MLS expansion update

MLS’s board of governors met in Chicago last week, where Deputy Commissioner Mark Abbott and league executives presented reports on all 12 potential expansion markets. It is expected that the league’s five-owner expansion committee will meet in October and November to begin its recommendation process, with a vote on which two cities will receive expansion spots in December.

While the board hasn’t ranked the bids, the most discussed points were around four cities: Sacramento beginning groundwork on its stadium site, Detroit legislators negotiating with the bid group on its preferred stadium site, and the large soccer crowds in both Cincinnati and Nashville. David Beckham also provided an in-person update on the potential Miami franchise.