1) expansion costs- any expansion-related spending now has to be added to added to the future costs when considering total costs via that approach. “99%” probability total costs of expansion will be higher, just a question of how much. 2) Carrying costs once complete are a valid consideration. However, Fire have some time to grow the fanbase and acquire Blanco/ Basti/ Big DP before stadium opens.Full stadium immediately upon completion very possible under current MLS. 3) Biggest danger in my view is MLS adopting Euro schedule. Financial thought behind “tight” stadium is to force people to buy season tickets at inflated price. Not thinking you can force people to buy season tickets when schedule has many dates with likely miserable weather and fewer good weather summer dates? This would be a possible justification for the smaller stadium.
Not disagreeing with any of this! 1. Of course, costs will be higher, I should have clarified. My point was the building of the "infrastructure" for expansion would greatly reduce those costs if and when expansion occurs. 2. Totally agree. 3. That is not something I have considered, since I sadly had to drop out of being a season ticket holder.
Constrained supply is a proven way of increasing prices. 22000*17games*$75=$28.05mil 25000*17games*$50=$21.25mi Obviously my ticket prices are guesses, and I’m not up to speed on how much a sell out impacts the prices but we have seen how the current surplus (36,000) has kept ticket prices below $50. The 22k capacity choice is likely heavily influenced by this. On top of that, if we become a regular playoff team they likely believe they can push prices up again….and still cheaper than Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks
Higher ticket prices potentially increases total revenue, Higher stadium capacity also potentially increases total revenue. But pretty sure that a 1,000 seat stadium with World Cup Final ticket prices OR a 100,000 seat stadium with cheap tickets are not the answer. Finding that optimal point for the next 20 years is not easy. As I posted, MLS scheduling in the future is a definite risk factor and may be influencing Fire decisions. This is why I am thinking 25,000 instead of 27,000 to 30,000. GGG crew and Joe have way more information and insight than I do and I am confident they will make the right decision despite my concerns.
I think it's heavily influenced by a wall of suites on one side that will kill atmosphere and raise revenues.
There may be issues with the stadium footprint that constrains size, as well as transportation infrastructure adjacent to the stadium. The site is plenty big enough for a bigger stadium, but Relevant wants to build other buildings there. Joe only bought 10 acres so he may not even control a lot of the parking involved.
Expensive suites are a regular feature in new stadiums. Common wisdom says they contribute more than they cost and help clubs to offer more low cost seats. Seating capacity far exceeding demand can reduce ticket prices but other factors can also do this. Poor team performance, poor sales efforts, lack of community involvement and other bad management can also reduce ticket demand/prices.
I have heard the first of these "common wisdoms" but not the second. Soldier Field had its capacity of "low cost seats" reduced by about 5% to accommodate the luxury boxes when the abomination was built in 2002-2003.
Total number of seats declines but the luxury boxes may allow clubs to keep more of the cheapest seats is the theory. Does it work???
Not making excuses for anything- just trying to discuss ideas and find the facts. Of course, it is much easier to just believe whatever suits your scenario. “ Don’t confuse me with facts, my mind is made up.”
Who knows? I thought by "low cost" you meant non-luxury box seats. There is no comparison between seating in old Soldier Field and the current iteration. Although, I did have season tickets in as close to the same space in 2003, as I did in 1998-2001. That neither works nor changes the equation. I would like to see a statistical analysis of the costs of Soldier Field seats prior to and after the rebuild. Seats for Fire matches were more expensive in 2003 than they were in 2001, as I recall. Sadly, I did not keep my old ticket stubs (I really wanted to keep the "match book" season tickets!), so I don't know for sure.
Not trying or expecting to prove anything here, just have a discussion. Not sure which way to lean- too many items needing consideration and too many unknown facts.
No one expects zero suites. But if suites take up 20% of the seating then there will not be enough space left to add lots of low cost seats. No one wants seating to far exceed demand. We have that already and we all agree it sucks. Anyone whose mind is made up is jumping the gun. The renders are not yet settled. They’re only an example of where we are right now.
90% of tickets for every sporting match (and concert for that matter) should be for 30$ or less...period. I try and live in my little dream world now and then.
New schedule alignment question. What exactly is the latest roof configuration for the new stadium? Any chance it was changed from original and that is why $750 million ( compared to original $650m) has been mentioned as cost once or twice lately?
I saw the original drawings with open-air non-retractable roof. Was wondering if any new information or rumors with any validity is floating around out there.