The USL wouldn’t approve the movie because, as has been mentioned a few times, Oklahoma City doesn’t have a stadium with a regulation size field.

They could build a regulation size field for a few thousand dollars. Might not be fancy but we could get them a regulation size. I was looking around and most of the USL teams don't draw many fans.

There are tons of possible sites on the southside but Funk obviously has his mind set and for some reason the big projects just have to be downtown.

https://i.imgur.com/7QEWYpi.png

https://i.imgur.com/AlvepRS.png

https://i.imgur.com/SW5svaA.png

Site #1: In the Wheeler District area. Wheeler is focused on the first phase without any real plans for the second phase east of Western and a new plan around a soccer stadium could be had. This is my least favorite option but it is there.

Site #2: Closest to Capitol Hill with the most influence(due to proximity). Requires buying a few properties and demoing none of which are historically significant or architectural interesting and they are arguably blighted. This is probably my favorite spot. It would require the densest and most compact stadium(footprint) but seems like a MLS level stadium could exist. The blighted 25th St. serves as an industrial area and arguably the city should have more compacted industrial parks. It could stand to loose a few and the businesses relocate to existing ones.

Site #3: A chance to turn an industrial street into a mixed-use with several great buildings that could be restored. The remaining metal buildings are cheap and easy demo with land costs likely not too high. Great catalysts for a new urban area outside of downtown and giving life into a stagnant part of town.

Site #4: Former Crossroads Mall. Complete tear down of the buildings in the area and a huge potential for a new urban district with a possible commuter rail stop and working with OkDOT for better access under the adjacent interstate to interstate interchange rebuild gives a great location. Has the means to be a huge boost and great infill not contributing to urban sprawl. Other deals could be worked to develop millions of SF of retail(a bigger Oak), another regional draw(Medieval Times/world class aquarium, etc.), thousands of new residential units, etc.

Downtown already has momentum and this stadium could also be a great real estate tool in addition to bringing soccer for the fans. It gives something an undeserved part of the city can truly be proud of and brings more money to it. The Strawberry Fields and Lumberyard site will develop just fine without this stadium, albeit likely taking longer but not nearly as long as it will for these sites.

Site #1 is the eastern half of the Wheeler District master plan. Site #3 is where Pull-A-Part is moving to. So both of those are out.

Site #2 is currently owned by the City of OKC and is currently home to several soccer fields. The fields appear to be operated by the Latin and American Soccer League of Oklahoma Inc; based on their website, it appears they host many youth and junior league matches here. The parcel you pointed out does extend all the way from Walker to Western, so there would be room for a parking lot or structure of some variety, but there is an oil well right in the middle of the property dividing the halves.

Site #4 would be great; there are existing hotels and restaurants on pad sites nearby. As you note, this area has long been proposed for a stop on the commuter rail network, so a soccer stadium here would be a fantastic anchor for a new mixed-use district, incorporating new development with the existing businesses. My hope would be for a developer or a group to come up with a master plan for the area that would increase density and exclude seas of parking. I think the biggest challenge here is that the mall property now has split ownership and buying the owners out could be an uphill battle.

The sheep are paying to help build Vegas up. It's like a big flock of sheep streaming into Vegas to give their money away on one thing or the other. OKC needs a good legal scam like that.


BTW,If Funk doesn't get his stadium for the Energy and moves his team maybe someone can buy the Stl USL team and move them here. I assume they prob. won't be keeping that team now since they are getting a major league soccer team.

you do know there is more to do in Vegas than gamble right??? i have been to Vegas 10-12 times in the past 5 years, and have not gambled once...

Problem with Crossroads is that there's nothing else around it. There are only minimal hotels on 240 and you really have to go to Moore to "do" anything else. So the city loses out on people eating nearby and maybe a trolly between parking/eating/soccer (and back)/etc. Lot's of intangibles that are indirectly tied to it being on the NORTH side of the river.

There are three hotels on this property already, along with a movie theater and two restaurants (one steakhouse, one fast food). The bones are there with plenty of room to draw more investment.

let bob funk pay for his stadium if he really wants it.
tomorrow saint louis will announced as the 28th major league soccer team; sacramento will be named
sometime before the end of the playoffs and the last spot will be contested between las vegas, phoenix, charlotte and san antonio. that being said, it is very difficult okc gets a first division club unless MLS expands beyond 30 teams to something like 40 or 42 because cities like milwaukee, new orleans, memphis, cleveland, san diego, detroit, pittsburgh and baltimore would be positioned ahead of it as well. so no point the city financing the construction of a brand new stadium with public money. i think, if i were bob funk, that i'd move the team to capitol hill's high school stadium first and then perhaps purchase the land north of the river along sw 15th between walker and harvey and look for big time investors as partners to help him build his stadium, even the thunder can be an investor in soccer i think.

I think MLS should expand to 40 or so teams, then create a two-tier system with promotion/relegation.

Farmers Market is the best place for the stadium no question

I think MLS should expand to 40 or so teams, then create a two-tier system with promotion/relegation.

