Report: Beckham partner casts doubts on MLS in Miami

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.local10.com/news/local/miami/report-beckham-partner-casts-doubts-on-mls-in-miami

Report: Beckham partner casts doubts on MLS in Miami

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/7g5fdb/miki_turner_why_is_leiweke_sounding_the_alarm_on/

[Miki Turner] Why is Leiweke sounding the alarm on Beckham's Miami bid? Almost no chance lawsuit/appeal is resolved before July 2018, and could take up to 18 months (twitter.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

https://twitter.com/turneresq/status/935540719959261185

Miki Turner

@turneresq

In light of the little bomb that Lieweke dropped about the falling confidence in the #Beckham #Miami #MLS bid, this might explain why things are going south. I've put together an estimated timeline as to when the case could be resolved. (1)

8:07 AM - 28 Nov 2017

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/7g5iun/miami_herald_story_top_david_beckham_partner_on/

Miami Herald Story- Top David Beckham partner on Miami deal: I have ‘fears’ it won’t get done (miamiherald.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article186844813.html

Top David Beckham partner on Miami deal: I have ‘fears’ it won’t get done

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/7g4b2v/leiweke_on_mls_miami_i_hope_it_gets_done_but_its/

Leiweke on MLS Miami, “I hope it gets done, but it’s not done. I have my fears as to whether it’s going to get done.” (Also on TFC, Bradley, Crew) (torontosun.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

http://torontosun.com/sports/soccer/mls/toronto-fc/totally-unfair-ridiculous-ex-toronto-fc-head-honcho-tim-leiweke-backs-bradley-checks-in-with-sun-in-exclusive-chit-chat

‘TOTALLY UNFAIR AND RIDICULOUS’: Ex-Toronto FC head honcho Tim Leiweke backs Bradley, checks in with Sun in exclusive chit-chat

A file photo taken on February 5, 2014 shows former England and Manchester United star, David Beckham during a press conference at the Perez Art Museum Miami, in Miami, Florida. (Getty Images)

LEIWEKE UNSURE IF MIAMI GETS DONE

Tim Leiweke fears David Beckham’s MLS franchise wont come to fruition.

This after MLS commissioner Don Garber said in August the league could officially unveil Miami as an expansion team “perhaps by the end of the summer,” according to ESPN.

“I’m helping any way I can with David,” Leiweke told the Sun. “I hope it gets done, but it’s not done. I have my fears as to whether it’s going to get done because things like this that drag on this long that’s always tough on a process. But for David I hope he lands somewhere.”

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7gania/report_beckham_partner_casts_doubts_on_mls_in/

Report: Beckham partner casts doubts on MLS in Miami (local10.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.local10.com/news/local/miami/report-beckham-partner-casts-doubts-on-mls-in-miami

Report: Beckham partner casts doubts on MLS in Miami

MIAMI - A major partner in David Beckham's investment group working to bring an MLS franchise to Miami has cast doubts on a team ever playing in South Florida.

In an interview with the Toronto Sun, investor Tim Leiweke sounded less than enthusiastic about Beckham's MLS in Miami dream becoming a reality.

"I have my fears as to whether it's going to get done because things like this drag on this long that's always tough on the process," said Leiweke.

Beckham announced his intentions to own a Miami franchise back in 2015, but since then, little has been done.

While certainly the biggest name in the group, Beckham would only be a minority owner of the team, while investor Todd Boehly would be the club's majority owner.

The soccer icon's frustrating search for a stadium site seemed to find a solution with a spot near the Miami River in Overtown. However, construction will not start until the league awards a franchise to Beckham and his partners.

Beckham put up a down payment of $450,000 on the land and owes the remainder of the $9 million by September 2018.

Michael Hernandez, an aide to Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, says nothing has changed on the county's end of a deal to obtain a franchise, but said there has been no recent communication with Beckham.

The county is currently embroiled in a battle with Key Biscayne resident Bruce Matheson who opposes the land deal.

Leiweke appears to believe Miami and Beckham's chance at an MLS franchise may have passed.

“It would be unfortunate for the league to not honour the job he did and the decision he made,” Leiweke added. “His best work would still be ahead of us if we could figure out a way to get him involved with a franchise."

While all hope is not lost, frustration appears to be growing within Beckham's group.

“I’m helping any way I can with David,” Leiweke said. “I hope it gets done, but it’s not done."

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/75858/doubts-raised-about-beckhams-miami-mls-bid.html

Doubts raised about Beckham's Miami MLS bid

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.goal.com/en/news/beckham-partner-fears-miami/10lp45dvj4rd41mzpw8us1uf5m

Beckham partner 'fears' Miami stadium deal won't get done

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/5023503/david-beckham-mls-miami-stadium/

Beck to the start David Beckham’s MLS dream under threat as deal for Miami stadium in doubt

The Beckham group chief negotiator, Tim Leiweke, has revealed his concerns for the entire project due to a lack of a stadium

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/soccer/fl-sp-david-beckham-mls-soccer-deal-dead-20171128-story.html

David Beckham's partner on Miami soccer deal: I have 'fears' it won't get done

(Follow link for full article.)

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2017/11/28/beckham-partner-fears-mls-to-miami-wont-get-done/

Beckham Partner Fears MLS To Miami Won’t Get Done

(Follow link for full article.)

http://kwese.espn.com/football/major-league-soccer/story/3288354/david-beckham-partner-expresses-doubt-over-future-of-miami-mls-bid

David Beckham partner expresses doubt over future of Miami MLS bid

Columbus Crew, Major League Soccer and relocating the idea of the community football club

(Follow link for full article.)

https://thesefootballtimes.co/2017/11/28/columbus-crew-major-league-soccer-and-relocating-the-idea-of-the-community-football-club/

Columbus Crew, Major League Soccer and relocating the idea of the community football club

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.dispatch.com/sports/20171127/crew-sc-precourt-mls-suggested-columbus-try-for-expansion-team

Crew SC: Precourt, MLS suggested Columbus try for expansion team

(Follow link for full article.)

https://mlsmultiplex.com/2017/11/28/savethecrew-crew-as-an-expansion-team/

#SaveTheCrew: Crew as an Expansion Team?

As the move to Austin moves forward with the Columbus Crew, the city of Columbus has once again been given options that raise more concern than comfort.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.espn.com/soccer/north-american-soccer-league/story/3287240/nasl-wants-steve-malik-removed-from-ussf-board-of-directors?src=com

NASL wants Steve Malik removed from USSF board of directors

(Follow link for full article.)

http://hoodline.com/2017/11/despite-championship-in-1st-year-deltas-turn-out-lights-at-kezar

Despite Championship In 1st Year, Deltas Turn Out Lights At Kezar

Things to do in and around St. Pete

Things to do in and around St. Pete  

I will keep this page updated as I add more blog posts. 

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Craft Breweries in St. Pete

http://supportyourlocalfootballclub.blogspot.com/2017/11/craft-breweries-in-st-pete.html

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Things to do in and around St. Pete: St. Pete Distillery, Best of St. Pete/Clearwater, Downtown St. Pete, Historic St. Pete Neighborhoods.

http://supportyourlocalfootballclub.blogspot.com/2017/10/things-to-do-in-and-around-st-pete-st.html

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Things to do in and around St. Pete: Sunken Gardens, Florida Botanical Gardens.

https://supportyourlocalfootballclub.blogspot.com/2017/08/things-to-do-in-and-around-st-pete.html

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Things to do in and around St. Pete: Beaches and Hotels.

https://supportyourlocalfootballclub.blogspot.com/2017/08/things-to-do-in-and-around-st-pete_7.html

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Things to do in and around St. Pete: Museums, Art Walk, new pier, etc.

https://supportyourlocalfootballclub.blogspot.com/2017/08/things-to-do-in-and-around-st-pete_76.html

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Things to do in and around St. Pete: Food, drink, etc.

https://supportyourlocalfootballclub.blogspot.com/2017/08/things-to-do-in-and-around-st-petefood.html

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Two New Asian Eateries Makes Three in a Row on Central

https://supportyourlocalfootballclub.blogspot.com/2017/07/two-new-asian-eateries-makes-three-in.html

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#WaitingOnGeekWire

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nchS64Lqas

#WaitingOnGeekWire

St. Petersburg, FL

Published on Nov 16, 2017

GeekWire, an online tech publication based in Seattle, is looking for their new temporary HQ2. St. Pete makes its case as to why they're the best choice.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2017/11/16/window-film-company-moves-headquarters-from.html?ana=fbk

Window film company moves headquarters from Massachusetts to Tampa Bay area

Madico Inc. has bought the former Transitions Optical plant in Pinellas Park and will relocate its headquarters to the site.

