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).

Very good points and I have to agree with those. I am all for a soccer stadium. Not an MLS size one but we really need a stadium with a correct size field. The 30 miliion one for only 4 % of MAPS 4 is a good start.

Talking about MLS. No owner will pay 200 millions to get relegated. 30 Teams is already too much for a second zone league like the MLS but, as previsously pointed, the entry fees is the only way the league makes money.

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.

Thanks. However having enough players was not a factor in my comment. There are enough basketball players and football players in this country that is not a factor in further expansion. Enough hockey players in the North America and Europe that is not hindering expansion. This article from 2017 where 4B was turned down to go to a relegation scheme holds no interest in the MLS.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3164144/mls-rejected-$4-billion-media-rights-deal-that-hinged-on-promotion-and-relegation

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Thanks. However having enough players was not a factor in my comment. There are enough basketball players and football players in this country that is not a factor in further expansion. Enough hockey players in the North America and Europe that is not hindering expansion. This article from 2017 where 4B was turned down to go to a relegation scheme holds no interest in the MLS.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3164144/mls-rejected-$4-billion-media-rights-deal-that-hinged-on-promotion-and-relegation

The link needs to be copied and pasted in your browser.

No, there really aren't enough good basketball players to field 40 competitive teams...there is barely enough for the NBA now, and that's with a huge influx of foreign players. Football doesn't have enough good ones now, particularly at QB and defensive linemen.

No, there really aren't enough good basketball players to field 40 competitive teams...there is barely enough for the NBA now, and that's with a huge influx of foreign players. Football doesn't have enough good ones now, particularly at QB and defensive linemen.

The NFL could easily expand and fill out rosters with good players. That is not the issue. The NFL owners are very greedy and they don't want to split the huge TV revenue they are splitting. Other words , the don't want any more mouths to feed. There are players on every teams practice squad right now that could be playing on Sundays.

MLS on the other hand has so many players from the US and World wide that they could easily expand to 40 teams. BUT-It will approach the same thinking as NFL. Their tv contract isn't nearly as much as the NFL but the same situation still applies. The more you add the more you split that revenue.

The NFL could easily expand and fill out rosters with good players. That is not the issue. The NFL owners are very greedy and they don't want to split the huge TV revenue they are splitting. Other words , the don't want any more mouths to feed. There are players on every teams practice squad right now that could be playing on Sundays.

MLS on the other hand has so many players from the US and World wide that they could easily expand to 40 teams. BUT-It will approach the same thinking as NFL. Their tv contract isn't nearly as much as the NFL but the same situation still applies. The more you add the more you split that revenue.

don't watch much NFL, do you??? they are having a hard time finding enough QB's and kickers for 32 teams... and it's why the league says they don't want things like the AAF or the XFL, because it takes backup QB's from their available pool...

don't watch much NFL, do you??? they are having a hard time finding enough QB's and kickers for 32 teams... and it's why the league says they don't want things like the AAF or the XFL, because it takes backup QB's from their available pool...

This exactly. You can find players, but not top talent. There are not enough quality soccer players to fill a 40 team league. There are more opportunities for star quality talent to play in European leagues. It ain't happening on these shores.

don't watch much NFL, do you??? they are having a hard time finding enough QB's and kickers for 32 teams... and it's why the league says they don't want things like the AAF or the XFL, because it takes backup QB's from their available pool...

Make no mistake-It's all about the money for NFL owners. But I will say that NFL stadiums all over the league are having problems getting people in the stands. There were 1/2 filled stadiums all over the place yesterday. Fans would rather stay at home and watch on TV. Watch when the XFL starts play. You might be mildly shocked at the quality of the game. There will be a bunch of players in that league that could be playing in the NFL.

This exactly. You can find players, but not top talent. There are not enough quality soccer players to fill a 40 team league. There are more opportunities for star quality talent to play in European leagues. It ain't happening on these shores.

You do understand that there are millions more soccer players in the world than there are football players. Soccer is world wide, football (as we know it) is mostly North America. If the MLS can pay the money to these players they will come.

