It is a shame that similar cities on similar scales as OKC get this big investment private or not on these billion dollar entertainment districts while OKC is fighting over a $30 million dollar stadium. Kansas City, Portland, Indy, Cincinnati, Columbus all have incredibly nice stadiums and are MLS. Why not OKC?

All five of those cities (a) have a metro population at least 50% larger than that of OKC's and (b) don't have ownership running their soccer franchises into the ground.

I don't think his reference is to population but to the cities desire and ability to build Quality venues that attract investment. OKC has done well but as we continue to see, most plans for truly impactful development are most often scaled back due to any number of reasons resulting in structures that do not enhance promote further investment, significantly enhance the city's visual appeal or its stature. In other words things are built on the cheap (relatively speaking).

I don't think his reference is to population but to the cities desire and ability to build Quality venues that attract investment. OKC has done well but as we continue to see, most plans for truly impactful development are most often scaled back due to any number of reasons resulting in structures that do not enhance promote further investment, significantly enhance the city's visual appeal or its stature. In other words things are built on the cheap (relatively speaking).

There are plenty of crappy, scaled back developments there. You just won't hear about them on an OKC forum. You think people in Indy hear about any of our crappy developments? No. But they hear about the FAM and Convention Center (both made national headlines). We don't hear about the dreck, or scaled back developments in those cities, but the Indy version of OKCTalk probably has plenty about them. "Familiarity breeds contempt" is the tone of your post.

I'd have to agree with DC on this one. OKC seems to be persistent in bait and switch development; IF we ever even get it. I am aware other cities also get disappointing development but we're talking about this awesome one that Indy is doing as an example of what OKC should be striving for and not just a reproduction of Taft stadium.

Yes, Indy is bigger and been around longer, but there are many examples of cities smaller than OKC that have better development aspirations too. Take your pic OKC, play with the big boys and strive for bigger/better development OR at least have better than smaller cities. I think OKC is probably going in the right direction, we'll see how the Myriad site development works out for the new arena - I expect something similar to the Indy site and if so; that'd be a huge catalyst to lift OKC likely beyond peer cities if done right.

OKC MAPS 4 has projected multipurpose stadium will have $41 million: https://www.okc.gov/government/maps-4/multipurpose-stadium

That could change because the state is looking at cutting taxes: Stitt's plan presented in his executive budget proposal to lawmakers and delivered his fifth State of the State address to a joint legislative session called for lawmakers to eliminate the state sales tax on groceries and cut the individual and corporate income tax rates.

Flush with cash, Oklahoma governor pushes for more tax cuts: https://apnews.com/article/abortion-politics-oklahoma-state-government-united-states-house-of-representatives-88a5f5043314f2c60b5f75e955c8f558

OKC MAPS 4 has projected multipurpose stadium will have $41 million: https://www.okc.gov/government/maps-4/multipurpose-stadium

That could change because the state is looking at cutting taxes: Stitt's plan presented in his executive budget proposal to lawmakers and delivered his fifth State of the State address to a joint legislative session called for lawmakers to eliminate the state sales tax on groceries and cut the individual and corporate income tax rates.

Flush with cash, Oklahoma governor pushes for more tax cuts: https://apnews.com/article/abortion-politics-oklahoma-state-government-united-states-house-of-representatives-88a5f5043314f2c60b5f75e955c8f558

Cutting the state’s grocery sales tax would have no effect on MAPS collections, nor would a cut to the income tax rates. Not sure how you’re drawing a connection between them.

Good point, king183:

Thanks for the reminder that it's the state's portion of sales tax on groceries.

The only group that benefits for no tax on groceries are recipients of snap food stamp benefits. If they are cutting only the 4.5% the state collects, then it wouldn't have any effect on the city.

When will a full exemption go into place or are they planning to phrase out the state's sales tax on groceries if a measure is passed---by the House and Senate.

I'd have to agree with DC on this one. OKC seems to be persistent in bait and switch development; IF we ever even get it. I am aware other cities also get disappointing development but we're talking about this awesome one that Indy is doing as an example of what OKC should be striving for and not just a reproduction of Taft stadium.

Yes, Indy is bigger and been around longer, but there are many examples of cities smaller than OKC that have better development aspirations too. Take your pic OKC, play with the big boys and strive for bigger/better development OR at least have better than smaller cities. I think OKC is probably going in the right direction, we'll see how the Myriad site development works out for the new arena - I expect something similar to the Indy site and if so; that'd be a huge catalyst to lift OKC likely beyond peer cities if done right.