I agree as a fan but owners would never go for this due to some major outlays in their clubs. It works in England and other countries because they started this way so long ago and before money was so big. But here you have to have money first before club and all that public money too. Its not just owners who would fight it so would cities who chipped in major dollars so they could have top billing.

But it is a great system and helps when teams stop spending money and get bad they are relegated and the lower tier teams who spend money get promoted. It keeps the Detroit Lions of the world from always being bad and if they are bad down they go. But since so many stadiums here have public money they will never change. Too bad too.

Not too mention tv networks who would be pretty upset if the NY and LA teams were all relegated at the same time

i think, if i were bob funk, that i'd move the team to capitol hill's high school stadium first.

You mean the one with the same track around it as Taft? That's a brilliant idea. Lets move the team from one field that doesn't meet league standards to another stadium with the exact same issue!

Louisville City FC: https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2019/05/23/inside-look-louisville-city-fc-stadium-takes-shape.html


Louisville Stadium Project Acquires $21.7 Million TIF Funding: https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/922909

The stadium has a $70 million price tag. In December, the club finalized $50 million in financing syndicated by Fifth Third Bank for the new stadium. Other banks in the deal are First Financial Bank, Regions Bank, Paducah Bank, WesBanco Bank Inc., Stock Yards Bank & Trust Co. and Commonwealth Bank and Trust.

Current stadium: Louisville Slugger Field - AAA IL Louisville Bats

New Mexico United (Albuquerque): https://www.koat.com/article/new-mexico-united-has-eyes-on-abq-downtown-corridor-for-new-stadium/28227093

Current stadium: Isotopes Park - AAA PCL Albuquerque Isotopes

Oklahoma City Energy FC: https://www.soctakes.com/2019/08/08/energy-fc-pitches-new-stadium-options/

The two stadium options presented were valued significantly less than the initial $97 million proposal the club revealed in February. Holt opened Tuesday’s presentation saying he asked the ownership group to present a revised rendering of stadiums focused on reducing the budget.


The first option, with a projected cost between $37 million and $42 million, would seat 8,000 and is estimated to host 66 events per year, according to the Energy.

The second option, which would include a canopy and more fan-oriented amenities, is projected to cost between $67 million and $72 million and would seat 10,000. The club estimates 81 events hosted annually with the second stadium option.

Current stadium: Taft Stadium - High school football stadium - OKCPS

Tulsa Roughnecks FC: https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2018/01/new-outdoor-tulsa-stadium-to-be-studied/

Current stadium: ONEOK Field - AA Texas League - Tulsa Drillers

Several other USL franchises will need to immediately plan for new soccer specific stadiums:

El Paso Locomotives FC
Omaha (2020)

There are three hotels on this property already, along with a movie theater and two restaurants (one steakhouse, one fast food). The bones are there with plenty of room to draw more investment.

Have you been by there recently? The movie theater is BARELY making it since Warren opened. The inside keeps getting more worn and dirtier. The dollar theater next door did finally close 2 years ago. The hotel parking lots are 90% empty.

The steakhouse works because its the only one of that brand for 15 miles so it is a destination in itself. If it were say a Logan's, I don't think it would make it.

The remaining businesses on all sides have closed up shop. That entire shopping center on the west side is a shell of what it was. The old OKC Sports/Best Buy seems to change hands about every 5 years. Toys R Us is gone. The north side semi-survived because it turned in to OK State DHS offices.

I wouldn't call that a stellar set of bones to work with. Potential...yeah I guess, but Crossroads had potential for Plaza Mayor. Granted it was doomed from the start with how the ownership was organized, but its still closed. And if the school is gonna stay, it really messes with the site plan having a permanent structure right smack in the middle of the grounds.

Have you been by there recently? The movie theater is BARELY making it since Warren opened. The inside keeps getting more worn and dirtier. The dollar theater next door did finally close 2 years ago. The hotel parking lots are 90% empty.

The steakhouse works because its the only one of that brand for 15 miles so it is a destination in itself. If it were say a Logan's, I don't think it would make it.

The remaining businesses on all sides have closed up shop. That entire shopping center on the west side is a shell of what it was. The old OKC Sports/Best Buy seems to change hands about every 5 years. Toys R Us is gone. The north side semi-survived because it turned in to OK State DHS offices.

I wouldn't call that a stellar set of bones to work with. Potential...yeah I guess, but Crossroads had potential for Plaza Mayor. Granted it was doomed from the start with how the ownership was organized, but its still closed. And if the school is gonna stay, it really messes with the site plan having a permanent structure right smack in the middle of the grounds.

