The San Jose Earthquakes’ remarkable leap to the top of MLS is increasing demand for tickets and bringing energy to a proposed 18,000-seat stadium the team plans to christen in 2013, club presidentDave Kaval told Elliott Almond.
Kaval said the club has seen a 20-percent increase in season-ticket revenue, a byproduct of San Jose’s7-1-1 start. The Quakes have sold 20,000 tickets for a June 30 game against the Los Angeles Galaxy at Stanford Stadium. They expect to attract more than 40,000. The team had 41,000 at Stanford lastyear for a matchup against the New York Red Bulls but had sold only 10,000 tickets by early May.
San Jose had an eight-game streak of selling out 10,500-seat Buck Shaw end two weeks ago.The team drew 8,734 against United but traditionally has struggled at the gate with midweek games.
Still, Kaval hopes to more than double season-ticket sales — currently about 4,000 — forthe $60-million stadium that would be located across the street from Mineta San Jose International Airport. Hel said a winning team makes it a realistic goal.