https://twitter.com/kkfla737Kartik K
@kkfla737
If MLS is serious about downtown stadiums, rewarding soccer fans and promoting clubs they'd drop Miami for St Pete/Tampa in a heartbeat.
@joedratnol long history of supporting American club soccer at all levels (unlike Miami). Bigger TV market. Willing owner. Better stadium.
I've long said the Tampa Bay market deserves MLS more than Miami. More American soccer fans, better support. MLS has a choice to make.
It's an exciting night in Florida with @TampaBayRowdies MLS and stadium plans. It would be great to have a second MLS club in Florida.
I'm all for MLS in St pete. Just not sure how Hillsborough County folks feel. Any thoughts Tampa contingent?
I can hardly take the suspense!
But what makes an MLS-ready market? It's not soccer infrastructure and support necessarily but other factors.
Exciting day in Florida soccer as a big @TampaBayRowdies announcement is coming tonight!
The line for those seeking an #MLS team has grown longer...it will grow even longer tonight here in Florida!
Thomas Rongen agrees with Kartik:
https://twitter.com/trongen
Thomas Rongen
@TRongen
@kkfla737: "I've long said the Tampa Bay market deserves MLS more than Miami. More American soccer fans, better support. MLS has a choice to make."
Having been in both as a player and coach, I have to admit with a heavy heart that I agree
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https://thefloridasqueeze.com/2016/12/07/st-petersburgs-mls-bid-a-winner/
St Petersburg’s MLS bid a winner
December 7, 2016 · by Kartik Krishnaiyer
Last night in St Petersburg, the Tampa Bay Rowdies who currently play in the lower division USL launched a bid to join Major League Soccer, the top league in the United States and Canada. Orlando City SC has averaged over 30,000 fans in its first two MLS seasons and will move to a new stadium next season which will play host to the club’;s MLS team, women’s team (the Orlando Pride) and the USL-based “B” team.
The Rowdies unveiled #MLS2StPete on Tuesday, a campaign to drive local support to demonstrate to MLS that the club is ready to be the next expansion team. The campaign also includes a privately funded renovation and expansion plan for Al Lang Stadium in Downtown St Petersburg. Currently, Miami is slated to claim the next expansion franchise but the David Beckham-led group behind expansion to South Florida has failed to work with existing local pro teams, secure a lucrative stadium site, or generate enough fan support or political will to move the ball forward. St Petersburg is a logical replacement for Miami.
“Major League Soccer is watched all over the world,” commented Rowdies owner Bill Edwards. “This move will bring national and international exposure to St. Petersburg, while also boosting tourism in the area. Bringing Major League Soccer to St. Petersburg will be a great economic driver for the entire region, and will serve as another platform to unify fans on both sides of the bay.”
“We are committed to expanding the world’s game right here in downtown St. Petersburg, and we feel strongly that joining Major League Soccer is the next logical step,” said Rowdies Chairman & CEO Bill Edwards. “We have met with MLS executives, including Commissioner Don Garber, and it is clear that they are looking at cities that have demonstrated their support for soccer via season ticket memberships, single game ticket sales and sponsorships.”
I put my views on Twitter last night related to St Petersburg versus Miami.
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http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/news/article.html/content/news/articles/bn9/2016/12/6/rowdies_biggest_supp.html
Rowdies biggest supporter is recruiting more fans
By Saundra Weathers, Reporter
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 06, 2016, 9:46 PM EST
ST. PETERSBURG --
If the coffee mugs, refrigerator magnets and trash can don’t give away how big of a Tampa Bay Rowdies fan that Lizze Burda is, she says that’s your problem.
Lizze Burda, 88, is a sassy soccer lover
She's been a supporter of the Rowdies since 1975
Now she's encouraging others to support the team
The 88-year-old sassy soccer lover isn’t just any fan, she has some authority, too.
Burda was the vice president of the Rowdies fan club, called the Fannies, more than 40 years ago. She said some players wanted that fan club’s name changed.
“There were a lot of English players, so they suggested we change the name and like I said before, aint gonna happen,” she said.
