Tampa Bay Rowdies put up digital billboard in New York City's Times Square

More good news on the Tampa Bay Rowdies to MLS, #MLS2StPete front: Bill Edwards puts video advertisement in Times Square near MLS headquarters in New York City; St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman meets with MLS commissioner Don Garber also in New York City. Deadline coming up quick on January 31st to apply for MLS expansion. 

Also coming up quick: 3rd year anniversary of Miami Beckham United (MBU) on this upcoming February 5th. Garber still insisting that MLS in Miami is going to happen, but we have no evidence of anything happening, whatsoever. MBU were supposed to have a big announcement before the end of the year: nothing happened. Quiet as the grave. Three years of nothing. Four different stadium sites, nothing. At least three different potential investment groups courted by MBU that we know of, all failures. No reason at all to think that any new investors are going to suddenly appear and say "yes" to the Overtown stadium location and to MBU's business plans. Garber really needs to put an end to this; supposedly there is a hard deadline now but it has not been made public. 

Phoenix Rising FC has just been added as 11th team for MLS expansion. Clever name; but not as clever as my idea: Phoenix XI. "Phoenix Eleven" in Roman Numerals. Get it? Phoen-i-x-X-I? No? Nevermind. 

Also no sign of a Las Vegas application to MLS before the January 31st deadline. I would think if Oakland Raiders owners and/or Sheldon Adelson were interested in having an MLS team to share their Las Vegas NFL stadium with, they would have put in the necessary legwork by now. I don't think they are interested. If so, then they aren't going to be a backup plan for Beckham if Miami does not work out, either. IMO. 

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http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/01/25/tampa-bay-rowdies-put-digital-billboard-new-york-citys-times-square

Tampa Bay Rowdies put up digital billboard in New York City's Times Square

The Tampa Bay Rowdies took their MLS expansion bid to Times Square on Wednesday morning, putting up a digital billboard in the heart of New York City ahead of a Jan. 31 deadline for interested parties to submit their expansion applications to the league.

The billboard at 1500 Broadway on the corner of West 43rd Street will run through expansion deadline day.

Tampa Bay have announced their intention to bid for an MLS expansion team, and are working towards expanding their current home, Al Lang Stadium, in the event that the league awards the area a club.

Tampa/St. Petersburg was acknowledged by the league in December as one of 10 markets currently vying for four expansion spots. The league will select two new expansion clubs during 2017, with those teams set to begin MLS play by 2020. Two more teams, which will take the league to a total of 28 clubs, will be announced at a later date.

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http://www.empireofsoccer.com/tampa-bay-rowdies-take-mls-campaign-to-nyc-with-times-square-billboard-57324/

Tampa Bay Rowdies Take MLS Campaign to NYC With Times Square Billboard

by JAKE NUTTING

Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards wants to make sure everyone knows he’s serious about his push to win one of the expansion spots Major League Soccer has put up for grabs.

To really drive the point home, Edwards has purchased a billboard this week in Times Square displaying the hashtag for the team’s social media campaign to join MLS — #MLS2StPete. The billboard will continue to blaze the team’s hashtag and trademark green and gold colors until next week’s January 31 deadline for all interested MLS bidders to submit their formal applications to the league.

Seeing their former rivals splash cash on advertising in Times Square will no doubt remind some New York Cosmos supporters of when their team blanketed Times Square with several billboards to announce their revival in 2011. The Cosmos didn’t end up kicking a ball in a competitive match in the North American Soccer League for another two years, but at the time, ownership was still eyeing a potential spot in MLS.

Dropping money on a billboard outside of the market he’s trying to bring MLS to might confuse some, but the move fits in line with the eccentric and ambitious nature of owner Bill Edwards.  He’s never been afraid to make waves in order to get his message out and the Times Square billboard is an effort to make a statement to MLS — whose head offices are a few blocks away from the billboard — as well as everyone back in Tampa Bay that he’s confident in the team’s MLS viability.

Getting outlets to take note of the team in the NASL has been in an issue in the past, as the three existing major league teams take up much of the coverage. The Rowdies have already put up a few billboards advertising their MLS bid in Tampa Bay, but Wednesday’s Times Square billboard caught the attention of many of those local outlets.

Edwards still needs local public support on his side to make his bid successful. While he has pledged to privately finance the $80 million seating expansion to the team’s home venue in downtown St. Petersburg, he’ll first have to receive approval from voters for a new lease in a special election in early May. Because the stadium is owned by the city and located on the waterfront, a public referendum is needed to go ahead with negotiations with the city for a long-term lease, which would then need to be approved by St. Petersburg’s City Council. Council members were receptive to the team’s stadium proposal and MLS push at a committee meeting earlier this month.

If the referendum is successful and city council approves the new lease, team officials have said that they could begin stadium renovations as early as November.

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https://www.instagram.com/p/BPtDgxsFWhQ/

jakenutting

Instead of going straight home after work I went to Times Square to see the #MLS2StPete billboard. Don't tell me I don't love the @tampabayrowdies

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http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/kriseman-meets-with-mlb-mls-in-new-york-city/2311038

Kriseman meets with MLB, MLS in New York City

Mayor Rick Kriseman traveled to New York City Thursday to make his city’s case to keep one major league franchise and bring another to the Sunshine City.

Kriseman met with Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber first for about an hour at the commissioner’s office.

They discussed the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ bid to join MLS. Garber, the mayor said, was impressed with the region’s television market and population base. Kriseman emphasized St. Petersburg’s demographics---a city getting younger and more diverse---as a a good fit for MLS, whose fan base skews the same way.

Afterward, Kriseman visited Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred at MLB headquarters to discuss the Tampa Bay Rays ongoing stadium search.

They also talked for about an hour with Kriseman updating Manfred on the city’s redevelopment plans for the 85-acre Tropicana Field site.

Manfred, the mayor said, was impressed with the city’s plan, especially as it shares attributes with the Atlanta Braves new stadium, set to open this spring.

The advantage for St. Petersburg, Kriseman said, was that the Trop offers an urban setting while the Braves’ new digs are in suburban Cobb County.

Manfred “reiterated his commitment to the Tampa Bay region,” Kriseman said.

Kriseman requested both meeting, which he characterized as "very productive."

