Major League Soccer’s Most Valuable Teams 2019: Atlanta Stays On Top As Expansion Fees, Sale Prices Surge

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https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2019/11/04/major-league-soccers-most-valuable-teams-2019-atlanta-stays-on-top-as-expansion-fees-sale-prices-surge/#6811f2d651b5

Major League Soccer’s Most Valuable Teams 2019: Atlanta Stays On Top As Expansion Fees, Sale Prices Surge

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https://www.sounderatheart.com/2019/11/4/20947736/sounders-valuation-2019-forbes

Sounders valued at $405m, 4th highest in MLS

Forbes ranks behind only Atlanta United, LAFC, LA Galaxy.

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http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/mls-cup-play-offs-espn-tv-ratings-seattle-sounders-soccer

MLS Cup play-offs net ESPN highest TV ratings in seven years

Disney-owned broadcaster draws 388,000 viewers for post-season soccer coverage.

ESPN has drawn its highest TV audience figures for the Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup play-offs since 2012, with an average 388,000 people tuning into this year’s post-season coverage so far.

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https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/driving-tampa-bay-forward/closures-for-teco-streetcar-stations-to-begin-due-to-construction

Closures for TECO Streetcar stations to begin due to construction

TAMPA, Fla. — Due to construction, it may take a few extra minutes for TECO Streetcar riders between Ybor CIty and Channelside during the week.

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https://www.cltampa.com/food-drink/food-features/article/21095677/ybor-citys-florida-cane-distillery-revamped-its-tasting-room-and-is-working-to-change-alcohol-laws

Ybor City's Florida Cane Distillery revamped its tasting room and is working to change alcohol laws

We'll drink to that.

This last month has been a doozy for Florida Cane Distillery owners Pat O’Brien and Lee Nelson.

Seeing that their block is soon to welcome a new hotel, as well as the forthcoming bar and restaurant Barterhouse, Nelson told CL he didn’t want to be “the ugly kids in the crowd.” So for the last 24 days, the Florida Cane team has been in serious upgrade and renovation mode.

The distillery has only been around for three years, but the owners of the concept needed a remodel. That meant new floors, bathrooms, and a mural designed by Netta Radice and brought to life by local muralist Heather Walton. Nelson said the excitement doesn’t stop there, in January, the distillery will welcome an 800-liter custom-built still which will change the game for the business and ensure consistent batches.

"I wish we did this two years ago, because it's important to see brands showcased. It sets the tone when people come in," Nelson explains.

When the Florida Cane team put their heads together for what they wanted the tasting room to look like, they were shooting to market to two specific groups who frequent the concept; one of which people out-of-towners who hop off of the trolley and want a taste of Florida spirits. "We want to showcase what Florida means to us, which is finding the middle ground between Florida man and a kitschy tourist hangout," Nelson says with a laugh. The other group of regulars is what Nelson refers to as the 'Etsy sophisticate,' who are obsessed with the handcrafted movement and appreciate the intense labor that comes along with the distilling process.

Keeping their guests in mind, Florida Cane now has books in its merch section on how to get started distilling (which is a question Nelson says he gets a lot), alongside cocktail books, and local reads like Florida Roadkill by Tim Dorsey and Cigar City Mafia by Scott M. Deitche.

While all of the renovations were going down, O'Brien and Nelson took another trip to Tallahassee for a meet and greet with house representatives to continue their efforts in changing alcohol laws for craft distilleries to match those of craft breweries. This means being able to create, mix and sell craft spirits in-house, shipping products out of state and removing limitations on the number of bottles per brand per consumer that may be sold per year. As of right now, Senator Perry E. Thurston is sponsoring The Craft Distiller Bill (HB1229), with a matching sponsorship in the house by Representative Anthony Sabatini matching. "It's exciting that we already have a sponsorship match and now we're waiting for the bill to get assigned to committees," Nelson says. The distillery is set to host an event for Hillsborough delegation in January with the help of lobbyist Amy Maguire of Shumaker Advisors. If this bill is cleared, we'll be able to get heavier pours and signature cocktails from Florida Cane's tasting room. Until then, sips, bottles, and merch are available for purchase.

