August 19, 2004

Will they stay or will they go now?
Pride of San Jose Earthquakes to relocate without soccer-specific stadium

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

Soccer enthused P.A.C. (Political Action Committee) Soccer Silicon Valley is taking steps to secure the identity of San Jose—and a great way to spend Saturday afternoon. Heeding widespread prophecies that soccer remains the sport of the future, SSV and figurehead, Colin McCarthy, maintain that housing the San Jose Earthquakes should move first and foremost on resident’s local agendas.

The City of San Jose is currently at risk in losing perhaps its largest boon to community spirit, The Earthquakes.
The perennial MLS (Major League Soccer) contender owned and operated by the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), comprise our 11th largest city in the United States’ most successful professional sports’ organization—and the only championship trophy. However, due to financial struggles, AEG is considering relocating the Earthquakes to an alternative location, one willing to front the money for a brand new stadium. Cities under consideration include Philadelphia, Houston and Seattle.

Many, including AEG, correlate the Earthquakes’ lacking a soccer-specific stadium, to the unorthodox financial woes endured by a winning team. Following the perennially successful New York Yankees’ model of merchandising and ticket sales, logic says, a team’s success on the field will translate into profits in the bank. However, for the Earthquakes, a championship has sufficed just enough for local pride and additional rent money.

“Financially, the team draws fans from other parts of the Bay Area, state and country to San Jose to spend money at restaurants and hotels,” said McCarthy. “But the ‘Quakes play in Spartan Stadium, built in 1933 and designed for football, not soccer.” Run by Spartan Shops of San Jose State University, the stadium is not conducive to the MLS experience, or the Earthquakes’ pocket books. The team receives no revenue from parking or concessions; they do not control scheduling, and, ultimately, they pay a significant chunk of change to continue playing there.

AEG operates four additional MLS teams including the Los Angeles Galaxy, D.C. United, Chicago Fire, and New York/New Jersey Metrostars, and is no stranger to building stadiums with limited resources. Recently AEG secured funding on a $100 million stadium for the Metrostars in New Jersey. Private investors including the Harrison Redevelopment Agency and the Advance Realty Group in Bedminster, N.J., agreed to collaborate on the $160 million redevelopment project.

According to McCarthy and SSV, the Earthquakes themselves would love to stay. But the team remains a business enterprise and AEG looks to the bottom line before considering the positions of fans, players and front office personnel. “While the ‘Quakes don’t want to leave,” said McCarthy, “AEG may be forced to find another venue that allows AEG to make money.” Apparently, the entertainment gorilla is willing to contribute up to $15 million on a stadium project that is projected to run at least $65 million in all.

Proposed is a 25,000-seat stadium along with practice fields for public use
In a first motion to promote the Earthquakes’ extended stay, McCarthy and SSV have teemed with local city council members, the San Jose Chamber of Commerce, past and present Earthquake players and the club’s front office, organizing an Earthquakes’ support rally to be held from noon to one o’clock at Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park this Friday, August 20. The rally will celebrate the past, present and future of soccer in the Bay Area. It’s goal: show support for the creation of a permanent home for the Earthquakes.

Amongst local business-owners and politicians alike, there is concern that losing the ‘Quakes will detract from San Jose’s growing distinction as a hospitable and culturally stimulating city. Said City of San Jose Vice-Mayor Pat Dando: “I personally feel that it would be a great loss losing the Earthquakes. Anything to keep families active and together is a good thing. The Earthquakes are valuable for economic development, community pride and still provide affordable family recreation. And with so many young players in the community, it’s kind of a natural cycle to go see the pros play.”

In addition, Dando noted that the Earthquakes are heavily involved in giving back to the community. In South San Jose alone, the Earthquakes have held several workshops, demonstrating the soccer skills that have earned San Jose international acclaim.

“The Earthquakes have a wonderful history on and off the field,” said Earthquakes president and general manager Alexi Lalas. “The Earthquakes are one of the most successful sports groups in terms of championships with history dating back to the ‘70’s. Every time there is a championship or Landon Donovan scores a goal, it puts San Jose on the map.” Lalas also assured that, “[The Earthquakes] put a tremendous amount of time and resources into San Jose and would love to stay here.”

In support of the effort exerted by Soccer Silicon Valley and founder McCarthy, Lalas will attend the rally Friday, along with San Jose Chamber of Commerce C.E.O Jim Cuneen, Soccer Hall of Famer and Earthquake G.M. Johnny Moore and former ‘Quakes’ star Ismael ‘Easy’ Perez.

“We’re going to play a major role in keeping the Earthquakes here in San Jose,” said an optimistic Cuneen of the San Jose Chamber of Commerce’s position on the matter. “I think that we need to become a community that will attract sports and arts locally. That will create pride and an environment that welcomes more community. We feel strongly about the value of these efforts.”

The lunchtime rally will feature free hot dogs, drinks and potato salad for the first 1,000 people as well as the debut of Soccer Silicon Valley gear including pins, scarves and t-shirts. “All who want to further the effort to build a permanent soccer stadium in the Bay Area are invited to attend,” said McCarthy. “Wear your Earthquakes’ gear and most importantly, bring your voice.”

For more information regarding Soccer Silicon Valley please visit www.soccersiliconvalley.com.

Earthquakes to wear NASL ‘Retro’ Uniforms on Aug. 21 as Club
Hosts Thirty-Year Celebration Night at Spartan Stadium

The San Jose Earthquakes will host an Earthquakes Thirty-Year Celebration Night on Saturday, Aug. 21 with an Earthquakes NASL Legends game at 5:00 p.m. followed by the Quakes wearing 1974 NASL “retro” jerseys as they take on the Dallas Burn in a Western Conference showdown at 7:00 p.m.

The first 7,500 fans will receive Earthquakes 2004 team t-shirts courtesy of Orchard Supply Hardware. Over 30 former NASL Earthquakes will be back in San Jose for the legends game and festivities, including stars such as Paul Child, Gabbo Gavric, Johnny Moore and Fernando Clavijo. Starting at 5:00 p.m., the Earthquakes NASL Legends will play a 40-minute match at Spartan Stadium prior to the Quakes vs. Dallas Burn game.

On Friday, Aug. 20, the Earthquakes NASL players will participate in an open training session at 2:30 p.m. at the San Jose State University practice fields, followed by a kick-off party at the Britannia Arms in downtown. Prior to the practice, many of the Earthquakes NASL Legends will attend the Soccer Silicon Valley Rally at Caesar Chavez Park in San Jose from 12-1:00 p.m. to celebrate the past, present and future of the game and generate enthusiasm for building a stadium in the Bay Area.

For the first time since MLS formed in 1996, the Earthquakes will wear the red, “retro” jerseys of the 1974 NASL Earthquakes as the club recognizes the NASL team that played from 1974-1984 and 30 years of professional soccer in San Jose.

Tickets for the August 21 match against the Burn and the Earthquakes NASL Legends game can be purchased by visiting the Earthquakes Ticket Office at 100 North Almaden Ave. in downtown San Jose, by logging on to www.sjearthquakes.com, or by calling Ticketmaster at (408) 998-TIXS, (415) 421-TIXS, (510) 625-TIXS, (925) 685-TIXS, or by visiting any Ticketmaster outlet. For groups of 15 or more, call (408) 985-GOAL.