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The Long Way Home? Minnesota United Owner Yet To Reveal Stadium Plan For MLS Move

MLS expansion club Minnesota United Owner Bill McGuire has "yet to reveal" his ownership group’s "plan to build a home field," according to David La Vaque of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. McGuire said that the key "will be to build a small stadium" with around 18,500 seats, which "stands a better chance of always being full." McGuire: "We're not talking about building something that’s totally out of whack." But La Vaque wondered "whether the Twin Cities, which would be the third-smallest of 11 U.S. markets expected to soon play host to the five major pro sports leagues, can handle another player in its crowded sports scene" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 3/29). Meanwhile, in Minneapolis, Patrick Reusse wrote under the header, "I'm Buying Into Soccer, Why Not The Politicians?" Reusse: "It is incomprehensible the same politicians -- including Gov. Mark Dayton -- who gave us the scam of electronic pulltabs to cover the state’s hefty share of the Taj Ma Zygi [new Vikings stadium], that signed off on $52 million in public money to pay for a ballpark for a club that’s a step below minor league [St. Paul Saints], have bellowed there won’t even be chump change to make sure America’s version of big-league soccer returns here after a 35-year absence" (STARTRIBUNE.com, 3/29).

BILL'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE: In Minneapolis, Mike Kaszuba wrote under the header, "Bill McGuire's 'Gut Move' Is Bold Bet On Future Of Minnesota Soccer." McGuire, who is "somewhat uncomfortable back in the media spotlight, opened up last week in a 90-minute interview on everything from his interest in the migration habits of butterflies to the impact of sports" on his life. McGuire’s "below-the-radar style, combined with his wealth, have made him an oddity" since he bought the team. McGuire "sees himself at the cusp of a fundamental shift in America’s sports viewing habits." He said, "It’s a global sport. It knows no bounds in terms of socio-economic criteria. This is the sport of the future." McGuire said interest in football and hockey is "diminishing in many areas" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 3/30). Also in Minneapolis, Sid Hartman wrote, "You have to give Bill McGuire credit for the strong group he put together to bring Major League Soccer here. I don’t believe any other sports franchise has three billionaire owners as McGuire has in Glen Taylor [T'Wolves], Wendy Carlson Nelson [T'Wolves] and Jim and Bob Pohlad [Twins]" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 3/29). MLS Commissioner Don Garber said, "The Twin Cities were not on our original list. They weren’t on our second list. They weren’t on our third list when we were putting together our expansion plans. Then Bill McGuire bought the minor league team … and put together a good organization and fell in love with the sport" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 3/29).

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