Is Soccer Star Lionel Messi Getting Ready to Leave Barcelona?

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https://www.sportscasting.com/is-soccer-star-lionel-messi-getting-ready-to-leave-barcelona/

Is Soccer Star Lionel Messi Getting Ready to Leave Barcelona?

Even casual soccer fans are probably familiar with Lionel Messi because he is one of those athletes who transcends his sport and becomes a household name beyond the reach of the game’s hardcore fans. That is why it’s news when there’s any speculation about him potentially leaving Barcelona, the only club that Messi has played for in his professional career.

So why are people asking if he is ready to leave Barcelona, and is he considering that option?

What are his options?

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 REPORT: Beckham has reached out to Messi about a move to MLS with @InterMiamiCF 👀http://bit.ly/2LnZF9e

Report: Beckham Trying To Bring Messi To Miami
Lionel Messi has been reportedly been contacted by David Beckham about joining his MLS club.

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6:35 PM - Sep 10, 2019

If Messi exercises his option to leave Barcelona, he won’t be short of potential landing spots. There are rumors that he could return to Argentina for the chance to play in his home country before he retires.

Another intriguing option is for Messi to come to the United States. He has been linked with the Inter Miami MLS franchise that another soccer icon, David Beckham, is starting. Beckham has reportedly contacted Messi about leading that club, which is going to begin play in March 2020.

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/09/23/gulati-wambach-pay-tribute-past-focus-future-they-enter-soccer-hall-fame

Gulati, Wambach pay tribute to past, focus on future as they enter Soccer Hall of Fame

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https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mls/article235390357.html

Semi-pro Florida Soccer Soldiers take step to another U.S. Open Cinderella run

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https://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/loan-round-up-on-loan-canaries-fortunes-mixed-across-weekend-1-6284733

Loan round-up: Mixed fortunes for those Canaries out on loan this weekend

Caleb Richards starred in the Tampa Bay Rowdies 6-1 win at the weekend. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd

A plethora of Norwich City's loan exports were in action across the weekend, with Caleb Richards starring in a 6-1 victory for Tampa Bay Rowdies in America as they moved up to third in the USL Championship.

Richards played at centre-back for the Rowdies as they deployed a 3-5-2 formation and comfortably overcame Bethlehem Steel to edge them closer to the summit of the table.

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https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1051277-race-to-the-championship-playoffs-sept-24-25

Race to the Championship Playoffs – Sept. 24-25

FRESNO AND RENO JOIN RISING FC IN POSTSEASON, WHICH CLUBS ARE UP TO CLINCH THE NEXT PLAYOFF BERTH?

3. Tampa Bay Rowdies

Record:16-6-8, 56pts

Playoff Odds Clinched

Projected Final Position: 4th (23 percent)

Max Points Available: 68pts

Magic Number: N/A

Upcoming: @LOU (9/28)

The Rowdies produced a big response to their midweek loss as Malik Johnson tore through Bethlehem Steel FC’s defense to put the side back into the top three. Before Tampa Bay gets to be part of one of this weekend’s biggest games in a trip to Louisville City FC, it will be rooting for Memphis 901 FC and ATL UTD 2 to earn results that could keep it in contention for a first-place finish.

6. Louisville City FC

Record:14-7-8, 50pts

Playoff Odds >99 percent

Projected Final Position: 6th (54 percent)

Max Points Available: 65pts

Magic Number: 4pts

Upcoming: vs. TBR (9/28)

At this point it’s only a matter of when Louisville clinches a playoff berth, but the fact the side is now over 50 percent odds to finish in the top six should be a big plus. LouCity has the potential for more, too, but that would likely require a victory at home to the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday and others in the top five faltering.

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https://frntofficesport.com/heineken-sports-strategy/

Heineken Brands Build U.S. Sports Strategy With Focused Increments

As a global beer brand, Heineken is invested heavily in soccer – the brand is making the same play in the U.S.

The world’s No. 2 beer company doesn’t have the same clout in the U.S. – a 3.5% market share – so rather than exploring deals across all sports, Heineken and its subsidiary brands are taking a much more targeted approach to sports marketing, said Quinn Kilbury, Heineken USA head of partnerships and consumer partnerships. Anheuser-Busch InBev and MillerCoors have 40.8% and 23.5% market share, respectively, according to the National Beer Wholesalers Association.

