N.Y.-based Owl Spring Asset Management co-CEO Jason Ader yesterday said that he is "going to launch" a $350M effort to bring an MLS team to Las Vegas, "complete with a new covered stadium of 18,000-20,000 seats and players with international appeal." Ader said that he "has discussed the viability of the Las Vegas market hosting an MLS team" with MLS President & Deputy Commissioner Mark Abbott. In Las Vegas, Alan Snel notes Ader by announcing his interest in starting a team in Las Vegas "is now competing against the Findlay Sports & Entertainment Group, which was formed specifically to partner with development company Cordish Cos." The City Council several months ago "green-lighted the Findlay-Cordish partnership to come up with an MLS team and stadium proposal." Ader said that he "is aware of the Findlay initiative and that his bid would be separate from the Findlay-Cordish connection" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 7/23).
BE WARY LIKE BECKHAM: A South Florida SUN-SENTINEL editorial states Broward County (Fla.) officials who may be trying to lure David Beckham and his proposed 20,000-seat stadium to the area should "be wary" of the deal. The editorial: "Look before you leap. ... Explore the possibilities? Sure. Why not? Bend over backward for Beckham? Not so fast." Beckham has always said that he "preferred a downtown, waterfront site." The area "next to the mall at Sawgrass Mills hardly meets that criterion." The editorial: "If this sounds like Beckham might be trying to get a little negotiating leverage with Miami-Dade by showing some interest in Broward, well, call us cynical" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 7/23).
THE REAL DEAL: In Utah, Morgan Jacobsen reports Utah State Fairpark officials "are considering a proposal from Real Salt Lake to build a minor league soccer stadium on the fairgrounds" in Salt Lake City. A new convention building and upgraded rodeo grounds "would also be considered alongside the stadium." The stadium "would seat up to 6,000 spectators and host as many as 15 home games per year" (DESERET NEWS, 7/23).
