This is the 'Official Quakes Return Thread', not the 'Quakes Official Return Thread'. But, seriously, nothing has been finalized, yet. As it stands now, SJSU and Earthquakes LLC have verbally agreed on the "framework" of a stadium deal, but there are still many details to be ironed out before ink is put to paper.
Technically, it was Spartan Shops with whom AEG was dealing on sharing the stadium and splitting the revenue. There were higher level discussions with potential investors before the Quakes left but which did not get nearly as far as these discussions have gone. After the Quakes left - coincidence or not - SJSU terminated Spartan Shops' right to operate the Stadium. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a re-vitalized Quakes team sharing a stadium with the SJSU Spartans. There just isn't. When the Quakes/MLS are strong enough to demand that municipalities fund/partner/bond for a stadium here - where land prices are as high as in Manhattan - then we can demand that that stadium not be shared with our local college football team. That day is not here.
Re: Quakes stadium deal one step closer Well, considering that he made his money on real estate development I think he's probably knows what he's doing.
The only interesting part of the interview is this..... ..........But that's if everybody was cooperating exactly the way I want them to, which I'm not expecting. On a fast-track basis, we could open in 36 months, but it's probably going to be closer to 60 months.....
Reading comprehension. Actually, the most interesting single sentence for me (about the soccer-football stadium) was this: If it happens that quickly, there could easily be an "official" announcement during MLS All-Star game weekend, and possibly a 2008 return at a temporary location (if MLS really wants a 14th team in 2008, if San Jose is the best option for the 14th team, and if MLS convinces Wolff to field a team that soon). Wolff did mention 2009 recently, but everything is negotiable under the right circumstances.
A few more pieces to the puzzle in the Mercury News this am. All good news in my opinion. The plot of land that Lew has his eyes on has been identified as the old IBM complex in SSJ. A portion of which has already been re-zoned for commericial and it looks like a big retail complex is planned. Mayor Reed sounding very supportive. SJ Sharks owners apparantly have reached an agreement with Wolff to be part owners! Very nice to be working with them instead of against them. Wolff and SJS President Kassing went to the Kansas/SIU BB game together. links here: https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=504243