Florida Cane Distillery is located at 1820 N. 15th St. in Ybor City. Hours for the tasting room are 5-11 p.m. Thursday, 3-11 Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday.

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https://www.tampabay.com/arts-entertainment/2019/11/04/erwin-produced-by-blair-witch-directors-company-films-in-tampa-bay/

Erwin, produced by Blair Witch director’s company, films in Tampa Bay

The production company estimates it will spend over $1 million locally

The Blair Witch Project director Dan Myrick, left, and his production company partner Kristian Krempel on Seventh Avenue in Ybor City. [OCTAVIO JONES | Times]

Cameras start rolling early next year on the first movie produced by the Ybor City production company helmed by The Blair Witch Project director Dan Myrick.

Erwin, about a 12-year-old-girl who invents...

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https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2019/11/04/new-movie-to-be-filmed-in-tampa-bay-produced-out.html

New movie to be filmed in Tampa Bay, produced out of 'Blair Witch' director's Ybor studio

Ybor City is becoming a hotbed of activity as Dan Myrick's film studio is hopping on new film projects that are expected to spotlight Tampa Bay.

On Wednesday, the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners will review an application from Myrick's film studio The Power Station, to receive a film and digital media incentive program for the motion picture, "Erwin."

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https://hoodline.com/2019/11/tampa-boasts-a-hot-lineup-of-food-and-drink-events-this-week

Tampa boasts a hot lineup of food and drink events this week

If you love to eat and drink, this week offers a great chance to explore the world of food and beverage beyond restaurants and bars. From a private sommelier experience to a city food tour, there's plenty to explore and enjoy if you're hungry for something new.

Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions.

A Dapper Series | Private Sommelier Experience

From the event description:

Calling all wine enthusiasts! Come dressed in business casual or evening attire to this workshop with certified sommelier Victor Manuel. Learn the basics of red and white wines and the importance of food pairings. End the night with a a tasting wheel and complimentary charcuterie board.
When: Wednesday, Nov. 6, 7 p.m.
Where: 1607 W. Snow Circle, Tampa, FL 33606
Price: $10
Click here for more details, and to get your tickets

Up to 41% Off Cooking Class and Meal at Golden Apron

From the Cooking Classes by Golden Apron deal description:

Take this hands-on cooking class and up your culinary game. With the guidance of a chef, learn to cook favorite dishes from scratch while sipping on wine or beer. Upcoming classes will cover ramen noodles, homemade flatbread, Spanish paella and more.
Where: 4465 W. Gandy Blvd., Bayside West
Price: $49 (34 percent discount off regular price) - Cooking Class and Meal for One. More options available.
Click here for more details, and to take advantage of this deal

Up to 28% Off from Ybor City Food Tours

From the Ybor City Food Tours deal description:

Foodies and history buffs, unit on this food tour. During this three-hour walking tour of a national historic district, you'll get five to seven food and drink tastings.
Where: 1600 E. Seventh Ave., Historic Ybor
Price: $99 (28 percent discount off regular price)
Click here for more details, and to get this deal

This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.

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https://www.nashvillepost.com/sports/nashville-sc/article/21095615/nashville-sc-closes-door-on-usl-run-with-playoff-exit

Nashville SC closes door on USL run with playoff exit

Club set to begin offseason preparations for debut season in MLS

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https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/post/sundial-open-new-food-hall-downtown-st-petersburg

Sundial To Open New Food Hall In Downtown St. Petersburg

Sundial shopping plaza in downtown St. Petersburg will have a new look by the end of next year, as a new food hall will replace a number of current storefronts, including Locale Market. COURTESY MARK SCHREINER/WUSF PUBLIC MEDIA

Sundial will soon become home to a new food hall. Locale Market and FarmTable Cucina, as well as some other businesses located in the downtown St. Petersburg shopping plaza, will close by the end of this year as a result.

The main developer of the plaza is BE-1 Concepts, the same team that built Tampa’s Armature Works. Chas Bruck, co-owner for BE-1 Concepts, said that the redevelopment of the 25,000 square foot space will begin in early 2020. The work should be completed next fall.

