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http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/sa...05/story1.html

Friday, July 2, 2010
Spurs’ parent eying pro soccer for San Antonio
Plan calls for developing a new stadium complex
San Antonio Business Journal - by W. Scott Bailey

Spurs Sports & Entertainment’s Leo Gomez says the parent company of San Antonio’s NBA franchise is interested in pursuing a professional soccer team for the Alamo City.

Gomez says heightened interest in the U.S. team’s 2010 World Cup run has reaffirmed SS&E research indicating that there is growing support for the sport of soccer in the nation’s seventh largest city.

If SS&E is successful in its effort to secure a soccer franchise, it would expand the organization’s San Antonio sports reach beyond AT&T Center. It would also represent a belated victory of sorts for former San Antonio Mayor Ed Garza, who tried to convince local leaders a half-decade ago that the Alamo City should pursue soccer.

Gomez says SS&E’s plan is to re-create the model Dallas’ Major League Soccer franchise used to secure a new stadium in North Texas — called Pizza Hut Park. That would require SS&E to team up with an area independent school district interested in developing or renovating a venue to accommodate professional soccer, high school football and various entertainment events.

Dallas-based Hunt Sports Group, the Frisco Independent School District, the City of Frisco and Collin County agreed several years ago to team up on the development of Pizza Hut Park, a $65 million soccer-specific stadium complex that is now home to the Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas franchise. In September, the stadium is scheduled to host the rock band KISS.

Gomez says the Frisco model is one SS&E believes will work in San Antonio.

“Multiple school districts have expressed an interest,” he says. “We just haven’t found the right opportunity and the right timing yet to make it happen. But we ... believe the opportunity will come here in the near future to co-develop a stadium with a school district.”

Huge benefit

Garza tried to bring an MLS team to the Alamo City roughly five years ago. He is now a member of the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) Board of Trustees.

Garza says there have been some talks between SS&E and the SAISD about the possibility of renovating the aging Alamo Stadium, located off of U.S. Highway 281 in North Central San Antonio. The plan would be to convert the structure into a multi-use facility that could serve as a home for a pro soccer team, high school sports and assorted other events.

“They have expressed their interest in being a partner with us in enhancing that venue,” Garza says.

“We know we have to make an investment in Alamo Stadium with or without the Spurs,” he adds. “If we can do that with a partner and then can have a facility that can accommodate professional soccer and other events, that could be a huge benefit for everyone involved.”

Gil Garza, executive director of athletics for the SAISD, says there have been discussions about making significant improvements at Alamo Stadium as part of a plan to accommodate a pro soccer team. Under that scenario, he says, SS&E would manage the facility.

Could pro soccer work at the venerable stadium?

“I think it can with the right improvements,” Gil Garza says. But he says it’s unclear how much those improvements would cost the school district.

Gomez did not divulge how much SS&E is willing to invest to develop a home for a pro soccer team. But he does say that Alamo Stadium is worthy of consideration.

“There may be an opportunity,” he says. But that district’s leaders have other important things to consider first, and we understand that.”

Serious discussions

The Spurs are not the only entity interested in securing a pro soccer franchise. Former home builder and developer Gordon Hartman says he, too, hopes to bring a team to San Antonio.

Hartman helped develop Morgan’s Wonderland, a theme park for special needs children, and the STAR Soccer complex — both located at the site of the former Longhorn Quarry on San Antonio’s Northeast Side.

“I’m working very aggressively to put together a plan to bring a professional soccer team to San Antonio,” Hartman explains. “I want to build a venue that would accommodate a pro soccer team.”

Hartman says he has had conversations with multiple teams about relocating to San Antonio.

“We’ve had serious discussions,” he says.

Hartman’s focus is the United Soccer Leagues (USL), which currently has teams in markets such as Austin, Portland and Tampa Bay.

Gomez says he believes San Antonio should start with a team in the USL.

But he says SS&E is interested in a plan that would include a stadium suitable for the MLS.

Scott Metzger, founder of Freetail Brewing Co., has been to MLS matches in Houston and to the MLS Cup in Seattle. His San Antonio brew pub has hosted several World Cup viewing parties that attracted overflow crowds.

“I do believe there is support for a pro team,” say Metzger about the prospect of San Antonio getting its own franchise. “But I believe it has to be done on the top professional level.”

SAISD’s Ed Garza says he isn’t sure how this will play out. But he says San Antonio has come a long way since he left City Hall.

“We can now sustain and support professional soccer in San Antonio,” he says. “We have grown by leaps and bounds over the last five years.”

Gomez says the excitement generated over the World Cup in San Antonio helped “put a face” with the research SS&E has performed with regard to the viability of bringing a soccer team to San Antonio.

“We absolutely believe that professional soccer is the next sport to bring to San Antonio,” Gomez insists. “But it has to be at the right level and at the right venue. We want to do it. But we want to do it the right way.”

SS&E officials say what they can offer a potential venue partner is the expertise from operating multiple professional sports franchises and a major league sports venue — AT&T Center.

“We are a willing, potential partner in the development of a stadium with a school district,” Gomez says. “Frisco has showed how this can work ... .”

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