The unofficial online home for fans of the UAB Blazers. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

For those who haven’t been following the story, Nashville SC pulled every string and jumped through every hoop to get approval to build a soccer-specific stadium. It was ultimately approved by a 2:1 ratio in the Metro city council with who pays for each penny of the deal clearly stated. MLS has said they wouldn’t have granted a new team to Nashville without the stadium deal.

In between then and now a new mayor was elected. The Nov 2019 date to start construction came...and the went. He didn’t get the council to reconsider. He didn’t face off against Nashville SC & MLS in court. He just simply didn’t sign the documents necessary to start demolition. Then he brought NASCAR into the fray by opening discussions to upgrade the race track at the Fairgrounds to professional standards...upgrades that, not surprisingly, overlap with the plans for the soccer stadium. And he stalled the project long enough that an anti-soccer group could win their appeal to take MLS & the franchise to court over the land use.

He just did...nothing. Any one really just think the sudden issue of “# of home seats” was an honest design dispute? Just a reminder that nothing is done until it’s DONE and we can’t let the pressure ease off because “UAB fans got what we wanted.”


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(02-06-2020 11:15 AM)blazr Wrote:  For those who haven’t been following the story, Nashville SC pulled every string and jumped through every hoop to get approval to build a soccer-specific stadium. It was ultimately approved by a 2:1 ratio in the Metro city council with who pays for each penny of the deal clearly stated. MLS has said they wouldn’t have granted a new team to Nashville without the stadium deal.

In between then and now a new mayor was elected. The Nov 2019 date to start construction came...and the went. He didn’t get the council to reconsider. He didn’t face off against Nashville SC & MLS in court. He just simply didn’t sign the documents necessary to start demolition. Then he brought NASCAR into the fray by opening discussions to upgrade the race track at the Fairgrounds to professional standards...upgrades that, not surprisingly, overlap with the plans for the soccer stadium. And he stalled the project long enough that an anti-soccer group could win their appeal to take MLS & the franchise to court over the land use.

He just did...nothing. Any one really just think the sudden issue of “# of home seats” was an honest design dispute? Just a reminder that nothing is done until it’s DONE and we can’t let the pressure ease off because “UAB fans got what we wanted.”


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Maybe MLS will now pull Nashville's pro team over this and give it to the Birmingham Legion! Haha

(02-06-2020 11:36 AM)blazinrunner Wrote:  

(02-06-2020 11:15 AM)blazr Wrote:  For those who haven’t been following the story, Nashville SC pulled every string and jumped through every hoop to get approval to build a soccer-specific stadium. It was ultimately approved by a 2:1 ratio in the Metro city council with who pays for each penny of the deal clearly stated. MLS has said they wouldn’t have granted a new team to Nashville without the stadium deal.

In between then and now a new mayor was elected. The Nov 2019 date to start construction came...and the went. He didn’t get the council to reconsider. He didn’t face off against Nashville SC & MLS in court. He just simply didn’t sign the documents necessary to start demolition. Then he brought NASCAR into the fray by opening discussions to upgrade the race track at the Fairgrounds to professional standards...upgrades that, not surprisingly, overlap with the plans for the soccer stadium. And he stalled the project long enough that an anti-soccer group could win their appeal to take MLS & the franchise to court over the land use.

He just did...nothing. Any one really just think the sudden issue of “# of home seats” was an honest design dispute? Just a reminder that nothing is done until it’s DONE and we can’t let the pressure ease off because “UAB fans got what we wanted.”


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Maybe MLS will now pull Nashville's pro team over this and give it to the Birmingham Legion! Haha

If they do relocate the team it’s likely to be Sacramento unless they want to keep a team in the South with ATL in which case it would likely be Charlotte or perhaps Louisville.

Meanwhile, Nashville Metro will be facing a $1 billion lawsuit as a going away gift.


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(02-06-2020 11:36 AM)blazinrunner Wrote:  

(02-06-2020 11:15 AM)blazr Wrote:  For those who haven’t been following the story, Nashville SC pulled every string and jumped through every hoop to get approval to build a soccer-specific stadium. It was ultimately approved by a 2:1 ratio in the Metro city council with who pays for each penny of the deal clearly stated. MLS has said they wouldn’t have granted a new team to Nashville without the stadium deal.

In between then and now a new mayor was elected. The Nov 2019 date to start construction came...and the went. He didn’t get the council to reconsider. He didn’t face off against Nashville SC & MLS in court. He just simply didn’t sign the documents necessary to start demolition. Then he brought NASCAR into the fray by opening discussions to upgrade the race track at the Fairgrounds to professional standards...upgrades that, not surprisingly, overlap with the plans for the soccer stadium. And he stalled the project long enough that an anti-soccer group could win their appeal to take MLS & the franchise to court over the land use.

