It's actually NOT a horrible idea, IF you are looking for someone else to pay for it to be built.
FC Dallas's stadium is now used for the FCS Championship game every year. Wouldn't it be nice to bend Dallas over and steal it away from them?
How many state championship games are played in too big stadiums? What if we had a 20,000 seat stadium where EVERY state championship game could be played?
And, oh btw, you get it for soccer all summer

Some posters have made it clear that they don't want any kind of football stadium period. Have they forgot that MAPS I (ballpark, indoor arena) led the charge that spurred development downtown. You have a Smithsonian museum (AICCM) planned for south of the river; there's little room to economically build downtown north of the river. You need to take advantage of those land parcels now while they are available.

Which city do you think have a better chance to develop soccer for this area; Edmond or OKC?

Some posters have made it clear that they don't want any kind of football stadium period. Have they forgot that MAPS I (ballpark, indoor arena) led the charge that spurred development downtown. You have a Smithsonian museum (AICCM) planned for south of the river; there's little room to economically build downtown north of the river. You need to take advantage of those land parcels now while they are available.

Which city do you think have a better chance to develop soccer for this area; Edmond or OKC?

Wow. Great question. Youth soccer is huge in Edmond. Of course, that has never been a good barometer for success of professional soccer. I wouldn't count Edmond out, but I guess I would still have to give the nod to OKC.

I understand what you are saying but those stadiums get more use out of them. CHK gets 41Thunder regualar season games, plus plenty of concerts, playoffs, ect. The ballpark gets used 80 something times minimum a year, albeit mostly in the spring, summer, fall. A 20,000 soccer/football specific stadium would bring in 14 Energy games, then maybe a handful of high school. Just don't see it as a big of a player. Esp when we all mostly agree that the MLS is not coming anytime soon.

Which city do you think have a better chance to develop soccer for this area; Edmond or OKC?

Another question; if the NASL DOES prevail in their lawsuit against the weasel, and the Energy can't play in Taft after this year where do they go next year?
a. Bricktown Ballpark
b. PC Stadium in NW OKC
c. Wantland Stadium in Edmond
d. Back to Pribil?

I understand what you are saying but those stadiums get more use out of them. CHK gets 41Thunder regualar season games, plus plenty of concerts, playoffs, ect. The ballpark gets used 80 something times minimum a year, albeit mostly in the spring, summer, fall. A 20,000 soccer/football specific stadium would bring in 14 Energy games, then maybe a handful of high school. Just don't see it as a big of a player. Esp when we all mostly agree that the MLS is not coming anytime soon.

It could also be used for concerts. With the tear down of the airpark, there is an opening for another open air concert venue close to downtown. Apparently that's a major way FCD's stadium gets paid for every year.

And do you actually think that if one day, God forbid, Clay Bennett would decide to move the Thunder to , say, Kansas City, that there would still be the same level of NBA excitement in OKC?
Will people whine on this forum that "Oklahoma City needs more basketball fans, and less Thunder fans"?

I'm gonna have to take exception to that. The city was full of NBA excitement at a high level when the Thunder were affiliated with Seattle and the Hornets were calling the Ford Center home. The locals will support any NBA franchise that calls OKC home.

It could also be used for concerts. With the tear down of the airpark, there is an opening for another open air concert venue close to downtown. Apparently that's a major way FCD's stadium gets paid for every year.

OKC already has a hard time booking concerts in relation to Tulsa. Don't try to sell that idea.

I'm gonna have to take exception to that. The city was full of NBA excitement at a high level when the Thunder were affiliated with Seattle and the Hornets were calling the Ford Center home. The locals will support any NBA franchise that calls OKC home.

No, no. My point was if the Thunder were to ever leave, God forbid, and we DIDNT get another team, does anyone expect there to be the hard core fans here like there are now. WITH NO TEAM? The answer is no.

Freakonomics » Questions for Sports Economist Andrew Zimbalist (http://freakonomics.com/2009/01/09/questions-for-sports-economist-andrew-zimbalist/)
Question

What do we really know about a sports team’s value to its community? I am wondering whether a community should pay for a venue for its team. Here in Alameda County in California, we are still paying for the Oakland Coliseum renovations, which were used, along with guaranteed sell-outs, to lure the Ray-duhs back from Los Angeles. Thanks, Kenn Fong.

