(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/6gybzd/rowdies_fan_mindset/
Rowdies fan mindset (self.TampaBayRowdies)
Every game I come back on here or Twitter and everyone speaks of how well the Rowdies played, every night no matter what. At what point do we as a fan base push for results? With 2 accomplished European players and a strong squad for USL standards we should be running the league. Our inability to score on a corner or cross and our lack of risk taking in regards to shots is alarming.
Some talking points:
Say the Rowdies become a new MLS franchise, do they retain Stuart Campbell?
Rowdies fans are too friendly and supportive in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, support is necessary, but so is pressure and professional sports are based on wins and losses and nothing else.
Ralph's mob not as creative and unique as last year. This year the chants are cookie cutter and the same every game. Too predictable.
God damn do we have great fucking uniforms.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/6gswpk/rowdies_home_attendance_thread_game_8_vs/
Rowdies Home Attendance Thread - Game 8 vs. Rochester Rhinos [6/10] (self.TampaBayRowdies)
Another good night in the stands at 6,026 (can only imagine what it would have been like if there had been no threat of rain). Certainly Pride night was very present and I noticed that there were a lot of big chunks of corporate sponsor/group seating that actually showed up for their reserved sections. This was our third game of the season over 6k. This next game on July 6th will allow us to really make up some ground on last season. Even though it's a Thursday night, it's on National TV (ESPNU) with the concert and provides a great opportunity to show off...
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.cltampa.com/arts-entertainment/sports/article/20864360/back-to-the-drawing-board
Back to the drawing board
Rowdies Pride Night ends in draw
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.indomitablecitysoccer.com/2017/6/12/15780198/usl-eastern-conference-power-rankings-week-12
USL Eastern Conference Power Rankings - Week 12
A shift in power at the top and gains made in the middle of the pack. All this and more in week 12’s power rankings!
3 (2). Tampa Bay Rowdies (1122)
Despite the hard fought draw of this week versus Rochester, Tampa Bay has not earned all three points from a match since their come from behind win over Toronto FC II on May 19th. Look for the Rowdies try and change that fact with a match at Richmond this weekend.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.dezeen.com/2017/06/12/david-beckham-acquires-land-populous-stadium-football-soccer-miami/
David Beckham scores land for Populous-designed football stadium in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.cbssports.com/soccer/video/david-beckham-gets-land-deal-to-build-mls-stadium-in-miami/
David Beckham gets land deal to build MLS stadium in Miami
Thomas Rongen joins Nick Kostos to discuss David Beckham getting a land deal for an MLS Stadium.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://sport360.com/article/football/global/237091/david-beckhams-plans-to-buy-mls-miami-franchise-far-from-an-open-goal/
David Beckham’s plans to buy MLS Miami franchise far from an open goal
Sport360's Steve Brenner on David Beckham's plans to buy an MLS Franchise in Miami.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nhl/david-beckham-gets-land-deal-to-build-mls-stadium-in-miami/vp-BBCz9uV
David Beckham gets land deal to build MLS stadium in Miami
Thomas Rongen joins Nick Kostos to discuss David Beckham getting a land deal for an MLS Stadium.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.mid-day.com/articles/david-beckham-a-step-closer-to-building-miami-stadium/18332152
David Beckham a step closer to building Miami stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article155721419.html
County money for soccer stadium could fall through unless Charlotte also contributes
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2017/06/12/local-mls-bid-suffers-another-penalty-kick.html
Charlotte MLS bid suffers another penalty kick
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/meck-commissioners-to-take-straw-vote-on-16b-capital-budget/532565574
Mecklenburg Co. commissioners put off vote on MLS stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.twcnews.com/nc/charlotte/news/2017/06/12/county-commissioners-delay-final-vote-on-pulling-financing-proposal-for-possible-mls-stadium-deal-.html
Commissioners Delay Vote on Pulling Financing Proposal for Possible MLS Stadium Deal
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article155697074.html
The Woz and Marcelo Claure talk tech – and a little soccer – to open eMerge Americas
Marcelo Claure, a hometown entrepreneurial hero who built Miami-based telecom Brightstar, reminded entrepreneurs and business people in the audience that a customer-first strategy is key, for any stage company (and he talked a little soccer). After Sprint shareholder SoftBank purchased Brightstar in 2014, Claure was tapped to take over CEO of the then-troubled Sprint. At the time, Sprint’s 60,000 employees had “a legacy culture of being not used to winning.” His first move: turn the behemoth back into a startup, he said.
Switching to soccer, he said of his effort with superstar David Beckham to bring major league soccer to Miami: “We are this close. My only ask is for the politicians in Miami to work together on this last piece,” he said, referred to required zoning approvals for a stadium in Overtown. “We’re 90 percent there. If everything works out we will have soccer by 2020, which is our goal.
But, he said, the soccer group knows Miami doesn’t show up for losing teams. “So we are determined to bring in a top soccer team.”
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/populous-bends-for-miami-stadium/
Beckham Nets $9 Million Parcel Of Land, Taking One Step Closer To Creating His Populous Designed Vision
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
Monday, June 12, 2017
Interview: As the venue’s end nears, promoter Kristin Stigaard and Goodnight Neverland’s Kerry Courtney reminisce on life at Local 662
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.cltampa.com/music/music-news/article/20864290/interview-as-the-venues-end-nears-promoter-kristin-stigaard-and-goodnight-neverlands-kerry-courtney-reminisce-on-life-at-local-662
Interview: As the venue’s end nears, promoter Kristin Stigaard and Goodnight Neverland’s Kerry Courtney reminisce on life at Local 662
Goodnight Neverland plays Local 662 on June 11
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.facebook.com/cltampabay/posts/10155330369568563
Creative Loafing Tampa
Yes. The answer is yes.
Maple Street Biscuit Company is really slated to move into The Local 662. Reminisce with us as the venue holds its final concerts.
Is a biscuit company really moving into Local 662 after it closes?
The St. Pete concert venue is saying its last goodbyes
cltampa.com
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.cltampa.com/music/music-news/article/20858878/st-petes-local-662-closing-in-june
St. Pete's Local 662 closing in June?
Developing story.
https://www.facebook.com/MapleStreetBiscuits/
https://maplestreetbiscuits.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TheLocal662/
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/luxury/mens-style/pride-britain-david-beckhams-kent-curwen-focuses-british-tradition/
Pride of Britain: David Beckham's Kent & Curwen focuses on British tradition in a time of tumult
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/baker-has-big-gop-money-behind-run-for-st-pete-mayor/2326837
Rick Baker has big GOP money behind run for St. Petersburg mayor
ST. PETERSBURG — A campaign filing late Friday offered a first glimpse behind some of the titans shoveling mountains of cash into the St. Petersburg’s mayoral race, widely assumed to be poised to break all records for campaign spending in the Sunshine City.
This week, Rick Baker, a former Republican mayor challenging incumbent Democrat Rick Kriseman announced a record-breaking $553,174 haul in three weeks after entering the race on May 8.
Kriseman, who has been officially raising money through his Sunshine political action committee since December 2015, quickly announced he had topped $500,000, including $110,000 in May.
Now come the details — at least for Baker.
Amabassador and GOP fundraiser Mel Sembler gave big to the former mayor of the Sunshine City. So did Baker's boss, Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards. Ron Wanek, the Ashley Furniture founder, also ponied up. As did James MacDougald, a health care financial entrepreneur and Jonathan Stanton, a constructive executive.
They all gave $25,000 to Baker’s bid to return to the mayor’s office, a post he held between 2001 and 2010.
Baker also got plenty of cash from a host of political action committee and groups.
http://www.cltampa.com/music/music-news/article/20864290/interview-as-the-venues-end-nears-promoter-kristin-stigaard-and-goodnight-neverlands-kerry-courtney-reminisce-on-life-at-local-662
Interview: As the venue’s end nears, promoter Kristin Stigaard and Goodnight Neverland’s Kerry Courtney reminisce on life at Local 662
Goodnight Neverland plays Local 662 on June 11
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.facebook.com/cltampabay/posts/10155330369568563
Creative Loafing Tampa
Yes. The answer is yes.
Maple Street Biscuit Company is really slated to move into The Local 662. Reminisce with us as the venue holds its final concerts.
Is a biscuit company really moving into Local 662 after it closes?
The St. Pete concert venue is saying its last goodbyes
cltampa.com
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.cltampa.com/music/music-news/article/20858878/st-petes-local-662-closing-in-june
St. Pete's Local 662 closing in June?
Developing story.
https://www.facebook.com/MapleStreetBiscuits/
https://maplestreetbiscuits.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TheLocal662/
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/luxury/mens-style/pride-britain-david-beckhams-kent-curwen-focuses-british-tradition/
Pride of Britain: David Beckham's Kent & Curwen focuses on British tradition in a time of tumult
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/baker-has-big-gop-money-behind-run-for-st-pete-mayor/2326837
Rick Baker has big GOP money behind run for St. Petersburg mayor
ST. PETERSBURG — A campaign filing late Friday offered a first glimpse behind some of the titans shoveling mountains of cash into the St. Petersburg’s mayoral race, widely assumed to be poised to break all records for campaign spending in the Sunshine City.
This week, Rick Baker, a former Republican mayor challenging incumbent Democrat Rick Kriseman announced a record-breaking $553,174 haul in three weeks after entering the race on May 8.
Kriseman, who has been officially raising money through his Sunshine political action committee since December 2015, quickly announced he had topped $500,000, including $110,000 in May.
Now come the details — at least for Baker.
Amabassador and GOP fundraiser Mel Sembler gave big to the former mayor of the Sunshine City. So did Baker's boss, Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards. Ron Wanek, the Ashley Furniture founder, also ponied up. As did James MacDougald, a health care financial entrepreneur and Jonathan Stanton, a constructive executive.
They all gave $25,000 to Baker’s bid to return to the mayor’s office, a post he held between 2001 and 2010.
Baker also got plenty of cash from a host of political action committee and groups.
Sunday, June 11, 2017
Most Stadiums Are Bad Deals for Cities. Not the One David Beckham Wants to Build in Miami. (slate.com)
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/6glxph/most_stadiums_are_bad_deals_for_cities_not_the/
Most Stadiums Are Bad Deals for Cities. Not the One David Beckham Wants to Build in Miami. (slate.com)
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2017/06/07/in_miami_david_beckham_has_wrought_america_s_best_stadium_deal.html
In Miami, David Beckham Has Wrought America’s Best Stadium Deal
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2017/06/11/36297582/arenas-key-to-success-in-us-draw
Arena the key to U.S. success in return to Azteca
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/6gmtch/could_the_current_nhl_stanley_cup_finals/
Could the current NHL Stanley Cup Finals encourage the MLS to expand to Nashville? (self.MLS)
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/6ggolb/the_soccer_tour_my_2017_so_far/
[The Soccer Tour] My 2017 so far... (twitter.com)
(Follow link for full article.)
https://twitter.com/TheSoccerTour/status/873602679892824064
The Soccer Tour
@TheSoccerTour
My 2017 so far...
