Golden Knights confirm interest in Las Vegas MLS franchise

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https://news3lv.com/news/local/golden-knights-confirm-interest-in-las-vegas-mls-franchise

Golden Knights confirm interest in Las Vegas MLS franchise

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — The Vegas Golden Knights are interested in bringing a professional soccer team to the valley.

The Golden Knights confirmed in a statement they "are exploring the possibility of bringing a Major League Soccer franchise to Las Vegas." No other details were provided.

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https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/golden-knights-nhl/golden-knights-bill-foley-says-he-is-pursuing-mls-soccer-team-1679607/

Golden Knights’ Bill Foley says he is pursuing MLS soccer team

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https://www.fox5vegas.com/news/las-vegas-city-council-to-move-forward-with-mls-stadium/article_02e09976-87bd-11e9-96a7-6f8192dfdce0.html

Las Vegas City Council to move forward with MLS stadium negotiations

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https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/golden-knights-owner-interested-in-bringing-mls-to-las-vegas/

Golden Knights owner interested in bringing MLS to Las Vegas

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https://lasvegassun.com/news/2019/jun/05/las-vegas-oks-talks-for-major-league-soccer-stadiu/

Las Vegas OKs talks for Major League Soccer stadium

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https://news3lv.com/news/local/new-renderings-show-proposed-major-league-soccer-stadium-in-downtown-las-vegas

New renderings show proposed Major League Soccer stadium in Downtown Las Vegas

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https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/sports-columns/ed-graney/knights-owner-bill-foley-enters-billionaire-fray-for-mls-team-1679977/

Knights owner Bill Foley enters billionaire fray for MLS team

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https://en.as.com/en/2019/06/05/football/1559699047_404848.html

Don Garber pleased with growing reputation of the MLS

MLS commisioner Don Garber during an pannel

The MLS Commissioner is happy with the league's progress and its international reputation, despite initial reservations.

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https://sg.news.yahoo.com/mls-chief-sees-bright-future-league-expands-000916264--sow.html

MLS chief sees bright future as league expands

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https://www.sportbusiness.com/2019/06/twenty-things-we-learned-at-the-sports-decision-makers-summit-in-miami/

Twenty things we learned at the Sports Decision Makers Summit in Miami

European Super League would also hurt MLS

“[MLS commissioner] Don Garber has done the best job [among the US major leagues] of building a brand” – the words of billionaire entrepreneur and AS Roma co-owner James Pallotta, who opened the conference with a Monday keynote. But there was a kicker: “While I think he’s done a great job, I think I’ll be dead before it becomes anything I think is significant.” Why? Pallotta believes that the resurgent possibility of a European super league is a particular threat for MLS – many of whose consumers are fans of both a domestic and a European club – because it would look to play matches on weekends, chopping off the engagement growth of the US league as surely as it would for the remainder of domestic leagues in Europe.

One thing about European soccer still terrifies investors

“They look at the relegation risk and it just can’t be stomached.” Chuck Baker, O’Melveny Sports partner and co-chair, said that promotion and relegation was still the big turn-off for US investors when it came to spending on European football clubs. “Relegation is really a very scary proposition for US investors who have a lot of trouble getting comfortable with that concept.”

Budweiser ‘super-excited’ about teetotal Qatar

Qatar has strong restrictions on the consumption of alcohol, but this hasn’t stopped Eelco van der Noll – the head of partnerships & experiential marketing for AB InBev – getting “super excited” about the 2020 Fifa World Cup in the country. Budweiser, an AB InBev brand, has been Fifa’s official beer for over a quarter century. Speaking at the Sports Decision Makers Summit in Miami, van der Noll said the country’s laws weren’t a problem, because the actual location of the World Cup is not the chief focus of Budweiser activations – “wherever the World Cup is being played, it helps our activations around the world.”