He just did...nothing. Any one really just think the sudden issue of “# of home seats” was an honest design dispute? Just a reminder that nothing is done until it’s DONE and we can’t let the pressure ease off because “UAB fans got what we wanted.”


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Maybe MLS will now pull Nashville's pro team over this and give it to the Birmingham Legion! Haha

Don't forget ATL United is in town Saturday.

Wow, I had no idea. Thanks for sharing. Very interesting.

As for Bham...I've settled that we're not getting an MLS club. Every other professional division in this country has ~30 teams, MLS will be right at that when Sacramento & St. Louis join in 2022.

(02-06-2020 02:52 PM)Auburn_Blazer Wrote:  Wow, I had no idea. Thanks for sharing. Very interesting.

As for Bham...I've settled that we're not getting an MLS club. Every other professional division in this country has ~30 teams, MLS will be right at that when Sacramento & St. Louis join in 2022.

Way to show your optimism, being that Bham has only had a club for one year. Lol

(02-06-2020 04:07 PM)mobileblazer Wrote:  

(02-06-2020 02:52 PM)Auburn_Blazer Wrote:  Wow, I had no idea. Thanks for sharing. Very interesting.

As for Bham...I've settled that we're not getting an MLS club. Every other professional division in this country has ~30 teams, MLS will be right at that when Sacramento & St. Louis join in 2022.

Way to show your optimism, being that Bham has only had a club for one year. Lol

Hey, I love the Legion, and I'm a season ticket holder. I sat through all of those rain games last season (which it seems like is going to happen this Saturday too). I just think this is the highest level they make it to since we know pro-rel won't happen in America. And that's something I'm totally fine with - being in the same level as Louisville, Memphis, Tampa, Indianapolis, etc. is awesome. I think it would be even better if USL is able to get the clubs like ATL2 to go down to its 2nd tier. All I'm trying to say is that I think the ship has sailed on getting an MLS club.

(02-06-2020 04:19 PM)Auburn_Blazer Wrote:  

(02-06-2020 04:07 PM)mobileblazer Wrote:  

(02-06-2020 02:52 PM)Auburn_Blazer Wrote:  Wow, I had no idea. Thanks for sharing. Very interesting.

As for Bham...I've settled that we're not getting an MLS club. Every other professional division in this country has ~30 teams, MLS will be right at that when Sacramento & St. Louis join in 2022.

Way to show your optimism, being that Bham has only had a club for one year. Lol

Hey, I love the Legion, and I'm a season ticket holder. I sat through all of those rain games last season (which it seems like is going to happen this Saturday too). I just think this is the highest level they make it to since we know pro-rel won't happen in America. And that's something I'm totally fine with - being in the same level as Louisville, Memphis, Tampa, Indianapolis, etc. is awesome. I think it would be even better if USL is able to get the clubs like ATL2 to go down to its 2nd tier. All I'm trying to say is that I think the ship has sailed on getting an MLS club.

+1 Really wish the MLS 2 teams were in a different league. Can't wait for the new season to kick off!

My main point wasn’t really about the Nashville stadium. It’s what can happen when you are certain things have gone your way (and I mean “signed contract that will get the other side absolutely raped in a lawsuit” certain) so you don’t pay attention (e.g., we are certain the stadium is going to happen and that UAB football is safe because of that). This is one guy with power (*cough* Fess and many others *cough*) single-handedly stopping a project he hates and delaying it long enough to get NASCAR (something he loves) in the discussion. The single-handedly is likely illegal, but it accomplishes what he wants by delaying the deal. BTW, the stadium is to be paid for fully by the ownership group...the city only has to issue bonds to cover the up-front costs, then ownership satisfies those bonds within a specific timeframe.

Also goes for continuing to go to games (basketball, too) and donating. #FreeUAB is still a thing that needs to be constantly kept alive. Yeah, I’m butthurt about Nashville. But all that **** can’t help but remind me of our ordeal.


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A helluva job has been done just to get the Legion this far. They are basically trying to grow a garden in a desert. Birmingham may be the worst market (of similar size or larger) in the US for soccer. It is as far as TV ratings.

I just wish the bottom hadn't dropped out of our men's soccer program at UAB before we had this amazing facility available.

(02-07-2020 06:13 AM)blazr Wrote:  My main point wasn’t really about the Nashville stadium. It’s what can happen when you are certain things have gone your way (and I mean “signed contract that will get the other side absolutely raped in a lawsuit” certain) so you don’t pay attention (e.g., we are certain the stadium is going to happen and that UAB football is safe because of that). This is one guy with power (*cough* Fess and many others *cough*) single-handedly stopping a project he hates and delaying it long enough to get NASCAR (something he loves) in the discussion. The single-handedly is likely illegal, but it accomplishes what he wants by delaying the deal. BTW, the stadium is to be paid for fully by the ownership group...the city only has to issue bonds to cover the up-front costs, then ownership satisfies those bonds within a specific timeframe.