Somewhere between gourmet and buffet, the food hall will mimic the urban style strip of Armature’s restaurant stalls but will be run by completely different vendors. None have yet been disclosed.

The redevelopment means the end of Locale Market and FarmTable Cucina, which were among the anchors of Sundial since the plaza reopened in 2014.

“The last five years has been an incredible experience and we feel honored to have helped shape the food culture in St. Petersburg,” commented Michael Mina, a chef and a partner in Locale Market and FarmTable Cucina. “With so many other projects and opportunities in front of me, I felt now was the right time to pass the torch. I am beyond excited to see what Chas [Bruck] and his team have cooked up for this community.”

The Wellness Center at Sundial and D-Gallerie Fine Arts will also be closed.

Locale Market will close to make room for a new food hall in downtown St. Petersburg's Sundial. COURTESY MARK SCHREINER/WUSF PUBLIC MEDIA

University of South Florida professor and former Tampa Bay Times food editor Janet Keeler said although the closings may upset some, the food hall is a good idea.

“It kind of makes sense,” Keeler said. “It's expensive to open a restaurant and this idea of  pooling resources where you have a lot of vendors in one place, it cuts the price down for people and it allows them to focus on the food and the experience.”

With the food hall trend rising in the Tampa Bay area, the new development should bring more attention back to Sundial.

"We have a lot of foot traffic in downtown St. Pete, there's a lot of people that are walking around because there are events down on the waterfront," said Keeler, a contributer to the WUSF podcast, The Zest.  "So I think it'll definitely be an interesting concept."

Bill Edwards, the owner of Sundial, bought the location for $5.2 million in 2011 when the shopping center was known as BayWalk. He has put over $40 million in renovations since then.

“When I first developed Sundial, I intended it to be a catalyst for growth in downtown St. Pete. Chas and his team created Armature Works to do the same thing for Tampa. I know that in joining forces we will create an incredible gathering place for residents and visitors alike,” said Edwards in a press release. “We are confident this will further elevate Sundial as a destination beyond St. Petersburg."

Armature Works dates back to 1910, when it was the storage and maintenance facility for Tampa Electric’s streetcars. When BE-1 Concepts developers saw more to the old building, Heights Public Market, the food hall within Armature Works, was born.

“We are very excited to extend our brand across the bay and into downtown St. Petersburg,” commented Bruck. “While we have an ambitious timeline for completion, we look forward to launching this unique food hall experience for the entire community to enjoy.”

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https://www.fox13news.com/news/armature-works-developers-announce-similar-concept-at-st-petes-sundial

Armature Works developers announce similar concept at St. Pete's Sundial

Sundial plaza to get food-hall makeover

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Changes are coming to Sundial in downtown St. Petersburg. Much of the first floor of the development will be turned into a food hall -- a trend in dining and entertainment venues across the country.

The people behind Armature Works in Tampa Heights struck a deal with Sundial developer Bill Edwards to bring the idea to St. Pete.

"While we know there is a distinct connection between both Armature Works and this new project, it's going to be very unique for that community," said Eric Blankenship, chief marketing officer for BE-1 concepts, the developers of Armature Works.

Armature Works opened in 2018 in what used to be the TECO trolley barn.

RELATED: Food halls: The future of restaurants?

The Sundial development in downtown St. Petersburg does not have that same 'old-made-new' feeling and has seen mixed success.

The new food hall will replace what's currently a market and farm-to-table restaurant. BE-1 has not announced what the new project will be named or what food will be offered.

"We are looking at what we can give the St. Petersburg community to feel an instant connection with that location," said Blankenship "We are going to be very thoughtful about what the name is going to be, as we are about what goes inside."

He said work will begin early next year.

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https://www.lagconfidential.com/2019/11/4/20948741/forbes-values-la-galaxy-at-480-million

Forbes values LA Galaxy at $480 million

Half a billion big ones

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https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/new-york-city-fc/nycfc-stadium-bronx-public-meeting-on-frame-podcast/

COMMENTARY

On Frame: Has NYCFC found location for soccer-specific stadium?

