It's an challenging, but inevitable attempt by Edwards, and it was first forecasted by this blog in early 2014.
The challenge is twofold: Edwards needs to convince the MLS and Orlando City Soccer Club to add another I-4 team; and he needs to convince St. Pete, Pinellas County, and/or the state of Florida to fund major stadium upgrades.
Because you don't make money on new stadiums by funding them yourself.
UPDATE: The Rowdies launched a formal campaign for MLS membership and a new stadium expansion. Edwards says he will self-finance the $80M stadium campaign.
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"...and he needs to convince St. Pete, Pinellas County, and/or the state of Florida to fund major stadium upgrades. Because you don't make money on new stadiums by funding them yourself."
ReplyDeleteExcept that Edwards has committed to fund the project privately...
This is true. And to be applauded....although I would bet there's an "ask" for public funds down the road.
DeleteI get that you might be skeptical and that's a central theme of this site - to look out for things like that, but you're a reporter. You didn't update this piece to reflect that Edwards said he'd self-finance and you've been pretty cynical on social media. At this point he says he's going to self-finance. There are no other facts to go on, unless you know more.
DeleteThere are a lot of people who care about this team and put time and energy into it. And while soccer is growing at a rapid pace in this country, those of us who are fans are used to having to defend it against the other Big Four sports.
If it indeed goes to a public referendum it's going to be hard enough to get the truth out there or for people who don't follow the sport to realize that MLS draws more on average than an NBA or NHL game. Some people will probably associate the referendum with financing even though it would be about lease terms and certainly the Rays have poisoned the well a bit.
I hope you'll be thoughtful, because as of now, this proposal doesn't lean on the taxpayer. Us supporters have a tough road keeping the record straight - and in a small community your words probably mean more than ours do.
That's a fair point - I did mention it immediately on social media - but will add the note here.
DeleteHowever, if you think he'll self-finance the $80M for a stadium and $150M for an expansion fee....I've got a stadium site in Oldsmar I'd like to sell you.