Dynamo Set for $80 Million Stadium Deal

[ryan17wagner]

The Houston Dynamo, fresh off the team's second straight championship, could have a private-public deal to build a stadium in place within weeks, city and team officials said Monday.

"I'm hopeful we can put a good deal together," said Andy Icken, the city's deputy director of public works, who is heading negotiations for the city. "If we're going to be successful, we'll be successful in the next two weeks."

Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns the Dynamo, is laying plans to build a 22,000-seat, open-air stadium at a cost of $70 million to $80 million.

The Dynamo have been most interested in building the stadium between the George R. Brown Convention Center and Minute Maid Park on the other side of U.S. 59. The land is privately held.

Some members of the team, which won its second straight Major League Soccer championship Sunday by defeating the New England Revolution, said they are wondering why it is taking so long to secure a stadium deal.

"Mayor White, listen up: This team deserves it (a stadium)," Dynamo defender Craig Waibel said.

County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia said the Dynamo's second championship should energize officials and fans to get a stadium built.

"But nobody wants to see taxpayer dollars go toward this," she said.

The county is not expected to play a role in a stadium project.

Nearly two years ago, AEG moved its franchise to Houston after failing to put together a stadium deal to its liking in San Jose, Calif. The mammoth entertainment company renamed the team the Dynamo, and executives promised to get a stadium built in its new home.

Oliver Luck, Dynamo president and general manager, said the team has presented a good proposal to the city and is waiting for a response. "We're close to a deal. It's really up to the mayor," Luck said.

White is seeking a deal that would not require the city to contribute public money. While AEG's proposal calls for the company to bear most of the construction costs, it still would require the city to provide millions of dollars in needed infrastructure improvements, city and team officials said.

"The mayor has said he would not like to use any money that could be used for firefighters or policemen," Icken said.

The Harris County-Houston Sports Authority, which built Minute Maid Park, Reliant Stadium and Toyota Center with public funds, is not expected to be involved in construction of a soccer stadium.

The authority is paying off bonds floated to build the baseball, football and basketball facilities with hotel and car rental taxes. Officials have said there will not be enough tax revenue to finance a soccer stadium.

"We're prepared to put in the preponderance of the money for the stadium," Luck said. "I'm reluctant to say whether it would be $60 million, $62 million or $72 million," he said. "But we are asking the city for some financial help, no two ways about it."

Infrastructure improvements could include building streets to a stadium site and paying for expanded water lines and other utilities, Icken said.

AEG and the city are negotiating a second deal that would call on the city to provide land for a team practice facility. It could be located in a proposed city soccer complex in south Houston near Texas 288 and Almeda-Genoa.

Luck said the stadium should be built downtown because it would be the most convenient location for the most soccer fans, who are spread around the metropolitan area.

bill.murphy@chron.com bernardo.fallas@chron.com

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5315872.html

[Glish21]

Come on Mayor White, Get it done!

[hatemavs4life]

My only complaint is cap 22,000? Call me crazy but we need more seats. 25K preferably 30,000. The Dynamo are getting that popular. I mean our only lame attendance games were with Real Salt Flake. :p

Other than that, yes get this deal done and please have some REAL parking there. Parking at the Rob is atrocious!

[DrLudicrous]

My only complaint is cap 22,000? Call me crazy but we need more seats. 25K preferably 30,000. The Dynamo are getting that popular. I mean our only lame attendance games were with Real Salt Flake. :p

Other than that, yes get this deal done and please have some REAL parking there. Parking at the Rob is atrocious!

There was a report on channel 13 that said they were negotiating a 25K stadium around $100 million. I'm not sure if they got the numbers wrong since everybody else has 22K at $70 - $80 million or if the deal has changed.

You can watch it online, it's labeled "Dynamo get a warm reception..."
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/front

[Lonestar28]

If the 1836'ers (I refuse to call them the P.C. name) want to pony up for the whole construction costs, then go for it.