Do you follow those cities as religiously as you do OKC? Or do you just see their successes?

You guys should move to Jacksonville, FL if you want to see disappointment on a regular basis.

I'd have to agree with DC on this one. OKC seems to be persistent in bait and switch development; IF we ever even get it. I am aware other cities also get disappointing development but we're talking about this awesome one that Indy is doing as an example of what OKC should be striving for and not just a reproduction of Taft stadium.

Yes, Indy is bigger and been around longer, but there are many examples of cities smaller than OKC that have better development aspirations too. Take your pic OKC, play with the big boys and strive for bigger/better development OR at least have better than smaller cities. I think OKC is probably going in the right direction, we'll see how the Myriad site development works out for the new arena - I expect something similar to the Indy site and if so; that'd be a huge catalyst to lift OKC likely beyond peer cities if done right.

Every city has gives and takes. I drove through Indiana and Indianapolis recently and while lndianapolis has wonderful stadiums, the highways are absolutely atrocious! Interstates are poorly paved, construction slowdowns every few miles but few actually had active construction. Interstate thru downtown lndy is completely closed.

Good point, king183:

Thanks for the reminder that it's the state's portion of sales tax on groceries.

The only group that benefits for no tax on groceries are recipients of snap food stamp benefits. If they are cutting only the 4.5% the state collects, then it wouldn't have any effect on the city.

When will a full exemption go into place or are they planning to phrase out the state's sales tax on groceries if a measure is passed---by the House and Senate.

Might be helpful to elaborate on that for some folks because i think it's not been clearly discussed in a way that people understand. So the misunderstanding here was a natural one.

If the state removes their taxes, it's on the state's taxes that come off. The state is not preventing any federal or municipal taxes from being levied. So you aren't going to see a 4.99 item on the shelf and then only pay 4.99 at checkout. It won't be as high as it is today, but it won't be 4.99.

Example, when i went to Crest in Moore this weekend, my total taxes were 8.5%. So i payed about 3.80 on my roughly $44 bill, totaling to about 48.50.
If the state taxes are taken out, then it means I'll be paying about 4% in Moore. That bill would have been about 1.78 in taxes for a total of 46.50. Live it up with those $2 folks. It'll be about $20 monthly between all your grocery trips for an average family.

Honestly, i think it's a bit of a mistake. It sounds good to voters, but when you crunch it out, it doesn't mean anything. What it does mean is about 68 million in lost revenue to the state though. THAT is something to talk about.

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cHVFbPRdHrwF4IpkOcc4nJK9EwM=/0x65:1492x839/1200x800/filters:focal(1141x134:1379x372)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72012010/GEODISPark_Night_Game_Populous.0.jpg


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oqI4PTdgIs

Just saw where Nashville new MLS Stadium hosted NYC. This is one of the larger new soccer specific stadiums.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQpbBhs2nofludhErb8n3bjKmg7ZWseU 3uCyw&usqp=CAU
Hope our Multipurpose Stadium is equipped to handle in excess of 20,000.

Also any update on the USL Oklahoma City Energy.

We need to figure out something else to do with these MAPS funds. The Energy are essentially dead, and the MLS has 15 markets that should be ahead of OKC. So these funds could be used for something else.

We need to figure out something else to do with these MAPS funds. The Energy are essentially dead, and the MLS has 15 markets that should be ahead of OKC. So these funds could be used for something else.
25 years ago Guy Liebmann ran for mayor vs Kirk Humphreys and the bulk of Guy's platform was to abandon the idea of a MAPS-funded arena and to instead divert those funds to public safety (namely police cars). His point was that OKC didn't have a team worthy of the facility, and none was on the horizon, so it was a colossal waste of money.

Humphreys ran on the platform of "Finish MAPS Right," and the idea that since voters had approved a ballot that included an arena City officials were bound by oath to deliver. Kirk won, and the rest is history.

By the way, redirecting MAPS funds to non-MAPS projects was illegal with that first MAPS ordinance, although it might be a bit more pliable with the more recent iteration (thanks to state decisions regarding log rolling).

I am a fan of soccer, and as such I did support the Energy. My two cents, we need to build the stadium. We should find a new ownership group for the Energy. I believe the USL is set up for success and I see it being very competitive with MLS as far as quality of the product on the field. MLS is just too much of a money grab at this point. As a fan of the game first, I much prefer the USL model and I think a soccer specific stadium along with a soccer-first ownership group, we could be very competitive among the top USL clubs. People need to stop with this "farm league" idea, USL is not a farm league and though it is 2nd tier below the MLS, it doesn't matter because we don't have pro/rel. I think the USL is a great fit for OKC, especially with having a team up in Tulsa.