Tomorrow, Kriseman will pitch the city as a travel destination at the New York Times Travel Show. He’ll also meet with magazine publishers to tout the city.

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http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/its-tampa-bay-rowdies-vs-tampa-bay-rays-in-scramble-for-fans-money-in-st/2311148

It's Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Tampa Bay Rays in scramble for fans, money in St. Pete sports market

There was a shudder in the pecking order of Tampa Bay's sports economy this past week. Let's set the scene:

Who: St. Petersburg power player, owner of the Tampa Bay Rowdies and the Sundial downtown shopping plaza Bill Edwards, and his right hand man Rick Baker.

What: A direct pitch to hundreds of St. Petersburg businesses to support Edwards in his campaign to win a Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion slot for his Rowdies, The franchise currently was a member of the second-tier North American Soccer League (NASL) but last fall announced it would join the U.S. Soccer League. MLS is the top tier of pro soccer in this country.

Where: Center stage at St. Pete's Mahaffey Theater (run by Edwards' Big3 Entertainment Group) during Tuesday's annual meeting of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce.

The sports climate is shifting rapidly in St. Petersburg. As the Tampa Bay Rays get more serious about looking elsewhere for a new baseball stadium, the Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer team is looking to solidify its claim as the future professional sports team in downtown St. Pete.

The result is a new dynamic emerging between the Rowdies and Rays, two sports teams located within a mile of one another in a rapidly evolving city. Each sports franchise is trying at the same time to win the hearts, dollars and attendance from St. Pete's (and Tampa Bay's) business community and residents.

This past Tuesday evening, I was not anticipating a big sales pitch from the Mahaffey stage by Edwards and Baker during the St. Pete chamber meeting. But there it was. Edwards, without doubt the most influential business leader of St. Petersburg in recent years, joined with his top employee, former St. Pete mayor Baker, in a tag-team marketing presentation to a captive audience of hundreds of attending St. Pete businesses.

Their 3-prong message?

First, back the Rowdies in its current effort to bump up from the fading NASL to the MLS tier of soccer. Edwards and his as yet unidentified ownership group will submit their MLS application Monday, Jan. 30, just ahead of the end-of month deadline for all interested MLS bidders.

Second, commit to Rowdies season tickets as a tangible sign of support for an MLS team in St. Petersburg. Barring that, sign a letter of support to accompany the MLS application.

Third, buy tickets for and support the upcoming "Rowdies Suncoast Invitational" later in February. It features five MLS soccer clubs playing at Al Lang Stadium, the Rowdies home field. It's the second year for the invitational. And, as Edwards told the chamber crowd, MLS officials will be watching attendance to gauge how bullish the bay area is for soccer.

Edwards and Baker seem pretty confident the Rowdies have a good chance at an expansion slot. Tampa Bay, they say, is the country's 11th largest media market (important for TV coverage of games), the biggest market currently competing for an expansion slot.

The other big weapon in the Rowdies arsenal is that Edwards has already proposed a dramatic redesign of Al Lang Stadium into an 18,000-capacity Rowdies stadium, It would fit in the existing footprint of Al Lang and retain its open view of the downtown waterfront.

Best of all, Edwards says he will pay for the new stadium, priced at up to $80 million. In a bigger world of pro sports teams and owners clamoring for public funding for new stadiums, that makes the Edwards' offer all the more compelling.

As part of the broader pitch leading up to the MLS application, Edwards this past week purchased a billboard in Manhattan's Times Square displaying the hashtag for the team's social media campaign to join MLS — #MLS2StPete. The billboard is just a few blocks from the headquarters of Major League Soccer.

Here are my questions: If the Rays, which own last place in Major League Baseball season attendance in recent years, do eventually opt to pursue a new stadium elsewhere, perhaps in Tampa or Hillsborough County, do the Rowdies then become St. Pete's "hometown" team? That would leave the Tampa side of this metro market with the Rays, the Bucs and the Bolts as home to all three top tier sports franchises. St. Pete has a "Save the Rays" campaign called Baseball Forever intended to show solidarity for the Rays to stay in St. Petersburg (presumably with a new stadium).

But now the Rowdies are knocking on the doors of the very same area businesses, many of them modest in size, to support their MLS quest.

Many of the larger companies in St. Petersburg and Pinellas County already support the Bucs and the Lightning in Tampa. Pro football fever runs high in Tampa Bay and has picked up since the arrival of quarterback Jameis Winston and signs of improving play jn the field. The Lightning, often contenders for the playoffs, are considered one of the best run sports franchises in the country.

Traditionalist fans argue the Rays, as an MLB franchise, are an important icon for the greater Tampa Bay economy and represent a long history of baseball in this part of Florida. But that does not explain the team's weak attendance and growing criticism of aging Tropicana Field in an era of competitive stadiums.

To some, soccer is a second tier sport. But Edwards points out that soccer is America's fastest growing major sport.

He knows a good investment when he sees it. In 2015, Forbes magazine reported that MLS team owners have been investing heavily in the league. The result? The average MLS team was then worth $157 million, up more than 50 percent in just two years.

The Rays are worth far more, but carry some baggage. Forbes valued the baseball team in 2016 at $650 million — the least of 30 MLB franchises.

Will some businesses be forced to choose between the Rays and Rowdies? Can area residents support baseball and soccer in a hometown city with population of 260,000?

Are the Rowdies St. Pete's future consolation prize?

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http://wfae.org/post/residents-mixed-mls-plan-mecklenburg-county-hearing

Residents Mixed On MLS Plan At Mecklenburg County Hearing

Charlotte residents called the plan to attract a Major League Soccer team a tremendous business opportunity, a chance to build community pride and, on the other end of the spectrum, a bad pitch by a used-car salesman. More than 40 people lobbied county commissioners at their meeting Tuesday.

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http://williamsrecord.com/2017/01/25/kuntz-06-and-kain-05-reunite-at-los-angeles-fc/

Former basketball teammates Kuntz ’06 and Kain ’05 reunite at Los Angeles FC

For three seasons, Will Kuntz ’06 and Tucker Kain ’05 were teammates on the men’s basketball team at the College. In the years they played together, the Ephs went 77-12 and set a Div. III record of 64 consecutive home victories. They also won the Div. III national championship in 2003 and NESCAC championships in 2003 and 2004.