No, there really aren't enough good basketball players to field 40 competitive teams...there is barely enough for the NBA now, and that's with a huge influx of foreign players. Football doesn't have enough good ones now, particularly at QB and defensive linemen.

This is subjective. A lot of people love college basketball and the drop off in talent is massive from the NBA. Some people like watching high school. It’s more complex than some random cutoff of quality. The overall experience, enthusiasm, and competitiveness are probably more important.

You do understand that there are millions more soccer players in the world than there are football players. Soccer is world wide, football (as we know it) is mostly North America. If the MLS can pay the money to these players they will come.

Yeah there are more soccer players than football players worldwide, I get that. But how many of those quality major league talent players are going to come to this country to play? That is the question. Also there are just as many basketball players worldwide as soccer, but not enough to field a 40 team NBA. Additionally a basketball roster is smaller than a soccer roster.

Make no mistake-It's all about the money for NFL owners. But I will say that NFL stadiums all over the league are having problems getting people in the stands. There were 1/2 filled stadiums all over the place yesterday. Fans would rather stay at home and watch on TV. Watch when the XFL starts play. You might be mildly shocked at the quality of the game. There will be a bunch of players in that league that could be playing in the NFL.

I saw how the scabs played when the NFL was on strike as well as the play in the AAF. No cigar. 1/2 filled stadiums all over the place? Color me skeptical on that claim. Can you back that claim up?

Check out these 2019 figures. One team at 71% the rest above 80% with the vast majority above 90%. You are reaching with that 1/2 filled claim.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/attendance

I saw how the scabs played when the NFL was on strike as well as the play in the AAF. No cigar. 1/2 filled stadiums all over the place? Color me skeptical on that claim. Can you back that claim up?

Check out these 2019 figures. One team at 71% the rest above 80% with the vast majority above 90%. You are reaching with that 1/2 filled claim.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/attendance


Also the NFL owners are losing a bunch of potential revenue from parking, food/drink and merchandise sales on game day. Heard they were very concerned with the LA market as that Rams owner is building a stadium that cost are rising to the 5 BILLION dollar mark. That owner is wanting the NFL players to help pay for it now. It's just crazy.


https://twitter.com/emptyseatspics/status/1185975084223209474?s=21

There's a bunch more like this if you look. The NFL having serious issues filling stadiums in todays NFL. Ticket brokers can't give tickets away. They are buying them cheap from teams and discounting them on the secondary markets and still can't sell them. Many tickets going for under $10.00 Teams report tickets sold not how many people are actually in the stadium and they are not telling us what prices those tickets are sold to the brokers. Much cheaper than face value. NFL is having problems.
Check another one out. https://www.breitbart.com/sports/2019/10/20/weak-seven-empty-seats-outnumber-fans-several-nfl-stadiums/

And those "half filled stadiums" still have more asses in the seats than the soccer teams in those cities. I've been hearing how soccer is going to be big since Pele played for the Cosmos.
And in NCAA D1, the SEC and Big 12 don't even field mens teams.

NFL has had issues with the fact that their own TV broadcasts are so good that people struggle with the value of attending in person. Thankfully (for them) the TV revenue is so large that it is a challenge, rather than a debacle. IIRC the revenue split from live attendance is around 70/30 home team versus visitor. And I have to admit I can't recall how the parking and food service revenue plays in to the picture.

NCAA football has been somewhat aided by their traditions, but challenges are becoming evident.

Also the NFL owners are losing a bunch of potential revenue from parking, food/drink and merchandise sales on game day. Heard they were very concerned with the LA market as that Rams owner is building a stadium that cost are rising to the 5 BILLION dollar mark. That owner is wanting the NFL players to help pay for it now. It's just crazy.


https://twitter.com/emptyseatspics/status/1185975084223209474?s=21

There's a bunch more like this if you look. The NFL having serious issues filling stadiums in todays NFL. Ticket brokers can't give tickets away. They are buying them cheap from teams and discounting them on the secondary markets and still can't sell them. Many tickets going for under $10.00 Teams report tickets sold not how many people are actually in the stadium and they are not telling us what prices those tickets are sold to the brokers. Much cheaper than face value. NFL is having problems.
Check another one out. https://www.breitbart.com/sports/2019/10/20/weak-seven-empty-seats-outnumber-fans-several-nfl-stadiums/

The NFL is making a tremendous amount of money. The sky is not falling. I can't recall hearing of any owner wanting to sell at a loss, or selling out at all.

