I hope this happens!!

thunder_alley1984 · 08-22-2009, 10:40 PM

Arrowhead gets a boost as a World Cup site

By TEREZ A. PAYLOR

The Kansas City Star

More News

There are plenty of things that still need to be worked out, but soccer fans eager to see a World Cup game in Kansas City received good news Thursday.
The USA Bid Committee announced that Arrowhead Stadium is one of 32 sites in 27 cities on a short list in the United States’ bid to be host to the World Cup soccer tournament in either 2018 or 2022.
OnGoal Vice President of Development David Ficklin, who was a member of the San Francisco Host Committee for World Cup USA 1994, said the city had submitted a 100-plus-page bid book on July 29 and received the good news Wednesday evening.
However, a final decision is still a ways away. The USA Bid Committee won’t submit its bid to FIFA until May 2010, and FIFA won’t select its host countries for the 2018 and 2022 events until December 2010.
And even if the U.S. is selected to be host in 2018, Ficklin said we won’t know whether Kansas City will play a role until roughly 2013.
However, he insists the clock is ticking.
“(It) will be here before we know it,” Ficklin said.
This is not the first time Kansas City has been in the running to be a World Cup host. Arrowhead Stadium made a bid for the 1994 World Cup, when it last was played in the United States, and was one of the final 12 cities under consideration. But Kansas City was knocked out of consideration when FIFA — soccer’s world governing body — decided to go with only nine sites and selected the largest available metropolitan areas.
Ficklin said Kansas City has changed since then, and he cited the revival of downtown and the large number of new or planned soccer complexes that have been popping up in the area — the Wizards’ planned stadium at the Bannister Mall site and UMKC’s new soccer stadium being examples.
“There are a lot of things that make Kansas City different now,” Ficklin said. “There’s really been a renaissance the last 10 years.”
There were also concerns back then that the Arrowhead field was too small. But Ficklin said those concerns can be alleviated by “notching” the corners of the field, which would involve taking several rows of seats out and filling them with removable seats.
“It’s a feature you’ll find in several new stadiums, including Reliant Stadium in Houston,” said Ficklin, who added that the money for the project would be raised privately by the host committee.
It’s also safe to say the event represents a huge financial boon for the host country.
The 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany resulted in a total economic impact of about $6.2 billion and the creation of 50,000 jobs. The 2 million tourists who visited the country spent about $766 million.
And nobody has to tell any of the Wizards who have World Cup experience how big a deal it is for the residents of the host country and cities. Forward Josh Wolff, who played in the 2006 World Cup in Germany, said the excitement of the fans descending upon a city to support their team can rub off on local soccer fans.
“You get a clash of cultures, which is a good thing,” Wolff said. “It’s something you don’t get to see maybe in the middle of the country.”
Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad, who also played in the latest World Cup, agreed.
“In short, it’s a big party and everyone is invited,” Conrad said. “It’s fun to be a part of that atmosphere.”

To reach Terez A. Paylor, call 816-234-5915 or send e-mail to tpaylor@kcstar.com.

thunder_alley1984 · 08-22-2009, 10:41 PM

This would be awesome! I would love to see Germany play in KC as well as Spain and the US.

ODSpice14 · 08-22-2009, 10:55 PM

Wonder if they are taking into consideration the new soccer stadium they are supposed to build in the ghetto?

thunder_alley1984 · 08-22-2009, 10:57 PM

Hey man that ghetto was my home for 25 years! But yes if the Wizards Stadium is built I think it would seal the deal. Personally I want this to happen South KC needs it so bad so maybe finally houses can be torn down.

ODSpice14 · 08-22-2009, 11:04 PM

That area used to be pretty nice but then too many gang members ran the place down. I dont really think that the soccer stadium is a good idea. Where they are playing now is perfect. I dont see how between all the stadiums in the area and other developments buit recently how they can all remain viable

thunder_alley1984 · 08-22-2009, 11:12 PM

Wizards Stadium is a much better idea that the worthless shit hole called Sprint Center!... I despise that place.

ODSpice14 · 08-23-2009, 01:14 AM

Yeah but Sprint center is already built, Independence event center is almost done, along with ROyals stadium and Arrowhead just being remodeled. I think they ought to just stick to playing at the T-bones ballpark. Its a nice small place that they can sell out.

ODSpice14 · 08-23-2009, 01:18 AM

Also Kemper arena is sitting pretty much empty other than for the American Royal and the midget races. Im just wondering how much entertainment money is around KC to keep a whole other stadium going because I know several concert venues around town are having a tough time because of all the new places for those

thunder_alley1984 · 08-23-2009, 09:28 AM

AIG screwed KC and Kemper with that ex bitch of a mayor. Sprint Center was not supposed to feature any RODEO type events. Yet PBR goes there now and not Kemper. They promised to remodel Kemper and make it a livestock powerhouse and they haven't. I hope AIG dies a slow nasty bankrupt death soon for the lies. Also for the record AIG controls both arenas for the City because the old mayor didn't want competition to the new Sprint Center btw where is our NBA or NHL team???? As for T-Bones park the place is nice but I hate where it got built due to all the traffic already going that direction.

ODSpice14 · 08-23-2009, 12:52 PM

Our NHL team is still in Pittsburgh. I think that was our best chance to get the Penguins if they would have sweetened the deal a bit more. Is it AIG or is it AEG that is running things? If so isnt AEG the one that runs a bunch of stadiums around the world and was going to put on the Michael Jackson concerts?

		DCZ Collectors Lounge > Unfiltered > The Locker Room
I hope this happens!!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)