11:08 AM - 10 Jun 2017 from Affton, MO
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2017/06/08/18/17/20170608-feat-usoc-rochester-rhinos-and-the-ghosts-of-99
Rochester’s Rhinos and the Ghosts of ‘99
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/06/09/rumored-mls-target-zlatan-ibrahimovic-now-free-agent
Rumored MLS target Zlatan Ibrahimovic now a free agent
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/world-soccer-star-drogba-scores-in-debut-with-american-side/2017/06/11/4201717c-4e6a-11e7-987c-42ab5745db2e_story.html
World soccer star Drogba scores in debut with American side
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jun/11/david-beckham-miami-dream
Beckham's Miami soccer dream inches closer – but glitz is in short supply
A crucial vote from local politicians has restored life to Beckham’s stalled venture, but it’s not quite the show-stopping product he envisaged at the beginning
(Follow link for full article.)
http://wtop.com/mls/2017/06/world-soccer-star-drogba-scores-in-debut-with-american-side/
World soccer star Drogba scores in debut with American side
(Follow link for full article.)
http://theinscribermag.com/usl-soccer-why-the-tampa-bay-rowdies-will-not-be-able-to-compete-with-ocsc-in-mls/
USL Soccer: Why The Tampa Bay Rowdies Will Not Be Able To Compete With OCSC In MLS
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/sports/article.html/content/news/articles/bhsn/2017/6/10/tampa_bay_rowdies_he.html
Tampa Bay Rowdies Held to 1-1 Draw by Rochester Rhinos
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.rhinossoccer.com/news_article/show/802298
TAMPA BAY ROWDIES 1 RHINOS 1
Rhinos leave Florida with 2 draws; face New England (MLS) Wednesday in US Open Cup.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/802365
Rowdies Rue Missed Chances vs. Rhinos
Tampa Bay’s third consecutive draw sees side lose ground to Battery
(Follow link for full article.)
http://saintpetersblog.com/tampa-bay-rowdies-held-1-1-draw-rochester-rhinos/
Tampa Bay Rowdies held to 1-1 draw by Rochester Rhinos
(Follow link for full article.)
http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2017/06/10/long-may-it-continue-talking-usl-growth-with-jake-edwards/
“Long may it continue” — Talking USL growth with Jake Edwards
(Follow link for full article.)
http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2017/06/11/drogba-scores-assists-in-usl-debut-with-phoenix-rising/
Drogba scores, assists in USL debut with Phoenix Rising
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/darrenheitner/2017/06/11/this-week-in-sports-law-david-beckham-in-miami-nhl-wins-concussion-case-new-sandusky-victim-suit/#2216aadb8ebf
This Week In Sports Law: David Beckham In Miami, NHL Wins Concussion Case, New Sandusky Victim Suit
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2017/06/10/thats-not-gatorade-its-blood-why-the-u-s-has-never-won-a-world-cup-qualifier-in-mexico/?utm_term=.853f17006d47
‘That’s not Gatorade. It’s blood.’: Why the U.S. has never won a World Cup qualifier in Mexico
https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/6glxph/most_stadiums_are_bad_deals_for_cities_not_the/
Most Stadiums Are Bad Deals for Cities. Not the One David Beckham Wants to Build in Miami. (slate.com)
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2017/06/07/in_miami_david_beckham_has_wrought_america_s_best_stadium_deal.html
In Miami, David Beckham Has Wrought America’s Best Stadium Deal
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2017/06/11/36297582/arenas-key-to-success-in-us-draw
Arena the key to U.S. success in return to Azteca
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/6gmtch/could_the_current_nhl_stanley_cup_finals/
Could the current NHL Stanley Cup Finals encourage the MLS to expand to Nashville? (self.MLS)
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/6ggolb/the_soccer_tour_my_2017_so_far/
[The Soccer Tour] My 2017 so far... (twitter.com)
(Follow link for full article.)
https://twitter.com/TheSoccerTour/status/873602679892824064
The Soccer Tour
@TheSoccerTour
My 2017 so far...
11:08 AM - 10 Jun 2017 from Affton, MO
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2017/06/08/18/17/20170608-feat-usoc-rochester-rhinos-and-the-ghosts-of-99
Rochester’s Rhinos and the Ghosts of ‘99
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/06/09/rumored-mls-target-zlatan-ibrahimovic-now-free-agent
Rumored MLS target Zlatan Ibrahimovic now a free agent
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/world-soccer-star-drogba-scores-in-debut-with-american-side/2017/06/11/4201717c-4e6a-11e7-987c-42ab5745db2e_story.html
World soccer star Drogba scores in debut with American side
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jun/11/david-beckham-miami-dream
Beckham's Miami soccer dream inches closer – but glitz is in short supply
A crucial vote from local politicians has restored life to Beckham’s stalled venture, but it’s not quite the show-stopping product he envisaged at the beginning
(Follow link for full article.)
http://wtop.com/mls/2017/06/world-soccer-star-drogba-scores-in-debut-with-american-side/
World soccer star Drogba scores in debut with American side
(Follow link for full article.)
http://theinscribermag.com/usl-soccer-why-the-tampa-bay-rowdies-will-not-be-able-to-compete-with-ocsc-in-mls/
USL Soccer: Why The Tampa Bay Rowdies Will Not Be Able To Compete With OCSC In MLS
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/sports/article.html/content/news/articles/bhsn/2017/6/10/tampa_bay_rowdies_he.html
Tampa Bay Rowdies Held to 1-1 Draw by Rochester Rhinos
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.rhinossoccer.com/news_article/show/802298
TAMPA BAY ROWDIES 1 RHINOS 1
Rhinos leave Florida with 2 draws; face New England (MLS) Wednesday in US Open Cup.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/802365
Rowdies Rue Missed Chances vs. Rhinos
Tampa Bay’s third consecutive draw sees side lose ground to Battery
(Follow link for full article.)
http://saintpetersblog.com/tampa-bay-rowdies-held-1-1-draw-rochester-rhinos/
Tampa Bay Rowdies held to 1-1 draw by Rochester Rhinos
(Follow link for full article.)
http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2017/06/10/long-may-it-continue-talking-usl-growth-with-jake-edwards/
“Long may it continue” — Talking USL growth with Jake Edwards
(Follow link for full article.)
http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2017/06/11/drogba-scores-assists-in-usl-debut-with-phoenix-rising/
Drogba scores, assists in USL debut with Phoenix Rising
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/darrenheitner/2017/06/11/this-week-in-sports-law-david-beckham-in-miami-nhl-wins-concussion-case-new-sandusky-victim-suit/#2216aadb8ebf
This Week In Sports Law: David Beckham In Miami, NHL Wins Concussion Case, New Sandusky Victim Suit
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2017/06/10/thats-not-gatorade-its-blood-why-the-u-s-has-never-won-a-world-cup-qualifier-in-mexico/?utm_term=.853f17006d47
‘That’s not Gatorade. It’s blood.’: Why the U.S. has never won a World Cup qualifier in Mexico
Friday, June 9, 2017
Match Preview: Saturday, June 10th @ Tampa Bay Rowdies
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.rhinossoccer.com/news_article/show/801897
Match Preview: Saturday, June 10th @ Tampa Bay Rowdies
Rhinos won the first meeting at home 1-0 on May 24th.
The Rhinos face the Tampa Bay Rowdies for the second time in less than three weeks. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM with the matches always available on the USL YouTube page. You can watch the match LIVE locally on WBGT Roc Sports Network channel 18 and digital 46.1.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/801920
USL Match Preview – #TBRvROC
Rhinos look to complete season sweep of Rowdies to complete Florida trip
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/soccer/rowdies-look-to-end-slump-against-rochester/2326821
Rowdies look to end slump against Rochester
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-us-mexico-rivalry-20170609-htmlstory.html
The dirty tackles, head-butts and upsets: A history of the 83-year U.S.-Mexico soccer rivalry
(Follow link for full article.)
https://medium.com/@isaacccccccccc_94128/unpacking-the-major-league-soccer-business-model-827f4b784bcd
Unpacking the Major League Soccer Business Model
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.insideworldfootball.com/2017/06/09/beckhams-miami-mls-bid-boosted-long-awaited-land-deal-new-stadium/
Beckham’s Miami MLS bid boosted by long-awaited land deal for new stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article155416519.html
Fire chiefs increase the heat over David Beckham stadium deal
Miami-Dade’s requirement that David Beckham hire only county police and paramedics for his planned Miami soccer stadium drew more heat on Friday — including an indirect swipe from the county’s own fire chief.
David Downey, head of Miami-Dade Fire and Rescue, signed a letter from a countywide chiefs association opposing any efforts by the county to “dictate” how rescue services are delivered within municipal jurisdictions. The statement by the Fire Officers Association of Miami-Dade came a day after Miami commissioners formally protested Miami-Dade including the demand as a condition of a $9 million land sale to the Beckham partnership earlier this week.
“We the undersigned Fire Chiefs,” reads the two-paragraph letter dated Friday, “strongly oppose any efforts which dictate, or attempt to dictate delivery of Fire and Emergency Fire Rescue Services within the prospective jurisdictions.”
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.local10.com/sports/soccer/miami-vs-miami-dade-county-david-beckham-soccer-stadium-deal
City vs. county fight underway for first responders at future soccer stadium
Miami commissioners decide to formally fight Miami-Dade County
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-06-09/david-beckham-s-stadium-coup
David Beckham's Stadium Coup
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.90min.com/posts/5117286-david-beckham-secures-9m-land-deal-to-build-his-miami-football-stadium
David Beckham Secures $9m Land Deal to Build His Miami Football Stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.grbj.com/articles/88176-pro-soccer-impressed-by-grand-rapids-market
Pro soccer impressed by Grand Rapids market
USL officials term on-site visit an ‘awesome’ experience.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2017/6/7/15758452/division-iii-soccer-nisa-plans-for-2018-launch
Division III Soccer? NISA Plans for 2018 Launch
Promotion and Relegation could be coming to US soccer in the near future
http://www.rhinossoccer.com/news_article/show/801897
Match Preview: Saturday, June 10th @ Tampa Bay Rowdies
Rhinos won the first meeting at home 1-0 on May 24th.
The Rhinos face the Tampa Bay Rowdies for the second time in less than three weeks. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM with the matches always available on the USL YouTube page. You can watch the match LIVE locally on WBGT Roc Sports Network channel 18 and digital 46.1.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/801920
USL Match Preview – #TBRvROC
Rhinos look to complete season sweep of Rowdies to complete Florida trip
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/soccer/rowdies-look-to-end-slump-against-rochester/2326821
Rowdies look to end slump against Rochester
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-us-mexico-rivalry-20170609-htmlstory.html
The dirty tackles, head-butts and upsets: A history of the 83-year U.S.-Mexico soccer rivalry
(Follow link for full article.)
https://medium.com/@isaacccccccccc_94128/unpacking-the-major-league-soccer-business-model-827f4b784bcd
Unpacking the Major League Soccer Business Model
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.insideworldfootball.com/2017/06/09/beckhams-miami-mls-bid-boosted-long-awaited-land-deal-new-stadium/
Beckham’s Miami MLS bid boosted by long-awaited land deal for new stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article155416519.html
Fire chiefs increase the heat over David Beckham stadium deal
Miami-Dade’s requirement that David Beckham hire only county police and paramedics for his planned Miami soccer stadium drew more heat on Friday — including an indirect swipe from the county’s own fire chief.
David Downey, head of Miami-Dade Fire and Rescue, signed a letter from a countywide chiefs association opposing any efforts by the county to “dictate” how rescue services are delivered within municipal jurisdictions. The statement by the Fire Officers Association of Miami-Dade came a day after Miami commissioners formally protested Miami-Dade including the demand as a condition of a $9 million land sale to the Beckham partnership earlier this week.
“We the undersigned Fire Chiefs,” reads the two-paragraph letter dated Friday, “strongly oppose any efforts which dictate, or attempt to dictate delivery of Fire and Emergency Fire Rescue Services within the prospective jurisdictions.”
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.local10.com/sports/soccer/miami-vs-miami-dade-county-david-beckham-soccer-stadium-deal
City vs. county fight underway for first responders at future soccer stadium
Miami commissioners decide to formally fight Miami-Dade County
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-06-09/david-beckham-s-stadium-coup
David Beckham's Stadium Coup
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.90min.com/posts/5117286-david-beckham-secures-9m-land-deal-to-build-his-miami-football-stadium
David Beckham Secures $9m Land Deal to Build His Miami Football Stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.grbj.com/articles/88176-pro-soccer-impressed-by-grand-rapids-market
Pro soccer impressed by Grand Rapids market
USL officials term on-site visit an ‘awesome’ experience.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2017/6/7/15758452/division-iii-soccer-nisa-plans-for-2018-launch
Division III Soccer? NISA Plans for 2018 Launch
Promotion and Relegation could be coming to US soccer in the near future
Thursday, June 8, 2017
Soccer, NBA audiences trending younger, while NASCAR, golf, pro wrestling audiences are growing older
(Follow link for full article.)
http://awfulannouncing.com/soccer/mls-youngest-tv-audience-sports-pga-tour-oldest.html
Soccer, NBA audiences trending younger, while NASCAR, golf, pro wrestling audiences are growing older
TV audience changes don't bode well for NASCAR or golf.
This week Sports Business Journal published a fascinating study about how sports audiences on television are getting older. The good news is that it’s happening at a slower rate versus primetime television, but it’s still at a faster rate versus the total population.
The data confirms a couple popular narratives about sports on television. The biggest headline might be just how young soccer’s average fan is compared to everybody else. MLS looks to be well-positioned for the future with their average fan just 40 years of age and the NBA right behind them at 42 years of age. This fits the general idea that both of those sports are supremely popular with younger fans.
At the other end of the spectrum, the conventional wisdom is that golf has the oldest audience in sports and that was proven correct with an average age of 64. Considering ratings have also gone down from the Tiger Woods era, it’s a bit concerning for the sport’s long-term prospects. Perhaps the biggest alarm bells might be going off for NASCAR, though, who have seen their average audience increase in age by almost a decade since 2006. That means the sport is failing to attract new, younger fans, which would explain why their ratings continue to suffer.
Here’s the entire chart where another interesting note is that the WTA was the only organization to see its audience skew younger.
These facts and figures might not be surprises, but it’s only part of the overall television picture. Yes, the trends look much better for MLS than they do for NASCAR. But, let’s not forget that NASCAR’s overall audience is still very good compared to a lot of other sports. Last month’s Kansas race still drew 2.5 million viewers. MLS is often 10 times behind that in their ratings for regular season games and would give you a free expansion franchise if you could find a way for them to get that kind of viewership for any game.
One of the issues facing MLS that other leagues don’t face is the other competition from other leagues around the world all vying for the same eyeballs in America. When it’s just as easy to watch the EPL as it is MLS, and the EPL has better players, MLS is fighting an uphill battle.
