Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon said that he will speak later this week with MLS Commissioner Don Garber "about a potential expansion franchise for St. Louis but indicated that a decision on such a move is far off," according to Mark Schlinkmann of the ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH. Nixon said that Garber "sent him a letter reiterating MLS interest in St. Louis" following the NFL's decision to move the Rams to L.A. Nixon: "I just want to understand the business around it so if we would want to be involved in looking at St. Louis for that, then we would have a strong group here ready for it." He gave "no hints of who might be involved in a possible ownership group or where a stadium might be located" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 1/28). In St. Louis, Benjamin Hochman pens an open letter to Garber, writing, "We are energized to earn a Major League Soccer team in St. Louis, and we need you to help galvanize. Since the Rams have left, St. Louisans have re-channeled their gloom into momentum." Hochman: "As we know too well in this town, if we don’t have a dedicated ownership, both financially and emotionally, it’s not going to work. ... We’re looking for an ownership group, and you’re the guy to recruit one. Be on the offensive, be aggressive, be creative. Think St. Louis. The fans are here" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 1/28).
INDEPENDENCE DAY: In Charlotte, Erik Spanberg wonders if city and county leaders are "ready to provide a big assist" for a $20M renovation to Memorial Stadium. That discussion is "considered vital if boosters are serious" about pursuing an MLS franchise within the next five years. City and county pols and administrators "have expressed interest, but have yet to discuss specific proposals or possible taxpayer contributions." USL club Charlotte Independence President & Managing Partner Jim McPhilliamy said that the team "has been looking at stadium possibilities and studying the issue." Spanberg noted Mecklenburg County owns the 80-year-old Memorial Stadium, which "needs extensive repairs even to serve as home of a minor league team, never mind an MLS franchise." But McPhilliamy and other boosters have said that its "history and proximity to uptown could make for an appealing MLS home." An expansion team "will likely cost" $100M or more (BIZJOURNALS.com, 1/27).