The NFL is making a tremendous amount of money. The sky is not falling. I can't recall hearing of any owner wanting to sell at a loss, or selling out at all.

The NFL owners are making money no question about that but not as much as they were making. And NFL owners are greedy billionaires and whenever revenues go down they tend to freak out like they did at last owners meeting recently. They are and have been losing fans and that's lost revenue. Concessions and parking are a huge part of their revenue stream. It will be interesting to see what comes of the next CBA with the players union.

Soccer is huge in high schools across the country while football is losing it's luster in many areas because of health concerns. This trend will continue.

The NFL is making a tremendous amount of money. The sky is not falling. I can't recall hearing of any owner wanting to sell at a loss, or selling out at all.https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/062515/how-nfl-makes-money.asp
Despite steadily declining viewership since 2015 and recent controversies about concussions and the national anthem, the NFL is making more money than ever. Although, due to its private status, it is impossible to know exactly how much the NFL makes; Bloomberg estimates it earned around $15 billion during the 2018 season. This is up from estimates of $14.2 billion in 2017 and $13.3 billion in 2016. And the league is showing no intentions of slowing down. Commissioner Roger Goodell has targeted $25 billion in revenue by 2027, or 6% annual growth.

Television and licensing of merch are the big money makers along with corporate sponsorships.
I would like to have the problems they are having, lol.

The NFL owners are making money no question about that but not as much as they were making. And NFL owners are greedy billionaires and whenever revenues go down they tend to freak out like they did at last owners meeting recently. They are and have been losing fans and that's lost revenue. Concessions and parking are a huge part of their revenue stream. It will be interesting to see what comes of the next CBA with the players union.

Soccer is huge in high schools across the country while football is losing it's luster in many areas because of health concerns. This trend will continue.

And yet I never hear high school soccer results on local television sports. Football and basketball are pretty much it.

And yet I never hear high school soccer results on local television sports. Football and basketball are pretty much it.

Obviously you don't get out of Ok much.

Now all the cool kids are going out for soccer in most of the larger cities. It's just the way it is. Me, I don't really care for soccer that much and football has always been my passion. But I am not going to close my eyes and refuse to see what's happening around the country.

Obviously you don't get out of Ok much.

Now all the cool kids are going out for soccer in most of the larger cities. It's just the way it is. Me, I don't really care for soccer that much and football has always been my passion. But I am not going to close my eyes and refuse to see what's happening around the country.

I get out plenty, but when I do I'm not watching local news.
Cool kids, yeah ok whatever you think. I'm sure its right on par with lacrosse, tennis, and golf. I'm going to make a guess that in the largest USA cities, basketball is what the athletes are playing.

Obviously you don't get out of Ok much.

Now all the cool kids are going out for soccer in most of the larger cities. It's just the way it is. Me, I don't really care for soccer that much and football has always been my passion. But I am not going to close my eyes and refuse to see what's happening around the country.
In Los Angeles I don’t see a lot of high school soccer activity. It’s mainly football and basketball.

I get out plenty, but when I do I'm not watching local news.
Cool kids, yeah ok whatever you think. I'm sure its right on par with lacrosse, tennis, and golf. I'm going to make a guess that in the largest USA cities, basketball is what the athletes are playing.

Lacrosse is a very elite sport for a high schooler to play, particularly on the coasts. And most of those Lax Bros have a very high pull to chill ratio.

yes there are more soccer players... but the elite won't want to come to the US... MLS does not pay anywhere close to what the Premier League pays... MLS when it comes to soccer is not the creme of the crop... that is the problem...

to be fair those falcons are now 1-6 after getting blown out that game. Pretty sure all those seats are sold, just no one wanted to go watch them get throttled.

