After MLS visited for the Gold Cup matches this summer (drew around 48k), and stadium deals in Charlotte and St. Louis fell apart around the same time, word is if Nashville approves the stadium then one of the slot in MLS is theirs. Interesting look at what $250m will buy and land is a lot more around here with it being one of the top 10 fastest growing cities in the US...

Nashville mayor unveils $250m proposal for MLS-specific stadium

clt says good luck with that.

I'm glad Charlotte balked at spending big money for mls. Would be nice to have a team, but I'm tired of cities footing the bill for stuff like this.

$250 million can buy hundreds of miles of greenway or parks that the whole city can use for free.

It can build a lot of housing for the homeless or fund training initiatives to get people to work.

And that's just assuming you have to spend that money, which you dont

90% of the funding will come from private sources

http://wkrn.com/2017/10/02/new-plan-for-...e-sources/

(10-03-2017 07:11 AM)Niner National Wrote:  I'm glad Charlotte balked at spending big money for mls. Would be nice to have a team, but I'm tired of cities footing the bill for stuff like this.

$250 million can buy hundreds of miles of greenway or parks that the whole city can use for free.

It can build a lot of housing for the homeless or fund training initiatives to get people to work.

And that's just assuming you have to spend that money, which you dont

As topper pointed out, the private ownership group, that owns the Soccer Club and is heading the MLS push, will fund the bulk of the stadium. The city is floating the bonds and only if/when MLS grants Nashville a team.

Looks like Nashville wants to steal that team offer from St. Louis.. I think everyone here thought that new MLS team was going to be a lock, and it hasn't been as easy as they hoped.

Yep city isn't paying for it at all. Pretty much it only pays for it via a tax on each ticket.

(10-03-2017 03:18 AM)blazr Wrote:  After MLS visited for the Gold Cup matches this summer (drew around 48k), and stadium deals in Charlotte and St. Louis fell apart around the same time, word is if Nashville approves the stadium then one of the slot in MLS is theirs. Interesting look at what $250m will buy and land is a lot more around here with it being one of the top 10 fastest growing cities in the US...

Nashville mayor unveils $250m proposal for MLS-specific stadium

I hope we get the team although I personally have zero interest in soccer.

There's some serious competition for Nashville's bid with cities like Sacramento, Cincinnati and Detroit. Sac and Cincy already have proven fan bases not just one game Gold Cup match where people showed up for. MLS states they'll announce 2 new teams in December. I obviously think it should go to Cincinnati over Nashville. We have a stadium plan in place, powerful ownership group and already average 20,000+ fans a match, which more than all but 6 MLS team.

See-> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZF0A0HUitk

(10-03-2017 08:40 AM)CincyDave Wrote:  There's some serious competition for Nashville's bid with cities like Sacramento, Cincinnati and Detroit. Sac and Cincy already have proven fan bases not just one game Gold Cup match where people showed up for. MLS states they'll announce 2 new teams in December. I obviously think it should go to Cincinnati over Nashville. We have a stadium plan in place, powerful ownership group and already average 20,000+ fans a match, which more than all but 6 MLS team.

See-> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZF0A0HUitk

There is a lot of competition, but Nashville is checking all the boxes put in front of us. Having the Stanley Cup hit town didn't hurt either. BTW, the Gold Cup is just the only regulation match. There have been multiple friendlies with the Nats, other international teams (mostly Mexico), and preseason warmups for EPL teams and the like.

(10-03-2017 09:32 AM)blazr Wrote:  

(10-03-2017 08:40 AM)CincyDave Wrote:  There's some serious competition for Nashville's bid with cities like Sacramento, Cincinnati and Detroit. Sac and Cincy already have proven fan bases not just one game Gold Cup match where people showed up for. MLS states they'll announce 2 new teams in December. I obviously think it should go to Cincinnati over Nashville. We have a stadium plan in place, powerful ownership group and already average 20,000+ fans a match, which more than all but 6 MLS team.