Yes, as I live about a mile away, I've been over to this area multiple times. You're absolutely correct that what exists there now is not stellar, but it's better than nothing. The bones do exist to make revitalization a *little* less daunting of a task - both in existing building stock and raw land for new buildings. The hotels might have light occupancy right now, but they are still there and still open to serve guests; they are positioned well for when revitalization finally does occur. Having Texas Roadhouse and Burger King there is a start, too. The split ownership is going to be the biggest stumbling block. Hudiburg Auto Group owns the former Macy's, and Santa Fe South High School owns the former Montgomery Ward's - and this also includes ownership of the nearby parking lots out to the ring road. Together these two parcels in the NE corner of the property represent almost a quarter of the land there. The rest of the mall and parking lot is under common ownership, though, which could allow a stadium to be built closer toward the hotels and ring road. There is a lot of vacancy in the retail strip centers, too, but a few signs of life remain here and there; Dove Science Academy owns the old Heritage College / New Best Buy building, and OCCC operates their Prefessional Development Center out of the Old Best Buy building. The Crossroads Islamic Center of Oklahoma owns and operates out of the old Luby's, J.A. King (a precision instrument calibration company) operates out of the former Sears Auto Center, and Accurate Safety Compliance (OSHA compliance consultants) owns and operates out of the old Jackie Cooper Electronics building. While this isn't great for now, the level of vacancy means if the area were to be revitalized, retail and other shopping could quickly get going here again.

Yes, as I live about a mile away, I've been over to this area multiple times. You're absolutely correct that what exists there now is not stellar, but it's better than nothing. The bones do exist to make revitalization a *little* less daunting of a task - both in existing building stock and raw land for new buildings. The hotels might have light occupancy right now, but they are still there and still open to serve guests; they are positioned well for when revitalization finally does occur. Having Texas Roadhouse and Burger King there is a start, too. The split ownership is going to be the biggest stumbling block. Hudiburg Auto Group owns the former Macy's, and Santa Fe South High School owns the former Montgomery Ward's - and this also includes ownership of the nearby parking lots out to the ring road. Together these two parcels in the NE corner of the property represent almost a quarter of the land there. The rest of the mall and parking lot is under common ownership, though, which could allow a stadium to be built closer toward the hotels and ring road. There is a lot of vacancy in the retail strip centers, too, but a few signs of life remain here and there; Dove Science Academy owns the old Heritage College / New Best Buy building, and OCCC operates their Prefessional Development Center out of the Old Best Buy building. The Crossroads Islamic Center of Oklahoma owns and operates out of the old Luby's, J.A. King (a precision instrument calibration company) operates out of the former Sears Auto Center, and Accurate Safety Compliance (OSHA compliance consultants) owns and operates out of the old Jackie Cooper Electronics building. While this isn't great for now, the level of vacancy means if the area were to be revitalized, retail and other shopping could quickly get going here again.

Just an FYI, OCCC no longer operates the Professional Development Institute. The programs that were offered there have moved to other OCCC locations. I've been told that Dove Science Academy is now using the space vacated by OCCC.

More land options to build a multipurpose venue, see it as a good omen--be it in the core or south of the river. One thing is for sure, the USL has alerted (see post #371) USL franchises to have a development plan for a soccer specific/mp stadium come 2020.

NASL Rochester in the late 80s had great crowd interest; vibrant headquarters of Xerox and Eastman Kodak, a corporation in quicksand since its 2013 bankruptcy. The Rochester Rhinos MLS aspiration has diminished in recent years.

MAPS 4 will have a variety of projects in the $925 million range that will chart the future course for our city. Many of the programs & projects may be of interests to you; especially as they address the future needs of our city.

I think MLS should expand to 40 or so teams, then create a two-tier system with promotion/relegation.

I was reading an article a few min. ago on the new STL MLS team. The owners are paying for the stadium and they are not asking for any TIF. The owners will pay all upkeep and maintenance on new 22-25k seat stadium. What a great deal for the city of Stl that local ownership stood up and is footing the bill. Also they are not doing PSLs that have become so popular around the country.

I was reading an article a few min. ago on the new STL MLS team. The owners are paying for the stadium and they are not asking for any TIF. The owners will pay all upkeep and maintenance on new 22-25k seat stadium. What a great deal for the city of Stl that local ownership stood up and is footing the bill. Also they are not doing PSLs that have become so popular around the country.

You have a link or source, share that article with us.

The ownership group is partnered with Julie Snow, co-founder of Snow Kreilich Architects, and architecture firm HOK. The stadium will seat between 22,000 and 25,00 people. MLS currently plays 17 regular-season home games and three exhibition games, not including the postseason. The stadium will also be used for concerts, high school and college tournaments, soccer camps, family shows and e-sports competitions.

The stadium is primarily privately financed. The ownership reiterated that it will not request Tax Increment Financing. The ownership group will pay for stadium maintenance, repair and upkeep.

https://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/ben-frederickson/benfred-garber-kindle-betz-discuss-what-comes-next-for-st/article_ac9ca492-8383-5e03-9da9-5135b230569c.html

The ownership group is partnered with Julie Snow, co-founder of Snow Kreilich Architects, and architecture firm HOK. The stadium will seat between 22,000 and 25,00 people. MLS currently plays 17 regular-season home games and three exhibition games, not including the postseason. The stadium will also be used for concerts, high school and college tournaments, soccer camps, family shows and e-sports competitions.