A decade later, the former teammates will be reuniting on the West Coast at Los Angeles FC (LAFC), a new Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise set to begin playing in 2018. Kain is part of the club’s ownership group, and Kuntz will serve as vice president of soccer operations and assistant general manager.

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http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/tom-sorensen-blog/article128637234.html

MLS stadium would be an investment, and it's about location, location, location

Be a hater if you want, but the Memorial Stadium site is the only choice for a proposed Major League Soccer stadium. Because, why not?

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http://www.ksdk.com/news/mls-stl-would-get-all-star-game-if-franchise-granted/392520129

MLS: STL would get All-Star Game if franchise granted

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http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/3040183/carlo-ancelotti-lack-of-relegation-demotivating-for-mls-clubs

Carlo Ancelotti: Lack of relegation 'demotivating' for MLS clubs

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http://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/op-ed/article128678144.html

A few things $87.5 million would buy

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http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2017/01/25/target-is-using-soccer-to-promote-its-brand-franchise/#474106ce5417

Target Is Using Soccer To Promote Its Brand Franchise

Recently, Target announced a series of initiatives that will make it one of the largest supporters of soccer in the U.S. The company is now the official partner of Major League Soccer after it signed a multi-year deal that includes airtime during MLS broadcasts on Univision, FOX Sports and ESPN, opportunities for in-stadium experiences, player experiences and ownership of certain major MLS platforms. In addition to the MLS sponsorship, Target will also become an official partner of Minnesota United FC. The company is also committing to further youth soccer’s growth in the U.S. It is rare for a retailer to sponsor a sports team and this is a first for Target. However, it appears that the company is looking to leverage the growing popularity of soccer in the U.S., which fits well with its sporting goods category. Target’s management stated that soccer is popular with Hispanics, which is a key demographic segment for the company. As soccer gains popularity in the U.S., the MLS has a promising future ahead. In 2015, MLS averaged 21,574 fans per game which was nearly 13% higher from the previous year and higher than NBA or NHL. Younger audiences in the U.S. are drawn to soccer and international events are witnessing high viewership. The number of Americans playing soccer is also increasing over the years with 15.8 million players in the spring of 2016. This gives Target a growing platform to market its products and connect with the younger consumers where this sport is more popular.

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http://ussoccerplayers.com/2017/01/peter-wilts-case-for-promotion-and-relegation-soccer.html

Peter Wilt’s case for promotion and relegation

By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 25, 2016) US Soccer Players - Sometime between the successful launch of Indy Eleven, a team in the 2.0 version of the North American Soccer League and the drop of his most recent manifesto at the Howler Magazine website on Tuesday morning, Peter Wilt’s transition into the patron saint of lower division soccer in America became complete. And for good reason.

Since turning the expansion Chicago Fire into a first-year MLS Cup champion in 1998, Wilt has put together a string of successful club launches and consulting gigs. Since leaving Chicago, that's happened in lesser funded competitions like the (now defunct) WPS, NASL, and MISL. Wilt has not been back to the top division with another MLS team since 2005. Instead, he's helped establish one of the more stable NASL clubs in Indianapolis. He's also worked toward bringing a second division franchise to Chicago. He’s advocated for the growth of the lower divisions and the work needed to make it happen.

With his varied resume, Wilt stands out among soccer executives in the US. Further, Wilt maintains a constant voice in the ongoing discussions in media and on the internet about American soccer’s biggest issues. Wilt is nearly always available for interviews, regardless of the topic.

In recent years, Wilt has become one of the more authoritative fonts of wisdom on the tricky subject of promotion and relegation in the United States. Wilt made those positions clear in his piece for Howler.

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http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article128701444.html

Is another taxpayer-funded sports facility in Charlotte worth it?

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http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article128763024.html

Charlotte Independence president feels 'run over' by Marcus Smith's MLS bid

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http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2017/01/25/mls-scottrade-metrolink-bills-to-get-hearing.html

MLS, Scottrade, MetroLink bills to get hearing Thursday

The city of St. Louis' Ways and Means Committee will hear three high-profile bills Thursday morning, leaving open the possibility that voters could still decide in April whether to raise the city's sales tax and fund a Major League Soccer stadium.

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http://worldsoccertalk.com/2017/01/25/mls-tv-schedule-ditches-parity-focus-super-clubs-national-broadcasts/

MLS TV schedule ditches parity to focus on super clubs for national broadcasts

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https://www.charlotteagenda.com/79219/county-commissioner-perfectly-summed-argument-mls-stadium-deal/

A county commissioner perfectly summed up the argument against the MLS stadium deal

Jim Puckett is a member of the conservative minority on the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners. He’s often a dissenting voice on county issues, particularly fiscal ones.

This week, he posted a public message on Facebook that perfectly encapsulates the argument against spending nearly $88 million in public money to build a Major League Soccer stadium in Charlotte’s Elizabeth neighborhood.

To recap, both the city council and county commission are considering a deal that would tear down Memorial Stadium and the Grady Cole Center and build a $150 million stadium in its place. That would be used to bid on an expansion Major League Soccer franchise.

The city and the county would put up $43.75 million each. Further, the county would loan $75 million to Marcus and Bruton Smith, best known as NASCAR moguls but also the driving force behind the soccer deal. That would be paid back over 25 years.
Regardless on where you stand on the issue, it’s worth taking a look at Puckett’s well-reasoned argument.

Here’s the first part of the statement.

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http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170126/BLOGS04/170129891/soldier-field-to-host-2017-mls-all-star-game

Soldier Field to host MLS All-Star Game

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http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2017/01/26/could-mls-pursuit-leave-charlotte-with-no-pro.html

Could MLS pursuit leave Charlotte with no pro soccer?

Owners of the Charlotte Independence say the minor-league soccer franchise might move after the upcoming season because of uncertainty created over a Major League Soccer bid. Their concerns grew Thursday after Mecklenburg County approved using $43.75 million of taxpayer money for an MLS stadium, although the plans for Charlotte's bid were put in jeopardy shortly after that vote when City Council delayed consideration of its share of the funding plan.

