(Follow link for full article.)
http://saintpetersblog.com/rowdies-first-usl-schedule-set-16-home-matches/
Rowdies’ first USL schedule is set with 16 home matches
Gary Shelton
If the Tampa Bay Rowdies are to contend this year in the USL, they will have the opportunity to get hot.
The Rowdies of coach Stuart Cambell play three games in a row three times during the year, including the first three of the season against Orlando B, Toronto FC II and the Ottawa Fury.
Later in the season, the Rowdies have a three-game set against Charlston, Pittsburgh and Harrison City. The Rowdies close out their home schedule against Charlotte, Bethlehem and the New York Red Bulls II.
In all, the Rowdies will play 32 games, playing each team home and away for 28 of the games. The other four will be games against the Charleston Battery and Ottawa Fury FC, plus an extra visit to Orlando City B and a trip to Texas to play San Antonio FC.
All 16 home matches will start at 7:30. Season tickets can be purchased by calling (727)-222-2000. Single game tickets will go on sale later.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.facebook.com/TampaBayRowdies/videos/10155722943728835/
Tampa Bay Rowdies
Yesterday, we officially submitted our #MLS2StPete bid to Major League Soccer (MLS). Thank you WFLA News Channel 8, Bay News 9, 10News WTSP, ABC Action News - WFTS - Tampa Bay & FOX 13 News - Tampa Bay for the support!
SHARE this to show your support for #MLS2StPete!
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4dEZm_-JGo
Tampa Bay Rowdies Drop Off MLS Expansion Application
Published on Jan 31, 2017
Take a look at the highlights from yesterday's trip to New York City, where Bill Edwards submitted an official expansion application to join Major League Soccer (MLS).
Edwards handed off the application to MLS President & Deputy Commissioner Mark Abbott, who thanks the Rowdies delegation for making the trip to the league offices.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGD6qjGza6g
North Carolina FC Makes Bid For MLS Franchise
Published on Dec 6, 2016
Announcing the arrival of a "New State of Soccer" North Carolina FC (né Carolina Railhawks) says it will put forth an "aggressive public campaign" in pursuit of both an MLS and a NWSL franchise. This includes a new stadium somewhere in the Triangle. But what we like best is that the team is embracing the state's full name: North Carolina.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/usl-execs-support-rowdies-mls-bid-think-tampa-bay-will-remain-second-tier/2311481
USL execs support Rowdies' MLS bid, think Tampa Bay will remain second-tier for now
Charlie Frago, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 31, 2017 9:59am
Bill Edwards, former Mayor Rick Baker and a swarm of Ralph’s Mob, the fervent fans of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, delivered the team’s Major League Soccer application Monday to league executives in New York.
Considering the Rowdies haven’t played their first game in their current league, the newly-ordained second-tier United Soccer League, how do USL officials feel about being a stepping stone before the Rowdies have even placed a toe in the league?
Surprisingly good.
“We’re all behind the Rowdies. It’s great for the city. I think that’s the way it should work,” said USL CEO Alec Papadakis in an interview in the leagues’ hip, open-space headquarters on Tampa’s Westshore Boulevard earlier this month.
Edwards left the faltering North American Soccer League for the USL after last season, saying he wanted more stability and greater competition.
The 30-team USL takes pride in vaulting teams like the Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers ,Vancouver White Caps and Orlando SC to the MLS. Currently, 10 MLS second or reserve teams play in the league.
The Rowdies will benefit from the USL’s growth and new TV deal with ESPN, Papadakis said.
Adding Tampa Bay to the league also fits within the USL’s strategy of expanding into the Southeast. Papadakis said.
League executives say they aren’t worried about a lawsuit against Edwards and his mortgage business, MIC that could stick him with a judgment totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. They praised Edwards for his hands-on leadership style and the investments he’s made and promised to make at the waterfront Al Lang Stadium.
“The Rowdies are a flagship team for our league. Bill has made an impressive investment,” said USL president Jake Edwards.
As for how long the Rowdies will stick around in the USL, Papadakis thinks they’re unlikely to make the first expansion round to be announced later this year.
His predictions? Sacramento and St. Louis.
However, Papadakis’ picks came before a last-minute rush by San Diego officials to submit an expansion bid before the league’s deadline today.
And who accepted it Monday? MLS Commissioner Don Garber on the flight deck of the USS Midway museum.
Papadakis thinks the Rowdies are a good bet for the second round of expansion and will join the MLS within the next few years.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2017/01/31/bill-edwards-claims-lawsuit-against-him-is-non-factor-on-mls-bid/2552
Bill Edwards Claims Lawsuit Against Him is Non-Factor on MLS Bid
by JAKE NUTTING
Monday’s trip to Major League Soccer headquarters in Manhattan achieved its goals for the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The team handed over its formal application to join the league and generated some publicity in the process.
Not all coverage related to the Rowdies was favorable, though.
As the Rowdies were in the air on their way to New York City, the Tampa Bay Times was posting a story on the ongoing lawsuit filed in Georgia against team Owner Bill Edwards in which plaintiffs are requesting the courts freeze his assets or order him to post bond.
First filed in 2006 but only unsealed in 2011, the suit from whistle blowers Victor E. Bibby and Brian J. Donnelly accused Edwards’ company Mortage Investors Corp. (MIC) — along with seven other lending institutions — of charging illegal fees on loans to veterans over a ten-year period. Six of the lenders accused settled for a combined total of $172 million in 2012, leaving MIC and Wells Fargo as the only remaining defendants after their request for a dismissal were denied. A judge granted the plaintiffs request to separate MIC from the original case that same year.
Edwards was quick to point out the coincidental timing of the story from the Tampa Bay Times and the Rowdies handing over their MLS application on the same day. After a decade of back and fourth in court, the St. Petersburg bigwig showed no sign of concern that the latest development in the case will negatively impact his bid.
“It’s been going since 2006, they filed a lawsuit against anybody that did veteran loans,” Edwards said just a few moments after turning in the team’s application. “…[MIC] was one of the best veteran lenders in the United States, even according to the Veterans Administration. So we’re not going to let someone tell us otherwise after 25 years of servicing nothing but veterans. I’m a veteran myself, and we employed a lot of veterans. One veteran isn’t going to take it to another veteran and hurt them.”
The court has yet to take action on the plaintiffs motion for Edwards to post bond that came at the start of the new year. The plaintiffs claim the move is necessary following Edwards’ alleged “looting” of MIC assets as protection from a potential judgement in the case. Edwards and his attorneys have maintained that those claims are baseless.
Edwards was awarded a victory in court last summer when the judge dismissed all claims against him personally in the case. However, the plaintiffs are still seeking to hold Edwards individually liable after being granted permission last fall to pursue a false claims case through the “pierce-the-veil theory.” The theory applies to certain situations when an individual is essentially the same as a corporation due to the large influence they wield within it.
Proving “pierce-the-veil” cases are usually difficult, as they require evidence that funds were diverted from a corporation to directly benefit an individual. On top of that, the plaintiffs must prove every fraudulent claim individually in a false claims case. The plaintiffs allege that Edwards overcharged $182 million in illegal fees.
If the threat of a sizable judgement and the potential of having his assets frozen is looming over Edwards’ head, he isn’t letting it show.
“It’s a non-issue case, it’s just something they’re making a lot of noise about,” he said. “At the end of the day, there’s no proof and there’s no truth to any of it. Now they’re just trying to figure out how to get it from me because they don’t have a case. They’re just trying to get press.”
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/cross-bay-bromance-mayors-tout-regionalism-cooperation--yes-even-on/2311547
Cross-bay bromance: Mayors tout regionalism, cooperation—yes, even on baseball
Richard Danielson, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 31, 2017 3:18pm
Two or three decades ago, the politics of the Tampa Bay area was parochial enough that the idea of bringing the mayors of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater together for a lunch would not have been quite so plausible, and the discussion might have been more strained than cordial.
But Clearwater’s George Cretekos, St. Petersburg’s Rick Kriseman and Tampa’s Bob Buckhorn have already met for working lunches of their own over the past couple of years, so it wasn’t out of their comfort zone Tuesday to open their latest to 175 members of the Suncoast Tiger Bay Club.
“Some would say we have a bromance,” Kriseman said. They said officials and residents on both sides of the bay ought to celebrate the victories of their neighbor communities, and need to look for opportunities to team up.
“We have been friends for a lot of years,” Buckhorn said during the Tiger Bay lunch at the St. Petersburg Marriott Clearwater on Roosevelt Boulevard. “What you are seeing in that friendship is the growth of this area as a region, not as separate entities. … Those bridges, for the three of us, will never be barriers. They will always be conduits to cooperation.”
So, baseball.
Kriseman said Major League Baseball had a reason for putting the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg in the first place, and the city has only gotten bigger and better since then. He said the city has public land, has a new vision for that land and has funding sources it can tap “without raising taxes.”
“I remain confident that there’s no better place for the Rays than at the Trop site,” Kriseman said. “But, because they are a regional asset, I will do what I can to help them succeed no matter where they are as long as they’re in the Tampa Bay region.”
Buckhorn said he is glad Kriseman “was able to structure a deal, and I thank the council members for allowing that to occur, that allows the Rays to look at Hillsborough and Pinellas County to come to that decision, so they can’t say at the end of the day that they didn’t get a chance to explore their options.
“We will give it our best shot,” Buckhorn said. “If the decision by the Rays is that they prefer to remain in Pinellas County, then I’ll be the first one to stand up and say, ‘Thank you for the opportunity to compete. We will do whatever we can to help you be successful.’ ”
On President Donald Trump’s moves on immigration, all three were asked whether they would support the idea of being a “sanctuary city” — an unofficial term for communities that do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement authorities to identify and hold unlawful immigrants — especially since the economies of their cities rely on construction and tourism industries powered largely by immigrant labor.
In response, all three discussed the importance of recognizing the diversity within each of their communities.
“We need to remember that also in Clearwater, we have more Mexican-Americans than we have African-Americans,” Cretekos said. “But we’re not a sanctuary city, and I don’t have the authority to declare ourselves as one. We’re not going to build a wall or suggest that we build a wall, and we will welcome those who are legal in the United States. We will protect them. We will work with them.”
“What the president did was inherently wrong,” said Buckhorn, who noted that Tampa was settled largely by Spanish, Cuban and Italian immigrants who came to roll cigars. “I think it was a religious litmus test. I think it goes against the values of who we are as America and what we stand for as Americans. … We need a realistic immigrant policy. We need to screen those people who would do us harm and prevent them from coming, but you do not put a religious test on the ability to come to America.
“... For my community,” Buckhorn said, “sanctuary city is just a semantic term. It’s not a legal term. But I can tell you this: Our police department is not the immigration police. We are not going to pursue people for immigration (matters) unless they are involved in the commission of a crime, and then we will deal with it.”
“Our police officers are not screening to see if people have their papers,” Kriseman said. “Practically, it is the sheriff that actually makes decisions on who is jailed and who is turned over, not the St. Pete police. From a philosophical standpoint, we welcome everyone. It is what makes our city the special place that it is, and we will continue to do that.”
On transportation, all three said that building roads alone won’t solve the problem. They talked about the need for a lot of different options — ferries, trolleys, the expansion of ride-sharing, the addition of bike lanes and bike-sharing services, the use of tolled roads and lanes dedicated to high occupancy vehicles, and, yes, rail, which Buckhorn said has been demonized.
“Some people think rail is a UN plot,” he said.
Cretekos said “we lost” when the Greenlight Pinellas and the Go Hillsborough plans were rejected, and it's embarrassing that a region the size of the bay area doesn't have an alternative way to get from the airport to the beaches or the cities' downtowns.
Kriseman said it also would help if the Legislature would pass bills that have been proposed the last couple of years to allow cities to hold their own sales tax referendums to raise money for transportation. Current Florida law requires those referendums to be countywide.
“If we can pass it in our cities, then we can design plans that would benefit our cities and link all of our cities together,” he said. “So that’s one of the things that we’re hoping to see in this session.”
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2017/jan/31/mls-expansion-funding-stadiums-soccer
MLS expansion: why cities are deciding stadiums are 'welfare for millionaires'
This week marks the deadline for the next round of MLS expansion bids. But many cities are questioning whether clubs should use public funds
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/34382980/mayor-barry-to-meet-with-mls-commissioner-tuesday
Mayor Barry to meet with MLS commissioner Tuesday
NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) -
As Nashville businessmen John Ingram and Bill Hagerty prepare to make an official bid for a Major League Soccer franchise, other local business leaders are reacting to the prospect of a new pro sports team in the Music City.
Ingram, Hagerty and Mayor Megan Barry will meet with MLS commissioner Don Garber Tuesday in New York to make the official bid for an expansion team.