Also goes for continuing to go to games (basketball, too) and donating. #FreeUAB is still a thing that needs to be constantly kept alive. Yeah, I’m butthurt about Nashville. But all that **** can’t help but remind me of our ordeal.


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Excellent point

(02-06-2020 11:15 AM)blazr Wrote:  He just did...nothing. Any one really just think the sudden issue of “# of home seats” was an honest design dispute? Just a reminder that nothing is done until it’s DONE and we can’t let the pressure ease off because “UAB fans got what we wanted.”


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Actually I do KNOW it was a design dispute because I spent more than six months listening to the person behind it ***** about the design and about his attempts to change it before it went public.

(02-07-2020 06:21 AM)BlazerGreen Wrote:  A helluva job has been done just to get the Legion this far. They are basically trying to grow a garden in a desert. Birmingham may be the worst market (of similar size or larger) in the US for soccer. It is as far as TV ratings.

I just wish the bottom hadn't dropped out of our men's soccer program at UAB before we had this amazing facility available.

Soccer TV ratings in the US isn't great period, even for the MLS. I think the marketing focus for the Legion should be directed at the community level.

(02-07-2020 12:21 PM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  

(02-07-2020 06:21 AM)BlazerGreen Wrote:  A helluva job has been done just to get the Legion this far. They are basically trying to grow a garden in a desert. Birmingham may be the worst market (of similar size or larger) in the US for soccer. It is as far as TV ratings.

I just wish the bottom hadn't dropped out of our men's soccer program at UAB before we had this amazing facility available.

Soccer TV ratings in the US isn't great period, even for the MLS. I think the marketing focus for the Legion should be directed at the community level.

They've done an excellent job getting involved in the local youth soccer club scene. I'd like to see the Legion/UAB/BBVA Field go after the high school soccer Final Four. Get in the rotation with Huntsville and Montgomery. Be a great way to showcase the stadium and our campus.

(02-07-2020 12:38 PM)BlazerGreen Wrote:  

(02-07-2020 12:21 PM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  

(02-07-2020 06:21 AM)BlazerGreen Wrote:  A helluva job has been done just to get the Legion this far. They are basically trying to grow a garden in a desert. Birmingham may be the worst market (of similar size or larger) in the US for soccer. It is as far as TV ratings.

I just wish the bottom hadn't dropped out of our men's soccer program at UAB before we had this amazing facility available.

Soccer TV ratings in the US isn't great period, even for the MLS. I think the marketing focus for the Legion should be directed at the community level.

They've done an excellent job getting involved in the local youth soccer club scene. I'd like to see the Legion/UAB/BBVA Field go after the high school soccer Final Four. Get in the rotation with Huntsville and Montgomery. Be a great way to showcase the stadium and our campus.

Excellent idea!

Tomorrow's preseason match against MLS Atlanta United is sold out!

Sold Out!

(02-07-2020 06:13 AM)blazr Wrote:  Also goes for continuing to go to games (basketball, too) and donating. #FreeUAB is still a thing that needs to be constantly kept alive. Yeah, I’m butthurt about Nashville. But all that **** can’t help but remind me of our ordeal.

Reports of irony's death appear to be greatly exaggerated.

(02-07-2020 05:22 PM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  Tomorrow's preseason match against MLS Atlanta United is sold out!

Sold Out!

Making limited number of SRO tickets available...

(02-07-2020 06:13 AM)blazr Wrote:  Also goes for continuing to go to games (basketball, too) and donating. #FreeUAB is still a thing that needs to be constantly kept alive. Yeah, I’m butthurt about Nashville. But all that **** can’t help but remind me of our ordeal.
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Finis is the Chancellor and Watts is still UAB's President. Make up of the BOT hasn't changed. Go ask the sycophants at the UAB National Alumni Society about their plans for an independent UAB BOT.

#FreeUAB is as dead as a ******* door nail.

(02-07-2020 06:12 PM)58-56 Wrote:  

(02-07-2020 06:13 AM)blazr Wrote:  Also goes for continuing to go to games (basketball, too) and donating. #FreeUAB is still a thing that needs to be constantly kept alive. Yeah, I’m butthurt about Nashville. But all that **** can’t help but remind me of our ordeal.

Reports of irony's death appear to be greatly exaggerated.

I know. I'm chastened and embarrassed. What do you want me to do?