Answer

The question at hand is phrased broadly: What is “a sports team’s value to its community?” The answer is clear. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. All of the independent, scholarly research on the issue of whether sports teams and facilities have a positive economic impact has come to the same conclusion: One should not anticipate that a team or a facility by itself will either increase employment or raise per capita income in a metropolitan area.

Generally, the reason for this is threefold. First, most of the spending at a stadium or arena is from residents of the metro area; as such, it is simply redirected expenditure within the local economy, e.g., from the bowling alley or restaurant to the ballpark. Second, much of the income generated by the team leaks out of the local economy, as owners and players save a substantial portion of their earnings in the world’s money markets or spend their income outside the host city. Third, in the typical case, the city and/or state contributes roughly two-thirds of the financing for the facility’s construction and takes on obligations for additional expenditures over time.

However, in many more recent cases, the owner of the team agrees to pick up a larger share of the ballpark financing and/or to invest in development projects around the stadium or arena. In these instances, it is possible to anticipate some development benefits, but the devil is in the details.
If pro sports teams cannot be relied upon to promote economic development, as the literature suggests, is it still sensible for a community to provide public funding to support the facility construction? It depends.

Cities spend millions of dollars to support a variety of cultural activities that are not expected to have positive economic effects, such as subsidizing a local symphony or maintaining a public park. Sports teams can have a powerful cultural or social impact on a community. If that effect is valued by the local residents, then they may well decide that some public dollars are appropriate. However, if the public or its political representatives are trying to make the case that a team or a facility by itself will be an important development tool, then the electorate should think twice before opening its collective wallet.

Just think we need to look at the south portion of the Oklahoma River along with ways to develop it. It takes time to build events. You'll not build anything (festivals, events) if you don't first begin with a facility. Have we forgot what Bricktown was like in the early 1990s?

Norman has a fine music festival every April that exceeds by miles OKC Fest. No special facility was needed to be built on the taxpayers back in order to have a successful event. Jazz in June should also be mentioned in the same point.

LeBron James still isn?t worth $500m a year to Cleveland economy, people, get over it | Field of Schemes (http://www.fieldofschemes.com/2015/06/15/9285/lebron-james-still-isnt-worth-500m-a-year-to-cleveland-economy-people-get-over-it/)
To recap for those who missed the whole “LeBron is worth $500 million a year” fiasco when it broke last year:

A staffer for Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald was reported by Bloomberg News to have said that the Cleveland Cavaliers re-signing LeBron James would be worth $500 million a year to the local economy.
FitzGerald’s office said that Bloomberg got it wrong, and they were only claiming LeBron was worth $53 million a year in local economic activity.
Lots of people, including me, pointed out that even this lower number was pretty implausible, and the overall impact of LeBron’s presence was at most something on the order of a few million a year, of which maybe a few hundred thousand gets returned to the city or county as actual tax receipts.
So repeating a $500 million impact figure that even the person who conducted the study says isn’t true is not a good start. But then the Guardian doubled down by citing Convention, Sports & Leisure, a consulting group that really should come with a warning label reading “objects in studies may be less lucrative than they appear”:

CSL overestimated the impact of the San Diego Padres‘ new stadium by including the economic activity at the city’s new convention center that opened at the same time.
The group took on a contract to study the impact of a new Los Angeles Angels stadium even though its corporate owner was also the Angels’ concessionaire.
It reported $109 million in economic benefits from a new D.C. United stadium, then later admitted that two-thirds of that amount had nothing to do with the stadium.

http://www.fieldofschemes.com/2015/06/10/9244/d-c-and-united-approve-stadium-deal-again-stick-taxpayers-with-most-cost-overruns-again/

D.C. and United approve stadium deal (again), stick taxpayers with most cost overruns (again)
Posted on June 10, 2015 by Neil deMause
The city of Washington, D.C. and D.C. United have officially agreed to a new stadium deal! Yes, they already officially agreed to one last December, but apparently they left out a few things, and then one thing led to another and suddenly team execs were lunching with development officials from Virginia, and anyway, now it’s really settled, so the stadium is happening for sure.

