d-usa
04-15-2016, 03:31 PM
MAPS would probably be the best way of paying for a stadium, and then it can be leased to an MLS team while also being available for additional events like concerts and high school soccer & football games.
View Full Version : Rayo OKC d-usa 04-15-2016, 03:31 PM MAPS would probably be the best way of paying for a stadium, and then it can be leased to an MLS team while also being available for additional events like concerts and high school soccer & football games. Laramie 04-15-2016, 06:47 PM Oklahoma City could use a soccer & American football stadium. It wouldn't be built exclusively for a soccer team--there are a number of events which could be staged if we had a stadium seating in excess of 20,000. It does help to have an anchor tenant sign on long-term to help with costs and upkeep. If the city builds it; as they did for AAA baseball (The Brick) & NBA basketball (The Peake); then it could be used for other events/purposes--what's the difference? Did our PCL AAA baseball & NBA major league basketball franchises shell out money to build a stadium or arena? Our NBA franchise helps brand the city's name; add to its quality of life and places our city among 30 unique cities in the United States & North America. We're the 41st largest metro area in the U. S., we're very fortunate to have a major league franchise call our city home. A number of cities are ready and willing to provide an arena for an NBA franchise: Louisville, Anaheim, Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Kansas City (rent free), Vancouver, Mexico City & Seattle (ready to build). Professional soccer is gaining popularity as a spectator sport in the United States & North America. The MLS model isn't on par with the NBA when you look at profit sharing. Leagues like the MLS & NBA that have national television contracts provide an invaluable source to promote its member cities through television exposure. We're not a big city like New York, Los Angeles or Chicago where teams are dying to get into their markets; however, we've proved to be one of the more profitable 'small-market cities' in the NBA. Now, do I believe that we're on the MLS' current radar, NO! Could we obtain an MLS franchise--it's a long-long shot. d-usa 04-15-2016, 07:11 PM I know that MLS is a big proponent of soccer specific stadiums, but I think Atlanta is one of the new markets that is building a combination stadium. I just don't know if we would have the numbers to support the need for an NFL sized stadium. But I do think we could approach this similar to the way we did with the Peake and the way that San Antonio build their soccer stadium. Use MAPS to build a stadium, would be great if it could go into the producers coop near Bricktown, and build it as a very solid stadium for a USL/NASL team and it would be a great venue for secondary uses: state football championships, motocross, concerts, etc. And like the Peake and SA it can be build with expansion in mind so that it would be easy to maximize the impact for an MLS bid in the future. Laramie 04-15-2016, 07:18 PM Build a stadium with an initial 12,000 seat capacity--capable of expansion. The NASL Rayo OKC would be quick to call the core of OKC home. gopokes88 04-15-2016, 07:29 PM I am in the minority but I still don't think OKC should try for MLS. It's not the best players in the world and I don't think we should spend a ton of taxpayer money on a stadium for them. If the owners want it they should have to fork over the majority of the costs. For now, but that will change in time. No one can compete with American cash once we get going. The total premiere league payroll just hit ~1.5 billion a year, (or one billion pounds) the nfl is at 5 billion and we have 3 other professional sports league plus college bball and football. If Americans embrace soccer, all signs point to yes, we won't be down for long. The cash will roll in and we'll attract the best in the world like we do in everything else. dankrutka 04-15-2016, 10:48 PM Build a stadium with an initial 12,000 seat capacity--capable of expansion. The NASL Rayo OKC would be quick to call the core of OKC home. Yep. It wouldn't hurt to build a stadium that has an expansion plan because an 8-10,000 seat stadium is all that is needed now, but if it's built with the plan to double in size, that could meet present and future needs. borchard 04-18-2016, 11:36 AM I know @Laramie had posted it before. But look at what Sac Republic did. They initially built an 8,000 seat stadium for like $3,000,000. Last year they expanded it to 11,000,000. Now, people will say it's only a "temporary" stadium. But so what? They fill it to capacity and they even hosted the US Rugby team at it. I would LOVE to have a "temporary" stadium like they have for that little money. d-usa 04-18-2016, 11:54 AM I