Downtown Soccer Stadium (11th & Millwork Ave)

[almighty_tuna]

$100M, 10,000 seat stadium for Omaha Union in North Downtown is officially on the radar now.

Union Omaha franchise eyes new soccer stadium, and Legislature is asked to pitch in financially

https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/01/3 ... nancially/

OMAHA — Union Omaha hopes to build a $100 million soccer stadium in north downtown that would be accompanied by new housing, perhaps a hotel and other related entertainment amenities.

Legislative Bill 621, introduced by Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha, would direct up to $50 million in state funds to help bring that vision to fruition.

[Brad]

Sweet, only took 14 months after the rumor started!

[BobbiDon]

Wow! Now this is exciting. The hits just keep coming.

10k seems like a lot of capacity. I wonder if a push for USL Championship is a realistic factor?

[Garrett]

That’s very exciting! Having a sports team in the area that seems to be in it for the long haul is just what the neighborhood needs. Who could have predicted this of all things when the baseball stadium was built?

Edit: Interesting to note they want a full match of $50 million after failing to get the ARPA funds from the economic recovery bill. Generally not a fan of taxpayer funded stadiums like this, even if I’m pleased it’s going here instead of the suburbs.

Also it seems the World-Herald got scooped again.

[Coyote]

Union Omaha franchise eyes new soccer stadium,
and Legislature is asked to pitch in financially

Union Omaha hopes to build a $100 million soccer stadium in north downtown that would be accompanied by new housing, perhaps a hotel and other related entertainment amenities. Legislative Bill 621, introduced by Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha, would direct up to $50 million in state funds to help bring that vision to fruition.

[Athomsfere]

Alright! So then, what lot would we expect!

I hope we can see it get built without adding any parking. Or at worst, convert something like Lot B into a structure with condos uptop.

[skip]

Alright! So then, what lot would we expect!

I hope we can see it get built without adding any parking. Or at worst, convert something like Lot B into a structure with condos uptop.

This was the location from the original rumor.

FGD3V2GX0AAg59r.jpg

[almighty_tuna]

Clearly Omaha Union is aiming for the USL Championship league. Here are the ownership requirements:

Men's Division II Ownership requirements:

Principal owner with at least US$20,000,000 net worth, 35% ownership stake.

Markets and stadia:

Year 1: Eight teams in at least 2 time zones[4]
Year 3: At least 10 teams
Year 6: at least 12 teams in Eastern, Central, and Pacific time zones
75% of teams must be in metro areas of at least 750,000 population
Stadiums must have 5,000 capacity

[Flyer14]

THIS is exciting news, and going to be great to follow!

[Athomsfere]

Alright! So then, what lot would we expect!

I hope we can see it get built without adding any parking. Or at worst, convert something like Lot B into a structure with condos uptop.

This was the location from the original rumor.

FGD3V2GX0AAg59r.jpg

Drop the parking garage and this seems great! I'd love to see that lot filled.

[Doctor Fate]

This is awesome! I wonder if the site will end up being Lot B? Lots of parking options nearby for those that drive in, plus at the end of the streetcar line.

[ita]

So, this is cool and all, but what if the State, and there's a good chance they do, refuses to match the $50 million? It says that the other $50 million has been raised privately; so I gather they don't want to go to voter approved bonds from the City like CHI Center or Pinnacle Bank Arena.

I think it's cool that they are considering a women's pro team as part of this stadium.

[Athomsfere]

So, this is cool and all, but what if the State, and there's a good chance they do, refuses to match the $50 million? It says that the other $50 million has been raised privately; so I gather they don't want to go to voter approved bonds from the City like CHI Center or Pinnacle Bank Arena.

I think it's cool that they are considering a women's pro team as part of this stadium.

I think there was a study done, and no renderings released. So we know so little.

Maybe the project's scope could be reduced and another round of fundraising if it failed? 60% of the cost of the TD Park for ~30% the capacity. I do wonder if the housing was dropped for example if the costs could be reconciled.

