David Beckham's Miami investment group adds Todd Boehly - sources

This announcement is obviously as a result of the MLS meeting this week. We've known that MBU were in talks with potential investors. MLS wanted an update on the status of MBU, so MBU had to say who they were talking to. Now we know who, too: Todd Boehly. 

Does this really mean anything? Does this change anything? Is Todd Boehly likely to say 'yes' in regards to the same situation with MBU at Overtown, that at least three other potential investors, that we know about (and possibly many more that we don't know about), all said 'no' to?

It seems unlikely to me, but who knows. If announcements and agreements start being made public soon and work appears to be getting done, maybe this time is different. But if this is followed up with months of more silence, then not good for MBU. 

This story says Todd Boehly has been added to the MBU investment  group, but nothing official from either MBU or Todd Boehly has stated that yet. I would think if this were true they will want to get it on the record very soon. 

We shall see. 

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http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/3113378/david-beckhams-miami-investment-group-adds-todd-boehly-sources

David Beckham's Miami investment group adds Todd Boehly - sources

By Jeff Carlisle

David Beckham's goal of bringing an MLS expansion franchise to Miami is inching closer to the finish line, with banker Todd Boehly being added to his investment group, sources confirmed to ESPN FC.

The Daily Mail was the first to report Boehly's involvement in the project.

The MLS Board of Governors met earlier this week in Colorado Springs, and a source confirmed that the terms of the deal adding Boehly to Beckham's group, known as Miami Beckham United, were discussed.

One source added that MLS is currently reviewing the proposal, and has yet to sign off on the deal, and may come back with recommendations. The source confirmed The Daily Mail's reporting in that some current owners are pushing back over Beckham's discounted expansion fee of $25 million, which was agreed upon back when Beckham was a player in the league.

Beckham exercised that option amid much fanfare back in February of 2014. Currently, MLS is asking expansion candidates for upwards of $150 million, and there is a sense among some owners that additional investors shouldn't be able to piggyback on Beckham's arrangement.

MLS has spent three years trying to aid Beckham's expansion quest, and his desire to bring in additional investors has been widely known, so the pushback from MLS owners is somewhat surprising. MBU has already spent $19 million on a six-acre parcel of land in Miami's Overtown neighborhood.

A remaining three-acre parcel is yet to be acquired, but the holdup there was that MBU wanted to round out its investment group first. Now that has been accomplished, and with the added credibility that Boehly would bring, it is believed that there would be little standing in the way of MBU acquiring the needed land.

An MBU spokesperson declined to comment when reached by telephone.

Boehly is the chairman and CEO of Eldridge Industries. Boehly previously served as the head of Guggenheim Investments at Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC, where he was responsible for the firm's asset management business. Prior to that, he also served as the President at Guggenheim Partners, where he was responsible for launching the firm's credit investing business. He remains part of the ownership group that purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers back in 2012.

Boehly joins Beckham, Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure, CEO of Oak View Group Tim Leiweke and Beckham's business partner Simon Fuller on MBU's investment team.

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http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mls/article147016129.html

Beckham’s Miami MLS group adds L.A. Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly

By Michelle Kaufman

David Beckham and his partners took another step toward securing a Major League Soccer team in Miami, revealing to league owners late Tuesday that their group has added billionaire Todd Boehly to help finance the project, according to a source familiar with the discussions.

Boehly is an American investment banker who is part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and chairman of Eldridge Industries, which counts among its holdings Hollywood Reporter and Billboard magazines and Dick Clark Productions.

The Beckham-led Miami MLS deal has been dragging on for more than three years, and league Commissioner Don Garber and other owners are getting increasingly frustrated.

One of the holdups was finding significant, reliable financial backing for the project, which is expected to top $300 million between stadium construction and the team startup. The involvement of Boehly should give Beckham’s group more credibility with MLS owners, who must approve the deal.

The MLS Board of Governors met in Colorado Springs on Tuesday to discuss a variety of topics, one of them being the Beckham ownership situation. No vote was taken, but the board will be reviewing the terms of the deal, and Boehly’s involvement, in the coming days. A vote is expected in the near future.

Garber said last Friday that a decision “has to be made this year,” or they will look elsewhere.

As part of Beckham’s contract when he joined the Los Angeles Galaxy as a player, he was promised a deeply-discounted franchise upon retirement. He reportedly will pay $25 million for a team, while owners of other new teams are paying $150 million. MLS is counting on Beckham’s international celebrity status to raise the global profile of the league. As owner of a team in Miami, his reach into Latin America is viewed as a valuable asset.

“I believe in the Miami market,” Garber said in New York City at a meeting with several of the nation’s sports editors. “There’s never been a successful international market that wasn’t a successful MLS market.”

But, he said, Beckham’s group had yet to fulfill the requirements necessary to have an MLS franchise – proper financing, a viable stadium plan in place and a solid ownership group.

Miami Beckham United — the name of the soccer icon’s investment group -- is backed by Beckham and partners Marcelo Claure (CEO of Sprint) and Simon Fuller (Beckham’s agent and a creator of “American Idol”). Boehly is now the fourth heavy hitter.

Tadd Schwartz, the Miami-based spokesman of the group, declined comment Wednesday night, but a statement may be released on Thursday.

Beckham announced his plans to bring MLS to Miami in February 2014. The plan has since fizzled at three would-be sites and a parcel of the current site in Overtown is still being negotiated.

In the meantime, Atlanta and Minnesota franchises joined MLS this season, and a 23rd team is scheduled for 2018 in Los Angeles.

“A decision has to be made this year,” Garber said. “David knows this, it’s time to move forward or not, and that time is upon us.”

If Miami falls through as the 24th team, it would open up a spot for one of the many teams vying to join the league.

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4448806/David-Beckham-confident-MLS-backing-Todd-Boehly.html

David Beckham confident of securing backing from billionaire financier Todd Boehly as he looks to finalise Miami franchise's entry into MLS

Billionaire Todd Boehly could be brought into Miami MLS franchise funding team

Project is being spearheaded by former England captain David Beckham

Beckham is looking to buy franchise rights for around £19.5million

Boehly has previously been part of a group interested in buying Tottenham

By Charles Sale for the Daily Mail

Published: 17:30 EDT, 26 April 2017 | Updated: 18:48 EDT, 26 April 2017

David Beckham is set to complete the funding team for his proposed Miami franchise ownership but their entry into MLS is still in the balance.

The Beckham group are confident billionaire American financier Todd Boehly will come on board to help give the blueprint a sound financial base, with the final obstacle being the MLS owners agreeing to Miami's entry in 2019.

