I like Mayor Mick Cornett's response:
“I would think the city's involvement would be tied to an MLS franchise,” Cornett said. “We wouldn't be building it hoping a franchise might come,
we would build if a franchise were coming.
My question is where would an MLS franchise in OKC play if a stadium wasn't ready--Bricktown Ballpark or Norman for 1 or 2 seasons(?).
Temporary MLS solution while a stadium is constructed:
Bricktown Ballpark could possibly hold 15,000 seating capacity (fully restored with temporary expanded seating) for soccer with terrible sight lines; you might create a demand for tickets.
Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium wouldn't have any problem with seating. The feeling of emptiness in an 84,000-seat facility with 20,000 fans (empty upper decks) wouldn't cater to a noisy or intimidating soccer environment.
Would have no problem supporting a new 20,000 plus seat soccer & American football stadium for OKC on the Producer's Coop Mill Site. A north-south field configuration wouldn't open to a scenic skyline view.
Originally Posted by
Pryor Tiger
...taken from Producer's Coop thread.
If we're going to build; let's do it the correct way the first time. Get an anchor tenant secured first.
It will take good investors to build the dream (residential, office & hotels) Funk Jr., has planned for this site. If the City is going to be a major financial partner with building a stadium; then secure a franchise first. The current MLS franchise fees are approaching $100 million; about 1/3 of what Bennett & PBC-LLC purchased the NBA Supersonics prior to relocation.
OKC could secure its second big league franchise; MLS ln OKC is not a pipe dream.
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