The NFL owners are making money no question about that but not as much as they were making. And NFL owners are greedy billionaires and whenever revenues go down they tend to freak out like they did at last owners meeting recently. They are and have been losing fans and that's lost revenue. Concessions and parking are a huge part of their revenue stream. It will be interesting to see what comes of the next CBA with the players union.

Soccer is huge in high schools across the country while football is losing it's luster in many areas because of health concerns. This trend will continue.

NFL owners are currently making the most money they ever have .. and they are about to make a ton more

they just started negoiating the new TV deals .. which will be the highest ever for USA sports ..



this season since the NFL opening game NFL games are the highest 34 rated programs that have been on tv ..

I get out plenty, but when I do I'm not watching local news.
Cool kids, yeah ok whatever you think. I'm sure its right on par with lacrosse, tennis, and golf. I'm going to make a guess that in the largest USA cities, basketball is what the athletes are playing.

https://www.axios.com/high-school-sport-participation-down-30-years-63a17b3d-73d7-4029-94d7-c254755c21d2.html

All eyes on football: Participation in 11-man football declined for the fifth straight year and reached its lowest mark (1,006,013 participants) since 1999-2000. On the flip side, participation in boys 6-, 8- and 9-player football is up, and girls 11-player football has doubled over the past 10 years.
Big winners this decade: Since 2012, boys and girls lacrosse is up 19%, boys soccer is up 9% and volleyball has seen growth for both genders (up 26% for boys and 8% for girls).

Most popular sports (boys):

11-player football (1,006,013)
Track and field (605,354)
Basketball (540,769)
Baseball (482,740)
Soccer (459,077)

HS Basketball has a little over 80k more participants than HS Soccer, but yeah, soccer is totally on par with lacrosse (113,702), tennis (159,314), and golf (143,200).

So much anti-soccer bias in Oklahoma....

and yet even among my friends that played college soccer they as a group don't like watching it ...


Football is king

I think we are getting sidetracked with which sport is preferred by who.

I think it is an anomaly a City the size of OKC does not have an outdoor stadium without a field big enough for soccer.
This need to be addressed. After, it can be use for a lot of different sports too !

and yet even among my friends that played college soccer they as a group don't like watching it ...


Football is king

Ok. I agree with football being king (for now). I love football, but I also love soccer. It's extremely ignorant to not realize how much/how fast soccer is growing in this country. People that group soccer in with lacrosse and golf need to get with the times. With how aware parents are of football's concussion issue, I guarantee that HS football participation will keep declining in this country (unless they somehow find a way to fix the concussion issue). Football wasn't always king, and one day down the road, it'll lose that title. Why not invest in a sport that keeps growing in popularity (especially among youth).

high pull to chill ratio

WTH does this even mean?

Ok. I agree with football being king (for now). I love football, but I also love soccer. It's extremely ignorant to not realize how much/how fast soccer is growing in this country. People that group soccer in with lacrosse and golf need to get with the times. With how aware parents are of football's concussion issue, I guarantee that HS football participation will keep declining in this country (unless they somehow find a way to fix the concussion issue). Football wasn't always king, and one day down the road, it'll lose that title. Why not invest in a sport that keeps growing in popularity (especially among youth).

The bottom line last time I will say this. Football is declining while soccer is on the rise across the US. Fans staying away from NFL stadiums in droves. Fact

No need for any comments because this is a fact that no one can deny.

Thanks and have a nice!

Ok. I agree with football being king (for now). I love football, but I also love soccer. It's extremely ignorant to not realize how much/how fast soccer is growing in this country. People that group soccer in with lacrosse and golf need to get with the times. With how aware parents are of football's concussion issue, I guarantee that HS football participation will keep declining in this country (unless they somehow find a way to fix the concussion issue). Football wasn't always king, and one day down the road, it'll lose that title. Why not invest in a sport that keeps growing in popularity (especially among youth).

