This is really all Mike Illitches fault that we are in this position to begin with.

I find it hard to believe that the Tigers are loosing money considering the attendance numbers the past few years.

I think the whole issue is that the Illitch empire is simply too big. Between the Tigers, Red Wings, Motor City Casino, Olympia Entertainment, the Fox Theatre, and Little Caesars its almost impossible for him to focus on one thing and be good at it.

If Illitch is loosing money on the Tigers, maybe its time to sell to someone like the person who just bought the Chicago Cubs who has the finances to support a large payroll and can focus on winning a world series instead of staying up late at night figuring how much people will tolorate eating a bad $5 pizza before they will get their pizza somewhere else and pay a higher price for something better.

Edited by author 11-17-2009 04:58 PM
Wow! The Silverdome just sold for $500,000!

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Winning-bidd...07929.html?x=0&.v=6

That's exactly what they should have done with Tiger Stadium. Auction it off and let someone else use it.

Pretty sad to read the Silverdome went for $500,000 in an auction and that Tiger Stadium never got the chance to be auctioned off like Pontiac did. What is even more ironic, is that at one point a plan arose for Tiger Stadium called the Corner Kick plan, which was denied. While baseball was the rich history of Tiger STadium, it was The Detroit Cougars of the NPSL/NASL league that played there for a short period of time. From what I understand it was not the best of venues for soccer as it stood, but the Corner Kick Plan was going to shore that up. Now I wonder what the City of Detroit will think if Pontiac gets the MLS as they've lost out on that revenue.
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There was an article at the Detroit news that said that the company that tried to buy the Silverdome is now suing the city of Pontiac because they tried to buy it for $20 million a few years ago and the city gave them the run around.

Sound familier?

For those that are curious, apparently Old Yankee Stadium is starting to come down. There is an actual website set up to view photos of it.
http://www.stadiumpage.com/stpages/yankeedemo.html


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Edited by author 11-18-2009 05:57 AM
Doug, in reference to your question regarding the city's blown opportunities regarding historic Tiger Stadium.....

They didn't care then, and most certainly don't care now.

All one has to do is view the Corner of Michigan and Trumbull to realize this.

And from the rumblings I've heard.... George Jackson and the other stooges from the DEGC do not have any desire to see the historic field preserved. Of course I guess that should come as no surprise to anyone based on past remarks made by the ever smug Mr. Jackson regarding the OTSC's past chances at success.

Visionless to the MAX, and to the very bitter end, these people are!

Dale,

I do think if Pontiac lands an MLS team that the city of Detroit will take notice. While the money will still stay in Southwest Detroit, it would not go to Detroit, or Wayne County. I understand it looks like MLS won't expand at this time to Detroit, but they can get a smaller tier to come in and build up the soccer frenzy. At any rate, getting back to the root, I applaud Pontiac for at least taking the initiative to auction off the property and making it part of the tax base, something again Detroit will never get to do unless they auction off the Michigan and Trumbull property as they'd like to word it instead of the Field. AFterall to them it is just property, but to those who really care, it will never be property it will be Tiger Stadium and it will be the Field. There is still time to do something, somebody needs to step up to the plate and hopefully we get some answers this week as the OTSC is scheduled to meet.

The Silverdome cost $55 million when it was built. Sold for only 1/2 a million?. Heck, the property itself has to be worth way more than that.

Somebody is going to make a ton of money off this deal when the economy improves. The I-75/ M-59 corridor is prime Oakland County property.

The MSL has no intentions of coming here. Haven't they already stated that? Detroit is not a soccer town. Never has and never will be!

If Pontiac was really offered $20 million for the property, why didn't they sell it then? Politic's as usual I guess.

If the OTSC is to meet this week, someone please tell them to step up to the plate and be honest and accountable about where their finances stand and what their intentions truly are!

This whole thing has dragged on way too long.

Edited by author 11-20-2009 04:51 PM
Geeze! Had I known, I would have pooled all my friends together and bought the place! I could have gotten 100 people together for 5k each. Then I could start my own minor league baseball team.


