Sports Illustrated handicaps Nashville's chances of landing Major League Soccer

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http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2017/01/23/sports-illustrated-handicaps-nashvilles-chances-of.html

Sports Illustrated handicaps Nashville's chances of landing Major League Soccer

In a story titled " MLS expansion in Nashville: A longshot bid backed by billions," Sports Illustrated handicapped Nashville's chances at landing a Major League Soccer team in an article last week.

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http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-soccer/story/3045003/plans-for-san-diego-mls-franchise-and-stadium-unveiled-by-investor-group

Investors unveil plans to bring MLS franchise, stadium to San Diego

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http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/st-louis-mls-hopes-hinge-on-aldermen-and-now-the/article_1b129637-53ad-56cf-a224-184c021b58e5.html

St. Louis MLS hopes hinge on aldermen, and now the courts

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http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/san-diego-mls-expansion-franchise-qualcomm-stadium-chargers-nfl-012317

Plans for San Diego MLS franchise and new stadium at Chargers ex-home unveiled

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http://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/editorials/article128299454.html

The 2 key questions Charlotte must answer about MLS bid

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http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/opinion/the-conversation/sd-what-should-mls-in-san-diego-be-named-20170123-htmlstory.html

Major League Soccer in San Diego? What should we name the team?

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http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/01/23/concacaf-reveals-new-champions-league-format-mls-teams-play-february-may

CONCACAF reveals new Champions League format, MLS teams play February-May

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http://www.wcnc.com/sports/soccer/charlotte-weighing-mls-option/391618722

Charlotte weighing MLS option

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http://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/news/david-beckham-returns-psg

David Beckham returns to PSG

Paris Saint-Germain welcomed back David Beckham to the club on Monday as he returned to conduct an interview with the club's TV channel.

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https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/23/01/2017/Old-boy-David-Beckham-drops-in-on-PSG-training

Old boy David Beckham drops in on PSG training

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http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/david-beckham-back-paris-catches-9678602

David Beckham back in Paris as he catches up with old PSG teammates and conducts interview with club's TV channel

The former England captain was snapped speaking with Thiago Silva, Maxwell and Javier Pastore as he returned to the French capital

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http://www.espnfc.com/blog/the-toe-poke/65/post/3044881/legend-david-beckham-returns-to-paris-saint-germain-for-flying-visit

Legend David Beckham returns to Paris Saint-Germain for flying visit

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http://www.psg.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=577012

Beckham Back In Paris

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http://www.mo4ch.com/goal-beckham-meets-up-with-verratti-and-pastore-on-paris-saint-germain-return/

Goal Beckham meets up with Verratti and Pastore on Paris Saint-Germain return

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http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/david-beckham-calls-paris-saint-9680517

David Beckham calls Paris Saint-Germain "home" as he reveals why the club had such a profound effect on him

Beckham only made 14 appearances in all competitions for the Ligue 1 side but has special memories from his time in France

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http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2429741&CategoryId=13002

David Beckham Visits Former Teammates at PSG

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http://www.tbreporter.com/special-interest/mahaffey-fundraising-arm-names-president/

Mahaffey Fundraising Arm Names President

ST. PETERSBURG –The Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts, the Mahaffey Theater’s principal fundraising arm, has named Melissa Hughey as president.

The former development director for the Tampa-based Arthritis Foundation, Hughey brings more than 10 years’ experience in nonprofit development. The St. Petersburg native also has extensive experience in strategic planning, research, budgeting, forecasting, reporting and analysis.

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http://floridapolitics.com/archives/230829-aerialist-rick-wallenda-skywalk-sundial-st-pete-feb-11

Aerialist Rick Wallenda to skywalk over Sundial St. Pete Feb. 11

“We are thrilled to welcome one of the world’s greatest tightrope walkers to Sundial,” said owner Bill Edwards. “Sundial is a gathering place for the community, so it’s only fitting the event take place there.”

Edwards also said he was pleased the event will be helping Habitat for Humanity, noting that the well-regarded charity will be celebrating the completion of its 400th home in the area.

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http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/crossbay-ferry-likely-wont-run-during-gasparilla/2310531

CrossBay ferry won't run during Gasparilla

The CrossBay Ferry won’t be running during Gasparilla, Tampa Bay’s signature event, this weekend.

A lack of dock space in Tampa also prevented the ferry from running on Saturday, Jan. 7,  during the festivities in advance of the championship of the College Football Playoff.

Kriseman tried to work out an arrangement with Tampa for Gasparilla, but HMS, the ferry operator, told the city last week that the U.S. Coast Guard had put out a directive that vessels not part of Gasparilla should stay away from Tampa,Kriseman's spokesman Ben Kirby said.