Some owners are understood to resent Beckham being able to buy a franchise for a bargain $25million (£19.5m) as part of his LA Galaxy playing terms when the entry point is now approaching £150m.

But it is difficult to understand how MLS could block Beckham's bid after the way he boosted the profile of the league on and off the pitch, his long search for the right premises in Miami and the potential support for a Florida team.

And the involvement of Boehly will give the Miami project even more credibility.

The investment banker, who was part of an American consortium who were interested in buying Spurs, invested instead in the LA Dodgers baseball team for which his group paid $2bn (£1.55bn) — a record for a sports franchise — seeing off a bid from Arsenal's Stan Kroenke in the process. 

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/67l886/7_days_to_go/

7 days to go! (self.TampaBayRowdies)

submitted 23 hours ago by Tampa Bay Rowdiesdietrich14

By this time next week, we will either be elated or depressed.... All signs point to elated but as a Tampa resident I'm quietly holding my breath. COYR! COStPete!

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http://www.wmnf.org/rick-baker-pushes-yes-vote-rowdies-stadium/

Rick Baker pushes for ‘yes’ vote on Rowdies stadium

Posted April 26, 2017 by Seán Kinane & filed under Elections, Local Government, News and Public Affairs, Sports.

St. Petersburg voters will decide next Tuesday whether the city should lease a historic waterfront sports stadium to the Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer team for 25 years. The Rowdies want to expand the stadium with the hopes of landing one of four Major League Soccer expansion teams. Former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker works for the owner of the Rowdies and made his pitch Wednesday to the Suncoast Tiger Bay Club.

Baker is the former Mayor of St. Petersburg and is widely expected to run again, though he deflected multiple questions on the subject.

Rick Baker also response to people who worry there won’t be enough parking for an expanded Rowdies stadium.

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http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/baker-wants-to-talk-about-the-rowdies-but-tiger-bay-was-interested-in-if/2321698

Baker wants to talk about the Rowdies, but Tiger Bay was interested in if he's running for mayor

Charlie Frago, Times Staff Writer

Wednesday, April 26, 2017 2:16pm

Former Mayor Rick Baker came to the Tiger Bay luncheon Wednesday to talk about the Tampa Bay Rowdies' bid to join soccer’s big leagues.

Pretty much everyone else wanted to know if he plans to run for mayor of St. Petersburg against incumbent Rick Kriseman.

“Which would you rather be? The president of a major-league soccer franchise based in Tampa Bay? The governor of Florida? Or the mayor of St. Petersburg,” asked Peter Schorsch, a political consultant and owner of SaintPetersblog who also introduced Baker to the smallish crowd at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club.

Baker paused.

“So I’m going to answer that question as directly as I can,” Baker began before abruptly returning to a previous question about how a Major League Soccer franchise playing in an expanded Al Lang Stadium would affect downtown parking that prompted laughter from the crowd..

After running out the clock, Baker mock apologized for not having enough time to address Schorsch’s question.

After several more attempts to pry out the former mayor’s plans, the final questioner was blunt:

“Are you going to run for mayor or no?”

“So the answer is that I’m going to vote on May 2 for the Rowdies,” Baker said.

Baker made a  now familiar case for residents to approve a referendum that would authorize the city to negotiate a 25-year lease with the team for Al Lang Stadium. The ballot language also states that city money wouldn’t be used to expand the stadium to an MLS-required 18,000 seats and is contingent on the Rowdies gaining one of four expansion slots being contested by a dozen cities.

An MLS franchise would be the next step in the city's renaissance over the last 30 years, Baker said.

The league is expected to make a decision by the end of the year.

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http://saintpetersblog.com/rick-baker-not-yet-ready-talk-publicly-challenging-rick-kriseman/

Rick Baker not yet ready to talk publicly about challenging Rick Kriseman

Mitch Perry

With speculation fire that Rick Baker could announce another run for St. Petersburg Mayor as soon as next week, one could assume he’d show some leg on his political future during an appearance Wednesday at the Suncoast Tiger Bay Club.

Well, you know what they say about assuming …

Instead of taking about his political future, Baker did what he’s done nonstop for the past two months: making the case for voters to support a referendum giving Bill Edwards — his boss — a 25-year lease at Al Lang Field

Edwards would then expand capacity of the venerable park, making it viable for the Tampa Bay Rowdies to join Major League Soccer, the leading soccer league in the U.S.

And while that might be interesting enough, if there was any doubt about the worthiness of the project, the fact is, there is scant organized opposition to an issue that involves no taxpayer money. Edwards and his investors are footing the $250,000 cost of the May 2 special election, as well as approximately $80 million for expansion of Al Lang from its current 7,000 seat capacity to 18,000.

For the record, Baker was asked three times (in one fashion or another) to discuss his potential candidacy for mayor, a job he held 2001-2009. All three times, he chose to initially act as if he hadn’t heard the question.

Instead, Baker went straight to referendum talking points, slyly acknowledging that, in fact, he had heard the question, but wasn’t about to offer anything quotable.

Finally, Baker conceded that any comment not related to the Rowdies would only come after next week’s election.

“Maybe we’ll have that discussion another time,” he said when asked how he would manage the city versus the incumbent, Rick Kriseman.

Otherwise, it was all Rowdies stadium talk, all the time.

Perhaps the most interesting questions pertained to the stability and trust in Edwards, the Treasure Island entrepreneur who turned BayWalk around and single-handedly boosted the Mahaffey Theater with his financial largesse.

And while he’s continued to spend his money on making the Rowdies a first-class organization, not all is perfect in his world. There’s that legal case about his now-defunct mortgage company, Mortgage Investors Corp., accused of cheating veterans and the public in refinancing VA loans.

“He feels there’s no merit to it and that he’s a veteran himself and he fought in Vietnam and was wounded in the hospital for two years,” Baker said. “He believes he’s going to prevail.”

But activist Vince Cocks wasn’t satisfied with that response. While Edwards said he could personally pay a judgment to the 42 investors suing him, Cocks asked how would such a result effect the city of St. Petersburg?

“Well, that’s based on speculation,” Baker responded, earlier saying there would need to be a succession plan put in place. He preferred to answer how it would affect the construction of the Al Lang expansion, which wouldn’t be an issue, as the bonding would already be in place.

“People are not going to go out there and get a construction company in there building a stadium without confirmation that there is funding available,” Baker said.