25 years ago Guy Liebmann ran for mayor vs Kirk Humphreys and the bulk of Guy's platform was to abandon the idea of a MAPS-funded arena and to instead divert those funds to public safety (namely police cars). His point was that OKC didn't have a team worthy of the facility, and none was on the horizon, so it was a colossal waste of money.

Humphreys ran on the platform of "Finish MAPS Right," and the idea that since voters had approved a ballot that included an arena City officials were bound by oath to deliver. Kirk won, and the rest is history.

By the way, redirecting MAPS funds to non-MAPS projects was illegal with that first MAPS ordinance, although it might be a bit more pliable with the more recent iteration (thanks to state decisions regarding log rolling).

I am not saying it is doable right now. I'm saying we should find a way to do it. An arena can be used for tons of money-making purposes. How many does a soccer stadium have, especially in a state where 5 to 6 months a year, it is hit or miss whether it can be used consistently. The Ford Center wasn't built for an NBA team, but could have concerts and events. Not sure how many a soccer stadium can have.

Not saying to think small. But not having a team any longer makes this stadium inefficient for the city. I know it can't be done, but it should be done (mo ey diverted to another purpose). Just looking at a highest and best use, not intended use.

25 years ago Guy Liebmann ran for mayor vs Kirk Humphreys and the bulk of Guy's platform was to abandon the idea of a MAPS-funded arena and to instead divert those funds to public safety (namely police cars). His point was that OKC didn't have a team worthy of the facility, and none was on the horizon, so it was a colossal waste of money.

Humphreys ran on the platform of "Finish MAPS Right," and the idea that since voters had approved a ballot that included an arena City officials were bound by oath to deliver. Kirk won, and the rest is history.

By the way, redirecting MAPS funds to non-MAPS projects was illegal with that first MAPS ordinance, although it might be a bit more pliable with the more recent iteration (thanks to state decisions regarding log rolling).

Surely, if circumstances have materially changed, the soccer stadium money could be allocated to other MAPS 4 projects or projects tangentially related to MAPS 4 (i.e., a new arena for the Thunder).

I am not saying it is doable right now. I'm saying we should find a way to do it. An arena can be used for tons of money-making purposes. How many does a soccer stadium have, especially in a state where 5 to 6 months a year, it is hit or miss whether it can be used consistently. The Ford Center wasn't built for an NBA team, but could have concerts and events. Not sure how many a soccer stadium can have.

Not saying to think small. But not having a team any longer makes this stadium inefficient for the city. I know it can't be done, but it should be done (mo ey diverted to another purpose). Just looking at a highest and best use, not intended use.

The soccer stadium in Denver is frequently used for lsrge-scale concerts and music festivals as well as other sports. It gets plenty of use.

Heartland Bowl. Just throwing that out there.

I am a fan of soccer, and as such I did support the Energy. My two cents, we need to build the stadium. We should find a new ownership group for the Energy. I believe the USL is set up for success and I see it being very competitive with MLS as far as quality of the product on the field. MLS is just too much of a money grab at this point. As a fan of the game first, I much prefer the USL model and I think a soccer specific stadium along with a soccer-first ownership group, we could be very competitive among the top USL clubs. People need to stop with this "farm league" idea, USL is not a farm league and though it is 2nd tier below the MLS, it doesn't matter because we don't have pro/rel. I think the USL is a great fit for OKC, especially with having a team up in Tulsa.

My suggested solution to the continued delays of the USL Funk ownership group is this--let's find a competent ownership group that knows how to manage a USL team. Funks' track record on nearly everything sports related they've managed in Oklahoma City has failed:


IGA Tennis
Oklahoma City Barons AAA Hockey
Oklahoma City Energy FC

Funks are a poison suicide pill for Oklahoma City sports.

.

Don't forget their role in what was supposed to be the American Le Mans Oklahoma City Grand Prix.

The soccer stadium in Denver is frequently used for lsrge-scale concerts and music festivals as well as other sports. It gets plenty of use.
So does the one in Frisco, Tx. We've seen Jimmy Buffet there twice. It makes a good outdoor concert venue.

Again, those have a main user, a professional soccer team. That guarantees you use about 20 to 30 times a year.

Believe it or not, OKC isn't as large as Denver or DFW. I'm not sure if you guys were aware of that fact or not.