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http://fox17.com/news/local/nashville-mayor-megan-barry-announces-support-for-major-league-soccer-team-stadium

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry announces support for Major League Soccer team, stadium

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http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/article128897839.html

Nashville mayor backs push to bring MLS soccer to city

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http://www.newschannel5.com/news/mayor-barry-supports-mls-soccer-in-nashville

Barry Supports MLS Soccer; Says Fairgrounds Would Be Best Site

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http://fox2now.com/2017/01/26/aldermen-consider-soccer-stadium-scottrade-center-and-metrolink-bills/

Amended St. Louis Major League Soccer stadium passes after initial defeat

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http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article128882199.html

City cancels soccer meeting and pulls out of deal; bid could still move forward

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http://kplr11.com/2017/01/26/st-louis-major-league-soccer-stadium-proposal-defeated-in-committee/

St. Louis Major League Soccer stadium proposal defeated in committee

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http://www.sports360az.com/2017/01/mls-reaches-phoenix-rising-fc/

MLS Reaches Out to Phoenix Rising FC

Major League Soccer (MLS) has invited Phoenix Rising FC to submit an application for an MLS Expansion Team franchise following a meeting between MLS executives and Phoenix Rising FC owners last Friday in New York City.

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http://sports.yahoo.com/news/st-louis-committee-again-considers-stadium-funding-141017266--mls.html

St. Louis soccer stadium funding bill gets new life

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Just when it seemed that plans for a $200 million soccer stadium in St. Louis were dead, the proposal has new life.

The city Ways and Means Committee initially voted 6-2 Thursday against advancing a bill to ask voters to approve $60 million in funding for the stadium.

But the committee later reconvened and by a 5-4 vote approved a revised proposal. A key revision imposes an amusement tax on ticket sales that could generate up to $12 million for the city over 30 years.

The full Board of Aldermen is expected to vote next week whether to place the measure on the April ballot. Because the deadline for April 4 ballot issues was Tuesday, a judge would also have to give the go-ahead.

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http://www.wcnc.com/sports/soccer/is-there-still-a-chance-for-mls-in-charlotte/393637955

Is there still a chance for MLS in Charlotte?

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The chance for Major League Soccer to come to Charlotte took a big hit Thursday, as the City of Charlotte announced they can't move forward with the current proposal.

Their departure also includes their $43.75 million commitment-- which now needs to come from somewhere else.

If this deal gets passed, Memorial Stadium will be transformed into an MLS Soccer Stadium. But the biggest obstacle now is who will fund the city's portion of the deal: the county, Marcus Smith or somebody else?

Mecklenburg County's Commissioners voted 5-3 Thursday morning to approve funding a Major League Soccer stadium in the Queen City. The vote would allow the county to allocate $43.75 million toward the deal. Another $43.75 million was supposed to come from the city, but the Mayor says they're walking away. 

"It is a deal that does depend on us having a partnership, so the city will have to make a decision on whether or not it wants to be a part of this partnership," said County Commissioner Trevor Fuller.

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http://www.missourinet.com/2017/01/26/major-league-soccer-stadium-proposal-passes-through-committee-after-an-initial-defeat/

Major League Soccer stadium proposal passes through committee after an initial defeat

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen Ways and Means Committee passed a proposal for the MLS stadium after a second round of voting on Thursday.  The proposal now shifts to the full Board of Aldermen.  After an original 6-2 defeat of the vote, the committee reconvened and passed the proposal by a 5-4 vote after a ticket tax was added to the proposal.

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http://www.abc15.com/sports/sports-blogs-local/phoenix-being-considered-for-major-league-soccer-expansion-franchise

Phoenix to be considered for Major League Soccer expansion franchise

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http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/columns/tony-messenger/messenger-ogilvie-takes-a-stand-for-taxpayers-on-mls-soccer/article_168ef640-b088-5716-9cb2-788a622be37d.html

Messenger: Ogilvie takes a stand for taxpayers on MLS soccer stadium. And he wins.

Scott Ogilvie won the moment nobody could answer his question.

The St. Louis alderman for the 24th Ward wanted to know why the city was abating its 5 percent ticket tax as part of its deal with the owners of a proposed Major League Soccer franchise who want to build a stadium west of Union Station.

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http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/3046979/mls-invites-phoenix-group-to-make-expansion-application

MLS invites Phoenix group to make expansion application

Phoenix is the latest city to enter the race for an MLS expansion team, joining a list of 10 other markets after the league invited the Arizona capital's USL club to submit an application.

Owners of Phoenix Rising FC met with MLS officials in New York last week to discuss the possibility of moving to the top flight.

MLS said in December that 10 other cities were competing for four expansion slots. Applications are due by Jan. 31 for the first two teams, which will be announced later this year and start play by 2020.

The club was founded in 2014 as Arizona United SC and was rebranded in November after being sold in August to a group led by businessman Berke Bakay. With the sale came plans for a new soccer-specific stadium, a key factor in MLS's decisions.

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http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2017/01/26/phoenix-now-contending-for-major-league-soccer.html

Phoenix now contending for Major League Soccer expansion franchise

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http://patch.com/illinois/chicago/report-soldier-field-host-2017-mls-all-star-game

Soldier Field to Host 2017 MLS All-Star Game: Report

Downtown Chicago set to host Major League Soccer's showcase friendly match and free fan zone and events

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http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-soccer/story/3046842/st-louis-stadium-plan-hits-setback-after-committee-downvote

Committee votes to advance St. Louis stadium funding bill

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http://www.espnfcasia.com/major-league-soccer/story/3047070/nashville-mayor-to-propose-building-soccer-stadium-amid-mls-bid-report

Nashville mayor to propose building soccer stadium - report

Nashville mayor Megan Barry will propose building a soccer stadium to help boost the city's bid to secure an MLS expansion franchise.

The plans will be formally announced on Monday.

The proposal, first reported by the Tennessean, does not yet have a price tag, and it remains unclear if the city's current soccer team -- the United Soccer League's Nashville Soccer Club -- will play its home games at the stadium.

The mayor has selected the Nashville fairgrounds as the desired location. And the paper reports that the preliminary proposal would also bring upgrades to outdated fairgrounds facilities, such as the speedway.