Burda said she rarely misses a game and always brings her tambourine.
“This is my tambourine that I drive everybody crazy with and bang the heck out of it on a metal railing,” she said.
It’s something she’s done since her first Rowdies game back in 1975. She still has the ticket and says she can remember it like it was yesterday.
“The announcer up there was just as green as I was and then he said 'Goal, goal, goal!' And then he says, 'Oh excuse me, it’s not a goal.' What do you mean it’s not a goal!" laughed Burda.
That was a different time, different stadium and now, it will be a different league if the Rowdies have their way. The team is starting the process to hopefully join Major League Soccer.
“To think that the second time go-round Rowdies can get into the MLS is very good because it gives us hope that our Rowdies will be here for a long time,” Burda said.
It’s something she’s counting on and encouraging more people to attend a game and she’s giving a convincing reason why.
“I would describe it as something you want to come and see a bunch of good looking guys out there running around after a soccer ball. And sit up there with us cheering on and drinking beer and it’s a hell of a lot of fun,” she said.
Hopefully the word spreads and the team gets its way.
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http://sbisoccer.com/2016/12/sbi-question-of-the-day-which-recently-announced-expansion-candidate-would-be-best-for-mls#pd_a_9602574
SBI Question of the Day: Which recently-announced expansion candidate would be best for MLS?
Joining them is a team that has already made the leap from the NASL to USL, the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Owner Bill Edwards announced on Tuesday his plan to renovate the Rowdies Al Lang Stadium to bring it up to division one standards, and revealed his organization’s discussions with MLS regarding a potential expansion bid. MLS seemed receptive to his approach, stating that the Tampa Bay-St. Petersburg area is an attractive potential destination and that the league would discuss the possibilities with the team.
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http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/12/07/mls2stpete-tampa-bay-rowdies-launch-mls-expansion-bid
#MLS2StPete: Tampa Bay Rowdies launch MLS expansion bid
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http://www.tampabay.com/news/what-you-need-to-know-for-wednesday-dec-7/2305384
The Daystarter: USF's Taggart may be headed to Oregon; Charleston shooting trial begins; Rowdies eye MLS; and speculating on futures of Bondi and Buckhorn
Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards wants to become part of first division Major League Soccer, announcing a campaign toward that goal during a highly attended event before fans at the Birchwood in downtown St. Petersburg on Tuesday night. A presentation included renderings of renovated Al Lang Stadium, which would have to be expanded well past its current capacity of around 7,000 for an MLS franchise. Edwards said renovations would be privately funded. But for any of it to happen, he needs the appropriate fan support. There will be no 18,000-seat Al Lang without an MLS franchise.
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http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/mls-expansion-tampa-bay-north-carolina-120716
Now Tampa Bay and Carolina are in the race for MLS expansion teams
The league is going to 28 teams and two more cities want in.
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http://ussoccerplayers.com/2016/12/playing-league-games-with-us-soccer-nasl-usl.html
Playing league games with US Soccer
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 7, 2016) US Soccer Players - Here’s what we know, or what we think we know, about the current situation in divisions two and three of the American soccer pyramid. Even those designations are assumptions at this point. The US Soccer Federation has yet to make any of that official for 2017. So with the card subject to change, here's what we think we know right now about the lower divisions of American professional soccer.
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http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-a-bold-plan-to-bring-mls-soccer-to-st-petersburg/2305500
Editorial: A bold plan to bring MLS soccer to St. Petersburg
Wednesday, December 7, 2016 5:19pm
St. Petersburg businessman and Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards has grand plans for his team and the downtown waterfront. Edwards would privately finance construction of a compact, attractive soccer stadium on the site of Al Lang Stadium, once the venerable home of spring training baseball, after acquiring a Major League Soccer franchise. It's an exciting proposal that could usher in a new chapter for this storied site, fit nicely with St. Petersburg's urban renaissance and enhance the entire region's profile in professional sports.