Madico, which manufactures laminating and coating solutions and window films, paid $14.5 million for the site, at 9251 Belcher Road., a Nov. 6 deed filed with the Pinellas County clerk’s office said.

The company, currently headquartered in Woburn, Massachusetts and with a manufacturing location at 2630 Fairfield Ave. S. in St. Petersburg, will relocate existing equipment from both the St. Pete and Woburn locations to the new site, according to glassonweb.com. The move is scheduled to happen through 2018.

Calls to Madico for comment were not immediately returned.

The new site includes a quarter-million-square-foot manufacturing facility and 53,000-square-feet of office space, with 460 parking spaces for employees.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbIiy9HOF1U

Ribbon Cutting: The Penny Hoarder

St. Petersburg, FL

Published on Nov 16, 2017

The Penny Hoarder, owned by Taylor Media, Inc. Magazines’  top ranked private media company of 2017, expands its headquarters in downtown St. Petersburg where it expects to hire 165 new employees by 2020.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExZ-S7ZqAmg

Pressman Reuben in St. Pete

St. Petersburg, FL

Published on Sep 16, 2015

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjKKPynisTs

Entrepreneur Reuben Pressman shows "FLOVE" for the Tampa Bay Tech Community

PascoEDC

Published on Oct 17, 2012

More videos from BarCamp Tampa Bay at www.PascoCounty.TV

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.facebook.com/downtownstpete/videos/10159490722015307/

I Love the Burg St. Pete

November 16 at 8:39pm ·

Welcome to the Burg! Take a look at The Penny Hoarder's new headquarters in downtown St. Pete.

#ILovetheBurg made possible by Pilot Bank

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5bvKTxjFtI

2017 Rowdies Goals Compliation

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Nov 15, 2017

Take a look at all the goals the Rowdies scored this 2017 USL Season!

Which one was your favorite?

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M47nTrYKwUg

Top 10 Moments of 2017 - #3: Hristov Sets Modern Era Appearance Record

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Nov 15, 2017

Coming in at #3 in our Top 10 Moments of the 2017 Rowdies season is the night Georgi Hristov set the club's modern era appearance record, playing in his 121st match.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOCSDqWpYZM

Top 10 Moments of 2017 - #2: Rowdies' First Playoff Appearance Since 2012

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Nov 16, 2017

Coming in at #2 in our Top 10 Moments of the 2017 season is the Rowdies making their 1st playoff appearance sine the 2012 championship run.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcT2Vrnxu4w

Top 10 Moments of 2017 - #1: #MLS2StPete Stadium Referendum Passes

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Nov 17, 2017

Coming in at #1 in our Top 10 moments of the 2017 Rowdies season is when our #MLS2StPete stadium referendum passed on May 2.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlVDXZXMGN8

2017 Rowdies Save of the Year Nominees

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Nov 20, 2017

It's time to vote for the 2017 Rowdies Save of the Year! Fans have until Thursday, November 23 at 5 p.m. to cast their vote.

VOTE: tinyurl.com/TBRSOTY17

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXSNQ9GvU8E

Hyatt Place St Petersburg - Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

One St. Petersburg

Published on Sep 27, 2017

The Hyatt Place Downtown St Petersburg has officially opened to the public.  Future residents at ONE St Petersburg can take advantage of the hotels many amenities including a 5,000-square-foot restaurant and sidewalk café, 4,500 sf event space featuring a 2,700 sf ballroom and three conference rooms.  The hotel also offers two full-service bars on the first floor as well as a 5,500 sf rooftop pool deck and bar that will feature live entertainment 2-3 nights a week.

Video credit:  I Love The Burg (http://ilovetheburg.com/)

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7cp0ra/what_benefitsrewards_would_you_like_to_see_the/

What benefits/rewards would you like to see the Rowdies offer STHs? (twitter.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

https://twitter.com/UnusedSubsPod/status/930131988362809360

The Unused Substitutes Soccer Show‏

@UnusedSubsPod

It's that time of year again. The @TampaBayRowdies are soliciting season ticket renewals for 2018. We'd like to know what benefits you'd like to see the team offer to STHs. How can they make it worth your investment?

9:55 AM - 13 Nov 2017

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7ddl9y/unused_substitutes_episode_139_thats_the_ticket/

Unused Substitutes Episode 139: That's the Ticket! (theunsubs.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2017/11/15/episode-139-thats-the-ticket/3340

Episode 139 – That’s the Ticket!

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7dgn2g/report_tampa_bay_to_miss_out_on_mls_expansion/

Report: Tampa Bay to miss out on MLS expansion this time? (tampabay.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.tampabay.com/Report-Tampa-Bay-to-miss-out-on-MLS-expansion-this-time-_162708216

Report: Tampa Bay to miss out on MLS expansion this time?

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7eckn0/assessing_why_the_tampa_bay_rowdies_arent_moving/

Assessing why the Tampa Bay Rowdies aren’t moving to MLS in this round of expansion (floridapolitics.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

http://floridapolitics.com/archives/250064-assessing-tampa-bay-rowdies-arent-moving-mls-round-expansion

Assessing why the Tampa Bay Rowdies aren’t moving to MLS in this round of expansion

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7ei4vh/flo_rida_returns_to_al_lang_stadium_january_14th/

Flo Rida returns to Al Lang Stadium January 14th (twitter.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

https://twitter.com/TampaBayRowdies/status/932975393711251456

Tampa Bay Rowdies
‏
Verified account

@TampaBayRowdies

.@official_flo returns to Al Lang Stadium on Sunday, January 14!

TICKETS: http://tinyurl.com/FloRidaALS .

6:14 AM - 21 Nov 2017

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7f25to/black_friday_sale_at_sundial_store_frisun/

Black Friday sale at Sundial store Fri-Sun (self.TampaBayRowdies)

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.themaneland.com/2017/11/19/16674688/our-city-will-a-nashville-atlanta-rivalry-leave-orlando-city-on-the-outside-looking-in

Our City: Will A Nashville-Atlanta Rivalry Leave Orlando City on the Outside Looking In?

Orlando City is about to enter year four in MLS and is still without a rival in a league that thrives on them.

Orlando’s other hope, and natural rivals, the Tampa Bay Rowdies have yet to make too many waves in the expansion race. A few days ago, SI.com’s Grant Wahl reported:

“talking to several insiders, I’m being told the two expansion teams will likely come from a group of three cities that includes Sacramento, Nashville and Cincinnati.”

This is just this first round of expansion, and there will be another casting call in another year or two, but Tampa has done nothing to distinguish themselves beyond an overwhelmingly successful vote for public funding for stadium refurbishments should the Rowdies have a chance to answer the MLS call.

Wahl’s comments on MLS expansion also included positive news about the Miami bid, but we’ve all heard positive news about Miami’s chances in the past. For Orlando’s sake, maybe the next time David Beckham stands in front of the bright lights, it won’t be to announce that there is an announcement pending.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.tbo.com/sports/soccer/report-tampa-bay-to-miss-out-on-mls-expansion-this-time/2344338

Report: Tampa Bay to miss out on MLS expansion this time?