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http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/01/26/nashville-mayor-propose-building-soccer-stadium-expansion-bid

Nashville mayor to propose building soccer stadium for expansion bid

The Music City’s MLS expansion bid got a boost on Thursday, when The Tennessean reported that Nashville Mayor Megan Barry will propose building a new professional soccer stadium at the Nashville Fairgrounds.

The Tennessean reported that plans for the stadium are centered on an MLS expansion team. It’s not clear if USL club Nashville SC, scheduled to begin play next year, could play at the stadium, which doesn’t yet have a price tag.

Barry’s plan, which will include upgrades to Fairgrounds Speedway, will reportedly be formally announced on Monday, the paper reported.

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http://www.southstrandnews.com/sports/myrtle-beach-soccer-team-teams-up-with-charleston-battery/article_34258e5a-e379-11e6-ba20-ab6b786629d2.html

Myrtle Beach soccer team teams up with Charleston Battery

The Myrtle Beach Mutiny, a U23 PDL team owned by Coast FA, has agreed to an affiliate partnership with the USL Charleston Battery franchise.

The USL was recently granted Division 2 status from U.S. Soccer beginning with the 2017 season, making it the next level behind MLS Major League Soccer.

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http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2017/01/26/mls-expansion-st-louis-phoenix-both-still-in-play/

MLS Expansion: St. Louis, Phoenix both still in play

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http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/phoenix-rising-invited-to-apply-for-mls-expansion-franchise-012617

Phoenix Rising invited to apply for MLS expansion franchise

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http://www.charlottefive.com/what-the-heck-happened-with-the-mls-stadium-proposal-yesterday/

What the heck happened with the MLS stadium deal yesterday?

Yesterday, I wrote about how I think that Major League Soccer would be great in Charlotte but not under the current deal. I think many of us knew how the rest of the week was going to play out — surely our elected officials would vote against this rushed financial deal that used tax dollars to help fund a privately-operated professional sports team.

That didn’t happen Thursday, though. Here’s what did happen.

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http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/3047070/nashville-mayor-to-propose-building-soccer-stadium-amid-mls-bid-report

Nashville mayor to propose building soccer stadium - report

Nashville mayor Megan Barry will propose building a soccer stadium to help boost the city's bid to secure an MLS expansion franchise.

The plans will be formally announced on Monday.

The proposal, first reported by the Tennessean, does not yet have a price tag, and it remains unclear if the city's current soccer team -- the United Soccer League's Nashville Soccer Club -- will play its home games at the stadium.

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http://www.wbbjtv.com/2017/01/26/nashville-mayor-backs-push-bring-mls-soccer-city/

Nashville mayor backs push to bring Major League Soccer to city

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Nashville Mayor Megan Barry is backing a push to attract a professional soccer team by building a new soccer stadium.

Barry says in a news release Thursday that the Fairgrounds Nashville would be the best place for a new stadium to host a Major League Soccer team.

The mayor says no formal deals have been finalized, but the city is helping to submit an application to MLS.

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https://www.soccernation.com/presidio-soccer-league-meets-mls-stadium-project-investors/

Presidio Soccer League Meets with MLS Stadium Project Investors

With a rapidly approaching deadline to file for an MLS expansion team, investors meet with the soccer heart of San Diego

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http://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2017/1/26/14406872/report-chicago-to-host-the-2017-mls-all-star-game

Report: Chicago To Host The 2017 MLS All-Star Game

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http://finance.yahoo.com/news/phoenix-consideration-list-mls-expansion-165700977.html

Phoenix on Consideration List for MLS Expansion Team

PHOENIX, Jan. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Phoenix Rising FC will be submitting an application for a Major League Soccer (MLS) Expansion Team franchise following a meeting between MLS executives and Phoenix Rising FC owners last Friday in New York City.

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http://ussoccerplayers.com/2017/01/the-mls-expansion-countdown-continues-major-league-soccer.html

The MLS expansion countdown continues

By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 27, 2016) US Soccer Players - The MLS imposed deadline for submission of expansion bids is a mere four days away. The groups involved are already feeling the time crunch.

It wasn’t that long ago that the deadline looked like it might play squarely to the league’s advantage. With strong interest from 10 groups, it seemed like MLS was playing the expansionmarket perfectly. Cities rushed to consider stadium construction plans that included municipal money, tax breaks, land swaps, and other considerations. By nudging the process towards a deadline, the League prodded movement on legislation that might have otherwise taken months.

Stadiums are the priority. That's the major facotr distinguishing these bids. MLS wants purpose-built venues in vibrant, urban locales. They've made it clear that the league can be picky.

The time-crunch might be winnowing the field in some ways, but it also seems to be making some bids stronger. The advantage is for the bids that seem the closest to real. No lingering questions, no doubts over civic support. Tick those boxes, and the end of January deadline is just a step.

In St. Louis, two different bills that would help the group called SCSTL defray the cost of a $200 million stadium in the city’s downtown have made their way into the news cycle. The first, which would have put the city on the hook for $80 million of the total price tag, died before reaching any vote. The second, which reduced that municipal contribution to $60 million, looked like it was going nowhere. An impromptu meeting on Thursday turned the tide back in the bill’s favor. With terms deemed more favorable to the city, there’s now real hope that the new plan can make it through committee and lead to a public vote.

The St. Louis plan is far from done, but it at least gives the SCSTL group something to scribble into in the stadium section of their application. League officials have made enough positive comments about St. Louis’s potential to think that it could be enough to push them past the finish line. If MLS announces the awarding of a team to St. Louis contingent upon a “yes” vote for the stadium finance plan, it could be enough to finish the process.

In Charlotte, the deadline is causing some consternation. With the competition heating up, discussions over a stadium financing deal took place behind the scenes. Mecklenburg County approved their part of the deal. Things went in a positive direction despite the short turnaround. The Charlotte city council announced a plan to hold a public hearing and a vote on the $43.75 million to come from the city on Friday morning.

Shortly after that announcement, however, the city backtracked. Mayor Jennifer Roberts expressed her desire to see MLS in Charlotte, but said that the city was not ready to move forward without more time to discuss the stadium plan. The only response from the group behind the Charlotte was a curt “TBD” when asked if the bid could move forward. At the very least, Charlotte’s bid to the MLS expansion committee will be without a clear path to stadium construction.