Along with the previously announced $183 million in public cash and tax breaks, the new, updated deal provides that:

D.C. United will agree to pay for half of the first $20 million in any cost overruns.
The team will also provide a $5 million escrow fund to reimburse the district for its costs if the stadium ends up not getting built for any reason.
The district has to either reach an agreement to buy the stadium land by September 30, or begin eminent domain proceedings to seize the land from its current owners. If it fails to do so, United can seek to relocate elsewhere.
This is maybe a marginally better deal for taxpayers than the earlier one — originally United’s owners weren’t going to pay anything for cost overruns, so $10 million is better than nothing. It’s still the case, though, that the team’s costs are capped, while the public’s are not. But then, it’s not like D.C. has any experience with sports stadium projects sticking taxpayers with ballooning costs.

so does anyone know what's going on at Taft? I just drove by and all of the field pods, the luxury suites, or sitting out in the parking lot. The general admission section has been stacked up and put against the fence. Spring cleaning?

Are they striping the track?

It could also be used for concerts. With the tear down of the airpark, there is an opening for another open air concert venue close to downtown. Apparently that's a major way FCD's stadium gets paid for every year.
what happened with the Downtown Airpark? I see no bookings.

what happened with the Downtown Airpark? I see no bookings.

The concert venue is gone. That is where the Wheeler District is going to be

Economic impact studies are ways to attempt to 'paper the house' with figures used as window dressing . We refer to them when we want to drive home a point. Anyway, it's all good for talking points.

Economic impact studies are ways to attempt to 'paper the house' with figures used as window dressing . We refer to them when we want to drive home a point. Anyway, it's all good for talking points.

What are you trying to say here? Paper the house? Window dressing? Do you have anything to refute the studies that show that tax payer funded stadiums are not a huge money suck for the tax payers and a bonanza for the team owners?

Just a question, I don't follow all the development here in OKC as much as I should, but what about the area directly east of the downtown airpark?

What are you trying to say here? Paper the house? Window dressing? Do you have anything to refute the studies that show that tax payer funded stadiums are not a huge money suck for the tax payers and a bonanza for the team owners?
I think that's what he's saying. I love reading Field of Schemes | sports stadium news and analysis (http://www.fieldofschemes.com) to see editorials on stadium projects across the country.

Just a question, I don't follow all the development here in OKC as much as I should, but what about the area directly east of the downtown airpark?
That is going to be a huge development called The Wheeler District

No he is talking about the land east of Western, which I believe is NOT part of Wheeler.

That piece I think is owned by CHK or Aubrey, and has been previously highlighted as a potential soccer stadium location.

Another question; if the NASL DOES prevail in their lawsuit against the weasel, and the Energy can't play in Taft after this year where do they go next year?
a. Bricktown Ballpark
b. PC Stadium in NW OKC
c. Wantland Stadium in Edmond
d. Back to Pribil?

One of two things are going to happen. Either they settle out of court or the NASL loses. They shouldn't haven taken the money the first go around.

so does anyone know what's going on at Taft? I just drove by and all of the field pods, the luxury suites, or sitting out in the parking lot. The general admission section has been stacked up and put against the fence. Spring cleaning?

No games there for a month. Probably more construction.

No he is talking about the land east of Western, which I believe is NOT part of Wheeler.

That piece I think is owned by CHK or Aubrey, and has been previously highlighted as a potential soccer stadium location.

Evans Electric and they are not interested in selling.

What are you trying to say here? Paper the house? Window dressing? Do you have anything to refute the studies that show that tax payer funded stadiums are not a huge money suck for the tax payers and a bonanza for the team owners?

Jersey Boss, that was not an attack on the piece you referenced. Just saying that we have our sources when we want to drive home a point, which you did. I'm as guilty of this as anyone:

BTW, How many owners actually build their own stadiums and arenas to support a major professional sport (MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS)?

Jersey Boss, that was not an attack on the piece you referenced. Just saying that we have our sources when we want to drive home a point, which you did. I'm as guilty of this as anyone:

BTW, How many owners actually build their own stadiums and arenas to support a major professional sport (MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS)?

No "attack" taken, just some confusion. We're all good Laramie.