No public money for minor league sports.

[cwebbster]

If the 1836'ers (I refuse to call them the P.C. name) want to pony up for the whole construction costs, then go for it.

No public money for minor league sports.

I am not neccessarily a soccer fan, but these guys are a MAJOR LEAGUE team......from an investors standpoint, soccer being such a popular sport with the hispanic community, and such a large hispanic population in Houston, this would be a great idea!!

[leroy420]

It sounds like exactly what the team wants and is a good deal for the city. I just hope they're creative in the design. DrL...any word on if this deal includes the complex with additional fields?

This is the only team this city can call "Champions" in the last decade. They deserve a place of their own.

[texanskan]

It sounds like exactly what the team wants and is a good deal for the city. I just hope they're creative in the design. DrL...any word on if this deal includes the complex with additional fields?

This is the only team this city can call "Champions" in the last decade. They deserve a place of their own.

the Aeros, Energy and Comets have all won titles in the last decade. Time to check the chron from Monday to see the list of all 17 championship teams from Houston :D

[Lonestar28]

MLS is in no way shape or form a major league sport like real football, basketball, or baseball.

Like I said, if the 1836'ers pay for it 100%, then go for it.

[SWTsig]

not too mention that an architecturally innovative design in that part of an already transforming east side will do wonders.

get it done, CD!

[SWTsig]

MLS is in no way shape or form a major league sport like real football, basketball, or baseball.

Like I said, if the 1836'ers pay for it 100%, then go for it.

if they [the dynamo] can average 16-18k attendance, what's the difference b/w them and the rockets?

besides, you have to look a the broader picture, especially in regards to the revitalization the east side of downtown is going through.... adding a nice stadium encourages more pedestrian friendly development in that area to go along with discovery green, mmp, houston pavilions, toyota center, etc. i think a nice soccer stadium at the proposed location would be a terrific addition to downtown.

[MadMax]

if they [the dynamo] can average 16-18k attendance, what's the difference b/w them and the rockets?

besides, you have to look a the broader picture, especially in regards to the revitalization the east side of downtown is going through.... adding a nice stadium encourages more pedestrian friendly development in that area to go along with discovery green, mmp, houston pavilions, toyota center, etc. i think a nice soccer stadium at the proposed location would be a terrific addition to downtown.

absolutely it would. attracting that many people downtown over and over again is good for the city. it re-enforces the money the county has already spent trying to develop the area.

[leroy420]

the Aeros, Energy and Comets have all won titles in the last decade. Time to check the chron from Monday to see the list of all 17 championship teams from Houston :D

I stand by my statement.

[leroy420]

if they [the dynamo] can average 16-18k attendance, what's the difference b/w them and the rockets?

besides, you have to look a the broader picture, especially in regards to the revitalization the east side of downtown is going through.... adding a nice stadium encourages more pedestrian friendly development in that area to go along with discovery green, mmp, houston pavilions, toyota center, etc. i think a nice soccer stadium at the proposed location would be a terrific addition to downtown.

You're absolutely correct.

Don't feed the trolls.

[Lonestar28]

I know it's hard for the soccer fanatics to admit it but soccer is a minor league sport here in the USA.

Comparing the MLS to the NBA is a joke. Average attendance in a billion dollar league is a just a little bit more important than the average attendance in the MLS.

I'm not anti soccer but I put this in perspective. I get all the arguments for improving downtown and the increased business activity. It makes sense and if the 1836'ers want to pay for it, then let the building begin.

Just don't tell me soccer is as important or anywhere close to the big 3.

[DrLudicrous]

It sounds like exactly what the team wants and is a good deal for the city. I just hope they're creative in the design. DrL...any word on if this deal includes the complex with additional fields?

This is the only team this city can call "Champions" in the last decade. They deserve a place of their own.