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https://www.abcactionnews.com/lifestyle/taste-and-see/whats-happening-in-tampa-bay-this-weekend-june-7-9

What's happening in Tampa Bay this weekend | June 7-9

Tampa Rowdies vs. North Carolina FC
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Al Lang Stadium at 230 1st Street S, St. Petersburg
Cost: $17
Info: The Tampa Bay Rowdies are taking on the North Carolina FC on Saturday night. Game begins at 7:30 p.m.

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https://orangeandblacksoccercast.com/news-1/2019-usl-championship-power-rankings-watch-week-13

USL CHAMPIONSHIP POWER RANKINGS WATCH: WEEK 13

So, as soon as I open my big mouth, the opposite happens. Last week I was baffled by Indy Eleven and their inability to score at home and they have a huge come back win, scoring two against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC to get an important home victory. The other team I apparently have jinxed is Fresno FC. I mentioned that I was high on them and that they should be further up the power rankings, and then they went and laid an egg in Colorado Springs against the Switchbacks. So maybe I should take a poll to see which teams I’m going to jinx in this week’s power rankings write-up.

I guess I could just start with Phoenix Rising FC, who had a bye and stayed steady at 6th place. Their very next home game is the next of their famous $1 beer night games. They are currently perfect on those Friday night games, so maybe my jinx will break that streak.

The next team I can jinx is the #1 ranked team, Tampa Bay Rowdies. The Rowdies are still the only unbeaten team left in the league, and they look like they will just keep winning. New Mexico United sit 2nd as they did not play, but they have two home games this week. They look like they will probably be 6 points richer by the end of next weekend.

The other team that is starting a good run of form is Louisville City FC (2-0-2 in their last 4), who crushed Charleston Battery, and now finds themselves rising up the power rankings. Their next match should be an easy win against Loudoun United FC, so they may find themselves challenging for a top 5 spot soon.

Also, for the first time in a long time, there are 4 western conference teams in the top 10 with Reno 1868 FC taking the 10th spot after knocking off Las Vegas Lights FC. That capped a pretty terrible road run for the Lights, but was Reno’s second win in three matches.

North Carolina FC (1-1-3 in their last 5) and Ottawa Fury FC (3-2-0 in their last 5) are the next two, and they are for sure heading in contrary motion. NCFC had to come back against Hartford to earn a draw, where Ottawa won pretty handily at home against Charlotte Independence.

El Paso Locomotive FC (4-0-3 in their last 7) has been playing very well of late and have found themselves at 13th. This may be a little low given their current form. Locomotive FC find themselves just ahead of recently falling Fresno, which brings us to our beloved Orange and Black. Orange County SC, after Saturday, are probably more black and blue. Saturday was a crazy game that saw the officials trying to make orange with all the yellow and red being shown. OC gets some well deserved recognition for their tremendous defensive and get rewarded for their ability to finish a game out. They are unbeaten in their last six matches, but 4 of those have been draws.

OC is followed by some pretty good teams including Charleston, Austin Bold FC, Pittsburgh, OKC Energy FC, Sacramento Republic FC, and Tulsa Roughnecks FC who are ranked 16 through 21. OC also knocked RGV FC down to 22. San Antonio FC is surprisingly having a rough time, they have not had any luck on the road, dropping too many points and it looks like only a really strong home record and a good second half can save their season. They are currently ranked 31st. Sorry Harry.

Next Saturday, OC takes on the number 25th ranked team in Las Vegas Lights. Las Vegas has yet to loose a home game in league play, and have scored 13 goals in 6 matches. The only team that has beaten them at home this year is the other team from OC in the Open Cup, so hopefully the team gets some pointers and brings that good feeling to Vegas on Saturday. It’ll be tough without Aodhan Quinn and Darwin Jones who both received red cards last game, but it may give other players an opportunity to step up.

The teams ahead of OC in the power rankings have some tough draws this weekend, so with good form, and a little luck, OC can see themselves push for a top 10 spot and keep them in the hunt for a home playoff game.

Check out the full USL Championship Power Rankings here.