Saw this from a NY Cosmos fan talking about their team beating NYCFC last night in the Open Cup

It was an awesome atmosphere, there was more nycfc fans then there was RB fans last year. They got loud and cocky when they were up 0-2, boy what a contrast to how they walked out, soooo quiet and their heads low. I loved it, in the 90th min I said to myself " these are the Cardiac COSMOS, we got 'em right where we want em" sure enough Lucky pokes one in!
The entire team played their a$$ off, I got to say even if we had lost I would have been proud of my team, but a win.....it just doesn't get any better than that!

If only NY had more SOCCER fans, and LESS Cosmos fans... Geez! All these knuckle-dragging Cosmos fans. Don't they know that the real world-class players are on NYCFC? I guess they just don't like soccer. ;-)

No he is talking about the land east of Western, which I believe is NOT part of Wheeler.

That piece I think is owned by CHK or Aubrey, and has been previously highlighted as a potential soccer stadium location.

IIRC the airpark is own by the Humphreys family.

This is the graphic that some people have in mind. When this was posted in the Wheeler District thread, Pete and Steve talked about the area in purple being identified as a possible location for a soccer stadium. However, the preliminary Wheeler layout swallowed that area up.
10964
-
10965

Saw this from a NY Cosmos fan talking about their team beating NYCFC last night in the Open Cup


If only NY had more SOCCER fans, and LESS Cosmos fans... Geez! All these knuckle-dragging Cosmos fans. Don't they know that the real world-class players are on NYCFC? I guess they just don't like soccer. ;-)

What is your point?

Is Abby ogle's fiancé the man who runs the energy and the barons ?

What is your point?

Trolling as normal.

Just pointing out the idiocy of some people's comments

Of us Energy fans here? Is that who you are calling idiotic?

My point was to direct this to posters here who ALSO have posted in the past in the barons forum with an argument that goes something like this, "the barons failed because too many people were Blazers fans, and not true hockey fans". "All those knuckle-dragging Blazers fans just can't appreciate talent when they see it".
Seeing the story about the Cosmos beating NYCFC made me wonder if these same posters would say that about Cosmos fans? I mean, hell, don't they know REAL talent when they see it? Why on Earth would anyone support a washed-up team of has-beens and never-will-bes like the Cosmos?! When there is "world-class soccer going on 20 miles away with NYCFC? Or even RedBull? Why would they not want to go see David Villa, Myx Diskerud, or Bradley Wright-Phillips play, instead of the beer-league Cosmos?" blah blah blah
Well, for whatever reason, there ARE Cosmos fans. And after the game the other night, there may be quite a few more. If you are running the Cosmos, or NYFC or RedBull for that matter, do you really care if there are "true" soccer fans out there? What the hell does that even mean? Wouldn't you rather have Cosmos fans? or NYCFC fans? or RedBull fans? There should be NO reason you would go to Shuhart Stadium, on Long island, to watch this team when you could go to Yankee Stadium and see NYCFC. Or go to RedBull Arena and see them? But people do.
"I guess they just don't want soccer to succeed..."
The reason the barons aren't around anymore isn't because they couldn't find enough HOCKEY fans. It's because they couldn't create enough BARONS fans!
And if the Energy ever succeed here they need to create a lot more ENERGY fans, than soccer fans. That's what the Cosmos have been trying to do. It's what Sacramento Republic have been doing. And it is definitely what the Energy need to do.

I love how that seems to piss you off. Lol.

Why should I be mad? Theyre gone arent they? :-)

NASL loss Taft so they went to Millers Stadium in Yukon Oklahoma.NASL just wants Money from OKC Soccer Ownership group thats why the lawsuit is out there

Did anyone notice the four pods in front of the stadium? What are they for?

Why should I be mad? Theyre gone arent they? :-)

I'm not the one that wrote a long post about still being butthurt about people calling the old Blazers hockey knuckle dragging hockey (which it was whether you like it or not).

Plus you comparing NYC to OKC is laughable. But have fun with that.

See you at the next game in OC Blues gear.

I am being told that NASL can't get Taft Stadium back from McLaughlin what i am hearing is that he owns the rights to play in the stadium.NASL does not own the rights at all so if NASL wins the lawsuit there is no way they can get to play in Taft Stadium

I am being told that NASL can't get Taft Stadium back from McLaughlin what i am hearing is that he owns the rights to play in the stadium.NASL does not own the rights at all so if NASL wins the lawsuit there is no way they can get to play in Taft Stadium

NASL would be foolish to attempt to push this though the courts. They have already obtained in excess of $2 million from McLaughlin, what more do they want?


