I had to wait a couple of weeks before I was allowed to start a new thread. So this info is about three weeks old. My buddy who works in the team department here in St. Louis for Soccer Master was told approximately a month ago by the director of sports marketing for Adidas that the two teams that will be announced in November will be Seattle AND St.Louis. Adidas is already working on their end to get ready for the two new teams. I know this is hearsay, however; my buddy has had some inside knowledge about upcoming events around the country for the past decade or so and has been very reliable when he has passed this on to me; otherwise I wouldnt have posted this. I like our chances!!!
Good, this will get Sport Billy off our backs I was starting to feel like It was all our fault if St. Louis isn't given a team unitl 2010 Now Philly can hate on us... Oh yeah, they already do... but they hate on everyone. This is the city who's fans throw snowballs at Santa Claus Just bustin your balls fellas!
I certainly hope this is true, but I wonder why adidas is already getting a jump start on 2009 expansion now? It's the one part of your statement that struck me as odd.
One reason might be getting an early jump on merch sales. How many of us would buy a kit or even just t-shirts if we are awarded a team?
Fair point, I know I'm waiting untill November to buy a new hoodie because I want one with STL united! That would know off a few Christmas gifts, I really hope with the announcement of the new teams comes at least some physical thing we can buy such as shirts or banners or car things.
i agree that is awesome. i hope your friend has good information. they may also be trying to design kits. i remember seeing some blog of a company in the running for the Seattle kits that didn't get the nod, the pictures were released. i agree on the jump start for merchandise as well. they can capitalize on the momentum from the announcement and sell a good amount of stuff. i cant wait for the announcement
Since now philadelphia is moving in the stadium direction and garber seems to like the west coast with portland heres a suggestion. He should announce St. Louis and Seattle to start play in 2008 or 2009, but ALSO announce that Philadelphia and Portland start play in 2010. Be like here is the expansion, 18 teams, then all 4 cities don't get shafted and sitting there waiting to see if next year is their year. I mean St. Louis and Seattle seem to be the farthest along in terms of getting a stadium done and planning from the city. And by giving Portland and Philly another year on top of the others it would allow to really get the city behind the team and the stadium to be kick ass. And then seattle would have a rival out there on the west coast as well. So the conferences would be WEST Galaxy Chivas USA San Jose Colorado Dallas Houston Salt Lake City Seattle Portland East Chicago Columbus NY DC NE Toronto KC St. Louis Philly What are your thoughts on that idea? I think it'd be pretty fair to award who is farthest along right now while the other 2 cities can think of kick ass names, designs, all that good stuff and enter the league ready to compete while not messing up the player pool by adding 5 teams in a year
I think itd be the best thing, then no one is waiting, we have it capped @ 18, they can make sure everyhting is in place hopefully garber does that with this new development coming out of philly. He better not shaft anyone either, St. Louis and seattle are ready, give it to them first and portland/philly next
Nice to see a more positive rumor on St. Louis. Since SSU and the Collinsville meetings news/rumors have been pretty dry (while Seattle and Philly seem to be full of positive musings). My hopes are definitely for St. Louis and Philly. Seems like it could be Seattle and St. Louis 2009 and then Philly 2010 (which for Philly is what the various papers have been saying about the recent deal (yet also have them as the 16th team)). But nevertheless great bit and thanks for the post.
Awesome! I feel lighthearted now! I think, like a lot of you have said, that this is a marketing scheme for Adidas - they are looking to "tap" the momentum from the annoucement to make early sales on items - which should be true, because I will definitely get a few things, like a hooded sweatshirt, a scarf, and maybe a jersey!
While this thread makes me feel a little better, I'm not counting any chickens until Garber hatches them. Whoa, that sentence came out wrong. As far as Adidas making kits, I think they can start working because they have alot to work with. SJ and Seattle have team names already (I would use the Sounders if I were Seattle) and STL has a crest already made to work off of. They aren't starting from ground zero. Add in the web domain for the Philly Independence and the Portland Timbers, they might be working on 2010 soon!
All things being equal it looks very good for this set-up happening! The sooner the better in my mind to make the 8 team playoff more meaningful. For this year's MLS Cup, Garber by all acounts will further hype next year's San Jose return and then announce the new St. Louis and Seattle clubs for 2009. He should be able to grant Philly a conditional franchise, with say a six month exclusive window to finalize the bid for a 2010 start. Too many govt unknowns to be determined right now. THEN, Garber can say the league has entered into a 12 month negotiating window for the Portland Timbers to join the league, also for 2010. This puts the two teams and communities on the spot, adds a deadline of sorts. If both bids flopped, they aren't necessarily finished, but then places like Montreal, Vegas (please, no), NYC (not yet!) and Vancouver (maybe!) can come forth with their own deals.
Thatd be a good idea, because if their bids dont go through they'd still have a while with starting in 2010 to get things figured out. I was just looking @ the renderings for the st. louis stadium and i think it needs some more luxery boxes. If there was a 360 degree concourse like in new mlb stadiums thatd be cool because then no matter where you go you'd be able to see action. Then you could put luxery boxes on both sides of the field (not goal ends) making them 2-3 levels tall. Because one everyone could see the game anywhere in the stadium, box seats bring in more $$$, and planning for the future fan base. Like I'm thinking toronto needs to add some luxery boxes to go with BMO Field.
Take another look at the renderings. They do show a full row of luxury suites going down both sidelines. That will be more than enough. One thing that needs to be kept in mind when adding premium seating areas is who will take them? St Louis isn't the size of LA or Chicago or New York. We also don't have as many companies (and most of the luxury boxes go to companies). There would be no point in building multiple levels of luxury suites if many of them are going to sit unused. One row on either side will be sufficient for the St Louis market. Also, by only having one row, it allows them to keep the roof lower, which is ideal for keeping crowd noise in, making it louder.
I know there is one row, but what i was suggesting is if people want to get up and leave and see the action still, why not make it a 360 degree concourse and bring the luxery boxes up just a level?
i like the 360 degree concourse idea, makes allot of things simpler, but i also like the low roof. we are going to have to sacrifice one way or the other.
Because there is most likely an elevation included inside the luxury box. there's no need to push it up any higher. and who the f--k needs to get up and go for a stroll? the way that stadium is designed, the view will be fine from any seat. either sit, stand, or jump around for 45 minutes at a time. no need to take a leisurely walk.
the main reason i would like a large concourse is so there is not to long of lines in the concourse, especially the beer stands.