MLS in Sacramento?

A good friend of mine asked me a few weeks ago what I thought about an MLS team coming to Sacramento. I didn't respond to him because I thought that this would be something worth blogging about, and get feedback from the soccer community.

At face value, having an MLS team in Sacramento would create a lot of buzz, and continue to cement the notion that Sacramento, is in fact, a first class town that has everything that other major U.S. cities have in terms of amenities.

Whether an MLS team could come to Sacramento and make money is an entirely different question. I am not totally convinced that the business model that MLS operates under is one that would make a lot of sense for Sacramento. I don't think that we could draw large enough crowds after the first two seasons to keep such a massive machine going. We saw this with the likes of the Sacramento Knights, the highly successful (world champions) indoor squad that pulled 3,5000 plus to each match at Arco Arena in the first few seasons, but dwindled after that. The team still exists today, but as an outdoor team. Attendance at those matches are relatively small and the team's lack of funds is well known.

I also don't think that we could recruit a top notch coach or international players. Sacramento has come a very long way; but why not San Diego? Seattle? Portland? What makes Sacramento the right place?

There's also a question as to where the team would play -- surely we'd need to build new stadium? Some would say that the Natomas area near Arco Arena is the right location. Makes sense, with the Kings being right there....but what if the Maloofs take the Kings out of Sacramento? Others would say Roseville/Rocklin. Not a bad idea either, but where? Also traffic on I-80 near Douglas is already congested beyond capacity. Could you imagine having to leave two hours early for a match just to beat the traffic up to Roseville? If you lived in Davis or Elk Grove, your drive would be longer.

So, do I want a MLS team? Yes. Do I think this is the right market? No. That being said, it would be amazing to put together a group of top business leaders who could explore all the options regarding a team coming to Sacramento. There is certaintly a way to do it. It is just going to take time.

VarsityDreams.com

We are seriously stoked about the launch of our Sacramento-based news coverage of High School athletics via www.VarsityDreams.com

There is no doubt that there is a total lack of coverage of Sacramento Prep Sports. For whatever reason The Sac Bee just does not give Prep Sports any love. We plan to change that.

There is so much passion that revolves around high school athletics, and the athletes that make it so much fun to follow.

Be sure to check out www.varsitydreams.com to follow us as we chronicle what is sure to be a really exciting school year for all the high school sports in Sacramento.

Rick Singer on KFBK 1530AM

Awesome stuff on college admissions....

Click Here to hear the audio.

Blogging with Flock

The first half of 2007 has been the worst for air travel delays since the Department of Transportation started keeping detailed statistics 13 years ago, the government said yesterday.And preliminary numbers show July won't do much to reverse travel woes, either.June 2007 was the second-worst June on record for flight delays, with only 68.1% of flights arriving on time as a result of more jets in the sky and particularly bad weather at key airport hubs like Dallas-Fort Worth International. Last year in June, 72.8% of flights arrived on-time. Only June 2000 was worse than this year at 66.3% on-time, when surging travel demand and airline labor battles clogged air transportation.

The Middle Seat - WSJ.com

Blogged with Flock

Chrysler

Chrysler hired ex-ceo of Home Depot, Robert Nardelli.

With US automakers struggling to keep pace with the likes of Toyota, Lexus and BMW, Nardelli might be just the outsider who can revive Chrysler.

It will be interesting to see how his experiences at The Home Depot will help him in Detroit.

Traffic on I-80

Traffic on I80
Originally uploaded by wr_downing33

9.30am on I-80 near Davis and the traffic is thick. There's no accident. No construction. Nothing. Just a lot of cars between here and Marin County. Its a Saturday and still there's a lot of traffic.

This just in. Sacramento is no longer is a small town.

Toyota

Toyota continues to dominate.

They announced that net profits rose by 32%. Quality issues have taken center stage recently, but Toyota's brand name and reputation for quality has led the Janpanese car maker to keep its American rivals at bay.

In 2008, watch for Toyota to take even more market share from American car companies. Ford's recent news that they will put up Land Rover and Volvo for sale only signals that the American auto group is in worst trouble than its letting on.

18th and L Street

18th and L Street
Originally uploaded by wr_downing33

In the midst of a depressing housing market in the Sacramento area, there has been a few projects that have managed to out perform expectation. SKK Developments new loft project near the corner of 18th and L Street is just one example.

What makes this a really cool project is the fact that urban living is now in Sacramento in a very Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle type way. This isn't a condo conversion of a 1970's apartment building. This type of project represents all that is good about Sacramento -- the future.

If you haven't been to mid-town Sacramento in sometime, check it out. There is a lot going on.

Sac Airport

I am at the airport this morning headed to Orange County for the morning. I got here at 5:30 am and the security line is already out the door.

What's wrong with this picture?