MLS Commissioner Don Garber yesterday announced the league's intent to bring a franchise to Minneapolis, but said that the expansion decision "isn’t final until a plan for a dedicated soccer stadium is secure," according to Eric Roper of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. Garber: "We all know they’ve got to get a project done. And if not, then we’ll have to take a step back, mutually, and assess whether or not it makes sense." NASL club Minnesota United FC Owner Bill McGuire and his partners want to build a stadium "in an area just outside downtown, beside the Minneapolis Farmers Market." McGuire, while "fully embracing" that location yesterday, declined to say if his group "would seek a public subsidy for a stadium there." Roper notes state and city leaders "have already closed the door on direct public subsidies for the stadium, which is expected to cost" about $150M. MLS in a statement said the club is "working to finalize the plan for the new stadium by July 1." Garber said that the league chose McGuire's group over the Wilf family, which owns the Vikings, because McGuire’s plan "better fit a model that has worked elsewhere in the country." Garber: "That’s to have a downtown, outdoor, soccer-specific stadium, 20,000 seats, playing on grass." Vikings Exec VP/Public Affairs & Stadium Development Lester Bagley said, "We have been and continue to be in discussion -- ongoing dialogue -- with the MLS. We’re monitoring and watching the situation" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 3/26). McGuire "would not say whether he and his partners would fund the stadium privately" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 3/26). McGuire said that his ownership group is "working with the Kansas City-based Populous architecture firm on stadium plans" (FINANCE-COMMERCE.com, 3/25).
CAUSE & LAKE EFFECT: Garber said of McGuire's group, which includes Twins Owner Jim Pohlad, T'Wolves Owner Glen Taylor and hotelier Wendy Carlson Nelson, "This is a very strong ownership group, deeply embedded in the community" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 3/26). SI.com's Brian Straus notes Minnesota United is "expected to remain in the NASL until it transitions to MLS" (SI.com, 3/25). In Minneapolis, Rachel Blount writes Minnesota United President Nicholas Rogers "expects many facets of his team -- including the club’s name and logo, coach Manny Lagos, and some players -- to make the jump" to MLS with the team (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 3/26). Meanwhile, Minneapolis City Council member Kevin Reich said that the city "had initially assumed MLS would go to the Vikings stadium." He said of McGuire's proposed stadium site, "I guess it’s an OK site. I think they see some synergies with the farmers market. It’s certainly an area of town, kind of like what downtown east used to be, it’s kind of a no man’s land. Maybe this could revitalize it" (STARTRIBUNE.com, 3/25). ESPN's Taylor Twellman said, "In order for this franchise to really flourish, they have to get that soccer-specific stadium downtown. That’s still the X factor in that whole situation" (“Denmark-U.S.,” ESPN, 3/25).
SIZING UP THE MARKET: In St. Paul, Andy Greder notes "hundreds of fans turned out for the introductory news conference" yesterday at Target Field (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 3/26). In Minneapolis, Jim Souhan writes for Minnesotans not weaned on the sport, soccer "might have finally, actually arrived" yesterday. MLS in downtown Minneapolis "will be a welcome entree in a city that offers almost everything else." The sport "will fit in nicely ... as it has in cities that bear some resemblance to Minneapolis, such as Portland and Seattle." United "might not become the overwhelming overnight success the Sounders have been, but there is more than a niche for soccer in Minneapolis" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 3/26). Also in Minneapolis, La Velle Neal III wrote of the city being awarded an MLS team, "For someone who has been here since 1997, it's somewhat of a stunner." He asked, "Are we soccer snobs here or are we ready to embrace this league? If the elite soccer fans embrace MLS, then it will thrive here" (STARTRIBUNE.com, 3/25). STAR TRIBUNE cartoonist Steve Sack offers "Minnesota, State Of Soccer."
THE QUEST FOR 24: Garber in the past week has said that MLS "can grow beyond its previously stated limit of 24 teams." In Sacramento, Dale Kasler writes that "would figure to bode well for Sacramento, which is widely believed to be next in line for a team." City officials and USL club Sacramento Republic FC execs in the meantime are "focusing on fine-tuning plans for a new MLS stadium at the downtown railyard" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 3/26). In Miami, Greg Cote noted MLS' 24th slot is "being held" for David Beckham and Miami. But "how much longer" will that be the case if Beckham's "efforts at a waterfront or at least downtown stadium site continue to hit roadblocks?" A site next to Marlins Park "now looms as plausible." The pressure "is on, with Sacramento, San Antonio and St. Louis all seeking a team and poised to poach Miami's spot." Cote: "We hear Garber will return to South Florida in the coming weeks to kick up dust, discuss the Marlins Park site and push Beckham's agenda" (MIAMIHERALD.com, 3/25). In Ft. Lauderdale, Dave Brousseau writes under the header, "Minnesota Has Team While Beckham Waits" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 3/26). FS1's Rob Stone said of MLS, "Nobody expands and grows better and more proficiently" (FS1, 3/25).
