BearcatJerry
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Kinda OT: New shared Miami Hurricane/MLS Stadium
I thought this was interesting. In the past week there has been all sorts of speculation about a joint stadium project in Miami for a shared professional soccer/University of Miami FB stadium. It is interesting because it would be in the same basic seating capacity of the renovated Nippert Stadium (40-44k). Obviously there are numerous issues to be overcome, not the least of which (especially for a tropical Miami) is that professional soccer pitches are almost flat (whereas football fields are often crowned to assist in drainage) and I believe that MLS has a strong preference (maybe even a rule) about playing on natural grass as opposed to turf which might be an issue for a joint use FB field.
But the firm linkage with David Beckham in the project raises the stakes and makes it more than idle speculation.
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball...ll-stadium
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05-25-2015 11:35 AM |
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Bearcat Otto
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RE: Kinda OT: New shared Miami Hurricane/MLS Stadium
In the sandy soil of South FL it might not be neccesary to have such a crown in the field as water would soak in rather than run off.
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05-25-2015 02:41 PM |
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geef
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RE: Kinda OT: New shared Miami Hurricane/MLS Stadium
This seems like a smart move in terms of size and maximizing potentially, but it's potentially fraught. On the turf question, MLS highly recommends it, but they don't require it. Portland, in one of their hottest markets, plays on turf (due to drainage issues because of a creek that runs under their old stadium), but they're one of only a few exceptions.
This seems like an odd pairing. You would think that public money is going into this (something I'm not a fan of at all) and Miami is a private school. Add to that the past failure of MLS in Miami - one of the original franchises failed there - and it seems a bit shaky.
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05-26-2015 10:26 AM |
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Eastside_J
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RE: Kinda OT: New shared Miami Hurricane/MLS Stadium
(05-26-2015 10:26 AM)geef Wrote: This seems like a smart move in terms of size and maximizing potentially, but it's potentially fraught. On the turf question, MLS highly recommends it, but they don't require it. Portland, in one of their hottest markets, plays on turf (due to drainage issues because of a creek that runs under their old stadium), but they're one of only a few exceptions.
This seems like an odd pairing. You would think that public money is going into this (something I'm not a fan of at all) and Miami is a private school. Add to that the past failure of MLS in Miami - one of the original franchises failed there - and it seems a bit shaky.
Interesting about the turf thing. I would prefer grass too.
But I do think it is less of a concern now than with past generations of "turf" - the newest stuff is much more soft and forgiving than the old stuff.
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05-26-2015 12:55 PM |
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BeliefBlazer
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RE: Kinda OT: New shared Miami Hurricane/MLS Stadium
Portland, Seattle, Orlando, New England, and Vancouver all play on turf. Shouldn't be a roadblock for Miami.
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05-26-2015 01:32 PM |
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KnightLight
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RE: Kinda OT: New shared Miami Hurricane/MLS Stadium
Miami is basically stuck in Joe Robbie for another decade or two (by contract)...and they don't want to leave now because they will be earning more $$$ because the Dolphins owner is spending $400 Million of his own money on "another" complete stadium renovation (removing the multi-sport aspect of the stadium by moving stands closer to the field, major club upgrades, and of course, the giant shade panels that will cover the new stadium).
UM's seat capacity will be reduced to approx 55,000 (Dolphins capacity will be approx 65,000 or so...about 10,000 less then their old capacity).
Because Miami hasn't been a Top 10 (let alone National Championship program) in recent years, UM has been stuck with a lot more Noon and 3:30 pm kickoffs...which has killed their actual attendance at games...but the new shade panels, along with the upgraded clubs, new "living room suites, etc...should help their attendance come back and bring in new $$$ to the program.
David Beckham hasn't been successful finding private $$$ to build his MLS stadium so they are grasping at straws on how to find public $$$ to get it done and is trying to drag UM with them.
(This post was last modified: 05-27-2015 07:12 AM by KnightLight.)
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05-27-2015 07:11 AM |
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geef
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RE: Kinda OT: New shared Miami Hurricane/MLS Stadium
Thank you for sharing, Knight. That looks like a good solution, and a beautiful design. Stadium location and school size (the U is one of the smallest D1 schools) will remain huge challenges, but the redesign sounds like the best compromise.
I'm a big fan of MLS soccer and absolutely do not understand the league's obsession (well, I do - it's related to $) with trying to get into the Miami market, adding a second team to NY and LA, etc. The most successful franchises and rabid fan bases are in somewhat secondary markets like Portland, Seattle, Salt Lake, Kansas City, and Vancouver (Orlando has been a great new entry).
(05-27-2015 07:11 AM)KnightLight Wrote: Miami is basically stuck in Joe Robbie for another decade or two (by contract)...and they don't want to leave now because they will be earning more $$$ because the Dolphins owner is spending $400 Million of his own money on "another" complete stadium renovation (removing the multi-sport aspect of the stadium by moving stands closer to the field, major club upgrades, and of course, the giant shade panels that will cover the new stadium).
UM's seat capacity will be reduced to approx 55,000 (Dolphins capacity will be approx 65,000 or so...about 10,000 less then their old capacity).
Because Miami hasn't been a Top 10 (let alone National Championship program) in recent years, UM has been stuck with a lot more Noon and 3:30 pm kickoffs...which has killed their actual attendance at games...but the new shade panels, along with the upgraded clubs, new "living room suites, etc...should help their attendance come back and bring in new $$$ to the program.
David Beckham hasn't been successful finding private $$$ to build his MLS stadium so they are grasping at straws on how to find public $$$ to get it done and is trying to drag UM with them.
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05-27-2015 10:21 AM |
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