Gotham FC Leaves Sports Illustrated Stadium: What’s Next?
The National Women’s Soccer League‘s team Gotham FC will leave Sports Illustrated Stadium when Etihad Park opens in the College Point section of Queens next year.
Why is this significant?
What ramifications would the move have for Red Bull New York?
Signifigance
For the first question, Gotham has been playing at Sports Illustrated Stadium since the 2020 season, and some of its owners have more New Jersey roots than New York. In the ownership group are the former governor of New Jersey, Phil Murphy, and his wife, Tammy Murphy. That’s why the move to a stadium in New York City felt odd, as it would not be as conducive to both of them, as they have more roots in the Garden State than the Empire State.
One of the few arguments that Gotham might put up is that Etihad Park is newer, has better facilities, and is inside New York City, which could make the stadium more accessible to fans, as it takes about an hour from Manhattan to SIS.
Ramifications
To the other question, Red Bull II could occupy the space that is going to be vacated. Having MLS Next clubs in the parent club’s stadium is nothing new. New England Revolution (not primary), Colorado Rapids (not the primary), Saint Louis City FC all have their reserve squad play at their stadiums, and Red Bull has done this in the past.
More notably, until their stadium was completed, Inter Miami was the secondary tenant at their reserve squad’s stadium. Last season, RBII played at Sports Illustrated Stadium for the Eastern Conference Finals and also the MLS Next Pro final, so it is possible, though only the lower bowl was opened, and it did not reach capacity.
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Categorized:Gotham FC News Red Bulls