On June 5, 2015, the NASL filed suit in New York seeking damages from Tim McLaughlin (as primary owner and guarantor of OKC Pro Soccer LLC) for the team’s withdrawal from the NASL. According to the complaint, OKC paid $2,145,154 in fees and dues in an attempt to settle its account with the NASL. And the league believes that amount wasn’t sufficient under the contracts, and wants the owner to pick up the difference.


NASL Lawsuit vs Former OKC Owner Explained (kind of) - Articles - Articles - Homepage - Northern Pitch (http://northernpitch.com/_/minnesota-soccer-news/nasl-lawsuit-vs-former-okc-owner-explained-kind-of-r345)

NASL would be foolish to attempt to push this though the courts. They have already obtained in excess of $2 million from McLaughlin, what more do they want?

NASL Lawsuit vs Former OKC Owner Explained (kind of) - Articles - Articles - Homepage - Northern Pitch (http://northernpitch.com/_/minnesota-soccer-news/nasl-lawsuit-vs-former-okc-owner-explained-kind-of-r345)

It obvious butthurt from the NASL. They know they are a league in danger of either losing or sharing their Division II status with the USL. They are flailing..

NASL discontinues lawsuit against former OKC ownership - Twice a Cosmo (http://www.twiceacosmo.com/2015/6/29/8860941/nasl-discontinues-lawsuit-against-former-okc-ownership)

Apparently some financial remuneration was agreed upon.

NASL discontinues lawsuit against former OKC ownership - Twice a Cosmo (http://www.twiceacosmo.com/2015/6/29/8860941/nasl-discontinues-lawsuit-against-former-okc-ownership)

Apparently some financial remuneration was agreed upon.

Good move on the part of the NASL. They wanted OKC for name-recognition because the league will eventually lose Minnesota & possibly San Antonio to the MLS.

Tulsa would be better suited for the NASL with a competitive franchise. Tulsa has two minor league teams (USL, NPSL-Athletics); they still outdraw our OKC Energy FC with a Roughneck team that has a gloomy record on the turf.

Taft Stadium is not the answer to promote soccer in OKC. If soccer is to survive, the atmosphere & environmental amenities has to improve. OKC would be smart to experiment with the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark to play their home games in 2016 where Bricktown could provide that soccer ambience. A soccer specific stadium will have to be built on the riverfront if our city wants to get to the next level.

Borchard, you had a blueprint of a soccer field layout for 'The Brick.' Would you be so kind as to post it on OKCTalk.

Basically this would be it. I had to redo it. Sorry for the non-artistic quality11016

NASL discontinues lawsuit against former OKC ownership - Twice a Cosmo (http://www.twiceacosmo.com/2015/6/29/8860941/nasl-discontinues-lawsuit-against-former-okc-ownership)

Apparently some financial remuneration was agreed upon.

Told you it probably wouldn't go to court. These things usually never do.

The team has hit a stretch of bad form. 4 losses in a row (3 in the USL) and head to Carson to play LA Galaxy II on Sunday.

Still in 5th in an extremely crowded Western Conference.

Good move on the part of the NASL. They wanted OKC for name-recognition because the league will eventually lose Minnesota & possibly San Antonio to the MLS.

Tulsa would be better suited for the NASL with a competitive franchise. Tulsa has two minor league teams (USL, NPSL-Athletics); they still outdraw our OKC Energy FC with a Roughneck team that has a gloomy record on the turf.

Taft Stadium is not the answer to promote soccer in OKC. If soccer is to survive, the atmosphere & environmental amenities has to improve. OKC would be smart to experiment with the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark to play their home games in 2016 where Bricktown could provide that soccer ambience. A soccer specific stadium will have to be built on the riverfront if our city wants to get to the next level.

Borchard, you had a blueprint of a soccer field layout for 'The Brick.' Would you be so kind as to post it on OKCTalk.

Soccer in a baseball stadium blows. The turf in the area of the field is never in good shape. No to soccer in a baseball stadium.

