Pro soccer coming to Detroit?

**mtburb** · September-18-17, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by Bham1982

Simple. Tear down all the tall buildings and build more parking lots. Then downtown will really be humming.

This is the stupidest quote I've ever seen on this forum.

**313WX** · September-18-17, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by emu steve

What I find most difficult about having a soccer stadium surrounding by tall building is what happens is if 15 - 20 years the stadium is too small?

You build a new stadium.

It seems like they only have an average shelf life of 20 years these days any way.

**emu steve** · September-18-17, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

You build a new stadium.

It seems like they only have an average shelf life of 20 years these days any way.

Yeah. Trying to guess the popularity of soccer 20 years from now requires some serious skill and luck.

That said, This stadium [[the building, not counting land) I doubt is more than say 150M or so.

If soccer goes crazy in say 20 years, the franchise which might cost 150M [[I think) could be worth a billion so Gilbert/Gores can build a new one.

**southen** · September-18-17, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by mtburb

This is the stupidest quote I've ever seen on this forum.

Your sarcasm detector may be off.

**emu steve** · September-28-17, 04:12 AM

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...ected-by-dec-1

Decision due Dec 1 on fail jail site.

**Tig3rzhark** · September-28-17, 10:16 AM

I'm not sure if anyone remembers that we did have a soccer team, but we did. The name of that team was the Detroit Neon.

It used to play at the Silverdome, but it did last long because it had no money for it to keep going.

Maybe we should wait for soccer to become more popular here before building another stadium for a team that won't make any money.

Let alone a sport that isn't really as popular as baseball around here.

**EGrant** · September-28-17, 10:37 AM

First of all, the Detroit Neon existed 20 years ago and was an indoor soccer team, playing at The Palace. We live in a totally different world now, and comparing a piddly indoor team named after a crappy car to the current MLS is apples to cucumbers.

I think you are underestimating the popularity and potential of soccer in this country as well. Detroit would be wise to get in the game now, before there are too many MLS teams and we are shut out. If the essentially amateur club DCFC can draw 7,000 people a game, I think we can absolutely support an MLS team. Plus fewer kids are playing football and baseball these days.

**emu steve** · September-28-17, 10:54 AM

Completely agree with EGrant.

One thing folks also have to realize is that soccer, not American football, is the growth sport.

There is a real 'existential fear' in the NFL today about concussions and the future of that game. That comment was made in the press after the CTE evaluation of Aaron Hernandez, a fmr. NFL player in his TWENTIES, showing stage III CTE, something virtually unheard of in a young person.

The NFL will need to solve the brain injury problem or the future of the pro game is in doubt. [[P.S. If I had a 18 year old son going off to play college football I wouldn't be too happy, either).

**Tig3rzhark** · September-28-17, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by EGrant

First of all, the Detroit Neon existed 20 years ago and was an indoor soccer team, playing at The Palace. We live in a totally different world now, and comparing a piddly indoor team named after a crappy car to the current MLS is apples to cucumbers.

I think you are underestimating the popularity and potential of soccer in this country as well. Detroit would be wise to get in the game now, before there are too many MLS teams and we are shut out. If the essentially amateur club DCFC can draw 7,000 people a game, I think we can absolutely support an MLS team. Plus fewer kids are playing football and baseball these days.

To be honest, I wouldn't mind seeing a home team going against the Chicago Fire.

Should the team be established, let's make sure that the team's name not only defines our city, but isn't named after a car part.

Maybe we could call ourselves the Detroit Devils, after Devil's night.

Since soccer is becoming popular nationally, what would be a good name for our team, should we managed to start one.

Or we could call it the Detroit Rouge, after the Nain Rouge.

Just a thought.

**MikeyinBrooklyn** · September-29-17, 10:13 PM

MLS in Detroit will be a huge hit, and the stadium, team & crowds will add a lot of energy downtown.

DetroitNightLights · September-30-17, 11:33 AM

Why don't they just play at Ford Field, a stadium that is empty 90% of the year? Or, is this just about getting a new stadium again?

