Bill Edwards looks to sell a stake in the Rowdies to make Major League Soccer (MLS) a reality for St. Pete (via Tampa Bay Business Journal)

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https://www.facebook.com/TampaBayRowdies/photos/a.442996013834.230638.109366663834/10157088226273835/?type=3&theater

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Bill Edwards looks to sell a stake in the Rowdies to make Major League Soccer (MLS) a reality for St. Pete (via Tampa Bay Business Journal)

READ: http://bit.ly/2ElMIqq

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7x13yx/owner_of_usls_rowdies_selling_club/

Owner of USL’s Rowdies selling club (sportsbusinessdaily.com)

Mentions that he confirmed he'd be putting the club up for sale this week but would like to stay on in some capacity maybe as a minority owner

Any speculation on who is interested?

Don't know anything here as to who. Had heard at one point there were multiple parties interested.

Uh, I believe I hinted at this and was shut down in an earlier thread. The writing was on the wall. I still would like some more information.

When he had heart surgery in the middle of the MLS2StPete campaign, and we had complete silence all season, I knew this was gonna happen.

I think this happened for a plethora of reasons. It might be better for the team in the end if we can find a local whale. I’m going to miss Edwards’ new found passion though. I really think he enjoyed owning the team and going to games.

Indeed, Edwards has developed a great property. He's clearly pulled back in some areas. Broadcasting comes to immediate mind. But he defintely hasn't skimped on the on field product!

I'm really impressed that he is open to both a minority partnership and an outright sale. I've said it before. If the MLS is the investment opportunity it claims to be. This is a no brainer for the Glazers and Man U!

Would you guys prefer the Glazers or Vinik to own the Rowdies if it came to that? I'm not sure who I'd pick.

I'd think Vinik would be a better owner but I can see him trying to move the Rowdies to Tampa and I don't think that would go over so well

Gahhh. On the surface, Vinik seems like the logical answer. But MLS loves the NFL. And as much as I hate Man U, there’s that, too.

I think Vinik –the Lightning are just so well run.

I agree. I think either way, we’d be looking at a move away from St Pete and a move to Tampa. As convenient as that might be for me, I’d hate to no longer see Al Lang Stadium and the future plans for it be cancelled.

Also a move back to Tampa seems unlikely in any case, for the same reasons that caused the Rowdies to end up playing at Al Lang in St. Pete in the first place.

What with everyone focused on the Rays moving to Ybor City, the Rowdies won't get any attention from officials in Tampa anyway.

If the Rowdies get to MLS it will be in St. Pete and they likely won't be back in Tampa for another 20-30 years, and only if they can get a better, newer SSS in Tampa when their lease in St. Pete runs out.

Or put another way I doubt that Vinik or anyone else in Tampa has a property suitable for a SSS squirreled away for a rainy day.

If they do, they were very quiet about it circa 2008-2010 when the Rowdies/FC Tampa Bay were looking for an alternative to the Tomato Patch site, and again circa 2013 when VSI Tampa Bay FC were talking about building a SSS.

So any potential majority Rowdies investor is probably going to be limited to either Al Lang, or the Tropicana site if the Rays get their financing done quick enough.

I also doubt that Bill Edwards would want to deal with anyone who wasn't committed to the Rowdies playing in St. Pete.

Vinik already declined the chance to buy the Rowdies though.

I don't think we'll see any of the current Tampa Bay Area sports team owners as major investors in the Rowdies, simply due to their already being committed to running their teams. As minority Rowdies owners, maybe.

If it is a Tampa Bay Area multi-billionaire who becomes Rowdies majority owner, it will be a non-sports team owner who we aren't talking about yet, I'm guessing.

I'm of course totally in the dark, but the fact that Edwards is talking about looking for additional investors now, and has hired someone as a financial adviser to help work out the deal, and mentions talking to "five or six" potential investors, suggests to me that these are probably out of town investors, otherwise I would have thought that Edwards would have been talking to them last year, not just starting to talk to them now.

Edwards did mention, in January of last year, that he was talking to local investors, and not to out of town investors, if that is indicative of anything. So if true maybe he is talking to out of town investors, now.

Hopefully if we do get a majority out of town investor group, we still have enough local investors to keep things tied to the local community for political and other reasons.

"Edwards says he’s not selling the Rowdies; searching for an ownership group"

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https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2018/02/12/Franchises/Rowdies.aspx

Owner of USL’s Rowdies selling club, touts team’s possible future in MLS

The Tampa Bay Rowdies, the second-tier USL team and one of the 12 groups tabbed by MLS as a potential expansion market, is being put up for sale.

Owner Bill Edwards confirmed that the club will be brought to market this week, noting that he’s already beginning to have conversations with potential investors. Edwards said that while he is shopping the entire team, he is open to staying on in some capacity with a new ownership group. Edwards declined to say if other minority stakeholders in the team would also be selling.

Industry sources pegged the team’s value at more than $25 million, as expansion fees for the USL now eclipse $5 million — they were less than $1 million five years ago. Other recent team sales are now into the eight figures, sources said.

