MLS' Abbott: NYC FC Temporarily Playing At Yankee Stadium Not A Done Deal

MLS President & Deputy Commissioner Mark Abbott said that using Yankee Stadium as a temporary home for expansion club NYC FC “isn't a done deal and the pursuit of a new stadium in Queens isn't quite dead,” according to Brian Straus of SI.com. Abbott: "No one has decided to play in Yankee Stadium yet. That's genuinely true." Straus noted Abbott’s comments came a few days after Mayor Michael Bloomberg's office "retracted a statement" indicating Yankee Stadium will become the home of NYC FC, "which is scheduled to enter MLS in 2015.” Abbott “doesn't expect the team to spend too long in temporary digs,” regardless of where it starts play. He said, “No one is envisioning a long period of time here in an interim stadium. I don't know exactly what that time is, but it's intended to be fairly short. On a daily basis they're working on a long-term stadium solution, as are we.” Straus noted EPL club Manchester City and the Yankees have “taken over the lead role in the pursuit” (SI.com, 7/22).