**Atticus** · September-30-17, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by emu steve

Completely agree with EGrant.

One thing folks also have to realize is that soccer, not American football, is the growth sport.

There is a real 'existential fear' in the NFL today about concussions and the future of that game. That comment was made in the press after the CTE evaluation of Aaron Hernandez, a fmr. NFL player in his TWENTIES, showing stage III CTE, something virtually unheard of in a young person.

The NFL will need to solve the brain injury problem or the future of the pro game is in doubt. [[P.S. If I had a 18 year old son going off to play college football I wouldn't be too happy, either).

Soccer is definitely a growth sport... However, if you are going to bring in the concussion argument, that works against soccer. Basically, almost all newer medical studies have basically found soccer to be as bad if not worse than football in terms of concussion issues. Not intuitive at first, but if you are familiar with both sports you can probably understand why.

**MikeyinBrooklyn** · October-02-17, 12:13 AM

Originally Posted by DetroitNightLights

Why don't they just play at Ford Field, a stadium that is empty 90% of the year? Or, is this just about getting a new stadium again?

Fair question. There are several reasons why a new stadium will be built, some due to MLS's wishes, some having to do with downtown development.

I should also note that I suspect Ford Field WILL be temporary home to Detroit's MLS team [[should we be awarded one) if that team is to begin play summer 2020. To have the potential new stadium done by then would be very difficult unless they got started in the next several minutes. Realistically, if all goes well, construction [[or specifically, deconstruction of Fail Jail) wouldn't begin until at least mid 2018, and actual construction would take approx 2 years. And that assumes the footprint of the soccer stadium is entirely on the FJ site; if the stadium needs space now occupied by FMHOJ or one of several nearby buildings in the plan, replacement space would need to open up before the stadium could be finished. I suspect occupancy of a new Detroit MLS park to be for 2021 or 2022.

MLS has a stated requirement that new MLS teams must build soccer specific facilities. They do allow temporary play elsewhere pending completion of a stadium. While they have allowed a few exceptions, they are sort of specific to the teams involved. In Boston & Seattle, they play at NFL stadiums. But there are several reasons why this probably wouldn't play for us: the owners of the MLS teams in question are the owners [[or family of the owners) of the NFL team; the teams average substantially higher attendance than any US soccer-specific stadium can accomodate; they are outdoors. MLS wants outdoor facilities with natural grass. Obviously Ford Field is enclosed, and without natural grass. Although growing grass indoors is possible, it is tricky, and would require the Lions to be on board with it.

From a developers' perspective, a soccer stadium is a cool, hip destination downtown, separate and specific from other sports facilities. It will also give Detroit a great outdoor concert/event venue, for shows that aren't right for Comerica Park. It will also be readily available for college soccer tourneys, state high school championship games, rugby & lacross events, etc. While it will certainly not be in use on the level of Little Caesar's Arena, it will just as certainly host a lot more than just 17 regular season MLS games a year. It will also funnel crowds on event days to downtown businesses, including next door's Jack Casino owned by, oh yes, Dan Gilbert. My bet on the name for Detroit's MLS stadium: Jack Casino Stadium.

**EGrant** · October-02-17, 02:54 PM

Looks like Nashville is getting an MLS team.

https://twitter.com/jeffrueter/statu...33528558743553

**401don** · October-02-17, 03:41 PM

[QUOTE=MikeyinBrooklyn;534711]
Obviously Ford Field is enclosed, and without natural grass. Although growing grass indoors is possible, it is tricky, and would require the Lions to be on board with it.
/QUOTE]

As I posted earlier, no stadium has ever grown grass indoors. It's beyond tricky. The Blue Jays have had the University of Guelph [[an agricultural university) researching this for 5 years.

**MikeyinBrooklyn** · October-02-17, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by 401don

As I posted earlier, no stadium has ever grown grass indoors. It's beyond tricky. The Blue Jays have had the University of Guelph [[an agricultural university) researching this for 5 years.

