Quote:
Originally Posted by LeftCoaster
Word is Kerfoot is also looking at other sites around downtown, although quite clearly the current site would be his preference Im sure he hasn't lumped all his eggs in one basket. If the current site fails I would not be surprised to see them play af BC Place for a few years, but I would be surprised if during those years new plans for a stadium were not in motion.
I think Kerfoot has said publically that he is only interested in having the stadium in/adgacent to downtown, so that would effectively rule out the other sites discussed. I know personally I would be far more inclined to go to a caps game if they were downtown than Richmond, despite any transit connections the suburban site may have.
Also Miami is not necessarily a lock. Sure they do have Barcelona backing them, but most people overlook that Miami was already once awarded an MLS franchise and it failed miserably and folded only a few years later. I still think they have a strong bid, but a history like that would certainly raise a red flag with the MLS brass.
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I wasn't aware that the MLS had granted Miami a previous franchise (Miami Fusion FC). I did some resesarch and found that their attendance was horrible. They started from about 10,284 (approx) in 1998, and then dropped to 8,869 in 1999, and then dropped even more in 2000 to 7,460. They folded in 2001, when the attendance was 11,177 (site ishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Fusion). The stadium they played in Lockhart Stadium, after a 5 million dollar renovation, held 20,450 fans. I can't imagine playing in a stadium where more than half of the stadium is empty.
That's pretty bad attendance. Another reason why the Miami Fusion FC folded after only four years of operation was because of a bad stadium deal. I cannot see Kerfoot and the Whitecaps renting out BC Place for more than just a few years, I would think that during their time there, they would be in the process of building their own building, so that they don't have to pay rental fees for using the stadium. Hopefully they do go and find another site to play (build a better stadium, if the port doesn't allow the 'Caps to build there) in, in downtown. I understand why Kerfoot and the 'Caps want to build downtown, it makes sense. Hope they just find a way to build.
I can only see Miami and its bid as something the MLS would consider simply because of who is backing them up (Barcelona). Could they ignore so much $$$ coming into their league? Personally, if Miami had failed before with a franchise, I would also be hesitant to grant them another go, but then again, has the market for soccer changed over the last 8 years (since 2001)? I hope that if Miami does get a franchise (one of the two spots for 2011), that they are not the NHL's version of the Florida Panthers (which for many years have not been doing so well - they are doing pretty good this year, however).