An article from La Opinión, a daily from LA, dated March 16, 2004. There is also a lot of financial information related to the Galaxy. Usually you dont read that kind of information anywhere. http://www.laopinion.com/deportes/?rkey=00040315195101049520
This is a very good, informative article. It looks like something definitive with an announcement is to come next week.
bad idea. soccer needs to be somewhere else to establish more of a nationwide footprint. it looks mickey mouse to have 10 teams and start doubling up on cities already.
It would be the best rivalry in the game right from the start. It may even generate more interest in the Galaxy. The competition between the two teams to do well in the league would be incredible. Also, the HDC would generate lots of dough...
I disagree. Down the road I agree, but Jets/Giants pull it off with no major issues.. Think of how much $$ the league will save this way.. This far outweighs the mickey mouse factor.
No more overhead for a new stadium in Houston/SD/San Antonio, etc. A wealth investor makes it that much easier to sell new franchises and sell off existing AEG teams. It's not ideal, no. But it's not a bad deal. Oh, and this IS La Opinion, the US Latino's answer to Chris Bergmin. take it w/ a grain of salt.
Ideally, yes. But look at the options: Rochester (3 hrs. from NY?) and Cleveland (2+ hrs. to Col). Not exactly spreading out. LA can handle a 2nd team.
It isn't mickey mouse having two teams in LA. What is mickey mouse and gimickry is the name Chivas USA. Unless he changes that somehow, I don't want that team in MLS. It will make the league look like a joke. And it's true, immediately the best rivalry in the league. You have the more suburban white crowds of the Galaxy versus the hispanic crowds of "new" team. Incredible rivalry right there, especially in California.
I am a diehard Galaxy fan, but I've said since day one the Galaxy should share the HDC with Chivas. It's a perfect fit because the two fan bases are SO different. Other cities, that might not be the case (even in NY). But, here in LA, the potential Chivas supporters don't give rip one about the Galaxy already and probably never will. And, oh my goodness the rivary! Will make SJ v. LA, or DC v. MET look like lovefests.
Yes and no. Many Mexicans will stay loyal to Galaxy. Pumas, CA, Tigres, Jaguares, ATlas, etc. fans would go AGAINST Chivas. Central Americans would go vs. Chivas.
You can't compare the NFL with MLS. The Jets and the Giants are playing the most popular sport in the United States.
Chivas will beat the Galaxy like a gong in the stands each and every single time... Topper and Loney getting nonstop beer & nacho showers? - I love it!
I don't like this idea. The ideas already listed (the need to spread out, bush league image etc) are all valid, but there a three key reasons NOT to do this: 1: It sets the standard for making concessions for Chivas. They wanted LA. MLS said no. Chivas cools their interest, and suddenly MLS can't give them the keys to the HDC quick enough? Bad precedent. You never give in to a petulent child because they pout. 2: While there may well be the fan base in LA to support two teams, why not tap another media market? A good portion of league revenue comes from sponsors. The league already carries the LA media market. If they tap another market like Houston or Cleveland, the league becomes more attractive to possible sponsors. 3: This is the most important one. Chivas has already shown itself to be flaky. They are also not poor. By putting them in a new city, and having them build or renovate a new stadium, they are committed to the league. Putting them in the HDC gives them leverage for future pouting to get their way. "We want a break on the foreigner limit." "No." "Well, maybe we just won't stay in MLS anymore." Giving them residence in an existing stadium gives them the ability to pull out of the league at a whim. Let's get a solid committment out of them by seeing them build a stadium.
This is the MLS you are talking about, right? How does a team called Chivas USA make us look like a joke more than having a team called the NY/NJ MetroStars? Maybe, Maybe not. If Chivas de Guadalajara fans come down to see USA, then you'll definitely get a bump in the hispanic audiences. Otherwise, you are still pulling from the same fan base. Now, if you put a team in West LA or the Valley - THEN you get some suburban white audiences. I'm thrilled, though, if this is true. I hope this works out for a while, and then Chivas can build a new SSS somewhere closer to downtown (near Dodger's, maybe?)
To me, if anything, this reinforces my point. If they (an expereinced, established league) can pull it off, there is no reason MLS cant.. In a perfect world, everyone gets their own stadium and fils it up. In todays MLS world, smart, economic decisions are key.. I just think the upside to having this far outweighs the small downside.. Just my .02..
Ok, then how about the NY Yankees, NY Giants, and Brooklyn Dodgers, in baseballs early years? The point is, Los Angeles is so big, and the Galaxy pulling in such a small percentage of Soccer fans that this may end up causing a big stir, and getting some real publicity.
are you saying that MLS is as popular now as baseball was then? p.s. by the way, where are the Giants and the Dodgers now?
It seems like an OK idea to me. At this moment in time I think that it is just about the best location FINACIALLY speaking. I am sure Uncle Phil (or whoever actually owns HDC) is happy about getting more return on his investment. 16+ more games of pure revenue. Expanding the footprint would be nice, but there does not seem to be a shortage of cities wanting MLS, just a shortage of investors and proper stadiums. Another small benefit from Chivas playing in HDC, is that with the increased revenue and double the game dates perhaps the HDC will not have so many concerts or other activities during MLS season, thus saving the grass for only soccer.
The Jets are willing to spend $800 million to get out of Giants Stadium and get their own home.......
All i can say is that as a soccer fan, i really HOPE that this works out like the powers that be seem to think it will. once again though, i have to agree with Jacen. the league seems to be kissing the collective arses of those involved with Chivas, and it isn't a good precedent. Again, I hope i'm wrong.
Would Chivas and LA Galaxy play derbies at the Rose Bowl? Maybe they could play a few home doubleheaders there too. I would also want the ensure that Chivas have a clause that would protect AEG from having to spend lots on maintenance if/when Chivas are rowdy tenents. I am not making a racist kind of insinuation here - I just don't want to see AEG burned for grudgingly going along with the league on this issue. I know that Garber wouldn't push the groundshare if Anschutz put his foot down. But I am sure that he has mixed emotions about a team that could realistically bite into his attendance (or alternately help it) and steal the luster from his rose. I would hate to see the field get torn up due to overuse (national teams + concerts + Galaxy + Chivas).