New soccer stadium in Harrison (neighborhood, restaurants, shops)

[NJ07035]

They were supposed to move into the facility for the upcoming season, but they have already announced that delays have pushed them back one year:
Opening of Red Bulls' new stadium pushed back a year - New Jersey Sports - NJ.com

[pbergen]

Originally Posted by NJ Chutzpah

How much revenue do the redbulls rake in?

Is it enough to justify their own stadium?

I doubt it, this is not europe

not sure how much revenue the team generates, but i'd imagine they have pretty deep pockets due to having a corporate owner (red bull).

soccer specific stadiums (SSSs) are the way to go these days. it allows MLS teams to control their own revenue streams while providing an intimate soccer-only venue with a natural grass pitch. not surprisingly, the league is encouraging every team to build its own SSS, which will go a long way toward improving franchise and league stability.

the problem with playing in an enormous (american) football venue like giants stadium - aside from the fact that the red bulls don't take in any revenues from the facility - is that its cavernous size kills any fan atmosphere and makes the game feel as boring and insignificant as pre-game practice or a scrimmage. how loud can the place get when there are 50,000+ empty seats?

if you build a new venue that only seats 20,000 or so, it's going to be packed to the gills every match with screaming, chanting fans, which means that it will be much louder and livelier than anything you'd see at a typical match at giants stadium. this in turn will create a far better atmosphere for the fans and home players alike and will lead to an improved home field advantage.

plus, they won't have to worry about the field getting ruined by concerts or (american) football games. also, no more football lines on the field of play and no more FieldTurf (which soccer players detest playing on).

[NJ07035]

As well as the correct sized field to play on

Giants Stadium is smaller than regulation - but FIFA chose $ over size and gave waivers to play there...

[johnfrisco]

These yuppies are trying to turn Harrison into the next Hoboken. God I hope they fail big time.

[block911]

Thing is across the bridge in Ironbound newark the portugese LOVE soccer

[NJ Chutzpah]

^^^

I doubt the portuguese and brazilians care for american soccer, after witnessing games in their homelands

[NJ Chutzpah]

Originally Posted by pbergen

not sure how much revenue the team generates, but i'd imagine they have pretty deep pockets due to having a corporate owner (red bull).

soccer specific stadiums (SSSs) are the way to go these days. it allows MLS teams to control their own revenue streams while providing an intimate soccer-only venue with a natural grass pitch. not surprisingly, the league is encouraging every team to build its own SSS, which will go a long way toward improving franchise and league stability.

the problem with playing in an enormous (american) football venue like giants stadium - aside from the fact that the red bulls don't take in any revenues from the facility - is that its cavernous size kills any fan atmosphere and makes the game feel as boring and insignificant as pre-game practice or a scrimmage. how loud can the place get when there are 50,000+ empty seats?

if you build a new venue that only seats 20,000 or so, it's going to be packed to the gills every match with screaming, chanting fans, which means that it will be much louder and livelier than anything you'd see at a typical match at giants stadium. this in turn will create a far better atmosphere for the fans and home players alike and will lead to an improved home field advantage.

plus, they won't have to worry about the field getting ruined by concerts or (american) football games. also, no more football lines on the field of play and no more FieldTurf (which soccer players detest playing on).

They just have a small fanbase

why not play at rutgers stadium then or columbia's bakers field

[pbergen]

Originally Posted by NJ Chutzpah

They just have a small fanbase

why not play at rutgers stadium then or columbia's bakers field

a new stadium allows for full control of revenue streams, plus it'll create a buzz that'll attract a lot of casual soccer fans (at least at first). playing at rutgers or columbia does neither of those things.

soccer-specific stadiums have been a huge boon everywhere they've been built, with attendance skyrocketing and the home game atmosphere greatly improved. while major league soccer has a ways to go before it can be considered one of the "big 5" professional sports leagues, SSSs will go a long way toward making that feasible.

besides, part of the problem with the metrostars/red bulls is that they've never played in a nice facility, nor have they been marketed correctly. that will change once they move into this new facility.

[openheads]

Any word on the redevelopment that is supposed to take place around the stadium pbergen?
I know after the economic downturn a lot of projects have been delayed.
My concern is having a stadium in the middle of current Harrison without all of the shops, restaurants & new residential units that were supposed to surround it.
I can only imagine how the NY papers would rip into it (and of course NJ).

[pbergen]

Originally Posted by openheads

Any word on the redevelopment that is supposed to take place around the stadium pbergen?
I know after the economic downturn a lot of projects have been delayed.
My concern is having a stadium in the middle of current Harrison without all of the shops, restaurants & new residential units that were supposed to surround it.
I can only imagine how the NY papers would rip into it (and of course NJ).

i haven't heard anything new about the residential/commercial components of the redevelopment. i've been under the impression that those things aren't going to happen until the economy improves. as it is, the stadium itself is not going to be complete until spring 2010.

my guess is that the stadium will be sitting by itself for at least 2-3 years before the first phase of the residential/commercial development is completed.