There hasn't been much talk about the auxiliary fields, the only thing I've read is that they were talking about putting them around 288 and Reed Rd and that the team would have their practice facilities there. I'm pretty sure that having them built will be a requirement from the city to get the stadium done.

I haven't read anything about size or extras like concessions that will be built with it. The team has talked with HFA and other local leagues about having their leagues play games there, plus any big youth tournaments in the area will probably go there once it's done.

[DOMINATOR]

I know it's hard for the soccer fanatics to admit it but soccer is a minor league sport here in the USA.

Comparing the MLS to the NBA is a joke. Average attendance in a billion dollar league is a just a little bit more important than the average attendance in the MLS.

I'm not anti soccer but I put this in perspective. I get all the arguments for improving downtown and the increased business activity. It makes sense and if the 1836'ers want to pay for it, then let the building begin.

Just don't tell me soccer is as important or anywhere close to the big 3.
no one compared the MLS to NBA they compared the Dynamo to the Rockets. right now the rockets have a much larger fanbase but i could easily see in 3-5 years the dynamo being as big as the rockets especially if astros continue to fall off and the texans stay mediocre at best.
and im not a soccer fan.

[Lonestar28]

no one compared the MLS to NBA they compared the Dynamo to the Rockets. right now the rockets have a much larger fanbase but i could easily see in 3-5 years the dynamo being as big as the rockets especially if astros continue to fall off and the texans stay mediocre at best.
and im not a soccer fan.


Not a snowball's chance in hell of this happening.

I read in David Barron's blog on chron.com and the viewer ship for the 1836'ers game fell once the Texans kicked off. What does that mean? People would rather watch a regular season NFL game between two .500 teams than the championship soccer game.

[DrLudicrous]

Not a snowball's chance in hell of this happening.

I read in David Barron's blog on chron.com and the viewer ship for the 1836'ers game fell once the Texans kicked off. What does that mean? People would rather watch a regular season NFL game between two .500 teams than the championship soccer game.

You do realize that your complete lack of rationality makes any argument you make seem silly and quickly dismissed don't you?

[MystikArkitect]

I know it's hard for the soccer fanatics to admit it but soccer is a minor league sport here in the USA.

Comparing the MLS to the NBA is a joke. Average attendance in a billion dollar league is a just a little bit more important than the average attendance in the MLS.

I'm not anti soccer but I put this in perspective. I get all the arguments for improving downtown and the increased business activity. It makes sense and if the 1836'ers want to pay for it, then let the building begin.

Just don't tell me soccer is as important or anywhere close to the big 3.

Seems like you are anti-soccer to me. Soccer has been slow to take off the United States sure, but people are warming up to it more now than ever before, mainly because the United States doesn't suck in the world wide picture anymore. The Mexico vs USA league (Superliga) was a pretty popular tournament. If the Dynamo get a new stadium, more people will go. Especially now since they've won two championships. People go to see teams win.

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, and it will *never* change. Sports like football, basketball and baseball combined probably dont pull the ratings on a worldwide scale that soccer games do. I don't understand why people here have such a deep rooted distaste for it. I'd say soccer games are way more entertaining and exciting than baseball games are. But the Astros do get theyre stadium. And what else happens in Minute Maid outside of the Astros games? It's not like Reliant or Toyota Center that can actually hold venues outside of the sports realm.

[MadMax]

I know it's hard for the soccer fanatics to admit it but soccer is a minor league sport here in the USA.

Comparing the MLS to the NBA is a joke. Average attendance in a billion dollar league is a just a little bit more important than the average attendance in the MLS.

I'm not anti soccer but I put this in perspective. I get all the arguments for improving downtown and the increased business activity. It makes sense and if the 1836'ers want to pay for it, then let the building begin.

