Man, poor Sac. It was - we're getting a franchise (have investor), then we're not, then we are (new investor), then it's delayed, what, 2 years(?), and then, just kidding. The elephant in the room is that, if we are entering into a new world of multiple sustained pandemics, i.e. if we don't believe that COVID is a one-off, or even that there will be no COVID strains that really cause huge problems, pro sports are going to suffer. There is simply more perceived risk in the investment than there was pre-COVID. It would be like if you had invested in coffee, and all of sudden some vicious "coffee beetle" or something starts ravaging the crops. Even if you think that the industry will get over the "coffee beetle", you don't feel quite the same about the investment.
Club Statement: We understand the feelings of anger, disappointment and frustration – we share in those deeply. Today’s announcement is not a reflection of the fans, Sacramento or this club. (1/3)— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) February 27, 2021 There is much more information to come about how we will continue our MLS journey. What we do know unequivocally is we have a season ahead just around the corner, three trophies to win, and a community to represent to the world. The Indomitable Club (3/3)— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) February 27, 2021
HAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA ********in little shits. Always talking so much shit about "owning California" and how they are going to outspend us and "show us the way" of having a real team with "legit" fans. I don't mind their team joining, but their fans are ********in annoying as shit. I'm just glad they get to eat some humble pies.
Based on the political climate and added complications and restrictions because of Covid....? I think the feeling is that having full stadiums won't be *allowed* even long after the big threat is gone. Much like 911 changes are travel, so did this change the rest of society at least for a number of years (decade?) going forward.
Also, got it confirmed that Ron Burkle never paid a cent to MLS. Not a dollar of the $200 million expansion fee. Not any sort of down payment.I’d expect MLS to charge whoever eventually replaces him a higher expansion fee than $200 million. https://t.co/YegAn8NJZI— Sam Stejskal (@samstejskal) February 27, 2021
Another person (Stejskal) who is not really getting the effect the pandemic is having on the league. Don't think the price is going up, at least not in the short term.
********! Sacramento's MLS expansion team on the brink after billionaire investor backs out (yahoo.com)
Can't decide if what Sac has dealt with it better or worse than what Quakes fans went through 15 years ago. I mean we did lose a team, but we got a new proven ownership group 7 months later, and confirmation the team was coming back 18 months later. That said the team taken away was multi championship caliber, and the team we got back has largely... not been. Sac fans on the other hand have had the rug pulled out from under them multiple times, and this time it's very likely a fatal blow to their MLS hopes after being jacked around by MLS and then the ownership group for the better part of 4 years. Only conclusion I can draw... both blow.
Couldn't they have cut costs and built a half ass stadium like the Quakes did? Like may be with just two sides and bars at each end. In the end, other than making it over for a road game occasionally, the news doesn't mean anything to me. MLS has been dead to me for a while and the currents current ownership is killing my desire to watch pro soccer anymore.
I don't think cutting costs was the issue. It looks like their heavy hitter, Burkle, was big in the hospitality industry, the same that COVID has essentially murdered. He never made any of the expansion payments by the due dates nor submitted the full contract to buy the team (essentially MLS announced before pen had hit paper which was just moronic). Someone on the Sac board posted a large chunk of an article in the Atlantic which makes it sound like MLS had been having buyers remorse about the Sac entry since before they approved it but they felt bound to do so after Garber's 2015 comments. That this is good news as far as the league is concerned as they never wanted to be in Sac anyway in favor of more appealing markets like Phoenix or San Diego. So this is likely all she wrote about Sacramento MLS Clown show move by an often clown show league all around, that was just exacerbated by the pandemic.
Quakes didn't "cut costs" on their stadium, at least relative to initial plans they actually increased their budget by large amounts, I think at the behest of D. Kav. I don't know the exact numbers, but seems to me costs wound up approximately doubling.
In terms of what we got, it was over sold. In terms of what they paid, it was undersold. That's the reality of construction. Whatever you plan on paying, make sure to plan on paying a whole lot more before its actually done. That said... at least it's real. May have been a bit more basic, and a bit late, but it got built and was more or less what was promised. Can't say the same for so many other stadium projects even right there in the Bay Area. This week's new Oakland A's stadium renderings are what, the 26th version in 26 years? Raiders never got their stadium in Oakland and now they're gone. Niners never got their SF stadium and had to settle for an overpriced hotel with tacked on erector set in Santa Clara.
But then if Sac paid full or at least partial expansion payments and Burkle didn't decide to withdraw, the clown show league would not be able to pull the clown show move. Each side has to fulfill its responsible parts. When you don't do yours, you shouldn't also expect the other party to do it. This is ultimately down to no money.
Honestly it's on a lot of folks up there. I mean yes, Burkle didn't pay. But WTF was MLS doing announcing the club before they had payment and a contract? Talk about putting the cart before the horse.
This is the part I don't understand at all. You can work on trust in business in very few circumstances. Typically it's when you're dealing with a known associate with a proven direct track record with you and the expose is small. $200 million is not a small amount to be working without a contract especially for this long. My guess is that there was some acting in good faith while a few details were worked out. That dragged. The lack of contract stayed quiet. Then the pandemic and lawyers agreeing there was no way MLS could hold them to anything. (Not to mention that MLS, aside from saving face, wouldn't want to force an investor into something he no longer wanted to do when they think there are other options our there.)
Until they fold. From what it sounds like from their board, their ownership is MLS or bust. They aren’t positioned to remain long therm in USL.
Who know if this is true or not... we’ll find out if/when they announce a new ownership group. https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article249617068.html Sac Mayor: “My phone is ringing off the hook, I can’t be specific (about who is calling) at this point but there is already significant interest being expressed from some major investors and that is exactly what we want.”
A new stadium at the rail yards redevelopment is a major part of that project. I imagine they don't really want to go back to redesigning the whole thing if they don't have to.