This thread was inspired by an email I just received from Sacramento Republic FC ... We've talked about this at length here and on the MLS expansion board. But this is the first clear and direct sign that I've seen from Sacramento Republic FC that they view the Elk Grove bid as a terrible and undermining venture. The message here is clear: Sacramento Republic FC does not want to go to Elk Grove, because they believe Elk Grove is exactly the wrong kind of place to build an MLS stadium.
I got that too. Just one of the dumb daily questions on the SacBee site, but still will be nice to see Elk Grove demolished in that poll.
Begs the question though>> If EG was somehow able to secure the funding for an arena, and deep pockets for the club fee, would MLS jump on it? Getting a stadium built is the greatest hurdle; look at DC & Orlando. Both clubs been trying hard, so far unsuccessfully, to build a big league stadium. Not saying I am for an EG stadium. I think it is a horrible idea. But aside from all the statements by MLS about downtown locale preference, money talks in the end.
But that's why it's interesting. Republic FC is basically saying: don't you even dare think about Elk Grove. And MLS is being courted by plenty of cities -- many of which want to build downtown stadiums. They're not beggars, they're choosers. If Elk Grove undermines a stadium in Sacramento, I don't think that's good news for Elk Grove. I think it's good news for Detroit or San Antonio or any number of other cities that would offer MLS better prospects than Elk Grove.
MLS is being courted by plenty of cities. There's a lot of talk and rhetoric (Sac may be one of them-who knows) Cities having the funding to build a SS Stadium is another matter entirely- so I have to disagree on that point. If EG actually ponied up the funding plan (which I feel is highly doubtful), and MLS is interested in the regional area (Sacto), I don't know........
I guess my point is not to rule out Elk Grove back dooring Sacramento if all the stars and ducks line up for them. It'll be a sad day for Sac, but still good to get an MLS team in the area (way closer than San Jose)
Recent Sac Bee article http://blogs.sacbee.com/city-beat/2...-join-forces-in-major-league-soccer-push.html From the article: The mayor said that if Sacramento ends up as the preferred spot for an MLS franchise, great. But, "if it makes even better sense to be somewhere else in our region, we all collectively win." Reading between the lines, KJ is saying we should all work together to get this done in a location that makes the most sense- Downtown Sacto. Read more here: http://blogs.sacbee.com/city-beat/2...n-major-league-soccer-push.html#storylink=cpy
Whilst I can see where KJ is coming from and admit he's right as far as pooling resources to make it more likely to happen, it'd be a bloody travesty and terrible business decision if Elk Grove ended up being the venue for a new footie stadium over a more central downtown location. I hope Sacramento's mayor puts as much effort and enthusiasm into luring that team deal here to this area as he did to keep the shite Sacramento Kings basketball franchise here. Right now, Sacramento's local municipal public transport is expanding it's light rail network to include a new hub in Downtown, right next to the current Amtrak Station that may well be next door to the proposed site of the new Sacramento Kings basketball arena. A stadium built near this would be good on all accounts for ease of access, access to all downtown ameneties, and close to major freeway exits. Elk Grove is in the arse end of no-where in this area, only a tiny step up from Rio Linda as far as it's accessability. Elk Grove is also a veritable maze of poorly designed street maps and accessed from a regularly highly congested freeway that personally, I do my best to avoid. Having a stadium on the outskirts of town might provide more clear land to build upon, but you pay for that by having to travel even further to watch games. It'll be interesting to follow this and see where it ends up. I've already planned to get season tickets for City College stadium because it's relatively close and easy to get to, I doubt I'd do the same for a new stadium so far out of town.
I have a feeling that KJ will be working behind the scenes on this. NBA may be number one for him, but he is a sports guy, and knows that MLS is the only other pro sports franchise we can realistically obtain for Sactown. As I've said before, NBA and MLS are the best bed-mates for a city because of opposite seasons. Once the Kings arena has broken ground, KJ may get a little more proactive. If he didn't give a crap, I don't think we would have seen him at the USL pressors with Warren. I would actually like to see the Kings ownership get on board. That would be a true Sac sports partnership with the owners of the Rivercats and Kings partnering up for MLS.
Where's Ron Burkle? Seeing as how he couldn't be a part owner of the Kings, maybe he would want to be partial owner of an MLS team? If I was a billionaire I would buy an MLS team, value with grow incredibly over the next couple of decades. I've seen some strong comments against Elk Grove on here and other social media. I hope enough people express their concerns in saying Elk Grove would be a huge mistake.