know @Laramie had posted it before. But look at what Sac Republic did. They initially built an 8,000 seat stadium for like $3,000,000. Last year they expanded it to 11,000,000. Now, people will say it's only a "temporary" stadium. But so what? They fill it to capacity and they even hosted the US Rugby team at it. I would LOVE to have a "temporary" stadium like they have for that little money. If Rayo or the Energy want to spend $3,000,000 and build a temporary stadium, then pay to expand the temporary stadium, then pay to build a bigger permanent stadium somewhere else, then more power to them. If Oklahoma City wants to build a stadium, using MAPS money or otherwise, then they should begin by building a permanent stadium at the permanent location instead of wasting money on a temporary stadium. Laramie 04-19-2016, 11:49 AM Sacramento: http://www.sacbee.com/sports/mls/59ec2h/picture47250585/ALTERNATES/FREE_640/IMG_RepublicStadium1_9_1_VK5IHONR_L149391920 Tower Bridge members will be provided with a pulley system for hoisting banners, an exclusive entrance into the 25,000-seat stadium and their own “beer hall” concession area, said Gerardo Prado, sports group director at HNTB in Kansas City, Kan., the stadium’s architect. Prado said the stadium will also feature a setup for battalion members to launch artificial fog. Thinking big: Sacramento Republic FC updates stadium drawings | The Sacramento Bee (http://www.sacbee.com/sports/mls/article71623112.html) Oklahoma City isn't on the MLS radar; MLS expansion now target metro areas with around 2 million MSA populations. jerrywall 04-19-2016, 12:01 PM I think we're at least a decade away. We have a surprisingly decent soccer culture, but between the two teams we're still drawing a total of less than 14k. With a professional stadium we might draw a bit more, but not the 20k or so we'd need to draw to support MLS. I absolutely believe we COULD support MLS eventually though. dankrutka 04-19-2016, 12:41 PM I think we're at least a decade away. We have a surprisingly decent soccer culture, but between the two teams we're still drawing a total of less than 14k. With a professional stadium we might draw a bit more, but not the 20k or so we'd need to draw to support MLS. I absolutely believe we COULD support MLS eventually though. Why do you think OKC would see less than a 50% increase in overall attendance if they moved from minor league soccer to major league soccer? I actually think OKC could support a team in terms of attendance currently. It's just getting everything into place from corporate support to a stadium that would be more difficult in my opinion. borchard 04-20-2016, 12:01 PM I left the court hearing in El Reno regarding the sale of 3.2 beer at Ray OKC games a little while ago. When I left they were still taking testimony. As soon as I hear what the decision is I'll post it here. One thing that I thought was particularly ridiculous was when the sheriff's attorney made his opening statement and said they were afraid that by selling 3.2 beer at the games that Miller Stadium "would become just another Speakeasy"....:wink: borchard 04-20-2016, 12:18 PM If Rayo or the Energy want to spend $3,000,000 and build a temporary stadium, then pay to expand the temporary stadium, then pay to build a bigger permanent stadium somewhere else, then more power to them. If Oklahoma City wants to build a stadium, using MAPS money or otherwise, then they should begin by building a permanent stadium at the permanent location instead of wasting money on a temporary stadium. Bonney Field was an approximately $3 million privately funded facility. It was a collaboration among Ovations Food Service, Republic FC and Cal Expo fairgrounds. d-usa 04-20-2016, 01:56 PM We are halfway through the week, so the big reveal by the El Reno Newspaper should be coming any time now. OKCretro 04-20-2016, 02:32 PM the tweets about the hearing are amazing. Sheriff's side didn't even know that OU and OSU sell beer at football games..... feel like I am reading tweets from the "footloose" movie jerrywall 04-20-2016, 02:42 PM the tweets about the hearing are amazing. Sheriff's side didn't even know that OU and OSU sell beer at football games..... Unless they've changed they only "sort of" sell beer. Not to the general public, but only to the folks in the VIP/Suites sections. jerrywall 04-20-2016, 02:51 PM I thought this tweet was interesting - Canadian Co. clerk says her office received 103 protests to Rayo's beer permit, setting a record during her time in office. jerrywall 04-20-2016, 03:04 PM No surprise here - Judge rules in favor of Rayo, grants their request to sell beer on April 30. Team will have to apply again for future games. OKCretro 04-20-2016, 03:06 PM ^ At OU, they don't sell beer to anyone, including the club and suite levels. The suites