A recent public planning meeting in the South Bronx focused on the feasibility of a venue just a few blocks from Yankee Stadium.

It was May 22, 2013, when Ferran Soriano, the chief executive officer of the Manchester City Football Club, said Man City’s new sister club, New York City FC, would have to play in a temporary home for “two or three years.”

More than four-and-a-half years after the expansion side kicked off, Yankee Stadium is still the temporary housing for Major League Soccer’s 2oth franchise.

But there may now be a glimmer of hope for NYCFC and its supporters.

Pro Soccer USA’s Glenn Crooks attended a recent public planning meeting in the South Bronx with a focus on the feasibility of a soccer-specific stadium just a few blocks from Yankee Stadium, at a location that would utilize the same subway stop.

In this episode of On Frame, Chris Campbell who broke the news of the meeting for NYCFC-centric website The Outfield, offers an explanation for the meeting.

“I think what that [meeting] demonstrated is the community board and leadership not only sponsored this to happen, but they did so with the direction of how does the stadium fit in here,” Campbell said. “So, I think it shows that they are very interested in bringing a stadium to the area otherwise they wouldn’t have this.”

On the panel of technical advisors at the meeting was Neil MacOmish of Scott BrownRigg, whose expertise lies with sports stadiums and civic architecture in his native United Kingdom. MacOmish thinks the prospects for a soccer stadium at 153rd Street and River Avenue are promising.

“Absolutley,” MacOmish said after the meeting. “I’ve seen it all over Europe, all over the world. The soccer stadium could be an enabler. It’s a really good idea born out of the community, and I think it would be a terrific thing for this community.”

Crooks also speaks with Dr. Rick Eckstein, PhD and professor of sociology at Villanova University and an expert in sports and society including stadium financing. He is the co-author of a book entitled, “Public Dollars, Private Stadium.”

Eckstein has closely monitored the development of the Philadelphia Union’s home, Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Pa., where he is a taxpayer.

“That stadium was part of a 450 million dollar development project,” Eckstein said. “Roughly 140 million was used to build the stadium and the other 300 million for development never came. It’s been 10 years. They had lovely pictures on their web site.”

There were graphs and examples for community growth and development at the public planning meeting in the South Bronx.

“There were a lot of different items that were discussed. A lot of it seemed to be activating the waterfront,” Campbell said. “That is, redeveloping the area there to be able to allow local residents the ability to get back to the Harlem River and enjoy the parks and other developments that are happening there.”

Eckstein is skeptical that the proposed New York City FC stadium will be any different.

“That’s exactly the terminology that was used in Chester,” Eckstein said. “They were going to activate the waterfront and turn it into a tourist attraction. Of course, that hasn’t come close to happening.”

“It’s just not going to materialize because it never has [across the country]. I guess sometime there will have to be a first ,but it just hasn’t happened yet.”

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https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/117191876/sonny-bill-williams-reportedly-signs-10-million-contract-with-toronto-wolfpack

Sonny Bill Williams reportedly signs $10 million contract with Toronto Wolfpack

Fresh from the signalled end of his All Blacks career, Sonny Bill Williams will join the Toronto Wolfpack rugby league club under a deal worth a reported $10 million, Australian media are reporting.

Wide World of Sports reporter Danny Weidler reported Williams had signed a two-year deal with the Canadian club, making him the highest-paid rugby league player in the world.

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https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/nrl/sonny-bill-williams-signs-10-million-contract-with-toronto-wolfpack-20191105-p537qv.html

Sonny Bill Williams set to sign $10 million contract with Toronto Wolfpack

Fresh from the signalled end of his All Blacks career, Sonny Bill Williams will join the Toronto Wolfpack rugby league club under a deal worth a reported $10 million.

Nine News reporter Danny Weidler reported Williams had signed a two-year deal with the Canadian club, making him the highest-paid rugby league player in the world.

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https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2861160-jurgen-klopp-unsure-over-adam-lallanas-liverpool-future-amid-mls-china-links

Jurgen Klopp Unsure over Adam Lallana's Liverpool Future Amid MLS, China Links