MLS commissioner Don Garber gives expansion update as Charlotte, Las Vegas and Phoenix chase No. 30

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/11/08/mls-commissioner-don-garber-gives-expansion-update-charlotte-las-vegas-and-phoenix

MLS commissioner Don Garber gives expansion update as Charlotte, Las Vegas and Phoenix chase No. 30

SEATTLE — Speaking at the annual State of the League address in Seattle on Friday, Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber provided his latest expansion update, stating that he expects to announce the league's 30th club in the coming months.

Currently at 24 clubs competing during the 2019 season, with franchises 25 through 29 accounted for after Sacramento were officially given an expansion team last month, the race is on for that coveted 30th spot.

Charlotte are making a strong bid, while Las Vegas and Phoenix have been reportedly in the mix too. At his annual State of the League, ahead of Sunday's MLS Cup, Garber admitted he's got no news to report but gave an update on that race for No. 30.

“There are three markets we’re looking at, that our expansion committee is engaged with: Charlotte, Las Vegas and Phoenix," Garber said. "It’s fair to say Charlotte has done a lot of work to move their bid to the front of the line. It starts with David Tepper, passionate about our sport and very passionate about Charlotte.

"There are a lot of things happening in Charlotte that are similar to things that are happening in Atlanta," Garber continued. "I think the Carolinas are great states for soccer, you know that from a women’s soccer perspective and a youth soccer perspective. Should we be able to move forward and end up with a team in Charlotte, I’m confident they would be successful.”

Expansion is just the latest mark of growth in MLS, something Garber touched on in his address as well as in a Q&A.

"[MLS] has transformed from a league on the rise to a league that has arrived as one of the great major leagues in our country, existing as one of the top leagues in the world," Garber said.

As the league continues to build, 2019 has been another banner season. Commitment from ownership is high as ever. the on-field product continues to grow while the off-field investment, in stadiums and training facilities, is at an all-time high.

“Our league is capitalizing on a momentum that exists behind the sport of soccer in North America," Garber said. "When you have owners that are focused with enormous commitment and vision to try and have their teams embed within the community, their product on the field, build great facilities and training grounds."

And the growth won't stop anytime soon.

“We’re still young, our best days are still ahead," Garber said. "The sport is growing in the US and Canada in ways that we’re going to have to adapt to as we have even greater aspirations. I never thought we’d have teams with the values they have, the expansion fees, our ownership groups, media support, increased audience.”

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/11/04/atlanta-united-retain-top-spot-forbes-annual-mls-team-valuations

Atlanta United retain top spot in Forbes' annual MLS team valuations

Forbes' annual MLS team valuations are out, and for the second consecutive season, Atlanta United top the list.

The Five Stripes retained their top spot with a value of $500 million, up from $330 million this time last season. The LA Galaxy remain second at $480 million while LAFC jump to the top three at $475 million.

Behind that trio come the Seattle Sounders, valued at $405 million. Their MLS Cup opponent Toronto FC are fifth at $395 million, narrowly edging out sixth-place Portland Timbers at $390 million.

Per Forbes, the average MLS club is now worth $313 million, which is a 30% growth from last season. The year-over-year growth outpaces rising team values in the NBA (13%), NFL (11%), MLB (8%) and NHL (6%).

Growth continues to be on the horizon, as two more clubs will join the league in 2020, one in 2021, two in 2022 as well as a 30th expansion franchise to be awarded in the near future. 

Top 5 - 2018 Forbes list of Most Valuable MLS Teams:
Atlanta United, $500 million
LA Galaxy, $480 million
LAFC, $475 million
Seattle Sounders, $405 million
Toronto FC, $395 million
Forbes’ full list of valuations can be found here.

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https://heraldpublicist.com/simmons-surging-mls-is-laughing-all-the-way-to-the-bank/

SIMMONS: Surging MLS is laughing all the way to the bank

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https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/501458071/inter-miami-cf-are-delighted-to-announce-that-it-has-secured-a-long-term-partnership-with-sportex

Inter Miami CF are delighted to announce that it has secured a long term partnership with Sportex

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https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/live-rugby-league-toronto-wolfpack-3510485

Rugby League news - Sonny Bill Williams' Toronto Wolfpack deal announced, Catalans sign Wigan star, Ashes dates revealed

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https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/sonny-bill-williams-toronto-wolfpack-sign-rugbys-lebron-james-move-compared-beckham-joining-la-a4281711.html

