Entertainment management company Live Nation might be leaving Pelham's Oak Mountain Amphitheatre for a new venue in downtown Birmingham, but it's gaining a professional indoor soccer team.
Last month, the National Indoor Soccer League (NISL) announced its plans to create a new franchise to play at the Pelham Civic Complex, the current home to the Birmingham Bulls hockey team.
Magic City SC will consist of both a men's and women's indoor soccer team, which will begin regular season play in January. NISL soccer teams play on a court the size of a traditional NHL hockey rink.
Magic City SC co-owner Andrew Haines told ABC 33/40 he sees promise in the franchise due to the growing population of kids playing soccer in the greater Birmingham area.
An ABC 33/40 reporter also conducted a poll on Twitter, asking followers if they intend to go to one of Magic City's eight home games. Over 70% of respondents said they do not. Slightly over 10% said they might, and only a little under 16% said they would.
The Magic City SC season will kick off in January at the Pelham Civic Complex. ⚽️ 🥅
— Megan Scarano ABC 33/40 (@MScaranoNews) September 7, 2023
Will you attend one of their eight home games?
The Pelham Civic Complex can hold just over 4,000 fans, and season tickets are starting at $120.
Meanwhile, the Oak Mountain Amphitheatre can hold 10,500 and has hosted a wide array of internationally acclaimed artists in the past, such as John Mayer, Widespread Panic and Zac Brown Band. Legendary country music artist Willie Nelson will perform there in October.
When news of the plan to build a new 8,900 to 9,000-seat amphitheater in North Birmingham broke in October 2022, Waters said hearing about it was "like being married for 25 years, and you find out on TV that your wife wants a divorce."
Nevertheless, he has since been unresponsive to requests for comment about subsequent stories over the phone. In March, he told 1819 News the choice for Live Nation to move would ultimately be a "business decision" and that the City of Pelham has thought about what to do in case Live Nation leaves when approached at a city council meeting.
The proposed new theater would be owned by the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center (BJCC) and managed by Live Nation. It would be slightly smaller than the 10,500-seater in Pelham and located on the Caraway Hospital site.
During a Magic City SC press conference last week, Waters told the press that Pelham officials have been quiet about the potential move because Live Nation has not indicated they intend to move.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email will.blakely@1819news.com or find him on Twitter and Facebook.
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