The Rowdies already have one strong selling point as one of the largest media markets without an MLS team. The fact that Edwards also controls his home stadium and has plans to privately fund expansion certainly helps as well. With discussions ongoing with brokerage companies and a handful of wealthy local investors, Edwards is confident he has enough options on the table to convince MLS he has the capability of pulling things off.So, "a handful of wealthy local investors," unnamed, as mentioned also in the recent articles about the December 6th announcement. I wonder who these unnamed local investors might be? Time will tell I suppose.
The signing of these two former Orlando City SC executives is very good news, also. Their experience with the MLS expansion process and their contacts with key MLS executives will do a lot to smooth the Tampa Bay Rowdies transition into MLS. It doesn't hurt that they already have several years experience working in pro sports in central Florida, as well.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.empireofsoccer.com/rowdies-add-key-former-orlando-execs-with-eyes-on-mls-56738/
Rowdies add key former Orlando execs – with eyes on MLS
By Jake Nutting on 01/03/2017
The Tampa Bay Rowdies are looking a few hours east across Interstate 4 for help in making sure their bid to join Major League Soccer is a successful one.
Rowdies Owner Bill Edwards tells EoS that he has secured the services of former Orlando City SC executives Brett Lashbrook and Forrest Eber – both who played important roles in bringing MLS to Orlando a few years ago.
“I’ve got the best people on board,” Edwards said. “I’ve got Icon. I’ve got Populous. I’ve got Manhattan. Those are all people that do stadiums. I’ve recently engaged the services of Brett Lashbrook and Forrest Eber. They’re on board with us and we feel very strongly they’ll help us a lot in what we’re trying to get accomplished. After all, they’ve done it several times before and they know MLS pretty well.”
Lashbrook in particular was a key player in Orlando winning a spot in MLS. After taking part in the expansion negotiations for New York City FC, he joined up with Orlando midway through 2013 to help that group across the finish line. Having served as special assistant to MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Lashbrook also has deep connections and first-hand knowledge of what the league’s top brass is looking for. Lashbrook resigned from his position as Chief Operating Officer at the end of 2015.
Eber, who served as Orlando’s Chief Financial Officer from 2013 until he exited the team this past year, aided in organizing the financial aspect of Orlando’s MLS bid and also worked closely with the team’s youth programs in the area.
The hirings are certainly a coup for Edwards and the Rowdies. While the team only officially unveiled their MLS effort following their departure from NASL less than a month ago, the leg work has been going on behind the scenes for close to two years.
“I just didn’t instantly appear with a stadium plan or expansion plan, or decide to go to then USL and instantly decide to go to MLS,” he said. “I had conversations with MLS, with builders, with architects, with contractors for a year and half or two years now. Yes, it was something in the background. I was working, not openly necessarily, trying to get my plan together so when I did make that announcement, I’d be prepared.”
The Rowdies already have one strong selling point as one of the largest media markets without an MLS team. The fact that Edwards also controls his home stadium and has plans to privately fund expansion certainly helps as well. With discussions ongoing with brokerage companies and a handful of wealthy local investors, Edwards is confident he has enough options on the table to convince MLS he has the capability of pulling things off.
The issue of finalizing a deal to expand Al Lang Stadium still remains, however. St. Petersburg city officials are all jumping on board with Edwards’ proposal so far and the city council is already mulling the possibility of putting a lease extension up for a public vote in April or May. Any major construction project or longterm leases on the city’s waterfront must be decided on by residents. The city council is expected to decide on a date for the special election this month and public workshops on the issue of stadium expansion are likely to happen in February.
“The city council is going forward with their workshops and plans. I intend to be at one shortly,” Edwards said. “The ball is in play. We’re moving forward and that’s all you can ask. Everybody’s cooperating, from the mayor, to the city council, whomever. Now it’s up to the people to decide do they want it or not.”
