OKC Energy FC

[bradh]

I've been thinking about this a lot lately and it feels like we have kinda missed the MLS boat. It feels like there are a lot of cities ahead of us in the pecking order.

I have to agree. It's unfortunate, and it won't stop me from supporting the Energy, but the one slim hope would be if, and it's a HUGE if, the USA ever moves towards relegation.

[AP]

I have to agree. It's unfortunate, and it won't stop me from supporting the Energy, but the one slim hope would be if, and it's a HUGE if, the USA ever moves towards relegation.

I don't think we'll ever see promotion/relegation here.

[boitoirich]

As for Taft Stadium, a lighter-quicker-cheaper solution to the lack of bars would be host food trucks and alcohol trucks either in the parking lot of in an adjacent lot. This would provide for a tailgating area that could quickly dispatch and disband for games. Could be a home run solution.

Any team playing in Yukon can count me out. Sorry OKC FC. Hope there's a downtown core stadium in the works.

[bradh]

As for Taft Stadium, a lighter-quicker-cheaper solution to the lack of bars would be host food trucks and alcohol trucks either in the parking lot of in an adjacent lot. This would provide for a tailgating area that could quickly dispatch and disband for games. Could be a home run solution.

Any team playing in Yukon can count me out. Sorry OKC FC. Hope there's a downtown core stadium in the works.

How much parking on property is going to be available? I assume more than at Bishop McGuiness but still not enough for everyone. Are alcohol trucks even something that exist?

[AP]

How much parking on property is going to be available? I assume more than at Bishop McGuiness but still not enough for everyone. Are alcohol trucks even something that exist?

I know COOP has the ones they bring to H&8th.

[bradh]

I know COOP has the ones they bring to H&8th.

Nice, I just assumed there was a issue with ABLE

[AP]

Nice, I just assumed there was a issue with ABLE

They might have some special permitting process for H&8th. Not sure.

[Laramie]

I've been thinking about this a lot lately and it feels like we have kinda missed the MLS boat. It feels like there are a lot of cities ahead of us in the pecking order.

We had a chance to obtain a franchise back in the initial stages of the MLS framework; now the expansion franchise fee has skyrocketed tenfold.

IMO: I don't buy into the pecking order for cities ahead of us because someone wants us to stand in line. Could the MLS have survived in OKC back in 2005-06 especially at a time when the NBA Hornets made their debut.

CBD/Riverfront stadium MAPS IV - 2017?

The OKC Energy FC should partner with the city (MAPS IV - 2017) to build a riverfront stadium with MLS specs., 18,500 minimum in play after 2020. A city owned venue built for (soccer-football) possible future expansion. The local ownership would have an advantage if they go this route.

Nay-sayers, we are the 42nd largest metro area in the country with one of 30 NBA franchises; as we continue to grow, let's build for our future.

List of Metropolitan Statistical Areas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[boitoirich]

The MLS wants to expand to 24 teams by 2020. With the subtraction of Chivas USA, and the additions of NYC FC and Orlando City FC for next year, that will be 20. Chivas USA will rebrand with new L.A. ownership, which is 21. Miami and Atlanta will receive teams as long as certain conditions are met. That's 23. That leaves the current favorites Sacramento, San Antonio, and Minneapolis to vie for the final slot. They are simply much further along in the process than OKC.

Should the league expand to 24, OKC only gets in with solid Energy FC attendance, a downtown stadium, and bad luck for at least one of the proposed expansion cities (Miami is not looking so great right now). If the league has a second round of expansion to 28, that could be our time.

[AP]

If the league has a second round of expansion to 28, that could be our time.

I just don't see that happening, especially since that would be way over what FIFA prefers.

[Richard at Remax]

I just don't think we should persue the MLS now, esp with taxpayer money. Too much money to get into the game now for a watered down product. The Energy are just what we need.

[Laramie]

Atlanta, Detroit, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Miami, Minneapolis, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, San Antonio, St. Louis and Sacramento are the cities on the current MLS radar.

Midwest: Oklahoma City & St. Louis.

According to the following comments from the MLS Commish, the teams will help spread MLS’ reach to the whole of the US. So expect more teams in the Midwest and Southeast regions.

Which cities will be home to the four new MLS expansion franchises? | ProSoccerTalk

We could use a venue for other events besides soccer; so let's not think that a venue would by 'hogged' by one sport.

Good minor league soccer attendance is preferred, it's not the only gauge. Sure, we're an underdog; it's not like we haven't been in this position before (NBA off-radar). Let's anticipate growth as 2020 approaches...

Major League Soccer In The Works For Oklahoma City - NewsOn6.com - Tulsa, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports - KOTV.com |

MLS franchise competition - NewsOn6.com - Tulsa, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports - KOTV.com |

[Urbanized]

Honestly - and I know I will be crucified for this - but I would almost thing MLS would be a better fit in Tulsa. One of the reasons the Thunder is so successful as a small market franchise is that they don't have to compete with another major league team in the market. Such competition could tip the scale and actually make it difficult for BOTH major league teams in a small market. I would like to see us get a population of over 2 million and an even more robust corporate community before we introduce more competition for dollars.

