San Antonio gets a professional soccer team (NASL) (Austin: school, kids)
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Spurs Sports and Entertainment supposedly wants an MLS team, which is considered a major league team, while the NASL is considered a minor league team. If they are successful in landing a franchise, it seems unlikely that there will be room for both teams in San Antonio.
When SS&E landed the Rampage franchise, it drove the existing minor league hockey team (The Iguanas, owned by the same owner as the Missions baseball team) out of business. If SS&E uses the same tactic in soccer that it did in hockey to shut down the NASL team, it will be hurting Morgan's Wonderland. Seems like that might slow SS&E down a bit.
Last edited by Bo; 10-05-2010 at 03:10 PM..
Reason: corrected second league acronym in first sentence - oops!
Sweet! I loved Pele when I was kid. Soccer is an awesome sport for kids to participate in AND watch. I have one soccer playing kid and two little fans. Seems far more grounded and accessible than other pro sports. At least here in the US.
Spurs Sports and Entertainment supposedly wants an MLS team, which is considered a major league team, while the MLS is considered a minor league team. If they are successful in landing a franchise, it seems unlikely that there will be room for both teams in San Antonio.
When SS&E landed the Rampage franchise, it drove the existing minor league hockey team (The Iguanas, owned by the same owner as the Missions baseball team) out of business. If SS&E uses the same tactic in soccer that it did in hockey to shut down the NASL team, it will be hurting Morgan's Wonderland. Seems like that might slow SS&E down a bit.
The Iguanas were done in more by the Dragons than the Rampage. By the time the Dragons pulled the plug the Iguanas were failing and headed for doom. The Rampage simply put the final nail in the coffin. That said, I dont know what the skill level is between soccer leagues, but there is a HUGE difference in skill between the IHL/CHL and the AHL. The AHL also doesnt have to rely as much on local financial support as they are supported by their NHL parent team.
In 2005 the city approached Major League Soccer with an interest in placing a soccer franchise in the vacant Alamodome. Both the city and the league seemed to be in harmony with the council voting 9-2 in favor of the new San Antonio team, citing that it would reduce the financial burden of the stadium on the city by providing it with a permanent tenant without extra financial costs as the necessary upgrading of facilities at the dome would have to take place regardless of a team moving in or not. The following week an 8-3 vote carried the second part of the plan, which would see a major new youth soccer complex being built in the city to compete for what was described as the lucrative Texas youth soccer event market. At the time it was stated that San Antonio had only a fraction of the youth soccer facilities available in other Texan cities of Dallas, Houston and Austin. All seemed to be in place and plans on course until a media campaign against the soccer proposals exposing that the team would only be leased with the Alamodome for three years. After three years the team would have to vacate to a soccer specific stadium. After Hurricane Katrina the city set their goal of earning an NFL franchise. The prospects for the franchise were further hindered when it became a political football during the election for Mayor, which was won by Phil Hardberger who instantly distanced the city from any deal with MLS. MLS meanwhile released a statement claiming that they had planned to withdraw before the election but did not wish to comment until afterwards in order to "respect the electoral process in San Antonio." The deal died with both sides blaming each other for its demise.
In 2005 the city approached Major League Soccer with an interest in placing a soccer franchise in the vacant Alamodome. Both the city and the league seemed to be in harmony with the council voting 9-2 in favor of the new San Antonio team, citing that it would reduce the financial burden of the stadium on the city by providing it with a permanent tenant without extra financial costs as the necessary upgrading of facilities at the dome would have to take place regardless of a team moving in or not. The following week an 8-3 vote carried the second part of the plan, which would see a major new youth soccer complex being built in the city to compete for what was described as the lucrative Texas youth soccer event market. At the time it was stated that San Antonio had only a fraction of the youth soccer facilities available in other Texan cities of Dallas, Houston and Austin. All seemed to be in place and plans on course until a media campaign against the soccer proposals exposing that the team would only be leased with the Alamodome for three years. After three years the team would have to vacate to a soccer specific stadium. After Hurricane Katrina the city set their goal of earning an NFL franchise. The prospects for the franchise were further hindered when it became a political football during the election for Mayor, which was won by Phil Hardberger who instantly distanced the city from any deal with MLS. MLS meanwhile released a statement claiming that they had planned to withdraw before the election but did not wish to comment until afterwards in order to "respect the electoral process in San Antonio." The deal died with both sides blaming each other for its demise.
Translation:
There's almost no way that MLS is going to come to San Antonio.
Add to that, the fact that there's already several cities lined up to get the next MLS teams such as Atlanta, Detroit and others.
That said, I dont know what the skill level is between soccer leagues, but there is a HUGE difference in skill between the IHL/CHL and the AHL.
It's just like basketball,
I've seen great high school basketball games and I've seen many crappy college and NBA basketball games.
Now, if in fact San Antonio and Austin Aztex (have to resolve some league issues) end up playing in the same league (NASL)
I bet those are going to be some amazing games.
Talking with the "crocketteers" we had a discussion a while ago about the jersey that the San Antonio soccer team would use (I like "Alamo City Defenders = AC Defenders")
Here's the best ones that people showed.
Made up jersey:
Estudiantes de la Plata (Argentina) - Keeping the black/white theme
Now, if in fact San Antonio and Austin Aztex (have to resolve some league issues) end up playing in the same league (NASL)
I bet those are going to be some amazing games.
That's what I was going to add is you HOPE they're in the same league as Austin... it is far from guaranteed that they'll be in whatever the league is called when SA joins it. That whole issue will be interesting to watch once the current USL playoffs finish up in a couple of weeks.
As for the MLS issue, there are quite a few USL/NASL teams moving up to MLS now... I know Vancouver and Portland for sure next year, at least Montreal in 2012 (maybe Rochester too...?). So it may be a stepping stone to the MLS and it'd be smart to try and involve SS&E with Hartman's plans.
Talking with the "crocketteers" we had a discussion a while ago about the jersey that the San Antonio soccer team would use (I like "Alamo City Defenders = AC Defenders")
Here's the best ones that people showed.
Made up jersey:
Estudiantes de la Plata (Argentina) - Keeping the black/white theme
And my favorite Sport Club do Recife (Brasil)
I like the first and third one. The first one more than the third one.
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