To many Americans, sports teams represent pride and dedication to their hometown. Communities come together to bond over a pastime. Sports fans created a vibrant and supportive community that grows every year.
Now, Austin only has one professional sports team. There has yet to be a word of when or if they plan to add another one in the future. With the team’s success, the city may eventually plan to add a new one.
Austin’s Soccer Team
Soccer is one of the most popular sports in Austin. Austin FC is the city’s only professional soccer team. Most of their games take place at the Darrell Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
The team gained a lot of notoriety since it began in 2021. It was the idea of Anthony Precourt, the owner of the Columbus Crew SC. He pitched the idea of moving his team to Austin when he realized the residents of Columbus needed to give the level of support he expected.
He created the team because the Austin market seemed to offer the growth he wanted. He received mixed reactions to the idea. After many back-and-forth arguments, he was eventually allowed to move the team to Austin.
The University of Texas in Austin acted as a replacement for not having a national sports team in the beginning. The college has an NFL team, the Texas Longhorns, and other sports teams. Two of the players from the team have won the most prestigious award given to football players.
Moreover, the city has a local rugby team created in 2006. It competes in the Red River Rugby Union, and its games take place at the Circuit of the Americas, also located in Austin. The team’s colors are gold and green.
It won a few championships in 2009 and 2014. The city has a frisbee team as well. Founded in 2016, they have also won a few competitions.
FC’s Impact on Major League Sports
In its short existence, Austin FC has significantly impacted the sports world. Steadily growing in popularity, the team brought more attention to Major League Sports. It has even inspired people of all ages and backgrounds to get into the sport.
The growth in popularity of soccer grew eminently over the years. Austin’s soccer team contributed much to that growth. They were able to sell out their inaugural season, which was a massive accomplishment for a new team.
Another impact of the team is the stadium they play. The Q2 stadium, a state-of-the-art facility, began development in 1956. It was a chemical manufacturing plant before becoming what it is today.
It holds around 20,500 seats and costs $260 million to build. Austin FC entered a partnership with Q2 holdings, a local bank, eventually naming the stadium the name it has today.
The team has given Austin a more energetic feel since its arrival. Fans have quickly become an integral part of the economy. Austin FC strengthened its ties to the city and gained massive support.
Before the Creation of the Team
Austin has only sometimes had a professional sports team. Before Austin FC moved to the city, they were one of the only major cities without one. The absence of a pro team forced many residents to travel to other cities to experience games in the big league.
Many found the travel a hassle, with the commute taking too much time and money. It was a welcome change in the city when the sports team moved there. Austin residents were happy to have a team to call their own.
Residents viewed not having a home team for years as a missed opportunity. Without the team, the city didn’t feel like the bustling metropolitan area that it was. The economy can improve thanks to the team’s popularity and revenue earned through ticket sales, merchandise, and concessions.
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Issues with Bringing in Other Sports
The city has also thought about bringing in an MLB team as well. There are a few potential issues, one of which is where the team would play. Discussions for plans to create a stadium for a baseball team have been discussed in the past.
Another sports league that could arrive in Austin is the National Basketball Association. Although there are no plans to start one, it could be very lucrative for the state. Austin has a growing population with many backgrounds and interests, and many there would love to support another local team.
The teams would have plenty of potential sponsorships with all the local companies. The city does have several sports teams under its belt already, although they could be more professional. Many still have a large fanbase.
The Texas Stars, a hockey league located in Dallas, have played many of their games in Austin since 2009. They played at the HEB Center in Cedar Park, a multi-purpose area based in the suburbs: Austin Spurs, an NBA small-time league affiliate of the San Antonio Spurs.
Final Thoughts: The Future of Sports in Austin
With the arrival of their soccer team, they have more than an incentive to implement more sports teams in their city. The city of Austin now wonders what the future holds in the production of other sports teams, and the need for another stadium could put a financial strain on Austin.
While the city continues to evolve and grow, the city’s future with sports can depend on many factors. Economic development, community support, and the growth of their population are all things to consider when creating new sports teams. Many residents want to have more sports teams in their city.
If Austin ever decides teams into their economy, the teams will shape the visions of its many leaders and organizations. With the city’s continued development, there may be more teams in the future. Sports will always be integral to anyone’s society, even Austin’s.
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