The former mayor began with the 10-minute presentation he’s given to community and neighborhood groups around the city over the past couple of months. Baker provided a monologue on how much the city has developed over the previous three decades, with the Rowdies and the significance of professional soccer on downtown, just the latest element in making the city a great place.

Even if the taxpayers approve the Al Lang expansion next week, construction will remain on hold until the team learns if its MLS bid is accepted, which Baker says probably won’t happen until this December.

Eleven franchises are vying for four slots in MLS.

The criteria to be chosen by the league: a $150 million buy-in to join; reside in a major media market (Tampa Bay is 11th in the nation; Baker noted the Top 10 markets already have an MLS franchise); community support (the Rowdies currently average over 5,000 fans a game) and a stadium with a seating capacity of 18,000, which is what next Tuesday’s vote will decide.

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http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/785689

What's In A Number?

By Rowdies Communications, 04/26/17, 11:45AM EDT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (April 26, 2017) — For fans, players are often synonymous with the number they wear on the back of their jersey. As an example, it’s hard to imagine the name “Savage” on the back of a jersey with anything other than a “22” below it. The same could be said for the pairing of “Hristov” and “10.”

But for the players themselves, numbers don’t always carry a lot of weight. For a handful of players on the Rowdies’ roster this year, the number doesn’t mean much more than just being the number a player in their position should wear. Leo Fernandes and Darwin Jones, for example, wear 11 and 7, respectively, because those numbers are strongly associated with wide attacking players.

Often times, when a player signs with the Rowdies makes a huge impact on what number they choose. Sign early in the offseason and you may get your favorite number, sign late in the offseason or mid-year and the choices are limited.

Here’s a little more insight into why the Rowdies wear the numbers they wear.

No. 1 – Nico Campbell: “It’s a standard number for goalkeepers. I wore it as a kid.” If Campbell didn’t get the No. 1 jersey, he likely would’ve taken 21, the number he wore for Jamaica at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2011.

No. 2 – Darnell King: “I wore 21 in Fort Lauderdale, but it was taken when I signed with the Rowdies, so I picked 2 because it’s the number I wore when I was a young player.”

No. 3 – Neill Collins: “I was assigned 3 when I signed with Wolves. I’ve worn a bunch of different numbers in my career, but 3 was available when I came here, so I took it.”

No. 4 – Marcel Schäfer: “I always wore 4 at VfL Wolfsburg. It’s a special number for me because two of my kids were born on the fourth of a month and my other kid was born on the 24th.”

No. 7 – Darwin Jones: First time wearing 7, just chose it because of where he plays on the field.

No. 8 – Deshorn Brown: First time wearing 8. “My favorite number is 26. That’s what I wore in Colorado and Norway, but that’s taken here. I wore 9 in China, but that was also taken.”

No. 9 – Alex Morrell: “I wore 9 as a youth player, but it’s usually one of the first numbers taken because of the famous players that have worn it. I was surprised it was available when I signed with the Rowdies.”

No. 10 – Georgi Hristov: “When I joined the Rowdies, it was the only number available that I liked. Throughout my career, I always wore 9 or 11, and 10 is right between them.”

No. 11 – Leo Fernandes: First time wearing 11, just chose it because of where he plays on the field.

No. 13 – Justin Chavez: “I took 13 when I signed with Fort Lauderdale because it was either 13 or a really high number. I wore 6 as a kid and in college, but that number is retired here.”

No. 14 – Luke Boden: “There’s no real significance to the 14 shirt for me. Before our first preseason game in Orlando in 2011, they laid out all the jerseys that were available and I just picked 14.”

No. 15 – Zac Portillos: “I’ve never worn 15 before, but now it’s my first professional number.”

No. 17 – Tamika Mkandawire: “I was given 17 when I went to Hereford United on loan and I played well, so I stuck with it for a while. My favorite number is 7, but you can’t play center back and wear 7. That just wouldn’t be right. I came to the Rowdies in the summer in 2014 and had to take 27, but I moved down to 17 after that first year.”

No. 18 – Matt Pickens: “When I was really young, I was a field player that wore 8. When I started playing goalkeeper around 11 years old, I switched to 1 and when I turned pro, I put them together as 18.”

No. 19 – Martin Paterson: “My youngest son was born on the 19th and 19 was available when I signed with the Rowdies, so I took it.”

No. 22 – Keith Savage: “My dad, Bruce Savage, wore 22 throughout his career for both club and the US national team, so I’ve always worn it. When I was getting ready to sign with the Rowdies, another player had 22, but it all worked out.”

No. 26 – Joe Cole: “When I signed with West Ham, I was given 26. At Chelsea and Liverpool I wore 10. When I went to Lille in France, 10 was taken by a guy called Eden Hazard, so I went back to 26. I’ve always tried to wear 10 or 26.”

No. 31 – Damion Lowe: “My dad, Onandi Lowe, wore 31 in his career for club teams and the Jamaican national team. I’ve worn 31 most of my career, but if not 31, I wear 17, another number my dad wore.”

No. 32 – Martin Vingaard: “I joined the Rowdies in the summer last year and there weren’t many numbers left. I used to wear 20, but it was already taken, so I picked 32, the number David Beckham wore for PSG. I’m Danish and there’s a famous Danish striker named Peter Møller that wore 32 as well.”

No. 50 – Akira Fitzgerald: “I used to wear 1, but I switched to 50 to honor my mother because that’s the year she was born in.”

No. 90 – Kyle Porter: “I wear 90 because my dad encouraged me to pick a unique number and I was born in 1990.”

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https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/american-owners-world-soccer-clubs-football-beyond-premier-league

Beyond the Prem: 9 lesser-known clubs with American owners

American owners in the Premier League are nothing new. Here are nine other places where U.S. investment is impacting foreign clubs.

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http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12096/10851419/orlandos-kaka-is-highest-earner-in-major-league-soccer

Orlando's Kaka is highest earner in Major League Soccer

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https://abc7chicago.com/sports/orlandos-kaka-tops-mls-salary-list-bastian-schweinsteiger-7th-at-$54m/1916568/
    
Orlando's Kaka tops MLS salary list, Bastian Schweinsteiger 7th at ..

WLS-TV

... Kaka remains the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer, according to ... MLS and its clubs do not reveal salary information when announcing ...