Regardless, I'd be ecstatic if this played out.

[ita]

So, this is cool and all, but what if the State, and there's a good chance they do, refuses to match the $50 million? It says that the other $50 million has been raised privately; so I gather they don't want to go to voter approved bonds from the City like CHI Center or Pinnacle Bank Arena.

I think it's cool that they are considering a women's pro team as part of this stadium.

I think there was a study done, and no renderings released. So we know so little.

Maybe the project's scope could be reduced and another round of fundraising if it failed? 60% of the cost of the TD Park for ~30% the capacity. I do wonder if the housing was dropped for example if the costs could be reconciled.

Regardless, I'd be ecstatic if this played out.

I am reading it as $100 million just for the stadium, so not including any projected housing, hotel, or retail components. Those would be ancillary to the stadium.

That's makes sense though if they don't get state funds. I suppose the State could offer to pay a fraction of what Cordero folks are asking for as well. They're not going to be making the money back any time soon, but it's not like the State wouldn't be getting anything back; state coffers will get some of that back from sweet sales tax back, hospitality tax if a hotel is built as a direct result. In addition it would be a new amenity to help recruit/retain those precious youths that keep leaving the state. Haha.

[Athomsfere]

I am reading it as $100 million just for the stadium, so not including any projected housing, hotel, or retail components. Those would be ancillary to the stadium.

That's makes sense though if they don't get state funds. I suppose the State could offer to pay a fraction of what Cordero folks are asking for as well. They're not going to be making the money back any time soon, but it's not like the State wouldn't be getting anything back; state coffers will get some of that back from sweet sales tax back, hospitality tax if a hotel is built as a direct result. In addition it would be a new amenity to help recruit/retain those precious youths that keep leaving the state. Haha.

All good points. I wonder if the "leg drain" in the state is as bad as the brain drain? Where this would be a concern large enough for Nebraska to gamble a little to retain that talent.

*Leg Drain - Athom's newly coined term for athletes leaving the state

[ita]

I am reading it as $100 million just for the stadium, so not including any projected housing, hotel, or retail components. Those would be ancillary to the stadium.

That's makes sense though if they don't get state funds. I suppose the State could offer to pay a fraction of what Cordero folks are asking for as well. They're not going to be making the money back any time soon, but it's not like the State wouldn't be getting anything back; state coffers will get some of that back from sweet sales tax back, hospitality tax if a hotel is built as a direct result. In addition it would be a new amenity to help recruit/retain those precious youths that keep leaving the state. Haha.

All good points. I wonder if the "leg drain" in the state is as bad as the brain drain? Where this would be a concern large enough for Nebraska to gamble a little to retain that talent.

*Leg Drain - Athom's newly coined term for athletes leaving the state

YO! Leg Drain! You heard it hear first! Love it! You should contact Martin Cordero so next time he presents to the Legislature he can wear a Stop the Leg Drain shirt.

[Coyote]

All that I can see for now:
the stadium, which would have the capacity for 10,000 fans…
to be among the recommended slate of groups to share about $225 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding headed to North and South Omaha….
the soccer organization has been exploring a new stadium for the Owls.

Does not saw where it would be…

[jjjjhskr]

I am reading it as $100 million just for the stadium, so not including any projected housing, hotel, or retail components. Those would be ancillary to the stadium.

That's makes sense though if they don't get state funds. I suppose the State could offer to pay a fraction of what Cordero folks are asking for as well. They're not going to be making the money back any time soon, but it's not like the State wouldn't be getting anything back; state coffers will get some of that back from sweet sales tax back, hospitality tax if a hotel is built as a direct result. In addition it would be a new amenity to help recruit/retain those precious youths that keep leaving the state. Haha.

All good points. I wonder if the "leg drain" in the state is as bad as the brain drain? Where this would be a concern large enough for Nebraska to gamble a little to retain that talent.