Nashville is one of 10 cities vying for four open spots. Commissioner Garber plans to announce two of the expansion cities later this year.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.goal.com/en-au/news/4031/north-america/2017/01/31/32148182/media-microscope-seeking-flexibility-mls-moves-away-from
Media Microscope: Seeking flexibility, MLS moves away from national TV windows
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2017/01/31/kavanaugh-optimistic-as-sc-stl-applies-for-mls.html
Kavanaugh optimistic as SC STL applies for MLS expansion team
Officials with SC STL, the aspiring Major League Soccer ownership group in St. Louis, plan on submitting their application for an MLS expansion franchise by Tuesday morning, said Jim Kavanaugh, vice chairman of SC STL.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.theindychannel.com/sports/indy-eleven-seeks-to-become-member-of-major-league-soccer
Indy Eleven enters bid for to become Major League Soccer member in 2020
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/story/34386901/new-indy-eleven-seeking-spot-in-major-league-soccer
Indy Eleven Seeking Spot in Major League Soccer
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.wcpo.com/sports/fc-cincinnati/fc-cincinnati-submits-bid-to-join-major-league-soccer
FC Cincinnati submits application to join Major League Soccer
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.kcra.com/article/sacramento-submits-bid-to-become-home-of-mls-team/8658324
Sacramento submits bid to become home of MLS team
MLS commissioner: Sacramento is 'front-runner' for soccer team
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article129800209.html
Hewlett Packard CEO Whitman joins Sacramento Republic’s bid for Major League Soccer berth
Adding Silicon Valley executive Meg Whitman to its ownership group, Sacramento Republic FC prepared to formally submit its bid to Major League Soccer for an expansion team Tuesday.
Team officials said adding Whitman, the Hewlett Packard Enterprise chief executive and unsuccessful candidate for California governor, is expected to fortify Republic FC’s expansion effort in an ever-growing competition that now includes as many as 11 other cities. Whitman is investing in Republic FC with her husband, Stanford University professor Griff Harsh.
In a letter to fellow owners, Republic FC managing partner Kevin Nagle said Whitman and Harsh “believe in the future of MLS, and they have great respect for what our community has been able to accomplish in this effort to date.”
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article129800209.html#storylink=cpy
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/2017/01/31/indy-elevens-mls-bid-pricey-proposition/97278806/
Indy Eleven's MLS bid won't come easily — or cheaply
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.ibj.com/articles/62288-indy-eleven-name-investors-for-mls-bid-identifies-stadium-site
Indy Eleven name investors for MLS bid, identify stadium site
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2017/01/31/triangle-bid-for-mls-includes-stadium-with.html
Triangle bid for MLS includes stadium with translucent roof
The Triangle’s bid for Major League Soccer, which is due Tuesday, includes renderings of a 22,000-seat stadium with a translucent roof that expansion bid leader Steve Malik describes as “breathtaking.”
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/3050420/2017-mls-all-star-game-set-for-soldier-field-in-chicago
2017 MLS All-Star Game to be played at Soldier Field in Chicago
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/01/31/chicagos-soldier-field-unveiled-location-2017-mls-all-star-game
Chicago's Soldier Field unveiled as location for 2017 MLS All-Star Game
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.kpbs.org/news/2017/jan/30/mls-to-consider-san-diego/
San Diego Launches MLS Bid
(Follow link for full article.)
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/soldier-field-picked-to-host-mls-all-star-game/
Soldier Field picked to host MLS All-Star Game
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article129835629.html
Chicago's Soldier Field will host MLS All-Star Game
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/soccer/ct-soldier-field-mls-all-star-game-20170131-story.html
Soldier Field to host Major League Soccer's All-Star Game on Aug. 2
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/soccer/article/Spurs-Sports-Entertainment-submits-application-10897884.php
Spurs Sports & Entertainment submits application for MLS expansion process
Spurs Sports & Entertainment, the company that owns and operates the NBA's Spurs, D-League's Spurs, WNBA's Stars, AHL's Rampage and USL's San Antonio FC, has submitted its application for Major League Soccer's expansion process.
"We want to thank Bexar County, the City of San Antonio, our corporate partners and all of our supporters for their collaboration," SS&E said Tuesday in a statement. "We are a unified community and remain convinced an MLS franchise would be a huge asset to San Antonio and great addition to the league."
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/local-news/232858972-story
Gilbert, Gores apply for Major League Soccer expansion team
DETROIT (WJBK) - Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores and Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert announced today that they have submitted an official application to Major League Soccer (MLS) to bring an expansion franchise to downtown Detroit. The league recently announced plans to grow to 28 teams and identified Detroit as market of great interest.
Gores and Gilbert, both graduates of Michigan State University with substantial sports, business and investment holdings in the region, issued a joint statement: “We’ve completed an important first step in bringing Major League Soccer to Detroit, and together, we have the experience needed to make a new team successful. We know firsthand the power that sports can play in uniting communities. Our hope is this team will play an important role in the continued revitalization of the city.”
Major League Soccer has experienced a period of unprecedented growth during the last 12 years. MLS commissioner Don Garber visited Detroit last April and received an initial briefing on the Gores/Gilbert expansion plan prior to the January 31, 2017 application deadline. MLS officials expect to announce two expansion teams (#25 and #26) later this year followed by two additional teams (#27 and #28).
(Follow link for full article.)
http://fox4kc.com/2017/01/31/st-louis-ownership-groups-officially-files-to-bring-second-mls-team-to-missouri/
Sports ownership group officially files to bring MLS team to St. Louis
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-city-lions/on-the-pitch/os-sp-orlando-city-b-2017-usl-schedule-20170131-story.html
Orlando City B 2017 USL schedule released
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2017/01/31/usl-releases-full-fc-cincinnati-schedule/97287494/
USL releases full FC Cincinnati schedule
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.sportingkc.com/post/2017/01/31/swope-park-rangers-announces-2017-united-soccer-league-schedule
Swope Park Rangers announces 2017 United Soccer League schedule
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.mcall.com/sports/soccer/mc-bethlehem-steel-soccer-schedule-2016-20170131-story.html
Bethlehem Steel USL 2017 schedule unveiled
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.rhinossoccer.com/news_article/show/751873?referrer_id=2442447
Rhinos Announce 2017 USL Schedule
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.bigdsoccer.com/2017/1/31/14458100/usl-oklahoma-city-energy-fc-2017-schedule
USL release Oklahoma City Energy FC 2017 Schedule
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2017/1/31/14422362/npsl-2017-expansion-tracker
NPSL 2017 Expansion Tracker
Keeping track of the madness so you don’t have to
(Follow link for full article.)
http://midfieldpress.com/2017/01/31/napa-valley-1839-fc-a-fertile-ground-for-soccer-growth/
Napa Valley 1839 FC: A Fertile Ground for Soccer Growth
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/mls-all-star-game-set-for-soldier-field-in-chicago-this-summer-013117
MLS All-Star Game set for Soldier Field in Chicago this summer
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/2017/01/30/indy-eleven-apply-mls-expansion/97271092/
Indy Eleven to apply for MLS expansion
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/teams/cosmos2.php?article_id=46975
PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
BigAppleSoccer.com honors Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20170131/downtown/mls-major-league-soccer-all-star-game-soldier-field
Major League Soccer All-Star Game To Be Held At Soldier Field
(Follow link for full article.)
http://wkrn.com/2017/01/31/nashville-makes-bid-for-major-league-soccer/
Nashville makes bid for Major League Soccer
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article129907189.html
Marcus Smith submits Charlotte's bid for Major League Soccer team
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/soccer/louisville-city-fc/2017/01/31/loucity-releases-2017-schedule/97291668/
LouCity releases 2017 schedule
Louisville City FC will open and close the 2017 United Soccer League season at home.
The USL announced on Tuesday afternoon the 2017 regular season schedule, which sees all 32 teams in the league play 16 home and 16 road games. The league expanded to 32 teams and added two more games this offseason after the additions of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, Ottawa Fury and Reno 1868, along with the subtraction of the Wilmington Hammerheads.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2017/01/31/mls-expansion-deadline-12-teams-cities
MLS receives 12 applications by expansion submission deadline
NEW YORK (AP) — Dropped by the NFL, St. Louis and San Diego are among bidders from 12 areas applying for four Major League Soccer expansion teams.
Two of the teams, which have $150 million expansion fees, will start play in 2020. MLS Commissioner Don Garber said Tuesday that having stadium financing in place is a condition for selection.
"In the past, we weren't in a position to demand that every new market came in with all their I's dotted and T's crossed," Garber said during a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "Now we're at a point where there are so many cities looking for so few market opportunities that we can do the right thing by everyone and ensure that every aspect of their expansion plan is fully in place."
The expansion committee, led by New England's Jonathan Kraft, will start to review applications in February. MLS will pare the field in the next few months and plans to announce its two selections by the end of the year. The percentage of government stadium financing will depend on the city.
"Every market is different," Garber said.
Others to submit bids were groups from Charlotte, North Carolina; Cincinnati; Detroit; Indianapolis; Nashville, Tennessee; Phoenix; Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina; Sacramento, California; San Antonio; and Tampa-St. Petersburg, Florida.
Launched with 10 teams in 1996, MLS has 22 this year following the addition of Atlanta and Minnesota. A second Los Angeles team is slated to open next year and David Beckham has rights to start a Miami team—but has been unable to finalize a stadium plan. The league said in December it plans to expand to 28 teams but has not put a timetable on the final two.
The NFL's Rams left California and moved to St. Louis for the 1995 season, then shifted after the 2015 season to Los Angeles, where a new stadium in Inglewood is under construction. The Chargers had been in San Diego since starting play in 1961 but said on Jan. 12 they are moving to Los Angeles for next season and also will settle at the new stadium in Inglewood.
"Clearly, both in San Diego and St. Louis there's a void left by the NFL," Garber said, explaining the loss of the NFL might increase MLS interest in the corporate community. "Those folks that were sitting on the fence as it relates to supporting soccer now might be more inclined to do."
St. Louis' owners would include Paul Edgerley, a senior adviser at Baine Capital and a minority owner of the NBA's Boston Celtics; Terry Matlack, a managing director of Tortoise Capital; Jim Kavanaugh, owner of St. Louis' team in the second-tier United Soccer League; and former Anheuser-Busch president Dave Peacock.
San Diego's investors would include Padres controlling owner Peter Seidler; Freestyle Partners' Michael Stone; former Qualcomm president Steve Altman; Bridgewest Group co-founders Massih and Masood Tayebi; and media executive Carlos Rodriguez.
Others bidders include:
—Charlotte: Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith
—Cincinnati: American Financial Group CEO Carl Lindner III, who owns the USL's Cincinnati team
—Detroit: Pistons owner Tom Gores and Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert
—Indianapolis: Keystone Construction CEO Ersal Ozdemir, National Bank of Indianapolis chairman Mickey Maurer, Heritage CEO Jeff Laborsky, Elwood Staffing CEO Mark Elwood and Mohr Auto Group owner Andy Mohr
—Nashville: Ingram Industries chairman John Ingram and former Tennessee Commissioner of Economic Development Bill Haggerty
—Phoenix: Berke Bakay, owner of the USL's Phoenix Rising
—Raleigh/Durham: Steve Malik, owner of North Carolina's team in the second-tier North American Soccer League
—Sacramento: San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York, former Hewlett Packard CEO Meg Whitman and Kevin Nagle, owner of the USL's Sacramento Republic
—San Antonio: Spurs Sports & Entertainment
—Tampa/St. Petersburg: Bill Edwards, owner of the USL's Tampa Bay Rowdies
Among Nielsen's Designated Markets measuring audience, the biggest absences in MLS among the bidders are Tampa/St. Petersburg (11), Phoenix (12), Detroit (13), Sacramento (20) and St. Louis (21).
"Market size is only one factor that needs to be considered," Garber said. "When you look at some of our most successful cities, they happen to be in smaller markets, many that have less competition."
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.timeout.com/chicago/blog/soldier-field-will-host-the-2017-major-league-soccer-all-star-game-013117
Soldier Field will host the 2017 Major League Soccer All-Star Game
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/gallery/mls-expansion-28-teams-cities-teams-013117
Here are the 12 cities officially in the running for an MLS expansion team
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4883071-155/soccer-mls-commissioner-receives-application-for
Soccer: MLS commissioner receives application for San Diego team
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2017/01/31/orlando-city-b-reveals-2017-usl-regular-season-schedule
Orlando City B Reveals 2017 USL Regular Season Schedule
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20170131/NEWS/170139958/gores-gilbert-formally-submit-bid-for-mls-expansion-team-in-detroit
Gores, Gilbert formally submit bid for MLS expansion team in Detroit
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/mls/mls-expansion-12-applications-1.3961035
12 cities apply for MLS expansion
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/2017/01/31/mls-expansion-which-cities-have-edge/97308862/
MLS expansion: Which cities have the edge?
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/phoenix-rising-football-club-officially-submits-expansion-application-to-major-league-soccer-300400158.html
Phoenix Rising Football Club Officially Submits Expansion Application to Major League Soccer
Phoenix joins 11 cities in officially submitting bids to join Major League Soccer
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.kens5.com/sports/sa-officially-competing-against-11-other-cities-for-mls-expansion/395217839
S.A. officially competing against 11 other cities for MLS expansion
SAN ANTONIO - It's the most popular sport in the world, bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars for cities in the top tier. That's just one reason why Major League Soccer looks so appealing for many cities in the United States. MLS has openings for four new cities, and Tuesday was the deadline to submit bids.
Spurs Sports & Entertainment released a video Tuesday, the same day it officially submitted its application to join Major League Soccer. The video is likely just one piece of the bid that MLS officials will see to judge whether or not San Antonio is MLS ready.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.soccernation.com/all-aboard-the-midway-mls-commissioner-don-garber-mayor-kevin-faulconer-and-landon-donovan-speak-to-soccer-nation/
All Aboard The Midway: MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Mayor Kevin Faulconer, and Landon Donovan speak to SoccerNation
Less than 24 hours after the United States took on Serbia in a friendly at Qualcomm Stadium, the collective soccer society of San Diego ventured downtown.