The stadium is primarily privately financed. The ownership reiterated that it will not request Tax Increment Financing. The ownership group will pay for stadium maintenance, repair and upkeep.

The stadium is primarily privately financed. The ownership reiterated that it will not request Tax Increment Financing. The ownership group will pay for stadium maintenance, repair and upkeep.

Thanks, OKCRT, good read. Wish OKC had the wealth of St. Louis private sector. Private stadium-arena financing in pro sports today is more of an anomaly.

Under the proposal stadium construction would not require any public funding, but the ownership group would get tax incentives for construction and maintenance.

There would be no sales tax on construction materials, and use of the proposed site- west of Union Station downtown- would be free. There would also be a 50 percent sales tax break on ticket sales, but the addition of a three percent sales tax on goods sold at the stadium.

The City of St. Louis would own the stadium, and the city’s development arm said the stadium deal would provide conservatively $41 million over 30 years. The resolution agreeing to the deal in principal passed in a 26-2 vote.

They are getting tax breaks and help from the city though.

https://deadspin.com/report-mls-will-expand-to-st-louis-might-not-complet-1837269624
Report: MLS Will Expand To St. Louis, Might Not Completely Fleece The City For A Stadium
https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/i-team/taxpayer-tab-on-fc-cincinnati-real-estate-needs-213-million-and-rising
Taxpayer tab on FC Cincinnati real estate needs: $213 million

Should the Chamber, errr City Council think a stadium is a good idea they better have safeguards built in for cost over runs as well as being candid on what rent is being charged and guarantees of usage other than a few minor league soccer games.

They are getting tax breaks and help from the city though.


Bottom line, It's a great deal for the people and I applaud the owners for stepping up. They will make their money back and then some. It appears that not all of these rich owners are as greedy as most. And from what I understand this is no stripped down stadium as it will be first class all the way. I do think that the city of Stl is providing the land and doing some street/highway work. If OKC could get this type of deal I would be all in on soccer just to support the owners investment.

I can't say enough complimentary things about the Taylor family. Time and again they have given to civic causes, even completely unglamorous ones. A few years ago the sewers underneath Forest Park, a crown jewel of the city, were rotting away. They were 100 years old. The cost to rebuild them: $40 million. Completely outside the realm of what was doable for the city at the time. The Taylor family literally wrote a check. For sewers. There are a number of such examples.

The thing is: they are selfless, yes, philanthropic, yes, but they are also smart enough to understand, even if they are too polite to say it out loud, that actions like that do come back to the benefit of their company in the long run. There isn't a person in this state that even shops around when renting a car. Enterprise may be the most expensive. Nobody cares. The company has that kind of good will. I do wish OKC had some families like them.

One other anecdote, I was at a pool party one time a few years ago. A pretty girl my age started talking to me. We had a great conversation, she was as down-to-earth as could be. She casually said her name was Chrissy. Later on one of my friends grabbed me and said "You were having a great conversation with Chrissy Taylor. Look at you!" I wouldn't have even known. She was that unassuming.

OK, we've gotten way off topic :)

I'm also impressed that the STL owners are paying for their own stadium. I wish the local owners here (whose two families are worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $1B from what I've been told?) would do the same. Instead I feel like they are just trying to get OKC taxpayers to foot the bill in order to prop up their investment. Well, that's my opinion anyway. I really am leaning toward voting No if this is part of MAPS4. And that would be the VERY FIRST time I haven't voted Yes for a MAP project. ANyway, just my opinion.

I'm not saying it's a bad thing the STL owners are paying for their own stadium, but that's cause the STL voters overwhelmingly shot down a publicly funded stadium a few years ago for a different ownership group. So...they didn't really have a choice. Let's not act like this group just magically decided to be altruistic here.

I'm not saying it's a bad thing the STL owners are paying for their own stadium, but that's cause the STL voters overwhelmingly shot down a publicly funded stadium a few years ago for a different ownership group. So...they didn't really have a choice. Let's not act like this group just magically decided to be altruistic here.

The MLS has tried for over 20 years to get into the Stl market but no mega rich owner would stand up and raise their hand. There was no way the city was going to build a stadium for MLS so it had to be privately funded. The owners will make their money back and then some in the long run and that is the way it should be. Now here in OKC they are asking for the people to build a USL team a stadium. That is kinda hard to swallow esp. after seeing this Stl. deal.

Is this a fair comparison: St. Louis vs. Oklahoma City...

MSA & TV Households are key factors to determine where a pro sports franchise will locate:

Metropolitan Statistical Area Population

20 St. Louis, MO-IL MSA 2,805,465
41 Oklahoma City, OK MSA 1,396,445
Difference: 1,409,020 more people in St. Louis MSA

Nielsen DMA Rankings – 2017 Television Season

21 St. Louis 1,215,570 1.06
41 Oklahoma City 722,140 0.63
Difference: 493,430 more viewership in St. Louis' TV household

Sources:


MSA: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_metropolitan_statistical_areas
Nielsen TV: https://www.lyonspr.com/latest-nielsen-dma-rankings/

...Give us a break.

