Though a city-wide search continues, New York City FC (NYCFC) president Jon Patricof says there is no news on the team’s pursuit of a new stadium.
NYCFC is just finishing its second season at Yankee Stadium. While the ballpark has provided a workable environment–and, in some cases, a unique home field advantage–it has never been expected that NYCFC will settle at the facility. In fact, the team has been looking across New York’s five boroughs with the intent of developing a plan for a soccer-specific stadium.
Most of the proposals have come and gone over the years, and covered a wide range of locations around New York City. The area surrounding Citi Field in Flushing Meadows was once up for consideration, and stadiums were also proposed for the Bronx, Columbia University, and Manhattan.
Patricof recently addressed the situation, as well as the team’s arrangement at Yankee Stadium, in a Q&A with Crain’s New York Business. NYCFC is still seeking a permanent home, but Patricof said that he has no updates to provide:
Does playing in Yankee Stadium hamstring the team’s revenue generation?
The Yankees own part of the team, and they’ve been tremendous partners. In terms of the venue itself, you operate under certain commercial constraints. But if you’re not going to be in a soccer-specific stadium, there’s no better place than Yankee Stadium.
Any update on the search for a stadium site?
We are working on it daily in some way, shape or form. It’s a very active process, but there’s nothing new to report.
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