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http://starrfmonline.com/2017/04/26/jonathan-mensah-is-the-highest-paid-ghanaian-in-mls/

Jonathan Mensah is the highest paid Ghanaian in MLS

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http://www.teamtalk.com/news/mls-salaries-revealed-ashley-cole-earnings-dwarfed-by-stars

MLS salaries revealed: Ashley Cole earnings dwarfed by stars

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https://mlsmultiplex.com/2017/04/26/cyle-larin-coming-up-clutch/

Orlando City: Cyle Larin Coming up Clutch

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http://ghanasoccernet.com/jonathan-mensah-claims-title-of-highest-paid-ghanaian-player-in-mls

Jonathan Mensah claims title of highest paid Ghanaian player in MLS

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http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2017/04/26/34957422/why-does-kaka-continue-to-top-the-mls-salary-chart

Why does Kaka continue to top the MLS salary chart?

The Brazilian is the highest-paid player in the North American league for the third straight season, which sources tell Goal isn't a coincidence.

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http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/609030/MLS-player-salaries-wages-annual-earnings-Major-League-Soccer-sportgalleries

MLS player salaries confirmed: Three former Premier League stars among 10 highest earners

THERE is plenty of big money to be earned in Major League Soccer.

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https://yen.com.gh/92263-richest-ghanaian-players-mls.html

Richest Ghanaian players in the MLS

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http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3112872/what-do-mls-goalkeeper-woes-say-about-the-state-of-the-united-states-national-team-pipeline

What do MLS' goalkeeper woes say about the state of the U.S. pipeline?

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https://www.ibj.com/blogs/4-the-score/post/63557-indy-elevens-effort-to-score-mls-franchise-takes-hit

Indy Eleven's effort to score MLS franchise takes hit

April 26, 2017

Anthony Schoettle

The Indy Eleven’s bid to join Major League Soccer appeared to take a serious blow last week when the Indiana General Assembly concluded its session without passing legislation that would help fund a downtown soccer stadium that the team’s owner says is necessary to land a spot in the sport's top U.S. pro league.

For those who were unaware the North American Soccer League franchise made a plea for help from state lawmakers during the recently concluded General Assembly: You probably weren’t alone. The Eleven made an eleventh-hour pitch for aid with most of the presentations conducted privately and quietly.

Eleven officials declined this week to discuss what they requested or what this does to their effort to join Major League Soccer, opting instead to email a one-sentence statement in response to an interview request.

“Indy Eleven remains committed to continuing conversations with interested and supportive parties regarding a public-private partnership that can bring a new multipurpose stadium to downtown Indianapolis,” said Eleven President Jeff Belskus in the statement.

On Jan. 31, the Eleven submitted a bid to become one of four expansion teams in MLS—a proposal that included a $100 million-plus stadium. Indy Eleven owner Ersal Ozdemir told IBJ in January the stadium is necessary whether the team moves up to the MLS or stays in the NASL.

“Without a new stadium, we have some serious decisions to make,” he said.

Ozdemir said in January he is seeking a 20,000-seat venue to meet the MLS’ minimum for capacity and because of the city’s midsize status. But he added that the stadium would be designed with expansion in mind and said he wasn't fearful the Eleven would have difficulty filling it.

Playing at Lucas Oil Stadium or Victory Field is out of the question. MLS has begun mandating that new teams not play in venues built for football and baseball and instead play in soccer-specific stadiums. Indy Eleven currently competes in the Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium at IUPUI.

MLS officials did not return calls seeking comment this week.

During this year’s Indiana legislative session—in which a two-year state budget was crafted—there was never a bill drawn up to aid stadium construction. But multiple sources confirmed to IBJ that Eleven officials during the last month of the session—which concluded Saturday—gave private presentations to a handful of influential lawmakers in hopes of getting something passed this session.

This marks the fourth session of the General Assembly in which Eleven officials have been unsuccessful in getting the legislation they want to build a new stadium.

Influential budget writer Sen. Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, was at one of the private confabs where Ozdemir asked for a state help to build a new stadium. Ozdemir was accompanied by Belskus and automotive dealer Andy Mohr, an investor in the MLS expansion effort. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett also attended.

Part of the proposal, Kenley said, involved setting up a professional sports district where state sales and income tax dollars would be captured to help the team with what it needs financially. Some of those taxes, Kenley said, would come from Ozdemir’s proposed downtown hotel on the southeast corner of Illinois and Market streets.

Thomas Cook, Hogsett’s chief of staff, said Hogsett supports the idea of a downtown soccer stadium providing it does not require a city tax increase to fund stadium construction or any money from the city’s general fund.

Instead, said Cook, Hogsett favors a state law that allows the City-County Council to set up a professional sports district where primarily state taxes are captured for the construction of the stadium. Cook said the mayor is willing to discuss having the city’s Capital Improvement Board own the new stadium if construction funds can be secured.

“We’re still willing to discuss what we can do creatively to put the city in a position to secure a Major League Soccer franchise,” Cook said.

Kenley seems much less bullish on the proposition.

“It didn’t seem like to me it all added up,” he said. “I didn’t think the [Eleven’s] presentation was well thought out.”

Kenley also said the latest proposal was disappointing because Ozdemir and the city didn’t seem to be putting much money into the project. Cook said the team is willing to contribute $10 million.

Kenley said overall “I didn’t feel comfortable with the last-minute effort.”

While Kenley questions whether the Eleven ownership “has the wherewithal to get this done,” Cook said the mayor “has a great deal of respect for a number of people in the investor group.”

In January, as part of his MLS push, Ozdemir floated 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.

The Eleven and 11 other teams are vying for four available openings in the 22-year-old MLS. 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 has said.

The league expects to announce the first two winners of expansion franchises in the second or third quarter of this year.

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.

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https://www.sundayworld.com/sport/soccer/bastian-schweinsteigers-hefty-mls-salary-is-revealed

Bastian Schweinsteiger's hefty MLS salary is revealed

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http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/kaka-becomes-top-paid-major-league-soccer-player-for-third-straight-year-4629136/

Kaka becomes top-paid Major League Soccer player for third straight year

Kaka is the highest-paid Major League Soccer player for a third consecutive year with over $7 million in annual earnings.

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http://www.espnfc.com/ghana/story/3112983/jonathan-mensah-tops-earning-table-of-ghanaians-in-mls

Jonathan Mensah tops earning table of Ghanaians in MLS

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https://abc7chicago.com/sports/zlatan-ibrahimovic-should-make-the-move-to-mls---bastian-schweinsteiger/1914944/

Zlatan Ibrahimovic should make the move to MLS - Bastian Schweinste..

WLS-TV

... Bastian Schweinsteiger has called on Zlatan Ibrahimovic to follow him in making the move from Manchester United to Major League Soccer.

