Quote:
Originally Posted by dj_patm
MLS would be a dream for me. We're pretty diverse and tickets aren't all that expensive. I think we'd be able to pull it off for a while at least.... One can dream
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MLS is the only one that Calgary has a snowball's chance in hell of getting, and is the only one that could have a good shot at survival. No winter based major league team could survive against the NHL in Calgary, there simply isn't the mass popularity. The lower end sports buck in the winter is already claimed by the Roughnecks.
There is a gap in the summer, since the CFL is not cost intensive, only plays 9 home games (plus 1-4 preseason and playoff games max) and only appeals to certain demographics.
The average MLS ticket is $22-25 US, and has an average crowd turnout around 16k in 15 home games a season, plus playoffs.
Calgary's demographics have changed a lot since the Boomers. Even in 1981, Calgary averaged 10,500 people per game, in McMahon Stadium, with a city of 590,000. Its double that now with a much more soccer friendly demographic.
Even if the expected attendees didn't double as the population did, even 14,000 average attendees would see this "Calgary FC" in the top 10 in the MLS for attendance.
Add in TV exposure, local perception of "major league", a strong league that operates the franchises, deep pocketed sponsors, Beckham showing up once in a while, and the potential acquisition of our own popular former North American/European/South American star, and you should have a winning formula.
McMahon could be converted for MLS use pretty quick. Its overdue for renovation as it is. Add some luxury boxes, lower the seating capacity to 30,000, toss in some real grass or FIFA approved field turf (with removable football lines) and its all set. Could probably start in 2012 or 2013 if the will was there.
Unless its MLS, Calgary has neither the time, patience or stadia for lower level soccer. The money and the fans are there... they are just picky on the product and its presentation. If Lacrosse can make it and attract 10,000 fans with ~$35 average ticket price in competition with the Flames, Soccer can definitely make it with the Stampeders as their only competition.
NBA would need at least the same amount of fans as MLS (13-20 thousand average attendance) willing to pay $50US average for tickets for 41 games during the Flames' season. Direct competition against a superior brand, plus the niche competition of the NLL.
The NFL has many US options before Toronto or Canada become an option. While Calgary could probably support an NFL team... this hypothetical ownership would have to win over all the angry and jaded CFL fans, and probably several thousand more, while providing a new state of the art stadium housing 60+ thousand people. Not happening. Well, unless the CFL somehow goes under, and even then, it would likely be NFL div 2 playing out of a renovated McMahon.
Not even going to bother saying why MLB isn't viable.