It's time we look at building an NBA Class arena and Football/MLS Soccer Stadium.

[Laramie]

Obviously it's time to look at building a new NBA-NHL arena and a 25,000 seat football/soccer stadium adjacent to the Ford Center. MAPS 3 initative is right around the corner; it's time we plan ahead.

We need a new world-class arena seating 20,000 to 22,000 and a sports stadium for football and MLS soccer specifications with a minimum seating capacity of 25,000 capable of being expanded to 75,000 to 90,000 in the event we want to pursue the NFL.

We built the Ford Center for right at about $100 million and the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark for $28 million; therefore, we could probable look at spending $250 million on a new arena and $40 million on a multipurpose outdoor stadium capable of hosting track and field events in addition to football and soccer.

We may later want to cover (retractable roof) that stadium and add more seating.

What are your thoughts? Could the Ford Center be ungraded to 80 suites with increased seating? Could Taft Stadium (15,000 seats) be used and upgraded to MLS specifications?

[kmf563]

yes. please. soccer would be great. I haven't been to Taft stadium in forever...but I really question the area and support games would receive there. I think a new arena should be built with all of the specifications required. Could it have multiple uses maybe for smaller leagues too - like the women's football team and other local leagues? Maybe tournaments?

[CuatrodeMayo]

Obviously it's time to look at building a new NBA-NHL arena and a 25,000 seat football/soccer stadium adjacent to the Ford Center. MAPS 3 initative is right around the corner; it's time we plan ahead.

We need a new world-class arena seating 20,000 to 22,000 and a sports stadium for football and MLS soccer specifications with a minimum seating capacity of 25,000 capable of being expanded to 75,000 to 90,000 in the event we want to pursue the NFL.

We built the Ford Center for right at about $100 million and the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark for $28 million; therefore, we could probable look at spending $250 million on a new arena and $40 million on a multipurpose outdoor stadium capable of hosting track and field events in addition to football and soccer.

We may later want to cover (retractable roof) that stadium and add more seating.

What are your thoughts? Could the Ford Center be ungraded to 80 suites with increased seating? Could Taft Stadium (15,000 seats) be used and upgraded to MLS specifications?

I'm not sure we want to tie up that much land that close to the CBD with such an expansive sports facility. Maybe it could fit in Core 2 Shore. Soccer, yes. NFL...Not sure we even want this, considering a much better football experience can be had in either Norman or Stillwater. You might double your figures for the cost...construction cost is rising exponentially and the Ford Center was a steal.

Taft is a good idea. It has been discussed here: Taft Stadium a novel idea

[traxx]

I don't really see enough Oklahomans getting on board with MLS to make it a success. Soccer is like the metric system: They keep telling us Americans "Just try it and you'll love it. The rest of the world loves it and you know 10 million monkeys can't be wrong." In reality you deal with it only when you have to like with 2 liter soda and late at night when you can't sleep and there's nothing on ESPN but soccer.

We'll never love soccer like those crazy, rioting Europeans do.

[Midtowner]

This almost happened in Edmond. UCO's Wantland field is configured as a multiuse facility. It could fairly easily have an additional 14,000 seats added and it'd be a top-notch MLS facility.

[dalelakin]

When the US wins the World Cup soccer will be bigger than the NFL.

[traxx]

When the US wins the World Cup soccer will be bigger than the NFL.

They did. At least the women did and it was as big as pre-season football for about a week. It's kinda like the tour de france or the America's Cup. We enjoy dominating but I don't see a ton of kids running out buying deck shoes and training to sail or buying Lance Armstrong jerseys like they do football jerseys. The media thinks and tries to make these bigger deals than they actually are to the general public.

[metro]

true traxx, but soccer requires stamina and endurance, something most NFL'ers don't have. They have power and short distance speed. Strength/Endurance and Power are all completely different and obviously vary from sport to sport. Look how long winded football players get after a few plays. There is no way they could play the majority of a 90 minute game.

[Oh GAWD the Smell!]

true traxx, but soccer requires stamina and endurance, something most NFL'ers don't have. They have power and short distance speed. Strength/Endurance and Power are all completely different and obviously vary from sport to sport. Look how long winded football players get after a few plays. There is no way they could play the majority of a 90 minute game.

For what it's worth...A soccer player would be laying on the ground blowing snot bubbles inside his helmet after 12 seconds of play in football.

[traxx]

For what it's worth...A soccer player would be laying on the ground blowing snot bubbles inside his helmet after 12 seconds of play in football.

Ha ha! I love it, I love it.