Cool...I hope my "prediction" stands up and 60-90 days after tomorrow we can hear an announcement about Harrison...right! BTW, I hope the 20K capacity is expandable...Chicago's fan base I think might surpass that number...I guess we'll wait and see Congratulations Fire fans!
With all due respect to the Daily Southtown I'll believe it when I hear it from the FIRE. Over to you Peter...
Re: Sunday's Daily Southtown Reports: It's Bridgeview! Living on the South Side, I picked up a copy of the Southtown and there is nary a word about it and nothing on line either. Howevever, I did run into someone well connected down here that believes there is a very good chance of it happening and soon. Until then, it's just a rumor.
Read carefully, the title says Sunday's paper and the announcement will be made Sunday. While we may have every reason to be skeptical, if not down right cynical regarding any stadium announcements, the fella who posted on the BB list must work at the Daily Southtown. In the past he has posted articles like this in advance of the Sunday issue. If you doubt the news, why not drop a dime to the Daily Southtown reporter who started the press inquiry thread? Dan Lavoie Reporter Daily Southtown (708) 633-5994 dlavoie@dailysouthtown.com
I was interviewed by the guy yesterday and he would only say to me they were hearing rumors that Bridgeview was a done deal. Honestly, I thought we wouldn't hear of a stadium announcement this soon, but its a great bit of news to wake up to. Now to tell my girlfriend that I will have to not see her tomorrow because I have to cover this story. Ugh. Bill Q.
He says the fire will make an announcement sunday. If it is based only on rumors they shouldn't be so definite about an announcement date.
Re: With all due respect to the Daily Southtown I too am a skeptical cynic, hearing about Harrison for the past three years has made me doubt it until I see it on the website or a Fire Insider.
It's Official! Just got the press release that they are making the announcement tomorrow afternoon at 1:00pm. Bill Q.
I just got back from the store. It's on the front page of the Sunday Southtown. (exclusive) Stephanie Gehring is the reporter. Fire ownership will make the official announcement tomorrow.
Oh, let it be true!! In another thread I mentioned the slow boards and the calm before the storm. Guess I was right!!!! Let me be the first tool to ask: "What's it look like? Where are the sketches?"
Congrats, congrats, congrats!!!! My question is about this sentence in The Fire Alarm ........... "The club announced last week that they had reached a lease aggreement with the Chicago Park District that will give the Fire all ticket proceeds up to the 25,000 mark ..." How big is the stadium going to be? I have been hearing from some places that it would only have 20,000 (too small in my opinion because the Fire have a great fanbase), but if the Fire are getting all proceeds up to the 25,000 mark, does that mean the stadium will be bigger? Or does that just mean that they are taking FUTURE expansion into account? Thanks.
That sentance you spoke of pertains to their lease at Soldier Field. They get all ticket revenues up to 25,000 sold, then the CPD would get a cut above that. They are building small because, as Peter Wilt has said several times, they want to create scarcity for the product, thus driving up demand. Bill Q.
The statement refers to Soldier Field. Fire will get all SF proceeds up to 25k. The statement is not about the new stadium.
I understand the importance of MLS teams getting their own stadiums. However, I personally disagree with teams moving out of cities. I think a team like Chicago thrives on being in Chicago proper. That's just my opinion. If this deal goes through, I hope Wilt makes it the success that it should be.
It's too small, and creating "scarcity of the product" sucks. "Driving up demand" is just another way to say driving up the prices. It's great to have a soccer stadium (almost) in Chicago, but 20k is far too short sighted.
Peter Wilt: Finally, we're getting our own stadium like we've always wanted! Fire Fans: But wait, it's not where we wanted, it's not big enough and it's going to cost to much! PW: Okay, let me answer those quest.... FF: But wait, it's not where we wanted, it's not big enough and it's going to cost to much! PW: Wait, let me expl... FF: But wait, it's not where we wanted, it's not big enough and it's going to cost to much! Can we give the man a minute to A) make an announcement and B) explain the choice in terms of location, cost, expansion and so forth before criticizing this decision?
but that isn't a BigSoccer tradition. bickering/complaining is what BigSoccer posters do best. No matter what, we always find something to complain about. SEE HDC. The field is too big, etc.... Anyway, I am very happy for the Fire for getting their very own FireHOUSE. Congratulations!