Soccer in a baseball stadium blows. The turf in the area of the field is never in good shape. No to soccer in a baseball stadium.

Oh so true, baseball stadiums provide poor site lines and game viewing. Tulsa currently use ONEOK Park (baseball) which is downtown closer to more bars, clubs & food establishments. There is preliminary talk about building a 10k seat soccer specific stadium in Tulsa near ONEOK Park & the Blue Dome district. Our rivals the Tulsa Roughnecks are blowing us away in attendance over 1,000 more average per game; plus Tulsa has a franchise in the NPSL (Athletics) competing at the old Drillers' ballpark.

Taft Stadium will not make the grade to market the USL soccer to its full potential. There aren't any restaurants in the area of Taft Stadium to heighten that pre-game experience.

Mentioned this because it would be a good way to test the atmosphere downtown before they build a stadium; maybe 2 or 3 games next season. We do remember that conversation or was that a lot of talk & hype about a stadium and the MLS of which we are all so familiar from the Funk camp's next level routine.

The tail-gate experience is nice; however, you could also do this in Bricktown near the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Some fans long for that total fan experience pre game; Bricktown would provides that.

Even back when I thought the team I supported would be around, I thought that Bricktown Ballpark would be a great temporary venue. Even after they announced they were going to play in Yukon, I thought that the first team to move out of their high school football stadium, and get downtown, would ultimately win. Now that OKCFC isn't around my feeling hasn't changed. The energy need to move downtown, as soon as possible. Whether the sightlines are optimal, or not, is completely irrelevant to me. And irrelevance is the point. They need to become MORE relevant to the city. Bricktown Ballpark would NOT be the ultimate solution, but it WOULD give them a presence in arguably the most highly trafficked area in the metro.
Maybe they should even look into putting up a temporary stadium, ala Vancouver
11033
It was built for ~$14 million and seated 20K.
Even Sacramento built Bonney Field, which is a temporary stadium. They even had to expand it in the offseason due to their success. And they are also making money off of it for other things, like international Rugby tournaments, so it's not just a one-trick pony.
I don't know. Stay in Taft. Don't. i don't really care.

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/sports/11033d1435848873-2015-okc-energy-fc-empirefield.jpg

We spent $12.5 million to renovate Taft Stadium. Just think what $50 million might get us if Vancouver spent $14 million to build the stadium pic above. Just think, $25 million for land acquisition/utilities and $25 million should get us the bare bones minimum. There's enough parking downtown to accommodate a 20,000-25,000-seat venue.

Track Installation at Taft Stadium will leave some fans displaced | News OK (http://newsok.com/track-installation-at-taft-stadium-will-leave-some-fans-displaced/article/5432263)

i don't really care.

Clearly. You don't care.

Back home this Saturday!!!!

