Miami Withdraws MLS Expansion Bid Citing Financial Concerns

Claure Says Economic Situation Not Right

Miami will not be an MLS market in '10. Citing the economy, MLS and potential investors Spanish La Liga club FC Barcelona and Brightstar Communications CEO Marcelo Claure agreed that Miami will not be a feasible market for an expansion soccer franchise next year. FC Barcelona CEO Joan Oliver said, "The U.S market continues to be a priority for FC Barcelona. We will continue our comprehensive game promotion and marketing agreement with Soccer United Marketing and will look for additional ways to strengthen our relationship with MLS and America's soccer fans" (Tripp Mickle, SportsBusiness Journal). In Miami, Michelle Kaufman reports FC Barcelona and Claure "were initially willing to pay the $40[M] franchise fee, but backpedaled as the economy continued to slip worldwide." FC Barcelona, Claure and MLS were in "extensive negotiations on both continents over the past week," but they "decided in the end that the project is not feasible." FC Barcelona "didn't want to enter an investment with financial risk," and Claure "felt the franchise fee should have been lowered considering the global financial crisis." Claure: "Too many things had to happen, and the economic situation just isn't right. MLS is holding tight to its franchise fee, and there's just too much uncertainty right now from a financial standpoint." Kaufman notes MLS had "some reservations about the complicated, fractured South Florida market to begin with" after the Miami Fusion disbanded in '02. MLS officials were "not fully convinced a club could thrive [in Miami], though they were willing to give Claure and Barca a shot because of their reputation and passion for the game." MLS Commissioner Don Garber: "We are convinced Miami is a soccer market, but we are not convinced it is an MLS market at this point, and for the stability of the league we had to make sure we make a smart decision so it doesn't come back to haunt us later" (MIAMI HERALD, 3/4). Garber added, "We didn't see a lot of Internet buzz, a long list of people interested in buying season tickets or tapping into (the Miami) Web site" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 3/4).

WILD PITCH: In Miami, Linda Robertson writes the "global economic tailspin scared away" FC Barcelona and Claure, but Miami's "reputation for fickle fans scared away MLS." MLS was getting "cold feet because the league sensed no buzz here compared to enthusiasm in expansion candidate cities." Robertson: "Now was not the time to gamble. Especially not in Miami, where fans are crazy for soccer from anywhere but here." South Floridians "love soccer. ... But they don't love American soccer" (MIAMI HERALD, 3/4). MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER TALK.com's Kartik Krishnaiyer wrote the South Florida market is "actually quite strong for the game." But Latin fans "who make up the majority of the local supporters are picky" (MAJORLEAGUESOCCERTALK.com, 3/3).

Vancouver Thought To Be Top Candidate For MLS Expansion Team

NEXT IN LINE: With Miami out of the picture, the remaining expansion cities include Ottawa, Portland, St. Louis and Vancouver. Montreal and Atlanta are other cities that once expressed interest but are no longer under consideration. MLS is supposed to select two expansion markets for '11 this quarter (Mickle). In N.Y., Jack Bell wrote Vancouver, which has hosted the USL Whitecaps and "enjoyed great success during the days" of the NASL, is "thought to be the top candidate" for an expansion team. Awarding a team to Portland "would give the league an Evergreen Axis in the Pacific Northwest that could, with a stretch," include Real Salt Lake and the Rapids. But the issue in Portland "continues to be public financing for a new or renovated stadium." St. Louis "seems to be waiting to be invited to the prom, all dressed up with no where to go." Ottawa's bid is supported by Senators Owner Eugene Melnyk, but the success of that bid is "contingent on getting stadiums plans in place before getting the nod from MLS" (NYTIMES.com, 3/3). In St. Louis, Tom Timmermann wrote, "I just don't see the league choosing Vancouver and Ottawa, or Vancouver and Portland. It makes little sense, at least to me, to pick two Canadian cities, or two Pacific Northwest cities. The only way the league doesn't choose St. Louis is if they absolutely, positively think the bid stinks" (STLTODAY.com, 3/3).