It was to be a symbolic day aboard the USS Midway, the massive naval ship that is seen as an iconic staple of the city and its deep military ties.
It was to be the moment when the official bid for an MLS expansion franchise would be handed over from the now well known prospective ownership group, FS Investors, to the league commissioner himself, Don Garber.
After an hour long event that was somewhere between a ceremony and a pep rally, and after the symbolic handoff was made, I had a chance to speak with three of the higher profile attendees.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.ktrs.com/sc-stl-formally-filed-for-mls-team/
SC STL Formally Filed For MLS Team
KTRS | St Louis News and Talk Radio | The Big 550 AM
On Tuesday, the St. Louis group behind the push for a Major League Soccer stadium downtown – SC STL – has formally applied for an MLS team.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://deadspin.com/sacramentos-mls-bid-possibly-derailed-by-last-second-ow-1791856813
Sacramento's MLS Bid Possibly Derailed By Last-Second Ownership Coup
Patrick Redford
Of the 12 cities that formally applied to be part of the next round of MLS expansion today, Sacramento has perhaps the strongest case. Or at least they did, until its team’s owner made a bid that possibly excluded the city’s highly successful team.
Sacramento has had a stadium deal in place since last year and city leaders have behaved as if joining MLS by 2020 was a guarantee. Sacramento is one of the top 20 TV markets in the country, but it only has one professional sports team—and the NBA’s Kings wouldn’t significantly overlap or compete with an MLS team for attendees. Sacrament’s strongest aspect is its existing, popular Sacramento Republic FC—which currently plays in the second-division USL. SRFC averaged over 11,000 fans per home game and sold out all but one of them. That’s incredible in a league that averages just over 3,000 per game. The city embraced its team and it seemed that acceptance into MLS would only be a matter of time—as the top North American soccer league’s path to expansion has, of late, been to promote financially-high-performing USL clubs.
But something fishy is going on, and Sacramento Republic might be left in the lurch.
This morning, SRFC managing partner Kevin Nagle changed his Twitter handle from @srfc_kevin to @KevinNagleMLS and removed all references to the Republic from his Twitter bio. The team’s official Twitter account hasn’t tweeted all day about the bid and there’s nothing about it on their website, which is ominous given that today is perhaps the most important day in franchise history.
Sacramento mayor Darrell Steinberg congratulated Nagle for formally applying for expansion, but as you’ll note, he never mentions the name of the team in his address.
When Sacramento handed in their bid to MLS brass this morning, it wasn’t club founder/president Warren Smith or VP Joe Wagoner who handed in the bid. It was Kunal Merchant—the former PR flack of Kevin Johnson, Sacramento’s disgraced former mayor who declined to seek re-election and got pied in the face on his way out the door. The bid Merchant handed to MLS was suspiciously absent of any SRFC iconography, and as SI’s Brian Straus notes, SRFC never sent any sort of press release on the matter. For what it’s worth, Merchant also changed his Twitter bio affiliation with the team from “Sacramento Republic FC” to simply “Sacramento MLS.”
It appears that Nagle has led a coup of sorts, taking advantage of SRFC’s buildup of fans and goodwill to push a stadium deal through, only to dump the team and its other owners—including the founders, who would have stood to profit off the deal. He’s bringing in new partners, like dumbass 49ers owner Jed York, and, as of this morning, eBay billionaire and failed gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman. What Sacramento’s apparent new team lacks in connection to the city’s beloved existing team it makes up for in soulless financial heft. Local reporter Evan Ream is reporting that Nagle and the rest of the team’s owners had been drifting apart for some time, and that Sacramento Republic was not part of the bid this morning.
Nagle himself was not an original partner. He bought the team in 2014 as it started to look increasingly likely that they were headed for MLS. He helped push through a deal for a $226 million stadium that would be built with private money on land owned by the city of Sacramento (with the help of $46 million in infrastructural improvements). Much of that deal took place when Johnson was still mayor; as it happens, Nagle is one of the largest donors to Kevin Johnson’s St. Hope charter school and a former member of St. Hope’s board of directors.
MLS will announce two of the four expansion teams later this year, and there’s a good chance that Sacramento will still get a team, despite an ownership group who pushed out founders, got in bed with a notorious disgraced politician, and ignored what fans cared about.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.wistv.com/story/34393427/smith-submits-bid-to-bring-major-league-soccer-to-charlotte
Smith submits bid to bring Major League Soccer to Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) -
The head of Speedway Motorsports has officially entered a bid in an effort to bring Major League Soccer to Charlotte.
Marcus Smith, president and CEO of Speedway Motorsports, Inc., has been working with city and county leaders, along with community stakeholders in the effort to bring an MLS expansion team to the area.
The deadline to enter a bid was Tuesday.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/phoenix-rising-football-club-officially-submits-expansion-application-to-major-league-soccer-300400158.html
Phoenix Rising Football Club Officially Submits Expansion Application to Major League Soccer
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Monday, January 30, 2017
Rowdies put on a show with MLS expansion presentation
Tampa Bay Rowdies definitely putting on the biggest show with their MLS expansion bid presentation today; deadline is tomorrow (Jan. 31st.).
Detroit is talking again about buying land for stadium. If this actually happens that changes my MLS expansion calculations a bit.
And in last minute move, Indy Eleven announces that they are submitting a bid for MLS expansion. This makes 12 teams now; 13 if you count Miami. I don't know if this bid should count as a serious bid or not, as Indy Eleven were not one of the original 10 expansion markets that MLS announced, nor were they invited by MLS to submit a bid at the last minute as was done with Phoenix Rising. So, not sure what to make of this and whether Indy Eleven changes the MLS expansion race or not.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.empireofsoccer.com/rowdies-put-on-a-show-with-mls-expansion-presentation-57489/
Rowdies put on a show with MLS expansion presentation
by JAKE NUTTING on 01/30/2017
The odds of Tampa Bay Rowdies Owner Bill Edwards simply delivering the team’s application to become one of the next franchises in Major League Soccer in a nondescript folder and calling it a day were always slim.
With 11 other bidders submitting applications to the league this week, Edwards wanted to be sure he found a way to make an impression with his presentation.
So on Monday morning Edwards, team executives and a handful of other team staff members boarded a private plane for New York City with the intention of delivering their application with some flair.
The first stop after touching down at Teterboro Airport was to meet up with leaders of the supporters group Ralph’s Mob in Times Square, where a large electronic billboard has been displaying the team’s hashtag #MLS2StPete since Wednesday.
Edwards acknowledged the plan for Monday came together quickly, as did the application after MLS surprised all bidders by setting the short deadline last month.
“We’ve had less than 30 days to get [the application] done,” Edwards told EoS. “We’re here, we made it. The ink is probably still drying on that application. We were working on it yesterday afternoon to get every aspect together.”
Pedestrians looked on and gave curious glances as the soccer team from Central Florida quickly organized for a photo session in front of the billboard. Hired dancers in sequin outfits lined up alongside team officials for pictures and then scrambled for their heavy coats as refuge from the frigid air. Steps away from where knockoff Elmo and assorted Disney characters typically pose for pictures with tourists, Rowdies mascot Pete the Pelican got dressed for the event out in the open. Thankfully no children were present to have the illusion ruined for them.
Included with the formal application presented to MLS President and Deputy Commissioner Mark Abbott was an iPad loaded with one video highlighting the unique scenery of the region and another outlining the rich tradition of the Rowdies in Tampa Bay. Packaged along with the bid materials were over 200 letters of support from politicians, prominent local figures and supporters.
Following the meeting with Abbott, pediatric cancer survivor Cole Eicher and his family met with MLS WORKS, Major League Soccer’s community outreach initiative, to discuss his experience working with the Rowdies to fight childhood cancer. Eicher signed an honorary contract with the Rowdies when he was battling cancer back in 2014. Now cancer free, Eicher has worked with the Rowdies the last two years to raise over $200,000 to fund pediatric cancer research through the Go Gold initiative.
The Rowdies also came bearing gifts to the MLS office staff, as a few crates of fresh Florida oranges were left in the staff cafeteria. MLS employees seemed to get a kick out of the demonstration. A handful even made sure to grab a selfie with Pete the Pelican.
The question is whether the Rowdies showmanship will have any impact on their MLS bid.
MLS is hardline when it comes to maintaining a sense of objectivity in analyzing expansion markets. The production of value will garner some attention, but the final decision will still come down to the merits of their bid.
Edwards is confident the details of the team’s bid, particularly the proposal to privately-finance a 10,000-seat expansion to their existing venue, is enough to give them an edge over other markets that are looking for funding or land deals to build from the ground up.
“I think being the 11th biggest market, and being one of the oldest teams in the country, and having our own stadium are important,” he said. “There’s a lot of other guys who don’t have a place to play yet. They’ve got plans. Our plans are to expand, not to fund an entire stadium or figure out land issues. So I think we’re a lot further ahead than a lot of people. I think that gives us a little bit of an edge.”
The Rowdies are also making strides toward an academy in a new partnership with Tampa Bay United, a well-established youth program in the region. Former U.S. U-17 Assistant Coach Keith Fulk has been tapped as the director of the newly-combined U.S. Soccer Development Academy teams for the Rowdies and Tampa Bay United. Edwards didn’t offer many details of the team’s academy plans except to say it should be a wonderful thing for the community.
The St. Petersburg magnate was also tight-lipped about the investment group he’s assembling for the team’s MLS push. Earlier in the month, Edwards stated he’d had talks with a long list of investors, both local and non-local, about joining the ownership group. Those discussions are still ongoing, but are likely to advance now that the work of completing the exhaustive MLS application is done.
“Right now it’s a matter of who do we want to let in and how do we want to go about it,” he stated. “There’s a lot of people in New York that have contacted me, but I’m talking to local investment first because I like keeping things local. It’s part of our town. It’s better to have people who are local to work with, not necessarily totally, but local investment is nice to have.”
Even with a robust bid, MLS’ expansion race is stacked with attractive markets that tick quite a few of the boxes the league is looking for in its next four teams. San Diego turned in its application to MLS Commissioner Don Garber personally at an event one day after the city hosted the U.S. national team’s friendly against Serbia.
The remaining bidders are expected to turn in the paperwork for expansion consideration on Tuesday. Raleigh-Durhan, Charlotte, Phoenix, Detroit, San Antonio, Sacramento, Cincinnati, St. Louis and Nashville have all declared their intention to submit an application.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/soccer/bill-edwards-rowdies-contingent-make-in-person-mls-pitch/2311430
Bill Edwards, Rowdies contingent make in-person MLS pitch
By Darek Sharp, Times Correspondent
Monday, January 30, 2017 5:50pm
With a cleverly concocted phrase and a large show of support, Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards went to work in New York City.
Monday afternoon, Edwards turned in the required formal paperwork stating that his Rowdies have applied to become a member of Major League Soccer. In three months, if not sooner, MLS will announce its two newest expansion franchises.
The Rowdies could have just mailed in a few pages, as long as it was done before the Tuesday deadline for cities to submit applications.
Then again, what Edwards brought would have required some serious postage. A bulky packet filled with more than 200 letters of support from local politicians, and an entourage of about 30 co-workers and friends, found their way into the MLS headquarters.
And though there was no expectation of actually meeting with league officials, the crew sat down with league deputy commissioner Mark Abbott, who took in a video presentation touting the bid.
"We had a great time," Edwards said. "We met for about an hour, had a lot of fun. (Abbott) was very hospitable and when it was over, he even applauded."
The Rowdies have competition in the form of 10 other cities. Two more expansion towns will be added in the future but Edwards wants to get in on the first go.
Inside a package labeled "We Brought Our Pitch To You" was a video showing renderings of Edwards' proposed expansion of Al Lang into an 18,000-seat facility, were it to gain MLS designation. The Rowdies first unveiled the plans last month along with the campaign #MLS2StPete.
"We had about a month to put this together and I'm very proud of my people to come up with such a presentation," he said. "I think they appreciated the hard work we put into it."
Edwards stressed several factors that seem to favor the Rowdies. Tampa Bay is the largest media market (11th) without an MLS franchise (the Rowdies' new league, the USL, recently gained second-division status). The in-existence stadium helps, as will the promise to use only his money to fund the improvements, expected to run in the $80 million range.
Along with key Rowdies staff, the meeting featured members of the Rowdies' fan group Ralph's Mob, and honorary player Cole Eicher, a 14-year cancer survivor.
"The MLS staff were wide-eyed about the presence of the contingent for the Rowdies going through their main office," said Stephen Cundiff, president of Ralph's Mob.
Now for the next part of the equation: getting a bunch of folks through the turnstiles when the Rowdies Suncoast Invitational comes to Al Lang on Feb. 18 and 25. The Rowdies will play against MLS' Philadelphia and Montreal. Three other MLS clubs will participate, culminating with a triple-header on the 25th.
It would largely impress the league if the games are sold out.
"It is a big event," Edwards said. "One thing's for sure, MLS teams like coming here for their spring training. We need the fans to come out and show their support. Let's face it; we want to be in that league."
(Follow link for full article.)
http://saintpetersblog.com/rowdies-bill-edwards-delivers-application-mls-bosses/
Rowdies’ Bill Edwards delivers application to MLS bosses
Gary Shelton
The Tampa Bay Rowdies aren’t wasting any time in their pursuit of a bid to Major League Soccer.
