Group plans $400 million stadium to lure Major League Soccer

[MonsterBullMCMXC]

nobody gives a $h!t about soccer in the United States, when are these people going to get that?

And while I agree RayJ's 67k is presently too much for us, 28k is way too small.

That's funny considering there are more youth soccer clubs across America than football teams. On a national level, of course it can't compete with the NFL but to say that people don't care s rather ignorant.

Yeah but the vast majority of those kids quit when they are 13 or 14.

Been a while since you've visited any major sports complex in the bay area. There are several tournaments every year that attract teams from all over the country. There is a huge opportunity for tourism $$.

73% of kids quit before they turn 13. This is from US Soccer. Still, I would like USF to investigate the stadium issue.

The large quitting rate is due to the lack of a popular league like the NFL, MLB, or NBA. Unless you go overseas, there isn't a lot of money to be made in the MLS. Hopefully, as popularity for the league grows so will the money and the talent.

[TallyBull]

I doubt the 28K size is set in stone; details are always negotiable when a partnership is in play.

If it is a retractable roof stadium, I don't see how the 28K size wouldn't be set in stone

It's not built yet. The designs can be amended so that the retractable roof fits. Perhaps at somewhat greater cost, but that's what a public/private partnership could resolve.

[SANJAY]

NBCSports just signed a $250million dollar deal to show Enlish Premier League for the next 3 years. No huge money, but it shows a level of interest in the sport. Whethe that translates not live interest for a much lower level of soccer I don't know.

[bullsqrd]

Seems like they would be better off leasing Ray Jay. Most of the other MLS teams share an NFL stadium because they're only used a few times per year.

[Sanford Bull]

nobody gives a $h!t about soccer in the United States, when are these people going to get that?

And while I agree RayJ's 67k is presently too much for us, 28k is way too small.

First of all, I don't konw how you can say nobody gives a **** about soccer when it is the 3rd most attended sport in the U.S. ahead of the NHL and the NBA for average attendance. Second of all, how is 28K too small when the league on average gets about 18k a game?

http://aol.sportingn...-american-sport

I think he meant for USF to use, not for an MLS club.

I think we can live with a 40K - 45k seating stadium. 40K is UCONN's stadium, 45K is UCF's stadium. For our needs, that is more than enough. I just hope USF and MLS can collaborate on this effort.

As for the viability of soccer in tampa bay, as long as we can benefit from a stadium being built, i could care less if the franchise will dissolve in the near future. that just means more stadium for us.

[Sanford Bull]

Seems like they would be better off leasing Ray Jay. Most of the other MLS teams share an NFL stadium because they're only used a few times per year.

Well if this is the case, maybe the Bucs, USF, and Soccer and come to a 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 agreement over RJS and make it less "buccaneers". THe stadium hosts bowl games as well, so it would only make sense for it to be more generic-looking and adaptable to whatever event is going on. Right now, it seems like every time you walk into RJS, you KNOW it is the buc's stadium. maybe soccer + USF can kick some money into RJS to replace the permanent signage with digital signs that change depending on what event is going on (much like MetLife stadium for giants/jets games)

[Southshore26]

I really wish people would read the article and visit their website before forming an opinion.

1. The new stadium will only be a soccer specific stadium. MLS has made it clear that any expansion franchise will have to have a SSS. If you look at the recent stadiums and expansion franchises for the MLS this is quite evident.

2. The SSS they are designing starts at 28k for the pro team... it's also being build to be expandable to 40k+ if they can secure a MLS expansion.

USF will not be playing in this stadium.

[smazza]

what a dumb idea

usf doesnt need to get involved

[Southshore26]

Seems like they would be better off leasing Ray Jay. Most of the other MLS teams share an NFL stadium because they're only used a few times per year.

That's a false statement... only New England(Owned by Robert Kraft) & Seattle(either tarp the upper levels or draw 60k for matches) share fields with NFL stadiums. San Jose is playing at a local college while they get a stadium built and DC United uses RFK as it's only occupent. All other franchises have soccer specific stadiums that they do not share.

Edit... the two LA teams (Galaxy and Chivas) share The Home Depot Center... still a SSS though.

Edited November 29, 2012 by Southshore26

[Bull Martin]

Seems like they would be better off leasing Ray Jay. Most of the other MLS teams share an NFL stadium because they're only used a few times per year.

Not a single Only two MLS teams shares a stadium with and NFL team.

Edited November 29, 2012 by Bull Martin