San Antonio Scorpions FC Will Be Newest NASL Team

It was announced several months ago that a San Antonio team would be joining the reborn NASL in 2012. Now that team has a name: San Antonio Scorpions FC. They will play their games at South Texas Area Regional (STAR) Soccer Complex in a yet-to-be-contsructed 5,400-seat stadium.

Owner Gordan Hartman said the team is seeking $8 million in public funds to help build the stadium, which would be expandable to 18,000 seats with the idea of potentially hosting a MLS team. The soccer complex currently has 13 regulation fields and is mostly used for youth soccer tournaments.

"STAR Soccer cost $10 million, and approximately half of the funding came from private sources," Hartman said during the press conference, noting construction will have to begin this spring in order to be ready for the start of next year. "We intend to build on the infrastructure already in place to create an up-to-date-yet-affordable playing facility for the Scorpions that can also host high school and collegiate tournaments as well as performances and other special events. To accomplish all this, we’re seeking approximately $8 million in public funding for a venue that will serve our community in many ways, not just pro soccer."

The STAR complex is affiliated with Morgan's Wonderland, an amusement park that offers free admission to special-needs children. Hartman said proceeds generated from the soccer team would help fund the park.

"We believe this is the first time a pro sports team has been organized whereby every cent of net revenue goes to support special-needs individuals," Hartman said.

"It takes a lot of money to operate and maintain the park in tip-top condition, especially when you admit special-needs individuals free of charge. The Scorpions will generate revenue that will make it possible to keep Morgan’s Wonderland open for years and years to come."

This announcement comes just as efforts by the group that owns the NBA's San Antonio Spurs to start a USL-PRO franchise were highlighted by an article at Inside Minnesota Soccer. That group is reportedly trying to refurbish Alamo Stadium, also with the longterm goal of bringing MLS to town.

The team's name was picked from a group of more than a thousand entrants.