A delegation headed by Rowdies’ owner Bill Edwards delivered the team’s expansion application to MLS headquarters on Monday. Edwards met with Mark Abbott, MLS President and Deputy Commissioner, for around 30 minutes and delivered the unique interactive expansion application, which included a modern rendition of “A Kick in the Grass.”
Major League Soccer was very impressed by our unique way of delivering our application,” said Edwards. “We’ve worked very hard on all fronts to cover every aspect of the application that was sent to us by MLS just over a month ago. This is a very important step in the process and I believe our application will set us apart as the top potential expansion market.”
The Rowdies’ MLS expansion application was designed to represent the Tampa Bay area and honor the club’s rich history.
The application included details and renderings of the privately funded renovation and expansion plans to Al Lang Stadium and the proposed ownership group led by Edwards. Extensive examples of community support were included in the application, highlighted by more than 200 letters of support from politicians, local celebrities, fans and more.
The Rowdies announced their #MLS2StPete campaign in December 2016, only to be named as one of the eleven candidates in the running for a Major League Soccer franchise less than two weeks later. The campaign also includes a privately funded renovation and expansion plan to Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg.
The Rowdies’ ticket sales is designed to help show MLS its fan support. For information on how to become a 2017 Season Ticket Member, call (727) 222-2000.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.facebook.com/TampaBayRowdies/videos/10155718683098835/?pnref=story
Tampa Bay Rowdies was live.
LIVE at Times Square. #MLS2StPete
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.facebook.com/TampaBayRowdies/photos/a.442996013834.230638.109366663834/10155718303813835/?type=3&theater
Tampa Bay Rowdies
On our way to New York City to visit our friends at Major League Soccer (MLS).
#MLS2StPete
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1319112228132120&set=o.263205520362852&type=3&theater
Mary Wichmanowski Karnstedt > Ryan Bass WTSP
Yahoo! You covered the Rowdies and Mr. Bill Edwards in NYC to promote #MLS2STPETE! (and he's wearing one of my scarves! lol)
Thank you!
(Follow link for full article.)
https://twitter.com/TampaBayRowdies/status/826107022802296832/photo/1
Tampa Bay Rowdies Verified account
@TampaBayRowdies
We've made it @TimesSquareNYC and ran into a couple friends. #MLS2StPete
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.facebook.com/TampaBayRowdies/photos/pcb.10155718962778835/10155718962723835/?type=3&theater
Tampa Bay Rowdies
Hey Major League Soccer (MLS), we brought our pitch to you.
#MLS2StPete
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.facebook.com/TampaBayRowdies/photos/a.442996013834.230638.109366663834/10155719350438835/?type=3&theater
Tampa Bay Rowdies
We've officially submitted our Major League Soccer (MLS) #MLS2StPete expansion application! A delegation led by Rowdies Chairman & CEO Bill Edwards, and including members of Ralph's Mob and Cole Eicher and his family, hand-delivered it to MLS headquarters in New York City today.
Read more: http://tinyurl.com/jdbrcx5
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.facebook.com/RalphsMob/photos/a.10150646243253951.396424.345399658950/10154327815883951/?type=3&theater
Ralph's Mob
2017 Membership Pre-orders are ready for you! Get yours now!
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/751490-rowdies-delegation-travels-to-new-york-city-to-deliver-major-league-soccer-expansion-application
Rowdies Delegation Travels to New York City to Deliver Major League Soccer Expansion Application
NEW YORK (January 30, 2017) – Earlier today, the Tampa Bay Rowdies took another step towards bringing Major League Soccer to downtown St. Petersburg by successfully delivering their expansion application to MLS headquarters in New York City, NY.
The trip included a stop at Times Square to check out the #MLS2StPete billboard that has been catching eyes and making waves for the past week at one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world.
Rowdies Chairman & CEO Bill Edwards was at the forefront of the delegation that traveled to Manhattan on Monday morning. The group included Rowdies executives, along with members of Ralph’s Mob and pediatric cancer survivor and honorary member of the club, Cole Eicher.
Edwards met with Mark Abbott, MLS President and Deputy Commissioner, for around 30 minutes and delivered the unique interactive expansion application, which includes a modern rendition of “A Kick in the Grass.”
“Major League Soccer was very impressed by our unique way of delivering our application,” said Edwards. “We’ve worked very hard on all fronts to cover every aspect of the application that was sent to us by MLS just over a month ago. This is a very important step in the process and I believe our application will set us apart as the top potential expansion market.”
The Rowdies’ MLS expansion application was designed to represent the Tampa Bay area and honor the club’s rich history.
The application included details and renderings of the privately funded renovation and expansion plans to Al Lang Stadium and the proposed ownership group led by Edwards.
Extensive examples of community support were included in the application, highlighted by more than 200 letters of support from politicians, local celebrities, fans and more.
Along with a detailed history of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, the application featured several videos showing off the Tampa Bay area and its one-of-a-kind scenery.
While in New York City, Cole Eicher met with MLS WORKS, Major League Soccer's community outreach initiative, to share his story and talk about how Gold Together has worked with the Rowdies over the last two years to donate over $200,000 to childhood cancer awareness.
About #MLS2StPete
The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced their #MLS2StPete campaign in December 2016, only to be named as one of the eleven candidates in the running for a Major League Soccer franchise less than two weeks later. The campaign also includes a privately funded renovation and expansion plan to Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg. For more information, visit MLS2StPete.com.
The best way to show that Tampa Bay is ready for a Major League Soccer franchise is to secure 2017 season tickets. For information on how to become a 2017 Season Ticket Member, call (727)222-2000 or click here.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/news/article.html/content/news/articles/bhsn/2017/1/30/rowdies_ceo_edwards_.html
Rowdies CEO Edwards hand delivers MLS expansion application to league
NEW YORK -- The Tampa Bay Rowdies took their bid to bring Major League Soccer to downtown St. Petersburg to the Big Apple on Monday.
Rowdies Chairman & CEO Bill Edwards led a delegation to New York City to hand deliver the team's expansion application to MLS Headquarters.
The team reported that Edwards met with Mark Abbott, MLS President and Deputy Commissioner, for about 30 minutes and that he delivered a unique interactive expansion application.
"Major League Soccer was very impressed by our unique way of delivering our application," said Edwards. "We’ve worked very hard on all fronts to cover every aspect of the application that was sent to us by MLS just over a month ago. This is a very important step in the process and I believe our application will set us apart as the top potential expansion market."
The Rowdies' campaign includes a privately-funded renovation and expansion plan to Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2017/jan/30/mls-chinese-super-league-millions-youth
MLS can't compete with China's millions – so it should focus on youth
In the face of the lavish salaries in the Chinese Super League, MLS clubs might have to pump the brakes on ageing stars. But that could prove to be a blessing
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/manchester-united-transfer-news-rooney-12525566
Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney wanted by Chinese Super League and MLS clubs
Man Utd news includes the latest on the future of Wayne Rooney amid the possibility of a transfer to the Chinese Super League or MLS.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.portada-online.com/2017/01/30/sports-marketing-bits-target-celtics-esports-audi-mls-and-more/
SPORTS MARKETING BITS: Target, Celtics, Esports, Audi, MLS, and More…
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.cw6sandiego.com/soccer-fans-rally-behind-plan-bring-pro-team-san-diego/
Soccer fans rally behind plan to bring pro team to San Diego
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2017/01/30/bill-edwards-and-rowdies-entourage-descend-on.html
Bill Edwards and Rowdies entourage descend on Major League Soccer offices with bid package
St. Petersburg business magnate Bill Edwards and an entourage of Tampa Bay Rowdies supporters on Monday descended on the Major League Soccer offices in New York City to personally deliver the city's bid for a franchise.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/34379777/nashville-committee-to-submit-bid-for-mls-team
Nashville committee to submit bid for MLS team
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/01/30/kick-us-takes-2017-bow-vs-serbia-alessandrini-his-way-la
Kick Off: US takes 2017 bow vs. Serbia | Alessandrini on his way to LA?
Battle of the Bay
In their drive to join MLS, the Tampa Bay Rowdies are prepared to duel the Major League Baseball's Devil Rays for fans in the St. Petersburg area.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Group-Holds-Rally-San-Diego-Plans-Stadium-412189083.html
San Diego Officially Applies for MLS Team
A group that hopes to bring a Major League Soccer team to San Diego had a rally on Monday to share more details.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-fire/mls-announce-2017-all-star-game-will-be-soldier-field
MLS to announce 2017 All-Star Game will be at Soldier Field
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.cbs8.com/story/34381006/investors-submit-application-to-bring-major-league-soccer-to-san-diego
Investors submit application to bring Major League Soccer to San Diego
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2017/01/30/barry-wants-mls-stadium-funding-proposal-summer/97256430/
Barry wants MLS stadium funding proposal by summer
Mayor Megan Barry hopes to finalize a funding proposal for a new Major League Soccer stadium at The Fairgrounds Nashville by the end of June.
Barry discussed that timeline with reporters Monday following a speech at the downtown Rotary Club of Nashville where she made her first major public appeal in support of Nashville’s MLS bid.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://wfla.com/2017/01/30/rowdies-deliver-expansion-application-to-mls-headquarters/
Rowdies deliver expansion application to MLS headquarters
NEW YORK (WFLA) – The Tampa Bay Rowdies officially delivered their expansion application to Major League Soccer headquarters in New York City on Monday.
Rowdies chairman and CEO Bill Edwards traveled to Manhattan along with Rowdies executives and others Monday morning.
Edwards met with MLS President Mark Abbott for a half hour and delivered the interactive expansion application. The application was designed to represent the bay area, including multiple videos of the scenery.
Examples of community support were included in the application, including more than 2,000 letters from politicians, local celebrities and fans.
“Major League Soccer was very impressed by our unique way of delivering our application,” said Edwards.
“We’ve worked very hard on all fronts to cover every aspect of the application that was sent to us by MLS just over a month ago. This is a very important step in the process and I believe our application will set us apart as the top potential expansion market.”
The trip also included a stop at Times Square to check out the #MLS2StPete billboard.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2017/01/30/marcus-smith-mls-bid-to-continue.html
EXCLUSIVE: Marcus Smith says MLS bid to continue
The on again-off again Major League Soccer bid is a go. Speedway Motorsports executive Marcus Smith told CBJ on Monday afternoon his investment group was in the process of completing its application and would submit it to league headquarters by the end of the day.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/2017/01/30/major-league-soccer-detroit/97248172/
Detroit has plenty of competition for a Major League Soccer franchise
(Follow link for full article.)
http://wkrn.com/2017/01/30/mayor-megan-barry-discusses-vision-as-nashville-continues-to-grow/
Mayor Barry talks city’s future, property taxes, MLS, immigration
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – Nashville’s mayor discussed her vision on the future of Nashville while speaking at a meeting for the Rotary Club.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mls/2017/01/30/mls-commissioner-receives-application-for-san-diego-team/97263058/
MLS commissioner receives application for San Diego team
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/3049989/san-diego-officially-submits-application-for-mls-expansion-franchise
San Diego submits application for MLS expansion franchise
(Follow link for full article.)
http://fox2now.com/2017/01/30/proposed-mls-stadium-bill-moves-forward-while-scott-trade-center-renovation-bill-runs-into-a-wall/
Proposed MLS stadium bill moves forward, while Scott trade Center renovation bill runs into a wall
ST. LOUIS (KTVI) - The proposed Major League Soccer stadium passes another hurdle, bringing it one step closer for a public vote. Meanwhile, funding for improvements at the Scott Trade Center hit another wall but it’s not dead yet.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/deadline-extended-for-city-in-mls-plan/489369443
Deadline extended for city in MLS plan
Marcus Smith, of Charlotte Motor Speedway, is submitting the bid Tuesday for a Major League Soccer team in Charlotte and said the city will have more time to consider taking on the project.
There hasn't been a change to the MLS deadline and on Tuesday, cities across the country have to apply to be in the running for an MLS expansion.
Mike Burch, chief strategy officer for Speedway Motorsports, said the talks with the city were encouraging enough that Smith is going to submit a bid even without the city's backing.
The plan calls for demolishing Memorial Stadium and replacing it with an MLS stadium.
A big task during the next couple weeks will be educating the public about the funding for the project. Smith is asking for nearly $44 million from Charlotte.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://timesofsandiego.com/sports/2017/01/30/new-stadium-mission-valley-proposed-major-league-soccer-franchise/
New Stadium in Mission Valley Proposed for Major League Soccer Franchise
A group of investors that last week proposed building a new stadium in Mission Valley submitted an application Monday for a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in San Diego to league Commissioner Don Garber.
The 24-team MLS is entertaining bids from potential ownership groups to add new members. At a news conference, Garber said he anticipates receiving a dozen applications by Tuesday’s deadline, with four to be accepted.
The local bid comes more than two weeks after the National Football League’s Chargers announced plans to move to Los Angeles after 56 seasons in San Diego.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.wbtv.com/story/34378679/marcus-smith-says-hell-bid-on-major-league-soccer-team-for-charlotte
Marcus Smith says he’ll bid on Major League Soccer team for Charlotte
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/mls-soccer-stadium-in-stl-one-step-close-to-construction/647446037
MLS Soccer Stadium in STL One Step Close to Construction
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The St. Louis Board of Aldermen has voted to advance a measure for a proposed Major League soccer stadium in downtown St. Louis.