When more specific options are included in the study, four out of the five youngest audiences are soccer-related. The EPL (43), NBA (42), MLS (40), international soccer (39), and Liga MX (39) make up the youngest audiences.
One last fascinating note from the study is what’s happened to professional wrestling on television. Since 2000, the average age of pro wrestling fans has increased a whopping 26 years of age to 54. It’s raised 21 years of age in just the last 10 years. Professional wrestling was in a very different place in 2000 at the height of WWE’s Attitude Era and the competition with WCW going strong. It’s ironic because WWE switch to a more family friendly TV-PG product that had the hope of reaching children and younger fans. WWE has had their won struggles with television ratings falling in recent times and perhaps this is a sign that the company needs to change course soon or risk their audience going into extinction.
These age figures might not explain everything about sports on television, but they do provide some key evidence of trends taking place around the industry. And while it may not provide the entire picture about the total audience for these sports, it’s always better to be getting younger instead of older.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.soccernation.com/down-but-not-out-soccercity-rallies-after-disappointing-first-half/
Down But Not Out – SoccerCity Rallies After Disappointing First Half
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/6fnn3k/san_diegos_mls_bid_hanging_by_a_thread/
San Diego's MLS bid hanging by a thread (soccernation.com)
(Follow link for full article.)
https://thefloridasqueeze.com/2017/06/06/the-time-for-miami-beckham-united-is-now/
The time for Miami Beckham United is now
June 6, 2017
by Kartik Krishnaiyer
Four years ago, David Beckham attended a Miami Heat playoff game with future-Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure. Beckham who had just played his final professional soccer match with PSG was looking at cashing in on a provision to own a team. This item was placed in his MLS contact which was signed in January 2007 . In 2008 and 2009, Claure had led a bid to bring an expansion team to Miami in conjunction with FC Barcelona. But the great recession hit Claure, then the CEO of Brightstar harder than most and as it appeared Miami would be awarded a team to begin play in 2010, he pulled the plug. Southeast Florida has been without MLS since 2001 when the Miami Fusion, based in Fort Lauderdale folded despite being in the middle of the pack in attendance that final season. Miami Beckham United (MBU) in early 2014 announced that they were seeking a spot in Major League Soccer but almost immediately hurdles appeared. The hopes for a waterfront ground were dashed as were later proposals for other downtown sites. For a long while political and community support was found wanting. Now MBU is finally close to locking things down in Overtown on the west side of I-95, outside of but within view of Downtown.
As someone who has worked with the area’s soccer leadership closely through the years I remain skeptical about whether or not the Miami/Fort Lauderdale market deserves a second bite at the MLS apple – but that’s really not the point any longer. While few people have publicly expressed as skepticism about the idea of this club Major League Soccer NEEDS to be in southeast Florida for its international profile and relevance among Latino fans. Despite the recent runaway success of MLS’ in medium-sized places like Portland, Seattle, Salt Lake City and our own Orlando City SC, MLS hasn’t conquered the big markets or the consciousness of the media internationally – Miami with Beckham as the face of the club can change that. The fourth largest urban area in the nation,, the third largest Hispanic TV market in the country and one of the most cosmopolitan places in the western hemisphere make Miami a must for a league that unlike in 2001 has a chance to be a global player. This was MLS’ thinking behind second clubs in New York and Los Angeles and going into Philadelphia with a pure startup in an era when every other new MLS clubs was promoted from the minor leagues.
Miami’s stadium proposal will move forward this week after finally obtaining the political and community support that MLS finds much easier to obtain in smaller markets. This locale many feel isn’t ideal but indulge me for a moment while I make the case that it’s a better deal than many might think. The stadium can help revive the portion of Overtown cut off from the heart of the community thanks to the building of I-95 right through the urban core in the early 1960’s.
Much of the criticism of this proposal is that it doesn’t have car parking – well neither do most of the real intimate grounds in England, grounds that Americans flock to the TV sets every weekend to watch games from on NBC. The (English) Premier League gets on average higher viewership numbers in the United States than MLS does, something boosters of the domestic game hope changes in the near future. Venues like Orlando City SC’s new stadium help to create the type of on-air ambiance that those who watch the Premier League will hope to find in MLS. For all the highfalutin talk that Americans watch the Premier League in great numbers because of the perceived quality on the pitch, a factor as to why many watch it for the ambiance and atmospheres at the grounds. MBU’s ground potentially will be intimate and acoustically pleasing enough to help try and move MLS’ TV numbers, which is after all the whole ball game now. For years MLS’ has focused on attendance, but TV numbers have been relatively stagnant despite expansion and the exponentially growing footprint of soccer in this country.
We’ve heard lots of complaints about the stadium location and lack of parking, largely from people who probably won’t attend a game anyway. Those elites from parts of southeast Florida who don’t want to use public transit or go to Overtown can be safely ignored at this point and perhaps mocked in the future if this club draws well. Ridership on Metrorail and Metromover has increased by 72% since 2001 and Tri-Rail ridership has increased 67% in the same period. While southeastern Florida has never given up love of the car mass transit is making more and more of a dent in the region’s transportation culture. It’s worth noting Metrorail and Tri-Rail have have not since 2001 had a “destination” for sports and entertainment linked to the system outside of the University of Miami’s basketball arena.
At this point, it’s worth noting soccer has never been treated with a level of fairness by some in the local media – this is a problem MLS has run into time and again in big markets where entrenched media elites thumb their noses at the world’s game. This summer’s El Clasico Miami, might for a time dampen those attitudes and perhaps win some converts – so while the game being hosted by the Miami Dolphins and Relevant Sports, a competing outlet to MLS’ Soccer United Marketing may on the surface not help MBU, it may soften some local media attitudes toward the sport.
What about the local minor league teams in the region? We’ve spent a lot of time on this site discussing the demise of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. We haven’t spent much time on Miami FC, the Strikers (former?) local NASL rival, but MFC is a club that can be more or less ignored with regards to the MBU and MLS discussion.
Miami FC has nothing near the community or political support that Orlando City SC had at the same point in its existence despite reporting similar second year attendance. The club has done well to stay afloat in a tough market but has relied on postgame concerts and massive ticket giveaways to bolster numbers and unlike Orlando in 2012 as they were making an MLS push, the supporters group remains small and many fans are disengaged except on game days. Miami FC is the odds-on favorite to win the second division NASL this season, but does that make a difference?
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers in six seasons went from NASL’s top drawing team (minus Montreal who had already announced a move to MLS for the following season) in 2011 to its worst draw in 2016 and on indefinite hiatus in 2017. The Strikers’ forerunner Miami FC once in 2009 in the heart of the ESPN branded “Summer of Soccer” had a grand total 44 people in the building watching a game at FIU. It’s plainly obvious minor league soccer doesn’t work in south Florida in terms of moving the local needle.
Additionally, winning has virtually no correlation to attendance at the lower division level in the United States. Fort Lauderdale is one of only three NASL clubs to have made four postseason appearances, yet attendance and the signing of big-name foreign players never did any good for the club’s bottom line. The ambiance, experience and local ties are what bind fans and a community to a lower-division club. Neither Miami FC with its pricey roster made up almost entirely of players from outside the area or the Fort Lauderdale Strikers at the end of their most recent run (The Strikers have existed in four different iterations in the past) really captured the local imagination.
The evidence at the division 2 level in American pro soccer points to attendance having little to do with winning. After all, 90%-95% of the players at this level are not particularly well-known even to hardcore soccer fans. While some names like Joe Cole or Raul may move the needle ever so slightly for a few games at a time, by in large signing expensive, higher-profile players makes no difference in terms of crowd building. What does help is having strong community bonds with local organizations, youth clubs and a roster with many local players.
Also importantly attendance doesn’t translate to fan intensity necessary to sustain a club in difficult times or to represent a base for an MLS bid. Orlando City SC’s impressive numbers when in third division USL was not necessarily the attendance though it was certainly decent. It was the intensity of the support, the amount of chatter about the club that would sustain itself during the week and the growing interest in watching away matches as well as the strong supporters culture that was built. It was how soccer got the attention of local political leaders and community institutions. Orlando City SC provided a model for how to build a club into a power off the field at the minor league level and attendance numbers were just one piece of a complicated puzzle which southeast Florida’s local sides have never figured out (in fairness, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers under former President Tom Mulroy were getting there when he departed the organization after the Braziian takeover in November 2014).
It’s also worth noting supporters groups in southeast Florida have been consistently weak. Part of the difficulty MBU had politically and community-wise is that the organized efforts by fans to promote the MLS bid were weaker than in any other city seeking MLS in recent memory. That might be an indicator of the types of tribal turf wars that plague southeast Florida’s soccer community, an area that currently has a total of SEVEN teams competing in the two national leagues representing the fourth division of American soccer. A fragmented soccer community never seems to be willing to come together behind minor league products, so we can hope MLS MBU is different. But even the allure of MLS didn’t tempt some fans with tribal or other considerations to jump into bed with MBU (on this score, I plead guilty myself).
But even if it isn’t different, I have come to the conclusion that for the sake of American soccer’s global footprint, its TV presence and the health and perception of the domestic game with Latino audiences having a top-flight team in Miami is essential. Many of the local considerations I have applied in the past to critique this bid I have come to the conclusion simply don’t apply to Miami the way they do to places like Cincinnati, Sacramento, St Petersburg or Nashville. Miami is a global city and MLS needs to be in the market. In David Beckham, they have the best possible public face to put on a startup in choppy waters.
A word on David Beckham’s cut rate $25 million dollar entry fee for his team, a figure which is one sixth of the $150 million which now represents the going rate for MLS franchises, even those existing clubs like the Tampa Bay Rowdies that seek to move up from the second division USL. It’s easy for johnny-come-lately’s to forget where MLS was when David Beckham took a massive career risk and signed to play in the United States at the age of 31 (not 35 or 36 like many of the recent “big name” signings). MLS’ is where it is today, in a position to charge $150 million for a team because Beckham signed in the league – nobody will convince me otherwise. Many around MLS’ constantly talk about the sacrfices the early owners in the league made and how they are now owed the money they receive in terms of expansion fees from other clubs and Soccer United Marketing. I would hold Beckham to the same standard, and state in my opinion he is OWED a cut-rate entry to MLS.
The time is now for Miami Beckham United to seal the deal. Whether it’s the most viable plan or the best open market for MLS in terms of local support no longer matters. It’s the bigger picture macro considerations that make this move critical.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/6fmc60/the_time_for_miami_beckham_united_is_now/
The time for Miami Beckham United is now (thefloridasqueeze.com)
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.businessreviewusa.com/leadership/5868/David-Beckham-one-step-closer-to-Miami-MLS-franchise-after-crucial-stadium-decision
David Beckham one step closer to Miami MLS franchise after crucial stadium decision
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/218926/David-Beckham-clears-Major-League-Soccer-team-hurdle
David Beckham clears Major League Soccer team hurdle
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.canindia.com/beckham-acquires-land-to-build-football-stadium-in-miami/
Beckham acquires land to build football stadium in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.atlanticbb.net/news/read/category/sports/article/the_miami_herald-miami_slams_countys_lastminute_police_deal_for_dav-tca
Miami slams county's last-minute police deal for David Beckham soccer stadium
June 08--Miami is pushing back on a last-minute requirement that David Beckham's soccer stadium only hire county police officers to patrol inside the facility while city officers are left with traffic control and other duties outside.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://the18.com/soccer-news/david-beckham-miami-mls-expansion-team-stadium
David Beckham’s MLS Expansion Team Is Finally Seeing The Light Of Day
David Beckham had a great week with a US Soccer Hall of Fame nod and some long-awaited news regarding his MLS stadium site.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article155170759.html
Miami widens fight over police deal for David Beckham soccer stadium
Miami commissioners on Thursday requested a legal opinion on whether Miami-Dade could require David Beckham to employ county police and paramedics for off-duty shifts at the 25,000-seat soccer stadium he wants to build within city limits.
“I think it’s wrong,” Keon Hardemon, chairman of the Miami City Commission, said of the county requirement tacked onto a $9 million sale of county land that Beckham needs to complete his stadium site. “I think it’s good for the city of Miami to stand up for this.”
The unanimous resolution amplified a mini squabble that broke out hours after Miami-Dade commissioners granted Beckham a milestone in his four-year quest for a Miami soccer stadium. In agreeing to sell Beckham a three-acre truck depot in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood, Miami-Dade commissioners added a last-minute demand: that only county police and fire personnel be hired inside the privately owned stadium, while the city could pick up the off-duty shifts in the streets surrounding the stadium.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.local10.com/news/why-arent-miami-police-fire-rescue-thrilled-about-beckham-stadium-deal
City vs county fight underway for first responders at future soccer stadium
Miami commissioners decide to formally fight Miami-Dade County
(Follow link for full article.)
http://wwos.nine.com.au/2017/06/08/06/09/beckham-closer-to-forming-new-mls-club
Beckham closer to forming new MLS club
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/218926/David-Beckham-clears-Major-League-Soccer-team-hurdle
David Beckham clears Major League Soccer team hurdle
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2017/06/08/mls-audition-deck-fc-cincinnati/102634346/
MLS 'audition' on deck for FC Cincinnati
The ultimate Major League Soccer dress rehearsal is about to commence for Futbol Club Cincinnati, and it's likely MLS will be watching.