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https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1025826

USL Championship Power Rankings – Week 13

ROWDIES STAY ON TOP WHILE INDY, PORTLAND SHIFT UPWARD AFTER VICTORIES

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https://www.brightonandhoveindependent.co.uk/sport/football/brighton-heavily-linked-with-25-goal-ace-10-million-rated-defender-david-beckham-s-inter-miami-chasing-former-premier-league-star-chelsea-youngster-to-sign-100k-a-week-deal-updates-on-liverpool-watford-newcastle-united-1-8952128

Brighton heavily linked with 25-goal ace & £10-million rated defender | David Beckham's Inter Miami chasing former Premier League star | Chelsea youngster to sign £100k-a-week deal | Updates on Liverpool, Watford & Newcastle United

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https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/barcelona/transfer-talk/news/report-beckham-wants-suarez-at-inter-miami_361181.html

Report: David Beckham wants Luis Suarez at Inter Miami

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https://therealdeal.com/miami/2019/06/05/beckham-group-submits-draft-lease-deal-for-miami-freedom-park-complex/

Beckham group submits draft lease deal for Miami Freedom Park complex

Voters approved the referendum in November

David Beckham and a rendering of Miami Freedom Park

David Beckham and his partners moved forward with their plans to redevelop the Melreese Country Club property in Miami into a $1 billion mega mixed-use soccer complex.

Miami Freedom Park submitted a draft lease agreement to the city of Miami that outlines the terms of the deal that Miami voters approved in November. The referendum allowed the city to negotiate and execute the 99-year lease with Miami Freedom Park, which includes Beckham, brothers Jorge and Jose Mas and Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure, for a portion of the property at 1400 Northwest 37th Avenue east of Miami International Airport.

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http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/orlando-city-stadium-naming-rights-deal-exploria-resorts

Orlando City secures stadium naming rights deal worth north of US$2m a year

Long-term deal sees MLS venue become known as the Exploria Stadium.

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https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer-years-pariah-mls-sees-215339610.html

Soccer-After years as a pariah, MLS sees its reputation rising

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https://ussoccerplayers.com/2019/06/the-red-bulls-organization-and-mls.html

THE RED BULLS ORGANIZATION AND MLS

US Soccer Players - On Tuesday, RB Leipzig of the Bundesliga announced that Ralf Rangnick was leaving his post as sporting director of the club to become the director of sporting and development for Red Bull’s global soccer network. In that role, Rangnick will oversee the soccer operations of the New York Red Bulls and Red Bull’s new Brazilian outpost, Bragantino. In his comments about his new job, Rangnick said something of interest for New York fans.

"We want to create a synergy effect between these clubs, from which RB Leipzig, in particular, can profit and develop even further," Ragnick said. "That's the aim."

How much weight you put in that kind of talk likely depends on your feelings for the New York version of the Red Bulls. The MLS team is part of a single-entity league competing under unique rules. It's also part of a bigger developmental system now centered on producing talent for the Leipzig version of the Red Bulls. Calling that a feeder system might be overdoing it now, but that's Red Bulls' perception to address.

From a North American pro sports perspective, that perception is of RB Leipzig as the majors and every other club under the corporate umbrella as the minors. We’ll leave aside the question of whether that makes the New York Red Bulls a double “A” outfit or something closer to triple “A". Either way, if that's at all accurate it doesn't flatter MLS.

Rangnick is talking about player development, of course. The synergy he hopes to create is about pushing players through the academy and into the first team before sending them onto Leipzig.

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https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2019/06/05/u-s-men-s-national-soccer-team-s-cincinnati-ticket.html

U.S. men’s national soccer team’s Cincinnati ticket sales set season mark

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https://www.theguardian.pe.ca/sports/after-years-as-a-pariah-mls-sees-its-reputation-rising-318626/

After years as a pariah, MLS sees its reputation rising

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https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/548465-soccer-after-years-as-a-pariah-mls-sees-its-reputation-rising

Soccer-After years as a pariah, MLS sees its reputation rising

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https://www.ktnv.com/sports/city-bill-foley-pursuing-major-league-soccer-expansion-team-as-competition-heats-up

City, Bill Foley pursuing Major League Soccer expansion team as competition heats up

LAS VEGAS/KTNV — Just more than a year after the Las Vegas Lights played their first game in Las Vegas, founder and owner Brett Lashbrook is now seeing a near promise of growth.