We have heard a soccer team and could continue with proper ownership and management. Not that I care. I can't stand soccer but I'm all for people that love it.
And I don't know about Denver but Frisco's stadium isn't all that big. It's really what makes it a good concert venue.

Surely, if circumstances have materially changed, the soccer stadium money could be allocated to other MAPS 4 projects or projects tangentially related to MAPS 4 (i.e., a new arena for the Thunder).

with the way that maps 4 was worded (and maps 3 for that matter) all if takes is a simple vote of the council to spend the money elsewhere

I don't know how Maps 4 is worded but in the Maps 3 implementation plan there was a Airport/May Ave trail listed which the commmittees just deciided to disregard and didn't fund.

Aren’t the Energy about to fold?

The last statement from them I am aware of is this Twitter thread from their COO posted on Jan 31, 2023: https://twitter.com/jakretch/status/1620484451284430848


I recognize the need for updates and what’s next for @EnergyFC. We look forward to the start of the USL season & for obvious reasons, we are going to do a lot of cheering for the Battery (Let’s go Leigh!) Currently, our staff is engaged in the MAPS4 process & stadium development

We are excited for the long term growth and success of soccer in OKC. Sometimes plans change, so we pivot and make the best of situations. As we have updates along the way, we will share them. This is a long road, but we have our eye on it and are committed to the journey.

Each of us deeply misses being at Taft with the team and the Energy fans. While we had to pivot in the short term, we fully support the USL and its vision. OKC will chant for their team on the pitch again!

As for the staff, we are working on this journey as well as other projects, both professionally and personally, to ensure that we stay connected to the wider sporting world and the continued and amazing growth of OKC.

They still appear to be inactive but not dead just yet.

Personally speaking I hope they survive until the stadium is built and then resume playing for no other reason than I like their branding design.

Their statement is entirely fluff, no substance--"Long road", "pivot", "committed to the journey", "make best of situations", etc--which indicates to me they have no idea what they're going to do or how they're going to do it.

I've said it before, but I'm very uncomfortable providing a tax-funded stadium to an organization that can't even be bothered to field a team.

Also, they had not been able to field a competitive team before just quitting after MAPS 4 and the stadium were approved.

The whole thing just feels wrong to me.


The stadium should go forward but I hope the city will open things up to see if there is a better ownership group.

I've said it before, but I'm very uncomfortable providing a tax-funded stadium to an organization that can't even be bothered to field a team.

Also, they had not been able to field a competitive team before just quitting after MAPS 4 and the stadium were approved.

The whole thing just feels wrong to me.


The stadium should go forward but I hope the city will open things up to see if there is a better ownership group.

It's obvious the Energy FC has no plans to move forward and when Taft Stadium had its last minor renovation, it gave the Energy FC a temporary out. Now they have kicked that can further down the road.

This is the same group that beat out NASL Rayo OKC for the use of Taft Stadium, only to fizzle out after Rayo OKC couldn't survive using Yukon's High School's Miller Stadium.

Funk & McLaughlin have been teasing OKC about moving to the MLS since 2016. They can't manage a USL franchise let alone aspire to make Oklahoma City an MLS member. Former Mayor Mick Cornett told Funk that Oklahoma City would build them an MLS stadium when they made good on an MLS franchise.

Funk & McLaughlin should sell the franchise. They will ruin the new MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium and its potential expansion.

Funk should have never been given the option to select the stadium option for MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium.

OKC should have had nothing less than a 10,000 seat venue that could be expanded beyond 20,000 seats.

MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium.

As part of a new development, OKC should put a hold on the $42 million MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium combine it with the $70 million fund improvements paused for Paycom Center; form an Oklahoma City Arena-Stadium ($112 million) Trust District.


A new $600 million downtown 18,800 seat (NBA specific) arena on PSM site.
A new $100 million downtown 30,000 seat multipurpose stadium close to Downtown & Bricktown.

The downtown arena will put OKC in a position to have a long-term relationship with the NBA Thunder and bid on some SEC basketball playoffs that would attract Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri & Louisiana basketball fans.

The stadium opens the possibility for a USFL football franchise, an annual bowl game and/or MLS soccer franchise as a part of OKC's future.

Paycom Center, once the new arena is built, then could be used for minor league ice hockey and PBR rodeo events too large for the MAPS 4 State Fair Coliseum.

The stadium needs only the bare bones minimum 30,000 chair back seats that could have amenities added once a USFL or an MLS soccer franchise is secured. The stadium could be used for outdoor concerts, the State high school football and boys & girls soccer playoffs.

