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Is new Quakes stadium in trouble?

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Lew Wolff, the multimillionaire developer who owns both the Quakes and the A's, has told the Mercury News he's no longer planning to immediately fund his projects -- in San Jose and Fremont, respectively -- with proceeds from planned residential developments. Still, Wolff is adamant that his projects will be built. And on time. In a bid to wait out the real estate markets, he'll tap other sources of cash, including private investors, parking fees and naming rights. On Monday, he hired the William Morris Agency to help identify a naming rights sponsor. He's also scaled back plans for the new Quakes stadium. Partly because of the economy, the soccer stadium has been scaled back, with Wolff now proposing a small, family-oriented venue without luxury boxes or other pricey additions common to new sports facilities. The expected price tag for the facility is now less than the $100 million that had earlier been projected.

San Jose Mercury News

Frank Yallop and Lew Wolff, AP Frank Yallop and Lew Wolff, AP
November 19, 2008  01:06 PM ET

I guess these difficult economic times are affecting everyone, let's hope they get this built on time, the Quake fans deserve it.

November 19, 2008  01:09 PM ET

Yeah...all the designs in the works for the SSS's have been scaled back a bit.
There could be a similar T&R for the Philly SSS in the works - the cutback of the non-essential bells & whistles for the stadium.

November 19, 2008  01:58 PM ET

Good. A soccer stadium doesn't need luxury boxes. You should be standing the whole game.

November 19, 2008  02:06 PM ET

Quakes really need a stadium

November 19, 2008  02:20 PM ET

luxury boxes help the team sooo much though. teams get to keep all of the revenue they earn from luxury boxes, which is why they price them so astronomically high ... just look at any MLB, NFL, NBA, or NHL team. even with revenue sharing, 90+% of the revenue earned from Boxes are exempt, leaving huge sums of cash for the organization. Financially in the long run this will be a mistake.

November 19, 2008  04:58 PM ET

That's true, those chumps paying big bucks in the sky box probably keep my endzone seat affordable. And they're probably the type that don't pay attention during the game anyway, getting up to go to the bathroom during a breakaway, trying and start the wave for no reason, bringing the wrong color spoke bombs, etc

November 19, 2008  06:40 PM ET

haha true, they may not be the best supporters, but they can help keep prices down for average fans

November 20, 2008  07:58 AM ET

Soccer has over expanded and unless the new owner has billions they shouldn't be allowed into the league or are a subsidiary of one of the top teams in the world.

I'm sorry Albert Pujols and others are great, and the salary cap bails out many a small owner, but the league is treading on thin ice if they think with 20 teams that a bad team will be tolerated by the other owners. And if they do promotion and relegation all these teams will have these $100 million stadiums. How about you promote based on record and attendance from USL1

 
November 20, 2008  10:48 AM ET
QUOTE(#5):

luxury boxes help the team sooo much though. teams get to keep all of the revenue they earn from luxury boxes, which is why they price them so astronomically high ... just look at any MLB, NFL, NBA, or NHL team. even with revenue sharing, 90+% of the revenue earned from Boxes are exempt, leaving huge sums of cash for the organization. Financially in the long run this will be a mistake.

Agreed.
Though I also believe luxury boxes are not necessary for the futbol experience. These high priced waiting rooms/trailers under a spectator stand, are useless as far as fan support goes. Financially speaking they're a necessity nowadays. I can see it now, the Quakes will have to remodel the stadium in a few years when they realize they should've installed the boxes - costing them more in the process.
The header is a bit misleading because the copy below mentions alternatives the Quakes are looking into to proceed with construction. I do have issues with the owner/investors whining over the economy though. These owners are mostly dual owners of other major league sports teams (NFL, NBA, NHL, etc) and some of the contracts they've given to their stars could easily build 2-3 additional stadiums per club. Their clubs have no problem giving these athletes multi-million dollars contracts, guys who eventually bolt through a trade or end up suspended for felonies or misdemeanors, then to build a structure with a community which will enhance and create employment for hundreds.
I'm not a huge fan of the Quakes, and having been there I never sensed the support for the club but I wish them luck.

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