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http://www.businessobserverfl.com/section/detail/st.-pete-soccer-team-launches-expansion-campaign/
Tampa Bay soccer team shoots for big leagues
By: Business Observer
December 07, 2016
ST. PETERSBURG — The Tampa Bay Rowdies, a North American Soccer League Team that plays its home games in downtown St. Petersburg, has launched a campaign to join Major League Soccer.
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http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/12/07/minnesota-united-hold-groundbreaking-ceremony-stadium-site-monday
Minnesota United to hold groundbreaking ceremony at stadium site on Monday
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http://www.wcpo.com/news/insider/espns-twellman-shares-what-he-really-thinks-about-klinsmann-arena-and-fc-cincys-epl-friendlies
ESPN'S Twellman shares what he really thinks about Klinsmann, Arena, and FC Cincy's EPL friendlies
Analyst is a big supporter of the Orange and Blue
Laurel Pfahler | WCPO contributor
11:00 AM, Dec 7, 2016
CINCINNATI -- Taylor Twellman came to the Queen City last week in what he called a showing of respect for what FC Cincinnati achieved in its record-breaking inaugural United Soccer League season.
The ESPN soccer analyst and former professional player served as the emcee for a town hall meeting with Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber, who visited Cincinnati Nov. 29 to evaluate it as a potential expansion market.
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http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/12/07/carolina-railhawks-rebrand-north-carolina-fc-set-sights-mls
Carolina Railhawks rebrand to North Carolina FC, set sights on MLS
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http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/photo/2016/12/07/mls-stadiums-lafc-atlanta-minnesota-dc-orlando-tampa-sacramento-st-louis
Potential future soccer stadiums in America
Tampa Bay Rowdies
The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced their plans to launch an aggressive bid for an MLS expansion spot, full with these renovations to the existing Al Lang Stadium.
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http://www.cltampa.com/arts-entertainment/sports/article/20846035/rowdies-announce-mls-and-stadium-plans
Rowdies lay out MLS plans and stadium in historic announcement
We believe the phrase you're seeking is "fuck, yeah!"
Colin O'Hara
Dec 7, 2016 11 AM
Tampa Bay Rowdies Chairman and CEO Bill Edwards easily distracted me from my mindless gorging on the spread in upscale St. Pete boutique hotel The Birchwood's packed ballroom Tuesday night, with news that shook the very fabric of the Tampa Bay sports world.
“I don’t like to beat around the bush,” Edwards said in his unapologetic and unrehearsed way as he stepped up to the podium to announce the biggest news in team history. “So, I bring you out this.”
He revealed TV screens, T-shirts, and a backdrop that said #MLS2StPete. Yes, the rumors are true — Edwards has spoken with Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber, and has all but secured a spot in the top-flight soccer league in the United States and Canada.
“I believe it is time we have Major League Soccer in St. Petersburg,” Edwards said. “There should be major league teams on both sides of the bay. And on the other side of the bay, we’ve got football, we’ve got hockey. On this side of the bay, we’ve got baseball, and hopefully, major league soccer."
“Hopefully” is the operative word here; it’s not officially official yet. It’s just really close, and Edwards is getting us excited.
“We stand a good chance because we have several things in our favor; one, we have a team; two, we have a stadium; three, we have a stadium plan, and fourth, we’re ready to go,” he said.
According to the Rowdies head honcho, MLS is looking for several things; one of which is a stadium plan that meets MLS’s 18,000-seat minimum. Low and behold, Edwards has one of those, too. Presented on screens surrounding the stage were images of a retrofitted 18,000-seat facility, planned for where the current Al Lang Stadium sits. The new stadium would include the current concrete structure currently in place, adding grandstands surrounding the field on the side of the Mahaffey Theater. And the kicker? Edwards plans on funding it privately. I think that bears repeating: Edwards plans on funding the new potential stadium privately.
“I’m not asking for any support from the county, the city, or the state. We’ll do this with private funding like we’ve done with everything else,” Edwards said. “I hope the fans will vote for a free stadium.”