Soccer has been a popular youth sport in the US for over 30 years. It has not translated into television and live attendance popularity at the professional level that would make it truly Major League. Investors have "bet the come" for almost 50 years in the US, and their payoff has been elusive for the last 20 years plus.

Regarding the concussion issue: I saw a headline this week in the Wall Street Journal for a story that the link between dementia and soccer is being studied, and awareness raised. I think the concussion risk in soccer is as high as, if not higher than, football, but the NFL had a more readily available revenue stream for American class-action attorneys to approach first. I think that is why boxing was never emphasized as a source of concussion, CTE and dementia...they hide their money better.

The bottom line last time I will say this. Football is declining while soccer is on the rise across the US. Fans staying away from NFL stadiums in droves. Fact

No need for any comments because this is a fact that no one can deny.

Thanks and have a nice!

NFL is the largest live spectator league in the world outside of auto racing. And, it is bringing in record amounts of revenue. Not going anywhere and is still top of the totem pole.

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.

apparently it has been working like a ponzi scheme but the ones who really benefited from that system are the ten original founding teams and the part that doesn't add up is the fact that the last 15 or so expansion teams are led by solid investor groups who own some of the biggest, most iconic companies in the country and usually are billionaires. the atlanta team for example, is owned by the owner of the NFL's falcons and founder of home depot. what i'm trying to say is that those types of investors must do their homework intensively before they commit a penny to such business. they must have access to the league's accountability books and study revenues, expenses, risks, return on investment, profit, etc. because if they smell the bubble is about to burst i don't think they'd be too stupid to get on board with hundreds of millions on the line. i just don't think it's that simple. i imagine that what they see is a business that is about to make the jump to a new, higher level and they want a piece of the pie while it is still at factory direct cost. the sport is undeniably gaining in popularity and the new generations from the millenials onward are more open minded about a global cultural diversity where soccer is clearly the sport that unifies the most people in the world, like how the world cup is the big deal worldwide compared to a superbowl for example. but the point is, those penny pinching billionaires who are putting their money down for new expansion teams are doing it because they smell more green that make their efforts worthwhile so something interesting must be happening there.

NFL is the largest live spectator league in the world outside of auto racing. And, it is bringing in record amounts of revenue. Not going anywhere and is still top of the totem pole.

that may be true but soccer in europe is a big deal, really. and it's definitely up there alongside the NFL as far as in place, live spectator audience, for example, when manchester united plays they fill their stadium with over 70K people in one single game. barcelona sells out their 100K stadium several times per season. and just about every large city in europe from munich to milan, liverpool, london, etc. plus you need to factor in that NFL games are broadcast and viewed primarily in the U.S and their ratings are outstanding but soccer reaches the whole world and therefore its audience multiplies exponentially to the billions of viewers.

that may be true but soccer in europe is a big deal, really. and it's definitely up there alongside the NFL as far as in place, live spectator audience, for example, when manchester united plays they fill their stadium with over 70K people in one single game. barcelona sells out their 100K stadium several times per season. and just about every large city in europe from munich to milan, liverpool, london, etc. plus you need to factor in that NFL games are broadcast and viewed primarily in the U.S and their ratings are outstanding but soccer reaches the whole world and therefore its audience multiplies exponentially to the billions of viewers.

An NFL stadium was completed and has been used for 1-2 NFL games just outside London. It was packed for the game(s) as has been the old place. In the US, Soccer is growing but your "fact" about the decline of the NFL are misplaced.

An NFL stadium was completed and has been used for 1-2 NFL games just outside London. It was packed for the game(s) as has been the old place. In the US, Soccer is growing but your "fact" about the decline of the NFL are misplaced.

i don't recall "facting" the decline of the NFL. i do recall commenting that soccer as a sport is just as big in europe and that it is, in its own right, a true global sport.

With the incredible televisions and broadcast quality we all have in our living room now, staying home and watching a game in the comfort of your own home is more and more becoming the choice for many... this is true in every sport...

