Hey, I know the last thing this board needs is another thread jocking a small market city for MLS, but having just returned from Austin, TX, I must say that when passing by the Mike A Myers Soccer Stadium (on the University of Texas campus), I couldn't help but think it has MLS potential. It didn't look that big maybe 10-12k, (with maybe some room behind the goals for additional seats). It seems to be a very intimate and classy looking facility. Probably controlled by the university, so all this talking is moot, but it looked really nice (definetly would be a bitchin' A-League facility). So now that the potential facility has been discussed, lets talk about Austin. The Austin-San Marcos MSA ranks 38th in the nation, with a metropolitan population of 1,250,000. Only 250,000 smaller than Columbus' MSA. Almost 200,000 bigger than Oklahoma City's. If Austin were to be included in MLS, it would be the smallest market, but wouldn't it be neat to have a very developed southern division with Dallas, Houston, Oklahoma City, Kansas City, and Austin, it would be very interesting. On the other hand, I guess it would be hard to take MLS seriously with a big old 80,000 seat stadium casting a shadow over this stadium (they are right next to each other). Of course, there's no investor talk, so all of this is moot. At the very least, this place should get an A-League team stat. I guess the main reason I brought up the subject, was because of the soccer stadium. I'll try to get a pic or something.
It would probably work at the A-League level, but MLS wouldn't exactly be licking its chops to get in there.
Dude, when I said I passed by it, I didn't mean in a helicoptor. I couldn't tell there was a track around it. Sorry, my mistake. Besides, who the hell cares if there's a track around it. Yeah, it's not the greatest stadium in the world, but how many intimate soccer stadiums are there in MLS again? Oh well, too bad there isn't one of those in the Chicago area right about now.
I previously posted these links in the "Seattle Sounders Stadium" thread: Build It, They Will Run: UT's New Track Stadium Is Outstanding in Its Field (Austin Chronicle, ??) Built for speed: State-of-the-art track at University of Texas' Myers Stadium was created with the shape and surface to make the record books obsolete (Austin-American Statesman, 05/11/01) IIRC, 20,000-seat Austin (Powers) Mike Myers stadium is hosting this season's NCAA Women's Soccer Final Four. Also from that thread, info about UCLA's 11,700-seat track/soccer facility, Drake Stadium: Drake Stadium - Home Of Bruin Track And Field/Soccer (UCLA sports website) Reconstructing UCLA (Part 2): RENOVATION: Drake Stadium is being overhauled to include European track designs, complete with new soccer facilities (Daily Bruin Online, 09/27/99) http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/db/i...orts.drake.html === With the A-League season ending earlier, maybe there's time for an entire winter league or tournament with mostly southern teams. These cities have stadiums with international-sized fields and seating capacities near the MLS ideal: (corrections welcomed) Austin: Mike Myers Stadium - 20,000 seats New Orleans: Tad Gormley Stadium - 26,900 Atlanta: Herndon Stadium - 15,000 Miami: Lockhart Stadium - 21,000 Richmond: UR Stadium - 21,000 (Are their winters mild enough?) Seattle/Tacoma: Tacoma Dome - 16,300 (rent is already dirt cheap - just install a better turf) Portland: PGE Park - 23,000 Houston: Robertson Stadium - 33,000 Fresno: Bulldog Stadium - 40,000 Las Vegas: Boyd Stadium - 41,000 Sacramento: Hornet Stadium or Hughes Stadium (both 22,000 - don't know about dimensions) Charlotte: Charlotte Memorial Stadium - 18,000 (dimensions also unknown) Los Angeles: Galaxy Stadium - 20,000 Any others?
U. of Texas Isn't Interested I recently talked to Kevin Crow, the Chief Operating Officer of the WUSA. He said the WUSA is interested in putting an expansion franchise in Austin, TX. However, the WUSA approached the University of Texas about using Mike Myers stadium, and the University said "No". Dave Brett Austin, TX
Re: U. of Texas Isn't Interested And I'd second that. "The University" sees itself that way. When the Lone Stars were around, they briefly considered trying to use the beautiful field the UT Women played on before the stadium was built. But the Lone Stars mgr pretty much knew that it was pointless to even approach UT. UT is the thousand pound elephant, is beholden only to itself, and has no interest whatsoever in dealing with other entities of any sort. Sports or otherwise. Yeah, it's a decent stadium (went and saw a women's game there recently, and there was a group of 20 or so students decked out in burnt orange, jumping up and down and singing!), and the level of play convinced me that plunking down some cash on the NCAA final four would be worth it. The track isn't really that much of a hassle. And the view of the capitol and downtown will make for a great image on TV. But thoughts of MLS here at that stadium: just dustbin that notion. And don't make the effort to even remember that notion.
