The drive to bring Major League Soccer to San Antonio officially got underway Friday as San Antonio Mayor Ed Garza kicked off the effort to secure 5,000 season ticket commitments in 100 days (Aug. 17, 2005).
The season ticket commitments comprise one of three measures the city must take to obtain an MLS team that would begin play at the Alamodome as early as the start of the 2006 season. The other measures are securing an ownership group and finalizing plans for constructing a state-of-the-art training complex, complete with youth fields.
"A new Major League Soccer team in San Antonio would be a positive development for the Alamodome and the city," Garza said. "This season ticket drive is another step in securing a professional soccer club in San Antonio, which would bring world-class soccer and affordable family entertainment to the sports fans of our city."
Starting Friday, fans can make a 10 percent deposit on season tickets, which start at just $240 for a full season's games. Provided the ticket drive succeeds, the balance of the cost would be due in three 30 percent payments on Sept. 30 and Nov. 30, 2005 and Jan. 31, 2006. All season ticket deposits will be maintained in a "lock box" account by Alamodome box office staff.
On April 14, MLS Commissioner Don Garber and the city of San Antonio announced the agreement that would grant the city an MLS team next season provided the city reaches its three benchmarks. The pact also includes a stadium plan in which San Antonio agrees to provide a stadium suitable to soccer, with the club granted rights to all ticket sales, certain sponsorship and stadium signage sales, stadium concessions/merchandise and parking, and the state-of-the art practice complex.
There are five ways fans can reserve their season tickets. They can log on to www.mls-sanantonio.com, call 1-888-704-MLS6 or (210) 704-MLS6 or fax their order by downloading and submitting the order form at (210) 704-6310. Fans can also visit the Southwest Alamodome Box Office or mail their order form to PRO SOCCER - San Antonio, Alamodome Box Office, 100 Montana, San Antonio, TX 78203.
Jason Halpin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
