Don't have time to devote an hour to MLS commish Don Garber giving his state of the union address? Let me give you the highlights, and there's a lot of good stuff pertaining to expansion.
Expansion Updates
Garber said a decision on team No. 16 would be made by Jan. 31, 2008 or would play with 15 in 2009. The issue of a cap of 18 teams was also floated, but Garber was non-committal.
* Atlanta -- Working with Falcons owner Arthur Blank. Not a ton of details. Seems unlikely considering the lack of success for the Hawks, Flames, etc.
* Las Vegas -- Two different groups interested. Would be an indoor stadium.
* Miami -- Need a stadium plan, likely in the old Orange Bowl site. Appealing due the international flavor, but again, trepidations since Miami hasn't been able to support teams...including the defunct Fusion.
* Philadelphia -- Working with Gov. Rendell. Already have $30 million committed to a site in Chester, Pa. Need about $40 million from the public. Potential owner is New York CEO Jay Silverman. "We need a team in the fourth largest market."
* Montreal -- League has kept eye on Montreal since inception. Would like to create a Toronto/Montreal rivalry. Potential team would be owned by Montreal Impact owner Joey Saputo. Biggest hurdle is small current stadium, which has been drawing sell outs.
* New New York -- Said an idea of second NYC team has been a goal since beginning. Meeting with Mets owners Fred Wilpon. Idea is to build a multi-use stadium for year round events in the Shea Stadium parking lot. Garber used term, "perfect storm." Garber would like the city to be like London, Milan, Mexico City, etc.
* Portland -- A strong candidate if PEG Park could be upgraded.
* St. Louis -- Said to be talking about city on daily basis. "Big believers in St. Louis."
* Vancouver -- Interested in building on the waterfront. No dice without public money.
Quick thoughts -- Philadelphia and St. Louis are obviously the frontrunners (cough, cough move the Wizards, cough cough). Philly, especially, deserves a team.
Montreal seems like a steady darkhorse.
The second New York team is very intriguing if the Wilbons are involved. It would be wise to avoid Atlanta and Miami simply since they can't seem to support more traditional sports teams, so why will MLS be different?
The question was asked about possible movement and Garber nixed it. "No thoughts whatsoever of our local markets." (Love those orange seats and yellow bleachers, baby.)
The fear, is obviously the specter of the NASL. To offset this, it seems MLS is doing its due diligence to ensure the owners are stable, secure and have stadium plans in place. He said the league and the sport of soccer have never been in as good shape. For once, I won't argue.
At least there are multiple owners now, a topic stressed numerous times during the hour-long chat.
Buildings
Garber updated ongoing stadium projects:
* Real Salt Lake -- Will be ready fall 2008.
* RBNY -- Groundbreaking...again. On track for 2009 and should "set the bar."
* DC -- Frustration.
Miscellany
Drew Carey is part of the Seattle ownership group. Nice. ... Ratings were up 25 percent on ESPN2. ... The San Jose expansion draft is Nov. 21. ... Jose Mourinho and David Dein are both around for the weekend. (Mourinho/Gilbert Arenas, bigger ego?) ... Called interest in MLS in London, "Off the charts." Noting the Fire/Galaxy game was covered on the BBC. ... Side-stepped issue of field turf. ... Seattle has sold 5,000 season tickets. ... Praised MLS originals Eddie Pope, Cobi Jones, Chris Armas and Jason Kries for setting a classy tone for the league. ... League would never sign a lease to pay to play at an NFL stadium. ... Competition format, ie divisions, etc. will remain as they were this season. ... Finally, side-stepped the question of "FIFA Dates."
Oi!
Garber hinted at a 'Pan-Pacific' challenge between MLS teams and Asian/Australian clubs. Great idea. The more internationals, the better.
This idea have tons of potential, even if the Uwara Reds and Adelaide United don't fully roll off the tongue.
Expansion Updates
Garber said a decision on team No. 16 would be made by Jan. 31, 2008 or would play with 15 in 2009. The issue of a cap of 18 teams was also floated, but Garber was non-committal.
* Atlanta -- Working with Falcons owner Arthur Blank. Not a ton of details. Seems unlikely considering the lack of success for the Hawks, Flames, etc.
* Las Vegas -- Two different groups interested. Would be an indoor stadium.
* Miami -- Need a stadium plan, likely in the old Orange Bowl site. Appealing due the international flavor, but again, trepidations since Miami hasn't been able to support teams...including the defunct Fusion.
* Philadelphia -- Working with Gov. Rendell. Already have $30 million committed to a site in Chester, Pa. Need about $40 million from the public. Potential owner is New York CEO Jay Silverman. "We need a team in the fourth largest market."
* Montreal -- League has kept eye on Montreal since inception. Would like to create a Toronto/Montreal rivalry. Potential team would be owned by Montreal Impact owner Joey Saputo. Biggest hurdle is small current stadium, which has been drawing sell outs.
* New New York -- Said an idea of second NYC team has been a goal since beginning. Meeting with Mets owners Fred Wilpon. Idea is to build a multi-use stadium for year round events in the Shea Stadium parking lot. Garber used term, "perfect storm." Garber would like the city to be like London, Milan, Mexico City, etc.
* Portland -- A strong candidate if PEG Park could be upgraded.
* St. Louis -- Said to be talking about city on daily basis. "Big believers in St. Louis."
* Vancouver -- Interested in building on the waterfront. No dice without public money.
Quick thoughts -- Philadelphia and St. Louis are obviously the frontrunners (cough, cough move the Wizards, cough cough). Philly, especially, deserves a team.
Montreal seems like a steady darkhorse.
The second New York team is very intriguing if the Wilbons are involved. It would be wise to avoid Atlanta and Miami simply since they can't seem to support more traditional sports teams, so why will MLS be different?
The question was asked about possible movement and Garber nixed it. "No thoughts whatsoever of our local markets." (Love those orange seats and yellow bleachers, baby.)
The fear, is obviously the specter of the NASL. To offset this, it seems MLS is doing its due diligence to ensure the owners are stable, secure and have stadium plans in place. He said the league and the sport of soccer have never been in as good shape. For once, I won't argue.
At least there are multiple owners now, a topic stressed numerous times during the hour-long chat.
Buildings
Garber updated ongoing stadium projects:
* Real Salt Lake -- Will be ready fall 2008.
* RBNY -- Groundbreaking...again. On track for 2009 and should "set the bar."
* DC -- Frustration.
Miscellany
Drew Carey is part of the Seattle ownership group. Nice. ... Ratings were up 25 percent on ESPN2. ... The San Jose expansion draft is Nov. 21. ... Jose Mourinho and David Dein are both around for the weekend. (Mourinho/Gilbert Arenas, bigger ego?) ... Called interest in MLS in London, "Off the charts." Noting the Fire/Galaxy game was covered on the BBC. ... Side-stepped issue of field turf. ... Seattle has sold 5,000 season tickets. ... Praised MLS originals Eddie Pope, Cobi Jones, Chris Armas and Jason Kries for setting a classy tone for the league. ... League would never sign a lease to pay to play at an NFL stadium. ... Competition format, ie divisions, etc. will remain as they were this season. ... Finally, side-stepped the question of "FIFA Dates."
Oi!
Garber hinted at a 'Pan-Pacific' challenge between MLS teams and Asian/Australian clubs. Great idea. The more internationals, the better.
This idea have tons of potential, even if the Uwara Reds and Adelaide United don't fully roll off the tongue.
Labels: Don Garber, MLS, Soccer
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