Edwards, who acquired the team in 2013 and moved it to the USL from the NASL in 2017, said the team is profitable and holds no debt. He said he’s invested more than $40 million in the team but declined to put a price tag on his ownership stake, saying that “it’s about finding the right person or right group that will see the future ahead and continue to carry on what we’re doing.”

That future could include MLS, as the Rowdies were one of the 12 groups that submitted formal bids to the league last January. While Tampa was not selected as one of the four in the running for the first two spots to be awarded — one was already granted to Nashville — Edwards said that he is optimistic about its chances for one of the final two spots. MLS is expected to select those teams later this year.

“There are no guarantees that we will end up in MLS, but of the 11 biggest television markets in the U.S., MLS has the first 10 and this is No. 11 — that’s a big plus, and that will get the attention of MLS,” Edwards said.

That may drastically increase the value of the club in any transaction as well, according to industry sources. However, Edwards noted that, “it’s not inexpensive to get into MLS.” The MLS expansion fee is set at $150 million.

Last year, local voters in St. Petersburg approved a plan that would extend the team’s lease at the city-owned waterfront stadium if an MLS expansion spot were granted. It also allowed for Edwards’ plan to renovate and expand the stadium from 7,000 to 18,000 seats. The project would cost $80 million and be privately financed.

While Edwards had positioned the club for MLS, he said he has kept his focus on growing in the USL. The Rowdies finished with the third-best record in the Eastern Conference last year, and set multiple club records, including averaging more than 5,663 fans per game. Since Edwards acquired the team, it has tripled its revenue, he said.

Industry sources said that Park Lane has been hired by Edwards as the financial adviser for the transaction. Both Edwards and Park Lane declined to discuss that.

Edwards, 73, a real estate and entertainment investor in the St. Petersburg area, underwent open-heart surgery last year, and has decided to step back from some of his business endeavors as a result.

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7x34d4/the_unused_substitutes_on_twitter_statement_from/

[The Unused Substitutes on Twitter] Statement from Bill Edwards (twitter.com)

Looks a step in the right direction for the #MLS2StPete campaign

Statement from Bill Edwards:

I bleed green and gold. I intend to be part of the Tampa Bay Rowdies as long as I can. I have hired a firm to put together ownership groups to take the Rowdies to the next level with MLS. But even in MLS, I don’t plan on going away, I plan to remain a part of the Rowdies. It’s simply a matter of developing an ownership group that meets Major League Soccer requirements.

In the meantime, we are pleased to be in the USL and intend to fight for and win the USL Cup this year!

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https://twitter.com/UnusedSubsPod/status/963111322329239554

The Unused?Substitutes: Rowdies Talk Radio?

@UnusedSubsPod

Statement from @TampaBayRowdies owner Bill Edwards on today’s report that he is putting the team up for sale.

10:03 AM - 12 Feb 2018

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7x4id7/edwards_looks_to_sell_a_stake_in_the_rowdies_to/

Edwards looks to sell a stake in the Rowdies to make Major League Soccer a reality for St. Pete (bizjournals.com)

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https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2018/02/12/edwards-looks-to-sell-a-stake-in-the-rowdies-to.html

Edwards looks to sell a stake in the Rowdies to make Major League Soccer a reality for St. Pete

Business magnate Bill Edwards is looking to sell a stake — and possibly majority ownership — in the Tampa Bay Rowdies to make a Major League Soccer franchise a reality for St. Petersburg.

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7x32od/edwards_says_hes_not_selling_the_rowdies/

Edwards says he’s not selling the Rowdies; searching for an ownership group (tampabay.com)

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http://www.tampabay.com/sports/2018/02/12/report-rowdies-are-for-sale/

Edwards says he’s not selling the Rowdies; searching for an ownership group

Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards disputed a report Monday that he is selling the soccer team, insisting that he instead is looking to bolster his ownership group.

"We are looking to put together an ownership group and we have five or six groups talking to us right now," Edwards said during a telephone interview with the Times. "We are trying to take it to the next level, which is Major League Soccer. But it takes a lot of money to be in MLS.

"I don't plan on walking away from anything. I've poured five years of my life into the Rowdies and look where they've come. Why would I walk away?"

A report Monday in the Sports Business Journal said the Rowdies, who play in the United Soccer League, are being put up for sale.

Ian Thomas

@byIanThomas

News in @sbjsbd this morning: The Tampa Bay Rowdies, one of the 12 groups that bid for an MLS expansion spot, are being put up for sale by owner Bill Edwards https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2018/02/12/Franchises/Rowdies.aspx …

9:22 AM - Feb 12, 2018

Edwards, 72, has owned the Rowdies since 2013. Since then the team has secured a long-term lease at Al Lang Stadium, switched to the USL and made a bid to join MLS, the highest league in the United States.

Edwards said his next step is to bolster his MLS bid by finding investors to form a larger ownership group.

Edwards had a double bypass heart surgery in May and stepped away for about a month from his daily business activities. He said his health is not an issue and he has attended several Rowdies practices and scrimmages as they prepare for the regular season.

Ian Thomas

@byIanThomas

Should note re: Rowdies being put up for sale - owner Bill Edwards had open-heart surgery last year, and is stepping away from day-to-day management of some of his businesses for health reasons. That's the driver for this decision.

