Opinion

Will city buy Hartman's soccer stadium?

San Antonio Scorpions' Tomasz Zahorski (center) tangles with Edmonton's Kareem Moses. An MLS deal is being discussed for San Antonio, and city involvement is being sought. San Antonio Scorpions' Tomasz Zahorski (center) tangles with Edmonton's Kareem Moses. An MLS deal is being discussed for San Antonio, and city involvement is being sought. Photo: Courtesy Photo Photo: Courtesy Photo Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Will city buy Hartman's soccer stadium? 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO — Will the city take its best shot at Major League Soccer?

It's an open question now that San Antonio's star player, Mayor Julián Castro, is off to a new team in Washington, D.C.

Hizzoner was a key figure in MLS discussions. The league's commissioner, Don Garber, gushed about Castro as if he were a politico Pelé.

“Mayor Castro is one of the great politicians in our country,” Garber once said. “We love him. He's very passionate about our sport.”

And now he's almost certainly off to HUD. Maybe that's the right career move, but it can't be nearly as much fun as wooing a second major league sports team to S.A.

It's also terrible timing for San Antonio Scorpions owner Gordon Hartman, who continues to meet with investors.

“I think it loses a little bit of oomph,” Hartman said. “But I think he set the tone.”

Hartman has been talking with parties in Mexico who are looking to make a $75 million to $100 million investment for an MLS bid. But here's the catch: They won't move forward without the city.

“They want the city involved in some fashion,” he said. “There is no question.”

What that would entail is vague and murky. Sort of like the officiating at the World Cup!

Hartman didn't dish out too many details, and the city was cagey about an interview request. But a possible scenario would be the city purchasing Toyota Field, home to the Scorpions, and then leasing it back to the team. It would also be a venue for concerts and other events.

At about 8,000 seats, Toyota Field is just right for the Scorpions, who play in the North American Soccer League, a rung below MLS.

To make the MLS jump, the stadium would have to expand to about 18,500 seats, and the city would likely have to pick up at least part of that tab.

“The numbers that the city is working with are considerably lower than any other city has ever had to look at” for a major league stadium, Hartman said.

He plans to unveil a rendering of the expanded stadium in mid-July.

Already, the Scorpions kick back profit to Morgan's Wonderland, a theme park specifically built for people with special needs and named after Hartman's daughter. Soccer for a Cause is a beautiful cause.

He would use the deal to create an endowment for Morgan's Wonderland.

“What I am doing here is trying to piece deals together, not try to put a bunch of money in my pocket,” he said.

Nothing is formal, yet. City staffers are studying the idea. But a city package probably needs to be presented to investors by the end of summer, and this is where losing Castro hurts.

Not only could the pro soccer bid get lost in the who-wants-to-be-the-next-mayor sweepstakes, but any proposal will involve a bill to taxpayers north of ... well, no one has said. That is a problem.

And at a time with fierce opposition to the city's $32 million investment in VIA's streetcar project, and tense negotiations over public safety health care costs, can the council take the heat over a soccer stadium?

City Councilman Ron Nirenberg, who wants to be mayor, was cautious.

“It would have to make good business sense for the city,” he said. “I think it would be dangerous to get starstruck about having another professional franchise in San Antonio without doing our due diligence.”

City Councilman Ray Lopez, who also has mayoral aspirations, wants more details but sees a great opportunity.

“I think there is clearly a market,” he said. “And I think that's one of the reasons for the success for the Scorpions.”

And City Councilman Rey Saldaña said, “I haven't thought about MLS for a while.”

Hartman is worried about losing council's attention, so that's the last thing he wants to hear.

But Saldaña also said he's heard strong community interest.

“This means not only a feather in the cap of the city of San Antonio as a major league city but the potential to have a really great economic benefit for the city as a whole.”

The first part of that statement is right on, the second part is a bad sell.

A number of sports economists have said pro teams don't add to the economy in any significant way. Local dollars simply swirl.

But when it comes to community spirit, culture and pride, major league teams are invaluable. Just look at what the Spurs mean to this town. No one saw that coming 40 years ago. Who knows where pro soccer will be in another 40 years?

“If I lose the city,” Hartman said. “I lose the opportunity.”

The council should give this its best shot. Be bold. Go for the goal.

jbrodesky@express-news.net