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http://www.the42.ie/kevin-doyle-mls-salary-3359577-Apr2017/

Kevin Doyle's seven-figure salary puts him in the top 30 MLS earners

The Ireland and Colorado Rapids striker is set to earn a base salary of $1 million.

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http://www.football-italia.net/101698/giovinco-and-pirlo-big-mls-earners

Giovinco and Pirlo big MLS earners

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http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/04/26/san-jose-earthquakes-payroll-ranks-13th-in-major-league-soccer/

San Jose Earthquakes’ payroll ranks 13th in Major League Soccer

Chris Wondolowski, Simon Dawkins each make $800,000

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http://sport360.com/gallery/football/231229/top-10-mls-salaries-kaka-and-andrea-pirlo-among-the-highest-earners

IN PICS: Top 10 earners in MLS

Sport360 lists the highest paid footballers in Major League Soccer.

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http://www.kxl.com/portland-timbers-want-providence-park-become-cathedral-soccer/

Portland Timbers Want Providence Park To Become “Cathedral For Soccer”

By Jim Ferretti

Apr 26, 1:46 PM

Portland, Ore. — The Portland Timbers want a bigger stadium. Wednesday the team announced plans for a 4,000 seat expansion to Providence Park.

The team issued a written statement regarding the proposal.

Since the Portland Timbers’ arrival in Major League Soccer in 2011 and the addition of Portland Thorns FC and the National Women’s Soccer League in 2013, Providence Park has become one of the foremost venues in North American soccer. It has won numerous awards for its unrivaled fan experience and atmosphere and has been named FourFourTwo’s Best Stadium for Soccer in the United States as well as the top MLS stadium experience across all sports by StadiumJourney.com.

Originally built in 1926 in the downtown core of Portland, its 91-year history has seen the likes of soccer, football, baseball, dog racing, concerts, ski jumping, presidential visits and much more. Now nearly a century since it first opened, Providence Park is poised for another transformation. An already great stadium for sport will become an even greater cathedral for soccer, while helping meet the ever-increasing demand for tickets.

Club leaders have proposed a modern, yet historically influenced $50 million-plus, privately financed expansion project for the east side that would add approximately 4,000 new seats, a striking new street-level colonnade and an iconic, modernized expansion—all at no cost to the city or public. An expanded Providence Park will make the stadium viable for the future and help ensure that Timbers and Thorns FC remain in their unique downtown location long-term, well beyond the expiration of the current operating agreement in 2035.

The proposed design by internationally renowned and Portland-based architecture firm Allied Works would add a 93-foot high covered structure on the east side of the stadium, taking a vertical approach to a relatively small footprint while integrating well with the existing stadium. The proposed project includes four new levels on the expanded east side, with three of the four levels created for reserved and group seating sections to help meet demand, while including a unique, pedestrian-friendly public arcade along SW 18th Avenue.

While Providence Park is already a top destination for soccer, challenges for the future remain. The stadium has sold out for every single Timbers regular-season and playoff match at home since the club’s inaugural MLS season in 2011. The Timbers currently have an ever-growing waiting list of more than 13,000 fans for season tickets. MLS matchday ticket demand for the available supply is at a premium. In short, more people want to get in than can be accommodated.

“Providence Park is one of the most special stadiums in sports,” said Mike Golub, president of business for the Timbers and Thorns FC. “With our proposed expansion, we will enhance the incomparable fan experience and intimacy and provide the opportunity for some of the more than 13,000 members of the waiting list to become season ticket holders.”

Additionally, MLS is evolving rapidly as the league continues to grow in all areas and additional expansion teams come on line in the upcoming years. Stadia in Major League Soccer are growing in size and the rising economics of the league are making it increasingly challenging to compete, as Providence Park – with an existing capacity of 21,144 for soccer – currently ranks in the bottom half of the league in terms of size.

Inspired in part by the famous Shakespearean Globe Theatre in London and the iconic La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires—both with their upright vertical seating areas and literal on-top-of-the-action perspective—the new Providence Park expansion would complete the full U-shape stadium design as was envisioned by the original then-Multnomah Stadium architects of A.E. Doyle and Morris Whitehouse in 1925. The end result would “finish” the stadium after almost 100 years, completing a transformation to a fully realized, urban soccer stadium.

“The expansion of Providence Park will continue to honor the rich history and traditions of the stadium and city of Portland and marry them with the best of modern stadia,” said Golub.

This private investment into the city-owned venue also goes a long way towards keeping the club’s unique urban environment viable well beyond its current operating agreement. The added capacity to the century-old, community gathering space will better position it to attract additional, larger-scale soccer and special events, and will benefit other stadium users, such as Portland State University football. The expansion and ensuing increased capacity and public use would substantially increase the city ticket tax revenue that benefits directly back to the City of Portland.

While the team continues to work with the city and neighborhood association on specifics of the proposed project and the initial design-review process commences, the potential construction timeline would include a two-offseason process, beginning either at the conclusion of the 2017 or 2018 season at Providence Park and concluding in time for either the beginning of the 2019 or 2020 MLS season.

“This proposed project is a win-win for everyone involved, and we’ve been very encouraged by the collaborative work that’s been put into this project to date,” said Golub. “We still have some work to do, but we are actively working with the city and neighborhood association, and everyone is excited by the prospect of an expanded Providence Park and ensuring the long-term viability of this unique stadium.”

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.timbers.com/post/2017/04/26/soccer-cathedral-grows-providence-park-add-approximately-4000-new-seats-modern

A soccer cathedral grows: Providence Park to add approximately 4,000 new seats in modern expansion

April 26, 20179:45AM PDT

Timbers.com Staff

Since the Portland Timbers’ arrival in Major League Soccer in 2011 and the addition of Portland Thorns FC and the National Women’s Soccer League in 2013, Providence Park has become one of the foremost venues in North American soccer. It has won numerous awards for its unrivaled fan experience and atmosphere and has been named FourFourTwo’s Best Stadium for Soccer in the United States as well as the top MLS stadium experience across all sports by StadiumJourney.com.

Originally built in 1926 in the downtown core of Portland, its 91-year history has seen the likes of soccer, football, baseball, dog racing, concerts, ski jumping, presidential visits and much more. Now nearly a century since it first opened, Providence Park is poised for another transformation. An already great stadium for sport will become an even greater cathedral for soccer, while helping meet the ever-increasing demand for tickets.

Club leaders have proposed a modern, yet historically influenced $50 million-plus, privately financed expansion project for the east side that would add approximately 4,000 new seats, a striking new street-level colonnade and an iconic, modernized expansion—all at no cost to the city or public. An expanded Providence Park will make the stadium viable for the future and help ensure that Timbers and Thorns FC remain in their unique downtown location long-term, well beyond the expiration of the current operating agreement in 2035.

