MISL Adds Newark to 2007-08 Lineup
May 4, 2004 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2) News Release
Newark, NJ â Members of the New Jersey Devils ownership group lead by Jeffrey Vanderbeek and the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) jointly announced today plans for a MISL expansion team to play its home games at a new arena in Newark beginning in the 2007-08 MISL regular season.
The announcement of a professional indoor soccer team coming to Newark follows the recent unveiling by City officials of a new downtown redevelopment plan that includes a signed letter of intent from the New Jersey Devils hockey team to play in a new arena in Newark by 2007.
"We are thrilled to have the MISL join the sports family coming to Newark. Indoor soccer offers affordable quality family entertainment, and the sport has deep roots and history within the Newark community and surrounding areas," said Jeffrey Vanderbeek, incoming chairman of the New Jersey Devils.
The MISL team, which is yet to be named, will play 20 home games and sponsor two amateur indoor soccer teams. All home games for the teams will be played at the new arena as part of the City's Downtown Core Redevelopment District. The District, as planned, will include new offices, a hotel, shops, city offices and additional family entertainment attractions.
"The addition of soccer to Newark's downtown revitalization is a clear example of sound business partnerships and community development," continued Vanderbeek. "It's a win for the citizens of Newark and soccer fans across both the region and state, who thanks to Newark's prime location and public transportation options, will have easy access to the arena."
MISL Commissioner Steve Ryan indicated his confidence that the MISL Management Committee will grant formal approval for an expansion team in Newark at its annual meetings in San Diego, California on May 17-18.
"We're excited to welcome Jeff Vanderbeek and the first-class New Jersey Devils organization to the MISL family," said MISL Commissioner Steve Ryan. "We also applaud City officials for their efforts to energize Newark's downtown community. Bringing a team to the City of Newark will provide the MISL with tremendous visibility in the all-important New York Metropolitan Area. The MISL global brand featuring the finest indoor soccer players from 29 nations around the world delivers affordable and exciting family entertainment to a community rich in cultural diversity and soccer heritage."
Newark and its culturally rich Ironbound District are recognized as a hot-bed for professional soccer. The Newark community is the hometown for such notable professionals as, MetroStars midfielder, Tab Ramos and US National Team members Claudio Reyna and Gregg Berhalter, all graduates of St. Benedict's Prep School in Newark.
"An arena and the realization of the Downtown Core Redevelopment District are taking yet another big step forward. First came hockey. And now we've added soccer. It's coming to life before our eyes," said Newark Mayor Sharpe James. "The City of Newark, the New Jersey Devils, the MISL, more family entertainment, new businesses, jobs for our residents and countless other amenities â that's tomorrow's Newark."
The new arena and Downtown Core Redevelopment District will be within walking distance of Newark Penn Station. The major elements and vision for the District include:
Up to 4 million square feet of office space.
500,000 square feet of new retail and family entertainment attractions.
A full-service 300-room hotel operated by a national "flag" corporation.
A sports and exposition arena.
A new board of education and city municipal building.
New parking garages to accommodate 3,500 vehicles within one-block of the arena.
The Downtown Core Redevelopment District is anticipated to include more than $1 billion in new construction in downtown Newark. At full build-out, the redevelopment district will generate significant new payroll, parking, sales and other tax revenues that are estimated to reach approximately $28 million in annual new revenues for the city.
In addition to the new revenues, the project is expected to create more than 13,500 permanent new jobs, and thousands more in new construction jobs.
Over the next 30 years, the redevelopment district is anticipated to yield a more than $670 million return to the City of Newark.
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