Just don't tell me soccer is as important or anywhere close to the big 3.

they're paying for it. they're asking for some help with utilities and the like. they're talking about covering 80% of this thing, roughly. i belive it's in the city's best interests to help out.

i'm not a soccer fanatic. i'm a baseball fanatic. but make no mistake about it...soccer's coming. it's growing. i didn't give a rat's ass about it for years. but my kid is involved in it....and now i love it. i love watching the dyanmo and the US team, in particular. i'd gladly pay to go watch a soccer game. i wouldn't have said that years ago. and i think by the time my son is my age, MLS will be well past the height the NHL reached in the 90's.

[Mr. Clutch]

Remember that there are a lot of Mexicanos in Houston and they flock to see soccer.

[leroy420]

no one compared the MLS to NBA they compared the Dynamo to the Rockets. right now the rockets have a much larger fanbase but i could easily see in 3-5 years the dynamo being as big as the rockets especially if astros continue to fall off and the texans stay mediocre at best.
and im not a soccer fan.

Even as a soccer/Dynamo fan, I will say it'll take years to get the fan base that the Rockets have. Look at this web site alone...

That said, Major League Soccer has to be considered in the top 5 of sports in America right now. NFL, MLB, NBA, NASCAR, & MLS are it. They have already surpassed the NHL. Growth is happening (expansion in San Jose next year, Seattle in 2009, and probably Philly and/or St. Louis in 09 or 10). Teams are becoming profitable with the stadium deals (FC Dallas for example).

It was a little easier to sell the TC with all of it's potential uses. A soccer specific stadium would be difficult at best to pass in a public referendum. With AEG stepping in to pay a large majority of the costs, I think it's fair to ask the city for infrastructure improvements to the area. It's a lot less than the other teams in the city and many businesses ask for.

[Big Shot Bob]

I know it's hard for the soccer fanatics to admit it but soccer is a minor league sport here in the USA.

Comparing the MLS to the NBA is a joke. Average attendance in a billion dollar league is a just a little bit more important than the average attendance in the MLS.

I'm not anti soccer but I put this in perspective. I get all the arguments for improving downtown and the increased business activity. It makes sense and if the 1836'ers want to pay for it, then let the building begin.

Just don't tell me soccer is as important or anywhere close to the big 3.

Give me an f*ing break your shallow view is what holds america back from considering soccer a legit sport. Its the most played sport in the world, the most popular, and draws in the most revenue. The only reason football became so popular is cuz the US blows in soccer. Houston's population is booming with not only hispanics but other cultures which embrace soccer too. The city paid for new stadiums for baseball, football, and basketball, why not make a soccer stadium for a winning, money making team.

[Big Shot Bob]

Oh yeah and turn the astrodome into a casino/hotel. F@#$ the greedy texans and the rodeo.

[danny317]

$80M...

man they can rennovate the astrodome (dynamo dome) to have 30,000 seats, w/ retractable roof, offices, medical facilities, restaurants, bars, shops, hotel rooms... an still have money left over.

[Buck Turgidson]

Comparing the MLS to the NBA is a joke....Just don't tell me soccer is as important or anywhere close to the big 3.
Total guess on my part, if someone wants to look up the numbers that could be cool:

MLS is closer to the NBA in US revenue, viewership, etc... than the NBA is to the NFL & MLB.

The NBA is no longer a "Big 3" sport: NFL, MLB, NASCAR.

[Lonestar28]

Give me an f*ing break your shallow view is what holds america back from considering soccer a legit sport. Its the most played sport in the world, the most popular, and draws in the most revenue. The only reason football became so popular is cuz the US blows in soccer. Houston's population is booming with not only hispanics but other cultures which embrace soccer too. The city paid for new stadiums for baseball, football, and basketball, why not make a soccer stadium for a winning, money making team.

We paid for stadiums for the big 3 because they are the money makers. The MLS is not and it's not worth public money to build them a stadium.

As the article states, they are going to front most of the costs so I say build it.

I always get this response from the soccer fans. I'm not anti soccer, I'm just realistic about the game's importance. If that offends you or pisses you off, so be it.

