Soccer Franchise Notes: MLS Union Expect To Sell Out Stadium

Union President Is Certain Club Will Sell Out Its New 18,500-Seat Stadium In Chester

In Philadelphia, Jeff Gammage reported MLS Philadelphia Union President Tom Veit is "certain the team will sell out its new 18,500-seat stadium in Chester, basing his analysis on current sales, trends in ticket purchases, and the depth of the regional soccer market." Veit: "I'm very confident we'll sell out, and could sell more if we had them." Veit added that the team's season-ticket total is "now nearing 9,100," and that Union officials "plan to cap those sales at 12,000." N.Y.-based sports and entertainment group Herrick, Feinstein L.L.P Chair Irwin Kishner said, "To sell half the stadium's capacity two months before the inaugural game is extremely promising, especially in this economy" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 1/25).

MAKING PROGRESS: In Montreal, Randy Phillips reports officials from MLS and the Montreal Impact are "now in a period of due diligence after having completed a second round of meetings in less than a month which could see the club" join MLS "in 2012, possibly 2011." Impact President Joey Saputo: "MLS was satisfied with the meetings and received the assurances it needed. Our bid has now proceeded to the next level" (Montreal GAZETTE, 1/26).

EPL NOTES: In London, Marlow & Rushe reported EPL club Manchester United's "controversial bond issue" has cost the club $87.1M (all figures U.S.). As part of the $806.4M in funds raised by ManU last week, the club "has been forced to pay [$24.2M] in fees and expenses to investment bankers and lawyers," and has also taken a $62.9M "hit from the unwinding of interest rate hedging arrangements on the debt that has been refinanced by the bond" (LONDON TIMES, 1/24)....MLS Earthquakes Exec VP/Business Operations David Alioto said that the club is "in discussions" with Tottenham Hotspur "about setting up an exhibition" at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 1/26).