Minnesota Thunder: Manny Lagos speaks about the move: The Minnesota Thunder are leaving James Griffin Stadium in St. Paul immediately and going back to Blaine for their home games. This is all part of the new owners long term goal to build a stadium in the urban core sometime soon. While it probably makes sense for the long term, I’m bummed about the move. I’ve only been to a few games in St. Paul, but that’s 100% more then the games I will go to in Blaine.
I’ve not been to any games, and I confess to being pleased that the Lynx have better attendance than the Thunder.
I can kinda see it both ways, though.
Griffin Stadium might be a subpar facility, but does the draw for the games warrant anything much better? Classic chicken/egg stadium debate. Really, the Thunder are in about the same category as the Saints, not the Vikings. If the Lynx weren’t owned by the same folks as the Wolves, they’d be playing in a smaller facility, too.
But if there’s already a ton of people who routinely travel to Blaine to play soccer, why wouldn’t they also go to watch the bigger guys play soccer?
I just wish the Thunder were in the MLS, which will probably never happen. I have very little interest in going to see minor league soccer, no matter where the stadium is. I’ve been to two other MLS games, in Kansas City and San Jose, and had a blast at both.
I’m glad that the goal is still to have a stadium in the city. I just don’t think it makes sense to have a “pro” team play out there, even though it makes sense for the short term. I guess the league is really pushing for soccer only stadiums, and since James Griffin Stadium has other activities, they were basically forced to move out.
As for the Lynx, they average about 6,500-7,000 fans a game, the Swarm (lacrosse) average about 10,000, while the Thunder only get 3,000.
Here is a great post, and some informative comments over at MNPost. Realism — and the future — prompts Thunder to end soccer-in-the-city experiment - (Note: Philadelphia is planning a new soccer-only stadium for more than $100 million.)