9:39 AM - Feb 12, 2018

MLS plans to expand to four cities. Nashville was named one of the four cities in December. Miami was also granted a team in January, but won't begin play until 2020.

Cincinnati, Detroit and Sacramento are in the running for the second expansion team. MLS will decide on the final two cities at a later date. St. Petersburg is in the running for one of the final two cities.

One of the issues of the St. Petersburg bid was said to be the lack of a strong ownership group. Edwards said that's why he's trying to find other investors.

"In order to be in MLS it takes an ownership group, so all we're doing is trying to put together an ownership group," Edwards said. "There's been a high degree of interest from people who want to be part of the ownership group. I would still be involved no matter what league we are in. I'm not running away at all."

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https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2018/february/12-february/what-happened-next-hammers-toppled-bradford-5-4

What Happened Next: The Hammers that toppled Bradford 5-4

Joe Cole

One of the favourite sons to graduate from the West Ham United Academy, Joe Cole scored the team's equalising goal in this game, making the scoreline 4-4 on 70 minutes.

The midfielder would go on to three Premier League titles and three FA Cups with Chelsea, and also play for Liverpool and Lille before returning to the Hammers for a stint between 2013-2014. At 36-years-old, he currently plays for Tampa Bay Rowdies.

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https://au.sports.yahoo.com/a/38906635/lookman-sancho-paving-a-new-path-for-englands-youth-abroad/

Lookman & Sancho paving a new path for England's youth abroad

In his autobiography Sam Allardyce credits his brief stint in America with the Tampa Bay Rowdies for changing how he saw the game, helping him develop into the renowned football manager he is today.

Therefore, it was unusual to hear his incredulity as England Under-21 international Ademola Lookman decided to reject a loan move to Championship club Derby County in favour of Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.

“It's one of the most unusual situations I've been in,” Allardyce said. “We got some deals for him but he was adamant he chose Germany. His stubbornness means he got his own way in the end."

Allardyce played just 11 times in the North American Soccer League in the 1983 season before returning to England, but getting out of his natural surroundings shaped the rest of his playing career and birthed his managerial career.

When an English player decides to move abroad in 2018, it is seen as an anomaly. Established figures of the game such as Allardyce are bewildered: why would a young English player leave England?

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http://www.tampabay.com/news/Top-5-at-noon-Report-Tampa-Bay-Rowdies-are-for-sale-can-Google-trends-explain-Ron-DeSantis-rise-and-more_165410646

Top 5 at noon: Report: Tampa Bay Rowdies are for sale; can Google trends explain Ron DeSantis’ rise? and more

REPORT: TAMPA BAY ROWDIES ARE FOR SALE

The Tampa Bay Rowdies are for sale, according to a report by the Sports Business Journal. Owner Bill Edwards is said to be stepping away from the management of some of his businesses due to health reasons, according to the report. Edwards, 72, has owned the Rowdies since 2013. He has been instrumental in securing a lease for the team at Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg. He has also spearheaded a campaign for the Rowdies to join Major League Soccer, the highest professional soccer league in the United States.

IS TAMPA’S HARD ROCK GETTING CRAPS AND ROULETTE?

The odds have increased for a legislative compromise to update Florida’s gaming laws, one that would guarantee the state more money from the Seminole Tribe in exchange for adding craps and roulette to their casinos, like their Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa, according to negotiators for both sides. The tribe has some new leverage since legislation emerged and died last year. But two significant hurdles stand in the way of an easy resolution.

2ND & SECOND WILL SERVE YOU 24/7 IN ST. PETERSBURG

With its dense nightlife scene and growing status as a fun-times destination, St. Petersburg needed a 24-hour diner. Diner24 DTSP on First Avenue N lasted just a couple of months. 2nd & Second is the effort of pros, a collaboration between Kahwa Coffee owner Raphael Perrier, Tryst owner Renaud Cowez and chef Jeremy Duclut of Cassis and the Wooden Rooster. In a space that was most recently a RE/MAX real estate office, it doesn’t look particularly dinery. No biggie if they’re doing things right. Offerings are largely classic breakfast-all-day staples with slight upscale twists.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.tbo.com/sports/2018/02/12/report-rowdies-are-for-sale/

Edwards says he’s not selling the Rowdies; searching for an ownership group

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https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/76746/report-rowdies-owner-edwards-selling-stake-in-tea.html

Report: Rowdies owner Edwards selling stake in team

Bill Edwards, the Tampa Bay Rowdies owner since 2013, wants to sell team. Just how much a stake in the team was disputed.

After a Sports Business Journal report that the Rowdies, who will begin their second season in the USL after many seasons in the NASL, were being put up for sale, Edwards told the Tampa Bay Rowdies that he is simply selling a stake in the team that will raise the profile of the team in its bid for an MLS expansion team.

"We are looking to put together an ownership group and we have five or six groups talking to us right now," Edwards told the Times. "We are trying to take it to the next level, which is Major League Soccer. But it takes a lot of money to be in MLS. I don’t plan on walking away from anything. I’ve poured five years of my life into the Rowdies and look where they’ve come. Why would I walk away?"