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.facebook.com/391736547534067/photos/a.391749994199389.79355.391736547534067/1373180186056360/
George Cretekos, Mayor of Clearwater
The Tampa Bay Rowdies and Bill Edwards have announced plans for the privately funded renovation and expansion of Al Lang Stadium as part of their efforts to bring a Major League Soccer franchise to St. Petersburg. Like Clearwater's sugar sand beaches which are recognized internationally, I am confident that a Rowdies pitch at Al Lang Stadium will rank among the league's best and will expand soccer's importance in the Tampa Bay area. Let's support the Rowdies' bid to join the MLS!
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.thisiscosmoscountry.com/cosmos-roster/yasmani-duk-goes-to-saudi-arabia-may-launch-fifa-suit-for-unpaid-cosmos-wages/
Yasmani Duk goes to Saudi Arabia; may launch FIFA suit for unpaid Cosmos wages
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10158065241995241&set=gm.1298476300218395
Christopher Dominguez > Tampa Bay Soccer
Both the former COO & CFO of Orlando City, Brett Lashbrook & Forrest Eber, will reportedly be spearheading the #MLS2StPete campaign for Bill Edwards as they did for OCSC in their MLS push.
Jake Nutting @jakenutting
https://twitter.com/jakenutting/status/816332806779535360
BREAKING: Rowdies Owner Bill Edwards tells me he's hired Brett Lashbrook & Forrest Eber for #MLS2StPete bid. Story coming on @EmpireofSoccer
Jake Nutting @jakenutting
https://twitter.com/jakenutting/status/816332996760506368
Both were both top execs with Orlando City. Lashbrook spearheaded ORL's #MLS push & was Don Garber's special assistant. #MLS2StPete
(Follow link for full article.)
http://midfieldpress.com/2017/01/02/hammer-time-grassroots-club-taps-into-birminghams-soccer-potential/
Hammer Time: Grassroots Club Taps Into Birmingham’s Soccer Potential
(Follow link for full article.)
http://goalnation.com/tsf-fcs-lee-bakewell-on-npsl-soccer/
NPSL TSF FC’S LEE BAKEWELL ON SOCCER TODAY
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.soccerwire.com/news/pro/nasl/wilt-nasl-owners-cautiously-optimistic-of-survival-but-under-new-vision/
NASL owners cautiously optimistic of survival with `new vision´
(Follow link for full article.)
https://twitter.com/MidfieldPress/status/814987059815268352/photo/1?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=fb&utm_campaign=JBruzzichesi&utm_content=814987971166400512
Midfield Press @MidfieldPress
Exclusive: Atlanta Group To Bring Pro Soccer To DeKalb County - http://midfieldpress.com/2016/12/30/exclusive-atlanta-group-to-bring-pro-soccer-to-dekalb-county/ …
(Follow link for full article.)
http://midfieldpress.com/2016/12/30/exclusive-atlanta-group-to-bring-pro-soccer-to-dekalb-county/
Exclusive: Atlanta Group To Bring Pro Soccer To DeKalb County
(Follow link for full article.)
https://twitter.com/flight_19/status/814578139426947072
Flight 19 @Flight_19
Dear #Brazillionaire @FTLStrikers owners: pay players/staff/whoever else you owe, sell, get the fuck out of FTL & never come back. #FTLTID
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.worth.com/big-moves-afoot-in-major-league-soccer/
Big Moves Afoot in Major League Soccer?
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.socceramerica.com/article/71822/mls-expansion-politicians-take-aim-at-st-louis-p.html?edition=16636
MLS Expansion: Politicians take aim at St. Louis plans
(Follow link for full article.)
