Originally Posted by
MikeyinBrooklyn
EastsideAl, I understand your good points entirely, but I can't quite share your pessimism.
I agree that an outdoor, soccer-specific stadium would be the best place to see a game. Additionally, there are other events that could have been held there that won't fit well at Ford Field [[high school and college soccer tourneys; lacrosse & rugby games; outdoor arena concerts; women's pro soccer, if and when that returns). But I think MLS at Ford Field isn't going to be similar to soccer at the Silverdome at all. First off, I think the worst seat in the house at Ford Field is much closer to the action than a good seat at the Silverdome [[as a teenager, I once watched a Lions game on my portable TV- remember those?- from my seat because I could actually see the game). Also- and this is important- MLS is a much better product on the field than any of the fledgling organizations that existed in the past. The league is not yet profitable, but it's attendance, revenue and TV ratings are up every year. As has been discussed before in both this and other threads, there is ample reason to believe that we have the fan base to enthusiastically support an MLS franchise. DCFC's thousands of die-hard fans, strong attendance at various exhibition soccer games, high levels of youth soccer, etc. Also, I can see ticket-plan cross promotions with both the Lions and the Pistons.
Of course, if we get a team, ownership could always re-examine the question of where to play down the line. But keeping said team in central downtown in a new stadium has a real opportunity cost. Whatever acres are used for a stadium won't be used for something else. That was not an issue in years past, when large chunks of downtown were withered and abandoned. But that is not the case any longer.
I am glad things are coming to a head. Hopefully we are only weeks away from knowing. As I wrote above, I have a hunch we will get a first round franchise, or we won't get one at all. We are MLS's dream expansion market, except for the stadium situation. So if Ford Field isn't a deal-breaker, we should get a nod. If it, 2 years and more negotiation won't fix that.
Last thought for the night: If Gilbert-Gores-Ford wanted to be ballsy, they'd announce that a potential franchise would be called The Detroit Amazons.