Bill sponsor Christine Ingrassia says negotiations on how Governor Greitens is willing to help are ongoing.
Greitens has called state taxpayer money for stadiums "welfare for millionaires."
MLS soccer stadium one step closer to being built in St. Louis
"His administration is not interested in allocating tax credits, but they are amendable to a low cost or no cost lease or purchase of the property, certain infrastructure improvements and land clearance," says Ingrassia.
Ingrassia says without Governor Greitens' blessing of a land deal, the proposal is dead.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/sd-sp-mls-20170130-story.html
MLS, city leaders tout pro soccer in S.D.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2017/01/30/mls-stadium-sales-tax-hike-get-closer-to-april.html
MLS stadium, sales tax hike get closer to April ballot
A special meeting of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen on Monday saw lawmakers get closer to putting a sales tax hike and Major League Soccer stadium funding questions on the April ballot.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/34379777/nashville-committee-to-submit-bid-for-mls-team
Nashville committee to submit bid for MLS team
(Follow link for full article.)
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2017/01/30/mls-staduim-might-happen-after-all-gilbert-to-make-offer-for-wayne-county-jail-site-report-says/
MLS Stadium Might Happen After All: Gilbert To Make Offer For Wayne County Jail Site, Report Says
DETROIT (WWJ) — Last April, billionaire Dan Gilbert revealed sparkling plans for a brand new professional soccer stadium in downtown Detroit.
He planned to build the stadium on the site of the unfinished Wayne County jail project, which has sat untouched since 2013. The only problem is: Gilbert doesn’t own the land, Wayne County does.
Wayne County Executive Warren Evans announced last week that the county was readying to resume work on the jail in the coming months. Evans said Friday that Walsh Construction will receive the request for a proposal on February 10.
But Gilbert might swoop in and make a reasonable offer for the site before that happens, the Detroit Free Press reports.
“The timing requirements put forward by County Executive Evans are clear and fully understood by our team,” Matt Cullen, head of Rock Ventures, said in a statement to the Free Press. “We have now completed enough of our initial due diligence that will allow us to submit our offer in advance of the county executive’s deadline.”
Gilbert’s plan included restaurants, offices and hotels, in addition to the 25,000-seat Major League Soccer stadium.
“The real question though for the county and the community and the people of Detroit is, you know, do we want a jail at the foot of downtown and the front door?” Gilbert said at the unveiling last year. “Or do we want a major development that’s gonna create economic, great economics for job creation, for, you know, tax roll creation and for overall optimism as you move through the city?”
Gilbert said he met with Evans, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and others to discuss a possible deal, offering $50 million for the jail site earlier last year.
“What was economically feasible for Wayne County has been very clearly finishing on the jail site,” Evans said after the presentation. “Not because it’s the best place, not because anybody’s heart’s in it — but because it’s the only feasible option that Wayne County had for the cheapest amount of money to the taxpayers.”
Gilbert said there was “no Plan B” if plans for the proposal go south. His proposal included a partnership with Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores.
“It is at the entrance to downtown and with Detroit growing and things happening we don’t want an eyesore sitting there unfinished,” Evans said Friday. “Whatever the final use of it turns out to be it shouldn’t be an abandoned, partially-finished jail.”
(Follow link for full article.)
http://fox5sandiego.com/2017/01/30/investors-hope-to-bring-major-league-soccer-team-to-san-diego/
Investors apply for Major League Soccer expansion team in San Diego
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2017/01/30/mayorbarry-long-road-ahead-to-fairgrounds-stadium.html
Mayor Barry: Long road ahead to fairgrounds stadium
When Mayor Megan Barry meets with Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber Tuesday, she won't have a stadium proposal to show him. Barry said Monday that no renderings exist of a potential MLS stadium at the Fairgrounds Nashville and that a formal plan for a stadium at the site is still about six months away.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://saintpetersblog.com/heres-sht-stands-just-burg-edition/
Here’s where sh*t stands – the “just about the ‘burg” edition
It will be interesting to see what role the Chamber plays in the very important discussions about the future of Rays baseball, Rowdies soccer, the building of the new St. Petersburg Pier, and so many other critical, promising issues.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/columnists/kevin-acee/sd-sp-acee-0131-story.html
Column Officials on board as San Diego launches MLS mission
(Follow link for full article.)
http://fox59.com/2017/01/30/indy-eleven-to-submit-bid-to-join-major-league-soccer/
Indy Eleven to submit bid to join Major League Soccer
Posted 10:40 PM, January 30, 2017, by FOX59 Web, Updated at 10:44PM, January 30, 2017
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Indy Eleven have set its sights on the highest level of American soccer.
Officials with the Indianapolis soccer team told our newsgathering partners at the IndyStar that they are pursuing one of the four Major League Soccer spots.
The team plans to submit paperwork to MLS headquarters in New York Tuesday afternoon. Indianapolis will become the 12th city hoping to enter the league.
This news comes less than 30 days after the team current league, the North American Soccer League, received a stay of execution.
The team’s new status would reportedly be accompanied by a new stadium between Lucas Oil Stadium and the White River
The NASL club’s president, Jeff Belskus, told Sports Illustrated the club’s MLS stadium would be a public-private partnership and that owner Ersal Ozdemir and his partners would be kicking in a “significant amount of private money.”
“We have a lot of energy for building a soccer stadium here,” Belskus told SI. “We’ve proven Indianapolis has the fan base to support soccer. It will support pro soccer and it will support Major League Soccer … It’s so logical for us.”
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2017/01/30/indianapolis-mls-expansion-application-indy-eleven-nasl?xid=socialflow_twitter_si
Indianapolis will become 12th city applying for MLS expansion
Brian Straus
Monday January 30th, 2017
On the eve of Major League Soccer’s expansion application deadline, Indy Eleven has made it 12.
The NASL club’s president, Jeff Belskus, confirmed to SI.com late Monday that the Eleven, owner Ersal Ozdemir and the city of Indianapolis are pursuing one of the four MLS expansion openings. Ozdemir will deliver the application by hand to the league office in Manhattan on Tuesday. Indianapolis is the 12th city to declare its MLS intentions.
In mid-December, the league announced its plan to add four more teams, bringing the eventual membership to 28 (including Los Angeles FC next year and David Beckham’s quixotic Miami project). At that time, prospective investors in Charlotte, Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville, Raleigh, Sacramento, St. Louis, San Antonio, San Diego and Tampa Bay already had come forward. An 11th applicant, the USL's Phoenix Rising, then joined the fray last week.
Indy’s absence on the original list was notable, but not entirely unexpected. The Eleven have done well at the gate and Ozdemir had met with MLS officials as far back as 2013. Indianapolis seemed like a city that was on the right trajectory. But stadium legislation stalled in 2015 when the Indiana house and senate couldn’t come to an agreement on whether to funnel usage taxes toward a new facility or use state funds to upgrade the Eleven’s current home, Carroll Stadium. So Indy’s MLS plans stalled as well.
Then last summer, they were back on track. Confident that usage taxes (or taxes generated by the existence of the new stadium) would get the political traction required at the state and city levels, the Eleven re-opened conversations with MLS. Those talks led to the decision to bid and Ozdemir’s trip to New York.
Belskus, who was the Indianapolis Motor Speedway president and CEO before running the Eleven, said the club’s MLS stadium will be a public-private partnership and that Ozdemir and his unnamed partners would be kicking in a “significant amount of private money.” Ozdemir will remain the majority owner.
If built, the new stadium would be located in downtown Indianapolis between the Colts’ Lucas Oil Stadium and the White River.
“We have a lot of energy for building a soccer stadium here,” Belskus said. “We’ve proven Indianapolis has the fan base to support soccer. It will support pro soccer and it will support Major League Soccer … It’s so logical for us.”
Sponsors are lined up, he added, and Ozdemir’s investor group “is committed. They want to see this work. The want to see it work for this community.”
(Follow link for full article.)
https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/mls-commissioner-receives-application-san-diego-team-230429044--mls.html
MLS commissioner receives application for San Diego team
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/2017/01/31/major-league-soccer-expansion-detroit-bid/97248108/
Detroit to bid for Major League Soccer expansion team
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.mlssoccer.com/topic/expansion/2017/expansion-cities-bids
Expansion Tracker: Latest cities submitting bids before Jan. 31 deadline
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 led 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.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.ibj.com/articles/62274-indy-eleven-to-make-bid-for-major-league-soccer-expansion
Indy Eleven to make bid for Major League Soccer expansion
The Indy Eleven soccer team, with cooperation from the city of Indianapolis, is planning to apply for one of four expansion openings in Major League Soccer, Sports Illustrated reported Monday night, citing team President Jeff Belskus as its source.
Jumping from the North American Soccer League—the second-tier professional soccer league in the United States—to the top league would require the Indy Eleven to pay a franchise expansion fee of at least $150 million and would involve construction of downtown stadium.
Belskus told SI that the application will include a plan for a downtown stadium that would be built between Lucas Oil Stadium and the White River as part of a public-private partnership.
Indy Eleven owner Ersal Ozdemir and his partners would kick in a “significant amount of private money” to fund the stadium, said Belskus, the former CEO of Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Team officials have made several unsuccessful attempts with lawmakers over the past few years to gain support for a downtown stadium that would seat as many as 18,500 people.
Belskus told SI that Ozdemir planned to submit the application by hand to MLS headquarters in New York City on Tuesday, the deadline for applications.
The Eleven would join 11 other teams that are vying for the four available openings in the 22-year-old league. Two successful applicants would join MLS by the 2020 season as the league’s 25th and 26th teams.
Teams 27 and 28 would begin playing at a “later” but undetermined date, the league said.
The league said it expects to announce the first two winners in the second or third quarter of this year.
The MLS set the fee for expansion teams 25 and 26 at $150 million and said the fee for the other two teams would be announced later.
The price for clubs 27 and 28 will be announced in conjunction with the announcement of the timeline for the selection of clubs 27 and 28.
The local team faces tough competition. Other cities applying for the opening include San Diego, Detroit, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Phoenix and Cincinnati.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.sportal.co.in/football/investors-apply-for-major-league-soccer-expansion-team-in-san-diego-fox5sandiego-com/
Investors apply for Major League Soccer expansion team in San Diego – fox5sandiego.com
SAN DIEGO — A group of investors who last week proposed building a new stadium in Mission Valley submitted an application Monday for a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in San Diego to league Commissioner Don Garber.
The 24-team MLS is entertaining bids from potential ownership groups to add new members. At a news conference, Garber said he anticipates receiving a dozen applications by Tuesday’s deadline, with four to be accepted.
“We would like nothing more than to deliver the world’s most popular sport to one of the world’s greatest cities,” said businessman Mike Stone, whose proposal also includes a soccer academy to foster young talent. “Our goal is to make San Diego the epicenter of soccer in the United States.”
The local bid comes more than two weeks after the National Football League’s Chargers announced plans to move to Los Angeles after 56 seasons in San Diego.
City officials are determining how long to keep open Qualcomm Stadium, which is far too large for the MLS and the San Diego State University football team. The Aztecs have a lease through the 2018 season, and are negotiating a two-year extension to provide time to find a new home.
SDSU has been discussing options with the local MLS group, led by investor Mike Stone and Juan Carlos Rodriguez, the president of Univision Deportes. School officials have also been in touch with the Padres about making renovations that would allow football to be played at Petco Park.
At the news conference, Mayor Kevin Faulconer said the city wants to take advantage of an opportunity to remake the 166-acre Qualcomm Stadium property.
“It’s an opportunity to create jobs, it’s an opportunity to revitalize Mission Valley and become an economic driver that will help us pave streets, keep our neighborhoods safe and do all the things we do in this great city,” Faulconer said.
The proposal for the property includes building a stadium of undetermined but smaller seating capacity, tearing down Qualcomm Stadium, creating a park along the San Diego River, and constructing residential and commercial buildings. Backers of the plan said no public money would be required.
They also said they would engage the public by collecting signatures that will be delivered to the City Council — which could either approve the project or place it before voters.
Rodriguez said there will be other ways for the public to be involved.
“We have the financial resources, but the most important thing, that we have to make sure, is that we have all San Diegans be part of the process of creating the DNA of the team,” Rodriguez said. “It is very important for us that you join us in the process of finding the name, finding the logo, finding the colors, the songs and all the DNA that we’re going to be creating for the team.”
He said such opportunities would be available online.
Garber said San Diego checks many of the boxes for MLS expansion, including passionate fans, a young city, a new breed of owners and the stadium vision.
US soccer legend Landon Donovan was on hand to mingle with fans.
”Soccer here in San Diego is a natural fit and I’m first and foremost a fan,” said Donovan. When asked if he would coach or play a role on the future team, Donovan played coy.
“Well just have to see what happens.”