The 72-year-old Edwards had double bypass heart surgery in May. He has since returned to work.

Edwards said his next step is to bolster his MLS bid by finding investors to form a larger ownership group. His statement is confirmation that he recognizes that he alone can't win an MLS expansion team for Tampa Bay. He told the Times he was seeking to put together as strong an ownership group as possible to play in the USL or seek an MLS expansion team.

Tampa Bay is not in the running for the 26th expansion slot -- Cincinnati, Detroit and Sacramento are the finalists -- but it still has hope of being in the running for the next two slots. MLS has not yet announced a timeline for the selection of these two teams that will take the league to 28 teams.

The Rowdies play in St. Petersburg's Al Lang Stadium, which would require $80 million in renovations to upgrade to MLS standards.

The current Rowdies began as FC Tampa Bay in the USSF D2 League in 2010. They were renamed the Rowdies in 2012 when they won the NASL title. The Rowdies' first season in the old NASL came in 1975 when they won the Soccer Bowl over the Portland Timbers.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3381411/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-of-mls-expansion-what-lafc-can-expect?src=com

The good, the bad and the ugly of MLS expansion: What LAFC can expect

Wright also said that the league offices help expansion franchises determine their business models. MNUFC came into the league playing in a third-party stadium, just like Atlanta and Orlando. Nashville and David Beckham's Miami team likely will, as well.

"What's Beckham going to build down in Miami? Look at the power of the David Beckham group that has just come into our league," he said. "Single-handedly, that's going to take the bar and push it even higher. And all of that is OK. From an aspirational standpoint, we're all trying to achieve that level of greatness inside our own markets."

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http://miami.cbslocal.com/2018/02/12/overtown-uneasy-beckham-soccer-stadium/

Overtown Residents Remain Uneasy Over Beckham’s Soccer Stadium Plans

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Soccer star David Beckham is bringing Major League Soccer to Miami, but the idea of a soccer stadium without parking in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood still isn’t sitting well with residents.

It is a complicated issue for Beckham’s proposed soccer stadium and the people who live in public and subsidized housing surrounding the site.

The worry?

The housing will be torn down to provide parking for soccer fans.

Concerned residents spoke their minds at a February 1st community meeting.

A follow up meeting is scheduled Monday night at 6:30pm at St. Johns Missionary Baptist Church, 1328 NW 3rd Avenue.

The county says there is a redevelopment plan. The Miami-Dade County Housing Director Michael Liu told CBS4’s David Sutta previously that the residents of Culmer Place don’t have anything to worry about.

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https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/soccer/rising/2018/02/12/phoenix-rising-fc-proposed-mls-stadium/325577002/

Here's what we know about Phoenix Rising FC's proposed MLS-style stadium

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http://www.tampabay.com/Bill-Edwards-says-he-s-not-selling-the-Rowdies-searching-for-an-ownership-group_165417806

Bill Edwards says he’s not selling the Rowdies; searching for an ownership group

Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards disputed a report Monday that he is selling the soccer team, insisting that he instead is looking to bolster his ownership group.

"We are looking to put together an ownership group and we have five or six groups talking to us right now," Edwards said during a telephone interview with the Times. "We are trying to take it to the next level, which is Major League Soccer. But it takes a lot of money to be in MLS.

"I don’t plan on walking away from anything. I’ve poured five years of my life into the Rowdies and look where they’ve come. Why would I walk away?"

A report Monday in the Sports Business Journal said the Rowdies, who play in the United Soccer League, are being put up for sale.

Edwards, 72, has owned the Rowdies since 2013. Since then the team has secured a long-term lease at Al Lang Stadium, switched to the USL and made a bid to join MLS, the highest league in the United States.

Edwards said his next step is to bolster his MLS bid by finding investors to form a larger ownership group.

Edwards had a double bypass heart surgery in May and stepped away for about a month from his daily business activities. He said his health is not an issue and he has attended several Rowdies practices and scrimmages as they prepare for the regular season.

MLS plans to expand to four cities. Nashville was named one of the four cities in December. Miami was also granted a team in January, but won’t begin play until 2020.

Cincinnati, Detroit and Sacramento are in the running for the second expansion team. MLS will decide on the final two cities at a later date. St. Petersburg is in the running for one of the final two cities.

One of the issues of the St. Petersburg bid was said to be the lack of a strong ownership group. Edwards said that’s why he’s trying to find other investors.

"In order to be in MLS it takes an ownership group, so all we’re doing is trying to put together an ownership group," Edwards said. "There’s been a high degree of interest from people who want to be part of the ownership group. I would still be involved no matter what league we are in. I’m not running away at all."

(Follow link for full article.)

http://fox17.com/sports/content/nashville-sc-home-opener-moved-to-nissan-stadium-due-to-high-ticket-demand

Nashville SC home opener moved to Nissan Stadium due to high ticket demand

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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/886212?referrer_id=2364194-news-archive

NCFC to Host United States vs. Paraguay

Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park announced as venue for March 27 exhibition

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https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2018/02/12/report-nashville-sc-headed-to-bigger-venue-for.html

Nashville SC headed to bigger venue for regular season home opener

Nashville's soccer fans will have far more seats to fill when the city's new professional soccer team takes the field for its first official home game.

