Chivas USA Eyeing Satellite Centers To Grow SoCal Fan Base

Chivas USA Feels Satellite Centers Would Help Increase Local Fan Base

MLS Chivas USA has approached California State Polytechnic Univ.-Pomona “about building a satellite center near the campus, a project that would bring [MLS] a step closer to the San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire,” according to Fred Robledo of the SAN GABRIEL VALLEY TRIBUNE. Chivas USA President Antonio Cue “acknowledged his club has discussed the satellite program with Cal Poly, but he adamantly denied that Chivas is interested in putting a stadium there — at least in the short term.” Cue: “Our intention is to stay at the Home Depot Center a long time.” But Javier Perez, a marketing consultant hired by the team, “thinks Chivas USA will ultimately want to have a stadium and the [school’s land] would be a prime spot.” Perez: “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that Chivas needs to build its own stadium to become profitable.” Robledo writes, “In the near term, Chivas USA will focus on boosting its Southern California fan base, which some say rivals that of the [Dodgers]. That means satellite centers.” The team has a similar arrangement with the Bell Gardens Sports Center, under which it holds first team and reserve team training sessions at the venue, as well as youth development tournaments (SAN GABRIEL VALLEY TRIBUNE, 10/16).