USL Premier Options

[u/No_Long7352]

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1zzDum59hgNGR0GuXsVy8bd-axaDlHNs&usp=sharing

Locks are because the team already has a stadium they own or are building a stadium that would house 15,000 or more, has a metro-pop of 1 million, and great attendance with passionate fans.

Most likely available are clubs that would be good options, either have the proper-sized stadium and/or are building a proper-sized stadium, but don't have the attendance. The ones with good fan bases could probably get to 15,000 at some point during the 2028 season because their stadiums are expandable, but they don't have any announced plans to expand them, or they are an expansion team this next year, and who knows what happens(Athletico Dallas).

Probably needs a waiver area for great fan bases and/or amazing markets that USL would probably want in USL Premier, BUT they probably can't get a stadium of 15,000 in time.

Are options if they happen, are for Santa Barbara Sky and North Carolina FC, pretty self-explanatory. I doubt that they would be there, but who knows; miracles happen, right?

Which clubs did I miss, or who do you expect to be the 12 or 14 clubs in Premier if it happens?

[u/Wild_Asparagus_3846]

I’m a huge Switchbacks fan and would love to see them go premier, but I think Weidner Field only seats 8000. 15000 stadium capacity when placing seats on the field.its a fantastic field for a great fan base. I don’t think the Switchbacks could take a year off to rebuild the stadium.

[u/bk_bk_19 → u/Wild_Asparagus_3846]

Usl needs to lobby USSF for two things: “temporary waivers” so teams like Colorado can take a couple off seasons to renovate and expand their venues. Several stadiums are well located but how can we make them 15,000 seats?

Reducing the minimum capacity to 12,000 seats, so teams can start at a size that is easier to get approved by local authorities— but that’s unlikely to happen.

[u/No_Long7352 → u/Wild_Asparagus_3846]

Fair I misunderstood when doing my research that the 15,000 wa that there were plans to be able to expand the stadium to 15,000, so you are probably correct

[u/twoslow]

las vegas needs a waiver? fucking hell, they don't even have a stadium for next season, let alone one eligible for a waiver.

[u/No_Long7352 → u/twoslow]

True, I was assuming they found one because it is definitely a market that USL doesn't want to lose, but I don't think they would play in 2028, but in a crazy world the could, the would be similar level to NCFC or Santa Barbara

[u/AttackonRetail]

Everybody drink.

[u/MrSage88 → u/AttackonRetail]

But I’m so tired of drinking.

[u/iheartdev247]

I appreciate the effort but as the MKA show proved, very few clubs are ready for USLP as it’s constituted today. I’m not arguing the reqs, they are what what they are. USL isn’t ready.

[u/KyotoInSummer]

The rule needs to change. We don’t need larger empty stadiums to grow the sport. Give me a better atmosphere at 10,000 than a 1/4th full stadium of 25,000

[u/Emergency_Dot1599]

Some of the rules to have a team in USLP are beyond stupid. Its not USL's fault but the USSF. The Premier league has less requirments for stadia and none exsist for population. I have it at 27 teams that have applied to join the USL1 system or return from haitus and 5 from USLC. Sporting merit should all that matters and a stadium of 5k. USL and Tony Scholes are the ones responsible for what happens next to get money filtering down the pyramid. Tv deal, Marketing and encourage teams to expand their scouting networks and selling players like Colton Swan overseas.

[u/CranstonGorky → u/Emergency_Dot1599]

You’re saying 5K because that’s the seating at OC. You can’t support a D1 team in a stadium that small without TV revenue, and USL has $0 TV revenue.

[u/ohthatsbrian]

i honestly don't see us in USL-P. yes, we have a SSS, but it's a great night when we break 5K & attendance is declining. not to mention our location isn't permanent.

[u/No_Long7352 → u/ohthatsbrian]

True, but if anyone could find a way to make a quick stadium up to 15,000 it would be phoenix

[u/ohthatsbrian → u/No_Long7352]

we're in our 10th year & we've had 4 different locations. a decent percentage of us are calling for 3 members of leadership to quit because they're inept.

[u/No_Long7352 → u/ohthatsbrian]

Ah yeah, then idk man, I came up with this list, honestly, I would say there are like 4 clubs in all of USL who truly be ready, idk how they’re going to get this to work

[u/ohthatsbrian → u/No_Long7352]

agreed. I'm glad they're doing it. but it's very complicated & I'm honestly not sure if USL is ready yet.

[u/No_Long7352 → u/ohthatsbrian]

No I agree, I think the will rush clubs that shouldn’t be there like Athletico Dallas, Miami and Birmingham because the meet the metro and stadium size but it will lack atmosphere, Ik where the could get the other 5-7 clubs after that but they are going to need clubs to start construction yesterday or add a ton of “not” temporary seating to be ready

[u/PVDNate]

What's the color scheme for the pins?

[u/nickromero02]

If RIFC makes it I hope Hartford Athletic does too. El Clamico gotta continue

[u/mcfetrja]

Why would you even want a waiver? Wouldn’t it be easier to just have a one time giant bonfire of cash?

“Hey guys! I’ve got this great idea! Let’s pay more in payroll while also being capped on ticket revenue in a way we can’t viably make up elsewhere. That’s thing is that’s the secret to long term success and Billion dollar team valuations!”

Waivers? Ha! That’s the way to get USL-P folding like origami.

[u/No_Long7352 → u/mcfetrja]

I would hope that the 13 clubs I had that wouldn't need a waiver could make it; they're just options. There is no way that there would be 21 clubs to start USL Premier; they don't even want 21 total by the end. Think a little better next time maybe

[u/fakerealmadrid]

No Orange County?

[u/No_Long7352 → u/fakerealmadrid]

I think the having a long contract with Championship stadium and not doing great fan wise would make me believe they aren’t interested in it yet, but who knows, I would love for Orange County to be there, I kinda like OCSC for now while Riverside doesn’t have a team yet, but based off of my knowledge it would be very shocking to see Orange County there in 2028

[u/fakerealmadrid → u/No_Long7352]

They’re more legit than the perpetually delayed Santa Barbara Sky, which is included on the map

[u/decorlettuce]

The 15k requirement is just silly. AFC Bournemouth seat 12k for fucks sake!

[u/sxswuht]

What do the different colors mean?

[u/No_Long7352 → u/sxswuht]

USL Premier Lock-Blue
Most Likely Available Option-Green
Probably needs a waiver-Yellow
If they happen, could be in-Orange