On the one had, good on Charlotte for resisting the pressure to approve a bad deal. On the other hand, they just might have missed out on their chance to bring first division soccer to the Queen City.

A little good, a little bad. The expansion landscape has both, with the rapidly approaching deadline having its effects.

Despite the timeline, MLS added an additional bidder. The league chose to invite Phoenix, not in the group of 10, to bid. The new owners of the city’s USL entry, the recently re-branded Phoenix Rising FC, already have a plot of land that could be home to an appropriate MLS venue. Significant questions about the heat aside, Phoenix is a strong addition to the group of bidders and will only serve to intensify the competition. How strong a case they can make with so little time left is the question. With another major market in the list, the strength of MLS’s hand is evident.

It’s a heady time for Major League Soccer. The beauty pageant the league is currently holding would have been unfathomable just a few years ago. Not only is MLS in a position to have 11 major American cities bidding for expansion clubs, it’s also in a position to force those 11 bidders to meet league-imposed deadlines.

On January 31, we’ll know if MLS made the right call.

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http://www.espnfcasia.com/major-league-soccer/story/3046979/mls-invites-phoenix-group-to-make-expansion-application

MLS invites Phoenix group to make expansion application

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http://www.wcti12.com/news/state/charlotte-city-council-rejects-vote-on-soccer-stadium_/296136825

Charlotte City Council rejects vote on possible MLS soccer stadium

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http://www.abc10.com/news/local/will-san-diego-affect-sacramentos-chances-for-mls-expansion/394018841

Will San Diego affect Sacramento's chances for MLS expansion?

Sacramento's Republic FC is putting the finishing touches on its bid to become Major League Soccer’s next expansion team. But another California city could be standing in its way.

On Monday, investors in San Diego announced their plan to build a new, $200 million, multi-use stadium on the site of Qualcomm Stadium, home to the former San Diego Chargers.

“We will put an application in,” investor Nick Stone said. “The key criteria for getting selected as to whether you’ll win an MLS expansion team is: Can you be playing in a soccer-tailored stadium by 2020?”

The San Diego effort has Republic FC season ticketholder Alicia de la Garza concerned.

“San Diego going for a team does worry me. The city has some big time companies that could be potential sponsors. Garber also knows the investors really well and I think that's a good sign for San Diego,” de la Garza said, referring to Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber.

At the same time, de la Garza says Sacramento deserves a team and has done a great job getting the city excited.

“I also think they've done a great job at keeping up the momentum as we wait to learn about the MLS expansion,” she added.

While Garber has said much in the past to give Sacramento soccer fans hope, the commissioner’s comments in December also point to support for a San Diego expansion team.

“[S]hould the Chargers make the decision to not remain in San Diego, the market would be more attractive to us. We take that and we believe that because we've seen what happened in Seattle when the Sonics [left]. And in many ways, the Sounders were able to fill a void in sort of their professional sports landscape in that city,” Garber said.

Garber also said support for the Liga MX team south of San Diego, and what that could mean in terms of potential competition between the league’s teams, were “really big check marks” for San Diego.

ABC10 News has reached out to Republic FC for comment.

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http://www.wbtv.com/story/34367102/whats-next-for-major-league-soccer-in-charlotte

What's next for Major League Soccer in Charlotte?

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) -

A day after the City of Charlotte decided to cancel their meeting and public forum to discuss plans to bring a Major League Soccer team to the Queen City, questions remain about what the future of the sport in the city looks like.

The County Manager confirmed Friday that the county will not be offering up any more money.

“No not at this time," said County Manager Dena Diorio when asked about offering more money into the current deal. "That [$43.75 million] is what I have approval to move forward with.”

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http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2017/01/27/ncaa-eyes-potential-mls-stadium-for-championship.html

NCAA eyes potential MLS stadium for championship events

The National Collegiate Athletic Association is keeping tabs on the latest developments of the effort to build a Major League Soccer stadium in St. Louis.

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https://www.law360.com/commercialcontracts/articles/885729/arizona-soccer-team-looks-to-score-mls-expansion-slot

Arizona Soccer Team Looks To Score MLS Expansion Slot

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http://www.guhoyas.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/012717aaa.html

Georgetown Football Alum Named to Forbes 30 Under 30

Collin Meador is an investment associate with the San Francisco 49ers

WASHINGTON - Each year, Forbes Magazine comes out with a list of the top 30 individuals, under the age of 30, in 15 different categories, recognizing the brightest young stars in their respective fields. Georgetown University football alum Collin Meador (B'09), an investment associate with the San Francisco 49ers, has been named to the 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30: Sports which recognizes people for their contributions both on and off the field.

"We have the most innovative, tech-enabled stadium in the country, so we are motivated to not be complacent and continue to innovate. The whole Silicon Valley mindset is to be ahead of the curve, thinking about what's next."

A special project that Meador has been working on, on behalf of the ownership of the 49ers, is a bid to bring a Major League Soccer (MLS) team to the city of Sacramento -- approximately 90 miles north of San Francisco. MLS has announced that the league will be expanding from 24 to 28 teams, with the first two expansion franchises being announced in 2017. Sacramento is one of 11 cities currently bidding for those four teams, and already has a United Soccer League (USL) franchise that would be promoted to MLS.

"This is one of the favorite projects we've done. Not knowing much about Sacramento prior to moving to the Bay Area, I have been very impressed by the fantastic passion of the supporters and market for their team. There is a buzz in the city for the sport of soccer.

"We have been working hard for a couple of years and are full-speed ahead on building a 20,000-seat stadium in downtown Sacramento, which is ripe for growth. It will be one of the only 360-degree stadiums in Major League Soccer to give it that intimacy, that intense environment that will create a real home-field advantage. We are very excited about that."

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http://saintpetersblog.com/rowdies-defender-damion-lowe-set-play-matches-jamaica/

Rowdies defender Damion Lowe set to play matches for Jamaica

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http://saintpetersblog.com/rowdies-set-open-first-usl-season-orlando-b/

Rowdies set to open their first USL season against Orlando B

Could there be a new war on I-4?

And if so, will they fight this one with their feet?