The true measure of popularity of sports leagues in the United States and around the world is the size of the television contracts...and based on that professional soccer in the United States it’s still a minor sport.

Annual revenue by league (U.S. dollars)
League Revenues TV revenue
National Football League $7.2 bn
Major League Baseball $1.5 bn
National Basketball Association $5.2bn
National Hockey League $600 m
Major League Soccer $90 m
Canadian Football League $40 m

With the incredible televisions and broadcast quality we all have in our living room now, staying home and watching a game in the comfort of your own home is more and more becoming the choice for many... this is true in every sport...

The true measure of popularity of sports leagues in the United States and around the world is the size of the television contracts...and based on that professional soccer in the United States it’s still a minor sport.

Annual revenue by league (U.S. dollars)
League Revenues TV revenue
National Football League $7.2 bn
Major League Baseball $1.5 bn
National Basketball Association $5.2bn
National Hockey League $600 m
Major League Soccer $90 m
Canadian Football League $40 m

and the nfl is the oldest of those deals the new one starting in 22 will be much much higher than that number

NFL is the largest live spectator league in the world outside of auto racing. And, it is bringing in record amounts of revenue. Not going anywhere and is still top of the totem pole.

I agree, but that should be in the US. Soccer much bigger worldwide.

I agree, but that should be in the US. Soccer much bigger worldwide.

League... not sport worldwide. No soccer league is bigger anywhere.

Ok. I agree with football being king (for now). I love football, but I also love soccer. It's extremely ignorant to not realize how much/how fast soccer is growing in this country. People that group soccer in with lacrosse and golf need to get with the times. With how aware parents are of football's concussion issue, I guarantee that HS football participation will keep declining in this country (unless they somehow find a way to fix the concussion issue). Football wasn't always king, and one day down the road, it'll lose that title. Why not invest in a sport that keeps growing in popularity (especially among youth).

i have friends that are huge soccer fans, have even made trips for last 2 mens world cups, and make a premier league game a year... but that's the thing... they walk European leagues and world cup, and say that they don't even pay attention to MLS... of the 9 of them... only 3 have even been to an MLS game. and isn't there a whole fight going on now where a guy on LA Galaxy is making fun of the best guy on LAFC, saying that he is in MLS in his prime, and that is why he is doing so good here, but when he was in his prime, he was in the Premier League??? so even the players know that MLS isn't even the top tier league for the local fans

I think jedicurt's anecdote is probably more representative of what's really happening in the US, as a soccer market.

It seems soccer is getting more popular, but that is not translating to the MLS getting more popular. More people are watching soccer in the US, but that doesn't seem to be helping the MLS. In fact, easier access to Premier League games is probably hurting the MLS.

MLS TV ratings slump 19% during regular season; Playoffs take a nosedive (https://worldsoccertalk.com/2019/10/23/mls-tv-ratings-slump-19-regular-season-playoffs-take-nosedive/)


...soccer fans in the United States have access to better soccer from around the world that’s more accessible than MLS games. As a result, viewers are tuning out Major League Soccer and tuning into other leagues, clubs and competitions from around the world.


Premier League Pushing Huge Viewership Gains for NBC Sports Group (https://corporate.comcast.com/news-information/news-feed/premier-league-pushing-huge-viewership-gains-for-nbc-sports-group)


Nearly 10 million viewers have tuned in to NBC Sports Group's Premier League coverage since Aug. 17, leading to a 67 percent daily viewership increase for NBCSN, marking the largest cable sports network growth over that span. Meanwhile, mobile viewership continues its rapid growth; fans have streamed nearly 35 million minutes via NBC Sports Live Extra over that span.

So, really, in context of this stadium being used for MLS games, it's not about soccer's popularity in general, but about the MLS's viability specifically.