*Leg Drain - Athom's newly coined term for athletes leaving the state

I hope it happens, living downtown I’d def buy tix, I go to most Creighton soccer games. I’m not feeling good about getting support from the from the Pillen administration but I’ll keep my hopes up.

[stormchaser]

I'd be surprised if the State pitches in but not doing so is so short sighted IMO. The amount of tax revenue something like this would generate for the State is worth it, not to mention attracting/retaining talent in the area. Instead they like to focus on silly things like "permitless conceal and carry"... - because 'Merica!

[halgy]

I'd be surprised if the State pitches in but not doing so is so short sighted IMO. The amount of tax revenue something like this would generate for the State is worth it, not to mention attracting/retaining talent in the area. Instead they like to focus on silly things like "permitless conceal and carry"... - because 'Merica!

Meh.

I want a stadium, too, and am as pro-development as most on this board. However, using public money to build sports stadiums is pretty widely regarded as a bad deal. Tax revenue doesn't go up that much, as people just spend it doing other leisure activities instead. Any meager increase that does happen isn't enough to cover the investment in any practical time period. To be fair, maybe the downside isn't as pronounced for smaller stadiums like this, as compared to the massively expensive NFL stadiums. Still, $50 million worth of investment in transit or mixed-use or affordable housing has a much more certain benefit.

That said, if the development gets approved I'll shut up immediately and enjoy the new stadium in my backyard.

[skinzfan23]

I agree, using public money for this stadium isn't the best idea, but I am all for the development. I doubt that the state will give $50 million, but maybe something less can be worked out.

[stormchaser]

I'd be surprised if the State pitches in but not doing so is so short sighted IMO. The amount of tax revenue something like this would generate for the State is worth it, not to mention attracting/retaining talent in the area. Instead they like to focus on silly things like "permitless conceal and carry"... - because 'Merica!

Meh.

I want a stadium, too, and am as pro-development as most on this board. However, using public money to build sports stadiums is pretty widely regarded as a bad deal. Tax revenue doesn't go up that much, as people just spend it doing other leisure activities instead. Any meager increase that does happen isn't enough to cover the investment in any practical time period. To be fair, maybe the downside isn't as pronounced for smaller stadiums like this, as compared to the massively expensive NFL stadiums. Still, $50 million worth of investment in transit or mixed-use or affordable housing has a much more certain benefit.

That said, if the development gets approved I'll shut up immediately and enjoy the new stadium in my backyard.

I agree if referring to only direct tax revenue anway.

What I'm referring to is the tax revenue generated in the form of additional development as a result of projects like this one. The jobs created because of the additional development. The increase in property values as a result of increase in demand in the area. The talent that is retained here because of things for younger people to do - which can lead to further development/investment as well by outside corporations. The additional investment into downtown Omaha as things continue to progress toward downtown being "the place to be" and the population increase as a result. The snowball effect in other words that can lead to significant amounts of indirect tax revenue increases all started with a project like this one. I realize these are all things that are almost impossible to put a number on but to me it still makes projects like this worth it for the state.

[omaha79]

I think this will bring out the anti soccer sentiment and general xenophobia that is often directed at the sport from the beer bellies in this area. I fully expect to hear quite a bit of "literally no one is asking for this!" and "Why can't we get a pro (American) football team?!" type of comments.

I think this will be a test of how far we are willing to step outside of our comfort zone as a community. Typically, if it's not NU Football, CWS, or Creighton Basketball, we simply don't have the energy for it and don't support it fully. Look at the Storm Chasers, they've never really been embraced wherever they play because it's "minor league" and not something you can pop on television and see on ESPN.

The fact that soccer has a strong following among non-english and non white residents of the city doesn't endear the sport to many.

And, if the state has to weigh in on it, those out West aren't going to see the value in subsidizing an Omaha soccer team. I do get that to an extent.

I could full well see this failing. But, I do think the local business community is heavily on board. If we want to take a step forward, we have to support and grow the things we have. Otherwise, we doom ourselves to being a 2nd rate college sports town for eternity.