(Follow link for full article.)

https://oss.ticketmaster.com/aps/tbrowdies/EN/buy/details/18HOLDAY

Rowdies Holiday Pack

Mon, Dec 25, 2017 8:00 PM

Al Lang Stadium

Receive Two 2018 Home Opener GA Tickets and Limited Edition Rowdies Ornament

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.wsmv.com/story/36921575/flea-market-vendors-speak-out-against-proposed-mls-stadium-planned-for-the-fairgrounds

Flea Market vendors speak out against Mayor Barry's proposed MLS stadium

NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) - Hundreds of people spent their Black Friday shopping at the Nashville Flea Market, but its future is uncertain now that Mayor Megan Barry's administration is pushing for a Major League Soccer stadium at The Fairgrounds Nashville.

"No MLS at the Fairgrounds -- right city, wrong location," the flyers say.

The Nashville Flea Market Vendors Association is opposed to the potential Major League Soccer stadium that may be built on the fairgrounds property, saying it would disrupt flea market operations during the five-year construction process.

The stadium would be right in the footprint of some prime buildings the flea market has inhabited over the last five decades.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ3EvzP5JKU

PandaDoc Grand Opening

St. Petersburg, FL

Published on Nov 22, 2017

St. Pete welcomes another new business to our thriving downtown. PandaDoc's East Coast Headquarters will be on the 3rd floor of the Station House.

(Follow link for full article.)
   
http://view.tmclient.ticketmaster.com/?qs=0fe22c73d18597e3beb352247dbc902b84c924ea55234cacf17d5b89be050ca12c1fc725d89b5257a78cfe5e18ca089b6973d8c196c82cafcf5527b2171a1b4e9365fef6aee3abb44dac543f96d26ea5

Unwrap the Rowdies this Holiday Season

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Season Tickets

Starting at $180

Become a season ticket member this holiday season by calling 727-222-2000 by clicking here! 2018 Season Tickets are the perfect gift for a family member or for a friend!

By becoming a 2018 Season Ticket Member, fans will not only save money on tickets, but they'll also enjoy a 10% discount at the team store. Benefits also include video board recognition for birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions.

To learn about the full list of benefits, call our front office at (727) 222-2000.

Craft Breweries in St. Pete

Craft beer breweries in St. Petersburg and Tampa; also some other restaurants, pubs, etc.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvXOGL9wVgk

Craft Breweries in St. Pete

St. Petersburg, FL

Published on Sep 16, 2015

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpwdHS3ypMQ

Craft Beer Trail: Part 1

Visit St. Pete Clearwater

Published on Apr 12, 2016

Traveling down the Craft Beer Trail in St. Pete/Clearwater has turned into a multi-day trek! Starting at the southern end of the trail, take your taste buds to these nine different breweries that make up Part 1. You'll find many of them serving up award-winning suds.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4zQe5qvbv0

Craft Beer Trail: Part 2

Visit St. Pete Clearwater

Published on May 5, 2016

Midway through the Craft Beer Trail in St. Pete/Clearwater,  you'll find a range of hole-in-the-wall brew gems to sophisticated craft beer meccas. Discover what's brewing in Clearwater, Largo and Safety Harbor to fill your pint in Part 2 of this three part series.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXHL4T0-cnQ

Craft Beer Trail: Part 3

Visit St. Pete Clearwater

Published on May 24, 2016

At the north end of the Craft Beer Trail in St. Pete/Clearwater,  a hub of 11 different craft breweries cater to beer connoisseurs and novices alike. This includes Florida's first craft beer brewery in history, Dunedin Brewery. Discover more local tastes in Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs & Oldsmar in Part 3, the final stop of this three part series.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxYW5PJoXUQ

Love Beer? Visit Florida's Craft Beer Capital

VISIT FLORIDA

Published on Oct 14, 2014

The tap is open and the craft beer is flowing in Florida. Craft breweries and brew pubs are booming across the state, but the state's craft beer capital is the Tampa Bay area.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1X3xtc1mbEg

The Ultimate Florida Craft Beer Road Trip

Published on Mar 29, 2017

Florida is home to top-notch breweries that produce some of the most delicious craft beers around. Sample fresh-from-the-tap beers produced in the Sunshine State on this craft beer road trip.

*Please don't drink and drive*

See the map & more: https://www.tripstodiscover.com/florida-craft-beer-road-trip/
Like Trips To Discover FL on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TripsToDiscover.FL/
Trips To Discover is a destination and travel discovery platform. We aim to inspire you to travel more, to turn day dreamers into fanatical travelers.
Check out our site: http://www.tripstodiscover.com
--------------------
Follow Us On Social!
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FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TripsToDiscover/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/tripstodiscover/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/TripsToDiscover

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K-8ezLYGH4

Green Bench Brewery Extended

South Meadow Productions

Published on Nov 21, 2013

St Pete Floridas first craft brewery, Green bench Brewery. The grand opening hosted not only the flag ship beer of Green Bench on tap, but a collaboration of multiple breweries in the state of Florida like Cigar city and 7 sun.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__w_rVl_LTc

Green Bench Brewing with Head Brewer Khris Johnson - Episode #274

Craft BeerTemple

Published on Aug 27, 2015

Talking saison with Khris Johnson of Green Bench Brewing.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JF_jukvwPLI

Khris Johnson - Green Bench Brewing

Craft Commander Official

Streamed live on Dec 23, 2014

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRQGhZIccas

Green Bench brewery Grand Opening

South Meadow Productions

Published on Nov 15, 2013

St Pete Floridas first craft brewery, Green bench Brewery. The grand opening hosted not only the flag ship beer of Green Bench on tap, but a collaboration of multiple breweries in the state of Florida like Cigar city and 7 sun.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1Gg_myweX4

Green Bench Brewing, Sunshine City IPA, Craft Beer Geek Review #352

Published on Aug 29, 2016

The Craft Beer Geek reviews Green Bench Brewing’s, Sunshine City,  An IPA (India Pale Ale), from St Petersburg, Florida. Episode #352

6.8% ABV 68 IBU’s

http://greenbenchbrewing.com/

Find all my reviews and more at the Craft Beer Geek Website

http://www.craftbeergeek.com

Please support the show by using the Amazon Link below the next time you are Amazon shopping.  We get a small commission from your purchase. It won’t cost you any extra and it is entirely anonymous!

http://amzn.to/1PN0nVb

Follow me on Google Plus

https://plus.google.com/+Craftbeergeek

Twitter

http://www.twitter.com/SupraWes

Untappd

https://untappd.com/user/suprawes

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tFD0-xOnzo

Green Bench Brewing Co.: Who Names The Beers?

Alison Grasso

Published on May 11, 2016

In getting to know craft beer, I am consistently amused by the clever names brewer's come up with for their creations, so I asked the guys at Green Bench Brewing Co. what inspires them.
Green Bench was one of our first stops in Tampa, FL as World of Beer Drink It Interns! Thanks much to the kind folks at Green Bench for showing us around and telling their stories.

Follow me and the other Drink It Interns at www.worldofbeer.com/drinkitintern
https://www.instagram.com/worldofbeer/
https://twitter.com/wob_usa
https://www.facebook.com/worldofbeer
Music:
Go Cart (Electronic Medium) by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1300006
Artist: http://incompetech.com/

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qTrW8csbmw

Green Bench Brewing Co.

Alison Grasso

Published on May 10, 2016

Learn the story behind the name of Green Bench Brewing Co. in St. Petersburg, Florida.
http://www.worldofbeer.com/drinkitintern
https://www.instagram.com/worldofbeer/
https://twitter.com/wob_usa
https://www.facebook.com/worldofbeer

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McP6_7_Myrs

Tampa craft beer scene is booming

FOX 13 News - Tampa Bay

Published on Feb 16, 2016

Craft breweries continue popping up in and around Tampa. They've become so popular, Mayor Bob Buckhorn proclaimed February 15 "Craft Beer Day."