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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/886244?referrer_id=2364194

Nissan Stadium to Host Nashville Home Opener

High demand for inaugural regular season contest sees move to Titans’ venue

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http://en.brinkwire.com/140952/us-soccer-reboots-elects-carlos-cordeiro-president/

US Soccer reboots, elects Carlos Cordeiro president

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https://playingfor90.com/2018/02/12/us-soccer-sticks-status-quo-electing-cordeiro-new-president/

US Soccer sticks with status quo by electing Cordeiro as new president

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https://www.starsandstripesfc.com/2018/2/12/17001540/carlos-cordeiro-ussf-us-soccer-president-chance

Carlos Cordeiro deserves a chance

He has work to do, but it’s only fair he gets an opportunity to make improvements

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https://www.themaneland.com/2018/2/12/17002112/ussf-election-fallout-false-expectations-and-how-we-forgot-how-far-weve-come

USSF Election Fallout: False Expectations and How We Forgot How Far We’ve Come

With the election over, let’s pragmatically look at the state of soccer in the United States.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2018/02/12/u-s-mens-national-team-to-host-paraguay-visit-ireland-and-france/?utm_term=.04b00b464123

U.S. men’s national team to host Paraguay, visit Ireland and France

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/02/12/us-soccer-confirms-friendly-matches-against-paraguay-ireland-and-france

US Soccer confirms friendly matches against Paraguay, Ireland and France

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https://www.nashvillepost.com/sports/nashville-sc/blog/20992153/nashville-sc-puts-on-good-show-in-preseason-opener

Nashville SC revels in support during preseason opener

Rain-soaked preseason game ends in defeat, does not diminish celebratory mood around city's newest pro sports entry

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https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2018/02/12/owner-of-top-european-soccer-club-buys-stake-in.html

Owner of top European soccer club buys stake in Phoenix Rising, aims to bolster MLS bid

Phoenix Rising FC wants to join Major League Soccer.

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http://www.espn.com/soccer/soccer-transfers/story/3381470/leon-say-landon-donovan-will-return-to-san-jose-earthquakes

Landon Donovan's Club Leon to face Earthquakes in friendly

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https://sports.yahoo.com/club-leon-fools-everyone-marketing-220158332.html

Club Leon fools everyone with marketing ploy for MLS friendly

Landon Donovan’s new team Club Leon used a sneaky marketing ploy to announce an upcoming March friendly with Major League Soccer club San Jose Earthquakes.

The Liga MX side posted a tweet that read, “Landon Donovan will return to his country in March, following interest from San Jose Earthquake of MLS” which had everyone believing that Donovan could be returning to Major League Soccer to play for a new team.

Instead, it turned out to just be a mischievous announcement for a friendly on March 24th, with Donovan returning to play his first MLS club, with whom he won the 2003 MLS Cup while on loan from Bayer Leverkusen.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.espn.com/soccer/nashville-sc/story/3381561/nashville-sc-moves-first-usl-home-game-to-nfl-stadium

Nashville SC moves first USL home game to NFL stadium

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https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2018/02/12/new-details-west-end-stadium-today-fc-cincinnati-woos-schools-community-groups/328621002/

FC Cincinnati wants to move Stargel for Major League Soccer stadium; school board mum

FC Cincinnati's vision for the West End would mean building a Major League Soccer stadium on the current site of Taft High School's Stargel stadium, but it comes with the promise the club will build a new and better high school stadium with the same name nearby....

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.tbo.com/news/Top-5-at-noon-Report-Tampa-Bay-Rowdies-are-for-sale-can-Google-trends-explain-Ron-DeSantis-rise-and-more_165410646

Top 5 at noon: Report: Tampa Bay Rowdies are for sale; can Google trends explain Ron DeSantis’ rise? and more

REPORT: TAMPA BAY ROWDIES ARE FOR SALE

The Tampa Bay Rowdies are for sale, according to a report by the Sports Business Journal. Owner Bill Edwards is said to be stepping away from the management of some of his businesses due to health reasons, according to the report. Edwards, 72, has owned the Rowdies since 2013. He has been instrumental in securing a lease for the team at Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg. He has also spearheaded a campaign for the Rowdies to join Major League Soccer, the highest professional soccer league in the United States.

IS TAMPA’S HARD ROCK GETTING CRAPS AND ROULETTE?

The odds have increased for a legislative compromise to update Florida’s gaming laws, one that would guarantee the state more money from the Seminole Tribe in exchange for adding craps and roulette to their casinos, like their Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa, according to negotiators for both sides. The tribe has some new leverage since legislation emerged and died last year. But two significant hurdles stand in the way of an easy resolution.