A forthcoming eight-day stretch starting Saturday looks to be an unparalleled period in FC Cincinnati's relatively short history....
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/soccer/bs-sp-usl-soccer-baltimore-0609-20170608-story.html
United Soccer League hopes to have Baltimore franchise, stadium site approved by end of year, official says
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2017/06/08/united-soccer-league-scouting-canton-fells-point.html
United Soccer League scouting Canton, Fells Point for potential stadium site
The United Soccer League is hoping to close a deal with a Baltimore ownership group by the end of the summer that would bring a franchise to the city and is looking around Fells Point and Canton for a possible stadium of up to 12,000 seats.
http://awfulannouncing.com/soccer/mls-youngest-tv-audience-sports-pga-tour-oldest.html
Soccer, NBA audiences trending younger, while NASCAR, golf, pro wrestling audiences are growing older
TV audience changes don't bode well for NASCAR or golf.
This week Sports Business Journal published a fascinating study about how sports audiences on television are getting older. The good news is that it’s happening at a slower rate versus primetime television, but it’s still at a faster rate versus the total population.
The data confirms a couple popular narratives about sports on television. The biggest headline might be just how young soccer’s average fan is compared to everybody else. MLS looks to be well-positioned for the future with their average fan just 40 years of age and the NBA right behind them at 42 years of age. This fits the general idea that both of those sports are supremely popular with younger fans.
At the other end of the spectrum, the conventional wisdom is that golf has the oldest audience in sports and that was proven correct with an average age of 64. Considering ratings have also gone down from the Tiger Woods era, it’s a bit concerning for the sport’s long-term prospects. Perhaps the biggest alarm bells might be going off for NASCAR, though, who have seen their average audience increase in age by almost a decade since 2006. That means the sport is failing to attract new, younger fans, which would explain why their ratings continue to suffer.
Here’s the entire chart where another interesting note is that the WTA was the only organization to see its audience skew younger.
These facts and figures might not be surprises, but it’s only part of the overall television picture. Yes, the trends look much better for MLS than they do for NASCAR. But, let’s not forget that NASCAR’s overall audience is still very good compared to a lot of other sports. Last month’s Kansas race still drew 2.5 million viewers. MLS is often 10 times behind that in their ratings for regular season games and would give you a free expansion franchise if you could find a way for them to get that kind of viewership for any game.
One of the issues facing MLS that other leagues don’t face is the other competition from other leagues around the world all vying for the same eyeballs in America. When it’s just as easy to watch the EPL as it is MLS, and the EPL has better players, MLS is fighting an uphill battle.
When more specific options are included in the study, four out of the five youngest audiences are soccer-related. The EPL (43), NBA (42), MLS (40), international soccer (39), and Liga MX (39) make up the youngest audiences.
One last fascinating note from the study is what’s happened to professional wrestling on television. Since 2000, the average age of pro wrestling fans has increased a whopping 26 years of age to 54. It’s raised 21 years of age in just the last 10 years. Professional wrestling was in a very different place in 2000 at the height of WWE’s Attitude Era and the competition with WCW going strong. It’s ironic because WWE switch to a more family friendly TV-PG product that had the hope of reaching children and younger fans. WWE has had their won struggles with television ratings falling in recent times and perhaps this is a sign that the company needs to change course soon or risk their audience going into extinction.
These age figures might not explain everything about sports on television, but they do provide some key evidence of trends taking place around the industry. And while it may not provide the entire picture about the total audience for these sports, it’s always better to be getting younger instead of older.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.soccernation.com/down-but-not-out-soccercity-rallies-after-disappointing-first-half/
Down But Not Out – SoccerCity Rallies After Disappointing First Half
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/6fnn3k/san_diegos_mls_bid_hanging_by_a_thread/
San Diego's MLS bid hanging by a thread (soccernation.com)
(Follow link for full article.)
https://thefloridasqueeze.com/2017/06/06/the-time-for-miami-beckham-united-is-now/
The time for Miami Beckham United is now
June 6, 2017
by Kartik Krishnaiyer
Four years ago, David Beckham attended a Miami Heat playoff game with future-Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure. Beckham who had just played his final professional soccer match with PSG was looking at cashing in on a provision to own a team. This item was placed in his MLS contact which was signed in January 2007 . In 2008 and 2009, Claure had led a bid to bring an expansion team to Miami in conjunction with FC Barcelona. But the great recession hit Claure, then the CEO of Brightstar harder than most and as it appeared Miami would be awarded a team to begin play in 2010, he pulled the plug. Southeast Florida has been without MLS since 2001 when the Miami Fusion, based in Fort Lauderdale folded despite being in the middle of the pack in attendance that final season. Miami Beckham United (MBU) in early 2014 announced that they were seeking a spot in Major League Soccer but almost immediately hurdles appeared. The hopes for a waterfront ground were dashed as were later proposals for other downtown sites. For a long while political and community support was found wanting. Now MBU is finally close to locking things down in Overtown on the west side of I-95, outside of but within view of Downtown.
As someone who has worked with the area’s soccer leadership closely through the years I remain skeptical about whether or not the Miami/Fort Lauderdale market deserves a second bite at the MLS apple – but that’s really not the point any longer. While few people have publicly expressed as skepticism about the idea of this club Major League Soccer NEEDS to be in southeast Florida for its international profile and relevance among Latino fans. Despite the recent runaway success of MLS’ in medium-sized places like Portland, Seattle, Salt Lake City and our own Orlando City SC, MLS hasn’t conquered the big markets or the consciousness of the media internationally – Miami with Beckham as the face of the club can change that. The fourth largest urban area in the nation,, the third largest Hispanic TV market in the country and one of the most cosmopolitan places in the western hemisphere make Miami a must for a league that unlike in 2001 has a chance to be a global player. This was MLS’ thinking behind second clubs in New York and Los Angeles and going into Philadelphia with a pure startup in an era when every other new MLS clubs was promoted from the minor leagues.
Miami’s stadium proposal will move forward this week after finally obtaining the political and community support that MLS finds much easier to obtain in smaller markets. This locale many feel isn’t ideal but indulge me for a moment while I make the case that it’s a better deal than many might think. The stadium can help revive the portion of Overtown cut off from the heart of the community thanks to the building of I-95 right through the urban core in the early 1960’s.
Much of the criticism of this proposal is that it doesn’t have car parking – well neither do most of the real intimate grounds in England, grounds that Americans flock to the TV sets every weekend to watch games from on NBC. The (English) Premier League gets on average higher viewership numbers in the United States than MLS does, something boosters of the domestic game hope changes in the near future. Venues like Orlando City SC’s new stadium help to create the type of on-air ambiance that those who watch the Premier League will hope to find in MLS. For all the highfalutin talk that Americans watch the Premier League in great numbers because of the perceived quality on the pitch, a factor as to why many watch it for the ambiance and atmospheres at the grounds. MBU’s ground potentially will be intimate and acoustically pleasing enough to help try and move MLS’ TV numbers, which is after all the whole ball game now. For years MLS’ has focused on attendance, but TV numbers have been relatively stagnant despite expansion and the exponentially growing footprint of soccer in this country.
We’ve heard lots of complaints about the stadium location and lack of parking, largely from people who probably won’t attend a game anyway. Those elites from parts of southeast Florida who don’t want to use public transit or go to Overtown can be safely ignored at this point and perhaps mocked in the future if this club draws well. Ridership on Metrorail and Metromover has increased by 72% since 2001 and Tri-Rail ridership has increased 67% in the same period. While southeastern Florida has never given up love of the car mass transit is making more and more of a dent in the region’s transportation culture. It’s worth noting Metrorail and Tri-Rail have have not since 2001 had a “destination” for sports and entertainment linked to the system outside of the University of Miami’s basketball arena.
At this point, it’s worth noting soccer has never been treated with a level of fairness by some in the local media – this is a problem MLS has run into time and again in big markets where entrenched media elites thumb their noses at the world’s game. This summer’s El Clasico Miami, might for a time dampen those attitudes and perhaps win some converts – so while the game being hosted by the Miami Dolphins and Relevant Sports, a competing outlet to MLS’ Soccer United Marketing may on the surface not help MBU, it may soften some local media attitudes toward the sport.
What about the local minor league teams in the region? We’ve spent a lot of time on this site discussing the demise of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. We haven’t spent much time on Miami FC, the Strikers (former?) local NASL rival, but MFC is a club that can be more or less ignored with regards to the MBU and MLS discussion.
Miami FC has nothing near the community or political support that Orlando City SC had at the same point in its existence despite reporting similar second year attendance. The club has done well to stay afloat in a tough market but has relied on postgame concerts and massive ticket giveaways to bolster numbers and unlike Orlando in 2012 as they were making an MLS push, the supporters group remains small and many fans are disengaged except on game days. Miami FC is the odds-on favorite to win the second division NASL this season, but does that make a difference?
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers in six seasons went from NASL’s top drawing team (minus Montreal who had already announced a move to MLS for the following season) in 2011 to its worst draw in 2016 and on indefinite hiatus in 2017. The Strikers’ forerunner Miami FC once in 2009 in the heart of the ESPN branded “Summer of Soccer” had a grand total 44 people in the building watching a game at FIU. It’s plainly obvious minor league soccer doesn’t work in south Florida in terms of moving the local needle.
Additionally, winning has virtually no correlation to attendance at the lower division level in the United States. Fort Lauderdale is one of only three NASL clubs to have made four postseason appearances, yet attendance and the signing of big-name foreign players never did any good for the club’s bottom line. The ambiance, experience and local ties are what bind fans and a community to a lower-division club. Neither Miami FC with its pricey roster made up almost entirely of players from outside the area or the Fort Lauderdale Strikers at the end of their most recent run (The Strikers have existed in four different iterations in the past) really captured the local imagination.
The evidence at the division 2 level in American pro soccer points to attendance having little to do with winning. After all, 90%-95% of the players at this level are not particularly well-known even to hardcore soccer fans. While some names like Joe Cole or Raul may move the needle ever so slightly for a few games at a time, by in large signing expensive, higher-profile players makes no difference in terms of crowd building. What does help is having strong community bonds with local organizations, youth clubs and a roster with many local players.
Also importantly attendance doesn’t translate to fan intensity necessary to sustain a club in difficult times or to represent a base for an MLS bid. Orlando City SC’s impressive numbers when in third division USL was not necessarily the attendance though it was certainly decent. It was the intensity of the support, the amount of chatter about the club that would sustain itself during the week and the growing interest in watching away matches as well as the strong supporters culture that was built. It was how soccer got the attention of local political leaders and community institutions. Orlando City SC provided a model for how to build a club into a power off the field at the minor league level and attendance numbers were just one piece of a complicated puzzle which southeast Florida’s local sides have never figured out (in fairness, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers under former President Tom Mulroy were getting there when he departed the organization after the Braziian takeover in November 2014).
It’s also worth noting supporters groups in southeast Florida have been consistently weak. Part of the difficulty MBU had politically and community-wise is that the organized efforts by fans to promote the MLS bid were weaker than in any other city seeking MLS in recent memory. That might be an indicator of the types of tribal turf wars that plague southeast Florida’s soccer community, an area that currently has a total of SEVEN teams competing in the two national leagues representing the fourth division of American soccer. A fragmented soccer community never seems to be willing to come together behind minor league products, so we can hope MLS MBU is different. But even the allure of MLS didn’t tempt some fans with tribal or other considerations to jump into bed with MBU (on this score, I plead guilty myself).
But even if it isn’t different, I have come to the conclusion that for the sake of American soccer’s global footprint, its TV presence and the health and perception of the domestic game with Latino audiences having a top-flight team in Miami is essential. Many of the local considerations I have applied in the past to critique this bid I have come to the conclusion simply don’t apply to Miami the way they do to places like Cincinnati, Sacramento, St Petersburg or Nashville. Miami is a global city and MLS needs to be in the market. In David Beckham, they have the best possible public face to put on a startup in choppy waters.
A word on David Beckham’s cut rate $25 million dollar entry fee for his team, a figure which is one sixth of the $150 million which now represents the going rate for MLS franchises, even those existing clubs like the Tampa Bay Rowdies that seek to move up from the second division USL. It’s easy for johnny-come-lately’s to forget where MLS was when David Beckham took a massive career risk and signed to play in the United States at the age of 31 (not 35 or 36 like many of the recent “big name” signings). MLS’ is where it is today, in a position to charge $150 million for a team because Beckham signed in the league – nobody will convince me otherwise. Many around MLS’ constantly talk about the sacrfices the early owners in the league made and how they are now owed the money they receive in terms of expansion fees from other clubs and Soccer United Marketing. I would hold Beckham to the same standard, and state in my opinion he is OWED a cut-rate entry to MLS.