MORE: https://fox13news.com/news/local-news/92301084-story

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVJUivzMyhg

Bay Crafted: Discover Tampa's Best Breweries

Visit Tampa Bay

Published on Jun 3, 2015

Find award-winning beers around every corner as Tampa's craft brewing scene continues to grow and flourish.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYB505R3Xzw

Startup Grind Tampa Bay Hosts Joey Redner (Cigar City Brewing)

Startup Grind Local

Published on Sep 17, 2014

Joey Redner is a Tampa Native and self professed "Beer Geek" who loves this city and loves beer, good beer. He wanted to create an easier access to craft beer in Florida and he has not only achieved that goal, but has turned Cigar City into the 5th most popular craft beer in the country. In 2008 Cigar City launched with two things in mind, to "make the world's best beer" and "to share with people near and farther fascinating culture and heritage of the Cigar City of Tampa." Starting in a warehouse near the airport he has grown from 6000 square feet to 32,000 square feet, which was promptly outgrown and they are now taking on an additional facility. He has taken the company from an idea to just under $10M in revenue last yearend grown to 66 employees.

Startup Grind Local features incredible talks with entrepreneurs from Startup Grind’s world wide network. Startup Grind is a global startup community designed to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs. We host monthly events in more than 100 cities and 40 countries featuring successful local founders, innovators, educators and investors who share personal stories and lessons learned on the road to building great companies. Our monthly fireside chat interviews, startup mixers and annual conferences provide ample opportunities to connect with amazing startups and the people behind them, tap into a strong support network, form meaningful connections and gain inspiration for the startup journey ahead.

Subscribe to Startup Grind Local: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHoMFGNx1BTCYNMO­L4mHYQ/feed

Startup Grind on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/StartupGrind

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StartupGrind

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StartupGrind

Find a Startup Grind event in your area: www.startupgrind.com

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abusRQo5PSY

For The Love Of Craft Beer: A Cigar City Brewing Documentary

Christopher Donery

Published on Apr 17, 2014

A USF Student Mass Communications Production By: Chris Donery and Sarah Terrell

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFYnGz-2KO0

Cigar City Brewing- Brewery Tour & Tasting

CigarCityBeer

Published on May 14, 2014

Join CCB Brewmaster Wayne Wambles on a tour of our facility and enjoy a few beers with him along the way.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipg3_1Jqi70

Take a 360 Tour of 3 Daughters Brewing

Visit St. Pete Clearwater

Published on May 10, 2017

Step inside one of Florida's fastest growing craft breweries, 3 Daughter's Brewing in St. Pete, and watch the process from start to finish. Then enjoy a cold brew and some of their games.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNaLfUmK_j0

3 Daughters Brewing

ABC Action News

Published on Jul 25, 2017

New Ciders are on tap!

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW6wHCNcSf8

3 daughters

everybody is famous

Published on May 13, 2014

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekgAP4VfSRA

Chief's Creole Cafe in St. Pete

St. Petersburg, FL

Published on Sep 16, 2015

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIlpnpmpag4

Kahwa Coffee in St. Pete

St. Petersburg, FL

Published on Sep 16, 2015

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRGdUaq-5zw

Eatin' St.Pete, Florida! (The Burg's Best) Food Tour - Central Melt, Bodega, Hawkers & Hyppo
Whitfield's Food Revue

Published on Apr 2, 2017

We take you on a food tour of St.Pete, Florida's booming craft cuisine!  Notorious P.I.G.from Central Melt, Spring Rolls from Hawkers Asian Fare, The Frita Burger from Bodega and a Starfruit Habanero Popsicle from Hyppo! Fergs, Crowley's, Engine No.9, Kings and so many more.

Central Melt : https://www.facebook.com/CentralMelt/
Bodega : https://www.facebook.com/Bodegaoncentral
Hawkers : https://www.facebook.com/hawkersstpete
Hyppo : https://www.facebook.com/thehyppostpete/
Subscribe for more Fast Food Reviews & CopyCat Recipes!
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LmQX87uVVA

Courigans - Irish Pub - St. Pete, FL

Your Tampa Bay Lifestyle

Published on Apr 25, 2017

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8UoD8sw8aE

Visit St Pete Clearwater Tells You Where to Find The Best Burgers in the Bay!

Rococo Steak

Published on May 28, 2014

Where else do you find "a burger that eats like a steak?" Rococo Steak of course! Rococo is home of the Judge's Choice "Best Burger in the 'Burg" award hosted by Food Network's Donatella Arapia at the E.A.T. St. Pete Food Festival.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxvXhH98mAw

A Documentary About Beer - A Whole Brew World - St. Pete Brewing Company

Good Enough Films

Published on Apr 8, 2016

This is a quick summary of our interview with Jon McCracken at St. Pete Brewing Company. He talked with us about what it's like being a brewer, going into business for yourself, and making something that you can enjoy yourself. This is just a taste (see what i did there) of our interview with him. The rest will be in the feature length film that we're currently working on. Stay tuned for more conversations with brewers about beer!

A Documentary About Beer - A Whole Brew World - St. Pete Brewing Company

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrTh0MwzDAQ

New & Different Culinary Delights in St. Pete/Clearwater

Visit St. Pete Clearwater

Published on Nov 27, 2017

Several new culinary spots have popped up around St. Pete/Clearwater with unique characteristics and downright delicious food. Like create your own charcuterie, fresh ingredients from an on-site garden, no reservations or phone, 400 plus beers and wines to go.

Dive into Lolita's Wine Market (St. Pete), Reading Room (St. Pete), The Restorative (Dunedin) and Hawthorne Bottle Shop (St. Pete).

Goal of the Year Winner

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5wEkxhgvYA

Goal of the Year Winner

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Nov 14, 2017

The winner of the 2017 Rowdies goal of the year is Marcel Schäfer's rocket against FC Cincinnati!

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0MNIdmZ99k

Top 10 Moments of 2017 - #4: Rowdies Sign Marcel Schäfer

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Nov 14, 2017

Coming in at #4 in our Top 10 Moments of the 2017 Rowdies season is the signing of former VfL Wolfsburg legend Marcel Schäfer.

After arriving in March, Schäfer would go on to earn a spot in the USL Best XI with seven goals and 11 assists in his first season in North America.

What benefits/rewards would you like to see the Rowdies offer STHs? (twitter.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7cp0ra/what_benefitsrewards_would_you_like_to_see_the/

What benefits/rewards would you like to see the Rowdies offer STHs? (twitter.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

https://twitter.com/UnusedSubsPod/status/930131988362809360

The Unused Substitutes Soccer Show‏

@UnusedSubsPod

It's that time of year again. The @TampaBayRowdies are soliciting season ticket renewals for 2018. We'd like to know what benefits you'd like to see the team offer to STHs. How can they make it worth your investment?

9:55 AM - 13 Nov 2017

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4zQceP3n2A

Top 10 Moments of 2017 - #7: 25 Passes Lead to Hristov Goal

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Nov 13, 2017

Landing at #7 in the Rowdies Top 10 Moments of the 2017 season is Hristov's goal against Toronto FC II. 25 passes culminated in a fantastic finish by the Bulgarian forward.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeBSXvxHowk

Top 10 Moments of 2017 - #6: Sold Out Home Opener vs. Orlando City B

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Nov 13, 2017

Coming in at #6 in our Top 10 moments of the Rowdies 2017 season is our sold-out home opener win over Orlando City B.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvTp3Kn7I-0

Top 10 Moments of 2017 - #5: Matt Pickens' 100th Appearance

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Nov 13, 2017

Coming in at #5 in our Top 10 Moments of the 2017 Rowdies season is Matt Pickens' 100th appearance for the club.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4Ais4VdxrY

Rowdies help open up the new Unlock Tampa Bay Visitors Center

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Nov 13, 2017

The Rowdies were over in Tampa last week as they helped Visit Tampa Bay open up the new Unlock Tampa Bay Visitors Center!

