MLS Expansion – $500 million for $45 million, the Philadelphia agrument
With MLS just weeks away from announcing which city will be their 16th, the Philadelphia idea has come down to a simple question, will the state invest $45 million of public money in a soccer stadium to move forward a $500 million waterfront development project?
It really is that simple as those involved say that without the stadium, the full waterfront development idea in Chester is pretty much off the table and MLS will turn to St. Louis as their newest team.
The state has a history of investing in sports stadiums (Lincoln Financial Field, Citizens Bank Park, Heinz Field and PNC Park), so it is not without precedent, however soccer is a bit of a tougher sell, even if it will lead to a larger retail, residential and office development. However, the state legislative session ended last week without funding, so it is up to Governor Rendell to find a way to make this happen.
Meanwhile, St. Louis is waiting quietly with everything lined up to go. Well everything except the final vote by MLS.
It really is that simple as those involved say that without the stadium, the full waterfront development idea in Chester is pretty much off the table and MLS will turn to St. Louis as their newest team.
The state has a history of investing in sports stadiums (Lincoln Financial Field, Citizens Bank Park, Heinz Field and PNC Park), so it is not without precedent, however soccer is a bit of a tougher sell, even if it will lead to a larger retail, residential and office development. However, the state legislative session ended last week without funding, so it is up to Governor Rendell to find a way to make this happen.
Meanwhile, St. Louis is waiting quietly with everything lined up to go. Well everything except the final vote by MLS.
Labels: MLS, MLS expansion, Philadelphia, St. Louis
posted by Mike H at 11:35 AM
3 Comments:
Philly,Vancouver and Montreal would be great for those cities and the league....Molto calcio
Mike - Nice blog. I am working on a senior thesis at the moment, focusing on soccer and its political uses.
The stadium question is a big one, but as Philadelphia already has a few, and soccer being something of a bastard chid in this country, I fear the worst.
A great collection of essays on the urban implications of having a sports stadium can be found in Sporting Dystopias.
Your compilation of soccer blogs is great, so i hope you won't mind if I keep checking back!
Cheers,
D.
I hope for the best for soccer and its following there. Here in the Philippines soccer still has a long way to go in terms of popularity.
I'll be adding you to my links. The topics you have are interesting and I can learn from them, too. :)
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