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I have worked in High schools here for years and the attendance at high school soccer games does not compare to HS football attendance and student sideline participation plus Band performances. That includes all the latino players and families represented in high school soccer. This argument that youth soccer has created a swell of interest may be true but only if one ignores high school soccer, a major part of the soccer scene.
Clt4, I agree with you, but the fact is that we should invest in a MLS either way. It would be great if the Burton family paid, but we should move on the issue even if he doesn't come through with a suitable proposal. We have a huge Hispanic population and a respectable number of Europeans that deserve a venue for their cherished sport as well. We never see Hispanics on the city council or any local politics to speak of. We need to recognize them as a critical segment of our local population. This would be great for them and everyone else.
I doubt a large majority of the Charlotte Hispanic community will go to an MLS match unless the team can pull a big name Hispanic player. Chivas USA, owned by a Mexican Club team, couldnt pull a big enough attendance to stay around. The local Hispanic population already have a club that they support from their native country.
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Originally Posted by Wolf Howl
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Nevertheless, I would think the most logical step would be to leverage stadiums we already have in place? The Panthers arena or even the Charlotte 49ers home might make sense, although the Panthers would hold a lot more if the need is truly there. The seasons barely overlap so scheduling would be possible as there are 7 other teams sharing facilities with teams from other sports currently.
I think part of the agreement to get a MLS team is you have to have a dedicated stadium. They dont want to have another DC United stadium situation on their hands.
Government shouldn't get into the business of speculating whether a sports team will bring in enough dollars to pay back what was given to a private business.
I have worked in High schools here for years and the attendance at high school soccer games does not compare to HS football attendance and student sideline participation plus Band performances. That includes all the latino players and families represented in high school soccer. This argument that youth soccer has created a swell of interest may be true but only if one ignores high school soccer, a major part of the soccer scene.
What does HS baseball attendance looks like in Charlotte?
HS attendance has nothing to do with professional attendance. Charlotte Knights have great attendance for a triple A team. It's all about the experience. No one goes to Charlotte Knights games to see all stars.
As long as tickets ae affordable, beer is local and the food is tasty they will get a nice turn out.
..and anyone thinking hispanics won't come out to see soccer played at the highest level is fooling themselves. Everyone who is a fan of a sport will go to a few games a year whether it's to see the home team or stars from visiting teams.
I don't even care for soccer but it's a no brainer as far as attendance is concerned.
Why doesn't the city of Charlotte just buy the entire team if we want one so bad. Put it to a vote and see if more than 50% of the city wants to own a team. It seems it would make sense for the city to own the team and get the revenue from the stadium, naming rights, food, tickets, parking etc.... rather than cough up tax dollars to hand over to a private business who reaps 100% of the direct benefits of the stadium. The city is funding 50% of the stadium, giving a loan at below market interest rates to the Smith family to fund a portion of their 50%, yet he won't let the city even get a portion of the revenue from naming rights on the stadium. He doesn't want to pay sales tax on food, doesn't want to pay sales tax on parking, doesn't want to share any of the ticket revenue, etc....
Other cities bidding for MLS do not have prospective owners proposing such bad deals. We might as well go 100% all in and buy the team as a city or ask the Smith family to make the deal more attractive to the city.
The city's only financial benefit is possible redevelopment in the area that raises property tax revenue in that immediate vicinity.
Why doesn't the city of Charlotte just buy the entire team if we want one so bad. Put it to a vote and see if more than 50% of the city wants to own a team. It seems it would make sense for the city to own the team and get the revenue from the stadium, naming rights, food, tickets, parking etc.... rather than cough up tax dollars to hand over to a private business who reaps 100% of the direct benefits of the stadium. The city is funding 50% of the stadium, giving a loan at below market interest rates to the Smith family to fund a portion of their 50%, yet he won't let the city even get a portion of the revenue from naming rights on the stadium. He doesn't want to pay sales tax on food, doesn't want to pay sales tax on parking, doesn't want to share any of the ticket revenue, etc....
Other cities bidding for MLS do not have prospective owners proposing such bad deals. We might as well go 100% all in and buy the team as a city or ask the Smith family to make the deal more attractive to the city.
The city's only financial benefit is possible redevelopment in the area that raises property tax revenue in that immediate vicinity.
I agree, you have to give up something if you want 50% funding. No sales tax no deal.
What does HS baseball attendance looks like in Charlotte?
HS attendance has nothing to do with professional attendance. Charlotte Knights have great attendance for a triple A team. It's all about the experience. No one goes to Charlotte Knights games to see all stars.
As long as tickets ae affordable, beer is local and the food is tasty they will get a nice turn out.
..and anyone thinking hispanics won't come out to see soccer played at the highest level is fooling themselves. Everyone who is a fan of a sport will go to a few games a year whether it's to see the home team or stars from visiting teams.
I don't even care for soccer but it's a no brainer as far as attendance is concerned.
The problem is MLS isn't the "highest level." The international population might go to a game or two here or there, but they'll continue to follow the other leagues that have better teams/players than the MLS.
I think an MLS team would be nice, but it needs to be a lot better deal for the city/county than the proposal.
I doubt a large majority of the Charlotte Hispanic community will go to an MLS match unless the team can pull a big name Hispanic player. Chivas USA, owned by a Mexican Club team, couldnt pull a big enough attendance to stay around. The local Hispanic population already have a club that they support from their native country.
I think part of the agreement to get a MLS team is you have to have a dedicated stadium. They dont want to have another DC United stadium situation on their hands.
Government shouldn't get into the business of speculating whether a sports team will bring in enough dollars to pay back what was given to a private business.
Unless this is a specific new agreement for the next franchise that's not currently the case. Several have shared stadiums although a few do have plans in the works for dedicated places to play.
Agree that MLS isn't the "highest level" either, I'd venture that many that follow european leagues don't even know what cities in the Americas have a MLS team. Maybe I'm wrong?
I'm all for it if the city does it and reaps the benefits, would not be for it in terms of just giving any private entity a fat deal for nothing in return except maybe redevelopment of the area in the vicinity (which isn't a given).
The problem is MLS isn't the "highest level." The international population might go to a game or two here or there, but they'll continue to follow the other leagues that have better teams/players than the MLS.
I think an MLS team would be nice, but it needs to be a lot better deal for the city/county than the proposal.
It's the highest level in America.
and that's my point, they will go to a few games... but it won't all be the same games so I think attendance would be fine.
lol bet Charlotte residents go to a few baseball games a year. I doubt most tickets are season ticket holders. I also think the size of the stadium could make it attractive for smaller outdoor events. Don't quote me on that, I have no idea how soccer fields are treated.
looks like Smith is still going to try and put a bid in for a team.
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