Good to know. I know that the first time I took the Ford Field tour the guide explained how it was built with the drainage infrastructure in place so that if they ever went to grass it would not require tearing up the ground and laying pipes. In some ways it surprises me that it has not yet been mastered, since I don't think grass is generally hard to grow [[outside), and we have long since conquered indoor plants of all kinds. I suppose just getting it to grow with the consistency and uniformity of outdoor grass is a challenge. I suppose, too, that grass grows much more quickly than trees or flowers. An added problem would probably be airborne allergens generated by the grass, and mold issues. I guess the good folks at Guelph have their work cut out for them.

**EGrant** · October-03-17, 06:57 AM

Update, the MLS has said there is no deal in place for Nashville, and the journalist deleted his tweet.

**casscorridor** · October-04-17, 06:42 AM

The team will be called the Detroit Q's

**401don** · October-04-17, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by MikeyinBrooklyn

Good to know. I know that the first time I took the Ford Field tour the guide explained how it was built with the drainage infrastructure in place so that if they ever went to grass it would not require tearing up the ground and laying pipes. In some ways it surprises me that it has not yet been mastered, since I don't think grass is generally hard to grow [[outside), and we have long since conquered indoor plants of all kinds. I suppose just getting it to grow with the consistency and uniformity of outdoor grass is a challenge. I suppose, too, that grass grows much more quickly than trees or flowers. An added problem would probably be airborne allergens generated by the grass, and mold issues. I guess the good folks at Guelph have their work cut out for them.

Jays don't have the drainage system in place, a big expense, so interesting to hear the Lions did that. Biggest obstacle is the fact that heat lamps need to cover every inch of the field and rest a few feet above it when they are used. This precludes holding other events in the stadium since all the lamps need to be raised to the ceiling when not in use and the grass must stay in place at all times. You therefore have not just the cost of the grass but the lost revenue from other events.

**emu steve** · October-05-17, 08:41 AM

Things are getting closer and closer on the land deal.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/new...ium/106320100/

**MikeyinBrooklyn** · October-05-17, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by emu steve

Things are getting closer and closer on the land deal.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/new...ium/106320100/

I know. It's a little more exciting every day.

DetroitNightLights · October-07-17, 03:29 AM

Will the 36th District Courthouse be relocating to be closer to the new facilities? It is hard to imagine it remaining where it is after the police department and justice facilities leave.

The guarded surface lots in the immediate area seem to mostly be parking for lawyers, judges, jurors, and other court employees in these buildings.

**MikeyinBrooklyn** · October-07-17, 10:23 PM

Originally Posted by DetroitNightLights

Will the 36th District Courthouse be relocating to be closer to the new facilities? It is hard to imagine it remaining where it is after the police department and justice facilities leave.

The guarded surface lots in the immediate area seem to mostly be parking for lawyers, judges, jurors, and other court employees in these buildings.

That's the Madison Center building, right behind Ford Field, right? I don't believe anything [[including it) across Gratiot from the Fail Jail is included. While it would be further away from the other CJ facilities than it currently is, it wouldn't be problematically far, either. A lot different from relocating to Mound Rd jail site.

**mikeg19** · November-02-17, 02:14 PM

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nb...eld/823112001/

SO if a MLS franchise would play out of Ford Field, what the hell is DG going to be building on the Gratiot Jail Site???? Did he realize that the land could be better utilized for retail/housing/hotel/office space? This should be an interesting development whenever we see what it'll be.

**Atticus** · November-02-17, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by mikeg19

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nb...eld/823112001/

SO if a MLS franchise would play out of Ford Field, what the hell is DG going to be building on the Gratiot Jail Site???? Did he realize that the land could be better utilized for retail/housing/hotel/office space? This should be an interesting development whenever we see what it'll be.

Maybe it is that DG realizes he could make more $ using the jail site for something else, or...

Or more likely Warren Evans and Wayne County couldn’t get their act together to make a decision, and with the MLS panel visiting this week DG needed a definitive stadium plan to present to the panel [[or else they would lose the MLS bid to other cities). So since DG could get a firm commitment from Ford Field, and with Wayne County still dragging their feet, they decided to go with FF.