MLS expansion is coming to Nashville; Tampa Bay may be a future candidate

Tampa Bay Area will be left out in the cold, soccer-wise, AGAIN, unless Bill Edwards can get additional MLS investors, and soon. 

Miami is still uncertain, because despite the new investors nothing has been announced yet. After the last addition of a new investor earlier this year we were told things would be wrapped up by August, then nothing happened. Now we are being told that things will be wrapped up by January, or before the start of MLS 2018 season (March) at the latest. We shall see. The zoning hearings will be interesting; if NIMBYism strikes that is where and when it will strike.

Also lol at comments from people about expansion "diluting" MLS talent. Have they not been paying attention these past 10-15 years? As MLS has expanded it has gotten better. More investment in the league means better players. It's a worldwide market for soccer talent, and MLS is a minor league in global terms. Dilution is a worry for NFL/MLB/NBA/NHL, not for MLS.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.tampabay.com/MLS-expansion-is-coming-to-Nashville-Tampa-Bay-may-be-a-future-candidate_163756491

MLS expansion is coming to Nashville; Tampa Bay may be a future candidate

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.tbo.com/MLS-expansion-is-coming-to-Nashville-Tampa-Bay-may-be-a-future-candidate_163756491

MLS expansion is coming to Nashville; Tampa Bay may be a future candidate

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.thebluetestament.com/2017/12/20/16799182/mls-expansion-nashville-is-in-and-updates-on-sacramento-miami-detroit-phoenix-power-rankings

MLS Expansion: Nashville is in and Updates on Sacramento, Miami, Detroit + Power Rankings

Although all the focus is on Nashville, there are big updates on Miami and many other cities vying for expansion.

Miami, Florida

Oh Miami. February 2018, just two months away, will mark four years since their expansion bid was announced. Now the Miami Herald is reporting that Todd Boehly, previously the majority partner in the bid is out to be replaced by Jorge and Jose Mas and Masayoshi Son.

The Mas Brothers overseas MasTec, a multi-billion dollar infrastructure firm. They are based out of Florida, which has to be seen as a boost for the Miami bid. Son’s networth also dwarfs Mas as he’s reportedly worth $23 billion.

This would seem to sure up Miami’s situation, but with Miami you never know. The new owners have already been approved by the MLS Board of Governors.

With Miami’s continued uncertainty, one has to wonder if three of the final four don’t get in before Miami does. Don Garber didn’t put that idea to rest when in his State of the League Address he stated that a 3rd team getting in over Miami was “conceivable.”