St. Louis last time I checked is a shrinking metro and not doing so hot despite some recent impressive developments. OKC is growing likely much faster than STL is. Though I would say STL is a tier above OKC, it is not a huge stretch for comparison depending on the context. OKC could catch up with STL if it boomed like other real boomtowns of which I will argue OKC is NOT.

This is going to be a "one and done" post because I've started down the rabbit hole of St. Louis vs. OKC before and nobody really cares (nor should they) but I do think I should answer for the context of the discussion.

St. Louis is a stagnant market. The metro area grows at about 2% a decade. The city itself (which is a small fraction of the metro area due to being old and hemmed in by suburbs in the early 1900s) consistently falls in population, traditionally it was due to white flight and now it's primarily gentrification, where, say, a 6-unit apartment building becomes a 3-unit condo bldg. That and old Catholic families that used to have 8 children now have 2 children in this generation.

Anyway, the primary differentiator, beyond size, is strength of the soccer market. In the STL metro area, soccer is a much bigger deal than football for example. Kids grow up playing it, and whereas in OKC they gravitate to football in junior high, in STL the "cool athletic kids" tend to stay in soccer. It's a cultural thing. Not making a value judgement. There are literally more club teams and traveling teams among high schoolers than I can count. Also there is a history of European immigrant enclaves where it's a big deal. Also, St. Louis University has traditionally been a soccer powerhouse. All that to say that STL overshoots for it's size when it comes to soccer. The MLS has always wanted to be here. But the last vote was only within the city proper, as opposed to the whole metro area voting on it. Imagine an OKC that ended at NW 36th street and SW 44th street. It was never going to succeed. Whether it should have succeeded is a matter of opinion. But only about 15% of the metro area had the chance to vote on it.

We could go down the road of OKC "catching" STL someday, or STL "declining" but I don't really think that's what this thread is about.

St. Louis last time I checked is a shrinking metro and not doing so hot despite some recent impressive developments. OKC is growing likely much faster than STL is. Though I would say STL is a tier above OKC, it is not a huge stretch for comparison depending on the context. OKC could catch up with STL if it boomed like other real boomtowns of which I will argue OKC is NOT.

Don't think Stl metro is shrinking maybe Stl City is. But it appears that they are starting to turn that trend around with all the stuff that is going on there. But if you ever drove through there it is one suburb after another and the city itself is pretty small area. There's a lot of stuff going up in and around Stl and from what I hear. Like a 30 story residential tower in Clayton and some huge Government project in the city. Don't know if OKC will ever catch up but if it does we are talking a couple hundred years most likely.

Don't think Stl metro is shrinking maybe Stl City is. But it appears that they are starting to turn that trend around with all the stuff that is going on there. But if you ever drove through there it is one suburb after another and the city itself is pretty small area. There's a lot of stuff going up in and around Stl and from what I hear. Like a 30 story residential tower in Clayton and some huge Government project in the city. Don't know if OKC will ever catch up but if it does we are talking a couple hundred years most likely.

I'm aware of the projects going in STL. Lots of impressive stuff. Now that I remember you are right I had it backwards, the metro is growing. But it is weak growth and at current levels yes it would take OKC awhile to catch up. That is why I said OKC needs an Austin style boom to catch up and it could eclipse STL in a decade or two provided they don't see a boom.

I'm fairly familiar with STL and they places like Chesterfield that blow away anything in OKC. STL doesn't hold a candle to Austin, IMO, but it used to be light-years ahead of them.

I'm aware of the projects going in STL. Lots of impressive stuff. Now that I remember you are right I had it backwards, the metro is growing. But it is weak growth and at current levels yes it would take OKC awhile to catch up. That is why I said OKC needs an Austin style boom to catch up and it could eclipse STL in a decade or two provided they don't see a boom.

I'm fairly familiar with STL and they places like Chesterfield that blow away anything in OKC. STL doesn't hold a candle to Austin, IMO, but it used to be light-years ahead of them.

I don't know if I want OKC to have that kind of growth. Infrastructure sucks at our current size, let alone the ignorant amounts of growth they have experienced. They have many problems that are hidden by those cool skyscrapers they build.

I don't know if I want OKC to have that kind of growth. Infrastructure sucks at our current size, let alone the ignorant amounts of growth they have experienced. They have many problems that are hidden by those cool skyscrapers they build.

If you know my posting history you would know I love big freeways and skyscrapers so I would love OKC to turn into a massive metropolis. lol... I get the lack of appeal though. :P

If you know my posting history you would know I love big freeways and skyscrapers so I would love OKC to turn into a massive metropolis. lol... I get the lack of appeal though. :P

Oh, I am all for growth. I just think OKC can grow slower, yet still be successful.

