Calgary to launch bid for NASL team

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by Mango

Oui

They only touched on the topic briefly. However, they said it appears it's a group of European investors wanting to bring a team to Calgary. It's surprising because previous pro soccer endeavours were more locally invested.

From what I'm hearing from Calgary soccer community, the investors have a connection to the Foothills SC. They didn't say how direct that is. I'm only guessing, but perhaps it's a connection to the Wheeldon family?

I've read those rumours before on the Voyageurs site.

On the stadium front, what about Calgary Rugby Park? The location isn't great, but I'm sure the NASL club can partner with the Calgary Wolfpack and find a mutual benefit in a 5000 seat stadium? Currently seats 2400 according to the website

[browna]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

If this happens, Browna should be CPs official correspondent with full media privileges.

Ha.

Years ago with the first two iterations of the Storm and then even to the Mustangs, would've been quite easily able to be the beat reporter, as far as extended player access.

Pro Soccer here is always always always going to be an uphill battle, simply due to geography. With no teams outside of Edmonton within driving distance, an only Vancouver as a possiblity within a 1.5h flight, a huge chunk of the team budget is flying 2-3+ hours to play games. With the PDL, USL or even NASL those team are on tight budgets operationally due to the profile that they have (not MLS) and can't afford to fly here and to Edmonton from Scaramento or other venues in the US.

Add to that, the prices here. Unless an owner wants to come in and and burn his money for the love of soccer, it's not even close to a break even venture.

The first version of the Storm was $10 admission and good soccer. The team basically stayed the same, but moved the team up divisions to the USL, in a bit over their head, had guys come in that changed the culture (not always for the best), the team charged double, had half the attendance, and then folded. Mustangs was a half assed attempt, and thus a mistake...on and off the field, but it had nothing to due with the venue, and more to do with the fact that it didn't generate any money and expenses were going out the door every week....biting off more then the owners could really chew.

We certainly have enough talent in this city and province to be home grown talent to be prominent. Edmonton has lasted a bit longer than I thought, but by no means a long term sustainable, because of all the issues mentioned above.

That said, if there is a soccer only facility, and the acknowledged plan from a success in the NASL is the MLS down the road, and from that the fans can get engaged and remain engaged, knowing the MLS is a possibility, that's a start. But much more than that, along with owners not afraid to lose millions of dollars per year, proper marketing, pricing, excitement, club affiliation that allows the owners to attract consistently 3-5000 people per game to make game and provide in this new facility, no matter how good or bad the team is year to year, then maybe it has a shot as a popularity thing and as a business venture to work long term. But a lot of "ifs".

That's how they will have to present to the NASL expansion committee....the tougher task will be to convince the numbers of fans the owners will need to to fufill that plan, not just for the financial side, but for the building of a supportive fan base.

Edit: That said, with Petrone coming aboard from Edmonton FC to lead the push, he will probably get the job done on setting up a decent NASL side on the field, assuming he does have supportive owners who know what they're getting into and can run the business side. He's certainly a polarizing figure in Alberta Soccer and has been since well before I played, but no matter your opinion of him, he does pull the strings/push the buttons to get things done (his way) one way or another. Under him, the on field team will be eventually at a certain high level (depending on the money he can spend on talent or coaches), of play no matter his methods of how it gets there or how many coaches/players her has to go through.

[SebC]

"We don’t have the same restriction on teams from FIFA that MLS has."

What does he mean by this? Tried searching and all I found was the transfer window, which I don't think is what he meant.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

I really do hope that, if they do attract some investors for this, that the top priority is investing in a suitable place to play. It doesn't have to be big or fancy - atmosphere and location are the key. Even the concessions can be "outsourced" to independent vendors like the food trucks. Make it a festival-like atmosphere on game days. A large facility is a detriment to everything that they should be aiming for right now.

My suggestion for the location a footy stadium would be on the land south of the Whitehorn Multi Services Centre. It is located on Government land that is adjacent to a CTrain station so it would be easily accessible by transit and the Government could make at least one signification contribution to the project without having to spend a penny. While it isn't an urban location where the stadium could feed off of the local vibrancy, I don't think the investors could afford either the land in a vibrant area or to finance a stadium that would fit into such an area.