A stadium like this would further entrench an ownership group, who has generally been great for the community further into the fabric of the city. If we don't get this stadium, I ultimately believe the soccer team leaves town and the AAA baseball team ends up for sale...and, you never know who might buy them. maybe someone that's just riding out the current lease with Werner park and wants to move them to a more interested Southern city.

I don't want to live in a 2 trick town that really only has Creighton Basketball and the CWS as its only high level local sports options.

[Big E]

Honest question... if they can play in a baseball stadium in Sarpy county in front of ±3400 people, why can't they play in a baseball stadium in downtown Omaha in front of ±3400 people? Is there an assumption a new 10,000 ft stadium is going to triple attendance?

I'm not against it by any means. Just curious if its worth $100M... anywhere.

[Athomsfere]

I'd be surprised if the State pitches in but not doing so is so short sighted IMO. The amount of tax revenue something like this would generate for the State is worth it, not to mention attracting/retaining talent in the area. Instead they like to focus on silly things like "permitless conceal and carry"... - because 'Merica!

Meh.

I want a stadium, too, and am as pro-development as most on this board. However, using public money to build sports stadiums is pretty widely regarded as a bad deal. Tax revenue doesn't go up that much, as people just spend it doing other leisure activities instead. Any meager increase that does happen isn't enough to cover the investment in any practical time period. To be fair, maybe the downside isn't as pronounced for smaller stadiums like this, as compared to the massively expensive NFL stadiums. Still, $50 million worth of investment in transit or mixed-use or affordable housing has a much more certain benefit.

That said, if the development gets approved I'll shut up immediately and enjoy the new stadium in my backyard.

I agree with this. But I think it's a far cry for $50 million over an NFL stadium in the $1+ billion range. Apparently, some googling for who has newer stadiums and costs: Tennessee (When did they get a team?) has a new stadium at $2.1 billion.

Soccer is a sport I'll go to see from time to time. Being in the core makes it much more likely I'll go, and more often. And being in a developed area near reliable other transit options means I would also generally grab a bite, or a beer either pre-game or post game.

[stormchaser]

Honest question... if they can play in a baseball stadium in Sarpy county in front of ±3400 people, why can't they play in a baseball stadium in downtown Omaha in front of ±3400 people? Is there an assumption a new 10,000 ft stadium is going to triple attendance?

I'm not against it by any means. Just curious if its worth $100M... anywhere.

I think they are basing it on average attendance at other stadiums and the fact soccer is a sport that is growing in popularity.

Here are average attendance numbers for other stadiums within the USL Championship (assuming that is what Omaha is going after):
https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2022-us ... ttendance/

[omahahawk]

Just caught up with this story and all I can say is wow, it's more than I even hoped for. It's definitely good to know they prefer a downtown location. Just wondering if this really all a part of strategy. That is to make the biggest pitch you can and then hopefully meet somewhere in the middle with the state assistance? Also, assuming that this is something they want to get going on relatively quick and that we will probably hear more soon.

[Athomsfere]

Just caught up with this story and all I can say is wow, it's more than I even hoped for. It's definitely good to know they prefer a downtown location. Just wondering if this really all a part of strategy. That is to make the biggest pitch you can and then hopefully meet somewhere in the middle with the state assistance? Also, assuming that this is something they want to get going on relatively quick and that we will probably hear more soon.

Maybe they should have aimed higher then. One hundred, billion dollars!

[nebport5]

Honest question... if they can play in a baseball stadium in Sarpy county in front of ±3400 people, why can't they play in a baseball stadium in downtown Omaha in front of ±3400 people? Is there an assumption a new 10,000 ft stadium is going to triple attendance?

I'm not against it by any means. Just curious if its worth $100M... anywhere.