Re: Re: U. of Texas Isn't Interested I'll third this. I'm not sure why, but UT isn't terribly interested in having any of its facilities host any professional sports. They've got a terrific baseball stadium, and yet, five or ten years ago, when the Phoenix Firebirds of the Pacific Coast League were looking to move to Austin (since the Arizona Diamondbacks were about to get rolling), a brand-new stadium would've been built for them, using taxpayer dollars. Using Disch-Falk Field wasn't even an option. And now, the Austin area's got a minor-league team, but they play in Round Rock. I don't think it's a state law. I know that Texas Tech allows its facilities to be used by pro teams. I saw a minor-league baseball game at their baseball stadium back in '96. However, I don't think that the team, the Lubbock Crickets, exist anymore.
hehe, If I had the dough I think Austin would be my #1 target for expansion outside of NYC. sure its a small market. smaller than Columbus, but it is also the 2nd fastst growing city in America. Its not like Austin is doomed to be tiny. as is, Austin would pull tons of MLS fans from San Antonio. Austin its self has the most desireable demographics in Texas. Austin at 1,249,763 residents grew by +47.7% over the last 10 years. if that slows to only +40% heading to 2010, we would now be talking about a city of 1.75 million, and another 500,000 potential customers/TV viewers. with the million plus a short drive away in SA, the additional mill plus locally, there is clearly a large enough tv audiance/fan base to make this viable. factor in the demographics, a potential rivalry with Dallas or Houston, and we have potential. I am not buying into any fantasy(sports wise anyways). I do however see this as a very viable city location for MLS, but like all other pipe dreams, it needs an owner and a stadium. Mike myers is not a realistic option. and downtown space is dissapearing fast. if you doubt the growth in Austin, compare these two sites http://phoenix.gov/ECONDEV/dtmu.html http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/downtown/default.htm a city on the rise yeah, lots of useless speculation
There's also Southwest Texas State University's stadium in San Marcos, but looks very narrow: http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadiu...a/united_states/texas/san_marcos_bobcat.shtml Hornet Stadium appears to be very narrow: http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadiu...ted_states/california/sacramento_hornet.shtml Hughes looks pretty narrow also: http://www.bvtrack.com/hughes_stadium.htm A few people awhile back said Charlotte Memorial is very very old. And the Home Depot will hold 27,000
I got the impression that Hornet is wider. Thing is, they get a substantial portion of US Track & Field business these days. I saw US Track champs at Hughes back in 1995. Certainly thinner. Here's an oddity- can you believe a minor league team once played baseball in that stadium? I think the right field line went about 250 feet. Talk about desperation. I wonder if Hornet gets some juice for MLS... if the floundering Sac State grid program ends up going under. I've heard a rumor to that effect.
2nd paragraph http://www.lagalaxy.com/r20020709.html Also, GM Doug Hamilton kept mentioning 27,000 during the tour of the facility at half time of the playoff games.
that stadium in Austin,Texas isnt great because of the track. But The Field at North Central College wasnt a great home for the fire but the made due with the bleachers they added.
Re: Re: Re: U. of Texas Isn't Interested UH also hosts all sorts of pro stuff. Now we're talkin' - we could have an all-Texas division in MLS. We could call it the Southwest Conference...
I was actually looking for Dynamo news and found this: http://austinist.com/2011/09/15/pointing_out_the_obvious_four_reaso.php There were a few Austin threads. I figured what the hell, put it in the oldest one. The problem I see is the stadium. Don't think MLS wants a huge track between the fans and the field.
When I started this thread, Crew Stadium was the only SSS in the league, Oklahoma City was the major rumor/candidate for expansion and people were clamoring for Rochester to join the league. My, MLS, you have come a long way.
Oklahoma City is only #44 in DMAs, and if Clay Bennett ever pursued MLS, he could use the Thunder as proof that Oklahoma City could do it. We also know he has the balls to steal a team. >.>
And 10 years later the idea of playing at Mike Myers Stadium is still silly. Not only because it's a half a mile from the stands to the touchline, but UT didn't allow non university events then and doesn't allow them now. Plus there will be no beer sold right? Deal breaker right there. I spent 2 years in Austin when the Aztex got started and I seriously believe they could be a solid MLS town. The passion is there. But the facilities they played at were amatuer. So how many potential MLS owners would pony up the ever increasing franchise fee until a real solid stadium plan is put in place? Austin does attract the right big money investments though. Just look at the new F1 track being built by the airport and the shiny new Texas Stars hockey stadium in Cedar Park. And there is no better minor league baseball stadium than Round Rock.