League... not sport worldwide. No soccer league is bigger anywhere.



yes, i think you've nailed it. it seems to me the debate got carried away and we were no longer comparing apples with apples.
so, contrary to a comment above, i do believe the NFL is the biggest, most profitable league, regardless of sport, in the world. according to forbes all 32 NFL teams are among the 50 most valueable sports teams in the world, including the detroit lions. however, if we compare sport against sport, and i am not "facting" the decline of the NFL, soccer has a bigger audience and fan base world wide numbered in the billions. the NFL as a league is growing richer every year with higher t.v contracts and soaring team values. in soccer the only league that may come remotely close to it is the english premier league. people outside the u.s do watch NFL games but football as a sport is not a global phenomenon like soccer is. and that's not belittling or "facting" the decline of football or the NFL at all.

I read this report every year. It's not exactly related to the discussion at hand, but is related. I'm sure many of you will find it interesting. The 2019 issue should come out soon. Global Sports Salaries Survey 2018 (http://www.globalsportssalaries.com/GSSS%202018.pdf)

This is about having a public stadium that can be used for MANY things the citizenry is interested in, including soccer. If we could claim we could have a rodeo in it, it would probably be very popular. LOL. This isn't about the Funk's, rich athletes, soccer vs football. It's about having a multipurpose stadium befitting a city our size that serves its citizens. Even though I don't watch soccer, I still think this is important.

This is about having a public stadium that can be used for MANY things the citizenry is interested in, including soccer. If we could claim we could have a rodeo in it, it would probably be very popular. LOL. This isn't about the Funk's, rich athletes, soccer vs football. It's about having a multipurpose stadium befitting a city our size that serves its citizens. Even though I don't watch soccer, I still think this is important.

but i've yet to be told a need for this venue that isn't already filled by other venues we have around the city... soccer keeps getting brought up, because it is the one that everyone keeps saying it is needed for... yes it can also have outdoor concerts... we have plenty of outdoor concert venues... so what concert did we not get because we didn't have this type of facility? what are these other things that we can't use the new park, or any of the other outdoor spaces that the City already owns??? i have yet to hear what any of them are, except soccer... hence the topic of discussion.

but i've yet to be told a need for this venue that isn't already filled by other venues we have around the city... soccer keeps getting brought up, because it is the one that everyone keeps saying it is needed for... yes it can also have outdoor concerts... we have plenty of outdoor concert venues... so what concert did we not get because we didn't have this type of facility? what are these other things that we can't use the new park, or any of the other outdoor spaces that the City already owns??? i have yet to hear what any of them are, except soccer... hence the topic of discussion.

That's because this is a Soccer stadium. The Energy will be the main tenant and everything else they tout is pretty much window dressing. Maybe they will have cheer leading events or something like that.

It is just Insane to think that we are going to give the Funkhousers $30MM+ for a pet project soccer stadium when this city has stop lights that turn into stop signs during even modest rain storms (Memorial and Western this morning), and there's not a single god damn reflective mark on any road in the metroplex, causing the lanes to disappear during the aforementioned storms.

But let's make sure Bobby gets his minor league soccer field.

but i've yet to be told a need for this venue that isn't already filled by other venues we have around the city... soccer keeps getting brought up, because it is the one that everyone keeps saying it is needed for... yes it can also have outdoor concerts... we have plenty of outdoor concert venues... so what concert did we not get because we didn't have this type of facility? what are these other things that we can't use the new park, or any of the other outdoor spaces that the City already owns??? i have yet to hear what any of them are, except soccer... hence the topic of discussion.

Sure, we didn't need the Chesapeake Arena either.. we could keep the Cox because it was a basketball floor. Or, we didn't really need a park...we have plenty. And we didn't need a library...we already had one. We didn't need a new ballpark...there are plenty of high school fields around the city. We didn't need the streetcar...we have plenty of cars and buses to take us where we want to go. We don't need any more restaurants.. there are plenty to eat at. We don't need anything... we can make due with what we have. Right?

Sure, we didn't need the Chesapeake Arena either.. we could keep the Cox because it was a basketball floor. Or, we didn't really need a park...we have plenty. And we didn't need a library...we already had one. We didn't need a new ballpark...there are plenty of high school fields around the city. We didn't need the streetcar...we have plenty of cars and buses to take us where we want to go. We don't need any more restaurants.. there are plenty to eat at. We don't need anything... we can make due with what we have. Right?