(Follow link for full article.)
http://prorelforusa.blogspot.com/2017/01/cities-need-to-communicate-about-not.html
Cities need to communicate about, not compete for MLS
MLS recently has announced that it has opened bidding for expansion franchise slots in the league... groups have scrambled to put together stadium bids featuring quite a bit of public money. Recent reports have put the numbers at
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/2017/01/31/major-league-soccer-expansion-detroit-bid/97248108/
Detroit to bid for Major League Soccer expansion team
(Follow link for full article.)
https://twitter.com/tampabayrowdies/status/824404167473197057
Tampa Bay Rowdies Verified account
@TampaBayRowdies
Tampa Bay heard about Times Square lighting up in green and gold today and wanted to get involved! Looking good, Suntrust! 💚💛 #MLS2StPete
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2017/01/25/orlando-city-sc-announces-2017-preseason-schedule
Orlando City SC Announces 2017 Preseason Schedule
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.tbreporter.com/sports-and-recreation/philadelphia-union-returns-clearwater-preseason-training/
Philadelphia Union Returns to Clearwater for Preseason Training
The team will compete in the Tampa Bay Rowdies Suncoast Invitational.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.charlottefive.com/charlotte-mls-bid-tuesday/
Charlotte’s bid for a Major League Soccer team isn’t dead yet
Soccer fans, don’t lose hope yet. Marcus Smith still plans to submit a bid to bring a Major League Soccer team to Charlotte, even though the city decided not to vote on a plan that would help fund the future soccer stadium.
Smith tweeted Monday that he will send in an application today, which is the deadline for bids, and also said the city still “has time to consider investment of existing tourism $ in the project.”
(Follow link for full article.)
http://cbs4indy.com/2017/01/30/indy-eleven-plans-to-apply-to-join-major-league-soccer/
Indy Eleven plans to apply to join Major League Soccer
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Indy Eleven has set its sights on the highest level of American soccer.
Officials with the Indianapolis soccer team say they are pursuing one of the four Major League Soccer spots.
The team plans to submit paperwork to MLS headquarters in New York Tuesday afternoon. Indianapolis will become the 12th city hoping to enter the league.
This news comes less than 30 days after the team’s current league, the North American Soccer League, received a stay of execution.
A potential stumbling block for the Eleven’s chances would be its unsettled stadium situation. The Eleven play in IUPUI’s Michael Carroll Stadium and had a proposed $82 million deal for a new stadium shot down by the state legislature in 2015, according to our newsgathering partners at the IndyStar.
The NASL club’s president, Jeff Belskus, told Sports Illustrated the club’s MLS stadium would be a public-private partnership and that owner Ersal Ozdemir and his partners would be kicking in a “significant amount of private money.”
If built the new stadium would be built between Lucas Oil Stadium and the White River.
“We have a lot of energy for building a soccer stadium here,” Belskus told SI. “We’ve proven Indianapolis has the fan base to support soccer. It will support pro soccer and it will support Major League Soccer … It’s so logical for us.”
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.wthr.com/article/indy-eleven-to-pursue-mls-expansion
Indy Eleven to pursue MLS expansion
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.wxyz.com/news/will-major-league-soccer-come-to-the-motor-city
Will Major League Soccer come to the Motor City?
Detroit is talking again about buying land for stadium. If this actually happens that changes my MLS expansion calculations a bit.
And in last minute move, Indy Eleven announces that they are submitting a bid for MLS expansion. This makes 12 teams now; 13 if you count Miami. I don't know if this bid should count as a serious bid or not, as Indy Eleven were not one of the original 10 expansion markets that MLS announced, nor were they invited by MLS to submit a bid at the last minute as was done with Phoenix Rising. So, not sure what to make of this and whether Indy Eleven changes the MLS expansion race or not.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.empireofsoccer.com/rowdies-put-on-a-show-with-mls-expansion-presentation-57489/
Rowdies put on a show with MLS expansion presentation
by JAKE NUTTING on 01/30/2017
The odds of Tampa Bay Rowdies Owner Bill Edwards simply delivering the team’s application to become one of the next franchises in Major League Soccer in a nondescript folder and calling it a day were always slim.
With 11 other bidders submitting applications to the league this week, Edwards wanted to be sure he found a way to make an impression with his presentation.
So on Monday morning Edwards, team executives and a handful of other team staff members boarded a private plane for New York City with the intention of delivering their application with some flair.
The first stop after touching down at Teterboro Airport was to meet up with leaders of the supporters group Ralph’s Mob in Times Square, where a large electronic billboard has been displaying the team’s hashtag #MLS2StPete since Wednesday.
Edwards acknowledged the plan for Monday came together quickly, as did the application after MLS surprised all bidders by setting the short deadline last month.
“We’ve had less than 30 days to get [the application] done,” Edwards told EoS. “We’re here, we made it. The ink is probably still drying on that application. We were working on it yesterday afternoon to get every aspect together.”
Pedestrians looked on and gave curious glances as the soccer team from Central Florida quickly organized for a photo session in front of the billboard. Hired dancers in sequin outfits lined up alongside team officials for pictures and then scrambled for their heavy coats as refuge from the frigid air. Steps away from where knockoff Elmo and assorted Disney characters typically pose for pictures with tourists, Rowdies mascot Pete the Pelican got dressed for the event out in the open. Thankfully no children were present to have the illusion ruined for them.
Included with the formal application presented to MLS President and Deputy Commissioner Mark Abbott was an iPad loaded with one video highlighting the unique scenery of the region and another outlining the rich tradition of the Rowdies in Tampa Bay. Packaged along with the bid materials were over 200 letters of support from politicians, prominent local figures and supporters.
Following the meeting with Abbott, pediatric cancer survivor Cole Eicher and his family met with MLS WORKS, Major League Soccer’s community outreach initiative, to discuss his experience working with the Rowdies to fight childhood cancer. Eicher signed an honorary contract with the Rowdies when he was battling cancer back in 2014. Now cancer free, Eicher has worked with the Rowdies the last two years to raise over $200,000 to fund pediatric cancer research through the Go Gold initiative.
The Rowdies also came bearing gifts to the MLS office staff, as a few crates of fresh Florida oranges were left in the staff cafeteria. MLS employees seemed to get a kick out of the demonstration. A handful even made sure to grab a selfie with Pete the Pelican.
The question is whether the Rowdies showmanship will have any impact on their MLS bid.
MLS is hardline when it comes to maintaining a sense of objectivity in analyzing expansion markets. The production of value will garner some attention, but the final decision will still come down to the merits of their bid.
Edwards is confident the details of the team’s bid, particularly the proposal to privately-finance a 10,000-seat expansion to their existing venue, is enough to give them an edge over other markets that are looking for funding or land deals to build from the ground up.
“I think being the 11th biggest market, and being one of the oldest teams in the country, and having our own stadium are important,” he said. “There’s a lot of other guys who don’t have a place to play yet. They’ve got plans. Our plans are to expand, not to fund an entire stadium or figure out land issues. So I think we’re a lot further ahead than a lot of people. I think that gives us a little bit of an edge.”
The Rowdies are also making strides toward an academy in a new partnership with Tampa Bay United, a well-established youth program in the region. Former U.S. U-17 Assistant Coach Keith Fulk has been tapped as the director of the newly-combined U.S. Soccer Development Academy teams for the Rowdies and Tampa Bay United. Edwards didn’t offer many details of the team’s academy plans except to say it should be a wonderful thing for the community.
The St. Petersburg magnate was also tight-lipped about the investment group he’s assembling for the team’s MLS push. Earlier in the month, Edwards stated he’d had talks with a long list of investors, both local and non-local, about joining the ownership group. Those discussions are still ongoing, but are likely to advance now that the work of completing the exhaustive MLS application is done.
“Right now it’s a matter of who do we want to let in and how do we want to go about it,” he stated. “There’s a lot of people in New York that have contacted me, but I’m talking to local investment first because I like keeping things local. It’s part of our town. It’s better to have people who are local to work with, not necessarily totally, but local investment is nice to have.”
Even with a robust bid, MLS’ expansion race is stacked with attractive markets that tick quite a few of the boxes the league is looking for in its next four teams. San Diego turned in its application to MLS Commissioner Don Garber personally at an event one day after the city hosted the U.S. national team’s friendly against Serbia.
The remaining bidders are expected to turn in the paperwork for expansion consideration on Tuesday. Raleigh-Durhan, Charlotte, Phoenix, Detroit, San Antonio, Sacramento, Cincinnati, St. Louis and Nashville have all declared their intention to submit an application.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/soccer/bill-edwards-rowdies-contingent-make-in-person-mls-pitch/2311430
Bill Edwards, Rowdies contingent make in-person MLS pitch
By Darek Sharp, Times Correspondent
Monday, January 30, 2017 5:50pm
With a cleverly concocted phrase and a large show of support, Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards went to work in New York City.
Monday afternoon, Edwards turned in the required formal paperwork stating that his Rowdies have applied to become a member of Major League Soccer. In three months, if not sooner, MLS will announce its two newest expansion franchises.
The Rowdies could have just mailed in a few pages, as long as it was done before the Tuesday deadline for cities to submit applications.
Then again, what Edwards brought would have required some serious postage. A bulky packet filled with more than 200 letters of support from local politicians, and an entourage of about 30 co-workers and friends, found their way into the MLS headquarters.
And though there was no expectation of actually meeting with league officials, the crew sat down with league deputy commissioner Mark Abbott, who took in a video presentation touting the bid.
"We had a great time," Edwards said. "We met for about an hour, had a lot of fun. (Abbott) was very hospitable and when it was over, he even applauded."
The Rowdies have competition in the form of 10 other cities. Two more expansion towns will be added in the future but Edwards wants to get in on the first go.
Inside a package labeled "We Brought Our Pitch To You" was a video showing renderings of Edwards' proposed expansion of Al Lang into an 18,000-seat facility, were it to gain MLS designation. The Rowdies first unveiled the plans last month along with the campaign #MLS2StPete.
"We had about a month to put this together and I'm very proud of my people to come up with such a presentation," he said. "I think they appreciated the hard work we put into it."
Edwards stressed several factors that seem to favor the Rowdies. Tampa Bay is the largest media market (11th) without an MLS franchise (the Rowdies' new league, the USL, recently gained second-division status). The in-existence stadium helps, as will the promise to use only his money to fund the improvements, expected to run in the $80 million range.
Along with key Rowdies staff, the meeting featured members of the Rowdies' fan group Ralph's Mob, and honorary player Cole Eicher, a 14-year cancer survivor.
"The MLS staff were wide-eyed about the presence of the contingent for the Rowdies going through their main office," said Stephen Cundiff, president of Ralph's Mob.
Now for the next part of the equation: getting a bunch of folks through the turnstiles when the Rowdies Suncoast Invitational comes to Al Lang on Feb. 18 and 25. The Rowdies will play against MLS' Philadelphia and Montreal. Three other MLS clubs will participate, culminating with a triple-header on the 25th.
It would largely impress the league if the games are sold out.
"It is a big event," Edwards said. "One thing's for sure, MLS teams like coming here for their spring training. We need the fans to come out and show their support. Let's face it; we want to be in that league."
(Follow link for full article.)
http://saintpetersblog.com/rowdies-bill-edwards-delivers-application-mls-bosses/
Rowdies’ Bill Edwards delivers application to MLS bosses
Gary Shelton
The Tampa Bay Rowdies aren’t wasting any time in their pursuit of a bid to Major League Soccer.
A delegation headed by Rowdies’ owner Bill Edwards delivered the team’s expansion application to MLS headquarters on Monday. Edwards met with Mark Abbott, MLS President and Deputy Commissioner, for around 30 minutes and delivered the unique interactive expansion application, which included a modern rendition of “A Kick in the Grass.”
Major League Soccer was very impressed by our unique way of delivering our application,” said Edwards. “We’ve worked very hard on all fronts to cover every aspect of the application that was sent to us by MLS just over a month ago. This is a very important step in the process and I believe our application will set us apart as the top potential expansion market.”
The Rowdies’ MLS expansion application was designed to represent the Tampa Bay area and honor the club’s rich history.
The application included details and renderings of the privately funded renovation and expansion plans to Al Lang Stadium and the proposed ownership group led by Edwards. Extensive examples of community support were included in the application, highlighted by more than 200 letters of support from politicians, local celebrities, fans and more.
The Rowdies announced their #MLS2StPete campaign in December 2016, only to be named as one of the eleven candidates in the running for a Major League Soccer franchise less than two weeks later. The campaign also includes a privately funded renovation and expansion plan to Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg.
The Rowdies’ ticket sales is designed to help show MLS its fan support. For information on how to become a 2017 Season Ticket Member, call (727) 222-2000.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.facebook.com/TampaBayRowdies/videos/10155718683098835/?pnref=story
Tampa Bay Rowdies was live.
LIVE at Times Square. #MLS2StPete
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.facebook.com/TampaBayRowdies/photos/a.442996013834.230638.109366663834/10155718303813835/?type=3&theater
Tampa Bay Rowdies
On our way to New York City to visit our friends at Major League Soccer (MLS).
#MLS2StPete
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1319112228132120&set=o.263205520362852&type=3&theater
Mary Wichmanowski Karnstedt > Ryan Bass WTSP
Yahoo! You covered the Rowdies and Mr. Bill Edwards in NYC to promote #MLS2STPETE! (and he's wearing one of my scarves! lol)
Thank you!
(Follow link for full article.)
https://twitter.com/TampaBayRowdies/status/826107022802296832/photo/1
Tampa Bay Rowdies Verified account
@TampaBayRowdies
We've made it @TimesSquareNYC and ran into a couple friends. #MLS2StPete
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.facebook.com/TampaBayRowdies/photos/pcb.10155718962778835/10155718962723835/?type=3&theater
Tampa Bay Rowdies
Hey Major League Soccer (MLS), we brought our pitch to you.
