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October 20, 2007
Philadelphia-area county pledges $30 million for stadium
Philadelphia's hopes for an MLS expansion franchise took a great leap forward yesterday when nearby Delaware County agreed to contribute $30 million towards the building of a new stadium on the waterfront in Chester, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports today. A significant contribution from the state government is still needed to finalize the deal.
The paper notes that the stadium would be the keystone to a larger development:
Kopp (an attorney for the investors group) said that the plan was to have the stadium also function as an entertainment center and that the total cost of the project, including residential and commercial development outside the stadium, would be about $300 million.
The details of the local agreement are expected to be announced Monday.
Meanwhile, in Toronto, fans are lining up for the chance to buy season tickets for 2009, even after Toronto FC's dismal debut this year. According to yesterday's Toronto Star, the team has renewals for 94 percent of its MLS-record 14,000 season orders for 2007, or about 13,100. They're beginning to take new orders for 2008 and sales are strong.
Already – with current holders also allowed to add up to four new seats – (Paul) Beirne (the club's director of business operations) figures the club has already made up the "shrinkage" on this season's 14,000 and, beginning on Monday, en route to the 16,000 or so, will begin tackling a waiting list that currently sits at about 5,000. And all this despite an average increase of 13 per cent on 2007 ticket prices.
So, 14,000 season tickets this year, 16,000 estimated for next year, and 5,000 on the waiting list? Now that's impressive. What's their secret? Judging from what we've seen on Toronto's TV broadcasts, everyone there is having a blast.
Posted by Jay at October 20, 2007 08:15 AM