10,000 ft?! That'd be a steal for $100M


I think it's reasonable to expect attendance to increase downtown but not trifold. I think Tuna is right with an aim for moving up in the USL. So the thinking presumably would be to build for the future. I wonder yet if Union Omaha can grow attendance downtown enough to demonstrate the case for a future MLS expansion? Granted the smallest MLS stadium is 18,000 but if U.O. starts regularly hitting attendance numbers closer to 10k than 5k that would be a compelling argument. I'm not saying that's likely any time soon but in 5-10 years who knows.

[buildomaha]

Hopefully any stadium would be designed with future expansion in mind. Who’s to say the team won’t be incredibly successful, on the field AND in ticket sales. Omaha’s continued movement forward might change the trajectory of our growth patterns in the next two decades (not saying we’ll be of MLS size yet, but a worthy competitor).

[Omaha Cowboy]

It’s going to be interesting indeed to see if this idea gets off the ground..Talk about a catalyst for additional growth in North Downtown…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Big E]

10,000 ft?! That'd be a steal for $100M

That's only $10k/ft so kind of reasonably priced for prime residential real estate in, say, Monaco.

[Athomsfere]

Hopefully any stadium would be designed with future expansion in mind. Who’s to say the team won’t be incredibly successful, on the field AND in ticket sales. Omaha’s continued movement forward might change the trajectory of our growth patterns in the next two decades (not saying we’ll be of MLS size yet, but a worthy competitor).

Any one know the MLS requirements for a city?

I'm no sports nut, but I feel Omaha is getting to a point where we need a NFL, NBA, MLS tier pro sport team to get certain "gets" for the market.
Like company X is considering opening the next franchise in OKC or Omaha. Maybe because pro sports is part of their key demographics...

Apparently our Nielssen ratings suck (Maybe because we are a mid-size city right next to a small city?), but our catchment is theoretically great.

[NEDodger]

Hopefully any stadium would be designed with future expansion in mind. Who’s to say the team won’t be incredibly successful, on the field AND in ticket sales. Omaha’s continued movement forward might change the trajectory of our growth patterns in the next two decades (not saying we’ll be of MLS size yet, but a worthy competitor).

Any one know the MLS requirements for a city?

I'm no sports nut, but I feel Omaha is getting to a point where we need a NFL, NBA, MLS tier pro sport team to get certain "gets" for the market.
Like company X is considering opening the next franchise in OKC or Omaha. Maybe because pro sports is part of their key demographics...

Apparently our Nielssen ratings suck (Maybe because we are a mid-size city right next to a small city?), but our catchment is theoretically great.

Best shot is a NHL team. We aren’t getting a team in a sport already represented in Kansas City.

[nebport5]

Hopefully any stadium would be designed with future expansion in mind. Who’s to say the team won’t be incredibly successful, on the field AND in ticket sales. Omaha’s continued movement forward might change the trajectory of our growth patterns in the next two decades (not saying we’ll be of MLS size yet, but a worthy competitor).

Any one know the MLS requirements for a city?

I'm no sports nut, but I feel Omaha is getting to a point where we need a NFL, NBA, MLS tier pro sport team to get certain "gets" for the market.
Like company X is considering opening the next franchise in OKC or Omaha. Maybe because pro sports is part of their key demographics...

Apparently our Nielssen ratings suck (Maybe because we are a mid-size city right next to a small city?), but our catchment is theoretically great.

There's a whole thread devoted to this. The consensus is that we're not quite there but would perhaps have the best chance at soccer for major league sports. As far as the ratings go, iirc Omaha and Lincoln are separate markets thus combining them would help the numbers.

[almighty_tuna]

Any one know the MLS requirements for a city?

Apparently our Nielssen ratings suck (Maybe because we are a mid-size city right next to a small city?), but our catchment is theoretically great.