Now here come the difficulties: Al Lang sits on public land. In order for Edwards to build a new structure, it will have to go to a public referendum, meaning the budget-conscious senior citizens on fixed incomes who fear funding projects more than death itself will weigh in on the decision.
And as with any big-city decision, city players also need to be on board; Congressman David Jolly, Mayor Rick Kriseman, and Chamber of Commerce President Christopher Steinocher all heaped approval upon Edwards and his plan.
“Among the top 10 or 11 top TV markets in the country, this is the only one without an MLS team,” Jolly said. “And I think it needs one.”
“As a city on the rise, the growing entrepreneurial spirit and demographic, MLS would be the perfect fit here in St. Pete,” Mayor Kriseman said.
As mentioned, the deal is not done. Hefty expansion fees still need be paid. Referendums still need to be passed. A franchise needs to be officially awarded to the Rowdies by MLS. Edwards meets with the league in January, which could finalize the plans.
But the Rowdies and fans must be patient. Edwards says he's eyeing 2019 for the team’s MLS debut, and in the meantime, they will compete in the United Soccer Leagues, which could possibly be announced as the nation’s second-division soccer league before the year’s end.
There is a lot to do, but Edwards, as usual, exudes confidence. When asked if there was a contingency plan, Edwards responded with “I’m ready to go.
“I’m asking you to get on board and ride this train with us."
What’s the last thing Edwards needs?
“I need 18,000 fans.”
That shouldn’t be a big problem, right, Tampa Bay?
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http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2016/12/07/charlottes-not-the-only-n-c-city-bidding-for-major.html
Charlotte's not the only N.C. city bidding for Major League Soccer team
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http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-united-to-celebrate-stadium-groundbreaking-monday/405071756/
Minnesota United to celebrate stadium groundbreaking Monday in St. Paul
Owners and officials with Minnesota United, MLS and the city will attend.
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http://www.ktrs.com/st-louis-city-seeks-40-million-in-tax-credits-for-mls-stadium/
St. Louis city seeks $40 million in tax credits for MLS stadium
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http://saintpetersblog.com/time-right-embrace-bill-edwards-bold-vision-rowdies-al-lang-stadium/
The time is right: Embrace Bill Edwards’ bold vision for Rowdies, Al Lang Stadium
Joe Henderson
I like Bill Edwards’ bold plan to privately finance an $80 million renovation of Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg. I like his swagger in going hard to land a spot in Major League Soccer for his Tampa Bay Rowdies to play in that stadium.
I would even go so far to say that the Rowdies and St. Petersburg are a perfect marriage of a city on the move and a sport that Americans increasingly embrace.
Then again, what’s not to like?
In my view, not much.
Edwards resurrected the iconic Rowdies franchise when he purchased controlling interest in the team in 2013. At the news conference announcing the deal, he prophetically said, “sometimes it takes money to make money.
Because Al Lang is on city property and part of the waterfront landscape, his plan must go before voters for approval. The stadium currently seats about 7,000 and would have to be expanded to about 18,000 to meet MLS specifications.
Voters tend to connect the words “sports owner” and “stadium” into a cash grab out of their pockets, so it will take forceful and repeated reminders of the words “privately financed” to calm those fears.
Then, there is the matter of convincing MLS to come here. The league has talked about expanding by up to four teams and cities like Cincinnati, Nashville and St. Louis are among those actively seeking admittance.
Something tells me that isn’t as big an issue as it might seem. In a statement, MLS said in part it is “impressed with (Edwards’) vision and plans for a world-class soccer stadium on the downtown waterfront in St. Petersburg.”
Edwards checks all the boxes the league is looking for: committed local ownership, deep pockets, and located in a city that can support this venture.
St. Pete will need to prove that, of course, before any stadium expansion goes forward. Edwards made it clear he wants to see a waiting list for season tickets, among other things.
Soccer is a different financial animal than Major League Baseball, though and a team in St. Petersburg would not be as dependent on people from Hillsborough and Pasco making regular jaunts across the bay.
Businesses, especially those downtown, would have to love the idea of having soccer crowds visit the waterfront for at least 17 nights per season. Throw in exhibitions, playoffs and possible international matches and the number swells.