The form of the stadium could make up for the boring location; it's design could be cheap, sustainable and fan-friendly. There could be a permanent grandstand on the east side and on its backside you could build administrative offices and a pub out of old shipping containers. The other three sides of the ground could be composed of a mixture of modular stands like the ones here and here. Food trucks could be located between the back of these stands and some form natural screening.

Originally Posted by browna

Pro Soccer here is always always always going to be an uphill battle, simply due to geography. With no teams outside of Edmonton within driving distance, an only Vancouver as a possiblity within a 1.5h flight, a huge chunk of the team budget is flying 2-3+ hours to play games. With the PDL, USL or even NASL those team are on tight budgets operationally due to the profile that they have (not MLS) and can't afford to fly here and to Edmonton from Scaramento or other venues in the US.

Add to that, the prices here. Unless an owner wants to come in and and burn his money for the love of soccer, it's not even close to a break even venture.

[...]

The first version of the Storm was $10 admission and good soccer. The team basically stayed the same, but moved the team up divisions to the USL, in a bit over their head, had guys come in that changed the culture (not always for the best), the team charged double, had half the attendance, and then folded.

These are a couple of the reasons why I think it is better to start in the PDL. By starting there one is not only able to build up the local area's ability to support the club but also create an environment in rest of the region, or even Province, that is conducive to success. Although it won't be as easy for towns like Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, and Red Deer to support a PDL club as it would be for Calgary, it is a step they can take and one they can successfully make if they approach it correctly. Consequently, they can take the plunge into the PDL when Calgary takes it.

The benefit of this is that you create a PDL division that is on an appropriate scale for travel and, therefore, financially sustainable. It may not be glamorous but at least your first steps would be on solid ground. Further, it is much easier to be content with small gains and a long term project than it is to swallow large debts that might eventually turn into profits.

It would definitely take a longer amount of time but we should consider this, if the Storm stuck with the 'slow and steady' growth strategy we'd be a decade into the project right now. Would today's discussion be about getting a NASL franchise or an MLS? Taking one's time is much better than simply wasting it.

[Arsenal14]

Originally Posted by SebC

"We don’t have the same restriction on teams from FIFA that MLS has."

What does he mean by this? Tried searching and all I found was the transfer window, which I don't think is what he meant.

I think he's referring to FIFA's limits on the number of teams in a top-level league (I think it's 20) which doesn't apply to the NASL, allowing them to eventually expand to 25-30 teams.

[Mango]

Originally Posted by SebC

"We don’t have the same restriction on teams from FIFA that MLS has."

What does he mean by this? Tried searching and all I found was the transfer window, which I don't think is what he meant.

The domestic vs. import rule also came to mind when I heard that.

[Matty81]

To me this is cart before the horse, they need a facility or this will be a guaranteed failure again.

Team will go under within 3 years at McMahon. Foothills Athletic Stadium capacity is below NASL minimum requirements although it was a bit better. Other options all require bg money to renovate/build.

That discussion we were having on here last year about converting the baseball stadium would work, but who is going to invest money in a soccer stadium, even a cheaper conversion of an existing stadium? Capital cost up front would be way more than the expansion fee.... Never making that money back.

[Resolute 14]

Converting Foothills would basically require a complete tear down and rebuild, so I don't think that would be any cheaper.

[shermanator]

I wrote up a quick article on the bid and a couple potential stadium sites on the Edmonton Supporters group website here: http://edmontonsoccerfans.com/esg/?p=736

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by shermanator

I wrote up a quick article on the bid and a couple potential stadium sites on the Edmonton Supporters group website here: http://edmontonsoccerfans.com/esg/?p=736

Spot on. I don't think that it is melodramatic to suggest that this will be just another flash in the pan, but with hardly any flash, in Calgary's soccer history if a suitable place to play isn't found.

I wonder if we could somehow obtain Mr. Petrone's email address and suggest that McMahon is not where pro soccer in Calgary should be resurrected. I am surprised (shocked, even) that someone who has been around soccer in Alberta for so long would even consider McMahon as the launching pad of a successful NASL business venture. If we're old enough to remember multiple failed soccer teams playing out of McMahon, he certainly is. The common element is McMahon, although you can't let poor management and marketing off of the hook either.