See-> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZF0A0HUitk

There is a lot of competition, but Nashville is checking all the boxes put in front of us. Having the Stanley Cup hit town didn't hurt either. BTW, the Gold Cup is just the only regulation match. There have been multiple friendlies with the Nats, other international teams (mostly Mexico), and preseason warmups for EPL teams and the like.

Nashville's got a strong bid, but again having a few matches like that isn't that impressive. More impressive is the media market, geographic location and population growth. Cincinnati hosted a EPL team last year, La Liga team this year and just had a USWNT match. My point is Cincy and Sac have teams with proven fan bases. We have 20,000+ average this year for our USL team and Sac sells out every match in their 10,000+ stadium.

I'll be pissed if Nashville gets a bid over SA.

I've always been a bandwagon Soccer fan (World Cup, Olympics). But damn since the United debuted here in Atlanta this season, they have become a must watch team for me. I went to a game back in July at Georgia Tech's stadium before the new MB Stadium was finished. It was a non stop party. True Soccer fans are so knowledge and passionate.

I had heard that Charlotte was a slam dunk to land a franchise. Could they not reach a deal to use BOA Stadium, or are they worried that it would put to much stress on the turf? I'm guessing that Memorial Stadium where the old Carolina Lightin' played back in the 80's is no longer up to professional standards?

Man, I was really hoping my Indy 11 would get the bump up to the big leagues

Louisville isn't in the bidding for this round of expansion, but they're definitely getting geared up for a possible bid in the future:
http://www.courier-journal.com/story/new...693051001/

I guess I am old, I just do not get the draw for soccer.... but I do get into the WOrld Cup and would be awesome if Nashville hosts and I can attend a World Cup game...

(10-03-2017 08:10 AM)DaSaintFan Wrote:  Looks like Nashville wants to steal that team offer from St. Louis.. I think everyone here thought that new MLS team was going to be a lock, and it hasn't been as easy as they hoped.

There's nothing to be "stolen", Nashville and St. Louis are just two cities among twelve, bidding for four expansion spots.

St. Louis should have top flight soccer, but if other cities show they want it more, St. Louis can't just expect to have it given to them based on the notion that it's a soccer hotbed.

(10-03-2017 11:15 AM)Herd-in-ATL Wrote:  I've always been a bandwagon Soccer fan (World Cup, Olympics). But damn since the United debuted here in Atlanta this season, they have become a must watch team for me. I went to a game back in July at Georgia Tech's stadium before the new MB Stadium was finished. It was a non stop party. True Soccer fans are so knowledge and passionate.

I had heard that Charlotte was a slam dunk to land a franchise. Could they not reach a deal to use BOA Stadium, or are they worried that it would put to much stress on the turf? I'm guessing that Memorial Stadium where the old Carolina Lightin' played back in the 80's is no longer up to professional standards?

MLS is demanding soccer-specific facilities now. Atlanta got approval for MB because it can be adapted so much and Arthur Blank owns both United and the Falcons.

(10-03-2017 11:15 AM)Herd-in-ATL Wrote:  I've always been a bandwagon Soccer fan (World Cup, Olympics). But damn since the United debuted here in Atlanta this season, they have become a must watch team for me. I went to a game back in July at Georgia Tech's stadium before the new MB Stadium was finished. It was a non stop party. True Soccer fans are so knowledge and passionate.

I had heard that Charlotte was a slam dunk to land a franchise. Could they not reach a deal to use BOA Stadium, or are they worried that it would put to much stress on the turf? I'm guessing that Memorial Stadium where the old Carolina Lightin' played back in the 80's is no longer up to professional standards?

clt says the bid is being impacted by last year's riots.

(10-03-2017 10:21 AM)correcamino Wrote:  I'll be pissed if Nashville gets a bid over SA.

I thought SA was in pretty solid standing with their ownership group.

Though I have to imagine there'd be a lot of confused fans if the San Antonio MLS club were to host Tottenham in a friendly.