In Minneapolis, Nick Halter noted Minnesota United is set to play its first match at Allianz Field this spring, but a "shiny new facility doesn't mean big profits." Minnesota United Owner Bill McGuire said that the average ticket for a game at the new facility will "cost one-third to one-half that of the other major pro sports teams in town." However, McGuire also said that he and his investors have already spent $350M on the team, $150M for the MLS expansion fee and $200M for the stadium. McGuire: "Somewhere there is a lot of debt." He added that ticket sales, concessions revenue and sponsorships "aren't enough to cover debt payments and operating expenses." McGuire said, "When there's not enough TV coverage -- a big TV contract like the NBA or NFL -- these things operate in a deficit" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 2/15).
HOLLYWOOD NIGHTS: PRO SOCCER USA's Brittany Pergl noted the Galaxy unveiled their Night Navy kit Sunday, which will "feature all five stars above the team's crest, one for each of the club's MLS Cup wins" (PROSOCCERUSA.com, 2/18).
SOUNDING OFF: The Sounders announced a "season-long campaign to celebrate their 10 seasons as an MLS franchise." In Tacoma, Andrew Hammond noted as part of the celebration, the Sounders will have two video series that will "go in-depth to their 10-year history," and fans, media members and stakeholders will have a "chance to pick their 'Best XI' over the last 10 seasons of Sounders soccer" (Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE, 2/19).