.

I am in favor of moving the multipurpose stadium to the back of the line until there is a clear plan from the private sector with the money guaranteed by local banks.

The city planers have led the way with the convention center and sissortail park, but the private corporations have fallen flat on their faces. There is no need to repeat this situation. The Maps 4 stadium should be the lowest priority.

I am in favor of moving the multipurpose stadium to the back of the line until there is a clear plan from the private sector with the money guaranteed by local banks.

The city planers have led the way with the convention center and sissortail park, but the private corporations have fallen flat on their faces. There is no need to repeat this situation. The Maps 4 stadium should be the lowest priority.

Agreed, and until we have a real tenant. The last thing we need is a stadium that sits empty, eating up maintenance money.

I've always said that this stadium needs to be big enough to host 6A-1 state football championship games. That's roughly 12-15k to equal something like Broken Arrow or Union. Ideally, a bit larger to accommodate 20k. Size the field to be able to handle MLS soccer as well. I think that precludes the possibilty of it containing a track, but we dont need a 20k person stadium for state track meets (it won't be even 1/4 full for that).

What is also needs is ample surface parking area. And the reason for that.....Band contests. You need somewhere to park busses and semi trucks. You need warmup areas away from the stadium (to prevent sound bleed over). That way OKC can claim back the biggest contest in the state from again, BA/Union (UCO seems to have given up hosting for some reason). It's been a while since OKC was able to host a true Drum Corps contest in the summer too. These are the types of events that happen in the summer/fall so the stadium can get some activity outside of MLS season. Heck, present OKC as a host for some of the Div2/3 or NAIA type football bowls/championships too. There's a niche there, but we shouldn't be building a stadium to host these things for a 10 days out of the year.

Heck, it would be exciting to see it host a Bands of America regional in OKC!!! Us band nerds know what that means. And there are SOOOO many bands in OK/North Texas/Arkansas that would attend this.

I'm not really against moving a stadium to the back burner. And my memory could be bad but didn't we build the arena to NBA standards in hopes of drawing a team that we didn't have yet to OKC?

I'm not really against moving a stadium to the back burner. And my memory could be bad but didn't we build the arena to NBA standards in hopes of drawing a team that we didn't have yet to OKC?

The arena was not built to NBA standards. It has been out of date since it was approved, and OKC has been playing catchup for 15 years.

I'm not really against moving a stadium to the back burner. And my memory could be bad but didn't we build the arena to NBA standards in hopes of drawing a team that we didn't have yet to OKC?

I "think" it was NHL standards. NHL was expanding by 4 teams over a couple years and we were working to get in. According to legend, the Gaylord's supposedly had money in both the OKC and Nashville applications, so they came out okay in the end. The OKC team was gonna be the Redhawks, so they salvaged the branding and design investment by using it on the 89ers when they moved to Bricktown.

Your both right. It was to NHL standards. I said my memory could be bad.

which at the time was minimum NBA standards.

I don’t think this is on the back burner at all, my understanding is that convergence and the fairgrounds arena were to be built 1st.. it wouldn’t surprise me if the stadium were to be announced a couple months prior to the completion of those two projects then ground breaking with in a few months after completion…I think OKC should reach out to XFL I see how St. Louis supports the battle hawks I think markets without NFL teams will do a lot better than markets with

I agree, the XFL and USFL should focus on markets without NFL teams, but they don't seem to be doing that.

https://xflnewshub.com/columns/xfl-expansion-2025-exploring-potential-new-horizons-with-san-diego-san-jose-nashville-and-more/

XFL to OKC the article is suggesting that OKC could have a XFL team in 2025 playing in an upgraded Taft stadium(until new stadium is built I assume)

I'd have way more positive thoughts about the stadium being built if it was for XFL rather than a tier 3 soccer team. Also, in no way, shape, or form should the Funks be allowed anywhere near any professional team in OKC ever again.

I'd have way more positive thoughts about the stadium being built if it was for XFL rather than a tier 3 soccer team. Also, in no way, shape, or form should the Funks be allowed anywhere near any professional team in OKC ever again.
I wholeheartedly agree with all of this.

The arena was not built to NBA standards. It has been out of date since it was approved, and OKC has been playing catchup for 15 years.

That’s not right. it was built to the minimum NHL/NBA standards of the time it was approved/built to help lure an NHL expansion team. The NBA was an afterthought until the opportunity with the hornets kind of fell into our lap and then after the success with that run the nba became the goal. After the Sonics proposed the move to OKC pending facilities improvements, the maps extension to bring the arena up to current nba standards and build a practice facility was approved by voters in 2008.

