Raleigh Stadium/Arena/Sports Discussions

Yes, welcome and possibly the BEST first post!

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I hope they announce an MLS franchise. I can’t get behind building a stadium on spec.

Well they can build It all they want. Just don’t come looking for public money. Could support building a small stadium now to move the Cary team. And then only if he gets an MLS team, come ask for funds to expand it.

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I wonder what the chances are, Raleigh could become a much more recognizable city if everyone works out. I just feel that if one or two things might work out, but it would be amazing if everything works out. That’s why when it comes to, what I consider, pipe dream projects, like this, commuter or light rail, and 40 stories buildings I’m much more skeptical.

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Please if ever we do get another professional team, let it be “Raleigh Something’s”, Not “Carolina Something’s”. #carolinabulls

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The “Raleigh Acorn Kickers” would be truly stunning. Or the “Raleigh Oak Choppers” I mean either of those don’t match up to “Raleigh Rail Hawks” because they actually make sense.

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Completely agree that a new sports team should be the “Raleigh” insert name here, but he already renamed two teams and went with “North Carolina” FC and Courage, which doesn’t bode well. But maybe there is a chance since they would actually play in raleigh.

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You can bet your bottom dollar that a team in Durham would never be the “Carolina ________.”

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The team already has a name “NCFC”. They’ve spend a lot on branding. They are not changing the name to “Raleigh”…at least not with this “announcement”. My understanding is the event will announce the plan to build a massive mixed use project with a stadium as the epicenter of the planned redevelopment project. Rumor is 60-100 acres

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This is likely to be a game changing project for the city of Raleigh, and a game changer for Malik to land MLS. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to realize that teams have been awarded franchises after already announcing/building stadiums. One notable exception has been Miami, but they have Beckham as their owner.

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As much as I’d love for there to be a “Raleigh ________” team to root for, it makes sense we have the “Carolina” Hurricanes and “NC” FC since we are the capital, and therefore can represent the state as a whole. On that note, Carolina Panthers only makes sense because they are specifically representing both Carolinas.

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General trend in all of pro sports past 25 years or so seems to be to have new teams named after states vs. cities. I think it’s to broaden the appeal to a greater geographic area.

Colorado Rockies - Not Denver,
Florida Marlins
Carolina Panthers
Minnesota Viking / Twins
Tennessee Titans

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I know I am in the minority, but I think we need to combine the North and South Carolina and just call us “Carolina”. IMO, there isn’t much difference between the two states. Ok… start voting me off the island now.

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Actually, you would be taking us back…lol :crazy_face:
We actually were “Carolina” first before statehood. But I will be glad to be the first to
“vote” you off the island…Ha! Ha! :rofl::joy:

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That’s been going on for a while. Texas Rangers, New England Patriots, California Angels, and the Arizona Cardinals, to name a few. What’s interesting is that a few of these teams have changed names to reflect the city versus state or region.

Florida Marlins are actually now the Miami Marlins. The California Angels switched to the Anaheim Angels, and then to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, to finally Los Angeles Angels.

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And if the specific city name is not included in the team name, then the owners should have to request money from the state/s and not utilize the county tax money or maybe only part of it?

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Raleigh’s own Tyler Butler-Figueroa gets the golden buzzer from Simon Cowell on America’s Got Talent. Guess what was missing? That’s right, Raleigh was missing. He introduces himself as from North Carolina. Can the city catch a break or get a shout out? :man_facepalming:

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“A change in state law that would let vendors sell beer and wine at college stadiums is nearly done”
-Awesome news. Maybe the students will return after half time into Carter Finely.

I’d have to assume NC State will jump all over this, Duke or Carolina probably not.

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Announcement is scheduled for June 25th at the Dillon by Malik and Kane

https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2019/06/18/ncfcs-malik-kane-plan-major-soccer-announcement.html

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Maybe I’m wrong, but didn’t Malik say he wasn’t going to ask for public funding?
From TBJ article:
“The NCFC is seeking more than $300 million to fund an MLS stadium that would be a mixed-use project developed by Kane Realty. NCFC is asking for $11 million per year for 30 years, beginning in the fiscal year 2022. The arena itself would cost around $150 million.”

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Thinking about how North Hills mushroomed out it is crazy to play with the thought something similar could happen around Penmarc. There is just so much underutilized or empty space in addition to the 60 acres in question along I40, S Saunders and S Wilmington

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