Kraft Looking for Tax Money for New England Revolution Stadium

New details have emerged concerning recent discussions between the city of Boston and the Kraft Group regarding a soccer stadium for the New England Revolution.

Sources tell the Boston Globe that the two sides have been talking steadily about a new home for the MLS squad. In one proposal from Kraft, Boston would build and own a $200 million stadium. A tax charged on the tickets would be used to repay the debt.

Kraft, the owner of the Revolution and the New England Patriots, is assuring city officials that he would structure the deal so the city would not be at risk for the cost of the building according to the Globe’s second source.

The Walsh administration, however, has not been receptive to the use of public funds for a soccer specific stadium. Use of public money for stadiums in Massachusetts has been rare and public aid for such projects has often been used for public works upgrades.

Currently in Gillette Stadium, the Revolution have spent years attempting to escape the cavernous environment of the NFL venue in Foxborough in favor of an urban soccer stadium with a capacity between 18,000-22,000. At the start of the 2015 season, the team is one of six to not have home a venue dedicated to soccer.

Last year, details emerged about a proposed stadium off of I-93 on Frontage Road in South Boston. The stadium would be near the location of the proposed Olympic Stadium, further complicating matters.

In fiscal year 2014, Foxborough received $296,176 in tax revenue from Revolution matches according to town Finance Director Randy Scollins.