can have beer and other alcohol but it's not being sold per se. unless this is a brand new law/rule in the last few weeks... I bought several beers in the club level during the Iowa state game last year. Saw several pictures on instagram at the OU spring game of people in the club level drinking bought beer as well OKCretro 04-20-2016, 03:08 PM I thought this tweet was interesting - yes i wonder if they will release the names of the people 103 people who were protesting. Were they actual residents of Canadian Co.? Pete 04-20-2016, 03:12 PM unless this is a brand new law/rule in the last few weeks... I bought several beers in the club level during the Iowa state game last year. Saw several pictures on instagram at the OU spring game of people in the club level drinking bought beer as well Yes, I was wrong. They initially tried to sell beer at the club level, then the Borens had it removed, and just learned it was brought back 3 years ago. jerrywall 04-20-2016, 03:14 PM yes i wonder if they will release the names of the people 103 people who were protesting. Were they actual residents of Canadian Co.? Of course not. I'm sure all 103 complaints were sent in personally by Bob Funk, Jr., accompanied with a $100 bill and sealed with a wax seal with the secret sports illuminati logo. The also contained instructions for the special incantations to cast a curse on any judges who don't go along with the orders... so this judge today better be careful. I mean, I'm not making accusations, but the rumors are out there. There's going to be an explosive article any time. :P OKCretro 04-20-2016, 03:25 PM Yes, I was wrong. They initially tried to sell beer at the club level, then the Borens had it removed, and just learned it was brought back 3 years ago. Yea they only sell it in the club level on the east side. I believe in the new south end zone they will as well. About 7 or 8 years ago they sold it on the west side in the Santee lounge. After 1 game it was removed. i think the issue with selling in the santee lounge is that their is access for people who don't sit up there. where on the east side its completed cut off from all other parts of the stadium. OKCretro 04-20-2016, 03:25 PM Of course not. I'm sure all 103 complaints were sent in personally by Bob Funk, Jr., accompanied with a $100 bill and sealed with a wax seal with the secret sports illuminati logo. The also contained instructions for the special incantations to cast a curse on any judges who don't go along with the orders... so this judge today better be careful. I mean, I'm not making accusations, but the rumors are out there. There's going to be an explosive article any time. :P glad you saw where I was going with it..... borchard 04-20-2016, 04:38 PM In honor of Sheriff Edwards, my friends at Scissortail Tees have designed a commemorative shirt :-) 12520 You an purchase it at https://teespring.com/speakeasy-fc jerrywall 04-20-2016, 04:46 PM They need to play "Footloose" at the next game.. borchard 04-20-2016, 04:50 PM 12522 Glad to see he made us a NATIONAL joke, instead of just a local one. Hey, anything worth doing, right? jerrywall 04-20-2016, 05:53 PM Oof. Holy IP batman! Sending that link to Jeff Smith. Jersey Boss 04-20-2016, 09:06 PM Miller Stadium "would become just another Speakeasy"....:wink: "Pssst, Pele' sent me" Bob Loblaw 04-20-2016, 09:49 PM It will be very interesting to see if this is a deal where Rayo won the battle but not the war. Regardless, I suspect there will be a lot of post-game check points near the stadium in the days ahead as well as some underage patrons trying to purchase beer on behalf of the CCSO. bradh 04-20-2016, 10:29 PM That's pretty bush league if true. I am glad as an Energy fan that Oklahoma County has other things to worry about Laramie 04-20-2016, 11:00 PM Rayo OKC may want to look at temporary use of the Bricktown Ballpark for 2017 (similar to the USL Roughnecks at ONEOK Park in Tulsa) until our city can build some kind of city owned & operated soccer/American football (multipurpose) stadium. The Dodgers have exclusive rights for scheduling at The Brick. The Tulsa 'AA' Texas League Drillers share ONEOK Park (baseball specific) stadium in T-town with the USL Roughnecks--their teams co-exist. Don't know if some kind of agreement could be reached; however it can't hurt to inquire. This could be a temporary home. Bricktown IMO provides a better environment for spectator sports with its restaurants, shops and canal front. There's land on the riverfront where a venue could be built. Our city needs a stadium with a 10,000 minimum seating capacity with room for future expansion. borchard 04-21-2016, 07:00 AM Rayo OKC may want to look at temporary use of the Bricktown Ballpark for 2017 (similar to the USL Roughnecks at ONEOK Park in Tulsa) until our city can build some