The proposed design by internationally renowned and Portland-based architecture firm Allied Works would add a 93-foot high covered structure on the east side of the stadium, taking a vertical approach to a relatively small footprint while integrating well with the existing stadium. The proposed project includes four new levels on the expanded east side, with three of the four levels created for reserved and group seating sections to help meet demand, while including a unique, pedestrian-friendly public arcade along SW 18th Avenue.

While Providence Park is already a top destination for soccer, challenges for the future remain. The stadium has sold out for every single Timbers regular-season and playoff match at home since the club’s inaugural MLS season in 2011. The Timbers currently have an ever-growing waiting list of more than 13,000 fans for season tickets. MLS matchday ticket demand for the available supply is at a premium. In short, more people want to get in than can be accommodated.

“Providence Park is one of the most special stadiums in sports,” said Mike Golub, president of business for the Timbers and Thorns FC. “With our proposed expansion, we will enhance the incomparable fan experience and intimacy and provide the opportunity for some of the more than 13,000 members of the waiting list to become season ticket holders.”

Additionally, MLS is evolving rapidly as the league continues to grow in all areas and additional expansion teams come on line in the upcoming years. Stadia in Major League Soccer are growing in size and the rising economics of the league are making it increasingly challenging to compete, as Providence Park – with an existing capacity of 21,144 for soccer – currently ranks in the bottom half of the league in terms of size.

Since the Portland Timbers’ arrival in Major League Soccer in 2011 and the addition of Portland Thorns FC and the National Women’s Soccer League in 2013, Providence Park has become one of the foremost venues in North American soccer. It has won numerous awards for its unrivaled fan experience and atmosphere and has been named FourFourTwo’s Best Stadium for Soccer in the United States as well as the top MLS stadium experience across all sports by StadiumJourney.com.

Originally built in 1926 in the downtown core of Portland, its 91-year history has seen the likes of soccer, football, baseball, dog racing, concerts, ski jumping, presidential visits and much more. Now nearly a century since it first opened, Providence Park is poised for another transformation. An already great stadium for sport will become an even greater cathedral for soccer, while helping meet the ever-increasing demand for tickets.

Club leaders have proposed a modern, yet historically influenced $50 million-plus, privately financed expansion project for the east side that would add approximately 4,000 new seats, a striking new street-level colonnade and an iconic, modernized expansion—all at no cost to the city or public. An expanded Providence Park will make the stadium viable for the future and help ensure that Timbers and Thorns FC remain in their unique downtown location long-term, well beyond the expiration of the current operating agreement in 2035.

The proposed design by internationally renowned and Portland-based architecture firm Allied Works would add a 93-foot high covered structure on the east side of the stadium, taking a vertical approach to a relatively small footprint while integrating well with the existing stadium. The proposed project includes four new levels on the expanded east side, with three of the four levels created for reserved and group seating sections to help meet demand, while including a unique, pedestrian-friendly public arcade along SW 18th Avenue.

While Providence Park is already a top destination for soccer, challenges for the future remain. The stadium has sold out for every single Timbers regular-season and playoff match at home since the club’s inaugural MLS season in 2011. The Timbers currently have an ever-growing waiting list of more than 13,000 fans for season tickets. MLS matchday ticket demand for the available supply is at a premium. In short, more people want to get in than can be accommodated.

“Providence Park is one of the most special stadiums in sports,” said Mike Golub, president of business for the Timbers and Thorns FC. “With our proposed expansion, we will enhance the incomparable fan experience and intimacy and provide the opportunity for some of the more than 13,000 members of the waiting list to become season ticket holders.”

Additionally, MLS is evolving rapidly as the league continues to grow in all areas and additional expansion teams come on line in the upcoming years. Stadia in Major League Soccer are growing in size and the rising economics of the league are making it increasingly challenging to compete, as Providence Park – with an existing capacity of 21,144 for soccer – currently ranks in the bottom half of the league in terms of size.

Inspired in part by the famous Shakespearean Globe Theatre in London and the iconic La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires—both with their upright vertical seating areas and literal on-top-of-the-action perspective—the new Providence Park expansion would complete the full U-shape stadium design as was envisioned by the original then-Multnomah Stadium architects of A.E. Doyle and Morris Whitehouse in 1925. The end result would “finish” the stadium after almost 100 years, completing a transformation to a fully realized, urban soccer stadium.

“The expansion of Providence Park will continue to honor the rich history and traditions of the stadium and city of Portland and marry them with the best of modern stadia,” said Golub.

This private investment into the city-owned venue also goes a long way towards keeping the club’s unique urban environment viable well beyond its current operating agreement. The added capacity to the century-old, community gathering space will better position it to attract additional, larger-scale soccer and special events, and will benefit other stadium users, such as Portland State University football. The expansion and ensuing increased capacity and public use would substantially increase the city ticket tax revenue that benefits directly back to the City of Portland.

While the team continues to work with the city and neighborhood association on specifics of the proposed project and the initial design-review process commences, the potential construction timeline would include a two-offseason process, beginning either at the conclusion of the 2017 or 2018 season at Providence Park and concluding in time for either the beginning of the 2019 or 2020 MLS season.

“This proposed project is a win-win for everyone involved, and we’ve been very encouraged by the collaborative work that’s been put into this project to date,” said Golub. “We still have some work to do, but we are actively working with the city and neighborhood association, and everyone is excited by the prospect of an expanded Providence Park and ensuring the long-term viability of this unique stadium.”

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/vanderbilt/2017/04/26/should-vanderbilt-play-football-games-mls-stadium-fans-surveyed/100942812/

Should Vanderbilt play football games at MLS stadium? Fans surveyed

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http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2017/04/26/nashville-soccer-ceo-how-music-city-can-make-m.html

Nashville soccer CEO: How Music City can make MLS officials "take notice" this summer

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https://thehimalayantimes.com/sports/kaka-tops-major-league-soccer-salaries-for-3rd-straight-year-sebastian-giovinco-next/

Kaka tops MLS salaries for 3rd straight year; Giovinco next

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/04/26/kurt-larson-mls-fans-and-all-los-angeles-should-root-galaxy-revival

Kurt Larson: MLS fans and all of Los Angeles should root for Galaxy revival

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/article147000484.html

MLS This Week: Fredy fits in, the Atomic Ant and Chicharito

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https://www.portada-online.com/2017/04/26/chicharito-could-become-mls-best-payed-player/

Chicharito May Become MLS’s Best-Paid Player

(Follow link for full article.)

https://thelinknewspaper.ca/article/ottawa-fury-fc-toronto-fc-ii-create-new-rivalry-in-the-usl

Ottawa Fury FC, Toronto FC II Create New Rivalry in the USL

New Impact Affiliate Faces Rival Toronto, USL President Comments on FC Montreal, Canadian League

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http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/796432/Bastian-Schweinsteiger-Manchester-United-Zlatan-Ibrahimovic-MLS-transfer-news-gossip

Bastian Schweinsteiger: This Manchester United star should join MLS

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC should move to Major League Soccer, according to his former Manchester United team-mate Bastian Schweinsteiger.