The time is now for Miami Beckham United to seal the deal. Whether it’s the most viable plan or the best open market for MLS in terms of local support no longer matters. It’s the bigger picture macro considerations that make this move critical.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/6fmc60/the_time_for_miami_beckham_united_is_now/
The time for Miami Beckham United is now (thefloridasqueeze.com)
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.businessreviewusa.com/leadership/5868/David-Beckham-one-step-closer-to-Miami-MLS-franchise-after-crucial-stadium-decision
David Beckham one step closer to Miami MLS franchise after crucial stadium decision
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/218926/David-Beckham-clears-Major-League-Soccer-team-hurdle
David Beckham clears Major League Soccer team hurdle
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.canindia.com/beckham-acquires-land-to-build-football-stadium-in-miami/
Beckham acquires land to build football stadium in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.atlanticbb.net/news/read/category/sports/article/the_miami_herald-miami_slams_countys_lastminute_police_deal_for_dav-tca
Miami slams county's last-minute police deal for David Beckham soccer stadium
June 08--Miami is pushing back on a last-minute requirement that David Beckham's soccer stadium only hire county police officers to patrol inside the facility while city officers are left with traffic control and other duties outside.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://the18.com/soccer-news/david-beckham-miami-mls-expansion-team-stadium
David Beckham’s MLS Expansion Team Is Finally Seeing The Light Of Day
David Beckham had a great week with a US Soccer Hall of Fame nod and some long-awaited news regarding his MLS stadium site.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article155170759.html
Miami widens fight over police deal for David Beckham soccer stadium
Miami commissioners on Thursday requested a legal opinion on whether Miami-Dade could require David Beckham to employ county police and paramedics for off-duty shifts at the 25,000-seat soccer stadium he wants to build within city limits.
“I think it’s wrong,” Keon Hardemon, chairman of the Miami City Commission, said of the county requirement tacked onto a $9 million sale of county land that Beckham needs to complete his stadium site. “I think it’s good for the city of Miami to stand up for this.”
The unanimous resolution amplified a mini squabble that broke out hours after Miami-Dade commissioners granted Beckham a milestone in his four-year quest for a Miami soccer stadium. In agreeing to sell Beckham a three-acre truck depot in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood, Miami-Dade commissioners added a last-minute demand: that only county police and fire personnel be hired inside the privately owned stadium, while the city could pick up the off-duty shifts in the streets surrounding the stadium.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.local10.com/news/why-arent-miami-police-fire-rescue-thrilled-about-beckham-stadium-deal
City vs county fight underway for first responders at future soccer stadium
Miami commissioners decide to formally fight Miami-Dade County
(Follow link for full article.)
http://wwos.nine.com.au/2017/06/08/06/09/beckham-closer-to-forming-new-mls-club
Beckham closer to forming new MLS club
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/218926/David-Beckham-clears-Major-League-Soccer-team-hurdle
David Beckham clears Major League Soccer team hurdle
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2017/06/08/mls-audition-deck-fc-cincinnati/102634346/
MLS 'audition' on deck for FC Cincinnati
The ultimate Major League Soccer dress rehearsal is about to commence for Futbol Club Cincinnati, and it's likely MLS will be watching.
A forthcoming eight-day stretch starting Saturday looks to be an unparalleled period in FC Cincinnati's relatively short history....
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/soccer/bs-sp-usl-soccer-baltimore-0609-20170608-story.html
United Soccer League hopes to have Baltimore franchise, stadium site approved by end of year, official says
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2017/06/08/united-soccer-league-scouting-canton-fells-point.html
United Soccer League scouting Canton, Fells Point for potential stadium site
The United Soccer League is hoping to close a deal with a Baltimore ownership group by the end of the summer that would bring a franchise to the city and is looking around Fells Point and Canton for a possible stadium of up to 12,000 seats.
Edwards surprise heart surgery hasn't dimmed Rowdies owner's hopes for MLS franchise
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/edwards-surprise-heart-surgery-hasnt-dimmed-rowdies-owners-hopes-for-mls/2326405
Edwards surprise heart surgery hasn't dimmed Rowdies owner's hopes for MLS franchise
Charlie Frago, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 6, 2017 6:10pm
Bill Edwards is on the mend.
The 72-year-old owner of the Tampa Bay Rowdies had a health scare last month when he traveled to Ohio to have a pacemaker installed. Doctors ended up performing a double bypass surgery.
Edwards is recovering at home in St. Petersburg, keeping track of his business affairs.
“It’ll take two or three months to get back to 100 percent,” Edwards said. “But I’m trying to get better as quickly as possible.
The May 5 surgery at the Cleveland Clinic went well and Edwards hasn’t lost his zest to bring a Major League Soccer expansion franchise to St. Petersburg.
San Diego’s recent apparent implosion is the latest good news for the Rowdies’ chances, he said.
“It certainly helps us move up the ladder. We don’t have those problems,” Edwards said of the recent decision by the San Diego City Council not to fund a special election this year coupled with poll numbers that show mediocre public support for an MLS team.
Tuesday’s news out of Miami that David Beckham’s group had secured the final piece of the land puzzle to build an MLS stadium didn’t faze the Rowdies owner either.
City residents in a May special election overwhelmingly approved a plan for the Rowdies to negotiate with the city to expand Al Lang Stadium to 18,000 seats and secure a long-term lease for the club if selected by MLS for an expansion franchise.
The league is expected to announce four expansion cities in the next year or so with two slots picked by the end of the year.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.mor-tv.com/article/rowdies-to-host-july-6th-independence-day-celebration/9984045
Rowdies to Host July 6th Independence Day Celebration
St. Petersburg, Fla. (June 2, 2017) – Mark your calendars and get ready to enjoy the Rowdies’ largest event of the season – the Independence Day Celebration - Thursday, July 6, at Al Lang Stadium as the Tampa Bay Rowdies take on FC Cincinnati. Kickoff is at 8 p.m.
The night will kick-off with the U.S. Special Operations Command Parachute Demonstration Team, widely known as the Para-Commandos, delivering the American Flag to the field from an altitude of 12,500 feet. The Para-Commandos are comprised of U.S. Special Operations Command personnel headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. Most are combat veteran special operators from the US Army Special Forces or Rangers, the US Air Force’s Special Tactics Squadrons, US Navy SEALs, or US Marine Corps Special Operations Raiders.
After the match, fans will enjoy a FREE Kool & the Gang concert presented by Big Storm Brewing Co., the official craft beer partner of the Tampa Bay Rowdies and brewer of Kick in the Grass – a light, refreshing Pilsner style lager. The multiple-platinum selling Kool & the Gang will get fans moving with top hits including “Celebration,” “Fresh” and “Get Down On It”.
Kool & the Gang has sold more than 70 million albums worldwide and performed continuously for the past 35 years, longer than any R&B group in history. More of their smash hits include “Jungle Boogie”, “Too Hot” and “Fresh”.
The concert is included with the purchase of a match ticket. Tickets for the Independence Day celebration can be purchased by clicking here or by calling (727) 222-2000.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/soundcheck/i-love-the-90s-tlc-sugar-rays-mark-mcgrath-more-coming-to-al-lang-stadium/2326350
'I Love the '90s': TLC, Sugar Ray's Mark McGrath, more coming to Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg
Jay Cridlin, Pop Music/Culture Critic
Tuesday, June 6, 2017 2:46pm
If you're going to mount a throwback tour, you might as well stage it at St. Petersburg's ultimate throwback venue, 60-year-old Al Lang Stadium.
"I Love the '90s: The Party Continues," featuring TLC, Sugar Ray's Mark McGrath, Coolio and All-4-One is coming to Al Lang Stadium on Sept. 10. Tickets start at $44.50 and go on sale at 10 a.m. June 14. Click here for details.
Even without their late member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, TLC is definitely the star attraction here, with Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas forging an independent path back to the spotlight. On Tuesday, they premiered Way Back, the first video from their fifth and final studio album TLC, which is due June 30. This show will also give fans the chance to hear iconic singles like No Scrubs, Creep and Waterfalls for the first time in years.
Between McGrath (Fly), Coolio (Gangsta's Paradise) and All-4-One (I Swear), it'll a veritable nostalgia-palooza for fans of '90s pop. But just as interesting on a local level is the fact that a concert is taking place at Al Lang at all.
"I Love the '90s" is organized by Bill Edwards Presents, marking one of the first big plays by the St. Pete entertainment magnate to link his enterprise at the Mahaffey Theater to his work with the Tampa Bay Rowdies next door at 7,500-seat Al Lang.
Edwards' desire to lure a Major League Soccer team to St. Petersburg, increasing stadium capacity to 18,000 in the process, has raised the question of whether more outdoor concerts might be in the offing for Al Lang. The Rowdies have already hosted postgame concerts by artists like Flo Rida and Rachel Platten. This show suggests Al Lang might start hosting concerts more frequently, potentially even competing for shows with Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall-backed Coachman Park.
Click here for all the details on the show.
-- Jay Cridlin
[Last modified: Tuesday, June 6, 2017 3:03pm]
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.themahaffey.com/show/I-Love-the-90s-The-Party-Continues-at-Al-Lang-Stadium/810
I Love the 90's The Party Continues at Al Lang Stadium
Al Lang Stadium will come alive with music when “I Love the 90s- The Party Continues featuring TLC with Sugar Ray’s Mark McGrath, Coolio and All-4-One” heads to St. Pete. The superstar blast from the past show tour last year had rave reviews and now back by popular demand with an all new line-up of greatest hit-makers for 2017.
A stellar cast features the Grammy award-winning TLC, selling over 65 million records worldwide, including their classic sophomore album CrazySexyCool. Hear songs from their new album and favorite hits like “Creep,” “Unpretty,” “Waterfalls” and “No Scrubs.” Enjoy Sugar Ray's Mark McGrath performing Sugar Ray’s breakout number-one hit single “Fly,” in addition to their later hits like “Every Morning,” “Someday” and “When It's Over.” The too hot to handle group All-4-One is the American male R&B/pop group best known for their cover hit single "I Swear" from their self-titled 1994 debut album. Coolio, (Artis Leon Ivey Jr) is the American rapper, chef, actor, and record producer who achieved mainstream success in the mid to late 1990s with his albums: It Takes a Thief, Gangsta's Paradise, and My Soul.
VIP packages are available!
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/06/06/san-diego-mayor-pushes-public-vote-soccercity-project-november
San Diego mayor pushes for public vote on SoccerCity project in November
(Follow link for full article.)
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2017/06/06/miami-dade-commissioners-voting-purchase-land-beckham-soccer-stadium/
Miami-Dade Commissioners Approve Sale Of Land To Beckham Group For Soccer Stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.thenational.ae/sport/miami-dade-county-make-deal-with-david-beckham-on-mls-stadium-land
Miami-Dade County make deal with David Beckham on MLS stadium land
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2017/06/06/36160842/beckham-takes-major-step-toward-miami-mls-franchise-with
The former Manchester United and LA Galaxy star's ownership group has secured the land for its privately-funded 25,000-seat stadium in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
https://sports.yahoo.com/david-beckham-mls-ownership-group-201906337.html
David Beckham’s MLS ownership group has Miami land sale approved
(Follow link for full article.)
https://sports.yahoo.com/david-beckham-might-actually-getting-mls-team-miami-ownership-group-finally-secures-land-215005925.html
David Beckham might actually be getting his MLS team after ownership group finally secures stadium land in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/soccer---beckham-clears-another-hurdle-in-miami-mls-bid-8923444
Soccer - Beckham clears another hurdle in Miami MLS bid
A group headed by David Beckham cleared another hurdle in their bid to establish a Major League Soccer franchise in Miami on Tuesday when the sale of a three-acre parcel of land for a stadium was approved.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://sports.yahoo.com/county-approves-sales-land-beckhams-182657079.html
County approves sales of land for Beckham's Miami MLS expansion stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3139827/david-beckham-ownership-group-has-bought-land-but-miami-mls-saga-not-over
David Beckham's group has bought land, but Miami MLS saga not over
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.chathamdailynews.ca/2017/06/06/beckham-one-step-closer-to-bringing-miami-a-mls-soccer-stadium
Beckham one step closer to bringing Miami a MLS soccer stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2097233/david-beckhams-miami-based-mls-team-edges-closer-after-city-officials
David Beckham’s Miami-based MLS team edges closer after city officials approve land deal
Englishman’s hopes of launching a Major League Soccer franchise in Miami take a giant step towards becoming reality
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/3139655/david-beckham-finally-gets-land-deal-to-build-mls-stadium-in-miami
David Beckham finally gets land deal to build MLS stadium in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.malaysiandigest.com/frontpage/29-4-tile/679767-david-beckham-finally-gets-to-build-his-own-football-stadium-in-miami.html
David Beckham Finally Gets To Build His Own Football Stadium In Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.firstpost.com/sports/david-beckham-takes-major-step-towards-owning-miami-mls-franchise-after-securing-land-deal-for-stadium-3526153.html
David Beckham takes major step towards owning Miami MLS franchise after securing land deal for stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.hofmag.com/david-beckham-team-moves-to-miami/221277
David Beckham MLS Team Moves to Miami, Will He and Wife Victoria Move to Miami Too?
