MLS Expansion Thread

[LittleOzzy]

Reminds me of the current Minnesota logo.

I agree, which means Minnesota's logo will likely change before they reach MLS.

Sad, as their logo in perfect as is.

[LittleOzzy]

Minnesota poised to join MLS in 2017, with name change

It’s looking increasingly likely that Minnesota United FC will enter MLS in 2017, and it’s looking increasingly likely that it will do so with a new name.

United was extended an MLS invitation in March 2015 and it spent the next seven months working on securing a site for a new privately-financed stadium, which will be constructed on the west side of St. Paul. It’s scheduled to be ready in 2018. But the club (soon to enter its sixth NASL season) and MLS don’t want to wait that long, according to multiple sources, necessitating a temporary venue. SI.com reported in September that the University of Minnesota’s TCF Bank Stadium and the Minnesota Twins’ Target Field were the best options and Northern Pitch claimed last week that United was leaning toward the former. A source has since confirmed that report to SI.com.

Although Twins owner Jim Pohlad is a United investor, TCF Bank Stadium probably makes more sense thanks to greater scheduling flexibility and its configuration. The Golden Gophers play on artificial turf but the new MLS stadium will have a natural grass field.

One source told SI.com that there is only a “slim” chance Minnesota waits until 2018, while another said the NASL already is planning on playing its 2017 season without United.

http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2016/02/17/mls-expansion-minnesota-united-2017-atlanta-st-louis-sacramento-miami

[Devilzsidewalk]

Only a 5 minute train ride from my house, which means I can get hammered at home for a fair price, and ride the train to the match.

[Calinks]

We are changing our name and the cool logo? Weak

[LittleOzzy]

We are changing our name and the cool logo? Weak

I hope they are not forced to change, but that's MLS for you.

[LittleOzzy]

St. Louis business, sports leaders unite to attract Major League Soccer

St. Louis took another step toward Major League Soccer on Wednesday, when it was announced that a group of the city’s business and sports leaders have formed the MLS2STL Group to explore and advance the city’s candidacy to be awarded an MLS expansion team.

The group includes Dave Peacock, chairman of the board of directors for the St. Louis Sports Commission and former president of Anheuser-Busch, Jim Kavanaugh, owner of USL club St. Louis FC, and Bill DeWitt III, president of Major League Baseball’s St. Louis Cardinals, among others.

According to a statement released by the group, MLS2STL will “work closely with the staff and select members of the St. Louis Sports Commission to conduct baseline market assessments for a potential team owner or owners, including the exploration of stadium sites, funding options and overall viability of the St. Louis region as a home to an MLS expansion franchise.”

MLS is scheduled to expand to 24 teams in the near future, and will welcome Atlanta (2017), Minnesota (2017 or 2018), LAFC (2018) and a Miami franchise (date undermined) in the next few years. The league announced in December that it plans to eventually grow to 28 teams, and Commissioner Don Garber has mentioned St. Louis as a candidate for that round of expansion.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/02/17/mls2stl-st-louis-business-sports-leaders-unite-attract-major-league-soccer

Could be a surprise entry into MLS, they look to have some great ownership.

[LittleOzzy]

Miami Beckham United acquires land needed for new Miami soccer stadium

Miami Beckham United (MBU) announced on Thursday that the group has purchased land needed to build a stadium for a prospective MLS expansion team in the Overtown neighborhood of Miami.

MBU partner Marcelo Claure announced the news on Twitter and the group also issued a statement.

“We have the right site, the right ownership group, and a loyal base of fans counting down the days until our first match,” Claure said in the statement. “We’re all-in on Overtown, and we couldn’t be more excited about moving forward with plans to deliver the most responsible stadium in Miami history.”

The land acquired consists of two private properties with a size of approximately six acres, representing two-thirds of the projected nine-acre site, according to a Miami Herald report.

The move now opens the door for MBU to hold discussions with county officials regarding the "purchase of adjacent land required for development, now controlled by Miami-Dade County.” Once the acquisition of the government-owned land is complete, MBU will seek city zoning approval for its development plans before construction can begin.

In the meantime, the group has held informational meetings about the project with members of the Overtown community.

Situated midway between Miami Beach and Miami International Airport, the stadium site is located in the Miami River District and just blocks away from downtown Miami. Public transportation options will include a Metrorail station and an “All Aboard Florida” rail terminal, both within walking distance.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/03/24/miami-beckham-united-acquires-land-needed-new-miami-soccer-stadium

[RJM]

Hell yes, sirs. Now get some more land for a parking lot.

[LittleOzzy]

MLS announces expansion process, including timeline and fees

Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber announced plans Thursday for the league’s expansion to 28 teams, including a deadline for owners to apply and a new franchise fee.

