Oklahoma City is scheduled to enter the NASL around 2015. Another group is putting together an entry into the USL-Pro league in 2014. Interestingly enough about these two groups; both have plans to build their own stadiums for the future--each proposing 8,000-seats initially with plans to expand beyond 20,000 seats and apply for MLS status. The NASL group did secure right to lease the City's (OKCPS) Taft Stadium which will be renovated and downsized from 15,000 to an 8,000-seat facility. I would doubt if we end up with two 20,000-plus facilities. Possible third soccer-specific stadium? It is possible that the City of Oklahoma City could be placing a 25,000-seat soccer-specific stadium on the highly successful (Metropolitan Area ProjectS) MAPS IV in 2017: MAPS I produced the Bricktown Ballpark & Chesapeake Energy Arena. MAPS II (for Kids) brought about building new & renovation of all city schools in the metro area. MAPS (For Hoops) upgraded the Chesapeake Energy Arena to NBA standards. MAPS III will pay for a new convention center, commuter rail transit, downtown central park and river improvements. This penny sales tax will expire in 2017. Future? MAPS IV will likely include soccer specific stadium, expanded commuter rail, ballpark and arena improvements to enhance the city's viability.
Thanks for starting a new thread for something that has already been beat to death in several others.
LMAO! Forgive me for kicking a dead horse--haven't had time to read all the posts in between Been off the boards for about a year (ill health); didn't mean to recycle some old by-products or serve them to anyone cold. Feel free to re-direct. Seriously, I appreciate the update.
I live in OKC and I have not heard anything about a MAPS IV. They haven't even started moving dirt for ANY of the MAPS III projects yet. BUT, they've found a way to extend it every time it is set to expire, so i wouldn't be surprised.
Let's hope the city continues the momentum... Mayor Mick Cornett may not run for re-election and you could see a lot of opposition against extending the sales tax. There are those who want to see the sales tax die It would be a shame if we don't get the right projects on MAPS IV. Mayor Cornett did express that we would look at item #10 (Sports Stadium) of MAPS III, which didn't get on the ballot be apart of our next MAPS projects. I have talked with a few in-the-know who have expressed their views on building a few venues which could generate revenue for our growing hotel-motel businesses and bring in a lot of outside money. We know that tourist dollars is what picks up the local economy--especially out-of-state money.
Maps IV will happen. Whatever opposition there has been to extending the tax will likely either be dead or have moved out of Oklahoma City/Oklahoma County by then.
I think you're right. The last MAPS was vehemently opposed by Fire and Police unions, but it passed pretty handily, if I remember correctly.
Glad you brought that up; those groups did oppose MAPS III. Mayor Mick Cornett did promise to increase the fire & police departments personnel when the money became available. He kept his promise. Maybe this will bring them on board for future projects..
They need to update their standard press release in the NASL. https://www.bigsoccer.com/community/threads/whos-next-in-the-nasl.1651631/page-73
The official stance on the Islanders is that they're on hiatus and will be back next year, it's looking unlikely that'll happen but it's possible. Atlanta resurfaced after their hiatus. Would expect the board meeting tomorrow will confirm either way.
Just heard from a little "birdie" that Okc approved by BOG in unanimous vote. Press release to come out shortly... What now Prodigal??
Welcome Oklahoma City and Jacksonville. I wonder who the two cities were who were not granted expansion at this time.
Just said in the other thread that the presser says "The NASL Board received presentations from groups representing four prospective expansion cities" so would presume all 4 were today?
There's always the chance the other two groups need certain things to happen in order to make their bids legitimate (ala Virginia's status a year ago).
Steven Sandor just confirmed they didn't get flat out rejections as confirmed by Michael Preston of NASL - http://the11.ca/2013/07/25/nasl-add...ty-but-teams-still-needed-in-mt-and-pt-zones/ As you pointed out, same thing happened with Virginia last year.
If Calgary are realistic about 2015, if the investors are there like Joe Petrone said, then one would imagine that they were one of the 2.
Hey gang, here is an updated version of Monday night's stadium story: http://bit.ly/15jcwNm Apologize for not having a NASL announcement story up on the site yet but a couple other things took precedence today. I'm the only one who handles sports at my paper so that should explain it. Lastly, I can't reveal the unnamed sources or even hint who they are at this point.