kind of city owned & operated soccer/American football (multipurpose) stadium. The Dodgers have exclusive rights for scheduling at The Brick. The Tulsa 'AA' Texas League Drillers share ONEOK Park (baseball specific) stadium in T-town with the USL Roughnecks--their teams co-exist. Don't know if some kind of agreement could be reached; however it can't hurt to inquire. This could be a temporary home. Bricktown IMO provides a better environment for spectator sports with its restaurants, shops and canal front. There's land on the riverfront where a venue could be built. Our city needs a stadium with a 10,000 minimum seating capacity with room for future expansion. I've said many times that I would love it if they could play there. From what I've heard from the owners that might not be possible? IF it WAS possible, I think it would only work if they could place the field down the left field line, close to the grandstand. Ive heard that in Tulsa the field starts on the OTHER side of the Pitcher's mound? The baseball team did not want the mound to have to be taken out, put back (repeat) all season long. But that puts the field a long way away from the stands and doesnt really create good sight lines. borchard 04-21-2016, 07:18 AM Just saw this on Dredd77.com. Apparently Louisville City was SO successful at the gate in USL last year that their front office has decided to clamp down on the Supporter's Group 12523 But it's not just them. Louisville SG traveled to Cincinnati for one of their last games, but were told by Cincy's FO that they couldn't bring drums, or bullhorns, or BANNERS?! The Rayo OKC FO has been outstanding to work with. The SG for Indy Eleven is coming to the game here on April 30 and they were told that they are more than welcome to bring their drums and banners and bullhorns. bradh 04-21-2016, 07:49 AM St. Louis supporters were strong with drums at the Energy game two weeks ago (and certainly did NOT drown out the Grid as you tried to imply). Looks like YMMV depending on USL stadium. Doesn't appear to be an issue in OKC though. d-usa 04-21-2016, 08:04 AM Maybe The El Reno newspaper will do a cover story on the sorry state of affairs for USL supporters after they finally publish the big story on minor league soccer team owners and their corruption of local elected county officials? borchard 04-21-2016, 08:57 AM Maybe The El Reno newspaper will do a cover story on the sorry state of affairs for USL supporters after they finally publish the big story on minor league soccer team owners and their corruption of local elected county officials? You know, I just told you what I had heard. That's one of the purposes for a forum, right? To share information. Why they haven't published the story that I HEARD they were going to, I don't know. I don't work for the paper. I don't work for the team. I guess I was wrong. There, Are you happy now? I'm just happy they can sell beer at the next game. jerrywall 04-21-2016, 08:57 AM Rayo OKC may want to look at temporary use of the Bricktown Ballpark for 2017 (similar to the USL Roughnecks at ONEOK Park in Tulsa) until our city can build some kind of city owned & operated soccer/American football (multipurpose) stadium. The Dodgers have exclusive rights for scheduling at The Brick. The Tulsa 'AA' Texas League Drillers share ONEOK Park (baseball specific) stadium in T-town with the USL Roughnecks--their teams co-exist. Don't know if some kind of agreement could be reached; however it can't hurt to inquire. This could be a temporary home. Bricktown IMO provides a better environment for spectator sports with its restaurants, shops and canal front. There's land on the riverfront where a venue could be built. Our city needs a stadium with a 10,000 minimum seating capacity with room for future expansion. This idea has been floated in the past, and poo-pooed here... but I believe the ballpark would be a fine venue for a soccer team (at least on a temporary basis). But it would definitely increase visibility, and attendance, for either of our soccer teams. AP 04-21-2016, 09:04 AM In my mind it would decrease attendance... I would stop going to games if the Energy moved there. A baseball stadium is a horrible venue for soccer. borchard 04-21-2016, 09:08 AM St. Louis supporters were strong with drums at the Energy game two weeks ago (and certainly did NOT drown out the Grid as you tried to imply). Looks like YMMV depending on USL stadium. Doesn't appear to be an issue in OKC though. Are you referring to this quote from @RetroOKC on the Energy2016 Thread? From the pictures I have seen actual attendance looked about half of that. Also have seen tweets that the 50 from St. Louis were louder than the Grid. First all, I'm not RetroOKC. Second of all, I will NOT troll on their forum, as you seem to want to do on this one. kwhey 