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.itv.com/news/2017-06-07/beckham-close-to-forming-mls-club-in-miami/
Beckham close to forming MLS club in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.eurosport.com/football/david-beckham-given-green-light-for-land-purchase-to-set-up-mls-club-in-miami_sto6204168/story.shtml
David Beckham given green light for land purchase to set up MLS club in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://thesource.com/2017/06/07/david-beckham-plans-build-major-league-soccer-stadium-miami/
David Beckham Plans To Build Major League Soccer Stadium In Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.thestatesman.com/sports/david-beckham-acquires-land-to-build-football-stadium-in-miami-1496836703.html
David Beckham acquires land to build football stadium in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.wdtimes.com/news/national/article_a13b0efd-1cbd-5488-a003-833b3f0e4aa3.html
Deal for Beckham's Miami soccer stadium land gets approval
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.newstalk.com/Beckham-moves-step-closer-to-forming-Miami-franchise
Beckham moves step closer to forming Miami franchise
A group led by the former England captain has secured the purchase of land to build a new stadium there
(Follow link for full article.)
http://wina.com/news/030030-beckham-clears-another-hurdle-in-miami-mls-bid/
Beckham clears another hurdle in Miami MLS bid
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article154621519.html
David Beckham wins $9 million land deal for Miami soccer stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.statesman.com/news/deal-for-beckham-miami-soccer-stadium-land-gets-approval/CP0rPxjdOq9iZLAkezVYqJ/
Deal for Beckham's Miami soccer stadium land gets approval
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jun/06/david-beckham-miami-soccer-stadium-approved-mls
David Beckham's Miami soccer stadium land sale gets approval
Commissioners vote nine to four in favor of sale to Beckham’s group
Beckham’s looks to bring MLS to Miami in city’s Overtown district
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.mybrctv.com/news/read/category/sports/article/the_miami_herald-the_highs_and_lows_of_david_beckhams_hunt_for_a_mi-tca
The highs and lows of David Beckham's hunt for a Miami soccer stadium. It's a long list.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/david-beckham-wins-miami-dade-county-approval-to-buy-9-million-land-for-new-stadium-9399711
Miami-Dade Approves $9 Million Land Sale to David Beckham for Stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/david-beckham-miami-stadium-mls-expansion-land-vote-overtown-060617
David Beckham finally secures land for Miami MLS stadium, boosting troubled expansion plans
(Follow link for full article.)
https://m.espn.com/soccer/story?storyId=3139655&wjb=
David Beckham finally gets land deal to build MLS stadium in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/soccer/fl-sp-david-beckham-stadium-land-20170605-story.html
Miami-Dade Commission approves sale of land to David Beckham's group, paving path to MLS stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/david-beckhams-miami-soccer-stadium-gets-first-public-approval
David Beckham's Miami Soccer Stadium Gets First Public Approval
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.nwcable.net/news/read/category/sports/article/the_associated_press-deal_for_beckhams_miami_soccer_stadium_land_gets_a-ap
Deal for Beckham's Miami soccer stadium land gets approval
(Follow link for full article.)
http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2017-06-06-SOC--MLS-Miami-Beckham/id-8665941eeb8e41c9ad5d64dec68c55ca
Deal for Beckham's Miami soccer stadium land gets approval
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.sportingnews.com/other-sports/news/david-beckham-mls-team-miami-stadium-land-deal/rz5sjecroi6d1srww1zblpvkd
David Beckham one step closer to MLS team in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.atlanticbb.net/news/read/category/sports/article/miami_herald-david_beckham_wins_9_million_land_deal_for_miami_s-tca
David Beckham wins $9 million land deal for Miami soccer stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.sportlobster.com/fanzone/1/football/news/474529/david-beckham-one-step-closer-to-mls-team-in-miami
David Beckham one step closer to MLS team in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://floridapolitics.com/archives/239552-deal-david-beckhams-miami-soccer-stadium-land-gets-approval
Deal for David Beckham’s Miami soccer stadium land gets approval
(Follow link for full article.)
https://patch.com/florida/miami/david-beckham-scores-big-win-miami-soccer
David Beckham Scores Big Win for Miami Soccer
After the political equivalent of a three-year soccer match, Miami-Dade County approved a land deal for the erection of a new stadium.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.dnaindia.com/sports/report-soccer-beckham-clears-another-hurdle-in-miami-mls-bid-2463931
Soccer-Beckham clears another hurdle in Miami MLS bid
(Follow link for full article.)
http://wiky.com/news/articles/2017/jun/07/soccer-beckham-clears-another-hurdle-in-miami-mls-bid/
Soccer: Beckham clears another hurdle in Miami MLS bid
(Follow link for full article.)
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/david-beckham-mls-miami-football/1/972555.html
David Beckham clears another hurdle in Miami MLS bid
The 9-4 vote by the the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners gives the consortium a total of nine acres on which to construct a soccer-specific 25,000 seat stadium in the Overtown neighbourhood of the south Florida city.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Miami-Dade-Commission-Approves-Land-Sale-for-David-Beckhams-Soccer-Stadium-426806891.html
Miami-Dade Commission Approves Land Sale for David Beckham's Soccer Stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.hindustantimes.com/football/david-beckham-s-proposed-mls-franchise-from-miami-moves-closer-to-reality/story-Q0bZ4KmjqrWCbVchzH1ilO.html
David Beckham’s proposed MLS franchise from Miami moves closer to reality
David Beckham has moved a step closer to launching his own Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise from Miami after authorities approved the sale of land for the proposed stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/david-beckhams-miami-team-edges-closer-after-land-deal-for-stadium-4692915/
David Beckham’s Miami team edges closer after land deal for stadium
David Beckham cleared another hurdle in their bid to establish a Major League Soccer franchise in Miami on Tuesday when the sale of a three-acre parcel of land for a stadium with 25,000 seater in the South Florida city was approved.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.oneindia.com/sports/football/david-beckham-acquires-land-build-football-stadium-miami-2457017.html
David Beckham acquires land to build football stadium in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.fourfourtwo.com.au/news/beckham-one-step-closer-to-mls-team-in-miami-464387
Beckham one step closer to MLS team in Miami
Miami-Dade County approved Beckham's request to have three acres of land for a soccer stadium.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.constructiondive.com/news/miami-dade-approves-9m-david-beckham-stadium-land-deal/444403/
Miami-Dade approves $9M David Beckham stadium land deal
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/miami-beckham-united-david-beckham-major-league-soccer-mls-team-a7777436.html
David Beckham overcomes significant hurdle as dream of MLS franchise edges closer
Beckham, who played Major League Soccer with the Los Angeles Galaxy towards the end of his career, revealed three years ago that he wanted to establish an MLS franchise in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.denverpost.com/2017/06/07/david-beckham-miami-soccer-stadium-deal/
David Beckham’s Miami soccer stadium land deal finally gets approval
The land is the final piece in a nine-acre plot on which a 25,000-seat soccer stadium is planned
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2017/06/07/in_miami_david_beckham_has_wrought_america_s_best_stadium_deal.html
In Miami, David Beckham Has Wrought America’s Best Stadium Deal
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/david-beckham-purchases-land-as-mls-franchise-bid-steps-up-a3559026.html
David Beckham purchases land as MLS franchise bid steps up
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2017/06/07/Facilities/Beckham.aspx
Beckham Secures Land To Build MLS Stadium Following Miami-Dade County Approval
Published June 7, 2017
David Beckham yesterday "secured land to build a soccer stadium in Miami, after county commissioners approved selling him three acres" for $9M, according to a front-page piece by Douglas Hanks of the MIAMI HERALD. The 9-4 vote by Miami-Dade commissioners gives Beckham the "right to bu...
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article154960954.html
Miami slams county’s last-minute police deal for David Beckham soccer stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/other/digest-beckham-group-gets-final-piece-of-land-for-stadium/article_11e99cb5-4602-5f65-8ff5-912405a7f451.html
Digest: Beckham group gets final piece of land for stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.wjbdradio.com/national-sports/2017/06/07/deal-for-beckhams-miami-soccer-stadium-land-gets-approval
Deal for Beckham's Miami soccer stadium land gets approval
(Follow link for full article.)
http://remezcla.com/sports/david-beckham-miami-stadium/
Miami Residents Are Already Opposing David Beckham’s MLS Stadium
However, the project is not universally supported, especially by residents of both Overtown and the neighboring Spring Garden neighborhood. In an impassioned plea to commissioners before the vote approving the land purchase, Spring Garden resident Meredith Vey said that she wants them to “consider me and think of me when I’m not able to sleep at night because of the lights and the sounds from the crowd.”
Additionally, the stadium will not include any on-site parking, which will lead to more traffic via shuttles and pedestrian congestion; Miami’s public transportation is also not up to the quality of other metropolitan areas, which will further complicate the arrival of fans to the new stadium.
Aside from the inconvenience of the construction and operation of the stadium, Miami also has a history of being burned by professional stadiums. The Marlins committed highway robbery on the city for the state-of-the-art mausoleum known as Marlins Park, leaving the city with a name-changed team–from Florida to Miami–and a huge tax bill, to the tune of over $350 million. In fact, the deal was so bad that it led to the recall of the Mayor of Miami at the time, Carlos Alvarez.
Although the MBU group is looking to privately finance the estimated $220 million cost of the soccer stadium, the cost of infrastructure to the surrounding area would surely fall on the city and its less-than-welcoming taxpayers. Beckham and co. also have to get zoning approval to actually start building the stadium, so there are even more opportunities for community opposition. So, stay tuned; the much-discussed Miami FC may be well on its way, but the residents of its future home don’t look to back down without a fight.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2017/06/06/goal-beckham-united-scores-deal-for-stadium-with.html
Goal! Beckham United scores deal for stadium with Miami-Dade commission
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.dailycommercial.com/sports/20170606/deal-for-beckhams-miami-soccer-stadium-land-gets-approval
Deal for Beckham’s Miami soccer stadium land gets approval
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2017/06/06/david-beckham-miami-mls-stadium-land-approval-expansion
County approves sales of land for Beckham's Miami MLS expansion stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170608/football/Football-news.650196
Beckham clears another hurdle
A group headed by David Beckham cleared another hurdle in their bid to establish a Major League Soccer franchise in Miami yesterday when the sale of a three-acre parcel of land for a stadium was approved.
The 9-4 vote by the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners gives the consortium a total of nine acres on which to construct a soccer-specific 25,000 seat stadium in the Overtown neighbourhood of the south Florida city.
More than three years have passed since Beckham unveiled his plan to bring an MLS team to Miami.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/97533/beckham-inches-closer-getting-mls-franchise-miami
Beckham inches closer to getting MLS franchise in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/beckham-lands-boost-in-miami-mls-franchise-bid
Beckham lands boost in Miami MLS franchise bid
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.bta.bg/en/gallery/image/4179157
David Beckham, Don Garber, Carlos Gimenez
FILE - In this Feb. 5, 2014, file photo, former English soccer star David Beckham, third from left, poses with MLS Commissioner Don Garber, left, Miami-Dade County mayor Carlos Gimenez, right, and soccer fans with the Southern Legion at a news conference where he announced he will exercise his option to purchase a Major League Soccer expansion team, in Miami. David Beckham may finally be moving closer to bringing an MLS team to Miami. County commissioners are planning to vote Tuesday, June 6, 2017, on a deal that would give Beckham the last piece of land he needs for a stadium site. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
Source: AP
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/biancasalonga/2017/06/06/david-beckham-headlines-tudors-born-to-dare-campaign/#79c8ba0320ce
David Beckham Headlines Tudor's "Born To Dare" Campaign
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/article154713029.html
Orlando City condemns supporter's post about referee
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mls/2017/06/06/orlando-city-condemns-supporters-post-about-referee/102566072/
Orlando City condemns supporter's post about referee
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2017/6/7/15758452/division-iii-soccer-nisa-plans-for-2018-launch
Division III Soccer? NISA Plans for 2018 Launch
Promotion and Relegation could be coming to US soccer in the near future
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/edwards-surprise-heart-surgery-hasnt-dimmed-rowdies-owners-hopes-for-mls/2326405
Edwards surprise heart surgery hasn't dimmed Rowdies owner's hopes for MLS franchise
Charlie Frago, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 6, 2017 6:10pm
Bill Edwards is on the mend.