“In the U.S., we’re a niche premium player, so we have to pick our spots,” Kilbury said. “We had the global soccer halo through our partnership with Champions League, so it made sense when we had the chance to go with the MLS.” 

With the umbrella of the partnership with the top U.S. soccer league, Kilbury said the overall partnership also works harder for the brand as it partners and activates with more with individual teams. Heineken now also has partnerships with 14 MLS teams. Kilbury said becoming foundational partners of teams like Atlanta United, LAFC and Inter Miami were important in cementing the legacy as a soccer brand in the U.S.

Having local team connections to communities where Heineken already has a strong market share or potential for growth has been the objective, and the 14 MLS team partners satisfy those parameters for the time being, Kilbury said. While they won’t say no to conversations, Heineken is fairly content with the current 14 team markets.

“There are some markets that just don’t make sense to compete in,” he said. “Now it’s doing more with what we have. We have all these; let’s invest deeper.”

The hope is that Heineken market share in the U.S. will grow as soccer as a sport grows in the U.S. – and as Kilbury says, depending on the data it’s the fastest growing sport in the country – because the association is so strong.

The approach to hitting the soccer market makes sense in regards to its global investment into soccer, and will help Heineken dominate the U.S. soccer beer market, said Nick Watanabe, assistant professor of sport and entertainment management at the University of South Carolina. However, that could be a dead-end in securing wider brand recognition and market share.

“In the short term, it makes sense, but if they only stick to soccer it won’t compete with the viewership of all the other sports,” said Watanabe, who added MLS heats up when there’s also college football, NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB playoffs. “It also depends on the market objective. If their focus is, ‘let’s breakthrough with soccer fans,’ then they’re on the right track.”

To further cement itself as the beer brand of U.S. soccer fans, Wantanabe said it’d be wise for Heineken to nab the U.S. soccer teams – which are currently held by Budweiser in the beer category.

Heineken isn’t blind to the idea of the massive sports market and how easy it is to get lost in the noise, but that’s exactly why the company has come up with its partnership strategy in the U.S. Budweiser, specifically Bud Light, and MillerCoors have a significant name recognition advantage in the U.S. and spread their marketing dollars across sports, which makes it hard for a brand like Heineken to break in, if it wanted to.

“They’re doing good work and spending a lot of money, but it’s hard to be known for one thing,” Kilbury said. “That’s where our advantage is and that’s why you see us focusing. We have to focus in a way that’s clear to fans. We know soccer, we put a lot behind it on a global perspective and it hopefully feels more authentic because you don’t see us when you’re watching the NFL or other sports.”

One caveat in “other sports” is tennis, as Heineken is a long-time partner of the U.S. Open. That partnership, Kilbury said, is more about being part of a cultural moment.

Beyond targeting soccer, Heineken is also making a play for college football – through the Dos Equis brand – using the same strategy. Recognizing college athletics is a late bloomer when it comes to beer partnerships, especially premium import brands, the company partnered Dos Equis with the College Football Playoff.

From there, Dos Equis is filtering through colleges within its strong markets – generally speaking to alumni and older fans rather than the student bodies. Grabbing partnerships with strong college football programs like Alabama and Florida were key moves, as was North Texas.

Kilbury concedes North Texas might seem like an odd fit when it comes to college football, but considering Texas makes up 40% of the brand’s U.S. market, it makes much more sense. Kilbury said unlike the Heineken-soccer connection, there was no natural connection with Dos Equis and football, aside from it is consumed in the setting already.

“It’s a great way to expand to new markets and natural because if you’re a fan of Alabama and had heard of Dos Equis, but maybe never drank it, it’s a good way to connect,” he said. “It’s incremental and we try to position it as a fan.”

The Dos Equis movement in football has been as quick as possible, but there are challenges, partly because many colleges aren’t open to beer partnerships. The ecosystem is also a challenge because the college landscape is just so large.

“You can’t own college football as a beer brand,” Kilbury said. “We do think you can develop a relationship at a local level by being part of the fanbase.”

READ MORE: NFL Beers Highlight New Approach to Anheuser-Busch Sports Marketing

There’s plenty of growth potential in college football, and Kilbury said there’s likely more coming in the next 12-18 months.