Sport › Rugby League

Sonny Bill Williams: Toronto Wolfpack sign 'rugby's LeBron James' in move compared to Beckham joining LA Galaxy

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https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/uk_national_sport/18022607.sonny-bill-williams-joins-toronto-wolfpack-two-year-deal/

Sonny Bill Williams joins Toronto Wolfpack on two-year deal

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https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/501458071/inter-miami-cf-are-delighted-to-announce-that-it-has-secured-a-long-term-partnership-with-sportex

Inter Miami CF are delighted to announce that it has secured a long term partnership with Sportex

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https://www.law.com/dailybusinessreview/2019/11/07/fiu-laws-secret-sauce-appealing-judge-butchko-david-beckhams-stadium-the-dbr-daily-debrief/

FIU Law's Secret Sauce, Appealing Judge Butchko, David Beckham's Stadium: The DBR Daily Debrief

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https://www.law.com/dailybusinessreview/2019/11/07/uncertainty-looms-ahead-of-showdown-vote-on-miamis-beckham-stadium/

Uncertainty Looms Ahead of Showdown Vote on Miami's Beckham Stadium

The Miami City Commission is set to review an unfinished lease and a proposal to kill stadium talks.

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https://metro.co.uk/2019/11/07/mls-commissioner-don-garber-suggests-zlatan-ibrahimovic-will-sign-ac-milan-11063596/

MLS commissioner Don Garber suggests Zlatan Ibrahimovic will sign for AC Milan

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https://www.thesportsman.com/articles/gattuso-ancelotti-moyes-the-hunt-for-inter-miami-s-first-manager-is-on

Gattuso? Ancelotti? Moyes? The Hunt For Inter Miami's First Manager Is On

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https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/fury-suspends-operation-failed-sanctions-1.5352935

Ottawa

Fury owners blame 'politics' for decision to suspend operations

Team failed to obtain sanctioning from governing bodies

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https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2019/11/07/new-team-carpathia-fc-joins-npsl/

NEW TEAM: Carpathia FC joins NPSL

The National Premier Soccer League Thursday announced that Carpathia FC of Sterling Heights, Mich. has joined the league as an expansion team.

The club will begin competition in the Midwest Region’s Great Lakes Conference in 2020.

“Carpathia FC is yet another great addition to the Great Lakes Conference,” NPSL managing director Cindy Spera said. “They have a long history, colorful culture and a loyal following in their community, trademarks of a successful NPSL organization. We look forward to seeing how they grow and thrive under the NPSL brand.”

At the Carpathia Club, Donauschwaben and German cultural heritage continues through sport, tradition, food, and friendship. Carpathia was established in 1913 as the Carpathia Choir (Carpathia Singing Society). Since then, the club has grown to include a variety of interests including dance groups, German school, soccer, sportsmen’s group, brass musicians, ladies’ group, groups for seniors, and still proudly includes the choir that started it all.

The success of the Carpathia soccer program began back in 1962 when the Carpathia Kickers won the National Amateur championship.

Carpathia FC is led by president/wwner Bruce Wilden, general manager Franco Giorgi, and head coach Marcel Schmid.

Wilden is a former Carpathia Kickers and Michigan State University player. Giorgi spent time with the Carpathia Kickers, Carpathia FC, and Madonna University.

Schmid, a former Madonna University goalkeeper, is best known for his time with German side VfB Stuttgart.

“The entire process of joining the NPSL has been an exciting journey and something Carpathia FC is honored to be a part of,” Wilden said. “The history of the NPSL and the history of the Carpathia Club seemed to be a perfect fit at a time where we were looking to take the FC team to the next level. The challenge of joining such a prestigious league is a challenge we are looking forward to. We will strive to be great examples to the youth teams at the Carpathia Club on and off the field and use the NPSL platform as goals for the kids to work towards.”

Home matches for Carpathia FC will be played at Avondale High School in Auburn Hills, Mich. The stadium, which features a turf field with lights, provides seating for over 2,000 with access to hotels and highways. This will be Carpathia’s fourth season playing at the school.

“Carpathia FC has a long history of successful men’s amateur teams,” NPSL director of membership development Dina Case said. “They are poised and ready to grow as a successful club at the next level. We are pleased that Carpathia has joined the NPSL and expect them to be a competitive and successful organization for both the Great Lakes Conference and the league.”