Pontiac Silverdome sold.For $583,000?!

The Pontiac Silverdome was sold for the mere price of $583,000.A very small sum compared to how much it was built for($55.7M).There was a previous offer for $20 million that was turned down.The unknown investors from Toronto want to turn it into a stadium that would house a MLS soccer team.Me for one doesn’t think it would work.

  Now me being a local,it doesn’t have too much sentimental value to me.Well it was where I saw my first Detroit Pistons game and the Michigan Panthers of the defunct USFL had a great playoff run there in 1983.It was the home of the Detroit Lions, which during that time blessed us with Billy Sims, Barry Sanders and one playoff win.Oh, i almost forgot some sorry and mediocre but exciting Lions teams.Well I don’t know how this venture will turn out,but for the lousy Michigan economy I hope it turns out well.

http://finance.yahoo.com/retirement/article/108175/winning-bidders-to-turn-silverdome-into-soccer-stadium?mod=realestate-buy

  

The USFL:A good idea that went wayward

I remember when the USFL first started in 1983.i was only 11 years old then and thought it would never work.Some of the names i knew of,some i never heard of.Even the players i heard of,i thought to myself,”they couldn’t make it in the NFL”.As the season went on i was pleasantly surprised and quickly embraced the michigan panthers as my team,pretty obvious since i lived here in the detroit area.I remember it like yesterday.Bobby Hebert at quarterback,local hero Anthony Carter at receiver,and two unknowns that became big stars in the league,running back Ken Lacy,and the “sackman” John Corker.they started slowly but went on a roll that culminated in a championship,defeating the Philadelphia Stars 24-22.I couldn’t wait until the next season started and figured the NFL might be in some serious trouble.Alas,the USFL was in trouble.From my point of view, I feel the owners,flush with quick success,got too greedy.They started giving out big money contracts to players not yet drafted and to NFL stars that used the USFL as leveraage in negotiations.The locals around Detroit can remember Billy Sims nearly jumping ship to the Houston Gamblers.The contract i remember most is the ridiculous contract given to Steve Young by the Los Angeles Express.I believe it was 40 years for $43 million dollars.I could be wrong on this.If i am let me know.I know there is more to the story,but eventually,while the league was expanding,sank itself and folded.The USFL ended up suing the NFL and actually won.The amount:$1 dollar.It was exciting while it lasted and if managed correctly I feel some teams could have merged with the NFL. I still remember the players and uniforms and the teams. I just wish it lasted longer, but all good things must come to an end.