The group behind Detroit's MLS bid said that they "believe Ford Field offers more intimacy and better sightlines than some NFL stadiums that are venues for MLS franchises," according to Gregg Krupa of the DETROIT NEWS. The group on Thursday announced plans to shift towards Ford Field as the home for a prospective club and away from a soccer-specific stadium. Palace Sports & Entertainment Vice Chair Arn Tellem said, "To build another stadium in Detroit when we can better serve these facilities by maximizing their use, and when they are already perfectly situated, is not the right answer for Detroit and for its community and for the fans." But MLS Commissioner Don Garber and other league officials have "made plain ... that soccer-specific stadiums are their priority." Most of the 12 candidates for expansion cities in the MLS are "proposing to play in soccer specific stadiums." However, franchises are "playing with success and before large crowds, in mixed use stadiums" in Atlanta, Foxboro, N.Y. and Seattle. Architectural firm Rosetti has "developed a plan to make Ford Field a soccer venue." Tellem said that the entire soccer pitch, wider than an NFL field, will nonetheless fit into Ford Field." Tellem: "It has the perfect dimensions for the pitch. It’s an intimate setting. And it gives us the ability to adapt the stadium, because we do believe that Atlanta’s success is an excellent parallel, and is one that we look to, and that emerged over this past year as we were looking at other soccer teams that have done well. And Atlanta has." Krupa noted if substantial ownership groups "present a different option, especially if it controls the venue as Fords own Ford Field, MLS could make other considerations, as it did" when Atlanta United Owner Arthur Blank "approached them with his new NFL stadium" (DETROIT NEWS, 11/4).
ONLY THE ESSENTIALS: In Nashville, Joey Garrison noted Nashville Soccer Club Owner John Ingram is "calling plans for a 10-acre private development 'essential' to the overall project." In a letter to Nashville Vice Mayor David Briley, Ingram wrote, "We are very close to making history by bringing Major League Soccer to the Fairgrounds Nashville." He then "addressed plans under Mayor Megan Barry's proposal to give Ingram and the ownership group 10 acres of city-owned fairgrounds land for a mix-use development next to the stadium." Ingram, in his letter, added, "This is an essential part of our proposal in the private/public partnership. It provides an ability to ensure an amazing fan experience as well as provide amenities that would improve the overall experience and bring additional benefits to the neighborhood" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 11/5).
TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT? In Cincinnati, James Pilcher in a front-page piece writes FC Cincinnati owners are "bringing" $250M of their own cash, "big names from the area's business community and promises of economic benefits." However, they "won't share financial details of the team or the league -- even as they ask for taxpayer assistance." Meanwhile, interviews with sports business experts, observers and even league officials "paint a complicated picture of MLS’ current and future financial status." That future is "fraught with pitfalls such as a comparatively small TV deal, the risk of overexpansion and continued red ink." But the league "could also see a big payoff down the road." League officials are "bullish on the future, even though MLS hasn’t turned a profit in more than two decades." FC Cincinnati would "seem to be proof of soccer's potential." But the club's backers will "need to pay a steep" $150M entry fee if MLS selects FC Cincinnati to be one of two new expansion teams and $100M for a soccer-specific stadium, and "find a community to pony up the other half of the stadium cost." Despite the popularity of the team's current home, the Univ. of Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium, MLS is "insisting that all expansion teams commit to having soccer-specific stadiums" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 11/5).