A couple things to unpack here. Regarding MLS:
wnership requirements

League must have a minimum of 12 teams to apply. By year three, the league must have a minimum of 14 teams
US-based teams must participate in all representative U.S. Soccer and CONCACAF competitions for which they are eligible (ex. U.S. Open Cup, CONCACAF Champions League.)
The majority owner must have a net worth of US$40 million, and the total ownership group must have a net worth of US$70 million. Both of these net worth requirements must be independent of both the club and the individuals' primary residence.[4]
Market requirements

Teams located in at least the Eastern, Central and Pacific time zones in the continental United States. These three time zones are required because the majority of the large population centers are located in these time zones
At least 75% of the league's teams must be based in markets with one million population
All stadiums must be enclosed
All league stadiums must have a minimum seating capacity of 15,000
Not later than 180 days prior to the start of each season, each team shall have a lease for at least one full season with its home stadium
Financial viability

The league must demonstrate adequate financial viability to ensure continued operation on a season-by-season basis either in the form of a performance bond or similar instrument for each team in the amount of US$1 million or readily available league funds representing US$1 million
The maximum amount of readily available league funds for covering teams operations is US$20 million
Any team whose performance bond is used during the season will be required to replenish it at least 120 days prior to the next season
Each team ownership group must demonstrate the financial capacity to operate the team for five years. As part of the process of demonstrating financial capacity, each ownership group must provide detailed financial history (if applicable) and projections (including a detailed budget) for the team to the Federation in a form satisfactory to the Federation. In addition, each team must have and its governing legal documents must designate one principal owner with a controlling interest who owns at least 35% of the team and has authority to bind the team. Such principal owner must have an individual net worth of at least forty million US dollars (US$40,000,000) exclusive of the value of his/her ownership in the league or team and his/her primary personal residence. The principal owner, together with all other owners, must have a combined individual net worth of at least seventy million US dollars (US$70,000,000) exclusive of the value of ownership interests in the league or team and primary personal residences. Federation shall have the right to require an independent audit to establish that the team meets these net worth requirements; the cost of such audit shall be the responsibility of the team or league. The Federation will take reasonable steps to protect from disclosure and limit access to financial information provided under this section
Media

The league must have broadcast or cable television contracts that provide for the telecasting of all regular season games as well as the championship game/series. High-quality internet streaming of regular season games satisfies this requirement
Team organization

All required positions must be filled by full-time staff year-round
Each US-based team must demonstrate a commitment to a player development program. This requirement may be satisfied by supporting either an amateur or professional reserve team competing in a USSF-sanctioned league or by the league itself
Each US-based team must maintain teams and a program to develop players at the youth level. This requirement may be satisfied by fielding teams in a Federation academy program
League operations

In addition to the required positions filled by full-time staff, the league office must have full-time staff performing the functions of a chief operations officer, a chief financial officer and a director of marketing/public relations on a year-round basis




Regarding Nielsen ratings; Omaha is split from Lincoln in that regard so we lose a lot of viewership numbers that way. There's a fair amount of history here but the tl;dr is that Lincoln is aligned with central NE (KHAS-Hastings, etc) and not the Omaha market. So despite Lincoln having nothing in common with Tri-Cities, their viewership is lumped in with them instead of the much closer Omaha market.

[omaha79]

Honest question... if they can play in a baseball stadium in Sarpy county in front of ±3400 people, why can't they play in a baseball stadium in downtown Omaha in front of ±3400 people? Is there an assumption a new 10,000 ft stadium is going to triple attendance?

I'm not against it by any means. Just curious if its worth $100M... anywhere.

First off, playing at Schwab downtown would be a total non-starter for both sides. Yes, there were brief forays into football on that field, but MECA and the NCAA would never allow a 20 match soccer schedule to be played on that field. The wear and tear alone would not be acceptable to the NCAA, MECA, or Creighton.

The seasons overlap as well. They would constantly be changing the field from baseball to soccer with CU playing there. This would also mean that the team would have to relocate for 2-3 weeks in June for the CWS and USL Championship would not stand for that.