[Big Shot Bob]

Total guess on my part, if someone wants to look up the numbers that could be cool:

MLS is closer to the NBA in US revenue, viewership, etc... than the NBA is to the NFL & MLB.

The NBA is no longer a "Big 3" sport: NFL, MLB, NASCAR.

You might be right, NASCAR makes a rediculous amount of money from sponsorships. I remember some race team got fined $100,000,000 (yeah 100 million) for stealing some plans for a supercar or something. Losing that amount and not going bankrupt means you are making some serious bank.

[Drewdog]

22,000 seats?? :confused:

For the nations 4th largest city and a growing soccer fan base, that doesnt seem like a very ambitious effort.

[MadMax]

We paid for stadiums for the big 3 because they are the money makers. The MLS is not and it's not worth public money to build them a stadium.

As the article states, they are going to front most of the costs so I say build it.

I always get this response from the soccer fans. I'm not anti soccer, I'm just realistic about the game's importance. If that offends you or pisses you off, so be it.

Money makers for who?? The owners. Why do the local governments care about that? Their concern is impact on local economy.

We're talking about adding a venue that hosts around 20,000 people about 20 times a year. This encourages more use of land...which equals more tax dollars to the local governments. It encourages more use of hotel rooms...which equals more tax dollars to the local governments. It encourages people to spend money in the immediate vicinity on dining/drinking/etc...which equals more tax dollars to the local governments.

The City of Houston isn't concerned with what MLS' total revenues are in comparision to the other sports in making this decision. I don't see how that's relevant at all.

[Oski2005]

You might be right, NASCAR makes a rediculous amount of money from sponsorships. I remember some race team got fined $100,000,000 (yeah 100 million) for stealing some plans for a supercar or something. Losing that amount and not going bankrupt means you are making some serious bank.

That was in F1, another example of a sport that is super popular world wide except in america.

[leroy420]

We paid for stadiums for the big 3 because they are the money makers. The MLS is not and it's not worth public money to build them a stadium.

As the article states, they are going to front most of the costs so I say build it.

I always get this response from the soccer fans. I'm not anti soccer, I'm just realistic about the game's importance. If that offends you or pisses you off, so be it.

The teams that have their own stadiums are profitable. Dallas and LA are. Once the numbers are released, you can expect to add Chicago, Colorado, & Toronto to that list. The league expects to be fully profitable by 2010. Not bad considering the mountains they needed to climb.

Say what you want to make yourself feel better, you are anti-soccer.

[Groogrux]

22,000 seats?? :confused:

For the nations 4th largest city and a growing soccer fan base, that doesnt seem like a very ambitious effort.

I think most of the new soccer-specific stadiums are around that capacity or lower.

[SWTsig]

$80M...

man they can rennovate the astrodome (dynamo dome) to have 30,000 seats, w/ retractable roof, offices, medical facilities, restaurants, bars, shops, hotel rooms... an still have money left over.

clearly you work in commercial construction.....

[Buck Turgidson]

clearly you work in commercial construction.....
:)

Wasn't the latest Dome renovation deal in the $500M range? $80M wouldn't even cover the exterior.

[Brando2101]

$80M...

man they can rennovate the astrodome (dynamo dome) to have 30,000 seats, w/ retractable roof, offices, medical facilities, restaurants, bars, shops, hotel rooms... an still have money left over.


As I said in the hangout:


You have no freaking clue what you are talking about. It cost 60 million to renovate the dome the first time and that was just riping down a scoreboard and adding stands to the outfield (skyboxes too). That was 20 years ago too. It would have cost more to do today.

You want to change the entire infrastructure of the stadium. Something I don't even think is possible from an engineering standpoint.


Why don't the Dynamo build a floating stadium that will hover around the city of houston. Maybe tunnel down to the center of the earth and built it there. Just a thought.

[Hippieloser]

Why don't the Dynamo build a floating stadium that will hover around the city of houston. Maybe tunnel down to the center of the earth and built it there. Just a thought.