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZQvPxJbp8A

Happy Veterans Day

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Nov 13, 2017

In honor of all those who have served or are currently serving our country, we salute you.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.ibj.com/articles/66266-report-indy-not-among-finalists-to-join-major-league-soccer

Report: Indy not among finalists to join Major League Soccer

Assessing MLS expansion candidates: Cities in the hunt and the long shots (espnfc.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7cf8ib/assessing_mls_expansion_candidates_cities_in_the/

Assessing MLS expansion candidates: Cities in the hunt and the long shots (espnfc.com)

There was a part one of this piece that covered the front runners. We were classified as “in the hunt” for this second piece with some good nuggets...

Tampa/St. Petersburg

When voters approved a ballot initiative in May authorizing the St. Petersburg city council to engage in lease negotiations with Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards to use Al Lang Stadium, the path seemed clear for him to make $80 million in improvements to the venue. Yet what has resulted is a chicken-or-egg scenario. Edwards indicated that the lease wouldn't be negotiated until political leaders had assurances that he would get an MLS team. Of course, MLS wants the stadium situation buttoned up before it will do so.

"I'm hoping there will be a way to get some kind of letter of intent, even if it's confidential, so we could go with something in our hands when we go to the city," Edwards said. "Obviously, you'll be in a much better bargaining position if we're sure we're going to get the team. There's a lot of work in that department."

There have been some other delays as well. Edwards had heart bypass surgery on the day of the ballot initiative, though he has fully recovered. St. Petersburg just had a mayoral election, and Edwards said he preferred to wait until that was over before negotiating with the city. Edwards' preferred candidate, Rick Baker -- who doubles as Edwards Group president -- was defeated by incumbent Rick Kriseman, but now at least talks can move forward.

Hanging over the bid is an ongoing whistleblower lawsuit in which Edwards' company, Mortgage Investors Corp., is the sole remaining defendant after Wells Fargo settled for $108 million. Although the optics are poor, one league source indicated that the litigation isn't disqualifying in terms of the bid.

Edwards indicated that he's seeking between $200 million and $250 million from additional investors. He admitted that he has some catching up to do, and that will need to accelerate in 2018

Interesting. Sounds like 25 and 26 are off the table, but if Edwards can get the financing sorted out then we might be in better shape for 27 and 28.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3265483/assessing-mls-expansion-candidates-cities-in-the-hunt-and-the-long-shots

Assessing MLS expansion candidates: Cities in the hunt and the long shots

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3265162/assessing-mls-expansion-candidates-the-frontrunners-and-favorites

Assessing MLS expansion candidates: The front-runners and favorites

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7ciiaw/has_anyone_heard_anything_about_sth_perks_for/

Has anyone heard anything about STH perks for next year? (self.TampaBayRowdies)

Also does anyone know if the student priced season tickets even get the perks? I suppose I could just call tomorrow, but if anyone knows beforehand, that'd be cool too.

I've come to the realization that while my savings may be marginal compared to just buying my tickets individually, I'm supporting the club a lot more by being an actual season ticket holder. Additionally, if the perks are at least semi-decent (assuming I get them with a student ticket), that's adding to the value too.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7bz5j7/will_we_be_getting_a_new_primary_kit_for_next/

Will we be getting a new Primary kit for next season? (self.TampaBayRowdies)

Current one we have is getting stale.

Hopefully we'll go back to the Hooped sleeves.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/beckhams-miami-mls-franchise-now-a-matter-of-months-from/193svy9sjdpbtz3v1dru8sh1z

Beckham's Miami MLS franchise now a matter of months from green light

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.fccincinnati.com/news_article/show/854336?referrer_id=2584136

Delbridge, Hildebrandt Tabbed USL Award Finalists

Hildebrandt, the defending USL Goalkeeper of the Year, is a finalist for the second straight year and is joined by Orlando City B’s Earl Edwards Jr. and San Antonio FC’s Diego Restrepo. Hildebrandt, also a USL Team of the Week selection, led all goalkeepers with 100 saves in the regular season while tacking on five saves in FCC’s playoff game against Tampa Bay Rowdies. Totaling seven clean sheets this season, Hildebrandt logged 2,880 minutes over 32 games, stopping three penalties in the regular season and three in FCC’s memorable U.S. Open Cup win against Fire SC. 

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/everton-bright-future-need-manager-11491648

Everton have a bright future but need a manager for the present, insists potential Toffees boss Sam Allardyce

The former England boss says he is also tempted by the opportunity to join USA

Allardyce claimed he would be interested in managing the USA and he enjoyed his brief spell playing for Tampa Bay Rowdies in 1983.

“If I got the opportunity to speak to the US, then I would look forward to that,” he said. “I’ve always loved the States. I played there and had a terrific time with Tampa Bay Rowdies.”

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/17253/11119849/former-england-boss-sam-allardyce-says-he-is-interested-in-usa-job

Former England boss Sam Allardyce says he is interested in USA job

Allardyce is already accustomed to living in the United States, having played for the Tampa Bay Rowdies and he often travels there for his holidays.

"International football is totally different from Premier League football. It's 10 games a year and there's a huge amount of downtime for yourself to go and watch the players and all that, but it's not the same day-to-day pressures you get in the Premier League."

"Wherever they say you've got to base yourself is where you base yourself," he said. "I've always loved the States since I've been going for many, many years, and I played there. I played there for Tampa Bay Rowdies and had a terrific time by the way."

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2017/11/09/alan-koch-returns-fc-cincinnati-practice-offers-insight-into-his-offseason-goal/849364001/

Alan Koch returns to FC Cincinnati practice, offers insight into his offseason goal

Thursday morning was the first time the coach had been with his squad on a field since FC Cincinnati's 3-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Oct. 21 in the first round of the United Soccer League Playoffs in St. Petersburg, Florida. Then, 17 other players were listed on the roster.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://sports.yahoo.com/sam-allardyce-good-choice-usmnt-180910578.html

Is Sam Allardyce a good choice for USMNT boss?

“Yes I would go, I think. I think there’s a presidential election in January which has stalled the process. If I got the opportunity to speak to the U.S. then I would look forward to it,” Allardyce said. “International football is totally different to Premier League football. It’s 10 games a year. There’s a huge amount of down time, to go and watch the players and all that. It’s not the same day-to-day pressures as you get in the Premier League. I’ve always loved the States. I’ve been going for many, many years. I played there for the Tampa Bay Rowdies and had a terrific time by the way.”

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/11/10/does-allardyce-wanting-us-job-suggest-everton-move-is-now-unlike/

Does Allardyce wanting USA job suggest Everton move is now unlikely?

Sam Allardyce wants the vacant USA manager's job, so is a move to Everton now unlikely to happen?

"Wherever they say you've got to base yourself is where you base yourself. I've always loved the States since I've been going for many, many years, and I played there. I played there for Tampa Bay Rowdies and had a terrific time by the way."

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/who-paul-lapointe-get-know-us-soccers-presidential-candidates

Who is Paul Lapointe? Get to know U.S. Soccer's presidential candidates

Who is he?

Lapointe, 54, is a Massachusetts business owner who serves as the Northeast Conference's manager in the semi-pro United Premier Soccer League. His playing career included tryouts with the old NASL's New York Cosmos and Tampa Bay Rowdies, a stint in the USISL, and time as an indoor pro with the Massachusetts Twisters, a club he founded and owned until a few years ago.

He also founded as served as president of the American Indoor Soccer League, and he coached the Twisters to an AISL championship. He has immense youth coaching experience and guided Springfield Tech to state and regional junior college titles.

Lapointe has owned businesses for nearly 30 years, including car dealerships and a soccer apparel/merchandise store.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.whoscored.com/News/3s3CFf4nxkOcHxA-43SKYA/Show/Sam-Allardyce-confirms-interest-in-next-job

Sam Allardyce confirms interest in next job

Former England manager Sam Allardyce has confirmed he is interested in becoming the new United States manager.