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/mls-this-week-fredy-fits-in-the-atomic-ant-and-chicharito/2017/04/26/e2a9c4a0-2ad7-11e7-9081-f5405f56d3e4_story.html

MLS This Week: Fredy fits in, the Atomic Ant and Chicharito

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.socceramerica.com/article/73187/report-miami-beckham-united-adds-new-investor.html

Report: Miami Beckham United adds new investor

by Paul Kennedy, April 26th, 2017 11:19PM

More than three years after first announcing plans to exercise his option on an MLS expansion team in Miami, David Beckham's group is still without a finalized stadium plan but has added a new investor, Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner and media mogul Todd Boehly, reported ESPN FC.

Jeff Carlisle's report followed reporting by the Daily Mail's Charles Sale of Boehly's involvement in Miami Beckham United.

ESPN FC reported that the new deal was discussed at the MLS Board of Governors' meeting in Colorado Springs but it confirmed the Daily Mail's reporting that some MLS owners were unhappy with additional investors piggybacking on Beckham's deal for a cut-price expansion team ($25 million).

Boehly's media business -- Eldridge Industries -- recently concluded a funding agreement in DraftKings. Another investor in DraftKings is the Kraft Group, which owns the New England Revolution.

Eldridge Industries' other interests include Dick Clark Productions, Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter, Spin Media and Mediabistro.

Miami Beckham United has been seeking for more than three years to get a stadium project off the ground. Deals at three sites -- PortMiami, downtown Miami and Little Havana, next to Marlins Park -- collapsed.

Miami Beckham United then turned its attention in 2015 to Miami’s Overtown neighborhood, where it purchased two pieces of land covering six acres but needs to buy another three-acre plot of land from Miami-Dade County.

Only last month Miami-Dade commissioner Xavier Suarez said he was losing patience with Beckham's plan for the soccer stadium on the site, which houses a vehicle depot and could be used to build affordable housing.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.sundayworld.com/sport/soccer/bastian-schweinsteigers-hefty-mls-salary-is-revealed

Bastian Schweinsteiger's hefty MLS salary is revealed

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.artesianews.com/1450059/mls-this-week-fredy-fits-in-the-atomic-ant-and-chicharito.html

MLS This Week: Fredy fits in, the Atomic Ant and Chicharito

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/International/kaka-tops-mls-salaries-list-20170426

Kaka tops MLS salaries list

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2017/04/26/timbers-unveil-plans-for-additional-4-000-seats/100962250/

Portland Timbers unveil plans for additional 4,000 seats in Providence Park

AP Published 11:27 p.m. ET April 26, 2017

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Portland Timbers have unveiled plans for a privately funded addition to Providence Park that would add 4,000 seats.

The estimated cost of the expansion project is $50 million, paid for by the Timbers. It would add four levels to the east side of Providence Park.

The Timbers are popular in Portland with 112 straight sellouts of their downtown stadium that seats 21,144 (that's every MLS regular season and playoff game since the team's inception in 2011). There are some 13,000 fans on the waiting list for season tickets.

"For the last several years we've been studying how we can expand Providence Park, and keep this amazing essence and environment that we've built, but also allow up to 4,000 more fans to attend our games on a regular basis. So today we announced plans to do just that," Timbers President of Business Mike Golub said Wednesday.

The MLS club will have its first meeting with the city's Design Commission on May 11. The commission must approve the plan before it can move forward.

The team's operating agreement will also have to be amended to reflect the expansion, which must be approved by the City Council.

If the expansion is approved, the Timbers expect complete it in two phases over the course of two offseasons, possibly starting late this year.

The process really started back in 2012, the Timbers' second season in Major League Soccer.

"We saw where our demand was, we also saw where the league economics and growth as going, and we know that for us to be viable and competitive not and well into the future that we had to make plans," Golub said. "We've been thinking about it for quite some time."

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.venuestoday.com/news/detail/la-galaxy-inks-sponsored-tailgating-deal

L.A. Galaxy Inks Sponsored Tailgating Deal

MLS team will partner with Jim Beam, Hornitos for tailgate parties

by Gil Kaufman

Published: April 26, 2017

Pregaming just got way more intense at L.A.Galaxy games, thanks to a partnership with Jim Beam/Hornitos that has brought in-stadium tailgate parties to StubHub Center, Carson, Calif., for the majority of the Galaxy’s home games in the 2017 season.

Fans interested in starting things off early are now able to enter the venue three hours before game time, where they’ll find live music from California pop band Will Maker and the Red Line, enjoy snacks from food trucks and drink specials during the “LA Galaxy x Jim Beam” and “LA Galaxy x Hornitos” tailgate events.

“The partnership [with Jim Beam] was originally executed mid-way through last year and the tailgate idea was originally part of a loose concept that we developed with Jim Beam/Hornitos that had mutually beneficial objectives,” said Robert Vartan, senior director of partnership sales for the Galaxy and StubHub Center, about the deal brokered by AEG Global Partnerships. “We have an area called the [Jim Beam] Champions Lounge near the locker rooms that are typically a hospitality area for higher priced tickets that are close to the players and that was our priority last year with onboarding Jim Beam.”

With the Champions Lounge activated in 2016, the next pillar of the partnership with Jim Beam was a deal that encompassed the Galaxy and StubHub Center.

The events kicked off Sunday, April 23, at the team’s home match vs. the Seattle Sounders FC. Incentive to arrive early — gates open one hour before general gates on game days — came in the form of $5 Hornitos margaritas and $5 Jim Beam cocktails up until halftime at StubHub Center’s Pitch & Pale, which is in the southeast corner of the stadium.