04-21-2016, 09:09 AM Soccer in a baseball stadium sucks. d-usa 04-21-2016, 09:27 AM You know, I just told you what I had heard. That's one of the purposes for a forum, right? To share information. Why they haven't published the story that I HEARD they were going to, I don't know. I don't work for the paper. I don't work for the team. I guess I was wrong. There, Are you happy now? I'm just happy they can sell beer at the next game. If you are going to these claims and suggestions, even before the first mention of newspaper articles one might add: "That begs the question then, WHOSE opinion was behind this?" "Funny how they arent letting them until AFTER both teams play on the same night." "One of my sources has told me that the El Reno Tribune will do a front-page piece on this in the next week. " "I have no idea if they are soccer fans, but I DO think they are fans of money, coming from the person(s) who first put the bug in their ear. I want to see this El Reno paper article." "I wouldn't even posit this as a possibility if there wasn't a history/pattern of under-handed, smarmy behavior by the ownership group in the past." "So even if it WAS under-handed, it had no effect. " "He can't allow that, can he? I mean...It would seem hypocritical to allow that, but not allow it at Rayo game. I guess he will need to ask Bob Funk what HE thinks about it first." "And what if/when someone DOES produce some kind of evidence that this was something more than just a coincidence" "Look...there is no evidence yet that this is being orchestrated by someone behind the scenes. But it IS an opinion that is shared by more than just me." Then maybe you should be willing to get put in the spotlight for these claims. You continuously post that this whole beer affair was an underhanded tactic by the Energy, sometimes because a source said so and sometimes because it's just your opinion, so maybe you shouldn't post slander unless you want to be the person who has to back these accusations up. There are a lot of rumors being posted by a lot of people about a lot of things on this website. The vast majority of them are very responsible with the kind of rumors they share, and the vast majority of them are willing to stand behind the stuff they share. There usually aren't a whole lot of "I'm not saying it's true, but here is what I heard, all just total rumor's though, not saying it's true, but I'm just sharing what I heard, but who really knows, I guess we will have to wait, but here it is again anyway, just in case it's true, which I'm not saying it is" type of posts around here. That's all. You also said you would take it all back when it doesn't happen. Will that be by Sunday, or will we have to wait on an article by the El Reno paper saying "the rumor someone heard about our article wasn't true"? d-usa 04-21-2016, 09:28 AM Soccer in a baseball stadium sucks. It can be pulled off (I think the Portland Timbers do well in theirs), but I think it has to either be a full conversion to be done well, or at least be a part of the plan when building from the ground up. Sharing a baseball field that was never intended to be a soccer field doesn't do that well IMO. jerrywall 04-21-2016, 09:45 AM Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Yankee Stadium, Rogers Centre, Dell Diamond, Whataburger Field, and more have hosted soccer matches just fine. Sure, a custom built dedicated stadium is better, but it's not like using a baseball stadium would be completely unusual. borchard 04-21-2016, 09:52 AM "That begs the question then, WHOSE opinion was behind this?" STILL want to know. Don't want to offend your sensitive spirit, but it all still seems suspicious. "Funny how they arent letting them until AFTER both teams play on the same night." Yep, still find that interesting. "One of my sources has told me that the El Reno Tribune will do a front-page piece on this in the next week. " Still true that I was told this. Hasn't happened yet. Look at what you quoted me saying. OMG! They didnt print a story that someone told someone that told they were going to.! IM' SO SORRY!!! Geez... "I have no idea if they are soccer fans, but I DO think they are fans of money, coming from the person(s) who first put the bug in their ear. I want to see this El Reno paper article." This is the FIRST thing you quote me on that I would take back. I have no idea about what motivated this. THAT was said in a moment of pique. "I wouldn't even posit this as a possibility if there wasn't a history/pattern of under-handed, smarmy behavior by the ownership group in the past." Nope. Still stand by this one. The Energy FO and ownership have a history of behavior that helps me think that they could be behind ANYTHING. Sometimes, past performance DOES predict future results. I could give you actual examples of this, but