2ND & SECOND WILL SERVE YOU 24/7 IN ST. PETERSBURG

With its dense nightlife scene and growing status as a fun-times destination, St. Petersburg needed a 24-hour diner. Diner24 DTSP on First Avenue N lasted just a couple of months. 2nd & Second is the effort of pros, a collaboration between Kahwa Coffee owner Raphael Perrier, Tryst owner Renaud Cowez and chef Jeremy Duclut of Cassis and the Wooden Rooster. In a space that was most recently a RE/MAX real estate office, it doesn’t look particularly dinery. No biggie if they’re doing things right. Offerings are largely classic breakfast-all-day staples with slight upscale twists.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://wvxu.org/post/one-proposal-fc-cincinnati-replaces-stargel-stadium#stream/0

One Proposal From FC Cincinnati Replaces Stargel Stadium

If FC Cincinnati gets a Major League Soccer expansion team, and if everything can be worked out with neighbors, the team could build its new home where Stargel Stadium currently sits in the West End. The team would, in exchange, build Cincinnati Public Schools a new stadium.

Club President and General Manager Jeff Berding presented the team's plans to the board of education, Monday night. He says a stadium built in the West End would not touch Taft High School and would not displace current residents.

"Our plans have some very specific requirements," Berding says.

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http://www.espn.com/soccer/team/united-states/660/blog/post/3379123/president-carlos-cordeiro-must-bring-positive-change-to-united-states-soccer?src=com

New USSF president Carlos Cordeiro must bring about positive change

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http://www.calciomercato.com/en/news/us-soccer-will-not-be-burned-down-and-that-s-a-good-thing-18859

US Soccer will not be burned down, and that’s a good thing

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https://deadspin.com/u-s-soccer-blew-it-1822934485

U.S. Soccer Blew It

After many months of ardent campaigning and intense pressure from those inside and especially outside the American soccer system for the implementation of serious, fundamental change at all levels of the sport following the USMNT’s horrifying World Cup qualification disaster, voters in the U.S. Soccer presidential campaign had a golden opportunity to carve a new path for soccer in this country. Unfortunately, in light of the result of the election the future of U.S. Soccer is looking a lot like its past.

On Saturday, Carlos Cordeiro won the election to become president of the U.S. Soccer Federation. In the field of eight presidential hopefuls, Cordeiro was one of two establishment candidates, owing to his membership on U.S. Soccer’s board of directors for a little over a decade. During the last two years of his time in U.S. Soccer, Cordeiro served as departing president Sunil Gulati’s VP. None of which seems to bode well for the prospect of significant change in a federation that desperately needs it.

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https://www.prosoccerusa.com/seattle-sounders-fc/sounders-getting-used-new-economics-mls/

Sounders getting used to new economics of MLS

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https://www.forbes.com/sites/darrenheitner/2018/02/11/this-week-in-sports-law-derrick-roses-deal-josh-mcdaniels-drops-colts-nasl-sues-soccer-directors/#42d0e930419b

This Week In Sports Law: Derrick Rose's Deal, Josh McDaniels Drops Colts, NASL Sues Soccer Directors

U.S.-Based Soccer Legal Battle Expands

The North American Soccer League (NASL) has filed a new lawsuit against directors on the U.S. Soccer Federation's (USSF) board, which is based on a claim that the directors breached their fiduciary duties to the NASL by refusing to make the NASL a Division II league in 2018. Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber is among the many individuals named as defendants in the suit.

The NASL is banking on recent comments made by USSF vice president Carlos Cordeiro, who said that the unique ownership of USSF's media rights partner creates conflicts that need to be addressed. Cordeiro was also named as a defendant.

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https://www.sounderatheart.com/2018/2/11/17001770/nasl-history-pre-sounders

A Royal Visit

As the original NASL’s 50th anniversary kicks off, a look at the league’s first stop in Seattle, well before the Sounders came to town.

Even by standards 50 years ago it was a modest match day program. Yet it matched the surroundings and, some might say, the fare that was on display that afternoon.

Still, it was a start. Turning the page, maybe spectators took pause from watching the stocky, commanding figure standing astride of the benches, to let the significance of the day soak in.

In a simple font, probably prepared on someone’s personal typewriter, flow the words: “We are sure that this game will be a milestone in the history of soccer in our state.” It goes on: “It is with pleasure and a feeling of satisfaction we are able to act as hosts to the first all-professional soccer game held in our state.”

It’s actually easy to picture the setting today. West Seattle Stadium sits virtually untouched, not only in the 50 years since but the 80 since being erected. The main stand, wooden and covered, could serve as a stunt double for a mid-20th Century British ground. The weather on that February 11, 1968 was practically spring-like: Bright sunshine and mild temperatures after a cold, soggy start to the new year. The grass is a bit long and ungroomed while the ground itself is soft from repeated rains.

Surprisingly, it was the grass that attracted this, the first match in the Pacific Northwest featuring a North American Soccer League club, south of the Canadian border. The Vancouver Royals were introducing themselves to the region through a three-game preseason series, and they offered a tantalizing hook: An opportunity to encounter up-close one of the most storied celebrities in the game.

A Living Legend

At that time, the somewhat plump figure of Ferenc Puskás would’ve occupied a place among world football’s Mount Rushmore, without question. Here was the man who had become Real Madrid royalty earlier in the decade, leading Los Blancos to five domestics titles, plus a European crown, while scoring at a pace comparable to Cristiano Ronaldo. And that was his second act.

