Armada Stadium Update

[pierre]

Portland did not build a new stadium. They retrofitted an existing baseball stadium.

[Tacachale]

And they did a really nice job on it for only $36 million. Heck, our own baseball stadium is also really nice and cost $34. Point is, an NASL team doesn't need to spend $50 or $100 million for a nice facility.

[Gamblor]

Ya Portland spent way more than 36 million! They spent almost 40 mil in 2001, 36 mil in 2009 (which in the depths of the recession may have really equated to a 50 mil upgrade as they got cut deals on labor and goods as stadium building in 09 wasn't really happening much). The initial stadium was built back in the 20s which was when it was given its beautiful stone entry ways, it has had many other upgrades over the years and the Timber spend a large amount each year in upgrades to littler things like wifi, art, signs. I agree Pierre, I doubt we see a soccer stadium under this management group. I've spoken briefly with the Frisch about soccer before and what maybe needed/should have happened here in terms of marketing the team, and to be perfectly honest, he is a nice guy but he doesnt have a clue. To be really honest this is an average to mediocre div 2 team in terms of where they are at vs. where they should be, and the team is paying the price in only 3000 tickets sold, which is pathetic in an inaugural year that coincides with a World cup that had so much enthusiasm for the game that should have been harnessed. It's especially bad when one looks at the significant drop in ticket sales most NASL teams experience after their first year. I would bet the 2016-17 season will see around 1.5-2k in tickets sold per game. Any takers? I'd love to be wrong but I don't see it happening.

I will say you're right on with San Antonio Tac, as that stadium was in your range, and it was wisely planned to be upgradable. I've been to a Scorpions game and you can really see the room to upgrade as you walk around the stadium. There are poles sticking up in many places where they plan to add seats, and it has an air of being unfinished in spots which is a good reminder to fans of what the aim is for the stadium. Not that any of that took away from the gameday experience. It was very festive and fun. It should be a model for Jax if we ever get anything off the ground.

[Downtown Osprey]

IMO there just isn't a big enough draw in this region to sustain a soccer franchise over the long haul.

[tufsu1]

IMO there just isn't a big enough draw in this region to sustain a soccer franchise over the long haul.

keep in mind this is second-tier soccer.  The franchise will be ok if it draws 6,000-8,000 for every game.  So far, they have sold 3,000 season tickets.

[Gamblor]

^Bingo

[Noone]

^^And BINGO was his name O. Community First Park? Another Park? 2014-741
How much for the naming Rights? How long?
Will the new guy Tony Lopez be involved with this?
Community First Soccer?
Stay positive.

[fsquid]

6k-8k would be above average for the NASL

[fsquid]

also, no clue why season tickets for the armada are twice as much as many of the other NASL clubs.

[tufsu1]

I think berm "seating" for $10 and grandstand starting at $15 is very reasonable....the price of the on-field seats is a different story.

[Gamblor]

6k-8k would be above average for the NASL

In terms of what has been viable long term, in non-MLS US soccer leagues, 6-8k tends to be the range where you see teams last and start to build a strong culture. For the Armada in terms of financial longevity, I would think the number is closer to 6 since their ticket prices maybe upper end for NASL, not to imply they are unreasonable though.

[fsquid]

I think berm "seating" for $10 and grandstand starting at $15 is very reasonable....the price of the on-field seats is a different story.

I was comparing the season ticket sideline seats (not premium) for all the teams except the one in New York.  Not all the teams have the GA tickets behind the goal that the Armada have.  I'll take in a few games, but I'm not ready to do the season tickets at this moment.

[Gamblor]

Looks like San Antonio and Minneapolis aren't the only NASL teams trying to make the step up to MLS. Our NASL brethren Indy Eleven released their newest plans for a stadium today. Price tag 82 mill, has a nice Birds Nest kind of vibe, and i hate to say this about anything Indy but I kind of like it. If they get this done I'd consider them one of the front runners for the next round of expansion (when MLS moves from 24 to 28)







If you'd like to read more or see a video of the design check out
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/2015/01/28/indy-eleven-soccer-stadium-indiana-legislature-indianapolis/22454537/

Also the Sacramento Kings and owner Vivek Ranadivé announced they are joining the financial backing of Republic FC's MLS bid. That's a huge boost for them. They already had an outstanding vision and massive fan enthusiasm (they are adding 3k more seats to their temporary home for next year after 1 season in existence due to demand), and now they have an outstanding ownership group in place. With Las Vegas seeming to unravel over challenges to their stadium, both the Minneapolis groups clashing with each other, and San Antonio yet to bolster their ownership and their stadium being so far out, I think that last expansion slot is Sacramento's for the taking now.

[Gamblor]

Good news, Armada announced they've now sold 5k season tickets. Its not the 6-8 range you'd want to see yet, and there isn't much time to get there this season, but that's a lot more viable than the 3 they were hovering at. Hopefully with some good word of mouth, some nice gameday deals, they can get the per game average up to around 6 by the end of the season.

Also in unrelated soccer news, to add to what I mentioned about Sacramento in the post above, they have since also added the 49ers to their growing ownership group. In my mind that should be a done deal for the 24th spot, but it seems MLS maybe trying to force the hand to Minneapolis to get some of their potential big corporate sponsors involved with the league (Target, Bancorp...)

Let's all go have fun at the game tomorrow. Be safe people!