A group hoping to build a new Major League Soccer stadium on the site of the current Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California has revealed its plans for the project.
A report from NBC 7 San Diego over the weekend suggested that a San Diego-based investment group was keen on transforming the land and the proposals were put forward during a press conference yesterday (Monday).
The San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper reports that a $200m (£160m/€186m) MLS-specific stadium would serve as the hub of a wide-ranging $1bn redevelopment of Qualcomm Stadium, which until last year served as the home of NFL American football team, the Chargers.
The Chargers earlier this month moved to Los Angeles, leaving Qualcomm Stadium without a major league tenant. The San Diego Aztecs NCAA college sports team does still use the facility, however.
The investment group is being led by former Qualcomm vice-chairman Steve Altman and FS Investors founder Mike Stone, who are both keen on San Diego securing an MLS expansion franchise contract in the coming years. The new stadium would serve as the home for the new franchise, as well as the Aztecs.
“This is an exciting concept that could welcome Major League Soccer to San Diego without public subsidy, provide a home for Aztecs football and create a long-awaited river park,” San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer said in a statement. “I look forward to seeing the final plan.”
The plans also include the option for another NFL stadium to be built in the vicinity, should the league opt to return to San Diego at some point in the future.
The group has until January 31 to submit a formal application to MLS.
Two new franchises will join MLS this year in the shape of Minnesota United and Atlanta United. Los Angeles FC will become the 23rd team in 2018, while plans for a Miami-based franchise, led by David Beckham, are being discussed.
The league is aiming to add two more teams by the 2020 season, with a further two clubs to join at a later date, taking the total number of franchises to 28.
MLS confirmed last month that San Diego was one of 10 markets to have expressed an interest in securing an expansion franchise, along with Charlotte, Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville, Raleigh/Durham, Sacramento, St. Louis, San Antonio and Tampa/St. Petersburg.
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