#MLS2StPete
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.facebook.com/TampaBayRowdies/photos/a.442996013834.230638.109366663834/10155719350438835/?type=3&theater
Tampa Bay Rowdies
We've officially submitted our Major League Soccer (MLS) #MLS2StPete expansion application! A delegation led by Rowdies Chairman & CEO Bill Edwards, and including members of Ralph's Mob and Cole Eicher and his family, hand-delivered it to MLS headquarters in New York City today.
Read more: http://tinyurl.com/jdbrcx5
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.facebook.com/RalphsMob/photos/a.10150646243253951.396424.345399658950/10154327815883951/?type=3&theater
Ralph's Mob
2017 Membership Pre-orders are ready for you! Get yours now!
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/751490-rowdies-delegation-travels-to-new-york-city-to-deliver-major-league-soccer-expansion-application
Rowdies Delegation Travels to New York City to Deliver Major League Soccer Expansion Application
NEW YORK (January 30, 2017) – Earlier today, the Tampa Bay Rowdies took another step towards bringing Major League Soccer to downtown St. Petersburg by successfully delivering their expansion application to MLS headquarters in New York City, NY.
The trip included a stop at Times Square to check out the #MLS2StPete billboard that has been catching eyes and making waves for the past week at one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world.
Rowdies Chairman & CEO Bill Edwards was at the forefront of the delegation that traveled to Manhattan on Monday morning. The group included Rowdies executives, along with members of Ralph’s Mob and pediatric cancer survivor and honorary member of the club, Cole Eicher.
Edwards met with Mark Abbott, MLS President and Deputy Commissioner, for around 30 minutes and delivered the unique interactive expansion application, which includes a modern rendition of “A Kick in the Grass.”
“Major League Soccer was very impressed by our unique way of delivering our application,” said Edwards. “We’ve worked very hard on all fronts to cover every aspect of the application that was sent to us by MLS just over a month ago. This is a very important step in the process and I believe our application will set us apart as the top potential expansion market.”
The Rowdies’ MLS expansion application was designed to represent the Tampa Bay area and honor the club’s rich history.
The application included details and renderings of the privately funded renovation and expansion plans to Al Lang Stadium and the proposed ownership group led by Edwards.
Extensive examples of community support were included in the application, highlighted by more than 200 letters of support from politicians, local celebrities, fans and more.
Along with a detailed history of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, the application featured several videos showing off the Tampa Bay area and its one-of-a-kind scenery.
While in New York City, Cole Eicher met with MLS WORKS, Major League Soccer's community outreach initiative, to share his story and talk about how Gold Together has worked with the Rowdies over the last two years to donate over $200,000 to childhood cancer awareness.
About #MLS2StPete
The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced their #MLS2StPete campaign in December 2016, only to be named as one of the eleven candidates in the running for a Major League Soccer franchise less than two weeks later. The campaign also includes a privately funded renovation and expansion plan to Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg. For more information, visit MLS2StPete.com.
The best way to show that Tampa Bay is ready for a Major League Soccer franchise is to secure 2017 season tickets. For information on how to become a 2017 Season Ticket Member, call (727)222-2000 or click here.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/news/article.html/content/news/articles/bhsn/2017/1/30/rowdies_ceo_edwards_.html
Rowdies CEO Edwards hand delivers MLS expansion application to league
NEW YORK -- The Tampa Bay Rowdies took their bid to bring Major League Soccer to downtown St. Petersburg to the Big Apple on Monday.
Rowdies Chairman & CEO Bill Edwards led a delegation to New York City to hand deliver the team's expansion application to MLS Headquarters.
The team reported that Edwards met with Mark Abbott, MLS President and Deputy Commissioner, for about 30 minutes and that he delivered a unique interactive expansion application.
"Major League Soccer was very impressed by our unique way of delivering our application," said Edwards. "We’ve worked very hard on all fronts to cover every aspect of the application that was sent to us by MLS just over a month ago. This is a very important step in the process and I believe our application will set us apart as the top potential expansion market."
The Rowdies' campaign includes a privately-funded renovation and expansion plan to Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2017/jan/30/mls-chinese-super-league-millions-youth
MLS can't compete with China's millions – so it should focus on youth
In the face of the lavish salaries in the Chinese Super League, MLS clubs might have to pump the brakes on ageing stars. But that could prove to be a blessing
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/manchester-united-transfer-news-rooney-12525566
Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney wanted by Chinese Super League and MLS clubs
Man Utd news includes the latest on the future of Wayne Rooney amid the possibility of a transfer to the Chinese Super League or MLS.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.portada-online.com/2017/01/30/sports-marketing-bits-target-celtics-esports-audi-mls-and-more/
SPORTS MARKETING BITS: Target, Celtics, Esports, Audi, MLS, and More…
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.cw6sandiego.com/soccer-fans-rally-behind-plan-bring-pro-team-san-diego/
Soccer fans rally behind plan to bring pro team to San Diego
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2017/01/30/bill-edwards-and-rowdies-entourage-descend-on.html
Bill Edwards and Rowdies entourage descend on Major League Soccer offices with bid package
St. Petersburg business magnate Bill Edwards and an entourage of Tampa Bay Rowdies supporters on Monday descended on the Major League Soccer offices in New York City to personally deliver the city's bid for a franchise.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/34379777/nashville-committee-to-submit-bid-for-mls-team
Nashville committee to submit bid for MLS team
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/01/30/kick-us-takes-2017-bow-vs-serbia-alessandrini-his-way-la
Kick Off: US takes 2017 bow vs. Serbia | Alessandrini on his way to LA?
Battle of the Bay
In their drive to join MLS, the Tampa Bay Rowdies are prepared to duel the Major League Baseball's Devil Rays for fans in the St. Petersburg area.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Group-Holds-Rally-San-Diego-Plans-Stadium-412189083.html
San Diego Officially Applies for MLS Team
A group that hopes to bring a Major League Soccer team to San Diego had a rally on Monday to share more details.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-fire/mls-announce-2017-all-star-game-will-be-soldier-field
MLS to announce 2017 All-Star Game will be at Soldier Field
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.cbs8.com/story/34381006/investors-submit-application-to-bring-major-league-soccer-to-san-diego
Investors submit application to bring Major League Soccer to San Diego
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2017/01/30/barry-wants-mls-stadium-funding-proposal-summer/97256430/
Barry wants MLS stadium funding proposal by summer
Mayor Megan Barry hopes to finalize a funding proposal for a new Major League Soccer stadium at The Fairgrounds Nashville by the end of June.
Barry discussed that timeline with reporters Monday following a speech at the downtown Rotary Club of Nashville where she made her first major public appeal in support of Nashville’s MLS bid.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://wfla.com/2017/01/30/rowdies-deliver-expansion-application-to-mls-headquarters/
Rowdies deliver expansion application to MLS headquarters
NEW YORK (WFLA) – The Tampa Bay Rowdies officially delivered their expansion application to Major League Soccer headquarters in New York City on Monday.
Rowdies chairman and CEO Bill Edwards traveled to Manhattan along with Rowdies executives and others Monday morning.
Edwards met with MLS President Mark Abbott for a half hour and delivered the interactive expansion application. The application was designed to represent the bay area, including multiple videos of the scenery.
Examples of community support were included in the application, including more than 2,000 letters from politicians, local celebrities and fans.
“Major League Soccer was very impressed by our unique way of delivering our application,” said Edwards.
“We’ve worked very hard on all fronts to cover every aspect of the application that was sent to us by MLS just over a month ago. This is a very important step in the process and I believe our application will set us apart as the top potential expansion market.”
The trip also included a stop at Times Square to check out the #MLS2StPete billboard.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2017/01/30/marcus-smith-mls-bid-to-continue.html
EXCLUSIVE: Marcus Smith says MLS bid to continue
The on again-off again Major League Soccer bid is a go. Speedway Motorsports executive Marcus Smith told CBJ on Monday afternoon his investment group was in the process of completing its application and would submit it to league headquarters by the end of the day.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/2017/01/30/major-league-soccer-detroit/97248172/
Detroit has plenty of competition for a Major League Soccer franchise
(Follow link for full article.)
http://wkrn.com/2017/01/30/mayor-megan-barry-discusses-vision-as-nashville-continues-to-grow/
Mayor Barry talks city’s future, property taxes, MLS, immigration
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – Nashville’s mayor discussed her vision on the future of Nashville while speaking at a meeting for the Rotary Club.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mls/2017/01/30/mls-commissioner-receives-application-for-san-diego-team/97263058/
MLS commissioner receives application for San Diego team
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/3049989/san-diego-officially-submits-application-for-mls-expansion-franchise
San Diego submits application for MLS expansion franchise
(Follow link for full article.)
http://fox2now.com/2017/01/30/proposed-mls-stadium-bill-moves-forward-while-scott-trade-center-renovation-bill-runs-into-a-wall/
Proposed MLS stadium bill moves forward, while Scott trade Center renovation bill runs into a wall
ST. LOUIS (KTVI) - The proposed Major League Soccer stadium passes another hurdle, bringing it one step closer for a public vote. Meanwhile, funding for improvements at the Scott Trade Center hit another wall but it’s not dead yet.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/deadline-extended-for-city-in-mls-plan/489369443
Deadline extended for city in MLS plan
Marcus Smith, of Charlotte Motor Speedway, is submitting the bid Tuesday for a Major League Soccer team in Charlotte and said the city will have more time to consider taking on the project.
There hasn't been a change to the MLS deadline and on Tuesday, cities across the country have to apply to be in the running for an MLS expansion.
Mike Burch, chief strategy officer for Speedway Motorsports, said the talks with the city were encouraging enough that Smith is going to submit a bid even without the city's backing.
The plan calls for demolishing Memorial Stadium and replacing it with an MLS stadium.
A big task during the next couple weeks will be educating the public about the funding for the project. Smith is asking for nearly $44 million from Charlotte.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://timesofsandiego.com/sports/2017/01/30/new-stadium-mission-valley-proposed-major-league-soccer-franchise/
New Stadium in Mission Valley Proposed for Major League Soccer Franchise
A group of investors that last week proposed building a new stadium in Mission Valley submitted an application Monday for a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in San Diego to league Commissioner Don Garber.
The 24-team MLS is entertaining bids from potential ownership groups to add new members. At a news conference, Garber said he anticipates receiving a dozen applications by Tuesday’s deadline, with four to be accepted.
The local bid comes more than two weeks after the National Football League’s Chargers announced plans to move to Los Angeles after 56 seasons in San Diego.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.wbtv.com/story/34378679/marcus-smith-says-hell-bid-on-major-league-soccer-team-for-charlotte
Marcus Smith says he’ll bid on Major League Soccer team for Charlotte
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/mls-soccer-stadium-in-stl-one-step-close-to-construction/647446037
MLS Soccer Stadium in STL One Step Close to Construction
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The St. Louis Board of Aldermen has voted to advance a measure for a proposed Major League soccer stadium in downtown St. Louis.
Bill sponsor Christine Ingrassia says negotiations on how Governor Greitens is willing to help are ongoing.
Greitens has called state taxpayer money for stadiums "welfare for millionaires."
MLS soccer stadium one step closer to being built in St. Louis
"His administration is not interested in allocating tax credits, but they are amendable to a low cost or no cost lease or purchase of the property, certain infrastructure improvements and land clearance," says Ingrassia.
Ingrassia says without Governor Greitens' blessing of a land deal, the proposal is dead.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/sd-sp-mls-20170130-story.html
MLS, city leaders tout pro soccer in S.D.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2017/01/30/mls-stadium-sales-tax-hike-get-closer-to-april.html
MLS stadium, sales tax hike get closer to April ballot
A special meeting of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen on Monday saw lawmakers get closer to putting a sales tax hike and Major League Soccer stadium funding questions on the April ballot.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/34379777/nashville-committee-to-submit-bid-for-mls-team
Nashville committee to submit bid for MLS team
(Follow link for full article.)
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2017/01/30/mls-staduim-might-happen-after-all-gilbert-to-make-offer-for-wayne-county-jail-site-report-says/
MLS Stadium Might Happen After All: Gilbert To Make Offer For Wayne County Jail Site, Report Says
DETROIT (WWJ) — Last April, billionaire Dan Gilbert revealed sparkling plans for a brand new professional soccer stadium in downtown Detroit.
He planned to build the stadium on the site of the unfinished Wayne County jail project, which has sat untouched since 2013. The only problem is: Gilbert doesn’t own the land, Wayne County does.
Wayne County Executive Warren Evans announced last week that the county was readying to resume work on the jail in the coming months. Evans said Friday that Walsh Construction will receive the request for a proposal on February 10.
But Gilbert might swoop in and make a reasonable offer for the site before that happens, the Detroit Free Press reports.
“The timing requirements put forward by County Executive Evans are clear and fully understood by our team,” Matt Cullen, head of Rock Ventures, said in a statement to the Free Press. “We have now completed enough of our initial due diligence that will allow us to submit our offer in advance of the county executive’s deadline.”
Gilbert’s plan included restaurants, offices and hotels, in addition to the 25,000-seat Major League Soccer stadium.
“The real question though for the county and the community and the people of Detroit is, you know, do we want a jail at the foot of downtown and the front door?” Gilbert said at the unveiling last year. “Or do we want a major development that’s gonna create economic, great economics for job creation, for, you know, tax roll creation and for overall optimism as you move through the city?”
Gilbert said he met with Evans, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and others to discuss a possible deal, offering $50 million for the jail site earlier last year.