"This is a sign of us becoming a major league city and these are wonderful steps to be taking as we become a major league city." said Lashbrook.

Lashbrook is referring to not just the amount of interest in Vegas soccer, in particular bringing a Major League Soccer team to the city, but also who's interested.

Early Wednesday, city council members unanimously voted to allow a 180-day negotiating window between the city and a deep-pocketed developer to build a new stadium and build up the area known as the Cashman District. In this scenario, the Lights would likely transition from the United Soccer League to the major league. Lashbrook says the proposal is in line with what is expected of a MLS expansion team.

"It's really three things: you have to demonstrate that it's a market that can support soccer. You need a soccer specific stadium and candidly, you need a high networth individual to be able to support it," he said. "Not just for the MLS today but where MLS wants to continue to go over the decade."

While the city council moves forward with the Cashman District proposal, Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley confirmed to the Review Journal that he is also pursuing an MLS team, with hopes of the team playing in the brand new Raiders stadium.

"When you have a guy like Bill Foley with the Vegas Golden Knights and Mark Davis and the Raiders with a brand new stadium which is going to be the state of the art stadium in the entire world, of course that's going to get your attention," said TC Martin, who hosts a Fox Sports radio show on 98.9 FM and 1340AM.

Mayor Goodman said she loves the competition between the city and Foley and loves that he's interested. Last week, she said she would be traveling to Orlando next month to pitch the MLS expansion committee.

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https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2019/06/05/fc-cincinnati-stadium-future-orlando-west-end-neighborhood/3705329002/

Orlando offers glimpse at FC Cincinnati soccer stadium future and the impact on a community

ORLANDO – Game day for FC Cincinnati versus Orlando City dawned warm and sunny outside the city'sMajor League Soccer stadium in Parramore, a small, predominantly black neighborhood within walking distance of downtown Orlando.

By 9 a.m. on May 19 a vacant field two blocks away from the soccer stadium is filling with fans from other parts of Orlando, including its well-to-do suburbs. Kids kick soccer balls and tailgate parties spring up. A neighborhood man waves in fans, collecting $20 a carto park there. Fans put up tents, draping them in Orlando City’s signature purple flags, and begin emptying coolers full of food and beer.

Just outside the stadium, streets close and food trucks begin selling empanadas and submarine sandwiches. Music wafts through the neighborhood from a DJ booth. Sundaychurch services at Faith Deliverance Temple, which sits in the shadow of the 25,500-seat stadium, are underway despite the noisy celebration going on outside.

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https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/article231241713.html

Vegas council approves stadium-area plan for MLS soccer team

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https://963kklz.com/2019/06/05/las-vegas-city-council-approves-mls-soccer-stadium/

Las Vegas City Council Approves Soccer Stadium

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https://lasvegassun.com/news/2019/jun/05/las-vegas-oks-talks-for-major-league-soccer-stadiu/

Las Vegas OKs talks for Major League Soccer stadium

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https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/golden-knights-nhl/golden-knights-bill-foley-says-he-is-pursuing-mls-soccer-team-1679607/

Golden Knights’ Bill Foley says he is pursuing MLS soccer team

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https://lasvegassun.com/news/2019/jun/06/mls-to-las-vegas-this-is-the-beginning-of-the-proc/

MLS to Las Vegas? The process of luring a top soccer league

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http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/las-vegas-mls-expansion-franchise-bill-foley-golden-knights

Vegas Golden Knights owner wants to bring MLS to Sin City

Bill Foley confirms plans to have top-tier soccer team play at Raiders new stadium.

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https://www.valdostadailytimes.com/sports/national_sports/greg-cote-why-barcelona-s-luis-suarez-would-be-miami/article_fa5bb361-64be-548f-8031-f13d635a3592.html

Greg Cote: Why Barcelona’s Luis Suarez would be Miami sports’ biggest signing since LeBron