up with was expanding rosters with 10 developmental slots, allowing them to train daily with the first team and play a full schedule of games as a reserve team against other MLS reserve sides and coached by the MLS team's assistant coaches. Same reason the Minnesota Twins wouldn't have the non-affiliated St. Paul Saints as their feeder team. peter
ATABOY Peter!!! "If you build it they will come" Atleast i will, I think its a great idea. If it can be a success there then a downtown stadium could be in the future!!!! GO MAN GO!!!!!!
So we wouldn't have racetrack between the stands and the field? If it's the only option, I'm behind it. Still, I cringe at the thought of Wisconsin soccer being associated with that miserable excuse for a sport that is auto racing.
Re: Additional MLS Ties Peter, there is another thread on this right now, and I am curious to get a bit more detailed reaction from you on this. How far fetched is a more consolidated league between MLS and MFL? The media numbers are so much better for SUM when Mexican teams are involved, at some point I would think MLS would have to seriously think about it. The MFL, while far more lucrative, seems be nudging up against a glass ceiling themselves and eyeing the US market too. Wouldn't it eventually make sense for both leagues to combine, perhaps retaining separate conferences (much like the NFL and AFL after the merger)?
Peter, Im really nervous now because the news is out. That being said, If there comes a time we all need to voice our support for this how will milwaukee Pro soccer,(you) let us know? Who , where,etc.... good luck with this , now i might be able to walk to a game!!
Me, too. Nothing is imminent. No funding packages have been detailed. No investor is in place. i wish it hadn't gotten out and am frankly hoping it dies down quickly as we need to have this option further developed before people start passing judgement on it. When the time comes for public support, i will let you know through this forum. peter
Re: Additional MLS Ties This is still at lest a decade and a ton of hurdles away. Your concept may be a good intermediary step. peter
This Milwaukee Mile thing has Gilbert Brown's fingerprints all over it: "Among the first 28 to join were former Green Bay Packer Gilbert Brown, who will be the Mile's director of new business development..." Mile Deal Reaches the Finish Line http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=378935
Peter- im wondering- i heard it was a milwaukee firm that did the concept designs for the milwaukee mile field- are u able to give out the name of that firm? And i think the plan mostly worries me because i imagine when on tv, with the cameras in the grandstand, you'll just see emptiness and the other side of the track beyond the pitch. Plus with the slope of the track, i imagine it looking quite awkward as the field on the infiled portion will be elevated. but if its the last shot- and if its a good one- then im behind anything- im just really curious to see design pics.
ZDG is the firm. It would NOT be empty on the other side. Movable sections would be set up making an intimate stadium with the front row just a few yards away from the pitch on all four sides. All the corner gaps would be filled in, there would be a center entrance player tunnel and no permanent stage. There would be a canopy roof on at least one full sideline, , new locker rooms, party decks, restrooms, concession and merchandise stands, a new field view stadium club and 20 luxury suites. It would be a very nice stadium...if we can pull it off. peter
Peter, Nice to have a little buzz and hopefully it stays at a low simmer to allow things to come together. But, seriously (kind of), in reference to my previous post, please tell me that there is some way that we can get "The GraveDigger" involved. I mean if he could help to sell this thing the way he sold cheeseburgers...
I am assuming we would be stuck with turf if we would do it at the Mile. With Toronto starting to cry foul about their turf, is that going to impact the style of play, players we get etc?
Field surface is still tbd. i am pushing for natural grass, but potential public usage of the field, could force it to be an in fill system like BMO. Playing surface occassionally effects type, age, injury history of players a team will go after.
Peter, Any chance of being able to view this latest concept? Im reading mixed reviews from all diff. areas about this. However, someone had stated they were really dissapointed , untill they saw the plans for this stadium. Now,can we see em' ..............pleeeeeeeeeeas?
The renderings are preliminary, but i'm willing to show them in private. i'll bring them to the Highbury for the first round of EPL Saturday morning, August 11th. peter
During the day, if you sit at the tables and drink non-alcoholic beverages you'll be fine. Here's the game schedule Saturday: 6:40AM CentralSunderland vs Tottenham Hotspur 8:55AM CentralWest Ham United vs Manchester City 8:55AM CentralBolton Wanderers vs Newcastle United 8:55AM CentralEverton vs Wigan Athletic 11:00AM CentralAston Villa vs Liverpool i'll prolly get there around 8:45 and stay through the Liverpool game. Will show renderings after the 8:55 am games end and before the 11:00 am game starts. No cameras or camera phones please peter
So what is the word Peter? According what I've been reading, it looks like the fate of the St Louis effort will be determined by the outcome of a September 10th meeting of the Collinsville City Council. If St Louis does get their team, are you going to halt your efforts? What is the status of your effort on the Chicago women's team and the women's league in general?
St. Louis will probably happen and that will hurt, but not kill our efforts. Other things are going on behind the scenes both good and bad for our Milwaukee efforts. It's still a long shot. Women's League will be announced next week. Here's a link to a guest blog i wrote for today's Chicago Tribune website. http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/soccer_redcard/ peter
So does the fact that St. Louis is progressing hurt MKEMLS only from the standpoint of lining up the franchise from MLS? Or does it make it harder to line up an owner and stadium deal too?
Only from the standpoint of limited Midwest expansion spots. The new interest in MLS expansion helps in that the pool of interested investors has expanded - unfortunately, so has the expansion fee... peter
While I continue to hold out hope that MKE gets an MLS franchise, in the event it falls through, I hope the Fire's new owner has the good sense to give you a call, Peter. You're far too gifted a GM to not be in MLS. Don't know if you need it, but the league needs you. And if the Fire do call, make sure that this time you negotiate for more than a beaten up, second hand company car for your commute between Whitefish Bay and Bridgeview. Might I recommend a Toyota hybrid?