You'd also have no real atmosphere and a team playing in a 25% full stadium, at best. Combine that with the fact that the ownership group would get zero cut of concessions, advertising, and parking (same issues the Omaha Royals ran into in 2009) and you have a situation that simply doesn't work.

USL Championship wants soccer specific stadiums as well. They aren't going to go for baseball stadiums anymore.

[nebport5]

Hopefully any stadium would be designed with future expansion in mind. Who’s to say the team won’t be incredibly successful, on the field AND in ticket sales. Omaha’s continued movement forward might change the trajectory of our growth patterns in the next two decades (not saying we’ll be of MLS size yet, but a worthy competitor).

Any one know the MLS requirements for a city?

I'm no sports nut, but I feel Omaha is getting to a point where we need a NFL, NBA, MLS tier pro sport team to get certain "gets" for the market.
Like company X is considering opening the next franchise in OKC or Omaha. Maybe because pro sports is part of their key demographics...

Apparently our Nielssen ratings suck (Maybe because we are a mid-size city right next to a small city?), but our catchment is theoretically great.

Best shot is a NHL team. We aren’t getting a team in a sport already represented in Kansas City.

The thinking being KC would root for the closest team the way many Nebraskans root for the Chiefs?

[omaha79]

Hopefully any stadium would be designed with future expansion in mind. Who’s to say the team won’t be incredibly successful, on the field AND in ticket sales. Omaha’s continued movement forward might change the trajectory of our growth patterns in the next two decades (not saying we’ll be of MLS size yet, but a worthy competitor).

Any one know the MLS requirements for a city?

I'm no sports nut, but I feel Omaha is getting to a point where we need a NFL, NBA, MLS tier pro sport team to get certain "gets" for the market.
Like company X is considering opening the next franchise in OKC or Omaha. Maybe because pro sports is part of their key demographics...

Apparently our Nielssen ratings suck (Maybe because we are a mid-size city right next to a small city?), but our catchment is theoretically great.

Best shot is a NHL team. We aren’t getting a team in a sport already represented in Kansas City.

The thinking being KC would root for the closest team the way many Nebraskans root for the Chiefs?

KC people would never adopt an Omaha team as their own on a large scale. I don't see it ever happening. They would see Omaha as an inferior market to KC and would probably just start pushing harder again to get their own franchise. I'm honestly really surprised KC never got a team. The Sprint center was built for an NHL team. The NHL has often needed viable Western Conference franchises. They'd still have a leg up over Omaha for an expansion team. The now t-mobile center is more NHL ready with a close to 18k capacity for hockey vs. CHI which is in the 14,500 range for hockey based on when UNO played there.

Phoenix has held some of these markets hostage for years. Bettman has been adamant on making that market work for hockey when it's been a proven failure. You now have an NHL team playing in a 7k college arena, but he still won't give up. He's been leveraging the less sexy Western Conference markets like KC as a soft landing spot for the Coyotes or maybe even Flames if they can't get a new arena in their home market, but the Phoenix and Calgary situations have been in limbo for so long. The sexier expansion markets of Seattle and Las Vegas were served first while KC has waited since the Penguins flirted with them in the mid 00's.

[strangerthings]

Hopefully any stadium would be designed with future expansion in mind. Who’s to say the team won’t be incredibly successful, on the field AND in ticket sales. Omaha’s continued movement forward might change the trajectory of our growth patterns in the next two decades (not saying we’ll be of MLS size yet, but a worthy competitor).

Any one know the MLS requirements for a city?

I'm no sports nut, but I feel Omaha is getting to a point where we need a NFL, NBA, MLS tier pro sport team to get certain "gets" for the market.
Like company X is considering opening the next franchise in OKC or Omaha. Maybe because pro sports is part of their key demographics...

Apparently our Nielssen ratings suck (Maybe because we are a mid-size city right next to a small city?), but our catchment is theoretically great.

20,000-seat dedicated stadium: $400 million
Franchise Fee: $400 million
Surrounding Development: Variable
Start-Up Costs: Unknown