And yes, we all know your love for tall buildings. Lol

I certainly see the negatives of fast growth. SLC seems to be handling it well but then again they have more money flowing through there.

If you know my posting history you would know I love big freeways and skyscrapers so I would love OKC to turn into a massive metropolis. lol... I get the lack of appeal though. :P

Yes more Skyscrapers please. I would like to order several asap. If OKC could just fix the bottlenecks on the interstates I would be happy.

If OKC could just fix the bottlenecks on the interstates I would be happy.

Nothing that a generous usage of spike strips couldn't solve....

Last stadium renderings shows the canapes ($750,000) , we have a $37 million budget Option 1 to work with--pending passage of MAPS 4:


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/stadium080619a.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/stadium080619i.jpg


Seating capacity, 10,000 seats.
Total project costs: $39,939,368


MULTIPURPOSE STADIUM $37M
For the purpose of pursuing the transformational power demonstrated by previous MAPS projects like the ballpark and the arena, it is the intent of the Council to allocate $37 million to a multipurpose stadium suitable for professional and college soccer, high school football and soccer, concerts and other events, similar in concept to multipurpose stadium venues found in every other large American city. Commencement of construction will be conditional on the approval of operating agreements with an established professional soccer operator / lessee before December 31, 2026 who can offer a self-sustaining operational model similar to the ballpark.

There are many factors that will determine what goes into construction of this facility:

Land acquisition, location, parking & a low bid (under budget)... The stadium will have to be built near existing parking, on city owned land for this stadium to be doable.

Just spent several nights in an Airbnb in The Hill, and wish we had QUOTE=stlokc;1086913]This is going to be a "one and done" post because I've started down the rabbit hole of St. Louis vs. OKC before and nobody really cares (nor should they) but I do think I should answer for the context of the discussion.
Just spent several nights in an Airbnb in the Hill, and I wish we had the farmers markets (Tower Grove Park), bakeries (Union Loafers, Nathaniel Reid),Art Museums, Forest Park, etc...
St. Louis is a stagnant market. The metro area grows at about 2% a decade. The city itself (which is a small fraction of the metro area due to being old and hemmed in by suburbs in the early 1900s) consistently falls in population, traditionally it was due to white flight and now it's primarily gentrification, where, say, a 6-unit apartment building becomes a 3-unit condo bldg. That and old Catholic families that used to have 8 children now have 2 children in this generation.

Anyway, the primary differentiator, beyond size, is strength of the soccer market. In the STL metro area, soccer is a much bigger deal than football for example. Kids grow up playing it, and whereas in OKC they gravitate to football in junior high, in STL the "cool athletic kids" tend to stay in soccer. It's a cultural thing. Not making a value judgement. There are literally more club teams and traveling teams among high schoolers than I can count. Also there is a history of European immigrant enclaves where it's a big deal. Also, St. Louis University has traditionally been a soccer powerhouse. All that to say that STL overshoots for it's size when it comes to soccer. The MLS has always wanted to be here. But the last vote was only within the city proper, as opposed to the whole metro area voting on it. Imagine an OKC that ended at NW 36th street and SW 44th street. It was never going to succeed. Whether it should have succeeded is a matter of opinion. But only about 15% of the metro area had the chance to vote on it.

We could go down the road of OKC "catching" STL someday, or STL "declining" but I don't really think that's what this thread is about.[/QUOTE]

St. Louis is a shinning example, equipped in so many ways, other cities could learn by her example.

Oklahoma City has 16 projects to be presented before the voters December 10, 2019. Still lots of work to be done, our input will be needed. Let's TOGETHER give it our best shot as we go FORWARD.

St. Louis is a shinning example, equipped in so many ways, other cities could learn by her example.

Oklahoma City has 16 projects to be presented before the voters December 10, 2019. Still lots of work to be done, our input will be needed. Let's TOGETHER give it our best shot as we go FORWARD.

Because it's more enjoyable to complain and do nothing to help improve the process. (yes, tongue in cheek)

Because it's more enjoyable to complain and do nothing to help improve the process. (yes, tongue in cheek)

Agree man, that's a no brainer. . .

USL Announces Agreement with Premier Partnerships
By Soccer Stadium Digest Editors on August 30, 2019 in USL, USL DIII

USL has announced a long-term agreement with Premier Partnerships, meaning that the sponsorship sales and consulting firm will represent USL Championship and USL League One.

Proposed OKC Energy Stadium 2
MAPS 4 Proposal with OKC Energy Stadium Funds Moves Forward
By Zach Spedden on August 28, 2019 in USL

https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/elpasoopener-2-1024x1024.jpg

MAPS 4 Proposal with OKC Energy Stadium Funds Moves Forward: https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/

A MAPS 4 initiative that includes funding for a new OKC Energy stadium has moved forward, as the Oklahoma City Council is sending it to a December voter referendum.

https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Proposed-OKC-Energy-Stadium-2-e1565196127567-1024x800.jpg

Founded by industry veterans Alan Rothenberg and Randy Bernstein, Premier Partnerships has been at the forefront of major recent naming rights and sponsorship agreements in North American soccer, having helped secure deals for the naming rights to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and Orlando City SC’s Exploria Stadium. Since its founding 16 years ago, the organization has worked with teams and leagues from the NFL, the NBA, the NHL, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer as well as numerous international properties.