The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced its home opener for 2017 against Orlando B on March 25.  It will be the Rowdies’ first USL match. The match will highlight what could be a rivalry in the coming seasons if indeed the Rowdies are allowed to join the MLS.

The United Soccer League (USL), the largest second division professional soccer league in the world, today announced the home openers for the 2017 regular season, with a 13-game slate set to feature on the 2017 USL Kickoff Weekend on Saturday, March 25 and Sunday, March 26.

The Rowdies are entering their second full season under coach Stuart Campbell, who took over in the middle of 2015 season.

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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/750595?referrer_id=2364194-news-archive

2017 USL Kickoff: 10 Games to Watch

From renewed rivalries to home debuts, plenty of intrigue dots home opener schedule

The USL released the home openers for the 2017 regular season on Friday as the league is now 57 days away from its first kickoff. Among the 30 home openers across the Eastern and Western Conferences, here are 10 that caught our eye as the countdown to the season begins in earnest.

Saturday, March 25 – Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Orlando City B

The Tampa Bay Rowdies make their USL debut against their Sunshine State rivals Orlando City B on the opening Saturday of the season with high hopes for a thrilling inaugural season in the league. The club’s squad certainly reflects that ambition, with veterans like former England international Joe Cole and goalkeeper Matt Pickens being joined by exciting youngsters such as Darwin Jones and Damion Lowe both arriving from Seattle Sounders FC this offseason.

Orlando might not have quite the same level of experience, but it did reach the postseason a year ago and with the young talent of players like U.S. youth internationals Pierre Da Silva, Joe Gallardo and Mason Stadujar being joined by 2016 USL Cup winner Zach Carroll, Ben Polk and Jordan Schweitzer, Head Coach Anthony Pulis will have an upset-minded squad entering Al Lang Stadium.

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http://ballparkdigest.com/2017/01/27/rick-kriseman-meets-with-rob-manfred-on-rays-ballpark/

Rick Kriseman Meets with Rob Manfred on Rays Ballpark

Seeking to address his city’s role in the ongoing search for a new Tampa Bays Ballpark, St. Petersburg mayor Rick Kriseman met MLB commissioner Rob Manfred.

Earlier this week, Kriseman attended meetings in New York about two sports-related matters. One was with MLS commissioner Don Garber to discuss the prospect an MLS expansion franchise at a renovated Al Lang Stadium. (More on that story on our sister site, Soccer Stadium Digest). In a separate discussion, Krisemen addressed a proposal for a new St. Petersburg ballpark with Manfred.

As one of several candidates in Pinellas County, St. Petersburg has centered its ballpark proposal around a redevelopment of the area surrounding Tropicana Field. Under that concept, Tropicana Field would be demolished while a new ballpark is constructed at a nearby site.

To this point, Kriseman and other officials have sold the proposal as a way for the Rays to secure a ballpark in an urban environment while taking part in a larger development. It seems that the mayor touched upon those points during his discussion with Manfred. More from The Tampa Bay Times:

They also talked for about an hour with Kriseman updating Manfred on the city’s redevelopment plans for the 85-acre Tropicana Field site.

Manfred, the mayor said, was impressed with the city’s plan, especially as it shares attributes with the Atlanta Braves new stadium, set to open this spring.

The advantage for St. Petersburg, Kriseman said, was that the Trop offers an urban setting while the Braves’ new digs are in suburban Cobb County.

Manfred “reiterated his commitment to the Tampa Bay region,” Kriseman said.

It stands reason that the Rays and prospective ballpark partners will want to hash out some crucial details in the near future. For much of last year, the team considered concepts in both Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, and that has continued into early 2017.

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http://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2017/01/st-petersburg-mayor-meets-with-mls/

St. Petersburg Mayor Meets with MLS

During a visit to New York, St. Petersburg mayor Rick Kriseman reportedly met with MLS commissioner Don Garber to bolster his city’s chances of landing an expansion franchise.

If a pitch from Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards comes to fruition, St. Petersburg would be the home of an MLS expansion team. Edwards is proposing a privately-financed renovation to Al Lang Stadium, which would be done to bring the facility to MLS standards. Shortly after that concept was unveiled in December, the Tampa Bay become one of 10 expansion candidates to be identified by the MLS.

The timing of Kriseman’s visit alights with that effort. Edwards and other investors in pursuit of an expansion franchise must submit their applications by January 31, so Kriseman was able to meet with Garber and deliver a case for his city. More from The Tampa Bay Times:

Kriseman met with Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber first for about an hour at the commissioner’s office.

They discussed the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ bid to join MLS. Garber, the mayor said, was impressed with the region’s television market and population base. Kriseman emphasized St. Petersburg’s demographics—a city getting younger and more diverse—as a a good fit for MLS, whose fan base skews the same way.

Though the renovation is being privately financed, Kriseman and other St. Petersburg officials must secure a referendum and reach a long-term agreement with the Rowdies before the project can come to fruition.

As The Times notes, that was not the only sports-related business that Kriseman handled during his recent trip to New York. In a separate pitch, he met with Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred about a potential new ballpark for the Tampa Bay Rays.

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http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2017/01/27/heres-what-kriseman-focused-on-during-new-york.html

Here's what Kriseman focused on during New York pitch to MLB commissioner

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http://www.wralsportsfan.com/nasl-commissioner-sehgal-remains-bullish-about-2017-and-beyond/16474717/

NASL Commissioner Sehgal remains 'bullish' about 2017 and beyond

Three days after receiving provisional Division II sanctioning for 2017 from the U.S. Soccer Federation, the North American Soccer League (NASL) parted ways with Commissioner Bill Peterson following a four-year tenure. The league’s owners tapped Rishi Sehgal as its interim commissioner. The 37-year-old Sehgal earned his J.D. in 2005 from American University, and he joined the NASL in 2010 as its Director of Business Development and Legal Affairs, a position he held until earlier this month.