Heineken has several other major beer brands in its portfolio as well, like Tecate and Amstel Light, and Kilbury said partnership moves will be made as they make sense. Although few will seem as natural as the MLS partnerships that extend from Heineken’s already global soccer connection.

“It’s simple,” he said. “Too often you try to do hard things. This one, there’s nothing we do that works as naturally and seamlessly. It’s hard to be a national partner and have 14 local teams go so smoothly, but it’s a natural fit.”

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https://accessaa.co.uk/aeg-acquires-full-control-of-axs-tickets/

AEG ACQUIRES FULL CONTROL OF AXS TICKETS

AXS has partners including Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise Real Salt Lake and its Rio Tinto Stadium. It is also the official secondary ticketing partner of Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena with StubHub.

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https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/in-basketball-mad-new-york-city-how-do-us-soccer-hopefuls/15kc8rvh74ohc19rv9ybpp69qv

In basketball-mad New York City, how do U.S. soccer hopefuls make their big break?

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https://www.90min.com/posts/6461299-david-silva-why-el-mago-s-proposed-mls-move-is-way-too-soon

David Silva: Why El Mago's Proposed MLS Move Is Way Too Soon

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https://herosports.com/soccer/college-most-mls-professionals-arar

Which Colleges Produce the Most MLS Professionals?

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https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/09/africa-usa-college-soccer-recruitment-tour-secures-over-500000-in-scholarship/

Africa-USA college soccer recruitment tour secures over $500,000 in scholarship

Speaking to the program, Founder and Director, Abdul Oganla, “A-USA is a fantastic opportunity that will change the lives of our student-athletes. They will not only be going to school but will also play competitively while representing their schools. This gives them a huge shot at realizing their dreams of playing professional football either in the Major League (MLS) here in the U.S or even crossing to Europe.

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http://www.fox13news.com/news/local-news/tax-incentives-better-facilities-draw-filmmakers-away-from-bay-area

Tax incentives, better facilities draw filmmakers away from Bay Area

TAMPA, Fla. (FOX 13) - The crime drama "Live By Night" is set in Ybor City, but when film crews rebuilt the historic streets of Tampa on a set in Georgia, officials realized they needed to do more to attract moviemakers to the Bay Area.

Tyler Martinolich, the film commissioner for the Tampa area, said it was a wake-up call.

The area is a popular location for shooting TV commercials, but many producers then go to sound stages in Orlando or Miami for anything larger.

In an attempt to keep that business, a proposal to turn the old Museum of Science and Industry into sound stages is being considered.

"It really was built with sound in mind," says Martinolich.

But it's just one of several locations being studied. Advocates for the film industry want state lawmakers to sweeten tax incentives for filmmakers. Opponents call that "Handouts to Hollywood," but supporters say the film business benefits the local economy. They say being more hospitable to production could keep the next Ybor City movie out of Georgia and back in Tampa.

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https://photos.cltampa.com/photos-of-wu-tang-clans-gza-rocking-the-orpheum-in-tampa/?slide=1&gza-1909-10

Photos of Wu-Tang Clan’s GZA rocking the Orpheum in Tampa

The Genius — aka Justice, Maximillion, and most famously, GZA — was in Tampa on Sunday night for a set at Orpheum in Ybor City where old school fans of the Wu-Tang Clan member rocked with one of New York hip-hop's finest.

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https://crowsneststpete.com/2019/09/23/the-growlers-bring-lo-fi-beach-goth-to-tampa/

The Growlers bring lo-fi “Beach Goth” to Tampa

On stage, under dim, changing lights and against a red velvet curtain, Brooks Nielsen — lead singer of the Los Angeles-based group The Growlers — led the six-piece band through a two-hour set on Sept. 19 at the Crowbar in Ybor City.

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https://www.cltampa.com/food-drink/openings-closings/article/21088330/new-hot-chicken-coming-to-largo-shake-shack-coming-to-tampa-bay-and-more-local-foodie-news

New hot chicken coming to Largo, Shake Shack in Tampa Bay and more local foodie news

Back at it again with the CVS receipt-type list of openings throughout Tampa Bay.

C/O JOELLA'S HOT CHICKEN

Tampa Bay is up to some pretty cool shit, like a market on University of South Florida St. Petersburg’s campus to help fight off food insecurity for students, Amalie Arena’s Cigar City Taproom and that rumor of a Shake Shack popping up around here. Fingers crossed, everybody. Until then, here’s the food news around town.