“For any sporting event or team, the stadium wants fans to come as early as possible and enjoy the property, beat traffic and this is a way for us to work with a partner and provide content and excitement to promote fans coming early, through a specific gate,” said Vartan. “When you walk in there will be Hornitos or Jim Beam depending on the game — sometimes we’ll mix brands — and they’ll provide a drink special and some content.” The best part is that Jim Beam/Hornitos has incorporated the Galaxy brand and look into their style for the lounge.

Vartan said that while the Galaxy aren’t “reinventing the wheel” with the concept — a spokesperson for Major League Soccer (MLS) said they were not aware offhand of any other teams that are doing similar promotions — this pre-party could not have happened without the right partner to provide a fun hospitality event with custom food and drink. “They’ve invested in making the lounge look and feel like a hybrid of them and us,” he said.

Fans do not need to purchase a ticket to enter the tailgate area, which the Galaxy is promoting through its social feeds as well as StubHub’s channels, media releases and on both entities’ websites.

“We’ll keep promoting periodically throughout the year if there’s a food or drink special they want to showcase, and once we see the on-boarding this year, maybe we can do some stuff with retail and their on-premise partnership,” said Vartan, pointing at potential opportunities to get the word out through Jim Beam’s prime accounts at area grocery and liquor stores.

Through three home games the lounge — open to patrons 21-plus through kickoff — has drawn an average of 100 fans. Vartan said the team will need a full season to figure out if it is a break-even proposition, a revenue generator or loss leader. “With the game schedule, game times and matchups, it’s hard to base [potential revenue] off of a few games,” he said. “Our focus is not about the number but about the added fan experience and we’d love to get to a place where you have to line up to get in.”

Though initial numbers are modest, there is plenty of space to expand in the 100 x 150 sq.-ft. outdoor area and Jim Beam — signed on through the end of 2018 — has not set any requirements about the amount of product they expect to move or sales benchmarks. Vartan was not at liberty to discuss the amount of sponsorship dollars being offered by Jim Beam, though he said it was “significant,” and definitely fair market in the category for a deal between a spirits maker and a sports team/venue, “if not slightly above.” As for why the promotion is happening now, Vartan said it comes down to the investment from Jim Beam. “The financial support and having the right brand to tie in food and beverage is the cleanest way to do it and make the content relevant,” he said.

And, not for nothing, though the concept is not totally new, Vartan was also not aware of any other MLS teams with similar promotions. “I’d like to think we’re blazing a trail,” he said.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/last-chance-to-ride-cross-bay-ferry/434485484

Last chance to ride Cross Bay Ferry

Jenny Dean, WTSP 4:02 AM. EDT April 27, 2017

Have you taken a ride on the Cross Bay Ferry yet? This weekend is your last chance.  It was a six month pilot project funded by Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties and the cities of Tampa and St. Pete.  It cost taxpayers about $1.5 million  and will probably only recoup about $150 thousand.

But St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman says transportation rarely makes money, and he tells me it's more successful than they ever imagined.  "I think people are going to miss it."

The Cross Bay Ferry makes its final voyage on Sunday. Mayor Kriseman began lobbying for it early last year and managed to make it a reality in a matter of months.  He says they expected it to be busy on the weekends, but really questioned whether commuters would use it.  "There's been several surprises to me. We've had better commuter numbers than I expected. We've had more Tampa Bay residents riding than tourists."

Mayor Kriseman says they now have the information they need to ask for transportation dollars from the state and federal governments.  And the data is so promising, the Hillsborough County Commission is committing money to try and start a commuter ferry service between Apollo Beach and Macdill during the week.  Those same ferries could be used on the weekends for recreational riders.

But what about those who say they'll never use it and it's a waste of taxpayer money?  Kriseman says "If we're going to really be a competitive community that brings people and business into our region, we've got to have better transportation choices. Because we can't compete with a lot of other regions that have good mass transit we don't have."

There are a lot of cities that use ferries like this as a means of regular transportation. 

The ferry being used here is on loan from Massachusetts and runs regular routes there between Boston and the south shore town of Hingham. 18-times a day,  almost every-hour. For $84 a month you can ride it any time you want.  Seattle and San Francisco have similar programs. 

So far, there is support for bringing back the service next year, but no definite decision has been made. 

Again, this weekend is your last chance to ride the ferry.  You can reserve a spot on their website here.

http://crossbayferry.com/

https://www.facebook.com/CrossBayFerryTB/

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.barbadostoday.bb/2017/04/26/warner-suing-concacaf/

Warner suing CONCACAF

(Follow link for full article.)

https://sports.yahoo.com/news/timbers-unveil-plans-additional-4-000-seats-030559321--mls.html

Timbers unveil plans for additional 4,000 seats

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/david-beckham-mls-franchise-miami-10305112

David Beckham 'confident of securing funding from American billionaire' for Miami MLS franchise

Former England captain Becks is hopeful of gaining approval for the franchise in time for the 2019 MLS season

By Liam Corless

10:14, 27 APR 2017 Updated10:37, 27 APR 2017

David Beckham is reportedly confident of securing funding from American Todd Boehly for his proposed US soccer franchise in Miami.

Beckham believes the billionaire banker is keen to climb aboard and help the franchise in its bid to be approved in time for entry into the MLS in 2019.

Former England captain Becks is hoping to buy franchise rights for a bargain £19.5million - almost ten times less than the current going rate of around £150million.

The Daily Mail say Beckham's reduced rate is part of the terms he agreed to when joining LA Galaxy as a player in 2007.

Investment banker Boehly was part of a consortium which paid £1.55billion to gain ownership of the LA Dodgers baseball team in 2012, seeing off a bid from Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke.
 
(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/67pdpl/a_soccer_cathedral_grows_providence_park_to_add/

A soccer cathedral grows: Providence Park to add approximately 4,000 new seats in modern expansion (timbers.com)

The butt-hurt is strong in this one (reader comments in reaction to this, below, are priceless):

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2017/apr/24/letter-bring-baseball-back-to-portland/

Letter: Bring baseball back to Portland

By John Casper, VANCOUVER

Published: April 24, 2017, 6:00 AM

Well here it is — another spring in the Vancouver-Portland area and, in years past, the Portland Beavers would have been starting a new season. But not anymore. For seven long, boring summers baseball has not been in Portland. Instead, we are forced to suffer though a foreign so-called sport where most of the time nobody wins. It saddens me to think I will never be able to take my kids or grandkids to another Beaver baseball game. I also feel sorry for the kids who will never get to see a AAA baseball team in Portland.

My hope is that someday the Timbers will go to Europe, were they belong, and our Portland Beavers will return to Portland, where they belong. I live and hope for that day.