Actually I'm not sure that an MLS team wouldn't get some of the money from naming rights. I don't know. I just sent a long list of questions to the Stadium Authority and asked them from whom I should request public documents, assuming they don't want to answer me. I'll also do some research using Nexis to find the old stories when the deal was hammered out. There may be some stipulations in there in support of soccer that we don't know about that were made to prove everyone was serious about soccer when citizens approved the stadium. Maybe professional soccer gets a stake in the stadium as part of the deal that voters approved. Speculation at this point, but worth finding out.
Come on, people. Do you really think that they wouldn't raise the rent for an MLS club above $6,000? Really. Also, what about football lines and the scheduling?! Those really are relevant and unavoidable issues. Plus, soccer stadiums have a much better feel than NFL stadiums. Look at the St. Louis design for example! It is gorgeous compared to Qwest.
Get back in touch when you've actually BEEN to Qwest. Also when you actually know a little about how and why it was built.
Yes qwest is hawt, but I'll be really pissed off if they don't plan on moving to a better venue. SSS is ESSENTIAL.
Also luxury boxes. Of course, that's to be weighed against the capital costs of building yourself a stadium. BTW, Joe Roth credits: http://imdb.com/name/nm0005387/
Seattle Voters got screwed ... The Stadium was supposed to be 115x75 Yards w/grass for soccer, but insteasd Seattle got Stadium which is 110x70 yards for soccer and is Field Turf. ---> Playing Field Dimensions/Pitch size of SS MLS Stadiums Columbus Crew Stadium: Columbus Crew Stadium Field Dimensions/Pitch size: 115x75 yards http://columbus.crew.mlsnet.com/MLS/coc/stadium LA Galaxy/Chivas USA Stadium: Home Depot Center Field Dimensions/Pitch size: 120x75 yards (Expandable to 120x80 Yards) http://la.galaxy.mlsnet.com/MLS/lag/load.jsp?section=about&content=teaminfo FC Dallas Pizza Hut Park Field Dimensions/Pitch Size: 117x74 yards http://fc.dallas.mlsnet.com/MLS/fcd/fans/fan_guide/ Chicago Fire Stadium: Toyota Park Field Dimensions/Pitch Size: 120x75 yards http://chicago.fire.mlsnet.com/t100/load.jsp?section=about&content=staff Colorado Rapids Stadium: DSG Park Field Dimensions/Pitch size: 120x80 Yards Toronto FC Stadium: BMO field Field Dimensions/Pitch size: 115x75 yards http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMO_Field ---------------------- Football/Soccer Stadium New England Revolution Stadium: Gillette stadium Field Dimensions/Pitch size: 110x75 yards
Qwest Field is the one of the best stadiums in the country, def the best stadium in the NFL (even better than that Monstrosity Jerry Jones is building in Dallas). I think it could serve well for an MLS team while they are building their new stadium. Atletico Seattle is willing to pay $135 million of privately funded money to build a new stadium. I know that servers well especially since people here refuse to pay for a any new arenas or stadiums(Sonics). Hanauer To me seems like he doesnt have any long term plans, he says he wants to be part of an MLS team here and all that and I hope he is not the only one the MLS is listening to. And who says Qwest even if an MLS team here builds SSS, wont host any more soccer games? thats insane they will def get the nod for big international friendlies and games. A new Stadium for a Seattle Franchise is neccessary for revenue purposes.
Well you wouldn't want to beat yourself up. I'd venture to guess you have never been to the stadium...... so you have no clue about it utility as a soccer stadium. Worry about the Rotten Apple and we'll worry about Seattle.
Seattle soccer fans know the most about Adrian Hanauer. He was born, raised and made his millions here. He has run the Sounders since 2002. His strength as an owner / GM is his ability to spot and keep talent and provide a highly competitive team within a tight budget. He loves the city and adores the sport. He has been described as "footy mad" by his friends, and by colleagues over at Cambridge United, where he recently also invested. He's the "Devil you know" is our scenario. I find him to be a stand-up guy. Quiet, unemotional, but reasonable to a fault. The guys in the Atletico bid, as well as the Kestons and their bid, are all from Southern California. That is a slight disadvantage to them, but how much we don't know. Hanauer has been working on getting MLS to Seattle for pretty much 5 years now. His biggest hurdle was finding someone to invest the cash in the $30 million franchise fee. This is where Roth appears to have stepped in. I am pretty sure this will be Hanauer's ship to run. He'll be making the 'soccer' decisions. Hanauer loves the downtown location of Qwest Field. His family business is literally a few blocks away, as are the Sounders offices. The Sounders practice, however, at Starfire Sports Complex about 10 miles from Qwest heading south. It is there that land exists, free for use, to build a Soccer Specific Stadium. Hanauer at one time thought about moving the Sounders down there, but the stadium that currently exists is too minimal and with limited parking. So even though Hanauer has not said anything about an SSS, you can rest assured that he has talked with his group about it. Hanauer was looking at SSS land as early as 2002 for the Sounders. He has been tracking certain 'plots' and checking in now and again with civic leaders in those plots' areas. MLS will require the Roth/Hanauer group to be sustainable long-term, and this means they'll be expected to show that Qwest can work short-term while an SSS is built long-term. We don't know enough about any of these men yet, except Hanauer, to make rash posts about them or their ability to own and run a football club. An astute Seattle fan posted this on our boards, and it is really a good overview: http://goalseattle1.proboards101.co...n=display&thread=1186766203&page=1#1186769563
Hello. My name is QWest field, I'll still be here if a SSS is built. If the owners are willing to provide the lions share of the construction this is a no brainer. Should big games need a larger venue, I'm still here people.
? This is a good question. I believe MLS would rather re-brand the team and distance themselves from the NASL days. But with all the recent media hype may they rework this strategy? I hope so. This article may shed some light, ...or maybe not. Read UP I think they'd be fools to try this in Seattle, PDX, or Vancouver. I can't see the Sounders, Whitecaps or the Timbers as anything else. Soccer has a rich history in the PNW, although the media would like for you to think likewise. I say the next two MLS teams in the NW,
I think the First and Goal promise regarding a grass surface for an MLS team was something to the effect of "if it is required, we will do it"--it's hard to say MLS is requiring it when Toronto is allowed in with Field Turf. Another written stipulation from First & Goal at the time the Stadium Authority voted for field turf over grass--there was a pretty good "grass roots" (pun) movement from some of the soccer community to nix the artificial surface idea--was that F&G would pay to install a grass surface for 1 world cup qualifier per year and any international or club friendly with attendance of over 30K (or something to that effect). USMNT has not taken advantage of this at all for any qualifiers and I'm still a bit baffled.
As I recall (and I'm sure there's somebody who can find a link), there was a "soccer person" (Fred Mendoza) on the board. He voted in favor of fieldturf, his rationale being that it would provide the opportunity for more matches at all levels to be played at Qwest. There was one person on the board who voted against fieldturf, his rationale being that wasn't what the people voted for.
Well, I was contacted by a person who has inside contacts with the 'other' Qwest Field tenant, and that person reports that the Roth group/Seattle to MLS is assumed to be a 'done deal' by Seahawks folks...
It appears that the Kestons and Atletico may have been doing *most* of their MLS 'negotiating' via the media, while MLS was busy working things out with Roth and Hanauer behind the scenes...
Fan freakin tastic news. IF this all works out I hope the Tacoma Tides can move up to USL 1 so we can still see a local team hammer the Timbers 3 or 4 times a year. (patiently waiting for the smack attack from Timber fans)