OPENINGS

Bayou Market and Café The market — with fresh and frozen menu options — also offers a selection of local beers and select wines. Its cafe portion serves up lunch and dinner cafeteria-style. Diners will indulge in Cajun and Caribbean eats with a selection of vegetarian options. Signature sandwiches, Cubans, soups and salads can be grabbed a la carte. 6630 Central Ave., St Petersburg. bayoumarketandcafe.com.

Karma Juice Bar & Eatery After experiencing a devastating fire Karma was forced to move the concept and share space with Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails for nearly three months. Now the juice bar officially has new digs, right next door, at Baum Avenue Market. The juice bar is open at 8 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday. 1113 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. karmaeatery.com.

Joella’s Hot Chicken A new chicken joint has nested in Tampa Bay. The menu carries chicken plates (jumbo tenders, wings, dark and light quarters), sandwiches, salads and southern sides like mac and cheese, fries, potato salad and slaw; there’s even a vegan chicken plate. 10150 Ulmerton Rd., Largo. joellas.com.

Support-A-Bull Market A new student-driven food pantry has debuted at University of South Florida St. Petersburg. The market raises awareness about, and help assist students who suffer from, food insecurity on and off-campus. The pantry will also collect and distribute non-perishable items and toiletries. Student Life Center at University of South Florida St. Petersburg, 140 7th Ave. S. St. Petersburg. usfsp.edu.

COMING SOON

Barterhouse Paying homage to Ybor’s mobster history, Barterhouse is set to host a mobster art piece in the dining room and lots of faux-marble. It’ll be an open concept, which allows guests to get a behind-the-scenes look at how their food and drinks are being prepared. Get ready for an intimate date night in honor of the mid-October opening. 1811 N. 15th St., Ybor City. bowerytampa.com.

Cigar City Brewing Taproom Amalie Arena will open a Cigar City taproom below the Pam Iorio Parking Garage for the 2019-20 Tampa Bay Lightning season. The team named CCB as its official craft beer and will pour signature brews like Jai Alai, Guayabera and Florida Cracker inside the arena as part of the partnership. 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. amaliearena.com.

Mr. and Mrs. Crab The latest location of the seafood joint is set to debut on Saturday, October 5. Slap on a bib to dive into a bag filled with a custom-spiced crustacean combo drenched in a unique sauce. 4426 W. Gandy Blvd., Tampa. mrandmrscrabgandy.com.

La Pergola The Nocturnal Hospitality Group, alongside celebrity chef Fabio Viviani, is bringing a new high-end Italian cuisine concept to downtown St. Petersburg in spring 2020. 200 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. nocturnalhospitalitygroup.com.

RUMORED

Shake Shack The burger joint may open a location in Tampa Bay, being that the TBBJS says developers are looking into spaces in Midtown Tampa and downtown St. Petersburg. If it’s true, get ready for a hefty signature burger selection, chicken sandos, hot dogs, and fries (with or without cheese sauce). Shake Shack is also focused on serving desserts like frozen custards, floats, concretes and hand-spun shakes. shakeshack.com.

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https://ilovetheburg.com/deborah-cox-will-headline-metro-inclusive-healths-annual-cocktail-party/

Deborah Cox will headline Metro Inclusive Health’s annual cocktail party

To be held in Grand Hall of new Ybor City headquarters

What makes this year’s event so special is that it will take place inside the Grand Hall at METRO Inclusive Health’s newly renovated 47,000-square-foot at the historic German American Club in Ybor City.

Want to meet Deborah Cox? A select number of “Producer Level” tickets are available that include a meet and greet with the star and preferred seating during her performance.

Helping serving individuals with HIV in Pinellas and Hillsborough

A new generation of HIV diagnosis are hitting the Tampa Bay area, with Hillsborough and Pinellas identified by the CDC as two of the “most burdened counties” in the country. Having served over 27,000 individuals in 2018, METRO is on course to increase that number significantly in 2019.

Tickets start at $60 per person and include open bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres and a brief ceremony followed by an up close and personal 30-minute performance by Deborah Cox.

