Looks like we may finally have a long-term stadium location for Major League Soccer’s reigning champion, and it’s a nice one, too. Anschutz Entertainment Group, the Dynamo’s parent with the deep pockets, is set to enter into “an exclusive negotiating period” with Houston to develop a 21,000-22,000-capacity stadium near the city’s downtown, team president Oliver Luck announced on Monday.
The Dynamo currently plays at Robertson Stadium at the University of Houston, where it’s in the second year of a three-year lease. AEG, which also owns the L.A. Galaxy and the Chicago Fire, told the city that it would like to have a new stadium ready in time for the 2009 season. The new location being discussed is near the city’s East End, immediately east of Minute Maid Park and across from Interstate 59. The negotiating period for the project will last until mid-July, the team said.
“It doesn’t mean a deal has been reached,” Luck said. “It just means that within certain parameters we’ve agreed to sit with the city and try to hammer out a deal.” The price tag for the new venue would be approximately $70 million, presumably requiring AEG to put in upfront money, although private investment might be key as well.