I don't think you really care. And that's OK. You're bought and sold for your team. At least admit, and stop hiding behind this "I just want soccer to grow" meme. Seriously. "So even if it WAS under-handed, it had no effect. " ABSOLUTELY true. It has had zero effect on the gate. Why would you even bring this one up? "He can't allow that, can he? I mean...It would seem hypocritical to allow that, but not allow it at Rayo game. I guess he will need to ask Bob Funk what HE thinks about it first." Maybe a little hyperbolic, but I still agree with the sentiment. If I had it to write all over again, I would simply point out the hypocrisy, and leave out the BF reference. "And what if/when someone DOES produce some kind of evidence that this was something more than just a coincidence" STILL waiting for you and other Energy supporters to answer this one. It's a simple question. What WOULD it take for you to admit that it WASN'T just a coincidence? I find it interesting that you haven't answered, but just throw my question back at me as if I don't have a right to ask it? "Look...there is no evidence yet that this is being orchestrated by someone behind the scenes. But it IS an opinion that is shared by more than just me." Once again, absolutely true statement. Read it again. Not taking it back. Wow! This was fun! :-) Then maybe you should be willing to get put in the spotlight for these claims. You just did. You continuously post that this whole beer affair was an underhanded tactic by the Energy, Yep sometimes because a source said so and sometimes because it's just your opinion, so maybe you shouldn't post slander unless you want to be the person who has to back these accusations up. Maybe you're right. Or maybe you should stop trolling in a thread that you don't like if it bothers you so much. That's all. I doubt that You also said you would take it all back when it doesn't happen. Will that be by Sunday, or will we have to wait on an article by the El Reno paper saying "the rumor someone heard about our article wasn't true"? Since you've mentioned this TWICE now, and it appears to be THE most important thing to. Here it is. Ready? I'm sorry that I wrongly reported that someone told me that the El Reno paper would print a story about this whole affair, and then they didn't. God! I feel so much better now. borchard 04-21-2016, 10:01 AM Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Yankee Stadium, Rogers Centre, Dell Diamond, Whataburger Field, and more have hosted soccer matches just fine. Sure, a custom built dedicated stadium is better, but it's not like using a baseball stadium would be completely unusual. Busch Stadium has hosted several international games the past few years. And while it is not ideal to have a soccer match in a baseball stadium, it can be done, and done well. bradh 04-21-2016, 10:06 AM Are you referring to this quote from @RetroOKC on the Energy2016 Thread? First all, I'm not RetroOKC. Second of all, I will NOT troll on their forum, as you seem to want to do on this one. Sorry I mixed you up. Second, I'm not trolling, I care about soccer in OKC. d-usa 04-21-2016, 10:46 AM STILL waiting for you and other Energy supporters to answer this one. It's a simple question. What WOULD it take for you to admit that it WASN'T just a coincidence? I find it interesting that you haven't answered, but just throw my question back at me as if I don't have a right to ask it? . Any evidence at all would do, for a start. Maybe an article of some sort, printed on paper that you print news on, maybe from a city where said news printed on paper might have happened. But that's just crazy Energy fan talk, so don't mind me. borchard 04-21-2016, 11:04 AM But that's just crazy Energy fan talk, so don't mind me. OK, I won't d-usa 04-21-2016, 11:14 AM Second, I'm not trolling, I care about soccer in OKC. It's pretty easy to dismiss anybody questioning things as a troll, at least it's easier than having to actually back up what you are saying when called out on it. I haven't really posted anything bad about Rayo, and most of my posts in this thread were addressing stuff like "should we build a stadium" and "how should it be build" and "how should it be financed" and I even pointed out that despite the criticism by some that attendance of the home opener might have been inflated by giving out free tickets you can't really judge the success of Rayo until you see if they can convert these folks on free tickets to repeat paying customers. But just like you, when I post something critical I am accused of trolling. Go figure. Laramie 04-21-2016, 11:50 AM Sure soccer in a baseball stadium isn't the most desirable environment any soccer fan would want. Agree with kwhey that it would suck; however, It would only be a temporary situation until we get a stadium constructed. MAPS