Could Northwest Arkansas Support a MLS team?

seadonkey · Oct 22, 2004

Red Star said:

The question is interesting because the growth in NW Arkansas has been explosive in the last 15 years and has some unusual aspects. A large influx of hispanic population and an even larger growth in the local economy.

I don't think that Reynold's Stadium, the Football stad where the Razorbacks play would be a good fit.
It is my impression that it is not wide enough. In addition I believe that the trend is towards SSS. I will agree that the stadium is very nice and the video display is stunning, purportedly the largest in the world. It intereferes with FAA radio traffic.

The population numbers regarding the large Hispanic population actually sound about right. Unfortunately that demographic does not have a track history of strongly supporting MLS. (that may be about to change in LA).

A MLS team is probably over reaching but this market could be a good fit for a USL team. If they could find an appropriate venue. It is the wealthiest part of the state, it has suffered from a large influx of professionals attracted to Wal Mart and Tyson, it has a strong presence in youth and adult soccer. The market has supported college football & basketball quite well.

Could Northwest Arkansas support a MLS team? Yes theoretically. As a practical matter however, there are much better options available for expansion. Lets face it, if some sugar daddy shows up with the cash, the single entity would accept a team almost anywhere, simply show me the money. The Walton family could easily afford and abosorb an annual 100% loss of investment, however rich people didn't get rich by thinking like that.

I am not a racist and I object to that characterization.
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oh great! a "serious" reply!!!

swedcrip34 · Oct 22, 2004

"almost anywhere"

I think MLS has to have a limit regardless of investor/SSS. Right now NW AR may be that limit. Keep growing and maybe someday.

Ilovecolombia redded · Nov 18, 2004

rogers has an adult arkansas soccer league

56 teams

967 participants

springdale also has one thats about 47 teams with 760 participants i think we can easily support a team

seadonkey · Nov 23, 2004

Ilovecolombia said:

rogers has an adult arkansas soccer league

56 teams

967 participants

springdale also has one thats about 47 teams with 760 participants i think we can easily support a team
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oh i absolutely agree with you!!! there is no other "proof" you need to be able to support an MLS expansion team other than your state has an adult soccer league! i'm sold!

Ilovecolombia redded · Nov 23, 2004

enought players to draft into the team but really i dont care what you think leave now or ill call my mod friends and have the slap you silly

Throwins · Nov 24, 2004

back to an earlier post: how about Deliverance FC

seadonkey · Nov 24, 2004

Throwins said:

back to an earlier post: how about Deliverance FC
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i thought DELIVERANCE took place in georgia?

RevFan · Nov 24, 2004

This may be the saddest thread ever, almost as stupid as "play Mexico in Alaska". But at least this is original. Retarded but original.

DixieDean · Nov 24, 2004

This may sound odd and maybe I'm wrong, but I have a feeling that ilovecolombia's location isn't really Leticia, Colombia...I could be wrong though.

MOVE HILLBILLY FC

seadonkey · Nov 24, 2004

RevFan said:

This may be the saddest thread ever, almost as stupid as "play Mexico in Alaska". But at least this is original. Retarded but original.
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not only is it original, but i believe ilovecolumbia may just have "a beautiful mind"

goyoureddevils · Nov 29, 2004

They could probably get manufactured housing to sponsor the team..... call the stadium - DOUBLE WIDE FIELD.

colombia10 · Apr 1, 2012

I was a god damned prophet you ********s.

RedRover · Apr 2, 2012

colombia10 said: ↑

I'm this:

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Fixed for accuracy.

Nacional Tijuana · Apr 4, 2012

Universitario de Arkansas. We already have Real, Sporting, United...no Universitario.

J_Dub · Apr 13, 2012

Holy crap..this thread is funny...

First and foremost..no the Northwest section of Arkansas could not support a MLS franchise. It couldn't support a USL or NASL franchise either. Fact of the matter is that while there maybe a Hispanic population sizable enough to support one of the D2 franchises there, it just wouldn't garner the support. Now if say FC Dallas (5 hour drive) or SKC (3.5 hour drive) put a PDL team there and picked up local talent as a farm league (not sure if that is legal in the MLS structure), I'm sure that could do okay if the proper management was involved. But there is nowhere the population needed to support a MLS team anywhere in Arkansas. Even the Little Rock Area which is considerably larger than the NWA area is not really big enough to support even a NASL/USL team.

seadonkey · Apr 17, 2012

colombia10 said: ↑

I was a god damned prophet you ********s.
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Ah, nearly eight years later I am back on this legendary thread. My Hillbilly FC Championship prediction never became a reality. So sad in many ways....