The rumors around Encore continue to stay alive. What I've heard is that apparently the discussions have gone well, but the sticking point is that Kraft wants to buy the land (not lease/rent from Encore) and wants to put up another man-mall there as well.
People bring up the option of building an SSS on the current land, but I actually think there's very little incentive for that (and even less if Gillette can go back to grass or a flex field at some point). The biggest problem with Gillette is the location and another stadium there doesn't change that. We used to complain about the empty-looking/sounding stadium, but that is becoming less and less of an issue, now that the crowd-base is growing. In fact, if that growth continues, a lot of MLS teams with smallish stadiums will be pretty envious of Gillette's enormous capacity (like Seattle and a couple[?] of others). Yeah, I think you only have to look at the new development project that Fenway Sports Group just announced for the Fenway neighborhood to see where Kraft's thinking is. A development foothold near Boston would be the next step in the Kraft business growth plan.
I was just talking with someone who visited the football (NFL) Hall of Fame. Apparently they're doing a Patriot Place type development there. I wonder whether Kraft consulted?
I feel like every fan I talk to wants a soccer specific stadium. Why though? I like the fact that the revs share a stadium with the Patriots. Going to where Tom Brady led years of victories is part of the appeal. And with the fan base growing, isn't it good to have a stadium that can hold demand? As for location, I like that it's away from the city. Selfishly I like the ability to move around during games....sitting in one seat for the first half and another seat in the second half. Wouldn't be able to do that with a packed house.
Gillette is a great place if you can make a day of it, meaning it has to be a Saturday and the weather has to be good. But if the game is on a workday, or the weather is cold, attendance suffers greatly. Bottom line, it is too far from the city. But I wouldn't worry. This thread chain has been around since Dec 2010, and the Revs are no closer to an SSS than they were 12 and a half years ago. Five years ago I predicted Miami would play in their new stadium before the Revs broke ground. A few here thought that was crazy, but it seems very likely now.
I want a true atmosphere. Having been to almost every stadium in MLS, Gillette sucks for that. The Fort does what it can, but with the open area to our left, it's awful for acoustics. Having a 25K stadium (not the dumb 18k that the Revs keep thinking about) would be amazing in Boston. It would also open up a demographic that isn't currently involved with the Revs, as you really don't see a lot of POC at Revs games. We (the Riders) have provided rides from Boston when people have reached out, but unless you have a car, you're not going to Gillette.
I don't even know where to start with this, but I'll try to take it point by point... I couldn't care less about the New England Patriots. In fact, playing in the stadium that is home to the New England Patriots only makes me feel like the Revs are second class citizens and a mere afterthought in their own stadium. A stadium that can hold more isn't a bad thing, but a stadium that is filled to less than 50% capacity surely is. The Revs aren't likely going to average 40k any time soon, so I'd much prefer to play in a SSS with a 25k capacity that is always nearly full. It improves the atmosphere drastically. The location obviously works for some people (I'm now one of those people after moving to the suburbs), but it's selfish to not recognize that a stadium in the Boston area would be far better for the target demographic for this team. Complaining about having to watch a game in a full stadium is a minor league mentality. Go watch college soccer or lower level USL if you want to change viewpoints during a game.
I think atmosphere (which is clearly linked to location/public transportation) and playing surface are the top 2 issues with Gillette. In an ideal world, we'd have an urban stadium and for big games, we could move to Gillette (and its grass pitch).
Just saw this on Twitter: Facebook Sources!! #NERevs pic.twitter.com/A9OldM749r— Sunday Afternoon Fullbacks (@notbriankamler) August 8, 2023
I’d take anything that the Everett Leader Herald claims with a brick of salt. The editor is a proven and self-admitted fabulist. https://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2023/01/31/everett-newspaper-mayor-lawsuit/ Doesn’t mean that the Revs stadium won’t happen, but his outlet isn’t a reliable source.
Everyone who wants this stadium is going to freak out when it gets built and we find out what the Revs will charge for tickets. Fewer seats + construction/acquisition costs + a likely prominent DP to enthuse the fans is going to equal sky high ticket prices. Plus..if you think Foxboro traffic is bad - Rt. 99 vs Rt. 1....ugh.
I would doubt anyone would freak out. I think we all know prices will go up heavily. But having been to a lot of the new stadiums, I haven't seen anything priced where it drives out the supporters. I suppose we'll see.
if this ever gets off the ground I hope they don't build another shit stadium like Gillette. Enclosed stadium, partial roof, grass field, soccer specific, good size pitch, supporters section, etc....do it right or don't do it at all
I've told my ticket rep for years that if my experience goes up, so will my willingness to pay. This is one thing in life I care most about -second to my family and friends. I'm willing -and prepared- to go from paying hundreds of dollars per year to thousands of dollars but not until a SSS. I have to back up my claims. I want the Rev's on par with the other teams in this sports market.
I think you would have to look at the value and decide if it's worth it. But I will say the sport was meant to be played in an intimate stadium where the fans are part of the action - action which is taking place on a real grass pitch. And Kraft probably wants the land so he can put some restaurants and bars nearby. So I'm sure it wouldn't suck. It'll just cost $$ for the experience.
You're not wrong. But, speaking only for myself, the experience will be better in our own stadium with an atmosphere that will make it tougher for road teams to come here. To me that's worth it.
I think you're right about the shock factor, in some respects. Ticket prices will be somewhat higher; they probably will charge for parking (which has been free for a looong time now). For me, even though I'm about 25 miles away, the access is incredibly quick and easy - I can leave my driveway 45 minutes before kickoff and be in my seat for 'please remove your caps ...". I'm usually home by 10:15 after a 7:30pm game. I will definitely miss that - Everett will be a much more involved trip for me, even though it's fewer miles away. I expect most of that will be a no-brainer. I do hope it's doesn't end up looking like a band-box, like some of the SSS do, though I don't expect them to go cheap on construction. When it came to financing and developing Gillette, their execution was quite impressive IMO.
they did a great job developing and building an okay football stadium with a terrible audio system. Bose got it wrong in my opinion
One thing about the Krafts - when it comes to infrastructure they don't do it half a---d. If you go back and look at the degree to which the Sullivan's cheaped out on the original stadium (there's a legendary story about all the media and others flushing the toilets at once to test the system ahead of the first Pats game), you appreciate the Krafts all the more. I'm sure that an Everett stadium - if it ever gets built - will be top of the line in MLS - at least for the short term.
I know originally they were using the same architects as SKC, but I'm not sure where that stands now. One thing I have voiced to the Revs FO, the 18K they've been talking about is too damn small.
Yeah, it should be in the high 20s, or even 30k. To have ambition is my ambition. I would be very happy if it looked something like some of the most recent stadiums in Nashville, Austin, or Cow-lumbus...