“International football is totally different from Premier League football. It’s 10 games a year and there’s a huge amount of downtime for yourself to go and watch the players and all that, but it’s not the same day-to-day pressures you get in the Premier League.

“Wherever they say you’ve got to base yourself is where you base yourself. I’ve always loved the States since I’ve been going for many, many years, and I played there. I Played for the Tampa Bay Rowdies and had a terrific time by the way.”

However, Allardyce will have to wait until after the new U.S. Soccer Federation president is elected in February before a decision can be made on his suitability for the job.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a6BPktqb7s

Top 10 Moments of 2017 - #9: Hristov Will Not Allow the Bagels

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Nov 9, 2017

"Georgi Hristov... WILL NOT ALLOW THE BAGELS!"

Coming in at #9 in the Top 10 moments of the 2017 Rowdies season is Hristov's fantastic goal against Louisville City FC.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tzrfNT2MNY

Top 10 Moments of 2017 - #8: July 6th 2-0 Win vs. FC Cincinnati

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Nov 10, 2017

At #8 in the Rowdies Top 10 Moments of the 2017 season is our 2-0 win over @FCCincinnati, which ended an 8-game winless streak.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3mgJoEM5OQ

MLS Commissioner Don Garber at the USF Sport & Entertainment Lecture

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Dec 12, 2016

Major League Soccer (MLS) Commissioner Don Garber during the USF Sport & Entertainment Lecture in October:

"We love what Bill (Edwards) has been able to do with Al Lang Stadium. It's super cool. You can't get a better environment, right on the waterfront."

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2017/11/mls-teams-ambitions-cast-shadow-austins-soccer-hopefuls/

MLS team’s ambitions cast shadow over Austin’s other soccer hopefuls

The possibility of the Major League Soccer club from Columbus, Ohio, relocating to Austin has brought attention to other lower-profile but still ambitious soccer-related projects in the area. And one of the central questions surrounding Columbus Crew ownership group Precourt Sports Ventures’ goal of building a large soccer stadium in Austin is whether, metaphorically speaking, all the air has been sucked out of the room.

Bobby Epstein, chair at COTA and majority owner of the United Soccer League franchise, said all work on the stadium and hiring team staff have come to a “dead stop” because of the attention the possible MLS relocation has attracted. The team’s agreement with the USL states it needs to be ready to take the field and compete by 2019, meaning the assorted delays could put the team’s existence in jeopardy.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7cln0k/open_letter_november_6_2017/

Open Letter: November 6, 2017 (supportyourlocalfootballclub.blogspot.com)

Another in my series of open letters; apropos the previous thread, "Assessing MLS expansion candidates: Cities in the hunt and the long shots (espnfc.com)", we're getting to the point where we really do need to get the word out to potential co-investors.

We have a strong case to make for #MLS2StPete but if the right potential co-investors don't step up we'll be left out in the cold again.

#COYR

(Follow link for full article.)

http://supportyourlocalfootballclub.blogspot.com/2017/11/open-letter-november-6-2017.html

Open Letter: November 6, 2017 

On This Day - November 8 2009: St Gall's beat Pearse Og in the quarter-final of the Ulster Club Senior Football Championship

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.irishnews.com/sport/2017/11/08/news/on-this-day---november-8-2009-st-gall-s-beat-pearse-og-in-the-quarter-final-of-the-ulster-club-senior-football-championship-1181975/

On This Day - November 8 2009: St Gall's beat Pearse Og in the quarter-final of the Ulster Club Senior Football Championship

BIRTHDAYS

Joe Cole (soccer) - Former England midfielder, currently playing for the Tampa Bay Rowdies, born 1981.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league/chelsea/chelsea-fans-pay-tribute-to-clubs-former-midfielder-joe-cole

Chelsea fans pay tribute to club’s former midfielder Joe Cole

Now 36, Cole is still playing, with the midfielder turning out for Tampa Bay Rowdies in Florida, which cannot be a bad life.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/853636?referrer_id=2349190

2017 USL All-League Teams Unveiled

Monarchs, 1868 FC, SAFC each earn two First Team selections

M – Marcel Schäfer, Tampa Bay Rowdies: The former German international finished tied for second in the USL with 11 assists and scored five regular-season goals in a stellar first year for the Rowdies.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.rslsoapbox.com/2017/11/8/16624854/hoffman-velasquez-2017-usl-all-league-team

Hoffman and Velasquez voted to 2017 USL All-League First Team

Record-breaking season leads to first selection of Monarchs players to All-League team

The full 2017 USL-First Team also included former Real Salt Lake Player Enzo Martinez and is as follows: Goalkeeper Diego Restrepo (San Antonio FC); defenders Paco Craig (Louisville City FC), Harrison Delbridge (FC Cincinnati), Sebastien Ibeagha (San Antonio FC), Forrest Lasso (Charleston Battery); midfielders Marcel Schäfer (Tampa Bay Rowdies), Sebastian Velasquez (Real Monarchs SLC), Chris Wehan (Reno 1868 FC); and forwards Chandler Hoffman (Real Monarchs SLC), Dane Kelly (Reno 1868 FC) and Enzo Martinez (Charlotte Independence).

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.wakingthered.com/2017/11/8/16624786/toronto-fc-news-tfc-ii-denmark-aiden-daniels-liam-fraser-luca-uccello-malik-johnson

TFC II send four on training stint to Denmark

Homegrown players Daniels, Fraser, Johnson and Uccello are Europe-bound.

Liam Fraser battles in midfield with the Tampa Bay Rowdies M. May

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.cltampa.com/news-views/politics/article/20982054/rick-kriseman-victory-rick-baker-donald-trump

How Rick (Kriseman) won

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman's path to reelection may have been about more than Trump.

So, sewage didn’t work, then?

It did, sort of. But mostly in the primary.

Whether they admit it or not (and most of them don’t) much of the local commentariat probably knew Baker was going to run against Kriseman long before he announced. Not long after Republicans won big in the 2014 midterms, he seemed to be getting very busy behind the scenes, be it on the St. Pete Pier or the Tampa Bay Rowdies or city council elections in which one of the candidates would have aligned quite well with his agenda if elected in 2017. And in September of 2016, at an overtly politicized hearing in which local Republican lawmakers grilled Kriseman and staff over the sewage issue, Baker was on hand to watch the proceedings, a highly visible presence in a pinstripe suit. We knew then that he’d be announcing his run when convenient.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.shoot.co.uk/where-are-they-now-former-chelsea-liverpool-and-west-ham-united-midfielder-joe-cole/

Where are they now? Former Chelsea, Liverpool and West Ham United midfielder Joe Cole

On May 4, 2016, Cole signed for North American Soccer League side Tampa Bay Rowdies until the end of the 2017 campaign, with an option for a further year.

The 36-year-old has scored 16 goals in 55 appearances for the American club overall, who finished third in the Eastern Conference this term, nine points behind first placed Louisville City FC, before being knocked out by New York Red Bulls II after extra-time in the Conference semi-finals only last month.

Cole scored seven goals and provided five assists in 26 league outings for Tampa Bay Rowdies this season.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8zTr8XTjDA

VOTE NOW - 2017 Rowdies Goal of the Year

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Nov 7, 2017

Vote for the 2017 Rowdies Goal of the Year TODAY! Voting closes Friday, November 10 at 1 P.M. ET.

VOTE: tinyurl.com/RGOTY17

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA6dpE2gNTY

Top 10 Moments of 2017 - #10: Hristov's 50th Rowdies Goal

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Nov 8, 2017

We are recapping the top 10 moments of the Rowdies 2017 season, starting off with Georgi Hristov scoring his 50th goal since joining the club back in 2013.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.espnfc.com/united-states/story/3263859/sam-allardyce-keen-to-hold-talks-over-united-states-job

Sam Allardyce keen to hold talks over United States job

The former Bolton, Blackburn and West Ham boss, whose playing career involved a brief stint with NASL side Tampa Bay Rowdies in 1983, played down the idea he would seek to base himself in Florida if he got the job.