Another article ... Analysis: Elk Grove and Sacramento groups pursue different strategies in race for MLS :: Sacramento Press Frisco? That's the model Elk Grove wants to follow? These guys are idiots. The phrase back-asswards comes to mind. So does the phrase fcuk you. I really am starting to hate the Elk Grove group. They're totally pernicious.
To his credit, Davis is the Mayor of Elk Grove. If they support a team in downtown Sacto, Elk Grove gains nothing. They'll continue to be a suburb of Sac with a half built shopping mall. He won't throw his support behind a Sac plan until the writing is on the wall, and it will be to just save face. What I would assume is more likely is for that douche Nunez to bring his connections and $$$ supporters over to Sac's side to strengthen the overall prospects of landing a team. BTW, the commish said 24 teams by 2020. Subtracting Beckam/Miami and likely Orlando, Sacto is pushing for one of two spots.
I heard the Grant Napear show yesterday(it was actually Jason Ross in for Grant) and he had Ryan Lillis(sp?) from the Sacramento Bee on the show, they actually talked about the Sac/Elk Grove soccer issue and bringing an MLS team to Sac. They talked about it for a while, and several callers talked about it for a while as well. I think it was the most discussion of soccer I have ever heard on the radio here, lol! There were some typical comments making fun of soccer, but some smart ones too, including a guy who had been to Seattle games and talked about his experience. Cool stuff.
http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2013/07/30/the-grant-napear-show-july-30-2013/ Ryan Lillis interview before the 2:00 mark, texts/callers after that
Sacramento Press article detailing the contrasting approaches between the two efforts... http://www.sacramentopress.com/head...s_pursue_different_strategies_in_race_for_MLS
It's more a case that Elk Grove are serious about it's chances of actually getting the MLS bid. I've still yet to talk to anyone here who thinks that an Elk grove venue would be anything close to a good idea.
The above article talks about past contact between Elk Grove and the league, but I got no sense from the article that there are substantive discussions going on now, otherwise Mayor Davis would be making a big deal about it. My hunch is Elk Grove is entering saving-face mode. Of course, I'm just speculating.
When the City of Elk Grove actually purchases land, I'll get concerned. Long ways to go still, this is a 3-5 year process. Elk Grove or Sac/Warren Smith needs to pony up big $$$ investors and a stadium plan.
"In a statement issued by the league, Garber laid out the criteria the league will use in determining future expansion markets. Among them is location, committed and engaged ownership, a comprehensive stadium plan, demonstrated fan support for professional soccer, support of sponsors and TV partners, and a strategic business plan for launching a club." So, theoretically, Republic FC would have a history of committed and engaged ownership, whereas an Elk Grove group would have a promise of committed and engaged ownership? I know, I'm probably over-parsing words, but still. Also, it would be a real shame if MLS were to actually award a franchise to Elk Grove if the demonstrated fan support is from Republic's fans.
Reading the details, I get the uneasy feeling that Elk Grove is not seen by MLS as the joke we know it'd be.
I'd like to think the respect that MLS pays to the Elk Grove group is in hopes that they bring their money to Sacramento.
Hopefully this doesn't go through. having a team in Elk Grove wouldn't feel like a hometown. But with the Republic, they'd feel much more special, especially if we follow them on their way to the league from D3.
I originally posted this on the MLS expansion board. I think it belongs here too. ... Here's the obvious Sacramento versus Elk Grove compromise solution: 1. Downtown Sacramento stadium 2. Team training facility and soccer complex in Elk Grove. So Republic FC gets their downtown stadium and a great practice facility, and Elk Grove gets some major soccer infrastructure (and they get to host lots of youth tournaments). In other words, just as Seattle plays CenturyLink and practices at Starfire, Republic FC could play downtown and practice in Elk Grove. Actually, just like at Starfire, Republic FC could even host some USOC games down there, particularly if the complex included a little mini-stadium. To me it's such an obvious solution. Which is probably why it'll never happen. (By the way, here's a nice thread on MLS training grounds.) ... That makes such sense to me. It's pretty much perfect to my eye. What do you think? If that sounds good to people, then I wonder if we as fans might have a constructive role to play in promoting that sort of option.
I actually had the same thought several weeks back but never posted about it (I swear!). I think it's a good blueprint, but like you said, it's such a good idea, that it probably won't happen.