I know this has been discussed a little in the MLS Expansion forum, but I’ve come around to the thought that Carolina is best fit for NASL. Although, I’d like to see the day where NASL has 20 teams, averages 12-20k attendance per game, and has talent that makes them competitive with MLS and other leagues in friendlies & tournaments. Anyway, I think that potential of the RailHawks is limited by their Cary location. Their ability to draw more fans ( --> corporate sponsorships --> new owners --> better on-field talent --> even more fans) would be greatly improved by a downtown Raleigh location. The simple fact is that Cary is too obscure of a location for what is a fringe sport for the majority of sports fans in this area. A stadium in downtown Raleigh would elevate their visibility to the region substantially! And casual sports fans would be drawn by the gameday experience of the shops, restaurants, and bars around the stadium. Here is an idea I put together … http://goo.gl/maps/kzyNR The location of Peace, West, and Capital seems to be a perfect fit for access (next to Capital Blvd & 2 proposed light rail stations). Not to mention right between two railroad tracks (RAIL hawks!!). The stadium would have to be multi-purpose to host high school football/soccer championships, NCAA championships, concerts, and maybe a pro lacrosse team. The city’s proposed park at Devereaux Meadows could also have fields used for community use and a team academy training area.
Barring some rich sugar daddy with MLS ambitions, the Railhawks will be at WakeMed for the foreseeable future.
I'm so old I remember when Raleigh's minor league team played at a baseball field at Devereux Meadows. The core of the Pirates team that won the 1971 World Series passed through there. That would be an unbelievable location for such a field, assuming Raleigh redevelops the whole area with nightlife. And that area is certainly ideal for the next step of downtown turning into a great place to hang out. But I don't see that kind of cannibalization working out.
Yea, thats the thing. Probably couldn't use any Wake County funding for the stadium cause that would leave Cary out to dry. It would probably have to be a combination of City funding (addt't hotel tax?) and private funding. It would be unfortunate for Cary, but at some point the RailHawks have to lookout for themselves. Maybe there could be some kinda revenue sharing from Raleigh to Cary to ease relations and allow a County bond to help pay for it. Btw, Panthers just got something like $200M from Charlotte(?), if Raleigh could pony that up we could easily build a soccer stadium. Regarding MLS, I say no. I'd rather become a perennial favorite in a stable NASL. Trying to compete for players as a small market with Seattle, NJ, LA would be an unreal.
I can't see a downtown Raleigh stadium as being rational. If they build a stadium in downtown Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill might as well be Greensboro as far as regular fans go. My guess is that somewhere near the airport between I-40 and U.S. 70, possibly off of I-540 would be the most accessible to the largest percentage of the area's population. My personal favorite would be in downtown Durham near the DBAP, but then that suffers the reverse of building in downtown Raleigh.
Absolutely. I love that I can drive 40 minutes and see professional soccer. Add the fact that Cary built a great SSS back in the Courage days, we have it better than most NASL teams. As for the idea of competing with big markets in MLS, that is why you want to be in MLS. In MLS, small markets get a portion of the profits of big markets. In NASL, if San Antonio draws 15000, we don't get a dime.
Well TV money is why you would want to be in MLS. Gate redistribution only really affects Seattle (they pay out) and very little gain for most other teams.
TV money, at the MLS level, isn't what you think it is. National sponsorships, and the cash flow from SUM are why NASL ownership would want to join MLS. As far as fans, none of that really matters. We don't get any of the TV money. In fact, our ticket prices, concession prices, parking fees would all likely go up.
Not enough to sign with Carolina instead of an MLS team. But, yes, WakeMed has some of the best manicured lawns in the country.
They did a tour for the season ticket holders, but I couldn't go. With Vancouver coming up, We'll get to see it soon anyways.
Did you go to the game? Just wondering about yours or anyone else's thoughts on the stadium upgrades at Wakemed and attendance for the game today.
It looked nice. The new upgrades are cool and the sightlines from the upper deck are great. I don't know about attendance, it'll be interesting to see if there is a number put out there.
I don't know how often they hope to fill up the place. Maybe the Pumas game? But I wouldn't want to be in the upper corners for any games they turn the lights on. The lights are maybe 15-20 feet from the upper corner seats. If you up there, you'll be in the haze halo from the lights, including all the bugs, bats, and nighthawks. Speaking of lights, the new upper stand blocks a fair chunk of the near side center from the lights. If you're in the east side, the players on the near side after dark might just disappear. Hopefully the next upgrade is the raise the lights and move them towards the corners.
RailHawks, Town of Cary finalize multi-year lease for WakeMed Soccer Park On May 12, the Town of Cary’s Council unanimously approved a new sublease of WakeMed Soccer Park by Carolina FC, LLC, the official corporation behind the RailHawks established by club owner Steve Malik last October when he purchased the professional soccer club from Traffic Sports USA. The Town of Cary and Carolina FC entered a stopgap lease last fall while negotiating this new multi-year arrangement. The term for the new sublease covers 2016, 2017 and 2018, with options by Carolina FC to extend the lease for two successive one-year periods to 2019 and 2020. The base 2016 rent is $105,000, a 10 percent increase from the $95,000 rent in the previous sublease. The rent escalates by 3 percent per annum to $108,150 in 2017 and $111,394.50 in 2018. Read more at: http://www.wralsportsfan.com/railha...med-soccer-park/15728816/#zxKTD6QR5CIgi3DV.99
Great for the club to control concessions and get deals on advertising with the city... The last few things are interesting as well: Soccer School: The RailHawks have the option to rent space at WakeMed Soccer Park to launch a Soccer School, where enrollees will fulfill academic requirements while participating in the RailHawks soccer academy. The RailHawks may utilize the East Side multi-purpose rooms (suites) in the main stadium for this school at an additional rent of $30,000 per year. The club may also rent the West Side locker rooms for soccer school use for $5,000 per year. Other Pro Sports Teams: Carolina FC retains the exclusive right to promote, conduct and derive revenue from other pro and national team soccer matches at WakeMed Soccer Park. Carolina FC also has the nonexclusive right to promote, conduct and derive revenue from other pro and national team matches involving lacrosse and rugby. Carolina FC also retains the right to operate others teams in a “Professional Sports League” at WakeMed Soccer Park, subject to additional lease terms to be determined. The term “Professional Sports League” is defined in the sublease to specifically include another “Professional Soccer League,” a “Professional Women’s Soccer League, a “Professional Lacrosse League,” and a “Professional Rugby League.” Didn't they draw over 9k in attendance to an international friendly in the preseason this year? That sort of thing could be huge under this new deal. Additionally The mention of Women's soccer is intriguing, the Atlanta rumours mentioned a women's soccer team as well... A new angle for the league as a whole?
http://www.northcarolinafc.com/news...raleigh--releases-initial-stadium-renderings- North Carolina Football Club Announces Preferred Location for Entertainment, Sports and Athletic Complex in Downtown Raleigh; Releases Initial Stadium Renderings Jul 19, 2017
I'll miss the rally. I was at the press conference, but I'm not hanging around in downtown Raleigh with nothing to do for five hours. And living in north Durham, I am not driving back to downtown Raleigh in rush hour traffic to attend the rally. I hope it goes well!