When: Saturday, November 9, 7pm-midnight
Where: German American Club, 2105 North Nebraska Avenue, Ybor City
Cost: Tickets start at $60 per person

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https://thatssotampa.com/metro-inclusive-health-breaks-ground-on-ybor-city-facility/

Metro Inclusive Health breaks ground on Ybor City facility

Restoration has officially begun on the historic German American Club in Ybor City. The building, constructed in 1909, will soon serve as a new state-of-the-art facility for Metro Inclusive Health (METRO), and CAN Community Health.

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https://thatssotampa.com/metro-inclusive-health-reveals-plans-for-lgbtq-health-center-in-ybor-city/

Metro Inclusive Health reveals plans for LGBTQ+ health center in Ybor City

Metro Inclusive Health and CAN Health just revealed plans for a new state-of-the-art health center for the LGBTQ+ community in Ybor City. The two organizations acquired the historic German American Club building in Ybor City at 2105 North Nebraska Avenue.

The stunning transformation will include the addition of three floors on the existing historic structure. Construction is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2019, and should be completed by mid-2020.

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https://www.tampabay.com/hillsborough/tampas-german-club-once-a-symbol-of-exclusion-now-symbolizes-inclusion-20190411/

Tampa's German Club, once a symbol of exclusion, now symbolizes inclusion

Metro Inclusive Health and CAN Community Health, nonprofits specializing in HIV prevention and LGBTQ services, outgrew their current location in Ybor City. They have partnered with the Capitano family to buy the German American Club, one of Ybor’s historic social clubs. [LUIS SANTANA | Times]

Once a symbol of Tampa's discrimination, the German American Club Building is now a symbol of inclusion.

It was a century ago that the German American social club shuttered operations and sold its...

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https://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=32372

Tampa in Hillsborough County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

German-American Club

German-American Club Marker image. Click for full size.

1. German-American Club Marker

Inscription.  Click to hear the inscription.  Organized in 1901, the German-American Club was one of the few non-latin ethnic clubs in Tampa. Club members laid the cornerstone for a building on the northeast corner of Nebraska Avenue and 11th Avenue on February 23, 1908, followed by a grand opening on January 1, 1909. Fine classical details and proportions marked the three-story building, with concrete block molded to appear as tooled stone masonry. With a stage for speakers or theatrical productions, a swimming pool and a bowling alley, the building served Tampa's German and Jewish population until its sale in 1919. From 1919 to 1924, it housed Tampa's Labor Temple Association. The Young Men's Hebrew Association bought the building in 1924 and remained until 1944. Focusing on education and recreation for Tampa's Jewish community, the association held gym, art, and music classes, and outdoor sports and leisure activities. Various groups, including an insurance company and the Hispanic organization, Los Caballeros de la Luz, occupied the building after 1944.

Erected 1998 by The City of Tampa
Ybor City Development Corporation
and Florida
German-American Club and Marker image. Click for full size.
By AGS Media, June 28, 2010
2. German-American Club and Marker
Department of State,
Sandra B. Mortham, Secretary of State. (Marker Number F-384.)

Location. 27° 57.806′ N, 82° 27.067′ W. Marker is in Tampa, Florida, in Hillsborough County. Marker is at the intersection of North Nebraska Avenue and East 11th Avenue, on the right when traveling north on North Nebraska Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2105 North Nebraska Avenue, Tampa FL 33605, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. El Centro Asturiano de Tampa (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); George Washington Junior High School (approx. ¼ mile away); Greater New Salem Primitive Baptist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Buffalo Soldiers in Tampa Heights (approx. 0.3 miles away); Ybor City Historic District (approx. 0.4 miles away); Sociedad La Union Marti~Maceo (approx. 0.4 miles away); Rough Riders (approx. 0.4 miles away); La Casa de Pedroso (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tampa.

Regarding German-American Club. The German-American Club building is a contributing structure within the Ybor City Historic District (a National Historic Landmark District).

Currently, the building houses the City of Tampa Ybor Service Center.

Additional keywords.
German-American Club image. Click for full size.
By AGS Media, June 28, 2010
3. German-American Club
Building's front facade along North Nebraska Avenue
Ybor City Historic District

Categories. • 20th Century • Education • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Industry & Commerce • Labor Unions • Notable Buildings • Sports •

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https://totalcommercial.com/listings/40777

Historic German American Club for Sale
  SOLD February 2019 for $1,700,000
2105 N. Nebraska Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33602