Soccer and the "U"
David Beckham has been sniffing around Miami for a venue for an MLS soccer franchise. Beckham has an option for a new franchise that is deeply discounted as a sweetener for his time in service with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Beckham for all his charisma has had some problems finding a site for a stadium for his team. Possible sites at Dodge Island, near the Miami International Airport, Downtown Miami, F.I.U., and Miami Marlins Park have been considered and found lacking because of opposition by the local residents, cost, and location.
The stars seem to be aligning for a new shot at a combination soccer/college football stadium in the neighborhood where the old Orange Bowl was and very near the Miami Marlins Park.
The outgoing UM President Donna Shalala wants to partner up with Beckham's football folks and even the Miami Dade County Mayor seems interested because the UM will contribute serious money to the project. (At least that is the current rumor.)
The "Orange Bowl" site is closer to campus, the UM wants its own stadium and if it can't be in Coral Gables,a back to the future site is interesting. Beckham doesn't need a stadium with 40,000 seats but he really does need a local partner as political cover for the details that nobody really wants to discuss. The "U" only needs 70,000 plus seats when they play FSU, UF, or Notre Dame.
Unfortunately, they have 17 years left on a lease agreement with Sunlife Stadium in Miami Gardens and Stephen Ross the Dolphin Owner has already spent the UM revenue stream on stadium improvements to get back in line for the Super Bowl and to increase the number of UM fans attending on Saturdays for the foreseeable future.
The "devil" will be in the details. The project will be sold based on short term construction jobs and more part time food service and maintenance positions.
A larger need in Miami is affordable housing and building another stadium isn't going to solve that problem. Ask that question to Miami's current leadership and they will likely change the subject.
Beckham for all his charisma has had some problems finding a site for a stadium for his team. Possible sites at Dodge Island, near the Miami International Airport, Downtown Miami, F.I.U., and Miami Marlins Park have been considered and found lacking because of opposition by the local residents, cost, and location.
The stars seem to be aligning for a new shot at a combination soccer/college football stadium in the neighborhood where the old Orange Bowl was and very near the Miami Marlins Park.
The outgoing UM President Donna Shalala wants to partner up with Beckham's football folks and even the Miami Dade County Mayor seems interested because the UM will contribute serious money to the project. (At least that is the current rumor.)
The "Orange Bowl" site is closer to campus, the UM wants its own stadium and if it can't be in Coral Gables,a back to the future site is interesting. Beckham doesn't need a stadium with 40,000 seats but he really does need a local partner as political cover for the details that nobody really wants to discuss. The "U" only needs 70,000 plus seats when they play FSU, UF, or Notre Dame.
Unfortunately, they have 17 years left on a lease agreement with Sunlife Stadium in Miami Gardens and Stephen Ross the Dolphin Owner has already spent the UM revenue stream on stadium improvements to get back in line for the Super Bowl and to increase the number of UM fans attending on Saturdays for the foreseeable future.
The "devil" will be in the details. The project will be sold based on short term construction jobs and more part time food service and maintenance positions.
A larger need in Miami is affordable housing and building another stadium isn't going to solve that problem. Ask that question to Miami's current leadership and they will likely change the subject.
Comments
Post a Comment