IV (for whatever theme it will be) should include a $100 million multipurpose soccer-American football stadium. Far as I'm concerned; let's not half step--build something big enough to attract other significant events. A venue with upper deck seating that doesn't have to be used if the fan interest isn't there. Say, 14,000 lower level seats with 9,000 - 11,000 in an upper deck--range from 23,000-25,000 seats. Whichever franchise (MLS, NASL, USL) wants to be that anchor tenant; then let them pay for the bell & whistles associated with luxury boxes and reserve chair back seats. d-usa 04-21-2016, 12:28 PM I can fully agree with that. I wouldn't settle for playing at the ballpark instead of building a stadium, but as a temporary thing it would be okay. If one of the teams starts construction on a stadium downtown, or makes a deal with the city after the city starts to build a stadium, then I could see it making sense to start playing at the ballpark to start building the "downtown soccer team" brand. But truth be told, as long as somebody puts some sort of nice stadium downtown I will most likely attend games there. It's not like I'm going to urinate all over their bathrooms because they didn't build the kind of stadium I talked about online or because of the team that ends up playing there. Lord Helmet 04-21-2016, 12:35 PM Soccer in a baseball stadium sucks. I watched SKC (well at that time the Wizards) for years in a minor league ball park. It DID in fact suck (but was better than Arrowhead IMHO). The Timbers is an exception, but only because they did a full conversion of the stadium to soccer. Laramie 04-21-2016, 12:49 PM I watched SKC (well at that time the Wizards) for years in a minor league ball park. It DID in fact suck (but was better than Arrowhead IMHO). The Timbers is an exception, but only because they did a full conversion of the stadium to soccer. Yes they did. Old Portland's Multnomah County Stadium was reconfigured for soccer (Providence Park). AAA baseball disappeared. borchard 04-21-2016, 01:12 PM I can fully agree with that. I wouldn't settle for playing at the ballpark instead of building a stadium, but as a temporary thing it would be okay. If one of the teams starts construction on a stadium downtown, or makes a deal with the city after the city starts to build a stadium, then I could see it making sense to start playing at the ballpark to start building the "downtown soccer team" brand. But truth be told, as long as somebody puts some sort of nice stadium downtown I will most likely attend games there. It's not like I'm going to urinate all over their bathrooms because they didn't build the kind of stadium I talked about online or because of the team that ends up playing there. Yeah, I would never do that either, even though that's what everyone "heard" that I did. I was wondering how long it would take you to come back with that one. But didn't you hear? I didn't urinate on a floor? I killed a guy in an Energy shirt and stuffed his dead, lifeless body down the toilet, causing it to back up and making a "huge mess". Actually, that's about the only thing I WASN'T accused of by the end of the day. You want to know what I REALLY did? Oh wait, you were obviously there, so you already know. Anyway... I took an Energy schedule into the men's room, laid on the floor under the toilet, and as I was taking a leak I dribbled pee on it. I even took toilet paper and wiped up anything outside the 1in x 3in piece of paper. Of course, what I did was sitting on urine that was ALREADY THERE. But hey, don't let that get in the way of your little guffaw. I admit what I did was childish, maybe even a little boorish. But the reaction, and the way it got handled (or not handled) was something else entirely. The first thing I heard about it was from a guy I had been watching the game that morning with. He said the bar manager told him I had made "a huge mess" in the bathroom. WHAT?!? I told my friend exactly what I had done. And then I started feeling a little bad about what I had done. But almost as soon as I felt that way, the passive-aggressive little memes and tweets started showing up, not from the establishment, but from Grid members. Now I'm still feeling like I should call them, or something, and say "Hey, what do you want me to do?" Literally about the time I am starting to type a PM to the establishment I get a notification that someone has tagged me in a FB post. I open it and see that, once gain, someone who was NOT there but IS a Grid member has PUBLICLY posted that he "heard" from "several people" that I had "thrown schedules in the toilet and clogged it up..."?!?! And then he said, 'if this is true then (mine AND my wife's name) F$&K YOU!"