[St. Pats]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

Spot on. I don't think that it is melodramatic to suggest that this will be just another flash in the pan, but with hardly any flash, in Calgary's soccer history if a suitable place to play isn't found.

I wonder if we could somehow obtain Mr. Petrone's email address and suggest that McMahon is not where pro soccer in Calgary should be resurrected. I am surprised (shocked, even) that someone who has been around soccer in Alberta for so long would even consider McMahon as the launching pad of a successful NASL business venture. If we're old enough to remember multiple failed soccer teams playing out of McMahon, he certainly is. The common element is McMahon, although you can't let poor management and marketing off of the hook either.

Really not much choice though is there? McMahon is there with parking and LRT access nearby. I see somebody suggested Calgary Rugby Park but that is a poor poor solution. One entrance and poor parking(not enough as well) plus not enough seats. I wonder if they can somehow make McMahon more friendly. Shutoff part of the stadium with some kind of screening?

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by St. Pats

Really not much choice though is there? McMahon is there with parking and LRT access nearby. I see somebody suggested Calgary Rugby Park but that is a poor poor solution. One entrance and poor parking(not enough as well) plus not enough seats. I wonder if they can somehow make McMahon more friendly. Shutoff part of the stadium with some kind of screening?

They could always add additional stands to double the capacity. No football lines + no track puts it at the front of the pack IMO. The lack of parking and relatively out of the way location would be the prime issues.

[Hessen]

It hought that for the past few years there has been talk of creating a "sport park" North of Calgary around Balzac? Through the Flames ownership there were proposals to build both a new footbal and hockey stadium in the same area that the horse racing track and hotel will be being constructed. The only huge issue was that there is no transit to the area.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Hessen

It hought that for the past few years there has been talk of creating a "sport park" North of Calgary around Balzac? Through the Flames ownership there were proposals to build both a new footbal and hockey stadium in the same area that the horse racing track and hotel will be being constructed. The only huge issue was that there is no transit to the area.

If the Stamps and Flames were to play in Balzac, they'd lose a huge chunk of business. I can't see that happening, because its a bad idea.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by SebC

If the Stamps and Flames were to play in Balzac, they'd lose a huge chunk of business. I can't see that happening, because its a bad idea.

I agree. You're essentially encouraging half of your drunken spectators to drive home at the end of the night. Awful idea.

[cam_wmh]

What about the Hellard field at Shouldice? I prefer the Shouldice (& Sait) artificial turn fields over all of our natural grass fields in town, except for Mount Royal 1 & sometimes Broadview. (disclaimer; I'm a keeper so I really need bounce predictability)

The Hellard turf had some problems with it starting to bunch, but apparently CUSA/CoC are working on fixing that. It seats 2000+ now.. Uncertain about additional seating capacity.
If the rest of the fields don't have any games, then parking should be accommodated. That's a pretty big ask though.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

I think Hellard would be a fine option for a basic soccer stadium. Provided they fix the turf. That field is dangerous

[Jimmy Stang]

Something like Hellard Field, even with it's bright football lines and potential parking/transit issues, would be a better choice than McMahon. Whether the city would allow it is another thing. It would interfere with parking for other soccer and baseball games in the park, and access could be an issue as there is only one access point (well, two, but nobody seems to know about the other one from Bowness Road).

Even with these limitations, it seems like a more realistic starting point and would be better for the fans.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

Something like Hellard Field, even with it's bright football lines and potential parking/transit issues, would be a better choice than McMahon. Whether the city would allow it is another thing. It would interfere with parking for other soccer and baseball games in the park, and access could be an issue as there is only one access point (well, two, but nobody seems to know about the other one from Bowness Road).

Even with these limitations, it seems like a more realistic starting point and would be better for the fans.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! Don't tell them

[fundmark19]

Back in the mls expansion thread I suggested shouldice and adding some modular stands around to add capacity and atmosphere. I think it would be a great place to start.