Commissioner Sehgal spoke with WRALSportsFan by telephone Thursday on a wide range of NASL issues, beginning with his post-mortem of the recent grueling sanctioning process before segueing into the league’s short- and long-range aims:

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http://90soccer.com/ussoccer/united-soccer-league-unveils-2017-regular-season-home-openers/

United Soccer League Unveils 2017 Regular Season Home Openers

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http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/teams/cosmos2.php?article_id=46930

THROW-BACK THURSDAY

Surprise! Szetela, who left Cosmos for Deltas, returns to 2-time defendinng NASL champions

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http://www.sportsvideo.org/2017/01/26/inside-minnesota-united-fcs-video-team/

Meet the Video Team That’s Ushering Minnesota United FC Into MLS

Readying its first videoboard show, the newest MLS club keeps an eye on building its history

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http://www.ajc.com/sports/garber-will-attend-atlanta-united-opener/HOxiNFB8o7eEmrxAodz5OI/

Garber will attend Atlanta United opener

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https://www.soccernation.com/in-pursuit-of-mls-in-san-diego/

In Pursuit of MLS in San Diego

On Monday, January 30th, Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber will attend a press event aboard the USS Midway from 11:30-12:30 p.m. He will be joined with the partners from MLS Expansion bidders, FS Investors.

The purpose of this event is to drum up support for FS Investors’ Citizens Initiative campaign to acquire the Qualcomm Stadium property in Mission Valley and redevelop the land to include an MLS stadium that could be used in conjunction with San Diego State Football, a River Park along the San Diego River which sits adjacent to the current Qualcomm site, six soccer fields on site for an MLS Academy and Reserve team play, office space for corporations to use in conjunction with SDSU faculty and students, and a number of other elements designed to enhance San Diego.

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https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/foursquare-founder-dennis-crowley-wants-to-disrupt-american-soccer-and-improve-the-usmnt-one-club-at-a-time-122359907.html

Foursquare founder Dennis Crowley wants to disrupt American soccer and improve the USMNT, one club at a time

NEW YORK – Dennis Crowley hunches over a laptop, plaid fleece hat covering his signature tufts of boyish hair. He sits at a nondescript desk in the SoHo headquarters of Foursquare, the location-sharing app he co-founded eight years ago. It’s the sort of tech office that feels more like a grownup playground, all beanbags and shuffleboard tables and red London phone booths and step-machines that charge your phone. By the entrance, one of several slogans on the wall implores the 160 workers to “Invent the future.”

The meeting rooms are all themed. One is decked out with snowboards, because, well, Crowley likes to snowboard. Another is being turned into a Stockade FC room, for the semi-pro National Premier Soccer League team he founded in Upstate New York in late 2015. Which is, of course, what brings us here. The unlikely link between a well-known tech founder and professional soccer, the next industry he’s trying to disrupt.

When Crowley decided he would like to dabble in sports ownership in late 2015, he did more or less the opposite of what other wealthy tech barons had done before him. Rather than buy into, say, an NBA team, he started a small-town, minor-league soccer team in a league without professional designation in about 100 miles north of New York City: the Kingston Stockade Football Club. Then he set about building it from the ground up, just like the apps he founded, Foursquare and Dodgeball – the former of which was at one time valued at $650 million while the latter was acquired by Google.

Crowley picked a name, designed a logo and uniforms, found a coach, recruited volunteers, held tryouts and secured a stadium. And then he set about washing jerseys, handing out pocket schedules and selling merchandise wherever he could set up a table around Kingston.

In its first-ever game in May 2016, the Stockade drew 852 spectators, four times what Crowley had projected. The club was even somewhat competitive in its inaugural season, going 5-8-3. But that isn’t entirely the point. Crowley wants to win things and compete, sure. He also wants his club to improve American soccer as a whole, and not just its own circumstances.

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http://13wham.com/sports/rochester-rhinos/rhinos-to-play-in-renamed-capelli-sport-stadium

Rochester Rhinos to play in renamed Capelli Sport Stadium

Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) - The Rochester Rhinos will have a shiny new name to play in their stadium this spring.

Capelli Sport will be the uniform supplier for the USL men's soccer team, will outfit the team and the youth leagues. In addition, Capelli Sport will be the official stadium naming rights partner for the Rhinos as the club enters the 2017 USL season.

The announcement was made Tuesday.

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http://www.statesboroherald.com/section/3/article/78288/

Tormenta, Battery form partnership

South Georgia Tormenta FC turned plenty of heads nationwide in its first season of competition in the Premier Development League. A solid team on the field and an immensely popular hit within the Statesboro community, Tormenta was named the PDL's 'New Franchise of the Year' at the league meetings in December.

As it turns out, there are even higher levels of the United States' soccer structure that have taken notice.

On Tuesday, Tormenta released information about a partnership with the Charleston Battery of the United Soccer League — the last step from the top before reaching Major League Soccer. Tormenta will join fellow PDL division rivals Tri-Cities (Tenn.) and Myrtle Beach in their partnership with the Battery.

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https://insiderlouisville.com/uncategorized/soccer-official-division-ii-brings-broadcasting-sponsorship-opportunities/

Soccer official: Division II status brings broadcasting, sponsorship opportunities for Louisville City FC

A United Soccer League official said the organization is moving up to Division II, which will create additional revenue opportunities for the league and for its clubs, including Louisville City FC.

U.S. Soccer, the sport’s top governing body in the United States, recently granted the USL provisional Division II status, up from third division last year. That means the USL this year will play directly below Major League Soccer.

Several USL clubs, including LouCity, told IL that it was too soon to gauge the upgrade’s financial impact, though Patrick Barry, president of Saint Louis FC, says that he believes the Division II status will open more revenue opportunities, at least in the long run.

Once the club’s multiyear advertising and sponsoring contracts run out, for example, Barry said the club might be in a better negotiating position to upgrade any new contracts.

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http://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/why-nasl-mls-over-saturate-southern-california-pro-soccer-market

How NASL, MLS could over-saturate Southern California pro soccer market

The NASL is reportedly considering expansion to Orange County and San Diego , the latter of which is also courts an MLS franchise. There may not be enough fans to go around for NASL.

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http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/teams/cosmos2.php?article_id=46912

BACK WITH THE COSMOS

Andres Flores rejoins NASL champions

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http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/new-life-emerges-for-st-louis-soccer-stadium/article_e86ec674-e480-5b4e-baa7-f3119992bd19.html

New life emerges for St. Louis soccer stadium
    
St. Louis' bid for soccer team back in play after second vote