Galaxy Dev Team to Irvine

There is a little discussion in the Galaxy 2 thread.

looking forward to the first comments from AEG on the subject. not sure the “why” of our actions here.

 

It would be better if the Galaxy MLS next team played in the City of Santa Ana stadium. It'd be right smack dab in the middle of a real community and it'd feel so much more organic than cookie-cutter Irvine and the Great Park. The environment would provide so much potential for the Galaxy to weave themselves into the neighborhood and to build the "local club" feel.

 

This is a great idea.

I don’t get the desire/need to take over Championship Stadium and not share it with other teams.

 

A little more info here:

https://sportsbusinessjournal.com/D...-in-stadium-battle-with-Orange-County-SC.aspx

Interesting that there is a 3rd option being considered by the city, namely converting it to artificial turf and having no soccer team tenants so that the community can use it every day of the year.
important to remember that the city has different motivations then a pro team.

 

The Santa Ana Muni stadium is on the narrower side, and is older amd looks to have less capacity than the Great Park stadium. However, it has hosted soccer games.

 

It’s also not a grass field, which is an advantage of OC Great Park (which might go away if Irvine decides to convert it to artificial turf). I’m sure the Galaxy would prefer a field for its developmental team that’s the same as the one used by its senior team. Santa Ana is basically a turf football field that could host soccer games.

 

We received this email from @tammykimOC’s office. Please reconsider how this would effect THOUSANDS of fans across Irvine and Orange County. @MayorofIrvine #KeepTheGreatParkOC

Link to the study session item: https://t.co/36kOZNilns pic.twitter.com/78XONZHTs3

— County Line Coalition 🍊⚽️ (@CountyCoalition) August 8, 2022

Here is some insight into the city's point of view. Seems like OCSC's problems are as much with Irvine as it is with AEG but they purposely decided to make AEG/MLS the big bad guy in this dispute for PR (i guess?)

 

I suspected this might be as much an Irvine issue as anything and it was possible that Irvine even approached AEG to see if they could get a better deal.

 

BREAKING: Statement from the @LAGalaxy on the lease options at the Great Park in Irvine for LA Galaxy II. #LAGalaxy #MLS #USL #MLSNextPro pic.twitter.com/fNbSI53NT1

— Corner Of The Galaxy (@GalaxyPodcast) August 8, 2022

we finally make a statement. Seems we backed down. I think us being the exclusive tenant probably was the most appealing thing to Irvine so this is probably helpful to ocsc.

 

Having AEG manage the facility instead of the city probably saves Irvine money - and headaches when the community complaints.

 

Here's an update on the Galaxy II to OC Great Park story

I'm dubious that a desire to rent out some practice space for a 1-2 month period (maximum) during the 2026 World Cup has anything to do with Galaxy II taking over exclusive use of the Great Park Championship Stadium, although I don't doubt that this is something that may have been discussed as a way to make some money back without the other pro teams having guaranteed dates during that period. It's more like the kind of thing AEG would say that they could arrange and other pro teams could not because they don't have connections and because USL and NISA might continue to play through the World Cup, while MLS and MLS Next Pro could assure Irvine that they would stop play in that period.

https://www.angelsonparade.com/2022...to-city-of-irvine-over-2023-stadium-situation

 

At the end of the day, it’s Irvine’s stadium and they are going to do what’s in their best interest.

I don’t think Galaxy 2 should be in oC but I’m not going to shed any tears for OCSC. They are not entitled to play at that stadium the way they act like they are. If they can’t reach a deal with their landlord that is their fault.

they are not the first pro soccer team who’s business model is completely undermined by being a renter instead of an owner. (see MLS circa 1996-2000)