"Wherever they say you've got to base yourself is where you base yourself," he said. "I've always loved the States since I've been going for many, many years, and I played there. I played there for Tampa Bay Rowdies and had a terrific time by the way."

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.tbo.com/things-to-do/events/st-petersburg-gets-new-half-marathon-as-st-pete-run-fest-adds-kids-runs/2343579

St. Petersburg gets new half-marathon as St. Pete Run Fest adds kids runs, year-round fitness to mix

Frustrated city officials went looking for a half-marathon that would lure runners from around the country. With a pretty waterfront at the start, it will have a path that takes runners through Tropicana Field, where the Tampa Bay Rays play. The kids races will trod through Al Lang Field, where the Tampa Bay Rowdies play.

Pinellas-based EndorFun Sports was picked to produce what organizers hope will be an annual event.

Brothers Ryan and Keith Jordan said their aim for EndorFun Sports is to make the community healthier all year long, not just for the big event, so they enlisted local businesses like St. Pete Running Company to host training runs and hired Christie Bruner, owner of StrollerFit and Baby Boot Camp, as the youth wellness director.

Bruner has signed up more than 80 kids at school running clubs and offered free running clinics partnered with Jump for Kids, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, the Tampa Bay Rays and Tampa Bay Rowdies. At a recent Saturday Morning Market, she had kids lined up to do some stretching and strengthening exercises on the grassy area beside the market.

Open Letter: November 6, 2017

Open Letter: November 6, 2017  

November 6, 2017

Hello all; this is another open letter in my ongoing campaign to get the Tampa Bay Rowdies into Major League Soccer (MLS), as documented in my blog.

Updated. The letter writing campaign so far:

http://supportyourlocalfootballclub.blogspot.com/2016/11/updated-letter-writing-campaign-so-far.html

We are getting close to the MLS expansion deadline in December, and some of us Rowdies fans are getting a little worried about the lack of any encouraging news for the #MLS2StPete bid, while other candidates keep making news, for instance:

Ford family joins Detroit's MLS bid, offers Ford Field as venue

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2017/11/02/detroit-mls-bid-ford-field/823112001/

It would be very encouraging if local Tampa Bay Area sports team owners and other local Tampa Bay Area and other investors helped the Rowdies #MLS2StPete bid and joined Bill Edwards’ ownership consortium. Time is short. The Tampa Bay Area has squandered its rich history in pro soccer several times already: in 1984 with the demise of the original NASL, in 1993 with the demise of the original Rowdies, in 1994 with losing World Cup host city status to Orlando, in 2001 with losing the Mutiny, in 2009-2010 with losing the chance to find a permanent home for the Rowdies in Tampa, etc. It would be a shame if the Tampa Bay Area wasted this chance for MLS as well.

The Rowdies have been making slow but steady progress at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg over the past six years, something which people should take notice of given the instability of minor league soccer in this country: 

Rowdies Home Attendance Thread - Game 16 vs. New York Red Bulls II [10/4] (self.TampaBayRowdies)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/74immo/rowdies_home_attendance_thread_game_16_vs_new/

6 straight years of attendance growth for the Rowdies - a pretty impressive run.

The Rowdies have done this without a centrally located large urban university stadium where they can sell cheap tickets to local college students, as well (unlike certain other cities that have certain built-in advantages in pre-existing infrastructure); the Rowdies don’t draw spectacularly large crowds but these are still very respectable numbers for minor league soccer, especially in a very large major urban area (the Tampa Bay Area is the #11 TV market, the largest TV market not in MLS) with lots of other sports teams and other entertainment options and distractions. The Rowdies have also done this in a very small stadium with some of the most expensive tickets in USA minor league soccer. Since the ticket prices won’t have to go up much if the Rowdies go to MLS, and the stadium location won’t change, this bodes well for potential Rowdies MLS ticket sales.   

Personal anecdotes: I know people who were Rowdies season ticket holders back in the 1970s-80s who were rabid “Fannies” who went to every Rowdies home game and some away games, who I see on Facebook nowadays, attending Rays games in St. Pete on the same night as Rowdies games are in St. Pete, and who show absolutely no sign of being aware that the current Rowdies team even exists. MLS has already burned soccer fans in the Tampa Bay Area once, so it should not come as a surprise that fans might be wary of supporting a minor league soccer team given that past experience with MLS.

And has been shown with big cities like Toronto, Seattle, Atlanta, etc., what a city draws in minor league soccer has no relation to what that city can draw in MLS. The aforementioned cities all had very small crowds for their minor league soccer teams before joining MLS. In a similar anecdotal vein when I visit St. Pete and Tampa and wear my Rowdies hat, I constantly have strangers tell me “I really should go out to Al Lang one of these days, and catch a Rowdies game”. This is frustrating but not unexpected; the Rowdies are simply not going to be taken seriously by most locals until they are in MLS.

Nancy Bataille, the retail manager at the Rowdies team store, told me that she hears from people who flat out state that they won’t go to a Rowdies game until the Rowdies are in MLS. This is a self-defeating and regrettable attitude, given the rich soccer history in the Tampa Bay Area, but it is an understandable one, given that the history of soccer in the Tampa Bay Area has created higher expectations and a more educated, more demanding soccer watching population than exists in many other comparable or smaller cities. The current situation that the Rowdies are in, in minor league soccer, simply creates an insurmountable barrier (in a market the size of the Tampa Bay Area) to getting greater exposure and support. Only getting the Rowdies into MLS can break through this barrier.  

MLS really should think hard about reversing the contraction of 2001, and bring Tampa Bay and Miami back into MLS together, and not simply assume that Orlando and Miami are “good enough” for MLS in Florida. They are not; and MLS would be missing out on a golden opportunity to reverse the stigma of the 2001 contraction, and revive a very important historical USA soccer brand name (the Tampa Bay Rowdies), and create one of the most intense three-way soccer rivalries in Florida, similar to what exists currently in Cascadia. Florida soccer in the 1970s-80s has a lot of resemblances to Cascadia (Portland-Seattle-Vancouver) soccer from that same era:

Cascadia's soccer craze boosted by NASL roots and community outreach

http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3253616/cascadias-soccer-craze-boosted-by-nasl-roots-and-community-outreach

In brief: the original North American Soccer League buried the grassroots deep into the soil, inspiring a generation of players, coaches and fans who kept the flame of the game going throughout the dark decades after the NASL folded and before MLS came this way.

And as I have been trying to explain in these open letters, the Tampa Bay Area in general, and St. Petersburg in particular, has a lot of similarities to Cascadia besides just soccer history. MLS is interested in attracting millennials, young professionals, “hipsters”, and the like, and is trying to repeat the MLS success stories of Cascadia elsewhere. St. Petersburg is a potential “hipster soccer city” for lots of reasons besides just the Tampa Bay Rowdies history in the area:

How a dinner helped woo a San Francisco tech company and 100 jobs to St. Petersburg

https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2017/11/01/how-a-dinner-helped-woo-a-san-francisco-tech.html

PandaDoc Opens East Coast Headquarters in St. Petersburg Florida

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2017/11/prweb14866935.htm

PandaDoc recently secured a $15 million Series B round of funding and chose St. Petersburg because of its reasonable cost of living, beautiful environment and ability to attract young talent. Fuller added, “St. Pete had the right amount of weird for us, it felt much closer to a young San Francisco than most Eastern cities.”

Keep Portland weird? Keep Austin weird? Well, more than two can play at that game! The image people have of St. Pete as a retirement home with green benches is decades out of date. St. Pete is an art, culture, and museum capital in its own right, with some connections to Seattle, Washington (the Chihuly Collection in downtown St. Pete) and Spain/Europe (the Salvador Dali Museum, a short walk from Al Lang Stadium). Downtown St. Pete has a certain hipster Cascadian “vibe” that west coast tech people can appreciate, albeit the weather is warmer, there are beaches and palm trees, and even feral parrots and parakeets giving the scene a decidedly tropical feel.