Not to mention that I think Tulsa is a much more firmly-entrenched soccer market, historically. The thing that probably has most tipped the scale some to OKC's favor is the burgeoning Hispanic population here. But I think much as Tulsa peeps come here for NBA hoop, hardcore MLS fans wouldn't think twice about going up the turnpike. I would love to see the Energy continue to thrive and for soccer interest here to grow organically rather than artificially.

[Snowman]

Honestly - and I know I will be crucified for this - but I would almost thing MLS would be a better fit in Tulsa. One of the reasons the Thunder is so successful as a small market franchise is that they don't have to compete with another major league team in the market. Such competition could tip the scale and actually make it difficult for BOTH major league teams in a small market. I would like to see us get a population of over 2 million and an even more robust corporate community before we introduce more competition for dollars.

Not to mention that I think Tulsa is a much more firmly-entrenched soccer market, historically. The thing that probably has most tipped the scale some to OKC's favor is the burgeoning Hispanic population here. But I think much as Tulsa peeps come here for NBA hoop, hardcore MLS fans wouldn't think twice about going up the turnpike. I would love to see the Energy continue to thrive and for soccer interest here to grow organically rather than artificially.

They apparently had a pro soccer team years ago, that apparently did alright, however the league collapsed.

[Plutonic Panda]

They apparently had a pro soccer team years ago, that apparently did alright, however the league collapsed.

Do you know why?

[Urbanized]

The entire league collapsed. For everyone who during/after this most recent World Cup told you that soccer was here to stay and would soon be neck-and-neck with or surpassing football/baseball/basketball/hockey, I will show you someone saying the same thing in the early 90s when the WC was here or in the 70s when NASL and Pele were here. For whatever reason, Americans have never fully embraced soccer. That said, at least MLS has lasted for a while now.

[Jake]

Supposedly, the Roughnecks were somewhat of a success compared to the other teams (per their Wikipedia page, so that that for what you will). I agree with Urbanized in that I think Tulsa has more of a soccer "culture". I'd like to see T-town get a team, even if it's unrealistic.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see OKC get a team and for it to be successful, but I think it would be great for Tulsa.

[John]

Honestly - and I know I will be crucified for this...

"Crucify him!"

[boitoirich]

As the seasons are different, NBA and MLS do not tend to compete. I could see OKC doing well as a SLC/Portland-type market having only those two leagues. As for Tulsa, I'll be crucified for this but I really never spend a second of my day thinking about Tulsa. That is... until the OKC vs. Tulsa debate bafflingly hijacks one of the tower threads.

[Laramie]

The North American Soccer League (NASL) folded 1984; the Tulsa Roughnecks won the Soccer Bowl '83. None of the NASL teams were profitable. The Roughnecks were among the NASL attendance leaders throughout the years they were in the league. The NASL peaked in 1980.

Listed below are the attendance figures for the Tulsa Roughnecks 1978-1984:

1978 - 11,256 (13,084)
1979 - 16,426 (14,201)
1980 - 19,787 (14,443)
1981 - 17,188 (14,084)
1982 - 14,554 (13,155)
1983 - 12,415 (13,258)
1984 - 7,797 (10,759)
(League average)

Source: » Attendance Project: NASL

Major League Soccer (MSL) is currently the highest level of soccer in the U.S. & Canada followed by the North American Soccer League (NASL) and the United Soccer League (USL-Pro).

[Richard at Remax]

Energy FC & OKC County Health Department to build training facility

Energy FC

https://twitter.com/EnergyFC/status/542424098719006720

[bradh]

I'm real curious to hear how renewals for season tickets for 2015 is going...

[Jake]

Not exactly OKC Energy FC related, but I thought this was kind of cool. Tulsa was apparently the 6th top local viewership market for the MLS Cup.

https://twitter.com/thegoalkeeper/st...98603361546240

[Pete]

The Energy just announced plans to build their new training facility here:

Northeast Regional Health and Wellness Campus - OKCTalk

Energy FC

[Laramie]

The Energy just announced plans to build their new training facility here:

Northeast Regional Health and Wellness Campus - OKCTalk

Energy FC

Commitment & investment by the Oklahoma City Energy FC with a top notch $6.5 million MLS style training facility. Put a competitive product on the field for the Taft Stadium era and partner with the City of OKC to get an MLS ready stadium (20,000-seater) on the riverfront for MAPS VI. You will have the 'partners' to invest.

He said it will take the teamwork of fans, the city, the community, and the corporate community to bring an MLS team to the city.

We got NHL-NBA ready, now let's get ready for the MLS: Oklahoma City to Study Feasibility of Future MLS Stadium - Athletic Business