Montreal Being Considered As Possible MLS Expansion Team For '11
 |
Garber Believes Montreal Is
A Viable MLS Market |
Montreal is “again being considered” for an MLS expansion team, “possibly for the 2011 season when teams” in Portland and Vancouver are also scheduled to join the league, according to Jack Bell of the N.Y. TIMES. USL Montreal Impact Owner Joey Saputo, who is leading the city's bid, was in N.Y. last week to “discuss expansion” with MLS Commissioner Don Garber and President Mark Abbott. Saputo Friday said that the league is “seeking a $35[M] expansion fee and that his 13,034-seat downtown soccer stadium could be expanded with a modest financial commitment from the provincial government of Quebec and from his own funds.” Saputo: “We’ve had the first face-to-face meetings with the people at MLS last Thursday, we went down to New York and we spoke about the potential of Montreal as a future franchise and the meeting went very well” (NYTIMES.com, 5/18). Garber on his blog wrote Saputo is “working with a variety of local government entities on a plan to expand the capacity" of Saputo Stadium. Garber: “I believe Montreal is a very viable MLS market and I plan to keep in regular contact with the Saputos as we continue to develop our future expansion plans” (MLSNET.com, 5/8).
WPS: In Philadelphia, Marc Narducci reports an “enthusiastic group of fans came to the Franklin Institute last night for the official introduction of the Philadelphia Independence," which will begin play next spring as the eighth WPS franchise. Independence GM & coach Matt Driver predicted the team "can average between 6,000 and 8,000" fans per game in their first season (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 5/19). Also in Philadelphia, Kerith Gabriel notes along with its name and “We the People” motto, the team also “introduced its coaching staff and team colors of steel gray, sky blue and yellow.” The home uniforms are “gray with yellow trim for player names and numbers,” while the road version “will be yellow with sky-blue trim and lettering.” The team “will present its official logo and crest at another ceremony over the Fourth of July weekend.” The team, along with the MLS Philadelphia Union, “will play in the 18,500-seat soccer-specific stadium under construction on Chester’s riverfront” (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 5/19).
|
Related Stories By Company
|
Related Stories By Sport
|
Catching Up With RSL President Bill Manning
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
MLS Commish Sits For Wide-Ranging Q&A
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Would RSL Win Create Issue For MLS?
November 18, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
MLS' Garber: Talk Of Strike Is Premature
November 17, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Slow CBA Talks Could Force MLS Lockout
November 13, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
Catching Up With RSL President Bill Manning
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
MLS Commish Sits For Wide-Ranging Q&A
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Will Handball Harm Henry's Marketability?
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Hansen Formally Buys 49% Stake In RSL
November 19, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Would RSL Win Create Issue For MLS?
November 18, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
|