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https://twitter.com/byIanThomas/status/963060103086788608

Ian Thomas?

@byIanThomas

Should note re: Rowdies being put up for sale - owner Bill Edwards had open-heart surgery last year, and is stepping away from day-to-day management of some of his businesses for health reasons. That's the driver for this decision.

6:39 AM - 12 Feb 2018

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https://twitter.com/tbtimes_sports/status/963095646164193280

TampaBayTimesSports

?Verified account

@TBTimes_Sports

Rowdies owner Bill Edwards reportedly is stepping away from the management of some of his businesses due to health reasons. #Rowdies @TampaBayRowdies @sbjsbd @TB_Times @RodneyHomeTeam

9:01 AM - 12 Feb 2018

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https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/7x2vsd/bill_edwards_says_hes_not_selling_the_tampa_bay/

Bill Edwards says he's NOT selling the Tampa Bay Rowdies (tbo.com)

Good to hear that he is in discussions with a number of different parties to participate in an ownership group. If Edwards can get some very deep pockets involved then MLS could be likely in the future instead of remote, as it stands now.

I'm repeating myself at this point. But if MLS is the great investment it claims to be, and current investors believe it to be. Then the Glazers/Man U. would be foolish to pass this opportunity up before the price goes higher.

Vinik and the Lightning might be the best run franchise in all of US sports right now. But I think he's too busy with the his Water Street project in Tampa.

The Glazers passed up an even better return on investment when they let the Mutiny die. The piddling amount MLS was asking back then doesn't seem like such a bad deal now, does it? It would have been quite a ROI.

I hope the Glazers are kicking themselves now for not buying the Mutiny in 2001! They could have renamed them the Rowdies (as they should have been named in the first place) and had an MLS franchise worth a lot more money now.

Still the Glazers could get involved with the current Rowdies, maybe as minority MLS investors, but they've got most of their money tied up in Manchester United and elsewhere so I doubt they will be majority Rowdies owners.

I could go for the Glazers getting involved. It would be a nice little Southeast battlefield with Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Nashville, and Atlanta. Road trip anyone?

If Bill Edwards puts together the right group of investors, with enough money to put together a good SSS and a good team, the Southeast would become quite a nice little battlefield as you say, rivaling Cascadia.

We've already had some "incidents" with Orlando and Atlanta, let's just say, so the potential is already well demonstrated.

We had no problems with Ft. Lauderdale or Miami (or Jacksonville), though; we got along fine with their fans. We (TBR fans) definitely hated Ft. Lauderdale a lot more in the 1970s.

The Tampa Bay Area is the largest TV market (#11) that does not have an MLS team. That has to be noticed by potential MLS investors, and by MLS itself when considering expansion.

The TBA is four hours drive from Miami; a Miami Beckham team could have players like Messi and Ronaldo playing for it in a few years; it you wanted to own an MLS team, would you rather own a team in the #11 TV market only four hours drive from Miami, or a team in the #20 or smaller TV market on the other side of the continent, more than a four hour commercial jet flight away?

I.e., would you want an MLS team that is always going to be playing a Miami Beckham team with, potentially, players like Messi and Ronaldo, home and away every year (sometimes more often), or a team on the other side of the country which might not have any home games against such a Miami Beckham team?

The Tampa Bay Rowdies have had a small but steady increase in attendance every year they have played at Al Lang Stadium - that's six straight years of attendance growth.

Yes, there are other markets with much higher attendance in lower league soccer, but they are markets that don't have as many other pro sports teams, often selling tickets at much cheaper prices.

Rowdies tickets in MLS would not be much more expensive than they are now in USL; given that, current Rowdies attendance is not bad at all, especially given the small size of the stadium and the Rowdies virtual invisibility as a minor league team in a major league market.

Moreover you don't have to consider the problems of moving to a new site (i.e., will your existing fans follow the team to the new site?); just as ticket prices won't change much if the Rowdies go to MLS, the location of the stadium won't change either - and it, Al Lang Stadium, is in a good location, a downtown urban, waterfront location, which would be unique in MLS.

MLS is played mostly on weekends, when there is no traffic over the bridge from Tampa. MLS does not have the kinds of scheduling problems (lots of weeknight games, when traffic over the bridge is bad) that plague the Rays in MLB.

People talk about the Rays attendance problems as though this is somehow applicable to MLS when it is not; they also ignore that the Lightning drew record attendance at the Tropicana location back in the day; so it really isn't St. Pete itself that is the problem.

Speaking of the Rays, if they can get their new stadium in Ybor City financed quickly (i.e., this year), then the Tropicana site might open up as a potential SSS site for the Rowdies, as an alternative to Al Lang.

The city of St. Pete could offer the same land development deal they are currently offering the Rays, to the Rowdies instead, in which case the #MLS2StPete deal becomes very lucrative indeed, which would make it even more appealing to MLS and to potential investors.

The timing of that deal (i.e., the Rays getting their financing for a new stadium in Ybor City) would have to be perfect, however, so it is a long shot at this point, but it can't be ruled out just yet.