That directive put an end to discussions with Tampa, Kirby said.

Kirby had originally said Monday the negotiations with Tampa were ongoing. He later clarified his remarks saying he had been unaware of the Coast Guard's position.

In any event, Kriseman knew going into the pilot project, which ends in April, that the ferry wasn't likely to run during Gasparilla, Kirby said.

The ferry has been one of Kriseman’s most-touted accomplishments during his administration. The pilot project has been a frequent mention in his public speeches, including the recent state of city address.

Kriseman, who is running for reelection, recently won “Project of the Year” from the Tampa Bay Institute of Transportation Engineers for his support for the ferry.

In December, the ferry’s second month operation, 5,400 tickets were sold, up from 4,700 tickets in November.

The ferry operator, HMS Ferries Inc., said it recovered 46 percent of its operating costs in November, which ferry boosters greeted as a success.

The ferry costs $10 for a one-way trip between St. Petersburg and Tampa. But travelers can also buy 20 trips for $100, which comes with free taxi rides home for those who miss the last ferry trip.

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http://www.brotherlygame.com/2017/1/23/14346356/west-chester-united-join-npsl-2017-season

West Chester United joining NPSL for 2017 season

Club will join Keystone Conference, creating a Route 3 Derby with Junior Lone Star FC

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http://midfieldpress.com/2017/01/22/letter-to-the-editor-a-brief-history-of-the-real-athletics/

Letter to the Editor: A Brief History of the Real “Athletics”

This Letter to the Editor is written by Sonny Dalesandro, Owner, Tulsa Athletic.  It shares the club’s experience in a dispute with the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball over the use of the name “Athletics.”  Given the fact that A’s owner Lew Wolff also owns the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer, one might have thought their organization would be more sympathetic to a lower league soccer club.  Given that that Oakland A’s have been on the wrong end of petty squabbles blocking their business such as their desired to move to San Jose, one would think they would be less likely to use such strong arm tactics.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE REAL “ATHLETICS”

Our club. Our crest. Our beef with the Oakland A’s

Bloody typical. Below. Writer talks about every MLS candidate market EXCEPT for Tampa/St. Pete/Tampa Bay Rowdies! Everyone automatically writes us off. Largest TV market not in MLS. Not a single mention! UN-F_CKING BELIEVABLE!!!

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http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2017/01/24/deadline-nears-for-next-round-of-major-league-soccer-expansion/

Deadline Nears For Next Round Of Major League Soccer Expansion

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) —The deadline for cities to formally apply to become one of the next four MLS expansion teams is nearing. Multi-million dollar investors, and city councils across the country are scrambling to discuss and decide on big money projects.

The Sacramento Republic FC is positioned well for Major League Soccer expansion conversations.

“We’ve invested a lot of dollars,” said Kevin Nagle, Republic FC Owner during an interview last year, “part of that is our belief that we’ll be an MLS team.”

The Republic has sold out all but two of its games. The fan support is there. The team signed a corporate kit sponsorship and got the OK for new stadium plans if the MLS decides to come to town.

“Great brand, strong ownership group. They’ve already solidified their site. They’ve already solidified their ownership group. So they’re ahead of the rest of the pack,” said Don Garber, the MLS Commissioner during his visit to Sacramento in April.

Other cities across the country are making a strong case to join the MLS as well.

“We’re trying to bring one of the world’s most popular sports to one of the world’s greatest cities,” said Nick Stone, one of the investors leading the push to bring an MLS team to San Diego.

On Monday, Stone and other presented their proposal to build a $200 million dollar stadium at the former San Diego Chargers home, QUALCOMM stadium.

“We’re not asking for a penny of taxpayer money,” said Stone.

Investors in Charlotte, North Carolina also presented a plan to revitalize a historic stadium for $175 million dollars. But they’re asking for public funds. And not everyone is on board.

“If they want to go ahead with it, they can fund it as far as I’m concerned, said Charlotte councilwoman Patsy Kinsey, suggesting that the county should foot the bill for a soccer stadium.

Other cities in the mix include Detroit, Michigan, which is backed by billionaire owners of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons NBA teams.

St. Louis is also back in the conversation, but investors are struggling to get approval for a $200 million dollar stadium after a city vote was delayed.

“The delay allows some of the members who still have questions to get those answered by seeing some of the financials behind the deal,” said the President of the Board of Aldermen, Lewis Reed.

The MLS plans to expand in Los Angeles and Miami by the 2018 season. Garber said he’d like to identify the 25th and 26th team by fall 2017 and they would begin play in 2020. The other two expansion teams, 27 and 28, will be named at a later date.

Other cities vying to become an MLS franchise include Nashville, Raleigh, Cincinnati, and San Antonio.

The application deadline is Jan. 31.