NOW we're talking! I want a stadium constructed of pure energy!!

[Aceshigh7]

It's pretty stupid if the city drags it's feet on this deal. Paying for infrastructure and road improvements in an area that still has a lot of blight like the 59/George R. Brown area is only a good thing.

And it's not like they would take the money that would go to this and hire a crapload of firefighters or policemen. I really hate politicians.

[JuLiO-R-]

22k seats. That's the only problem I see. Since the MLS is growing they need atleast 30k. Maybe they can design a 22k stadium that can expand later.

[v3.0]

The one thing I see that would be nice to go to an MLS game is that the seats will be filled with true fans instead of the corporate stooges. 22k is on par with the other MLS stadiums.

[Yaozer]

Link (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=483746&cc=5901)

NEW YORK -- Goalkeeper Pat Onstad and starting defender Ryan Cochrane were among the three players the MLS champion Houston Dynamo left unprotected Tuesday for Wednesday's expansion draft.

Onstad and defenders Cochrane and Craig Waibel, left unprotected by Houston following the Dynamo's 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution on Sunday, will be available to San Jose Earthquakes manager Frank Yallop in the league's expansion draft. Defender Avery John was the only starter from New England not among the 11 players each team could shield from selection.

The Earthquakes will be able to choose 10 players, but no more than one from each team, meaning three clubs will get away without having to surrender a player.

Both Onstad and Waibel played for the old Earthquakes under Yallop when that team won the 2003 championship. The former Earthquakes officially were disbanded after the 2005 season and reformed with the same roster as the Houston Dynamo to start the 2006 campaign.

Besides the MLS Cup winners, other notables available include Kansas City Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman; Peter Vagenas, Kyle Martino, Abel Xavier and recently acquired Clint Mathis from the Los Angeles Galaxy; and FC Dallas' "designated player" Denilson.

-------------------------------------------------------------

I don't know these guys.. I don't really follow the Dynamo at all, but will losing these guys jeopardize our team? No more championships? No more stadium?

[SWTsig]

Link (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=483746&cc=5901)

NEW YORK -- Goalkeeper Pat Onstad and starting defender Ryan Cochrane were among the three players the MLS champion Houston Dynamo left unprotected Tuesday for Wednesday's expansion draft.

Onstad and defenders Cochrane and Craig Waibel, left unprotected by Houston following the Dynamo's 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution on Sunday, will be available to San Jose Earthquakes manager Frank Yallop in the league's expansion draft. Defender Avery John was the only starter from New England not among the 11 players each team could shield from selection.

The Earthquakes will be able to choose 10 players, but no more than one from each team, meaning three clubs will get away without having to surrender a player.

Both Onstad and Waibel played for the old Earthquakes under Yallop when that team won the 2003 championship. The former Earthquakes officially were disbanded after the 2005 season and reformed with the same roster as the Houston Dynamo to start the 2006 campaign.

Besides the MLS Cup winners, other notables available include Kansas City Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman; Peter Vagenas, Kyle Martino, Abel Xavier and recently acquired Clint Mathis from the Los Angeles Galaxy; and FC Dallas' "designated player" Denilson.

-------------------------------------------------------------

I don't know these guys.. I don't really follow the Dynamo at all, but will losing these guys jeopardize our team? No more championships? No more stadium?

well seeing as that we'll only lose one of them.... i doubt it.

[leroy420]

Losing any one of them will not hurt this team. If they choose Onstead, Zach Wells is a more than capable fill in. This team is more about the system than the individual players...kind of the Patriots of the MLS. There are the important pieces (De Rosario and Eddie Robinson), but they've proven the can win while missing very good players (Ricardo Clark suspended all the way through the playoffs. Ching in and out of the lineup due to injuries and national team).

It hurts to lose players just coming off the 2nd championship, but this team will be just fine.