Comments on: The Kansas City Wizards New Home, Handily Next to a Shopping Center

By: Kansas City Movers

Kansas City Movers — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 18:50:09 +0000

I’m with Scott on this one. The rest of the country should give Kansas City a break.

By: Scott

Scott — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:37:01 +0000

Now, I’ve got extra hindsight on my side, but if you haven’t seen any games, the temporary home looks like a great venue for the Wizards. Fans are packed into this smaller stadium which absolutely helps any experience. The Cauldron cheering section is right behind the goal and appears to be growing from the images on TV. Yeah, of course it’s progress, just like when the Galaxy here in Los Angeles left the 90,000+ Rose Bowl for a smaller place. Especially considering the new stadium is approved and actually being built.

I think the “shopping center” aspect is blown out of porportion. I Googled the Legends complex, and it’s nearby new urbanism development, no different than the community-minded thinking you see in most American cities. It’s similar to putting Major League Baseball stadiums in revitalized downtowns…which are basically “shopping centers” with a longer history. What would be worse, is a stadium in a “housing development” with nothing to do AFTER the game, right? Ah, the Home Depot Center, great stadium…but right in the middle of all that Cal State Dominguez Hills ACTION! They won’t even let us have bacon wrapped hotdogs anymore.

I realize that message boards usually represent the general population’s most negative opinions. Give Kansas City a break.

By: Pitch Invasion · Wizards New Stadium Plans: Surprisingly Good

Pitch Invasion · Wizards New Stadium Plans: Surprisingly Good — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 21:55:37 +0000

[...] other day, we and some of our commenters poked a little fun at the Kansas City Wizards’ plans for the future, which include moving to a minor league [...]

By: szazzy

szazzy — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 20:03:15 +0000

This is definitely progress. The new stadium will open in 2 years, and MLS fans will have moved on to Dallas Columbus or someone else as the one thing making this look like a Mickey Mouse league…

By: z

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 20:00:25 +0000

This will be one of the best atmospheres in the league in 2008. Who cares if it’s 10k capacity? If it’s sold out and the Cauldron has the 500+ members they had last year, it will rock. Especially if they’re on that berm. I’ll be visiting.

By: Thomas Dunmore

Thomas Dunmore — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 15:42:25 +0000

Good to hear positive news. Please stop by again to keep us updated, M.

By: M

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 12:53:23 +0000

Yes, OnGoal is committed to getting an SSS by 2010. In fact, the planned redevelopment of an old mall and surrounding showing area, which would include an SSS for the Wizards got over it’s first hurdle yesterday, passing the KC TIF Commission. At the meeting were many city and state leaders who all spoke in favor of the plan, which is good cause the plan goes to city council for approval in late Nov/early Dec and then onto the state legislature for final approval in early 08.

By: Thomas Dunmore

Thomas Dunmore — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 23:00:47 +0000

I hope you’re right, Metrologist. Though one should point out I haven’t heard the Everton brass touting the proximity of the Tescos as a positive, and they are actually building a new stadium.

But I don’t know enough about OnGoal myself — is the informed view that they really are committed to getting a SSS by 2010, and that there’s the necessary local support to likely get it done? If so, then great.

The other issue with the unique nature of MLS, as Bob S. hints at, is the league structure: since it’s a single entity, we have more concern with fellow clubs than, say, a Tottenham fan would care about Fulham’s stadium situation. With no relegation to weed out the weaker clubs, the league does have a stronger interest than usual in ensuring each “franchise” is healthy and moving forward.

By: The Metrologist

The Metrologist — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:09:01 +0000

Isn’t it a possibility that Everton might abandon Goodison for a place next to a gigantic Tesco in a similar “destination shopping center”, sometime in the medium-term future? It’s not just KC, or even a US thing.

I can’t get too worked up about this, to be honest. They have to play somewhere next year, and apparently OnGoal is going to keep beating the bushes for the right deal in their eyes.

By: Bob S

Bob S — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 18:51:24 +0000

I also don’t buy designated players or make trades but I still have an opinion on that. Not to mention I think the league’s opinion really does matter. Sure they may not be able to move the team but that doesn’t change the fact that MLS has more power over its league than most do.

I still think Kansas City is a decent place to have a team and they’ve got a few great players but its the fans and fan turnout that matters at this stage. Even selling out every game of a 10,000 capacity stadium isn’t impressive so how can we judge over the next two years how strong the franchise is?

I hope the new ownership group does improve the franchise and gets an SSS but this stadium move is just going to be a lot of smoke and mirrors and could easily mask the attendance problems KC has with such a low capacity.