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/greitens-stands-firm-no-state-funding-stadium-project-151106857--mls.html
Greitens stands firm: No state funding for stadium project
(Follow link for full article.)
http://reason.com/blog/2017/01/03/publicly-funded-stadiums-missouri
Publicly-Funded Stadiums 'Completely Ruled Out' By Missouri's Governor-Elect
The city of St. Louis may still vote for spending taxpayer money on a soccer stadium, but the state of Missouri is out.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/3031427/missouri-governor-elect-rules-out-any-funding-for-mls-stadium-in-st-louis
Missouri governor-elect rules out any funding for MLS stadium in St. Louis
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2017/01/03/st-louis-mls-expansion-stadium-missouri-governor
Missouri governor-elect rules out state funding for St. Louis MLS stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/governor-elect-greitens-stiffens-opposition-to-state-funds-for-stadiums/635385372
Governor-Elect Greitens Stiffens Opposition to State Funds for Stadiums
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/teams/cosmos2.php?article_id=46757
SAUDI ARABIA BOUND
Ex-Cosmos forward Duk signs with Al Ettifaq
Huh. I was not even aware that Dukla Prague was no more.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.sportskeeda.com/football/5-famous-clubs-which-dont-exist-anymore
5 famous football clubs that do not exist anymore
Five big clubs that ended up being wiped off the footballing map.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://twitter.com/BrianStraus/status/816327361495007238
Brian Straus @BrianStraus
As we wait for USSF sanction decision, couple NASL items trickling in. First, Jacksonville has potential buyer, NASL would run in interim.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://twitter.com/kkfla737/status/816285308803235840
Kartik Krishnaiyer @kkfla737
Today I hear is likely D-2/D-3 D-Day in the US. Stay tuned...
6:09 AM - 3 Jan 2017
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.chattanoogafc.com/news/mls-match/
MLS Match-Up
Posted by Chattanooga FC, Jan. 3, 2017
Just eight days after the Men’s National Team visits the Scenic City, MLS’ newest franchise, Atlanta United, will arrive to play Chattanooga FC in Finley Stadium. It will be Atlanta United’s first match EVER, and it’s being played in Chattanooga, TN.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/740126?referrer_id=2364194-news-archive
Rowdies Announce Trialists ahead of Florida Cup
(Follow link for full article.)
http://the11.ca/a-20-team-nasl-by-2018-as-league-works-to-save-itself-there-is-optimism-from-the-ranks/
A 20-team NASL by 2018? As league works to save itself, there is optimism from the ranks
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.facebook.com/CTProSoccer/
Connecticut Pro Soccer
American Soccer Rumors as 8 PM EST:
1. USSF delays decision yet again:
https://twitter.com/MattGlenesk/status/816418051650441216
What does that mean...who knows?
2. The man...the myth...the soccer team creating legend Peter Wilt posts a cryptic tweet:
https://twitter.com/PeterWilt1/status/816420800383352832
What does that mean...who knows?
3. The story of the moment...NASL could be to 20 teams by the fall of 2018.
There is optimism...and then their is optimism on steroids. One has to believe that this is either a pipe dream attempt by Peter to save NASL or the attempts by his current group, Club 9 sports, have started to pan out leading to NASL 3.0.
One thing is for certain...the day-to-day story lines in American soccer are never boring.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.chattanoogafc.com/news/usmnt-chattanooga/
USMNT in Finley!
Posted by Chattanooga FC, Jan. 3, 2017
Next month, the US Soccer world will turn it’s eyes to the Scenic City as earlier today Chattanooga Football Club, Finley Stadium and Chattanooga Sports Committee announced two massive, unprecedented events to take place in February 2017.
First, the US Men’s National Team will play a friendly against Jamaica in Finley Stadium Friday, February 3rd, at 7:00pm. The US Men’s team has never played in Chattanooga before, making it a truly historic event. Newly appointed manager Bruce Arena will be getting his team in shape for the upcoming 2017 Gold Cup, so it is sure to be a great match.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/sports/professional/atlanta-united-to-open-its-inaugural-preseason-in-chattanooga/article_b8a162b5-69b1-520d-bb3b-2c72d4d9a03d.html
Atlanta United to open its inaugural preseason in Chattanooga
No comments:
Post a Comment