...... It was right THEN that I stopped feeling bad. Like I said, I was childish. What this guy did was REPREHENSIBLE! Publicly naming me AND MY WIFE (who wasnt even there!) for something he didnt even know was true (and WASNT!) and saying what he did? And then I thought about how the bar handled it. I've been going there since it opened. I've spent much time and many dollars in that place. EVERYONE knows who I am. I have never: Walked a tab, Got drunk and belligerent, Broken anything, Puked on the floor, But did anyone contact me directly? No. The info just started getting passed around by Grid guys who came in later, who then told two friends, and so on, and so on...It became a junior high girl's game of Telephone. I only found out YESTERDAY that someone even was saying that I had whipped it out IN the bar and peed on the floor?!??! SERIOUSLY? So did I dribble pee on an Energy schedule in a men's room, in a bar, THAT ALREADY PEE ON THE FLOOR? Yep Was it childish? Yep Did I "make a huge mess"? Nope Did I "clog up the toilet"? Nope Did I "throw schedules in the toilet"? Nope Am I sorry about now? Not sorry anymore. After I was publicly told to F OFF on FB (for things I didnt do) my Give-A-Damn broke. And this will make 5 PUBLIC social media that I have recounted this story on, the same way the "story" got passed around to begin with. Laramie 04-21-2016, 01:39 PM Sometimes you have to let a flame burn itself out; much like letting the dead bury the dead. As long as you know the truth; that's all that counts. You can't always control what people choose to put out there about you. Somethings you just don't dignify that with an answer. AP 04-21-2016, 01:55 PM I really enjoy soccer but I really hate all of the soccer fans on this site. I wish Pete would just lock both threads and call it a day. I'm an Energy fan but it's incredible how petty that stupid supporters group is. gopokes88 04-21-2016, 02:05 PM I really enjoy soccer but I really hate all of the soccer fans on this site. I wish Pete would just lock both threads and call it a day. I'm an Energy fan but it's incredible how petty that stupid supporters group is. I had no idea people would be so passionate about minor league soccer elitespy 04-21-2016, 02:29 PM I had no idea people would be so passionate about minor league soccer I don't think it has anything to do with being minor league, it's soccer. I've said before Soccer culture is different than other sports, a lot of the guys I know have been following the sport since they were kids, I grew up in Germany where it was a way of life. A lot of the people in the soccer community treat soccer how OU/OSU fans treat football. Most of the people showing up to skinny slims at 7 AM on a Saturday would rather watch minor league soccer than an OU game. Most of the guys/gals there don't care about affiliation, or who the owners are but the Energy was here first, or I guess you could say OKC FC was here first and a lot of them were going to those games as well. These guys, including myself, are just excited to have a local team to support and we are gonna get behind that team and we will be passionate about it. Soccer in and of itself is about the passion for the game, it's called the beautiful game for a reason. If Rayo would have been the first team to start playing, no doubt a lot of us would have followed that team but the fact is they weren't. Most of the members of the Grid are pretty good people, sure you have some idiots but that's every group. I hate that we all get lumped together though. gopokes88 04-21-2016, 02:32 PM I don't think it has anything to do with being minor league, it's soccer. I've said before Soccer culture is different than other sports, a lot of the guys I know have been following the sport since they were kids, I grew up in Germany where it was a way of life. A lot of the people in the soccer community treat soccer how OU/OSU fans treat football. Most of the people showing up to skinny slims at 7 AM on a Saturday would rather watch minor league soccer than an OU game. Most of the guys/gals there don't care about affiliation, or who the owners are but the Energy was here first, or I guess you could say OKC FC was here first and a lot of them were going to those games as well. These guys, including myself, are just excited to have a local team to support and we are gonna get behind that team and we will be passionate about it. Soccer in and of itself is about the passion for the game, it's called the beautiful game for a reason. If Rayo would have been the first team to start playing, no doubt a lot of us would have followed that team but the fact is they weren't. Most of the members of the Grid are pretty good people, sure you have some idiots but that's every group. I hate that we all get lumped together though. I just cant understand why a bunch of grown adults can't stop taking shots at each on an internet forum. Grow up. |