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Contract between the college and the Santa Barbara Sky Football Club, which expects to start playing in 2024, is still under negotiation

A new professional soccer club's plans to rent the Santa Barbara City College stadium for its games was met with excitement and concern by the college’s Board of Trustees during its meeting Thursday, since the contract is still under negotiation.

Lyndsay Maas, SBCC's vice president of business services, provided an update on the college’s discussion with the soccer club, Santa Barbara Sky, including the team’s plans to invest in La Playa Stadium with new lighting, a new scoreboard and updated bleacher seating.

“We absolutely adore the location,” said Peter Moore, founding owner and primary investor of the Santa Barbara Sky Football Club, which plans to start playing in 2024. “Obviously, it’s an iconic place for us to be able to play. … I’m optimistic we’re going to have a top-class team here in Santa Barbara in 2024 and beyond.”

If a contract is agreed upon, the soccer club, which is an expansion team of the United Soccer League, would play its home games at La Playa Stadium on Saturday nights from March through September, or October if the team makes it to playoffs.

Moore also mentioned that the games would be televised nationally on ESPN+.

Some of the stadium improvements that the club is planning include installing floodlights that are more environmentally conscious and more directed toward the field to have higher compatibility with high-definition television broadcasting.

He also discussed seating upgrades to the bleachers and bringing in modular seating that could be removed when not in use by the team.

“I believe in La Playa Stadium, and it deserves an upgrade,” Moore said. “It’s our hope that we’re able to contribute more than just the high end of soccer.”

Concerns from SBCC board members came from the fact that the contract is not yet finalized, and the Board of Trustees hasn’t yet agreed on what is being advertised to the public.

“I, as a board member, was more than a little surprised to read your announcement that you’re going to be playing at La Playa since we don’t yet have an agreement on that,” Trustee Marsha Croninger said. “I certainly appreciate your enthusiasm, but a heads-up would have been appreciated on what you had in mind.”

Moore cited an email from April 19 that the president’s cabinet gave tentative approval on his most recent financial proposal.

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According to Moore, the agreement includes the soccer club paying an annual fee and $5,000 per game for the men’s team and $2,500 per game for the women’s team, as well as 50% revenue share of parking and concessions.

“That deal hasn’t been made. There are more questions that I have than answered,” Trustee Robert Miller said. “I haven’t seen any of the terms that have been even tentatively agreed on. … I have an open mind on whether I would approve this deal or not.”

Student Trustee Andrianina Rajaosera said that several student athletes also have expressed concerns with the deal.

Moore clarified that the games would not interfere with the college’s athletic programs and the team would work around the school’s schedule.

Trustees Veronica Gallardo and Jonathan Abboud shared their excitement and support for the partnership with the Santa Barbara Sky Football Club.

“We’re not flush with cash. Someone is trying to help us and trying to help students and the community,” Gallardo said. “For me, this is a no-brainer. It’s a win-win.”

Other topics discussed during Thursday’s Board of Trustees meeting included an update on the student housing needs feasibility study. Staff said $150,000 has been allocated to the college, and the study will be conducted once it is authorized by the Chancellor’s Office. Trustees also heard an enrollment update for the fall semester.

As of July 8, enrollment for fall has increased for most types of students, compared with fall 2021.

There is a decrease of 13.7% in the out-of-state student headcount, but a 53.8% increase in the international student headcount.

The data show a total headcount increase of 2.1% compared with fall 2021, with 6,563 students enrolled for the fall semester so far, and a 1.1% increase in total cumulative units with 71,452 units.

The full report on the fall 2022 enrollment update can be found on SBCC’s website here.

— Noozhawk staff writer Serena Guentz can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) . Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.

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