The fee for the two teams expected to be granted next year is jumping to $150 million. Garber also set a Jan. 31, 2017, deadline for interested potential owners or ownership groups to apply.

Ten markets have expressed interest in an MLS team, including Charlotte, Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville, Raleigh/Durham, Sacramento, St. Louis, San Antonio, San Diego and Tampa/St. Petersburg.

Sacramento is considered one of the strongest candidates. The USL side, the Sacramento Republic, hosted Garber for a rally in April to demonstrate the city's enthusiasm for a top-level team.

Sacramento already has an agreement on a public-private soccer-specific stadium.

Quicken Loans Inc. founder Dan Gilbert, along with Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores, first announced a bid for a Detroit MLS team in April, with plans for a $1 billion mixed-use stadium.

Another strong bid is expected from St. Louis. The potential ownership group for SC St. Louis includes former Bain Capital managing director Paul Edgerley and Jim Kavanaugh, owner of St. Louis FC of the USL.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/mls-announces-expansion-process-including-timeline-fees/

[sacking123]

Here I was thinking this is a Sacramento kings forum


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

[LittleOzzy]

Here I was thinking this is a Sacramento kings forum


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

Just spreading the news about a possible MLS team in Sacramento. Plus the thread is only linked through to another forum. It's not really on the Kings forum.

[Cactus Jack]

This is going to further water-down the league. They're expanding way too quickly. Expansion is a bad idea. They need to stop.

[hoophabit]

Why was this "un-American" thread moved to the Pistons' board?

[LittleOzzy]

This is going to further water-down the league. They're expanding way too quickly. Expansion is a bad idea. They need to stop.

The thing with soccer though, plenty of players to bring in.

MLS will be get to 30 teams soon enough, just like the other leagues in North America. Plus we are talking about teams joining 4 years from now. Hopefully in that amount of time the salary cap also goes up.

[LittleOzzy]

Expansion Tracker: 12 ownership groups submit MLS expansion applications

Charlotte

Submission announced: 5:37 PM ET - Tuesday, Jan. 31

Charlotte sports entrepreneur Marcus Smith, president and CEO of Speedway Motorsports, officially submitted a bid for the Queen City to be considered for an MLS expansion team.

Nashville

Submission announced: 5:10 PM ET - Tuesday, Jan. 31

Mayor Megan Barry joined members of the Nashville MLS Organizing Committee in submitting the city's expansion bid at league headquarters in New York City on Tuesday.

Indianapolis

Submission announced: 5:06 PM ET - Tuesday, Jan. 31

Indy Eleven founder and owner Ersal Ozdemir, also the founder and CEO of Keystone Realty Group, delivered the club’s official application book to MLS earlier on Tuesday.

The club has commitments from prospective owners who live and work in Central Indiana, including: Mickey Maurer (chairman, National Bank of Indianapolis and IBJ Corp.), Jeff Laborsky (president and CEO of Heritage), Mark Elwood (CEO of Elwood Staffing) and Andy Mohr (founder and owner of Mohr Auto Group).

Indy Eleven's bid features a proposal for a 20,000-seat downtown stadium at a previously identified location with convenient access for motorists and pedestrians. The new stadium will be within walking distance of the shopping, dining and entertainment districts of downtown Indianapolis.

Detroit

Submission announced: 4:58 PM ET - Tuesday, Jan. 31

Tom Gores, owner of the NBA’s Detroit Pistons and Chairman and CEO of Platinum Equity, along with Dan Gilbert, owner of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers and Founder and Chairman of Quicken Loans and Rock Ventures, LLC submitted Detroit’s expansion application bid to MLS headquarters Tuesday afternoon.

The bid's stadium plan calls for a 23,000-seat facility in the heart of Detroit’s sports and entertainment district.

Phoenix

Submission announced: 4:46 PM ET - Tuesday, Jan. 31

USL club Phoenix Rising FC officially submitted its expansion application bid on Tuesday.

The bid features letters of support from more than 45 political and business leaders from the Phoenix area and a plan to privately fund the building of a new, climate-controlled, soccer-specific stadium on a 45-acre site that is under contract. The soccer complex will include the club's academy as well as light-rail access for fans throughout the Valley.

The ownership team is headed by the club's governor, Berke Bakay, and includes a group of investors who purchased Arizona United Soccer Club in August 2016. Phoenix Rising is coached by long-time MLS manager Frank Yallop.

St. Louis

Submission announced: 4:43 PM ET - Tuesday, Jan. 31

Prospective ownership group SC STL, headed by lead owner and chairman Paul Edgerley, announced they have filed an expansion application and supporting documents with the league office. Edgerley is joined on SC STL's executive committee by CEO of World Wide Technology Jim Kavanaugh, managing director of Tortoise Capital Terry Matlack and former Anheuser-Busch president Dave Peacock.

