Pro soccer coming to Detroit?

[emu steve]

Aside from disagreeing about the benefits* of game-generated foot traffic to bars, hotels, restaurants and casinos, Bham, I did not post that there was a lack of space in which to build a stadium. In keeping with my contention that it has ancillary benefits to the neighborhood, I think Detroit [[if we were to build a soccer stadium) would most benefit from having said stadium in the downtown/midtown area. In that core, there are few easily identified spaces fit for a stadium at this time. But if you contend that it really doesn't matter where you put it, you're right, there is no shortage of possible locations. Of course, this is all academic now, since a winning bid for us does not include a soccer stadium.

*I would say at least 30% of my income is derived of game-generated downtown patronage.

Good, so you speak from experience and not simply tossing out ideas which may or maybe not be valid and supported by 'data.'

[MikeyinBrooklyn]

Good, so you speak from experience and not simply tossing out ideas which may or maybe not be valid and supported by 'data.'

Economists speak from data. I speak on behalf of my bank account. Fuller when stadiums are full. And I am thoroughly enjoying LCA since the end of baseball season.

[Bham1982]

Good, so you speak from experience and not simply tossing out ideas which may or maybe not be valid and supported by 'data.'

Economists are pretty much unanimous that sports stadia do nothing for local economies. Households have X fixed spending for leisure, so you're just redirecting local dollars that otherwise would have been spent at the zoo, eating sushi or watching a movie. You can call it fakenews or whatever, but this the general conclusion.

[ABetterDetroit]

Economists are pretty much unanimous that sports stadia do nothing for local economies. Households have X fixed spending for leisure, so you're just redirecting local dollars that otherwise would have been spent at the zoo, eating sushi or watching a movie. You can call it fakenews or whatever, but this the general conclusion.

Well there you go, the “economists” have spoken.

I can’t believe you Mikey for competing for those dollars that would have gone to the zoo, sushi or movies... Have you no shame?

You should only be going for those NEW dollars that wouldn’t be going anywhere else and where exclusively manufactured just for you!

That’s what “economists” want apparently.

[emu steve]

Well there you go, the “economists” have spoken.

I can’t believe you Mikey for competing for those dollars that would have gone to the zoo, sushi or movies... Have you no shame?

You should only be going for those NEW dollars that wouldn’t be going anywhere else and where exclusively manufactured just for you!

That’s what “economists” want apparently.

The one thing about a new major professional sport that our friend, Bham, forgets it is a new 'industry.'

It brings in new fans, new this and that...

A Detroit soccer team might draw 400 - 450K during a regular season, including friendlies, playoffs, etc.

My guess, and I know little about soccer fandom, but many or most of those 400+K will not be fans drawn away from the Tigers [[those two sports share the same spring-fall season).

They will likely be fans who otherwise would not be sitting in a sports stadium.

[MikeyinBrooklyn]

emusteve, you are very correct in noting that there are fewer crossover fans between soccer than between the 4 other sports; there will be some fans that are only soccer fans, and not into one or more of the other 4. MLS also draws a younger [[although I hate the term, millennial is appropriate) adult crowd, and more families with kids. Because they play it, kids relate to it easily, and I think the average ticket price is lower than the average ticket price for the other 4 sports.

[MikeyinBrooklyn]

This is a very interesting SI article. In the third topic discussed, the author mentions that one of the 4 contending expansion cities might leapfrog Miami and begin play sooner. Miami, if you'll recall, was officially awarded a club 4 years ago [[to a David Beckham led ownership group), but has not been able to finalize plans [[they can start play elsewhere in Miami, but not until there is a business model, local co-owner and stadium plan in place for the long term). It has been assumed for the better part of a year that the team will miss the goal of starting play in 2019. Although the league is committed to keeping Miami in the fold and not revoking the franchise, it is a bold step to say that an expansion city could begin play sooner. Detroit, as both the bidders and league have previously noted, could absolutely begin play in 2019 at Ford Field, leaving Miami to take a later launch date. Very interesting indeed. Could it be that the switch to Ford Field was actually league-endorsed behind the scenes to keep the 2019 expansion on track? The commissioner said that it is "conceivable" that this would happen.

https://www.si.com/soccer/2017/12/08...-expansion-tam

[emu steve]

VERY interesting, Mikey.

And what it shows that even well informed public aren't really well informed [[if you get what I'm saying).

What happens behind scenes is so different than what is in the public.

[Hypestyles]

so if a soccer team were to come here--

what would be the name of the team? hopefully something with a cool mascot.

[MikeyinBrooklyn]

I have always favored the name "Arsenal Detroit". Arsenal is a historic European soccer name [[it is based in London). MLS has shown a liking for American versions of European soccer names [[Real Madrid/ Real Salt Lake, the various teams with FC or United in their names). Also, industrial America- a.k.a. Detroit- was the Arsenal of Democracy in 2 World Wars. So that gets my vote. If we ever had a women's team, I would call them the Riveters.

[EGrant]

I like Motor City FC, which I think has been rumored as a possibility.

[emu steve]

I like Motor City FC, which I think has been rumored as a possibility.

Sounds like a winner to me!!