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http://www.tbo.com/sports/2018/02/12/report-rowdies-are-for-sale/

Edwards says he’s not selling the Rowdies; searching for an ownership group

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https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/7x14b3/paywall_owner_of_usls_rowdies_selling_club_touts/

(paywall) Owner of USL’s Rowdies selling club, touts team’s possible future in MLS (sportsbusinessdaily.com)

If he sells to deep-pocketed owners, Tampa could make a serious play for the next round of spots.

If Miami turns out to be as successful as Orlando, I would say they would be crazy not to.

Tampa is a big city to leave off the map.

Also, I believe that the West Central Florida is one of the fastest growing area in USA right now. Their potential is not just Tampa Bay Area.

And the largest media market currently not in MLS.

It's a soccer hotbed. Good luck Rowdies!!!

Florida is like California. It's like saying 'we have a team in LA and SF, don't need more'.

Strangely, there are people saying just that.

And yet, they get more anyway

I think people just forget how many cities are actually in California.

Its not only cities, but people.

based on what exactly? mls having 3 teams in Florida seems like a reach at best.

Have you been to most cities in Florida? Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Tampa/St. Pete/Sarasota, Orlando, Jacksonville, Ft. Myers/Naples, the Panhandle, the Keys, etc... all with their own distinct culture, hours away from other cities.

It takes over 13 hours to get from one tip of Florida to the other, and that’s without stopping.

So if California, Texas, and New York can have three teams (in other sports leagues for NY), then why not Florida?

I don't know - the NFL wasn't too afraid to put a third team in Florida.

"Metro Areas" are where it's at. We know you can't expect San Diego to blindly follow LA's sports teams, regardless of relative national proximity or state lines.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/samanthasharf/2017/02/10/full-list-americas-fastest-growing-cities-2017/2/#e98ede75b5f2

At least if we count Tampa Bay+Sarasota to be one MLS market, that is number 8 and number 6 in this list. Also, I think in theory we could stretch it to Fort Myers (Going from West-East is a pain in Florida).

Absolutely. TB, Sarasota and FM are culturally connected. It's essentially one market.

This is for a plethora of reasons and most of us saw this coming. Its likely that he will stay on as a minority owner.

Overall I think this is a good move for us if we can find a local owner/ownership group. We have a great fanbase, excellent location, and (as far as I know) turn a profit. Additionally, the Rays announced their intentions to move to a Tampa (Ybor) site. I really think St. Pete would benefit throwing its support behind one local team.

The city is growing at an exponential rate. More People are moving into downtown everyday and local business is booming from Beach Drive to the Edge District. I really think we should be enticing to a potential ownership group.

Also, FWIW and obligatory Tampa Bay is a top market for television rights.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2018/02/12/Franchises/Rowdies.aspx

Owner of USL’s Rowdies selling club, touts team’s possible future in MLS

The Tampa Bay Rowdies, the second-tier USL team and one of the 12 groups tabbed by MLS as a potential expansion market, is being put up for sale.

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https://www.forbes.com/sites/samanthasharf/2017/02/10/full-list-americas-fastest-growing-cities-2017/2/#308bbc245b5f

Full List: America's Fastest-Growing Cities 2017

6. North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL

8. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2018/02/12/fc-cincinnati-confirms-it-wants-stargel-site-for.html

FC Cincinnati confirms: It wants Stargel site for new soccer stadium

FC Cincinnati revealed its plan for a West End stadium to the Cincinnati Public Schools board on Monday night.

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https://williamsonsource.com/nashville-sc-home-opener-moved-nissan-stadium/

Nashville SC Home Opener Moved to Nissan Stadium

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http://cincinnatisoccertalk.com/2018/02/12/progress-process-episode-103

Progress of the Process – Episode 103

On this week’s show we talk about the first two preseason matches of 2018 as well as Jeff Berding’s presentation to the Cincinnati Public Schools Board.

Bryan, Boston, Yosief and Rob cause havoc in the absence of Nick.

If you’d like to wear the armband for an episode of Cincinnati Soccer Talk log onto CincinnatiSoccerTalk.com/support.

Highlights from this week’s show.

We started the show off this week by discussing the 1-1 draw vs. the New England Revolution and the 1-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

FC Cincinnati President Jeff Berding presented the clubs plan to the Cincinnati Public Schools on a stadium in the West End.

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http://www.gwinnettprepsports.com/sportsxchange/u-s-men-s-team-schedules-three-friendlies/article_7b8e1681-9110-5417-8903-c0f242468538.html

U.S. men's team schedules three friendlies

The United States men's soccer team doesn't have a coach, but it does know its next three opponents, headlined by a matchup against powerhouse France.

The U.S. Soccer Federation announced three men's friendlies on Monday. The Americans will play host to Paraguay on March 27 in Cary, N.J., then will oppose the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on June 2 before facing France in Lyon on June 9.

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http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/feb/12/us-to-host-paraguay-in-march-exhibition-in-north-c/

US to host Paraguay in March exhibition in North Carolina

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https://www.lafc.com/post/2018/02/12/carlos-cordeiro-elected-president-us-soccer-federation

Carlos Cordeiro Elected President Of US Soccer Federation