Paulw-YES! Thank you! FInally someone stands up and demands answers rather than kisses the conservancy's ass.

They've gone underground and silent far too many times during this entire process. I'm convinced that if a serious organization was involved with serious people in charge, the stadium would have been saved.

This will be an unpopular comment but, the city gave the conservancy more chances and opportunities than any other major city in the nation would have. At every opportunity that the conservancy could have dropped the ball, they did. It's time to either get off their asses regarding the field, or tell us you aren't interested and let it die.

Edited by author 11-20-2009 05:03 PM
The $500,000 was not the issue, I was thinking the same thing about pooling a few people together with a minimum investment.

The real issue is the ongoing $1.5 million annual maintaince cost, property taxes and to pay the utilities for the Electical and Gas service every month to run the place. That dome don't keep inflated without Electricity :)

Too bad we did not get this oppertunity for Tiger Stadium, as I would be part owner already :)

Like I said a long time ago Claude, Tiger Stadium could have been auctioned off, the city could have set a min. price to start bidding on. They never did. The grounds could have been involved in the tax system again, instead there will be no money raised and the land may sit there, unless someone or some organiztion comes to the rescue. If the city went through that total process, I would be at least a little happier knowing all avenues were explored before total demolition.
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D&D Sokolowski
I'm using a part of your recent post to make a point. "the land may sit there, unless someone or SOME ORGANIZATION comes to the rescue".

Wasn't that what the OTSC was all about? You know, coming to the rescue.

Many on this site, including me, have made contributions to the OTSC.

Since the OTSC is a non-profit organization, shouldn't their records be public information to all concerned?

Still don't understand it all.

Paul I to made contributions to the OTSC and have encouraged the OTSC to pursue a plan to save the Field. As of right now, I have not seen a publicly known plan, only rumbles, so my statement is hoping that somebody comes to the plate and proposes a plan. As of right now, the DEGC still owns the land. As some say there lies in the problem, "what is the definition of insanity, doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results". I hope that Jackson is true to his word as he said publicly that he hopes to put some form of Memorial up, but I hope he actually does it with those who cared most for the place. That is what I hope to see.

Edited by author 11-21-2009 02:03 PM
George Jackson has proven he can't be trusted when it comes to Tiger Stadium or the ground where it once stood. He has been very smug toward the OTSC and those who support it.

Last I heard there was supposed to have been a meeting this past Tuesday among Conservancy members. Again, complete silence.

Edited by author 11-21-2009 03:28 PM
Here's what makes me scratch my head.

Why doesn't the DEGC get an appraisal on the property and then offer it to the OTSC. If the OTSC doesn't have the money, then so be it. Then everyone can move on.

The solution seems so simple. But I keep forgetting, this is Detroit.

Geez!

Edited by author 11-22-2009 01:55 AM
Paul:

  Unless and until the property changes hands from the City/DEGC to another interested party nothing meaningful about the stadium or a sincere memorial for it will ever take place. The DEGC does NOT care.

  George Jackson has already allowed his EGO to destroy a 113 years of Tiger and City of Detroit history. All that remains is for Jackson to kill off the historic field and he will be forever done with this issue which has embarrased and shamed him for some time. He blames this mess of Tiger Stadium on the OTSC simple as that.

  Unless someone comes along with more than the $3.8 million that remains in the OTSC coffers it is doughtful that Jackson will work where the money still is.

  It is my feeling that the last hope is the OTSC somehow working out a deal with the DEGC if they fail or do not wish to appeal to Jackson which you can't blame them for then they need to issue a statement and fold tent.

  My father served on that board with Ernie Harwell for 6 months he left the board when it became clear to him that the DEGC had no intentions of working with the OTSC to succeed with this historic restoration and development and were just using the OTSC for political cover or someone to blame months later that's just how it ended. At 82 my father is a wise man its always been very clear to him how it would all end but sad none the less for us.

  Its up to us to demand more and I hope the NEW film my company is working to produce will create a climate to demand just such change. "Force Out" How Detroit Lost Tiger Stadium coming soon on DVD!!

  Have a pleasent holiday!