It's pretty hard to get an SSS deal "completely signed sealed and delivered" if you don't have a team.
Kind of like its hard for CA to have anything but a "deal in principle" without actually writing a check?
But if the "local SJ investor group" can get MLS to agree to give an expansion team to them upon construction of an SSS, that would serve the same purpose. From what I've heard, MLS will be in Kansas City in the long run. But the fate of the current Wizards has not been 100% settled. If the Wizards are relocated, the local group will get an expansion team. I do, however, think that having the San Antonio situation collapse has greatly reduced the chances of the move now/expand later scenario.
de·ni·al (di-'nI-&l) noun ... 3b) Psychology: An unconscious defense mechanism characterized by refusal to acknowledge painful realities, thoughts, or feelings. Examples: Many fundamentalist christians are in denial that the earth is more than 5 or 6 thousand years old, alleging that dinosaur bones were put in the ground by 'the devil' to trick us. Neo-nazis have been known to deny that the Holocaust ever happened saying that it is all a far-fetched conspiracy by the jewish-controlled media to extract benefits and sympathy for themselves. Some neo-luddites have even denied that man ever set foot on the moon claiming that the Apollo space exploration program was an elaborate hoax on the part of the monolithic U.S. government. After the San Jose-based professional men's soccer franchise was relocated to Houston as the "Texas Earthquakes" in advance of the 2006 season, many of the teams supporters were in denial that they had been moved and would continue to post their refutations on BigSoccer for many years afterwards, offering to bet other people a case of beer that the team was still in San Jose and always would be, that the team had a secret group of local investors about to purchase the team, and that a SSS was in the works with several nearby locations as possibilities. (Just kidding Goodsie... )
Yep. Televisa is one giant SOB.... that cannot be denied....what they have is not only a lot of time of experience in soccer, but -like AEG- a lot of stake in terms of entertainment (IN televisa's case , music and tv) .. and media in general.....which could greatly be enhanced if they partner/ deal with the AEG's US based know-how with SSS and concerts... Plus they have the financial might, and given the incentive they should be able to get from Houston at least part of the funds.... to build a SSS....i'd think they could pull it off..... Maybe AEG could also offer up the HDC for some dates a year.... which -for example-Televisa owned "singers"* can utilize to perform and hence generate even more money for all parties involved * Yeah, i know calling some of these people singers is a stretch
Rumor on NAS says Ajax may be interested in the Quakes. http://nas.americakicks.com/archive/2005/msg08595.html
This just in. Micheal Jackson and Bigfoot have entered the race to buy SJ. Jackson to be heavy in um...youth development. More news to follow.
Really when this is all done, regardless of out come. I hope Tony and SSV write a book about this whole process and all the dirt. I'd read the hell out of it.
I really don't want San Jose to leave, but at least they look unlikely to win the Supporters Shield. I'd really hate to go through the crap we went through with the Fusion fans. I don't put much into the Ajax America stuff. The fact is, there is plenty of money - even with the tech stocks down - to keep the Quakes in the south bay. In fact, I can think of few markets in the country that probably have as many young gazillionaires. Certainly one of them is interested in professional soccer. C'mon SSV!
This rumor, if it has any legs, make it EVEN WORSE for San Jose. They buy the Earthquakes, they're gettin moved to Orlando. That'll only strengthen their ability to get an SSS built down there. In this case though I'd love it if Ajax could get an expansion team for 2007 instead. If Televisa buys the Earthquakes, we could possibly have Houston, Orlando, AND Toronto in the league by '07. I definitely like the sound of that.
That's assuming that Ajax would move the Earthquakes at all (assuming, in turn, that this Ajax rumor is true to begin with). There's just as much reason to believe that they'd keep the Quakes where they are than there is that they'd move the team. -G
I think the Astrodome would be excellent for Houston. It was originally designed to support grass anyway. They converted to aturf after the grass experimient failed. If I remember right, it failed because the baseball players kept losing the ball in the air with the roof background. I don't know if that would be a problem in soccer. The Pontiacdome installed grass trays for the WC, albeit temporarily. I would guess that it can be renovated and made suitable for very reasonable money. The difference between the Astrodome and Alamodome is a universe of sports history. Club America in the Astrodome would help the team the same way FCD benefitted from the Cotton Bowl, and the Galaxy playing at the Rosebowl. It gives a big-league credibility that no other available venue can give. Then once they are established, they can go to their own venue.
Thanks for going out of your way to help me. It is people like you that make Americans hate soccer fans. And again I really really dont like you Big Head Mead.
Right. Fly balls and pop-ups were lost in the glare through the glass panels that made up the roof. The solution to that problem, painting the glass white, starved the grass of its needed sunlight. Leading to the installation of what is now known as Astroturf.
Given your replies to me in the past, it was the least I could do. If you want respect, treat others with respect. Actually it's assmunches like you that turn people off. I merely respond in kind to the "bullies." I disagree with Rommul and crusio and voros and others all the time, but most of our exchanges - while heated - are mostly respectful. You bludgeon and crap all around here without any respect, then you squeal like a stuck pig when someone replies in kind. Poor baby. I'm still waiting to hear if you'll take me up on my "season tickets" for charity to whereever the Wizards are playing next season. And you told me you don't like me with reputation. Big freakin' deal, I'm sorry if I didn't make your day by not retaliating. As far as "not liking me," you certainly don't "know" me, and I don't pretend to know you. At least I don't hide behind Anonymity of a screenname. The best I can tell is that you don't like me because I like the Kansas City Wizards, and defend their existence with analysis and facts. Or maybe it's the fact that I expect a certain level of effort in an "Analysis" forum. The very first link that www.google.com gives for "Ajax America" explains everything. If you need to be spoon-fed, then you can go call your mommy. If you think having your location as "Move KC Now" bothers me, or other KC fans, think again. If anything, I find it rather pathetic - if not sociopathic. It's actually more or less of a shock that anyone would care that much about the team to express a negative opinion. If I bother you that much, spend the money and put me on an Ignore list. We'll doubtless both be much happier that way.
So all they have to do now is scrape the paint off, and they can grow grass inside. This means there is no need for removable trays or anything like that. That is, if Houston lands a team.