Garber Hails Early Successes Of Pacific Northwest Franchises
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Garber Says Inaugural Sounders FC Game
Last Week Brought Tears To His Eyes |
MLS Commissioner Don Garber said the league Monday found out that the expansion Vancouver Whitecaps franchise "sold 5,000 season ticket deposits in a 48 hour period." Garber: "That, by the way, is an MLS record. It beats the success that Toronto had." Garber added the inaugural Sounders FC game last week was "one of the most spectacular sporting events that I've ever been to." Garber: "It brought tears to my eyes. Literally, it was an emotional moment for me." Garber also said the addition of the Portland Timbers franchise, the third MLS franchise in the Pacific Northwest, is "going to create a rivalry that will change the landscape of the sport of soccer in the U.S. and Canada." Garber said the league will start talking about expansion for '12 "for the first time at the MLS owners’ meeting, which will take place the third week in April. We are going to analyze what our opportunities are and try to get a sense of what our next steps ought to be." Garber added, "There is no commitment at all to expand by ['12]. It is just the earliest we will expand, and I suspect that we will expand from 18 up to 20 teams. The question is not if, it is when."
LEAGUE-WIDE ISSUES: Garber also emphasized the need for quality competition, saying “we really have to start prioritizing the competition on the field." Garber: "Our business is secure. Our foundation is laid for the long term. We have to ensure that we solidify the quality of play.” Garber said of playing MLS' opening weekend during the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, "There is no good time. We have to schedule our league and establish some real estate at a time when we can fit in all of our games. We wanted to take a break for a couple of FIFA fixture dates." Garber also stressed that the committee spent an extended period using computer algorithms to determine the best season start date (OREGONLIVE.com, 3/24).
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Garber Says Ottawa Remains Viable Candidate
For MLS Franchise |
STAYING IN THE GAME: Garber said that Ottawa "remains a 'very, very, very viable candidate'" for an MLS franchise. But Garber "stopped short of guaranteeing a franchise" to Senators Owner Eugene Melnyk's group if it "secures a stadium deal with the city." Garber Tuesday said, "We have never made a contingent commitment to a city, nor has any other league, the NHL or any other of the major sports leagues" (OTTAWA SUN, 3/25). SPORTSNET.ca's Gerry Dobson reported Melnyk is "doing everything he can to take advantage of the momentum in Vancouver and even Portland." Melnyk "released separate public statements immediately after the two cities were awarded their MLS franchises, congratulating both, and reminding everyone, especially the league, that Ottawa still wants to join the party." Dobson: "And trust me, if Melnyk gets his stadium, he'll get his team" (SPORTSNET.ca, 3/23). Meanwhile, California businessman Mark Noorzai, who has fronted Las Vegas MLS expansion efforts in the past, said that he "hasn't slowed down, despite the economy and investor fears, in trying to include Las Vegas on the MLS landscape." Noorzai: "This is a long-term endeavor. Long-term projects require not just perseverance and hard work, but endurance" (LAS VEGAS SUN, 3/26).
REWARDING COMMITMENT: The Timbers Tuesday announced additional details regarding the team's priority system and a deadline of April 30 for the first round of season-ticket procurement for the '11 season. Individuals who purchase '09 and '10 USL Timbers full-season tickets by April 30 will have top priority for '11 MLS season selection, while individuals who purchase '09 and '10 Timbers half-season and flex-plan ticket packages will receive second priority for '11. Individuals not purchasing those Timbers ticket packages can place a $50 deposit per seat for tertiary priority status (Timbers).
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