Tuesday, February 05, 2008
State Kicks in Dollars for Soccer
If you thought the stadium building boom in Pennsylvania in the late 1990s stretched the limits of economic rationale, we ask you to now turn your attention to the state’s involvement in attracting a Major League Soccer franchise to the Philadelphia area, specifically the Chester waterfront. In all, the state is committing $47 million to a multi-use project called “Rivertown” which will have the requisite amenities of retail, offices, condos, etc.
Of that total $25 million will go toward an 18,500 seat soccer stadium, based upon the hopes that the region would get the 16th MLS franchise. Never heard of the MLS? Don’t be surprised. It has teams in DC, LA, and Boston, but Chester finds itself in competition with Connellsville, Missouri, whose own elected officials are ready to battle with incentives of their own.
The league has been around since 1993 and has gone through the growing pains of establishing franchises, expanding their numbers, going through relocations and contraction. While the league started out playing games in NFL or college stadiums, the league has seen the construction of six soccer specific stadiums. The capacity of these six facilities ranges from 18,000 to 27,000 seats, and league figures on 2007 average attendance at the facilities ranged from 50% attendance to 100% attendance. On average, the soccer stadiums are about 75% filled for games.
Given these numbers, it is obvious that by putting money into the project the state is either hoping that a larger development will funnel people into the stadium on gamedays, or that people drawn to the development but not the stadium will give the appearance of vibrancy. Time will only tell, but we give the state a red penalty card for getting involved in this project.
Of that total $25 million will go toward an 18,500 seat soccer stadium, based upon the hopes that the region would get the 16th MLS franchise. Never heard of the MLS? Don’t be surprised. It has teams in DC, LA, and Boston, but Chester finds itself in competition with Connellsville, Missouri, whose own elected officials are ready to battle with incentives of their own.
The league has been around since 1993 and has gone through the growing pains of establishing franchises, expanding their numbers, going through relocations and contraction. While the league started out playing games in NFL or college stadiums, the league has seen the construction of six soccer specific stadiums. The capacity of these six facilities ranges from 18,000 to 27,000 seats, and league figures on 2007 average attendance at the facilities ranged from 50% attendance to 100% attendance. On average, the soccer stadiums are about 75% filled for games.
Given these numbers, it is obvious that by putting money into the project the state is either hoping that a larger development will funnel people into the stadium on gamedays, or that people drawn to the development but not the stadium will give the appearance of vibrancy. Time will only tell, but we give the state a red penalty card for getting involved in this project.
