MLS Commissioner Don Garber held his annual State of the League press conference this afternoon, reflecting on the league's progress over 20 years as well as touching on some of the hot topics surrounding the league. Here are some of the highlights from the call:
- On Miami: “We have been focused on a team in Miami almost since we left (in 2001). Miami continues to represent a city of importance to us. Having said that, if they can’t finalize a deal for a stadium, they will not have an MLS team.”
- On Atlanta United FC, scheduled to begin play in '17: “I recently spoke with (team Owner) Arthur Blank, and he told me they have 29,000 season ticket deposits, which is more than Seattle had at the same point.”
- On the league’s single-entity structure: “It hasn’t had any impact on slowing down what is happening on the field. Frankly the opposite, it has been critical to what has been driving the success.”
- On USL club Sacramento Republic’s efforts to join MLS: “We’re impressed with what the Republic has put together, and we’re certainly impressed by what the city has done to get behind them.”
- On growth of banking relationships: “All of those banks that would have never loaned our clubs money in the past, now they’re lining up like they do in other leagues.”
- On growing the league: “If we want to be more competitive globally, ultimately we have to spend more money. But we’re not going to do that until we have more revenue.”