I'd have way more positive thoughts about the stadium being built if it was for XFL rather than a tier 3 soccer team. Also, in no way, shape, or form should the Funks be allowed anywhere near any professional team in OKC ever again.

Absolutely. I think XFL would be a blast and we would definitely support that better than several of the cities that already have NFL franchises. Pair that with a soccer team in whatever league and I think it’s a massive win.

https://xflnewshub.com/columns/xfl-expansion-2025-exploring-potential-new-horizons-with-san-diego-san-jose-nashville-and-more/

XFL to OKC the article is suggesting that OKC could have a XFL team in 2025 playing in an upgraded Taft stadium(until new stadium is built I assume)

The 49ers moving to Santa Clara actually make San Jose LESS attractive. Oakland would have been a better choice.

What is the average attendance at XFL games? From what I have seen on TV, they don't seem to be filling up the seats. I assume that is normal for first year?

What is the average attendance at XFL games? From what I have seen on TV, they don't seem to be filling up the seats. I assume that is normal for first year?

NFL isn't exactly packing them in either, and an average NASCAR race looks like midweek practice from 15 years ago.

I wish all publicly owned/financed stadiums had to release turnstile attendance. Then we could see exactly how many people show up.

NFL isn't exactly packing them in either

what ??
https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2023/01/16/Upfront/nfl-attendance.aspx

average was almost 70k .. 45 fans a game short of the 20 year high ..

What is the average attendance at XFL games? From what I have seen on TV, they don't seem to be filling up the seats. I assume that is normal for first year?

XFL attendance is very very hit and miss ..

St louis has had over 35k for every home game ..

several others have 10k + DC last week at 18k

but vegas is only doing 6k



https://xflboard.com/xfl-attendance/

NFL isn't exactly packing them in either



The NFL just had their second-largest boost (https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2023/01/16/Upfront/nfl-attendance.aspx#:~:text=crowd%20grew%20by%203.25%2 5%20to,of%20published%20box%20score%20attendance.) to their average attendance in 19 years, up to almost 70,000 a game. No idea what you're referring to here.

https://xflnewshub.com/columns/xfl-expansion-2025-exploring-potential-new-horizons-with-san-diego-san-jose-nashville-and-more/

XFL to OKC the article is suggesting that OKC could have a XFL team in 2025 playing in an upgraded Taft stadium(until new stadium is built I assume)

What a stupid article:


San Jose, California
San Jose, the third-largest city in California, boasts a population of over 1 million residents and a thriving sports culture. Home to the NHL’s San Jose Sharks and the MLS’s San Jose Earthquakes, the city has demonstrated a strong appetite for professional sports. Adding an XFL team to San Jose could tap into this established fan base and fill the football void left by the San Francisco 49ers’ relocation to Santa Clara.

Someone needs to check a map on where Santa Clara is.....

would rather see the soccer stadium money diverted to a new thunder arena and/or the operating budgets for other MAPS 4 projects (which are, imo, woefully underfunded and will require continued taxpayer subsidy).

The NFL just had their second-largest boost (https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2023/01/16/Upfront/nfl-attendance.aspx#:~:text=crowd%20grew%20by%203.25%2 5%20to,of%20published%20box%20score%20attendance.) to their average attendance in 19 years, up to almost 70,000 a game. No idea what you're referring to here.

NFL ticket sales were up last season but there is a huge difference between ticket sales and attendance. Go to stub hub and you will find thousands, if not 10s of thousand of tickets available on the resale market for any given game.

For example: Here is Texas Rangers game on April 21st. All those sections in pink are people trying sell their season tickets to that game. Game is probably sold out but you can go for $13.

17993

NFL ticket sales were up last season but there is a huge difference between ticket sales and attendance. Go to stub hub and you will find thousands, if not 10s of thousand of tickets available on the resale market for any given game.

lol

NFL ticket sales were up last season but there is a huge difference between ticket sales and attendance. Go to stub hub and you will find thousands, if not 10s of thousand of tickets available on the resale market for any given game.

You do realize that the vast majority of the tickets listed on StubHub get sold, don't you?

You do realize that the vast majority of the tickets listed on Stub Hub get sold, don't you?

They are ALL sold. That is my point.

You do realize that the vast majority of the tickets listed on Stub Hub get sold, don't you?

And as long as the original tickets get sold, what's the big deal about how many actual people show up?