Under Patricof, NYCFC is ubiquitous in the five boroughs with projects including the New York City Soccer Initiative, a partnership with Mayor deBlasio’s Administration whereby 20 mini pitches will be constructed across the city in the most underserved neighborhoods. Consequently, Patricof is assured that the club has the support of the Mayor’s office in the most central of concerns within NYCFC supporters’ groups – the construction of a soccer-specific stadium.
“In my experiences – we have this great project with the mayor’s fund building mini pitches – there is support for the sport and the club and a future home here is pretty broadly accepted,” said Patricof.
Although Patricof said the club has had staff working on a new stadium, they have recently amplified the commitment to the mission.
“First of all, it’s been a very, very active process,” said Patricof. “In January of this year we took an incremental step and brought over our Chief Infrastructure Officer from Manchester City to work full-time in the New York City offices. He works day in and day out fully dedicated to the search and I’m involved as well.”
Approximately 35 sites have been reviewed and Patricof revealed that the club was close to consummating a deal more than once.
“The club has been very close on many potential sites,” said Patricof. “Then something has happened at the last minute.”
A recent report suggested that three current properties are under serious consideration. Patricof did not confirm the number but said there are primary deliberations at present.
“Right now we have multiple sites under active consideration – some involve public processes and some are private,” said Patricof. “I think this is going as well and we’re as far along in terms of progress certainly since I’ve been here over the last 18 months.”
Absent of a stadium solution, the recent change-of-venue for the September 23 home game versus the Houston Dynamo further agitated the fan base. Due to a conflict with the Yankees (who own a 25-percent share of NYCFC), the club was forced to move their Dynamo match to Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut – home of the UConn Huskies football team.
“It doesn’t change anything we’re doing with a stadium but there is a change in my need to talk more actively about it,” said Patricof. “I have known since day one that I took this position that one of the big things that might happen is this – a home game moved.”
