This goes to show why the only person I'd follow for any potential serious plans of pro soccer of some type in SE Michigan is Dan Duggan.
I wouldn't say the ONLY person but someone else would definitely have to have their ducks in a row for me to believe in them.
I agree with that. Hey we agreed on somthing. This is going to be a beautiful beging to a beautiful friendship
http://www.motorcitysupporters.com/ WOW This is what it reads "Silverdome update (1/9/10) Saturday, 09 January 2010 18:28 administrator We at the Motor City Supporters have recently spoken for the first time with one of the new owners of the Pontiac Silverdome, and we are absolutely positive it won't be the last. He informed us that there is a lot going on behind the scenes and that good things will come from their ownership. More details will be shared as they are released. In the meantime, bookmark the Motor City Supporters website, as we are your first source for information on the developments with Triple Sports & Entertainment and their newest acquisition, the Silverdome. What are your thoughts on Major League Soccer in the Silverdome? We would love to hear from you. Also, we have direct access to the new owners, and they are interested in what Detroit soccer fans think about the idea, so speak up!"
World Cup soccer team set to play at Silverdome POSTED BY JAMES JAHNKE FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER The Silverdome will host the senior men's national soccer teams from Malaysia, Kenya, Puerto Rico and Ghana in the inaugural Green Soccer Bowl in May. For Ghana, the May 20-21 tournament will serve as a tune-up for the following month's World Cup. http://www.freep.com/article/20100215/SPORTS18/100215031/1202/rss
Confirmed by multiple sources. Not exactly sure how the organizers plan to get enough people in the door to pay the expenses of putting this on. I guesstimate about $250K (flying teams from Africa and Asia, and also the closer ones, lodging, what ever the guy from Toronto is charging for the use of dome, whatever payday each country's soccer assoc wants for their team's participation, etc.), unless of course, there are some other events that are bringing the teams to the US, who knows. So, need to sell 10K full fare $25 tickets over four midweek games on top of the free giveaway tickets that are always part of these things. That's going to be mighty tough.
I wish this were on a weekend...I'm sure it would get much more attendance, especially from nationals from those countries living in the U.S. They won't even have a chance to get to the 'Dome for the games unless they take 2 days off work.
This may work out perfectly...my parents are from Detroit, and my wife's Kenyan! That might be worth a few days off work!
I'm a little surprised that all the occupancy/safety permits and operating licenses are already in place for the Silverdome. Despite constantly raising questions and concerns, I really do want to have a decent large venue for world football. I just want it done well so that we have a prospect for future events, especially US MNT games.
World Cup 2010 teams cannot play between 15-23 May as stipulated by FIFA - so it won't be the full Ghana squad, even if the tournament is actually real.
Huge NEWS today read all the articles http://news.google.ca/news?hl=en&source=hp&q=silverdome&oq=silverdo&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wn They are open for business and looks like the know what they are doing.
Read the articles? MCS officers (including myself) attended the press conference. I was very impressed by their presentation and their plans for the future. The Silverdome itself doesn't look all that bad considering it's been empty for the last few years (although I admit the new owners may have fooled my eyes with their recent touch-ups). Things are going to get very interesting in the near future, especially with the Green Soccer Bowl coming up in May.
Funny thing about that. A member of the media specifically brought up the question about having Major League Soccer here at some point. The answer? They're in discussions and are open to having any sort of professional sports team becoming a major tenant. Take that how you wish.
I can't possibly imagine MLS would want to put a team in the Silverdome as is, unless they tear down the Silverdome and put up a soccer specific stadium in its place, for which, as it stands now, isn't going to happen in the forseeable future.