The group is proposing a new 20,000-seat downtown stadium adjacent to and west of St. Louis Union Station.

Raleigh/Durham

Submission announced: 4:30 PM ET - Tuesday, Jan. 31

A group led by North Carolina FC owner Steve Malik has confirmed an expansion bid has been submitted for the Raleigh/Durham area.

In the statement announcing the official expansion application, North Carolina FC noted that it will reveal more information about its stadium plans in the coming weeks.

San Antonio

Submission announced: 4:00 PM ET - Tuesday, Jan. 31

Spurs Sports & Entertainment, owners of USL side San Antonio FC, announced their formal application for expansion.

Sacramento

Submission announced: 3:30 PM ET - Tuesday, Jan. 31

Sac Soccer & Entertainment Holdings officially submitted their expansion bid on Tuesday, while also announcing the addition of Meg Whitman, president and CEO of Hewlett Packard Enterprises and Dr. Griff Harsh, a professor of neurosurgery otolaryngology at Stanford University Medical Center, to the prospective ownership group. Several local investors in the Sacramento Kings, as well as Jed York of the San Francisco 49ers also form part of the group.

The club has a "shovel-ready" downtown stadium plan for a 20,000-seat MLS stadium that has already cleared all regulatory approvals.

Cincinnati

Submission announced: 12:15 PM ET - Tuesday, Jan. 31

FC Cincinnati owner, CEO and chairman Carl Lindner delivered the expansion application to league headquarters on Tuesday.

Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg

Submission announced: 3:00 PM ET - Monday, Jan. 30

The Tampa Bay Rowdies delivered their expansion application to MLS headquarters in New York City on Monday afternoon. Their interactive expansion application, featuring more than 200 letters of support from politicians and local celebrities among others, included a modern rendition of “A Kick in the Grass.”

Also part of the application were details and renderings of the privately funded renovation and expansion plans to Al Lang Stadium and the proposed ownership group led by Rowdies Chairman & CEO Bill Edwards, who headed the delegation that traveled to Manhattan on Monday morning.

San Diego

Submission announced: 2:30 PM ET - Monday, Jan. 30

Mike Stone, the leader of a prospective MLS ownership group, hand-delivered San Diego's expansion application bid to MLS Commissioner Don Garber in an event held on Monday afternoon on the deck of the USS Midway in San Diego. The city's mayor, Kevin Faulconer, and MLS legend Landon Donovan also attended the event.

The bid's stadium plan calls for a privately-financed 30,000-seat facility on the Mission Valley site where Qualcomm Stadium sits.

The local ownership group includes: former Qualcomm President Steve Altman, technology entrepreneurs Massih and Masood Tayeb, Padres owner and local investor Peter Seidler and sports media executive Juan Carlos Rodriguez.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/topic/expansion/2017/expansion-cities-bids

Lots of action over the last two days when it comes to expansion. Four franchises available for 2020.

[NEM]

Sacramento
St. Louis
Charlotte
Detroit

Can't see any other ones getting in over those 4. MAYBE San Diego, though idk who they'd replace.

[JDR720]

Sacramento
St. Louis
Charlotte
Detroit

Can't see any other ones getting in over those 4. MAYBE San Diego, though idk who they'd replace.

Can't see charlotte get one. I think some vote just got canceled.

[LittleOzzy]

Sacramento
St. Louis
Charlotte
Detroit

Can't see any other ones getting in over those 4. MAYBE San Diego, though idk who they'd replace.

Can't see charlotte get one. I think some vote just got canceled.

People are also saying Sacramento is no longer a lock.

I think San Antonio has a good shot at a franchise, same with Indiana.

If I had to pick four I think I would go:

Sacramento
San Antonio
St. Louis
Detroit or Indianapolis

[JDR720]

I would do.

St. Louis
Cincinnati
San Diego
Detroit

San Diego over Sacramento because of a better market, Cincinnati gets in for a Ohio rivalry and has great fan base. Detroit because two billionaire owners and St.Louis because the league wants a team there.

[LittleOzzy]

I would do.

St. Louis
Cincinnati
San Diego
Detroit

San Diego over Sacramento because of a better market, Cincinnati gets in for a Ohio rivalry and has great fan base. Detroit because two billionaire owners and St.Louis because the league wants a team there.

Two teams in Ohio doesn't make sense for MLS in my opinion. A close rival would be great, but they have plenty of other teams around them to provide that. Cincinnati is also a fairly small market.

I think San Antonio has a good shot for the same reason you listed with Detroit. Spurs ownership would be good for the league.