The Grid just put this up on their facebook page

This is an announcement from the Grid Officers:
For the past season and a half The Grid has been cheering on the Energy with the best we could muster. We've been given commendations by other groups, and opposing players. We've been called the loudest and rowdiest even by the USL president. Saturday night against the Orange County Blues FC that all changes.
First, some backstory. Way back before the Energy had even signed Jimmy on as head coach a group of guys who barely knew each other got together at the 51st St. Speakeasy. We had no idea how to run a supporters group, we just knew we needed to be a part of one. We all had a passion for soccer and that was enough. Sean Tolbert would become our fearless leader. He was the first to get the ball rolling.
Chants have always been a core part of any supporters group and none of us had any clue what do about that. The idea came to us to just let the group adopt or create their own organically. It worked great, everyone got involved and we grew. At first the Front Office, they loved us. They told us what a good job we were doing in getting fans involved, the players loved us, and Jimmy loved us. After a few games in, and the surveys came back, we started to get some flack for the language in our chants.
Sean being a proud supporter of free speech, made use of it when saying that he wouldn't censor the group. And that has rang true for over a year. We have a new president this year but the rhetoric has been the same: Get rid of the “vulgar” chants. While the answer remained the same, the way in which the “request” was phrased was less friendly each time. When the Energy called for the Grid to join them in a “discussion” with Jimmy and Sporting KC's group The Cauldron and it mostly centered around getting rid of vulgar chants we knew the writing was on the wall.
As officers we came to a hard decision that we would no longer condone some of the most vulgar chants, but instead would let members know it was at their own risk. This came at a cost, causing strife within the group. Our now former president, Dave Radar, stepped down because he didn't want to be the one censoring others. Our spirits were low but were ready to carry on.
Less than one day later our interim president, Joseph Pugh, got the following message from Jason Hawkins,the general manager of the Energy (This message has not been edited):
"Procedures tomorrow night will be (assuming there is organized profanity) will be:
1) 1st offense - As Grid president you will be administered a warning for the group
2) 2nd offense - you will be removed (however should you indicate that you have done what you can or that the offending parties are not part of the Grid if individuals are identified then they will instead be removed
3) 3rd offense and beyond - Repeat removal procedure
4) Post game letter sent to anyone removing telling them that should they be removed from another game that they are subject to loss of all of their season ticket holder privileges for the remainder of the year and will be evaluated again for 2016”
We had already bowed to their wishes with no concessions promised. We made it public that The Grid would no longer condone vulgar language and anyone doing so would be without our permission. It is the Energy's right to enforce these rules. But for the sudden about-face of policy after we extended an olive branch could not be taken as anything less than a affront to The Grid, its members, and especially its interim president.
Holding him personally responsible for the actions of those we would have to deem no longer within our group is ridiculously unfair and insulting to us after making a one-sided compromise on how they feel we should behave.
To make our point clear that treating your most loyal fans in this manner won't be accepted. We have decided as a group to attend the next match, and maybe more, in complete silence. First, a public apology to the group and Joseph Pugh must be made. And we must come to an understanding based on mutual respect on how issues should be handled. There was no respect in the manner in which we received this message.
For anyone else also in the stands that feel as we do, we ask that you also remain silent during the match.

And now there is a NewsOK article on it.

Oklahoma City Energy FC tells supporters to tone it down, silent protest planned | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-energy-fc-tells-supporters-to-tone-it-down-silent-protest-planned/article/5433080)

Well if the track had been done already and The Grid wasn't being moved to the regular stands this likely would be a non issue.

Oklahoma City Energy FC tells supporters to tone it down, silent protest planned | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-energy-fc-tells-supporters-to-tone-it-down-silent-protest-planned/article/5433080)


These are tough times for The Grid. You know those guys, the Oklahoma City Energy FC supporter group. That chanting, singing, always-boisterous, sometimes vulgar group of fans in the south end zone at Taft Stadium.

You can support the OKC Energy FC with enthusiastic cheers; vulgarity can sometimes get totally out-of-control where it spills over into other sections. I stop taking my 2 grandsons to the games because of the language--it's soccer, so I'm not one to complain.


I thought that the first team to move out of their high school football stadium, and get downtown, would ultimately win. Now that OKCFC isn't around my feeling hasn't changed. The energy need to move downtown, as soon as possible. Whether the sightlines are optimal, or not, is completely irrelevant to me. And irrelevance is the point. They need to become MORE relevant to the city. Bricktown Ballpark would NOT be the ultimate solution, but it WOULD give them a presence in arguably the most highly trafficked area in the metro.
Maybe they should even look into putting up a temporary stadium, ala Vancouver11033
It was built for ~$14 million and seated 20K.
Even Sacramento built Bonney Field, which is a temporary stadium. They even had to expand it in the offseason due to their success. And they are also making money off of it for other things, like international Rugby tournaments, so it's not just a one-trick pony.
I don't know. Stay in Taft. Don't. i don't really care.

We have to look at the logistics of these cities. USL Sacramento (2,244,397) & NASL San Antonio (2,328,652) both have metropolitan areas that exceed 2 million. USL OKC (1,343,230) metro has 1 million less than either of those cities. Both cities have name-recognition through the NBA as does OKC. Sacramento & San Antonio will be on the MLS radar for the first wave of expansion (2020).

Had faith that OKC (2020 population estimate 1.5 million) would eventually reach MLS status sometime after 2020 when the league could have a 2nd wave of expansion possibly with the addition of 2 - 4 more teams. Let's hope that the issue with the vulgar language can be addressed without a complete disaster for the fans, the Grid supporters group and the OKC Energy FC organization.