But that's where you are wrong...we were losing arena events when we only had cox... So a new arena was needed and able to be justified... Libraries, that's irrelevant... And we didn't have a massive large single park for events like the new park, so again... Nope... Outside of soccer, what is the need??? You were the one who said the conversation needed to be about more than soccer, not me... So let's have that conversation... What events do you think will be there? Will they be new events? Will they be events that move from current venues?? I would like to know your thoughts..

And you bringing up the ballpark is a great example... It's under utilized already, when baseball isn't going on, and it could hold the same types of events as this new stadium, but it doesn't... Why not? Is there not a need?

IIRC, the justification for the Peak was the hope we could get an NHL franchise. If it hadn't been for Hurricane Katrina, we likely would never had been approved for an NBA franchise. I say that to say that targets need to be flexible. The Brick isn't suitable for either soccer, football, or most concerts. That is why it is empty for much of the year. A new multipurpose facility would chiefly be used for soccer but would be infinitely more suitable for outdoor concerts, HS football playoffs, and likely events I haven't even considered. I didn't see anything that would indicate the Energy would get to play there for free. Did I miss that?

What makes you think there is a market for HS football playoffs in the metro? Pete indicated earlier there is no pent up desire for this in the metro.Those playoffs are after the regular season games in college are over and they could utilize OU. OSU, or Central Oklahoma and they don't.
Concerts can be held in the new park. This is nothing but a gift to the Funks and construction companies. Bad use of funds when you can't keep the street lights lit.

I think people need to travel more and see the kinds of facilities that are common in most metropolitan areas of around our size and the ones we aspire to be like. It is true that no one will die if we don't do anything else on public amenities for the next 20 years. If survival is the only objective, join the tea party, cut more taxes, and let's not do anything progressive to make this a more livable and attractive city.

I also don't understand all the animosity towards the Funks. If anybody thinks the Funks need this to make their lives complete or fruitful, or even if they think they will actually make money on it, they are pretty unaware. Soccer in OKC is never going to be a big profit item. This stadium doesn't get them big money or big crowds. They will have to spend 100s of millions of $ to even have a chance to put OKC on the soccer big stage.

I also don't understand all the animosity towards the Funks. If anybody thinks the Funks need this to make their lives complete or fruitful, or even if they think they will actually make money on it, they are pretty unaware. Soccer in OKC is never going to be a big profit item. This stadium doesn't get them big money or big crowds. They will have to spend 100s of millions of $ to even have a chance to put OKC on the soccer big stage.

^^^^^ This! I wish Funk could eloquently say this without coming off pompous and pessimistic about the future of soccer in OKC. It's true. It's got to be difficult to sell the city on the stadium and the future of soccer in OKC while also keeping quiet as to Funk's future expected costs they will suffer.

Also, this particular thread's tendency to revert into anecdotal thoughts on soccer v. other sports is... silly. I wish I could find old threads from pre-Chesapeake days to hear the naysayers discuss the stupidity in building an arena without an NBA/NHL team lined out.

Can the proposed stadium also be cross-purposed for track and field? Special Olympics currently uses UCO, and USATF seems to enjoy having events in middle America. No big revenue stream but families likely to stay in hotels, eat out, etc.

Can the proposed stadium also be cross-purposed for track and field? Special Olympics currently uses UCO, and USATF seems to enjoy having events in middle America. No big revenue stream but families likely to stay in hotels, eat out, etc.

Not unless you want to make the sightlines awful for the soccer games there.

Can the proposed stadium also be cross-purposed for track and field? Special Olympics currently uses UCO, and USATF seems to enjoy having events in middle America. No big revenue stream but families likely to stay in hotels, eat out, etc.
The trouble with making venues purposed for everything is they become substandard for anything.

OU's track and field stadium is large and nice. If they aren't happy with UCO, then they should talk to OU. of course, it probably cost more too because they dont run for free. If they can't afford OU, i bet they wouldn't be able to afford this stadium either.