Dallas's HKS Has a Nice Stadium For Liverpool FC That Tom Hicks Still Ain't Ready to Build

By Robert Wilonsky Fri., Mar. 20 2009 at 8:45 AM

Categories: Biz, Sports

The Liverpool FC stadium Tom Hicks and HKS may never get to build

I've been trying for some time to talk to Tom Hicks about livin' it up in Liverpool, where every day it's something: Liverpool FC sales talks with the Kuwatis "going really badly," the re-signing of manager Rafael Benitez, the declaring of a cease-fire with partner and frienemy George Gillett. Today, yet another flashback among the stacks -- to the long-delayed stadium at Anfield, which the Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars owner has been insisting is on its way sooner than later since forever in order for The Reds can keep pace with their Premier League rivals.

Dallas-based HKS Architects -- the folks behind Jerry Jones's Arlington EnormoDome, the American Airlines Center and Lone Star Park -- was supposed to have the 60,000-seater up and running by the 2011-'12 season. Reminds the Liverpool Daily Post only this morning, "When Hicks and George Gillett bought the club two years ago, they promised to have a spade in the ground within 60 days." Then, the stadium was supposed to open for the 2012-'13 season. Then, even later. Now? Dunno so don't ask, says Hicks, citing credit market woes as the reason for the put-off. But he has it under control: "We're going to build that sucker," says the man whose "dreadful custodianship" led to the creation of a "supporters union" with the word "shank" in it.

Write Comment

Email to Friend

Print Article

cp, you butte go back to your world series were only you take part, wots that about you clown.
Oh, Boo. Hoo. You stupid idiot soccer fans in the UK don't seem to understand the basic idea of capitalism. If you "supporters union" people want representation in the board room, then I suppose you all should get your money together and start buying a bunch of shares. How's that for a goal? Instead you whine on blogs and start "support unions". Do you think Hicks wastes his time reading this crap? No, he's busy doing the things that make him a, what's the word? Oh that's it, a billionaire.
Man U current strikers Berbatov = �30 million stg Rooney = �27 million stg Tevez = �32 million stg (if completed) Liverpool Torres = �20.8 million stg N'Gog = �1.5 million stg Kuyt = �9 million stg (Keane �19 million, sold for �16 million) How are we expected to be able to compete? Also, Gillet and Hicks claimed over �1.5 million stg on "expenses". Liverpool will lose �25 million pounds this tax year because of the loan repayments. They cannot afford this. Either Hicks sells, and relieves us, or he makes some sort of financial contribution. Until this happens we will be extremely lucky to catch Man U. Its a good thing we have as good a manager as we have in Rafa Benitez.
Man U current strikers Berbatov = �30 million stg Rooney = �27 million stg Tevez = �32 million stg (if completed) Liverpool Torres = �20.8 million stg N'Gog = �1.5 million stg Kuyt = �9 million stg (Keane �19 million, sold for �16 million) How are we expected to be able to compete? Also, Gillet and Hicks claimed over �1.5 million stg on "expenses". Liverpool will lose �25 million pounds this tax year because of the loan repayments. They cannot afford this. Either Hicks sells, and relieves us, or he makes some sort of financial contribution. Until this happens we will be extremely lucky to catch Man U. Its a good thing we have as good a manager as we have in Rafa Benitez.
Hicks and Gillett need to get out of Anfield no one wants them at the club and the way they treat the club is an absolute disgrace. I have been going to Anfield since the age of 10 and even wore my Liverpool shirt whilst out in Basra because when I die I want to make sure I have the reds badge on my chest. For anyone who doesen't love the reds then you will never know how much hurt them pair of ******** are causing us and to see them treat us with so much contempt makes me sick
The spat was not about the stadium at all, or I saw that as a minor issue in this whole melodramatic squabble. Tom Hicks and George Gillett promised not to take money out of the club to pay their personal debt -- they were buying the club and profits would be re-invested in the club. And the supporters were happy with this promise because they want their club to improve and win out (as if it's a God-given right to all Liverpool supporters to be in the top 4 of the league and semifinals of the UEFA CL every year). Turns out, Hicks and Gillett have been paying on the loan they used to buy the club instead of re-investing that money in the club. I think Liverpool fans have a right to be pissed off, but seeing Liverpool supporters pissed off and self-righteous delights me. I'm loving this... Statements like Liverpool can't go out and buy strikers like the rest of the top 4 make me laugh, when they just bought and sold Keane for a huge loss. I think this is where a british person whould use the term 'Bollocks to that!!!'.
Hate to break it to you, die hard 'pool fans defending your own honor, but I've been following it from the beginning. Sure, they've been boning 'pool fans by not following though; but, as I fairly (and correctly) stated, it isn't like Hicks got much respect from the beginning. You didn't want him having any stake in the club; deny that if you like, I know better. If it is any consolation, personally I think Hicks is a bane to Liverpool as well. But acting like he should make an idiotic decision about a stadium during the current economic outlook is stupid. JerryWorld, Dallas/Fort Worth's latest testament to "money well spent," is backed by a fellow in much better financial position than Hicks, and even he's feeling the pressure at the moment. (PS- Jury is still out on Man City, I wouldn't sweat them yet. A strong showing in the Cup is helping offset a usual middle-of-the-pack league placement.)
What Angry LFC fan said. Whatever success Liverpool FC have enjoyed on the pitch has not been, in any way, thanks to Tom Hicks. Rather, it's in spite of him. And even after a frosty period of negotiating with Rafa Benitez on an extension that was based on more control over international transfers, Hicks still insists on wanting to show Rafa who's boss. They still can't go out and sign a striker like Chelsea, Manchester United, or Arsenal can. And Manchester City's threatening to make it the Big Five with their new deep pocketed owner.
To "J" No offence, but please have an idea of what you are talking about before badmouthing the LFC fans. We have been lied to by both Hicks and Gillet from day one. The 117 year traditions at our club have been mocked and destroyed by these two muppets who are using the fans' money to pay off a huge debt in their name, after they told us they financed the takeover themselves. We are not mindless fans like other clubs in England, but intelligent people who don't like being lied to or have our clubs reputation tarnished by two mouthy Americans who, as has been proven, know nothing about professional soccer.
Robert, you need to publish a book of "Beautiful Pictures of Dallas-Related Things That Don't Exist" after you're done with the Schutze t-shirt thing.
Those Merseyside folk have been so supportive of Hicks, it is no wonder he's in such a rush to throw money around in a credit crunch. Oh, wait...they've been bitching about him from the beginning. My bad. And they are still competitive (more so in the Euro Champions League than Premier, but that's better than sucking like certain other teams Hicks' owns). They should shut it and enjoy the fact that they might actually see a trophy this year. Dallas fans could only be so lucky...
Maybe they can move the 63,000 seat Texas stadium over to Liverpool. You know, re-use, re-cycle. Oh boy, those Liverpool folk must be chomping at the bit to get their own Victory Park type development. Imagine the economic stimulus this might provide England. Man, good times are here again. Surprised Mr Hicks isn't more eager to get this good news out there.