“Our agreement with Premier Partnerships marks another major step forward for the USL in the commercial realm,” said USL SVP of Corporate Development & Partnerships Josh Keller. “The visibility of the Championship is at an all-time high, and will continue to grow under our renewed partnership with ESPN, and the presence of League One offers a large range of inventory for potential partners looking to reach the vibrant audience that make up the fanbases within our leagues across the United States and Canada.”

Following the announcement earlier this week of a new three-year broadcast deal with ESPN, the USL’s agreement with Premier Partnerships begins a major drive toward establishing key founding level, presenting level, and entitlement partners for both the USL Championship and League One which will accelerate revenue growth for the organization and its clubs.

“Representing the commercial rights for such a vibrant and fast-growing sports league is a perfect match for Premier and our three US offices,” said Premier President John Kristick. “With the FIFA World Cup coming to North America in 2026, USL provides an exciting and effective soccer platform for marketers.”

The USL Championship will enter its 10th anniversary season in the 2020 campaign, while USL League One will enter its second season. This year, the leagues will combine for more than 750 live games in the regular season as the USL brings professional soccer to more communities in North America than any

according to sports illustrated sacramento will become the 29th team of major league soccer.
that means there is only one expansion team award left with expansion beyond 30 teams extremely unlikely.
for okc that means the possibility of bringing its own expansion team in and therefore the justification for this stadium severely hampered.
i insist the idea of a pro soccer stadium in the downtown area is great but not if its financed with public money, that's all.

https://www.si.com/soccer/2019/10/16/sacramento-republic-mls-expansion-team

OKC is very unlikely to get a MLS team any time soon. This news doesn't really affect anything and if you're voting for a stadium based on that then you should reconsider regardless.

OKC is very unlikely to get a MLS team any time soon. This news doesn't really affect anything and if you're voting for a stadium based on that then you should reconsider regardless.

Professional Basketball is one thing. Subsidizing minor league soccer with the hope that it becomes professional at some point is another.

Plus, the Funks have plenty of Temping Cash to do this on their own account.

Tell those B****es to go apply for a commercial mortgage like the rest of us.

Professional Basketball is one thing. Subsidizing minor league soccer with the hope that it becomes professional at some point is another.

Plus, the Funks have plenty of Temping Cash to do this on their own account.

Tell those B****es to go apply for a commercial mortgage like the rest of us.

Just Say NO!

OKC has O chance for the 30th spot. Keep trying for MLS then bring the stadium up for vote with owner paying a nice %. That is how it's done. The days of 100 % public financed stadiums are OVER! Esp for minor sports.

One of those 30 franchises will fail and okc might be in a good position for the relocation, promotion/relegation etc. that was always the pitch

One of those 30 franchises will fail and okc might be in a good position for the relocation, promotion/relegation etc. that was always the pitch

If they get their stadium now for the minor league team I would bet they will be satisfied with the money they will be making and no chance for MLS. The stadium that's proposed for MAPS is nowhere near the stadium that would be required for MLS. I get the feeling that getting an MLS team was nothing more than a pipe dream,like a carrot on the stick. It will take someone with deep pockets and 100% committed to MLS soccer to get on the serious players list. I haven't seen that,not even close.

If they get their stadium now for the minor league team I would bet they will be satisfied with the money they will be making and no chance for MLS. The stadium that's proposed for MAPS is nowhere near the stadium that would be required for MLS. I get the feeling that getting an MLS team was nothing more than a pipe dream,like a carrot on the stick. It will take someone with deep pockets and 100% committed to MLS soccer to get on the serious players list. I haven't seen that,not even close.




exactly!!! it takes about half a billion dollars to launch a major league soccer team, granted the league awards you the right to join them. the sacramento stadium, for example, as well as the st. louis and austin stadiums currently in design phase will cost north of 250 million, so this maps stadium proposal valued at 30 some million is definitely not worth the bother. the expansion fee is also about 200 million and the youth/player development academy, training facility, coaches, staff and team executives add up another 50 million to round up the half a billion dollar price tag. so as you mention, it takes multiple business partners committed to the league, to the team, to the sport, to the city and to their capital investment in the long term to hop on board the MLS expansion craze. if you read the sports illustrated article i shared it mentions how the sacramento bid was going nowhere until a couple of multi millionaires and one billionaire joined the ownership group as lead investors and that's when it really got serious contention momentum going. we don't have any of that in okc and therefore this stadium proposal is poised to be one of the biggest mistakes in maps history. make the funks pay for their cute little minor league stadium if they really want it that bad. they got enough assets to secure generous terms from local banks. make them really earn their money and name in the sport.