The 72-year-old owner of the Tampa Bay Rowdies had a health scare last month when he traveled to Ohio to have a pacemaker installed. Doctors ended up performing a double bypass surgery.
Edwards is recovering at home in St. Petersburg, keeping track of his business affairs.
“It’ll take two or three months to get back to 100 percent,” Edwards said. “But I’m trying to get better as quickly as possible.
The May 5 surgery at the Cleveland Clinic went well and Edwards hasn’t lost his zest to bring a Major League Soccer expansion franchise to St. Petersburg.
San Diego’s recent apparent implosion is the latest good news for the Rowdies’ chances, he said.
“It certainly helps us move up the ladder. We don’t have those problems,” Edwards said of the recent decision by the San Diego City Council not to fund a special election this year coupled with poll numbers that show mediocre public support for an MLS team.
Tuesday’s news out of Miami that David Beckham’s group had secured the final piece of the land puzzle to build an MLS stadium didn’t faze the Rowdies owner either.
City residents in a May special election overwhelmingly approved a plan for the Rowdies to negotiate with the city to expand Al Lang Stadium to 18,000 seats and secure a long-term lease for the club if selected by MLS for an expansion franchise.
The league is expected to announce four expansion cities in the next year or so with two slots picked by the end of the year.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.mor-tv.com/article/rowdies-to-host-july-6th-independence-day-celebration/9984045
Rowdies to Host July 6th Independence Day Celebration
St. Petersburg, Fla. (June 2, 2017) – Mark your calendars and get ready to enjoy the Rowdies’ largest event of the season – the Independence Day Celebration - Thursday, July 6, at Al Lang Stadium as the Tampa Bay Rowdies take on FC Cincinnati. Kickoff is at 8 p.m.
The night will kick-off with the U.S. Special Operations Command Parachute Demonstration Team, widely known as the Para-Commandos, delivering the American Flag to the field from an altitude of 12,500 feet. The Para-Commandos are comprised of U.S. Special Operations Command personnel headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. Most are combat veteran special operators from the US Army Special Forces or Rangers, the US Air Force’s Special Tactics Squadrons, US Navy SEALs, or US Marine Corps Special Operations Raiders.
After the match, fans will enjoy a FREE Kool & the Gang concert presented by Big Storm Brewing Co., the official craft beer partner of the Tampa Bay Rowdies and brewer of Kick in the Grass – a light, refreshing Pilsner style lager. The multiple-platinum selling Kool & the Gang will get fans moving with top hits including “Celebration,” “Fresh” and “Get Down On It”.
Kool & the Gang has sold more than 70 million albums worldwide and performed continuously for the past 35 years, longer than any R&B group in history. More of their smash hits include “Jungle Boogie”, “Too Hot” and “Fresh”.
The concert is included with the purchase of a match ticket. Tickets for the Independence Day celebration can be purchased by clicking here or by calling (727) 222-2000.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/soundcheck/i-love-the-90s-tlc-sugar-rays-mark-mcgrath-more-coming-to-al-lang-stadium/2326350
'I Love the '90s': TLC, Sugar Ray's Mark McGrath, more coming to Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg
Jay Cridlin, Pop Music/Culture Critic
Tuesday, June 6, 2017 2:46pm
If you're going to mount a throwback tour, you might as well stage it at St. Petersburg's ultimate throwback venue, 60-year-old Al Lang Stadium.
"I Love the '90s: The Party Continues," featuring TLC, Sugar Ray's Mark McGrath, Coolio and All-4-One is coming to Al Lang Stadium on Sept. 10. Tickets start at $44.50 and go on sale at 10 a.m. June 14. Click here for details.
Even without their late member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, TLC is definitely the star attraction here, with Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas forging an independent path back to the spotlight. On Tuesday, they premiered Way Back, the first video from their fifth and final studio album TLC, which is due June 30. This show will also give fans the chance to hear iconic singles like No Scrubs, Creep and Waterfalls for the first time in years.
Between McGrath (Fly), Coolio (Gangsta's Paradise) and All-4-One (I Swear), it'll a veritable nostalgia-palooza for fans of '90s pop. But just as interesting on a local level is the fact that a concert is taking place at Al Lang at all.
"I Love the '90s" is organized by Bill Edwards Presents, marking one of the first big plays by the St. Pete entertainment magnate to link his enterprise at the Mahaffey Theater to his work with the Tampa Bay Rowdies next door at 7,500-seat Al Lang.
Edwards' desire to lure a Major League Soccer team to St. Petersburg, increasing stadium capacity to 18,000 in the process, has raised the question of whether more outdoor concerts might be in the offing for Al Lang. The Rowdies have already hosted postgame concerts by artists like Flo Rida and Rachel Platten. This show suggests Al Lang might start hosting concerts more frequently, potentially even competing for shows with Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall-backed Coachman Park.
Click here for all the details on the show.
-- Jay Cridlin
[Last modified: Tuesday, June 6, 2017 3:03pm]
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.themahaffey.com/show/I-Love-the-90s-The-Party-Continues-at-Al-Lang-Stadium/810
I Love the 90's The Party Continues at Al Lang Stadium
Al Lang Stadium will come alive with music when “I Love the 90s- The Party Continues featuring TLC with Sugar Ray’s Mark McGrath, Coolio and All-4-One” heads to St. Pete. The superstar blast from the past show tour last year had rave reviews and now back by popular demand with an all new line-up of greatest hit-makers for 2017.
A stellar cast features the Grammy award-winning TLC, selling over 65 million records worldwide, including their classic sophomore album CrazySexyCool. Hear songs from their new album and favorite hits like “Creep,” “Unpretty,” “Waterfalls” and “No Scrubs.” Enjoy Sugar Ray's Mark McGrath performing Sugar Ray’s breakout number-one hit single “Fly,” in addition to their later hits like “Every Morning,” “Someday” and “When It's Over.” The too hot to handle group All-4-One is the American male R&B/pop group best known for their cover hit single "I Swear" from their self-titled 1994 debut album. Coolio, (Artis Leon Ivey Jr) is the American rapper, chef, actor, and record producer who achieved mainstream success in the mid to late 1990s with his albums: It Takes a Thief, Gangsta's Paradise, and My Soul.
VIP packages are available!
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/06/06/san-diego-mayor-pushes-public-vote-soccercity-project-november
San Diego mayor pushes for public vote on SoccerCity project in November
(Follow link for full article.)
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2017/06/06/miami-dade-commissioners-voting-purchase-land-beckham-soccer-stadium/
Miami-Dade Commissioners Approve Sale Of Land To Beckham Group For Soccer Stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.thenational.ae/sport/miami-dade-county-make-deal-with-david-beckham-on-mls-stadium-land
Miami-Dade County make deal with David Beckham on MLS stadium land
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2017/06/06/36160842/beckham-takes-major-step-toward-miami-mls-franchise-with
The former Manchester United and LA Galaxy star's ownership group has secured the land for its privately-funded 25,000-seat stadium in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
https://sports.yahoo.com/david-beckham-mls-ownership-group-201906337.html
David Beckham’s MLS ownership group has Miami land sale approved
(Follow link for full article.)
https://sports.yahoo.com/david-beckham-might-actually-getting-mls-team-miami-ownership-group-finally-secures-land-215005925.html
David Beckham might actually be getting his MLS team after ownership group finally secures stadium land in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/soccer---beckham-clears-another-hurdle-in-miami-mls-bid-8923444
Soccer - Beckham clears another hurdle in Miami MLS bid
A group headed by David Beckham cleared another hurdle in their bid to establish a Major League Soccer franchise in Miami on Tuesday when the sale of a three-acre parcel of land for a stadium was approved.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://sports.yahoo.com/county-approves-sales-land-beckhams-182657079.html
County approves sales of land for Beckham's Miami MLS expansion stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3139827/david-beckham-ownership-group-has-bought-land-but-miami-mls-saga-not-over
David Beckham's group has bought land, but Miami MLS saga not over
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.chathamdailynews.ca/2017/06/06/beckham-one-step-closer-to-bringing-miami-a-mls-soccer-stadium
Beckham one step closer to bringing Miami a MLS soccer stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2097233/david-beckhams-miami-based-mls-team-edges-closer-after-city-officials
David Beckham’s Miami-based MLS team edges closer after city officials approve land deal
Englishman’s hopes of launching a Major League Soccer franchise in Miami take a giant step towards becoming reality
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/3139655/david-beckham-finally-gets-land-deal-to-build-mls-stadium-in-miami
David Beckham finally gets land deal to build MLS stadium in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.malaysiandigest.com/frontpage/29-4-tile/679767-david-beckham-finally-gets-to-build-his-own-football-stadium-in-miami.html
David Beckham Finally Gets To Build His Own Football Stadium In Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.firstpost.com/sports/david-beckham-takes-major-step-towards-owning-miami-mls-franchise-after-securing-land-deal-for-stadium-3526153.html
David Beckham takes major step towards owning Miami MLS franchise after securing land deal for stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.hofmag.com/david-beckham-team-moves-to-miami/221277
David Beckham MLS Team Moves to Miami, Will He and Wife Victoria Move to Miami Too?
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.itv.com/news/2017-06-07/beckham-close-to-forming-mls-club-in-miami/
Beckham close to forming MLS club in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.eurosport.com/football/david-beckham-given-green-light-for-land-purchase-to-set-up-mls-club-in-miami_sto6204168/story.shtml
David Beckham given green light for land purchase to set up MLS club in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://thesource.com/2017/06/07/david-beckham-plans-build-major-league-soccer-stadium-miami/
David Beckham Plans To Build Major League Soccer Stadium In Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.thestatesman.com/sports/david-beckham-acquires-land-to-build-football-stadium-in-miami-1496836703.html
David Beckham acquires land to build football stadium in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.wdtimes.com/news/national/article_a13b0efd-1cbd-5488-a003-833b3f0e4aa3.html
Deal for Beckham's Miami soccer stadium land gets approval
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.newstalk.com/Beckham-moves-step-closer-to-forming-Miami-franchise
Beckham moves step closer to forming Miami franchise
A group led by the former England captain has secured the purchase of land to build a new stadium there
(Follow link for full article.)
http://wina.com/news/030030-beckham-clears-another-hurdle-in-miami-mls-bid/
Beckham clears another hurdle in Miami MLS bid
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article154621519.html
David Beckham wins $9 million land deal for Miami soccer stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.statesman.com/news/deal-for-beckham-miami-soccer-stadium-land-gets-approval/CP0rPxjdOq9iZLAkezVYqJ/
Deal for Beckham's Miami soccer stadium land gets approval
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jun/06/david-beckham-miami-soccer-stadium-approved-mls
David Beckham's Miami soccer stadium land sale gets approval
Commissioners vote nine to four in favor of sale to Beckham’s group
Beckham’s looks to bring MLS to Miami in city’s Overtown district
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.mybrctv.com/news/read/category/sports/article/the_miami_herald-the_highs_and_lows_of_david_beckhams_hunt_for_a_mi-tca
The highs and lows of David Beckham's hunt for a Miami soccer stadium. It's a long list.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/david-beckham-wins-miami-dade-county-approval-to-buy-9-million-land-for-new-stadium-9399711
Miami-Dade Approves $9 Million Land Sale to David Beckham for Stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/david-beckham-miami-stadium-mls-expansion-land-vote-overtown-060617
David Beckham finally secures land for Miami MLS stadium, boosting troubled expansion plans
(Follow link for full article.)
https://m.espn.com/soccer/story?storyId=3139655&wjb=
David Beckham finally gets land deal to build MLS stadium in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/soccer/fl-sp-david-beckham-stadium-land-20170605-story.html
Miami-Dade Commission approves sale of land to David Beckham's group, paving path to MLS stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/david-beckhams-miami-soccer-stadium-gets-first-public-approval
David Beckham's Miami Soccer Stadium Gets First Public Approval
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.nwcable.net/news/read/category/sports/article/the_associated_press-deal_for_beckhams_miami_soccer_stadium_land_gets_a-ap
Deal for Beckham's Miami soccer stadium land gets approval
(Follow link for full article.)
http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2017-06-06-SOC--MLS-Miami-Beckham/id-8665941eeb8e41c9ad5d64dec68c55ca
Deal for Beckham's Miami soccer stadium land gets approval
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.sportingnews.com/other-sports/news/david-beckham-mls-team-miami-stadium-land-deal/rz5sjecroi6d1srww1zblpvkd
David Beckham one step closer to MLS team in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.atlanticbb.net/news/read/category/sports/article/miami_herald-david_beckham_wins_9_million_land_deal_for_miami_s-tca
David Beckham wins $9 million land deal for Miami soccer stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.sportlobster.com/fanzone/1/football/news/474529/david-beckham-one-step-closer-to-mls-team-in-miami
David Beckham one step closer to MLS team in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://floridapolitics.com/archives/239552-deal-david-beckhams-miami-soccer-stadium-land-gets-approval
Deal for David Beckham’s Miami soccer stadium land gets approval
(Follow link for full article.)
https://patch.com/florida/miami/david-beckham-scores-big-win-miami-soccer
David Beckham Scores Big Win for Miami Soccer
After the political equivalent of a three-year soccer match, Miami-Dade County approved a land deal for the erection of a new stadium.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.dnaindia.com/sports/report-soccer-beckham-clears-another-hurdle-in-miami-mls-bid-2463931
Soccer-Beckham clears another hurdle in Miami MLS bid
(Follow link for full article.)
http://wiky.com/news/articles/2017/jun/07/soccer-beckham-clears-another-hurdle-in-miami-mls-bid/
Soccer: Beckham clears another hurdle in Miami MLS bid
(Follow link for full article.)
