MLS
MLS and Rowan University to Explore Development of a Soccer Specific Stadium
By Shane Killian
March 20, 2006
MLS and Rowan University have announced plans to build a soccer specific stadium on Rowan's Glassboro, N.J. campus as part of a $1 billion redevelopment effort. The proposed stadium site is on the University's west campus and would become the home of a MLS team for the start of the 2009 season.
MLS president Mark Abbott and Rowan president Don Farish said the two parties have entered into an exclusive 120-day partnership to develop a plan for the construction of a stadium on University's South Jersey campus.
"Major League Soccer is pleased to have entered into an exclusive negotiating period with Rowan University as the potential site of a soccer specific stadium and an MLS team," said MLS commissioner Don Garber. "While we recognize that much work needs to be done, this is an encouraging first step in the process toward bringing first-class professional soccer to the area."
The location would give the team access to the Philadelphia market as well as the soccer rich South Jersey region. Rowan is located about 15 minutes outside of Philadelphia, the largest market still without a MLS team.
Philadelphia has long been considered one of the league's most attractive expansion cities but the area has lacked a soccer specific facility that is favored by MLS. The development of soccer specific stadiums is a major strategic initiative for the league.
Besides the obvious financial advantages teams realize when playing in their own facilities, soccer specific stadiums also provide a more intimate and exciting atmosphere for fans. Four teams currently play in soccer specific stadiums and four more facilities will open in the next two years.
It's still not clear whether the team would identify itself with Philadelphia or South Jersey. This clearly could be an issue for New Jersey Legislators, many of whom are upset the new owner of the New Jersey based Metrostars franchise has decided to change the team's name to Red Bull New York.
Building a soccer specific stadium on a college campus is nothing new to MLS executives. MLS Cup champions L.A. Galaxy play their home games in the recently constructed Home Depot Center that is located on the campus of Cal State University Dominguez Hills. Another California based team, Chivas USA, rents the stadium from the Galaxy for its home games.
The soccer stadium is just one part of the redevelopment project that would also include a 10,000 seat hockey arena and smaller stadiums for other Rowan athletic teams. Retail shops, restaurants and residential student housing would make up the rest of the planned development.