As we all know, there are a lot of cities currently campaigning to land Amazon’s second headquarters. Some people are pitching the sports stadium angle combined with this as well:

Amazon Stadium? Chicago developer hopes it's the ticket to HQ2 (chicagotribune.com)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/ori/ct-biz-amazon-stadium-ryan-ori-20171027-story.html

One suspects that this might partially explain St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman’s mentioning of the Tropicana Field site as a possible MLS stadium location for the Rowdies, in spite of the fact that Al Lang Stadium is the center of the current #MLS2StPete proposal. In my opinion the Al Lang Stadium location is a far preferable location for a soccer specific stadium (SSS), and the complaints we hear from fans that it is too small and should not have an open side and isn’t expandable, show a lack of understanding of the political situation of the Al Lang Stadium location.

Already we hear that the 18,000 seats in the Al Lang SSS proposal isn’t a maximum and that the plans can easily be tweaked to 22,000 seats. And if we look at the Rays proposal for the Al Lang Stadium location from a decade ago, considerably more seats could be possible in future expansions (using landfill and moving Bayshore Drive a little further east to close off the open side with additional seating), but that would involve local politics which could only happen after the Rowdies have been in MLS for a few years and have built up more local popularity and positive reputation. As we see in Portland, a bright, shiny, newly-built-from-scratch SSS isn’t always necessarily the answer. Every situation is unique.

Could the Tampa Bay Area’s campaign to attract more tech investment, including Amazon, also be a tie-in to the Rowdies #MLS2StPete bid? Could be; some Rowdies players were involved with one of the recent promotional videos, in addition to local Tampa Bay Area business leaders:

Florida's Business Climate Can Help Tampa Land Amazon's HQ2

https://www.forbes.com/sites/adammillsap/2017/10/11/floridas-business-climate-can-help-tampa-land-amazons-hq2/#1b9d666b1057

Tampa Bay’s Amazon pitch features LGBT leader Nadine Smith, Rowdies players

http://floridapolitics.com/archives/247680-tampa-bays-amazon-pitch-features-lgbt-leader-nadine-smith-rowdies-players

Tampa-St. Pete Amazon HQ2 proposal video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC9bPGLyoQ0

Mayors Bob Buckhorn and Rick Kriseman have put a proposal video out on social media platforms as part of their bid to get Amazon to build their second headquarters in the Bay area.

Amazon to Tampa Bay: Quality of Life

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW1mnAPKATM

Tampa Bay’s world-renowned quality of life and tolerant, diverse communities helped companies like Raymond James to attract and keep the best talent. Raymond James’ Tom James, Equality Florida's Nadine Smith and Tampa Bay Rowdies midfielders Marcel Shäfer + Justin Chavez share with Amazon.com what makes life in this region so perfect.

Amazon to Tampa Bay: Ashley Furniture

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiesQ6vg_XY

The Tampa-St. Pete-Clearwater community is ready to offer Amazon the full support necessary to open its HQ2. Ken Jones, Chairman & CEO of Third Lake Capital highlights the Tampa Bay region's cooperative local government that allowed Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc.' U.S. e-Commerce Headquarters to get up and running so efficiently in Tampa Bay.

See St. Petersburg, FL YouTube channel for other related videos. I would encourage both MLS sports investors and tech company investors to give the Tampa Bay Area a closer look.

So, in summary, what does the Tampa Bay Area offer MLS, and tech companies, and why should the Tampa Bay Rowdies bid for an MLS expansion slot be given more serious thought?

• The Tampa/St. Petersburg/Clearwater TV market is the largest TV market that does not have a team in MLS.
• The Tampa Bay Area is a very fast growing urban area, and its growth is not slowing down; it is still one of the fastest growing markets currently vying for an MLS team.
• The Tampa Bay Area, and St. Pete, have a growing millennial, young professional population, precisely the kind of young, well-educated population that is more interested in soccer than in sports like baseball or football; soccer fan demographics in the USA are similar to hockey fan demographics and it is not a coincidence that the Tampa Bay Area also supports a successful NHL team. The Lightning originally played and drew large crowds at the Tropicana “Thunder Dome”, as well. It isn’t true that St. Pete can’t draw sports fans from both sides of the bay.
• Problems with MLB attendance in St. Pete don’t translate at all to soccer, with its far fewer, mostly weekend games. The Lightning drew well in St. Pete back in the day and there is no reason why the Tampa Bay Rowdies in MLS could not draw well playing in St. Pete. Traffic over the bridge from Tampa to St. Pete is very easy on weekends.
• The proximity of St. Pete to Orlando is a bonus, not a minus, and is similar to distances between Columbus and Cincinnati, San Diego and Carson (LA Galaxy), San Jose and Sacramento, not to mention the close proximity of NYRB and NYCFC or LAG and LAFC. In fact if anything the rivalry is too intense (with Orlando City fans starting fires and provoking fights), but on the whole this is another potentially fantastic atmosphere similar to rivalries in Cascadia and New York City.
• Bill Edwards has good connections with the St. Pete city government (regardless of who is elected Mayor) and the local business community. St. Pete city government is very pro-Rowdies and pro-MLS. Local businesses and neighborhood groups are very pro-Rowdies and pro-Al Lang Stadium expansion, as shown in the St. Pete referendum last May.
• The citizens of St. Pete voted 87% yes for an extended lease of Al Lang Stadium to the Rowdies, if the Rowdies get into MLS; it would be a shame for MLS not to take advantage of this.  
• No local taxes or other public funds are going into #MLS2StPete or the Al Lang Stadium expansion, ensuring continued local political goodwill and lack of local, political, or NIMBY resistance. Given current politics and controversies that MLS is involved in, not taking taxpayer money for a stadium is a very serious pro-#MLS2StPete consideration that shouldn’t be ignored.
• The Al Lang Stadium expansion is not expensive and is a good use of existing resources.
• The Al Lang Stadium location, on the waterfront, in a centralized downtown location, in a walkable urban environment with lots of parking garages, hotels, restaurants, bars, pubs, clubs, music venues, theaters, cinemas, shops, malls, museums, art studios, and other things to do, all within easy walking distance of Al Lang Stadium, is a unique opportunity which MLS would be foolish not to take advantage of. Opportunities like this do not fall into your lap more than once. Take advantage of this while you can, MLS.
• Though not a traditional tech capital, the Tampa Bay Area has always had an industrial base going back to the 1880s, including cigars, guavas, phosphates, and shipbuilding. The notion of the area as simply a retirement capital and tourist attraction is incorrect. More recent tech growth is encouraging, and shows no signs of slowing down. There are lots of potential synergies to be had in sports and corporate sponsorships that could tie the Tampa Bay Rowdies in MLS to things like, potentially, Amazon’s second headquarters, or similar tech business opportunities, if the right people decide to seize the opportunities presented.
• The Tampa Bay Rowdies are a historic American soccer brand, since 1975, and were one of the top drawing teams in the old NASL, setting Florida soccer attendance records at the time, with several crowds of over 40,000 at Tampa Stadium, and one crowd of over 56,000, and were averaging 28,000 a game by 1980. There was a good reason why MLS put a team in the Tampa Bay Area market in spite of having no owner. The Rowdies logo and green and yellow hooped sleeve jerseys are still widely known around the world, especially in the UK. It would be a shame to leave this historic brand languishing in obscurity any longer; adding the Tampa Bay Rowdies to MLS brings a greater historical depth and sense of history to MLS, similar to what the San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, and Vancouver Whitecaps have done for MLS.

In short: Come on you Rowdies! Onwards to MLS! #MLS2StPete #MLS2TampaBay #Rowdies2MLS #COYR