When the MLS' submission deadline for its next four expansion spots passed Jan. 31, the league "appeared to have an embarrassment of riches," but now the question is which of the 12 markets vying for expansion are "still standing," according to Ian Thomas of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. The MLS BOG will meet in Chicago this week to discuss the process, as there are "setbacks mainly tied to local political support and stadium projects" that have "slowed the bidders’ progress." But MLS President & Deputy Commissioner Mark Abbott said that the league has "not been discouraged by the progress, or lack thereof in some cases." Abbott: "We knew that each market would have its own set of circumstances and issues to deal with, and we know stadium projects take a lot of effort." Bids from Cincinnati and Nashville have "moved quickly up the list, thanks to overwhelming local fan support in the last few months." Phoenix, Raleigh, San Antonio and Tampa Bay are "not asking for public money for their stadiums, but other elements of their bids ... may raise questions." Abbott said that MLS is still "on track to announce" its next two expansion teams this year, "probably" after its early December BOG meeting. Those teams "will be expected to be ready to play" in '20. Announcement of the other two expansion teams is "expected at some point" during '18. Abbott said that the league "will not open up the process to new applications." Sacramento is "still the favorite to land one of those first two spots" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 7/31 issue).
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MARKETS VYING FOR MLS EXPANSION SLOT
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MARKET
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LEAD INVESTOR(S)
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Charlotte
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SMI President & CEO Marcus Smith
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Cincinnati
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USL FC Cincinnati Owner & CEO Carl Lindner III
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Detroit
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Cavs Owner Dan Gilbert, Pistons Owner Tom Gores
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Indianapolis
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NASL Indy Eleven Owner Ersal Ozdemir
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Nashville
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Ingram Industries Chair John Ingram
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Phoenix
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USL club Phoenix Rising FC co-Owner Berke Bakay
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Raleigh-Durham
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NASL club North Carolina FC Owner Steve Malik
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Sacramento
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Sac Soccer & Entertainment Holdings CEO Kevin Nagle
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St. Louis
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Celtics investor Paul Edgerley
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San Antonio
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Spurs Sports & Entertainment
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San Diego
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FS Investors Founder Mike Stone
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Tampa-St. Petersburg
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USL Tampa Bay Rowdies Owner Bill Edwards
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CLOSING IN: In N.Y., Ken Belson notes the issue of MLS awarding an expansion team to David Beckham's Miami group "will be on the agenda again when the league's owners meet on Wednesday in Chicago." A vote on approval "could be closer than ever." Beckham's bid for a franchise, once thought to be "foundering, now faces little opposition." If approved this year, Miami Beckham United will become the league's 24th club as MLS "rushes to expand to 28 teams" by '20, and shovels and excavators "will soon begin digging on the site." The question is whether Beckham can "make a dent in the South Florida market." MLS Commissioner Don Garber said, "Miami is no longer just a beach town. We would not have gotten into Miami if we could not be in the urban core. We want to be part of something bigger than we are, urban development" (
N.Y. TIMES, 7/31).