“What was economically feasible for Wayne County has been very clearly finishing on the jail site,” Evans said after the presentation. “Not because it’s the best place, not because anybody’s heart’s in it — but because it’s the only feasible option that Wayne County had for the cheapest amount of money to the taxpayers.”
Gilbert said there was “no Plan B” if plans for the proposal go south. His proposal included a partnership with Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores.
“It is at the entrance to downtown and with Detroit growing and things happening we don’t want an eyesore sitting there unfinished,” Evans said Friday. “Whatever the final use of it turns out to be it shouldn’t be an abandoned, partially-finished jail.”
(Follow link for full article.)
http://fox5sandiego.com/2017/01/30/investors-hope-to-bring-major-league-soccer-team-to-san-diego/
Investors apply for Major League Soccer expansion team in San Diego
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2017/01/30/mayorbarry-long-road-ahead-to-fairgrounds-stadium.html
Mayor Barry: Long road ahead to fairgrounds stadium
When Mayor Megan Barry meets with Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber Tuesday, she won't have a stadium proposal to show him. Barry said Monday that no renderings exist of a potential MLS stadium at the Fairgrounds Nashville and that a formal plan for a stadium at the site is still about six months away.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://saintpetersblog.com/heres-sht-stands-just-burg-edition/
Here’s where sh*t stands – the “just about the ‘burg” edition
It will be interesting to see what role the Chamber plays in the very important discussions about the future of Rays baseball, Rowdies soccer, the building of the new St. Petersburg Pier, and so many other critical, promising issues.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/columnists/kevin-acee/sd-sp-acee-0131-story.html
Column Officials on board as San Diego launches MLS mission
(Follow link for full article.)
http://fox59.com/2017/01/30/indy-eleven-to-submit-bid-to-join-major-league-soccer/
Indy Eleven to submit bid to join Major League Soccer
Posted 10:40 PM, January 30, 2017, by FOX59 Web, Updated at 10:44PM, January 30, 2017
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Indy Eleven have set its sights on the highest level of American soccer.
Officials with the Indianapolis soccer team told our newsgathering partners at the IndyStar that they are pursuing one of the four Major League Soccer spots.
The team plans to submit paperwork to MLS headquarters in New York Tuesday afternoon. Indianapolis will become the 12th city hoping to enter the league.
This news comes less than 30 days after the team current league, the North American Soccer League, received a stay of execution.
The team’s new status would reportedly be accompanied by a new stadium between Lucas Oil Stadium and the White River
The NASL club’s president, Jeff Belskus, told Sports Illustrated the club’s MLS stadium would be a public-private partnership and that owner Ersal Ozdemir and his partners would be kicking in a “significant amount of private money.”
“We have a lot of energy for building a soccer stadium here,” Belskus told SI. “We’ve proven Indianapolis has the fan base to support soccer. It will support pro soccer and it will support Major League Soccer … It’s so logical for us.”
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2017/01/30/indianapolis-mls-expansion-application-indy-eleven-nasl?xid=socialflow_twitter_si
Indianapolis will become 12th city applying for MLS expansion
Brian Straus
Monday January 30th, 2017
On the eve of Major League Soccer’s expansion application deadline, Indy Eleven has made it 12.
The NASL club’s president, Jeff Belskus, confirmed to SI.com late Monday that the Eleven, owner Ersal Ozdemir and the city of Indianapolis are pursuing one of the four MLS expansion openings. Ozdemir will deliver the application by hand to the league office in Manhattan on Tuesday. Indianapolis is the 12th city to declare its MLS intentions.
In mid-December, the league announced its plan to add four more teams, bringing the eventual membership to 28 (including Los Angeles FC next year and David Beckham’s quixotic Miami project). At that time, prospective investors in Charlotte, Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville, Raleigh, Sacramento, St. Louis, San Antonio, San Diego and Tampa Bay already had come forward. An 11th applicant, the USL's Phoenix Rising, then joined the fray last week.
Indy’s absence on the original list was notable, but not entirely unexpected. The Eleven have done well at the gate and Ozdemir had met with MLS officials as far back as 2013. Indianapolis seemed like a city that was on the right trajectory. But stadium legislation stalled in 2015 when the Indiana house and senate couldn’t come to an agreement on whether to funnel usage taxes toward a new facility or use state funds to upgrade the Eleven’s current home, Carroll Stadium. So Indy’s MLS plans stalled as well.
Then last summer, they were back on track. Confident that usage taxes (or taxes generated by the existence of the new stadium) would get the political traction required at the state and city levels, the Eleven re-opened conversations with MLS. Those talks led to the decision to bid and Ozdemir’s trip to New York.
Belskus, who was the Indianapolis Motor Speedway president and CEO before running the Eleven, said the club’s MLS stadium will be a public-private partnership and that Ozdemir and his unnamed partners would be kicking in a “significant amount of private money.” Ozdemir will remain the majority owner.
If built, the new stadium would be located in downtown Indianapolis between the Colts’ Lucas Oil Stadium and the White River.
“We have a lot of energy for building a soccer stadium here,” Belskus said. “We’ve proven Indianapolis has the fan base to support soccer. It will support pro soccer and it will support Major League Soccer … It’s so logical for us.”
Sponsors are lined up, he added, and Ozdemir’s investor group “is committed. They want to see this work. The want to see it work for this community.”
(Follow link for full article.)
https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/mls-commissioner-receives-application-san-diego-team-230429044--mls.html
MLS commissioner receives application for San Diego team
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/2017/01/31/major-league-soccer-expansion-detroit-bid/97248108/
Detroit to bid for Major League Soccer expansion team
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.mlssoccer.com/topic/expansion/2017/expansion-cities-bids
Expansion Tracker: Latest cities submitting bids before Jan. 31 deadline
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 led 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.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.ibj.com/articles/62274-indy-eleven-to-make-bid-for-major-league-soccer-expansion
Indy Eleven to make bid for Major League Soccer expansion
The Indy Eleven soccer team, with cooperation from the city of Indianapolis, is planning to apply for one of four expansion openings in Major League Soccer, Sports Illustrated reported Monday night, citing team President Jeff Belskus as its source.
Jumping from the North American Soccer League—the second-tier professional soccer league in the United States—to the top league would require the Indy Eleven to pay a franchise expansion fee of at least $150 million and would involve construction of downtown stadium.
Belskus told SI that the application will include a plan for a downtown stadium that would be built between Lucas Oil Stadium and the White River as part of a public-private partnership.
Indy Eleven owner Ersal Ozdemir and his partners would kick in a “significant amount of private money” to fund the stadium, said Belskus, the former CEO of Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Team officials have made several unsuccessful attempts with lawmakers over the past few years to gain support for a downtown stadium that would seat as many as 18,500 people.
Belskus told SI that Ozdemir planned to submit the application by hand to MLS headquarters in New York City on Tuesday, the deadline for applications.
The Eleven would join 11 other teams that are vying for the four available openings in the 22-year-old league. Two successful applicants would join MLS by the 2020 season as the league’s 25th and 26th teams.
Teams 27 and 28 would begin playing at a “later” but undetermined date, the league said.
The league said it expects to announce the first two winners in the second or third quarter of this year.
The MLS set the fee for expansion teams 25 and 26 at $150 million and said the fee for the other two teams would be announced later.
The price for clubs 27 and 28 will be announced in conjunction with the announcement of the timeline for the selection of clubs 27 and 28.
The local team faces tough competition. Other cities applying for the opening include San Diego, Detroit, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Phoenix and Cincinnati.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.sportal.co.in/football/investors-apply-for-major-league-soccer-expansion-team-in-san-diego-fox5sandiego-com/
Investors apply for Major League Soccer expansion team in San Diego – fox5sandiego.com
SAN DIEGO — A group of investors who last week proposed building a new stadium in Mission Valley submitted an application Monday for a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in San Diego to league Commissioner Don Garber.
The 24-team MLS is entertaining bids from potential ownership groups to add new members. At a news conference, Garber said he anticipates receiving a dozen applications by Tuesday’s deadline, with four to be accepted.
“We would like nothing more than to deliver the world’s most popular sport to one of the world’s greatest cities,” said businessman Mike Stone, whose proposal also includes a soccer academy to foster young talent. “Our goal is to make San Diego the epicenter of soccer in the United States.”
The local bid comes more than two weeks after the National Football League’s Chargers announced plans to move to Los Angeles after 56 seasons in San Diego.
City officials are determining how long to keep open Qualcomm Stadium, which is far too large for the MLS and the San Diego State University football team. The Aztecs have a lease through the 2018 season, and are negotiating a two-year extension to provide time to find a new home.
SDSU has been discussing options with the local MLS group, led by investor Mike Stone and Juan Carlos Rodriguez, the president of Univision Deportes. School officials have also been in touch with the Padres about making renovations that would allow football to be played at Petco Park.
At the news conference, Mayor Kevin Faulconer said the city wants to take advantage of an opportunity to remake the 166-acre Qualcomm Stadium property.
“It’s an opportunity to create jobs, it’s an opportunity to revitalize Mission Valley and become an economic driver that will help us pave streets, keep our neighborhoods safe and do all the things we do in this great city,” Faulconer said.
The proposal for the property includes building a stadium of undetermined but smaller seating capacity, tearing down Qualcomm Stadium, creating a park along the San Diego River, and constructing residential and commercial buildings. Backers of the plan said no public money would be required.
They also said they would engage the public by collecting signatures that will be delivered to the City Council — which could either approve the project or place it before voters.
Rodriguez said there will be other ways for the public to be involved.
“We have the financial resources, but the most important thing, that we have to make sure, is that we have all San Diegans be part of the process of creating the DNA of the team,” Rodriguez said. “It is very important for us that you join us in the process of finding the name, finding the logo, finding the colors, the songs and all the DNA that we’re going to be creating for the team.”
He said such opportunities would be available online.
Garber said San Diego checks many of the boxes for MLS expansion, including passionate fans, a young city, a new breed of owners and the stadium vision.
US soccer legend Landon Donovan was on hand to mingle with fans.
”Soccer here in San Diego is a natural fit and I’m first and foremost a fan,” said Donovan. When asked if he would coach or play a role on the future team, Donovan played coy.
“Well just have to see what happens.”
(Follow link for full article.)
http://prorelforusa.blogspot.com/2017/01/cities-need-to-communicate-about-not.html
Cities need to communicate about, not compete for MLS
MLS recently has announced that it has opened bidding for expansion franchise slots in the league... groups have scrambled to put together stadium bids featuring quite a bit of public money. Recent reports have put the numbers at
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/2017/01/31/major-league-soccer-expansion-detroit-bid/97248108/
Detroit to bid for Major League Soccer expansion team
(Follow link for full article.)
https://twitter.com/tampabayrowdies/status/824404167473197057
Tampa Bay Rowdies Verified account
@TampaBayRowdies
Tampa Bay heard about Times Square lighting up in green and gold today and wanted to get involved! Looking good, Suntrust! 💚💛 #MLS2StPete
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2017/01/25/orlando-city-sc-announces-2017-preseason-schedule
Orlando City SC Announces 2017 Preseason Schedule
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.tbreporter.com/sports-and-recreation/philadelphia-union-returns-clearwater-preseason-training/
Philadelphia Union Returns to Clearwater for Preseason Training
The team will compete in the Tampa Bay Rowdies Suncoast Invitational.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.charlottefive.com/charlotte-mls-bid-tuesday/
Charlotte’s bid for a Major League Soccer team isn’t dead yet
Soccer fans, don’t lose hope yet. Marcus Smith still plans to submit a bid to bring a Major League Soccer team to Charlotte, even though the city decided not to vote on a plan that would help fund the future soccer stadium.
Smith tweeted Monday that he will send in an application today, which is the deadline for bids, and also said the city still “has time to consider investment of existing tourism $ in the project.”
(Follow link for full article.)
http://cbs4indy.com/2017/01/30/indy-eleven-plans-to-apply-to-join-major-league-soccer/
Indy Eleven plans to apply to join Major League Soccer
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Indy Eleven has set its sights on the highest level of American soccer.
Officials with the Indianapolis soccer team say they are pursuing one of the four Major League Soccer spots.
The team plans to submit paperwork to MLS headquarters in New York Tuesday afternoon. Indianapolis will become the 12th city hoping to enter the league.
This news comes less than 30 days after the team’s current league, the North American Soccer League, received a stay of execution.
A potential stumbling block for the Eleven’s chances would be its unsettled stadium situation. The Eleven play in IUPUI’s Michael Carroll Stadium and had a proposed $82 million deal for a new stadium shot down by the state legislature in 2015, according to our newsgathering partners at the IndyStar.
The NASL club’s president, Jeff Belskus, told Sports Illustrated the club’s MLS stadium would be a public-private partnership and that owner Ersal Ozdemir and his partners would be kicking in a “significant amount of private money.”
If built the new stadium would be built between Lucas Oil Stadium and the White River.
“We have a lot of energy for building a soccer stadium here,” Belskus told SI. “We’ve proven Indianapolis has the fan base to support soccer. It will support pro soccer and it will support Major League Soccer … It’s so logical for us.”
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.wthr.com/article/indy-eleven-to-pursue-mls-expansion
Indy Eleven to pursue MLS expansion
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.wxyz.com/news/will-major-league-soccer-come-to-the-motor-city
Will Major League Soccer come to the Motor City?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)