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/david-beckham-mls-miami-football/1/972555.html
David Beckham clears another hurdle in Miami MLS bid
The 9-4 vote by the the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners gives the consortium a total of nine acres on which to construct a soccer-specific 25,000 seat stadium in the Overtown neighbourhood of the south Florida city.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Miami-Dade-Commission-Approves-Land-Sale-for-David-Beckhams-Soccer-Stadium-426806891.html
Miami-Dade Commission Approves Land Sale for David Beckham's Soccer Stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.hindustantimes.com/football/david-beckham-s-proposed-mls-franchise-from-miami-moves-closer-to-reality/story-Q0bZ4KmjqrWCbVchzH1ilO.html
David Beckham’s proposed MLS franchise from Miami moves closer to reality
David Beckham has moved a step closer to launching his own Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise from Miami after authorities approved the sale of land for the proposed stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/david-beckhams-miami-team-edges-closer-after-land-deal-for-stadium-4692915/
David Beckham’s Miami team edges closer after land deal for stadium
David Beckham cleared another hurdle in their bid to establish a Major League Soccer franchise in Miami on Tuesday when the sale of a three-acre parcel of land for a stadium with 25,000 seater in the South Florida city was approved.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.oneindia.com/sports/football/david-beckham-acquires-land-build-football-stadium-miami-2457017.html
David Beckham acquires land to build football stadium in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.fourfourtwo.com.au/news/beckham-one-step-closer-to-mls-team-in-miami-464387
Beckham one step closer to MLS team in Miami
Miami-Dade County approved Beckham's request to have three acres of land for a soccer stadium.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.constructiondive.com/news/miami-dade-approves-9m-david-beckham-stadium-land-deal/444403/
Miami-Dade approves $9M David Beckham stadium land deal
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/miami-beckham-united-david-beckham-major-league-soccer-mls-team-a7777436.html
David Beckham overcomes significant hurdle as dream of MLS franchise edges closer
Beckham, who played Major League Soccer with the Los Angeles Galaxy towards the end of his career, revealed three years ago that he wanted to establish an MLS franchise in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.denverpost.com/2017/06/07/david-beckham-miami-soccer-stadium-deal/
David Beckham’s Miami soccer stadium land deal finally gets approval
The land is the final piece in a nine-acre plot on which a 25,000-seat soccer stadium is planned
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2017/06/07/in_miami_david_beckham_has_wrought_america_s_best_stadium_deal.html
In Miami, David Beckham Has Wrought America’s Best Stadium Deal
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/david-beckham-purchases-land-as-mls-franchise-bid-steps-up-a3559026.html
David Beckham purchases land as MLS franchise bid steps up
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2017/06/07/Facilities/Beckham.aspx
Beckham Secures Land To Build MLS Stadium Following Miami-Dade County Approval
Published June 7, 2017
David Beckham yesterday "secured land to build a soccer stadium in Miami, after county commissioners approved selling him three acres" for $9M, according to a front-page piece by Douglas Hanks of the MIAMI HERALD. The 9-4 vote by Miami-Dade commissioners gives Beckham the "right to bu...
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article154960954.html
Miami slams county’s last-minute police deal for David Beckham soccer stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/other/digest-beckham-group-gets-final-piece-of-land-for-stadium/article_11e99cb5-4602-5f65-8ff5-912405a7f451.html
Digest: Beckham group gets final piece of land for stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.wjbdradio.com/national-sports/2017/06/07/deal-for-beckhams-miami-soccer-stadium-land-gets-approval
Deal for Beckham's Miami soccer stadium land gets approval
(Follow link for full article.)
http://remezcla.com/sports/david-beckham-miami-stadium/
Miami Residents Are Already Opposing David Beckham’s MLS Stadium
However, the project is not universally supported, especially by residents of both Overtown and the neighboring Spring Garden neighborhood. In an impassioned plea to commissioners before the vote approving the land purchase, Spring Garden resident Meredith Vey said that she wants them to “consider me and think of me when I’m not able to sleep at night because of the lights and the sounds from the crowd.”
Additionally, the stadium will not include any on-site parking, which will lead to more traffic via shuttles and pedestrian congestion; Miami’s public transportation is also not up to the quality of other metropolitan areas, which will further complicate the arrival of fans to the new stadium.
Aside from the inconvenience of the construction and operation of the stadium, Miami also has a history of being burned by professional stadiums. The Marlins committed highway robbery on the city for the state-of-the-art mausoleum known as Marlins Park, leaving the city with a name-changed team–from Florida to Miami–and a huge tax bill, to the tune of over $350 million. In fact, the deal was so bad that it led to the recall of the Mayor of Miami at the time, Carlos Alvarez.
Although the MBU group is looking to privately finance the estimated $220 million cost of the soccer stadium, the cost of infrastructure to the surrounding area would surely fall on the city and its less-than-welcoming taxpayers. Beckham and co. also have to get zoning approval to actually start building the stadium, so there are even more opportunities for community opposition. So, stay tuned; the much-discussed Miami FC may be well on its way, but the residents of its future home don’t look to back down without a fight.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2017/06/06/goal-beckham-united-scores-deal-for-stadium-with.html
Goal! Beckham United scores deal for stadium with Miami-Dade commission
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.dailycommercial.com/sports/20170606/deal-for-beckhams-miami-soccer-stadium-land-gets-approval
Deal for Beckham’s Miami soccer stadium land gets approval
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2017/06/06/david-beckham-miami-mls-stadium-land-approval-expansion
County approves sales of land for Beckham's Miami MLS expansion stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170608/football/Football-news.650196
Beckham clears another hurdle
A group headed by David Beckham cleared another hurdle in their bid to establish a Major League Soccer franchise in Miami yesterday when the sale of a three-acre parcel of land for a stadium was approved.
The 9-4 vote by the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners gives the consortium a total of nine acres on which to construct a soccer-specific 25,000 seat stadium in the Overtown neighbourhood of the south Florida city.
More than three years have passed since Beckham unveiled his plan to bring an MLS team to Miami.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/97533/beckham-inches-closer-getting-mls-franchise-miami
Beckham inches closer to getting MLS franchise in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/beckham-lands-boost-in-miami-mls-franchise-bid
Beckham lands boost in Miami MLS franchise bid
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.bta.bg/en/gallery/image/4179157
David Beckham, Don Garber, Carlos Gimenez
FILE - In this Feb. 5, 2014, file photo, former English soccer star David Beckham, third from left, poses with MLS Commissioner Don Garber, left, Miami-Dade County mayor Carlos Gimenez, right, and soccer fans with the Southern Legion at a news conference where he announced he will exercise his option to purchase a Major League Soccer expansion team, in Miami. David Beckham may finally be moving closer to bringing an MLS team to Miami. County commissioners are planning to vote Tuesday, June 6, 2017, on a deal that would give Beckham the last piece of land he needs for a stadium site. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
Source: AP
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/biancasalonga/2017/06/06/david-beckham-headlines-tudors-born-to-dare-campaign/#79c8ba0320ce
David Beckham Headlines Tudor's "Born To Dare" Campaign
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/article154713029.html
Orlando City condemns supporter's post about referee
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mls/2017/06/06/orlando-city-condemns-supporters-post-about-referee/102566072/
Orlando City condemns supporter's post about referee
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2017/6/7/15758452/division-iii-soccer-nisa-plans-for-2018-launch
Division III Soccer? NISA Plans for 2018 Launch
Promotion and Relegation could be coming to US soccer in the near future
Monday, June 5, 2017
Eastern Conference Power Rankings - Week 11
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.indomitablecitysoccer.com/2017/6/5/15738610/eastern-conference-power-rankings-week-11
Eastern Conference Power Rankings - Week 11
Offensive skills were put on display, as 21 goals were scored in total in the Eastern Conference this week!
2 (2). Tampa Bay Rowdies (1123)
Despite striking first, the Rowdies needed an 83rd minute goal from Keith Savage to take a point from their bout with Charlotte on Sunday night. After starting the season winning their first three matches, Tampa Bay have now seen their winless streak reach a third match, their longest streak since April.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://saintpetersblog.com/tampa-bay-rowdies-score-late-equalizer-charlotte-independence-secure-2-2-draw%E2%80%8B/
Tampa Bay Rowdies score late equalizer against Charlotte Independence to secure 2-2 draw
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article154485779.html
The highs and lows of David Beckham’s hunt for a Miami soccer stadium. It’s a long list.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2713201-wright-phillips-rising-again-in-phoenix-and-he-sees-a-bright-and-bold-future
Wright-Phillips Rising Again in Phoenix, and He Sees a Bright and Bold Future
(Follow link for full article.)
http://thesoccertour.com/2017/06/fc-cincinnati-wait-this-is-lower-division-soccer/
The Soccer Tour
FC Cincinnati: Wait… This is Lower-division Soccer?
(Follow link for full article.)
https://thelinknewspaper.ca/article/the-zambrano-era-begins-against-curacao1
Zambrano Era Begins Against Curaçao
Canada Soccer Head Coach Hints Bernier to Wear the Armband
Octavio Zambrano’s and team Canada’s Gold Cup quest has begun.
Canada’s Soccer Golden Age?
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/allstate-becomes-official-insurance-sponsor-of-concacaf-renews-sponsorship-with-major-league-soccer-and-the-mexican-national-team-300468611.html
Allstate Becomes Official Insurance Sponsor of CONCACAF, Renews Sponsorship with Major League Soccer and the Mexican National Team
(Follow link for full article.)
http://theprovince.com/sports/soccer/mls/vancouver-whitecaps/didier-drogba-to-make-phoenix-soccer-debut-against-whitecaps-fc-2
Didier Drogba to make Phoenix soccer debut against Whitecaps FC 2
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/allstate-adds-concacaf-to-soccer-sponsorship-portfolio
Allstate adds Concacaf to soccer sponsorship portfolio
Insurer also renews with MLS and the Mexican national team.
http://www.indomitablecitysoccer.com/2017/6/5/15738610/eastern-conference-power-rankings-week-11
Eastern Conference Power Rankings - Week 11
Offensive skills were put on display, as 21 goals were scored in total in the Eastern Conference this week!
2 (2). Tampa Bay Rowdies (1123)
Despite striking first, the Rowdies needed an 83rd minute goal from Keith Savage to take a point from their bout with Charlotte on Sunday night. After starting the season winning their first three matches, Tampa Bay have now seen their winless streak reach a third match, their longest streak since April.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://saintpetersblog.com/tampa-bay-rowdies-score-late-equalizer-charlotte-independence-secure-2-2-draw%E2%80%8B/
Tampa Bay Rowdies score late equalizer against Charlotte Independence to secure 2-2 draw
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article154485779.html
The highs and lows of David Beckham’s hunt for a Miami soccer stadium. It’s a long list.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2713201-wright-phillips-rising-again-in-phoenix-and-he-sees-a-bright-and-bold-future
Wright-Phillips Rising Again in Phoenix, and He Sees a Bright and Bold Future
(Follow link for full article.)
http://thesoccertour.com/2017/06/fc-cincinnati-wait-this-is-lower-division-soccer/
The Soccer Tour
FC Cincinnati: Wait… This is Lower-division Soccer?
(Follow link for full article.)
https://thelinknewspaper.ca/article/the-zambrano-era-begins-against-curacao1
Zambrano Era Begins Against Curaçao
Canada Soccer Head Coach Hints Bernier to Wear the Armband
Octavio Zambrano’s and team Canada’s Gold Cup quest has begun.
Canada’s Soccer Golden Age?
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/allstate-becomes-official-insurance-sponsor-of-concacaf-renews-sponsorship-with-major-league-soccer-and-the-mexican-national-team-300468611.html
Allstate Becomes Official Insurance Sponsor of CONCACAF, Renews Sponsorship with Major League Soccer and the Mexican National Team
(Follow link for full article.)
http://theprovince.com/sports/soccer/mls/vancouver-whitecaps/didier-drogba-to-make-phoenix-soccer-debut-against-whitecaps-fc-2
Didier Drogba to make Phoenix soccer debut against Whitecaps FC 2
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/allstate-adds-concacaf-to-soccer-sponsorship-portfolio
Allstate adds Concacaf to soccer sponsorship portfolio
Insurer also renews with MLS and the Mexican national team.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)