Preliminary plans for a downtown arena call for accommodations for concerts, trade shows, and minor league football and hockey. But football of a different sort should not be overlooked when planning Tucson’s sports future.
Bringing a top flight team here is more financially beneficial than limiting ourselves to minor league teams and niche sports.
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Construction of an arena won’t begin until March 2010 so it’s still early enough in the process to give soccer consideration.
Although as widely played by the Little League set as our national pastime, soccer enjoys the dubious distinction of being a sport whose popularity does not mature with age in this country.
While soccer is unquestionably on a lower tier of professional sports in this country (along with hockey and non-NASCAR auto racing), Tucson’s size and proximity to the international influence of Mexico make it an ideal candidate for such a team. One Major League Soccer team is especially marketed to a Hispanic market and is also a branch club of the most popular team in Mexico.
The MLS is noted for putting teams in markets that may not be the first to come to mind for major sports franchises: Salt Lake City; Columbus, Ohio; and San Jose, Calif.
While professional soccer doesn’t have the prevalence of Major League Baseball or the National Football League, it has the long-term potential to be at least as popular as the National Hockey League.
When the big names of baseball or professional golf come to town, crowds have turned out to see them. Imagine what would happen if David Beckham came to town?
It’s also quite possible that Tucson could seize the opportunity to be the Arizona headquarters of soccer. Can you imagine the possibility that Phoenicians might drive to Tucson to see soccer?
That’s not entirely a far-fetched notion. The smallest stadium hosting an MLS soccer team seats 18,000. That’s larger than Tucson’s planned 12,500-seat stadium, which is too small anyway to distinguish itself from other already-available venues.
Tucson doesn’t need to build a “good enough” arena. Instead, it needs to set its sights on a goal and aggressively go for it.
Soccer could make for just such a goal.
Economic development officials two years ago met with city leaders from Portland, Ore., which is in the market courting a soccer team. An economic benefit report done for Portland said it would bring in $29 million a year, combined with 200 jobs, $10 million in employee earnings and another 500 jobs for construction.
The ball’s in front of the net; can Tucson kick it in?
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Comments
Dallen wrote on Jan 13, 2009 10:53 AM:
Seriously, MLS isn't handing these things out. They are in demand for a reason...they make money. They have owners named Phil Anschutz, Paul Allen, Red Bull and Oscar De La Hoya. Tucson got any pockets deep enough?
I doubt it.
The ceiling isn't there for Tucson, especially when compared to cities like Portland, New York, Miami, Vancouver, Montreal and dare I say...Phoenix. "
Tommy wrote on Jan 12, 2009 2:53 PM:
If the financing is there and the city is behind it then by all means go for an MLS team from the get go. I just don't think it is possible without building up a following. We need more than another version of the TUCSON AMIGOS to create a following. MLS yes, eventually, but USL1 first.
Glad to see people talking about bringing pro soccer to Tucson.
If you are interested in joining a supporters group for the US National Team. Email me at american.outlaws.tucson@gmail.com "
maria wrote on Jan 12, 2009 2:26 PM: