NYC FC Chief Business Officer Tim Pernetti, during an appearance yesterday on CNBC's "Squawk Box," noted after playing in Yankee Stadium for the team's first three years in MLS, the "plan" is for the club to build its own stadium. But he added, "As you can imagine in New York City, anything that's facility oriented is a challenge and there's a lot of people involved in it. We're really only going to get one opportunity to build our own stadium so while it's taking a little bit more time than we might have expected we want to take the time necessary to do it right." The site for the stadium has not been identified as of yet, but "we're looking at options in all of the five boroughs. We feel like it's important to stay within the five boroughs to be a true New York City professional sports franchise" ("Squawk Box," CNBC, 7/28).
TAMPA TWO-STEP? In Tampa, Charlie Frago reported NASL Tampa Bay Rowdies Owner Bill Edwards "has entertained the possibility that his team ... can move up to the big time." He said, "I would not rule that out. St. Pete is the perfect place to have an MLS team." Still, a "formidable range of obstacles stand between" the city and the league. First and foremost: "an adequate stadium," as Al Lang Stadium "wouldn't meet" MLS standards. To "have a chance, the Rowdies need more fans" than the 5,000 a game they currently average. Another challenge "is the proximity of another MLS franchise a little more than an hour away." Territorial rights for Orlando City SC "are still being negotiated" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 7/27).
MINNY'S BID: MLS VP/Club Services Bryant Pfeiffer said of whether MLS can thrive in Minneapolis, "There’s a booming youth soccer population -- which last time I checked was top five in the country, participation-wise. Factor in the heritage of professional soccer in this market, everything from (former Minnesota pro team) Kicks to Minnesota United FC. We have a healthy base of Fortune 500 companies and ethnic diversity. There’s no question it could work in this market." He added, "Who would have thought five years ago that we’d be in a situation where we’re in a market like Minneapolis where there’s reportedly two vibrant ownership groups who are interested potentially" (MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL BUSINESS JOURNAL, 7/25 issue).
