Soccer Franchise Notes: Beckham Soon To Make AC Milan Decision

Beckham Soon Will Decide Whether He Will Stay In Italy

OFF AGAIN: The BBC reported the Kuwait-based Kharafi Group, which had been rumored to be planning a bid to buy EPL club Liverpool FC, has "denied reports it is in talks" with Liverpool co-Owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett about buying the team. Kharafi Group Vice Chair Loay Al-Kharafi "insisted no talks were held and the reports were incorrect." Sources indicated that "even though the relationship between Hicks and Gillett has been troubled, they may be united in their desire to sell at the right price." However, Hicks and Gillett "are clearly on the look-out for new investors at the very least, even if Hicks stands by his intention of retaining a stake in the club" (BBC.co.uk, 1/23).

EXPANSION RACE: ESPN SOCCERNET's Ives Galarcep noted Portland's bid for an MLS expansion team "has benefited from the demise of [Atlanta's] bid and the continued concerns about the financial strength" of St. Louis' bid. Portland's bid "looks strong, but its viability hinges on the renovation of PGE Park." Meanwhile, Galarcep wrote Miami "stands as the current favorite because its ownership group," which includes Brightstar Communications CEO Marcelo Claure and Spanish La Liga club FC Barcelona, is "as close to recession-proof as any in the expansion race" (ESPNSOCCERNET.com, 1/23).

UNFORESEEN OBSTACLE? In Portland, John Canzano noted "in the wake of the fallout" surrounding the news Portland Mayor Sam Adams lied about having a sexual relationship with a teenager, a source said that MLS is "asking a lot of pointed questions" of the potential ownership group. But the "best thing for Portland's MLS bid is to hope that [MLS] will see Portland for what it is -- a viable and passionate city that is a good place to grow up, fall in love, raise a family and root for soccer." Canzano: "We know that to be true. We hope the league sees it, too" (Portland OREGONIAN, 1/25).

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