Stadium News and Speculation XXIV: Where Newbies Go to Get Flamed

Re: Stadium News and Speculation XXIV: Vote for Gray!

Are there really deep enough pockets for this guy to buy a franchise and run it there successfully? I can't really imagine people shelling out for tickets to a brand new soccer team in the Michigan market right now. I was just up there for a mini-vacation while visiting the parents and it was pretty noticeable how hard this recession has hit that state.

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation XXIV: Vote for Gray!

They should really looks at Mpls/St. Paul market. But hey what do I know I just grew up there and was part of the soccer system. That market is an untapped goldmine.

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation XXIV: Vote for Gray!

Yeah, I doubt Detroit is anywhere near the top of MLS' expansion list. There are probably half a dozen markets that are head and shoulders above Detroit. Minneapolis/St. Paul, St. Louis, San Diego and maybe even places like Austin or Tampa seem like a better bet for MLS than Detroit.

I think if/when NYC2 happens, MLS expansion is going to slowdown and the league will go into consolidation mode for a few years. Iffy markets like Detroit will have a tough time selling themselves to MLS after the high success of this last round of expansions.

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation XXIV: Vote for Gray!

They'd probably have Ted Nugent bowhunting puppies at halftime

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation XXIV: Vote for Gray!

The theme song will be the Motor City 5's "Kick out the Jams":

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XhQRFO4M7A&feature=related"]YouTube- ‪MC5- Kick Out The Jams (Extended)‬‎[/ame]

Yeah, but when it's made in Detroit, the AC always goes out.

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation XXIV: Vote for Gray!

Has Gray lately stated his intentions for Ward 8 and Poplar Point?

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation XXIV: Vote for Gray!

Not that I'm aware of. However, given his maneuvers regarding other large DC projects targeting/benefiting neighborhoods in NE and SE, I have zero hope that anything regarding Poplar Point will be better with him than it was with Fenty.

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation XXIV: Vote for Gray!

I just don't think Poplar Point is feasible. It was a boom-time project, that huge chunk of land with large development costs. I think it was only going to happen, whether for a stadium or anything else, when it was reasonable to suppose that large parts of it would be filled quickly. Now that we've seen not only the Great Recession, but that any recovery appears quite sluggish, this is just too big a project.

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation XXIV: Vote for Gray!

Poplar Point is definitely still feasible for development - that will happen, the only question is the timeframe. With DHS moving to the St Elizabeths campus, they will bring with them a requirement that contractors be within a 15 minute travel time from their HQ. The Washington Navy Yard has a similar requirement, and that drives much of the office demand near the ballpark. The development question is then a matter of timing and mixing in other uses to create a quality place (as opposed to, say, the old version of Crystal City - another product of proximity-related office demand), and that's where a stadium could fit into the picture.

But yes, the timeframe for Poplar Point is not a good fit for DC United at this time.

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation XXIV: Vote for Gray!

Let's face it, there's only one project with even an ounce of traction (a tiny ounce at that) and it's about 40 miles north on 95

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation XXIV: Vote for Gray!

I would be perfectly happy if some of that ARRA $$ to expand lanes on 95 between NY-DC was diverted to build a stadium. Not that it will happen, but it would be damn nice

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation XXIV: Vote for Gray!

In case anybody is wondering, I deleted my message. I was just feeling that I was going overboard. Our situation is what it is. No two ways about it.

Have to say that I take Onalfo's firing as a positive sign at least as far as the possibility of D.C. United staying in D.C. is concerning. If the club was planning to bolt for Baltimore as soon as the MLS Championship game is over, I think that United would have just played out the string with Curt.

The opera ain't over until the fat lady sings. Let's keep our heads in the game. I plan to be standing for United on gameday for the rest of the season. Vamos United!

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation XXIV: Vote for Gray!

Let's say the team does decide to make that move up north, where would it bolt? It is not as if Baltimore has a stadium waiting for the team. RFK is not going anywhere and not likely that DC United will either in the near future.

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation XXIV: Vote for Gray!

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation XXIV: Vote for Gray!

And the DC area has Fed Ex field. Baltimore stadium advantage being downtown but I haven't heard anything about the Ravens sharing it with a soccer team.

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation XXIV: Vote for Gray!

I'm not saying it's going to happen, just contradicting the previous post stating that there isn't a stadium waiting in Baltimore.

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation XXIV: Vote for Gray!

Moving into a bigger stadium is not exactly the route to go and then sharing it with an NFL team with grid lines, logo and turf, perhaps a steps backwards. I said that Baltimore does not have a stadium waiting for a team and that includes M&T.

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation XXIV: Vote for Gray!

******** it. We'll limp along at RFK until the team is gone. No other viable options. Enjoy it while you can.

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation XXIV: Vote for Gray!

If a deal was struck for a new moderately sized stadium in Baltimore and the team wanted to get out of dodge immediately, they could play at M&T for a season and a half if necessary rather than stick around watching falling attendance numbers and growing resentment.

I'm not in favor of such a plan, just acknowledging it as a possibility.

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation XXIV: Vote for Gray!



******** it, lets move in with them this time.

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation XXIV: Vote for Gray!

So too is FedEx, the Navy stadium, even Byrd in a pinch. None of them are waiting for DC United, which was my point in response to the team bolting to Baltimore. If you look at possibilities, Camden Yards should be added to that list as well. It is one thing to make a move to a city with a stadium looking to bring on a team as opposed to one that still needs to build the facility. As for which is the better scenario, sticking it out at RFK or looking empty in a huge stadium, either way it is loss-loss for the club.

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation XXIV: Vote for Gray!

noone brought this up, but would MLS LET DCU move to bmore? or would they tell DCU if your moving outside of DC you have to move to NYC2, montreal, st louis, cleveland, so on and so on

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation XXIV: Vote for Gray!

And, if United wants to downsize their operation while waiting for a new waterfront stadium to be built in Baltimore, they could play at one of Baltimore's college or university stadia (Johnny Unitas Stadium at Towson U., for example) in the interim.

If United decides to move to Baltimore, I doubt if there would be a final "swan song" season at RFK. I really don't think that Chang wants to leave the District, but it's looking like he doesn't have any other viable option left.

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation XXIV: Vote for Gray!

I doubt MLS is eager to see United move out of DC. But, they're not going to make Chang bleed money forever if there is a viable alternative available. If Baltimore is willing to build a SSS that will allow the team to become profitable and viable long-term and there is nothing on the horizon in DC, or anywhere else, I can't see MLS forcing the team to stay here.