Charlotte deserves some sort of a major sports team besides NASCAR. (I say that because 90% of the teams are based in Charlotte.)
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- Thread starter MagnusPax
- Start date
Carolina Panthers and the Charlotte Hornets don't count?
Oh the Hornets are a thing again I didn't realise that and I don't watch American football
Shawn Ryu
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When people talk about a "Big Four" or a "Big Five", they are talking about professional team sports. So, they aren't including college football or basketball or Nascar, or professional golf or tennis or boxing or anything like that.
I very strongly believe there is a Big Five, and not a Big Four. It really pisses me off when articles use the former, as in "Michael Sam is the first openly gay player in a Big Four professional league", which completely ignores Robbie Rogers.
I don't think there is any question there is a Big Five. No, we aren't in the same neighborhood as pro football, but don't try to tell me we aren't in the same neighborhood as hockey! I would say we are ahead, but I understand if people differ on that. Much of it depends upon the metrics one uses, but we are ahead in attendance per game, for example.
I very strongly believe there is a Big Five, and not a Big Four. It really pisses me off when articles use the former, as in "Michael Sam is the first openly gay player in a Big Four professional league", which completely ignores Robbie Rogers.
I don't think there is any question there is a Big Five. No, we aren't in the same neighborhood as pro football, but don't try to tell me we aren't in the same neighborhood as hockey! I would say we are ahead, but I understand if people differ on that. Much of it depends upon the metrics one uses, but we are ahead in attendance per game, for example.
Calmness Personified
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Average attendance is really the only metric you could use to show MLS is bigger than the NHL right now, and even then it's unfair as you're comparing a sport which is played in areans to a sport played in stadiums.
I don't think that MLS is going to expand past 24 teams anytime soon. They may go to 26 teams in the early 2020s. Atlanta will be the team of the southwest for MLS (excluding Miami and Orlando, which is a different planet entirely).
It's not just whether a team would do well in a city, it's whether that team would do well in expanding the league (tv rights). If there is another billionaire willing to spend big money on huge players, stadium, etc. and he's in New Orleans or Phoenix, the MLS will find a way to get a team there.
Z4CH3B99
Borracho Aficionado
If the owner is willing to spend big money in order to put a competitive and attractive football onto the field he deserves to have a team in the league.
We have many owners unwilling to do this. Chicago and Colorado are examples that come to mind.
Shawn Ryu
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I like MLS obviously, but looking at all factors, MLS is still closer to WNBA than NBA, revenue wise.
MLS is definitely making strides but it needs to get closer to at least NHL before being considered Big 5.
It also hurts that unlike other 4 MLS will likely never be considered the best league in the world by majority of fans world wide.
Any thoughts on whether any current MLS team may fold or be moved to a different city under new ownership?
Z4CH3B99
Borracho Aficionado
I'd like to see either Colorado or Chicago under new ownership. Both teams are in cities that have have the potential to sell out stadiums week in and week out if they start to compete.
Houston and philly could also use new ownership.
ferrarinycfc
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Columbus is the only city that i think would be a candidate to ever move.
Chicago/colorado/NE/NYRB/Philly all need new ownership groups and better stadium locations. But dont hold your breath on that
Ann Harbor Michigan had like 100k for a match last year. Just because a city does well for a one off special event does not mean that they will support an MLS team regularly. I'm not saying Charlotte would not be a success, but i'm saying that the 60k really means nothing when it comes to MLS.
I don't think Charlotte is a City that MLS should get active in trying to pursue. If an owner with a viable stadium and plan comes along, the go for it.
ferrarinycfc
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true, but charlotte have had big attendances for other games as well.
The city is willing to help with the stadium and the owner of Charlotte independence wants to play in mls one day plus it becomes a rival for atlanta which mls likes to build on.
NYCFCFan10
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Another discarded LAFC stadium design leaks out . ..
Fugly as hell
Fugly as hell
MagnusPax
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Financially I think Chicago and Philly have perhaps the weakest ownership groups. DC United, while owned by a wealthy owners (also owns Inter and 76ers); I could see them running away if this stadium plan doesn't pan out.
I can't really say any of the owners are as bad as Chivas or as poor as Miami Fusion was.
Yes no current team will fold. Even if an owner loses interest, I would bet they find a buyer quickly and remain in market. Obviously, we could see rebrands, especially if Jersey ends up selling, they likely won't keep the RB brand.
Outside of DCU (for now) just about every other team has a stadium that they are pretty much committed too for the long haul.
Outside of DCU (for now) just about every other team has a stadium that they are pretty much committed too for the long haul.
NYCFCFan10
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Is he doing a Q and A or something?
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