exactly!!! it takes about half a billion dollars to launch a major league soccer team, granted the league awards you the right to join them. the sacramento stadium, for example, as well as the st. louis and austin stadiums currently in design phase will cost north of 250 million, so this maps stadium proposal valued at 30 some million is definitely not worth the bother. the expansion fee is also about 200 million and the youth/player development academy, training facility, coaches, staff and team executives add up another 50 million to round up the half a billion dollar price tag. so as you mention, it takes multiple business partners committed to the league, to the team, to the sport, to the city and to their capital investment in the long term to hop on board the MLS expansion craze. if you read the sports illustrated article i shared it mentions how the sacramento bid was going nowhere until a couple of multi millionaires and one billionaire joined the ownership group as lead investors and that's when it really got serious contention momentum going. we don't have any of that in okc and therefore this stadium proposal is poised to be one of the biggest mistakes in maps history. make the funks pay for their cute little minor league stadium if they really want it that bad. they got enough assets to secure generous terms from local banks. make them really earn their money and name in the sport.

yea, Funks would need to bring in someone with Real Money, like Uncle Harold or Paycom Chad.

problem is, i’d imagine that both of those dudes Hate soccer, and particularly Harold. I can only imagine how that pitch would go.

if we’re going to do this MAPS right, there needs to be at least two projects that receive $200MM+. Sprinkling some cash here and some over there works during an Easter Egg Hunt, but not for a BLC public works programmé.

I'm in favor of the stadium and think it will be a good long term investment for Oklahoma City. With zero snark, I will mention a couple reasons why I support it:

1. I recall reading that OKC is around number 35 on a realistic list of MLS cities, and the league is going to cap out at 30. That suggests to me that MLS ain't coming here anytime soon.

2. The stadium will provide multiple use opportunities and be an attractive item in the central city area.

3. I am old enough that I can say I have never heard of any OKC arena or stadium tied to specific teams or owners paying for it. The Bricktown baseball stadium 25 years ago would be the closest, but I think the only constant about that would be the Triple A affiliation. I think the team has had something like 4-5 owners since the team left All Sports Stadium, 2 leagues it played in and 3 Major League affiliations.
I don't understand why the Funk family is being singled out to pay for their facility. I don't recall it happening for Chip Land (and successors) with the OKC Cavalry CBA basketball team; Horn Chen with the Blazers hockey team; the Gaylord family, the Mathis brothers, the Funk family, and (Golden State Warriors owner) Peter Guber & partners with the OKC Dodgers. So, why the hate for a local owner trying to plant the (highest and best) minor league soccer flag in OKC?

4. I think we should be thankful that we are not Arlington Texas. As they are paying for the AT&T Dallas Cowboys Stadium, new Texas Rangers enclosed baseball stadium, and Globe Life Park (former home of the Texas Rangers, since around 1994-same age as Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark).

No idea whether or not OKC will ever get an MLS team, but just want to go on the record and say that I don't think there's any way MLS is stopping at 30 teams. Getting to 40 teams and doing a two-tiered promotion/relegation system seems like their end goal to me at this point.

No idea whether or not OKC will ever get an MLS team, but just want to go on the record and say that I don't think there's any way MLS is stopping at 30 teams. Getting to 40 teams and doing a two-tiered promotion/relegation system seems like their end goal to me at this point.

I'm sure that two-tiered promotion/relegation statement will go over the heads of all the anti soccer folk here. Besides, that second tier wouldn't be good enough for most of the people in this thread. They'd still call it "minor league"

No idea whether or not OKC will ever get an MLS team, but just want to go on the record and say that I don't think there's any way MLS is stopping at 30 teams. Getting to 40 teams and doing a two-tiered promotion/relegation system seems like their end goal to me at this point.


that's a good point. there really is potential to expand the league to 40 or more teams because the sport is on the rise and when you realize there are more than 10 cities that support professional teams in other sport leagues left out of MLS you think the potential is there for further expansion. but even then okc would not be in contention when you have cities like phoenix, baltimore, cleveland, milwaukee, pittsburgh, memphis, tampa bay, new orleans, san antonio, san francisco, las vegas, charlotte, detroit, and even quebec. however, 40 teams would really be stretching it; it could and should take them another couple decades and the USMNT winning a world cup to get there.

Of course the MLS will keep expanding. That's the only way they are making money with expansion/franchise fees in the $200 million range.

Of course the MLS will keep expanding. That's the only way they are making money with expansion/franchise fees in the $200 million range.

Bubbles have a tendency to burst at a certain point. There is good reason the NHL, NFL, and NBA don't have 40 franchises.

Bubbles have a tendency to burst at a certain point. There is good reason the NHL, NFL, and NBA don't have 40 franchises.

It's about having enough players to make competitive rosters and people who want to watch. Seems like there are lots of foreign players that could foreseeable fill out at least 40 competitive franchises. I think there would be B level and relegation though. As for number of people, OKC metro is 41st most populated.