There also would be the potential for a new rivalry with the Orlando MLS franchise, although I guess we’d modify the name from “War on I-4” to the “War on I-4, through Malfunction Junction and across the big bridge.”
We’ll work on that one.
Orlando does control territorial rights to St. Petersburg, but the MLS has signaled that it shouldn’t be a major stumbling block should the league decide to expand here.
I was around in 1975 when the original Rowdies took Tampa Bay by storm. I remember sitting in a downpour at old Tampa Stadium to watch them beat the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. I remember the huge crowds for games against the Strikers and New York Cosmos.
Trying to replicate that didn’t work when MLS placed the Tampa Bay Mutiny here a charter member of the league. They played five mostly forgettable seasons before folding. This is a different deal, though.
The league ran the Mutiny because no local owner stepped up and attendance lagged. Ownership is not a problem this time, and for St. Petersburg, well, it’s simple.
This is the right time and the right plan.
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http://trianglesportsnet.com/archives/13565
Malik rebrands pro soccer in the Triangle with sights on MLS and NWSL franchises
Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network
RALEIGH, N.C. – There’s a new pro soccer team in town.
Well, kind of.
During an elaborately presented media event held at Market Square on Tuesday, the Carolina RailHawks morphed into North Carolina FC.
It was a big change, among others, that was announced by team owner Steve Malik.
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http://jacksonville.com/sports/2016-12-07/nasl-s-struggles-could-mean-changes-armada-2017
NASL’s struggles could mean changes for Armada in 2017
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http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/2016/12/05/future-indy-eleven-nasl-line-tuesday/95010324/
Future of Indy Eleven, NASL up in the air
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http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/future-of-jacksonville-armada-north-american-soccer-league-uncertain/473774740
Future of Jacksonville Armada, North American Soccer League uncertain
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http://www.indyweek.com/news/archives/2016/12/06/carolina-railhawks-change-name-announce-plans-for-mls-bid
Carolina RailHawks Change Name, Announce Plans For MLS Bid
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http://www.sportspromedia.com/notes_and_insights/americas_bulletin_mlb_and_nascar_leave_it_late_under_armour_joins_the_big_l
Americas Bulletin: MLB and Nascar leave it late; Under Armour joins the big leagues and more
Is the North American Soccer League (NASL) on the brink of collapse? Reports in the US say the troubled league’s days are numbered, with three teams having jumped ship this year to rival leagues, several existing sides haemorrhaging money, and the third-tier United Soccer League (USL) looking increasingly likely to take its place as North American soccer’s second division. Adding to the sense of impending doom, reports emerged this week that the New York Cosmos, the NASL’s reigning champions and marquee franchise, have ceased operations for the second time in their tumultuous history.
A source with knowledge of the situation told BigAppleSoccer.com last week that the Cosmos, who returned to the NASL in 2013, have terminated their players’ contracts amid mounting financial losses, dwindling attendances, front-office layoffs, and attempts by their ownership to offload the team. An official announcement on the future of the club, who deny the reports, is expected in the coming days. In the meantime, a GoFundMe page has been set up by fans to help pay unpaid staff over the upcoming holiday period.
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http://www.chicagolandsoccernews.com/leagues/mls2.php?article_id=18041
THEY WANT IN
Tampa Bay, Carolina to seek MLS franchises
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http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/north_carolina_fc_challenge_norwich_city_to_match_over_twitter_hashtag_1_4807951
North Carolina FC challenge Norwich City to match over Twitter hashtag
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http://www.ibj.com/articles/61576-us-soccer-delays-decision-on-fate-of-indy-elevens-league
U.S. Soccer delays decision on fate of Indy Eleven's league
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http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2016/12/07/tampa-bay-rowdies-mls-expansion-bid-stadium-renovation
Tampa Bay Rowdies launch bid to join MLS
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https://centralstatefc.wordpress.com/2016/12/07/indy-eleven-to-usl-here-a-few-things-to-consider/
Indy Eleven to USL? Here are a few things to consider
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