By Ben Nicholson
November 13 – LAFC, the newly formed Californian MLS club that has picked up their berth from the now defunct Chivas USA, look poised to have sorted out a new-build stadium to play in. While in Texas, the city of San Antonio has put down a stadium marker in its bid to land a new MLS franchise.
The California Science Center and Exposition Park Commission approved the plans to build a soccer stadium in the Los Angeles Sports Arena for LAFC.
The stadium would stand alongside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which has provided the setting for international football fixtures in recent years, in Southern Los Angeles.
This leaves LAFC with just the LA Planning Commission, in December, and LA City Council to appease before work can begin.
The stadium is predicted to bring $250 million in private investment into the area, creating 3,000 full-time jobs and creating a total economic impact of $3 billion over 30 years.
Winning their football Spurs in San Antonio
Bexar County and the City of San Antonio have signaled their intent to add another MLS team to Texas by approving the main business points of a deal to purchase the Toyota Field, currently owned by Gordon Hartman and housed by NASL team San Antonio Scorpions.
The county and city will split the $18 million cost, supported by $3 million from Spurs, Sports & Entertainment for 20 years worth of rights to lease and operate the facility. A further $2 million will be used for stadium upgrades, half coming from SS&E and the other half split between the county and city.
The money could be used to increase the current 8,000 capacity up toward the 20,000 of the average MLS stadium. Hartman has already revealed plans, aside from the deal announced here, to increase capacity within three years to 18,500 at a cost between $38 and $45 million.
This is all contingent on SS&E securing an MLS expansion spot within 13 years, else be on the hook for a potential $5 million penalty, distributed equally to the city and county.
Mayor Ivy Taylor stated: “Fans may have to wait a few more years, but soccer has an international appeal and is a perfect fit for our city’s global outlook and economic strategy.”
MLS Commissioner Don Garber revealed that the MLS had plans to expand to 24 teams by 2020, which it has achieved with the prospective additions of Atlanta, LAFC, Minnesota (and Miami?) Propelled by the interest, Garber recently added, “We will expand this league beyond 24 teams. It’s not an if, it’s a when.”
Having a soccer-specific stadium at the ready would be a head start for San Antonio, and would help to reduce investment costs (which would be around $100 million for the franchise purchase alone.)
MLS have taken notice, and notice said: “We sincerely appreciate this strong demonstration of interest in MLS. As we announced in March, MLS has not yet determined the timing and process of expansion beyond 24 clubs, but look forward to learning more about this project once our future expansion plans are finalized.”
Hartman is looking to continue the fundraising through soccer for the special needs community, which is where the proceeds from his team currently go. He said: “Soccer for a Cause began four and a half years ago to bring focus and assistance to the special needs community while also delivering high-quality professional soccer. We look forward to reviewing the final details of the agreement … to ensure that it continues to advance those dreams.”
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