Doesn't sound made up or tacky. It is unique, not an initiation of another existing name.

If I knew almost nothing about soccer I might guess it is soccer [['football club') and Detroit.

[MikeyinBrooklyn]

Detnews.com is now reporting MLS is now considering what I outlined more than a week ago: Detroit leapfrogs to 2019 in place of delayed Miami. Keeps league expansion on pace while keeping Miami in the fold. I bet Miami and Sacramento get 2020 slots, with Cincy and Nashville getting it in 2022. Columbus Crew moves to Austin. The league will expand further to 32 teams by 2028.

[EGrant]

Detnews.com is now reporting MLS is now considering what I outlined more than a week ago: Detroit leapfrogs to 2019 in place of delayed Miami. Keeps league expansion on pace while keeping Miami in the fold. I bet Miami and Sacramento get 2020 slots, with Cincy and Nashville getting it in 2022. Columbus Crew moves to Austin. The league will expand further to 32 teams by 2028.

Source: http://www.detroitnews.com/story/spo...ine/108629532/

[hybridy]

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...still-in-limbo

"Today, Major League Soccer's Board of Governors had a productive discussion about the bids from ownership groups representing Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville and Sacramento to become the next MLS expansion clubs. League officials and the MLS Expansion Committee will continue to work with the four finalists and plan to have more details shortly."

A message seeking clarification was left for a league spokesman. It's not immediately clear if expansion approval requires a simple or two-thirds majority of the board of governors. It's not known if any vote was taken Thursday.

[emu steve]

This article should be required reading for B'ham. It shows how sports can become a magnet which draws fans from near and far to the area.

Eighty five thousand at the Lions and college basketball doubleheader at LCA.

Also a Christmas show at the Fox.

I saw a shot of the Christmas scene in downtown Detroit during the Lions' game. Very impressive!!

[Detroitdave]

Someone here at work told me we got the ok to have a MLS franchise!
Is this true ?

[dtowncitylover]

Someone here at work told me we got the ok to have a MLS franchise!
Is this true ?

Freep is saying not today, but within the next few days.

[Detroitdave]

Ok thanks ! maybe my friend knows something we don't know ???? :-)
We can say it into being ! LOL

[MikeyinBrooklyn]

My hunch is the winning bidders are aware at this point. MLS has said the announcements will be made in the respective winning cities this week [[although they did not say by whom). Keep your eyes peeled for suddenly scheduled press conferences this week.

[ABetterDetroit]

My hunch is the winning bidders are aware at this point. MLS has said the announcements will be made in the respective winning cities this week [[although they did not say by whom). Keep your eyes peeled for suddenly scheduled press conferences this week.

Hope your predictions are correct on this Mikey. I already know several at work that are ready to plunk down cash for the season tickets.

[dtowncitylover]

Nashville has one.

[Bham1982]

This article should be required reading for B'ham. It shows how sports can become a magnet which draws fans from near and far to the area.

Thanks, but I'm well aware that an events venue can be a "magnet which draws fans". That's kinda the point, and the main reason they suck in terms of urbanism. Just drawing people doesn't create desirable urban form. Metro Airport draws tens of millions but doesn't exactly resemble Paris.

In any case, looks like Detroit dodged a bullet. Nashville and Sacramento are rumored winners, which make sense [[they both have planned stadia and are fast-growing markets with little sports competition).

[emu steve]

I'm waiting for Mikey's comments. He seems to have a good feel for this subject matter.

I guess there are 4 possible outcomes:

1). Gilbert, et. al. change their minds and opt to build a soccer stadium at the fail jail site.

2). MLS relents and eventually accepts Ford Field [[but not now). Maybe if MLS feels it is Motor City FC @ Ford Field or no Detroit soccer.

3). Gilbert, et. al decide to look for an alternative soccer-specific site.

4). Detroit kisses MLS good bye.

P.S. I have no problem with #3. Even though a soccer stadium at the fail jail site may sound enticing, I don't think it is the best usage of that land.

[Atticus]

Thanks, but I'm well aware that an events venue can be a "magnet which draws fans". That's kinda the point, and the main reason they suck in terms of urbanism. Just drawing people doesn't create desirable urban form. Metro Airport draws tens of millions but doesn't exactly resemble Paris.

In any case, looks like Detroit dodged a bullet. Nashville and Sacramento are rumored winners, which make sense [[they both have planned stadia and are fast-growing markets with little sports competition).

1- An MLS team would have been nice, but I don’t want millions of tax payer dollars spent on a new stadium that only gets used a handful of times a year. The money could be much better spent elsewhere.

2- I liked the Ford Field option. Yes it is a dome, on turf, and a little too big... all things soccer purists hate. But it has a great downtown location, and prevents the need to use other precious downtown real estate on a soccer stadium that is a dead zone 90% of the year.

3- Downtown wins either way, as it looks like the jail is going elsewhere, soccer team or not. Appreciate the efforts by Gilbert and crew in getting the jail relocated, and for spending the time and money to try for a team.

4- I really hope Detroit doesn’t go “back to the drawing board” and come back with a new tax payer funded soccer stadium. It’s not worth it. Detroit is better off without MLS if that is the expectation.