MLS yesterday announced Detroit, Cincinnati, Nashville and Sacramento as its final four candidates for expansion, and the league by including Detroit "indicated it is not unalterably opposed to playing indoors, in an NFL stadium," according to Gregg Krupa of the DETROIT NEWS. The two cities "not selected will remain in competition for two more MLS expansion franchises to be awarded" in '18. They and the eight cities "not declared finalists" for '17 "are the only eligible bidders." The bid in Nashville "includes local approval for an outdoor stadium designed specifically for soccer that would be owned by the team." In Cincinnati, the Metro Council "granted preliminary approval to a financial package for infrastructure Monday." In Sacramento, all approvals and financing "are in place." Site preparation work is "already underway for a soccer stadium." Detroit's bid, "spearheaded" by Cavaliers Owner Dan Gilbert and Pistons Owner Tom Gores, also including Lions Owner Martha Firestone Ford, "fulfills some other criteria" set by MLS Commissioner Don Garber. MLS officials have said that they are "seeking owners with comparatively more money than some of the earlier and current owners, as well as experience owning sports franchises." The league also "seeks a critical mass of large companies in the expansion markets to finance sponsorships, advertising, ticket sales and promotions." It also "wants clear evidence of support for soccer." Four of MLS' franchises "compete in large, mixed-use stadiums" in Atlanta, Foxboro, N.Y. and Seattle. In each case, however, the stadium is "outdoors, or the roof retractable" (DETROIT NEWS, 11/30).
ASSESSING THE BIDS: In Detroit, Vince Ellis notes with three billionaire families that own pro sports teams "behind its bid, the Detroit market could have a good chance to land a franchise." The level of investment from the Fords "isn’t clear, but they would manage the site with 17 home matches for a regular season that runs from March to October." Gores would "operate day-to-day functions of the franchise, but with the Ford Field development, Gilbert likely will play a role as a primary investor" (DETROIT FREE-PRESS, 11/30). In Nashville, Buitrago & Garrison note many MLS observers have "widely seen Sacramento and Nashville as the two favorites to land a team." But after Cincinnati's city and county governments "approved public support for a stadium" yesterday, that city is "firmly in the mix as well" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 11/30).
THE RUNDOWN: SI.com's Brian Straus noted the quick and "comprehensive commitment from Nashville, its growing profile and global cache, and the wealth" of Nashville SC Owner John Ingram have "lifted Music City into the lead." Nashville "can’t point to the bumper crowds that have flocked to Sacramento Republic and FC Cincinnati games." But "neither could Atlanta." What matters most to MLS is "committed local ownership, a locked-down stadium deal, support from political and business communities and good demographics." The league "believes that recipe leads to fans in seats, and Nashville appears to have all the right ingredients." Sacramento "appeared ready for MLS right out of the gate" in '14, as it "established a brilliant brand, set attendance records and won the USL title." But MLS "wasn’t ready to expand or commit, and the club was forced to wait as years passed and challengers put bids together." There is a "bit of uncertainty" with Cincinnati, which is "why Cincinnati sits at No. 3" on the list of finalists. One potential issue is that it "would be the smallest media/TV market in MLS." A second is that the league "still might have questions about the club’s stadium plan." Detroit "feels like a distant fourth." MLS had to be "disappointed three weeks ago" when Gilbert, Gores and the Ford family "unveiled plans" to play at Ford Field (SI.com, 11/29). In Sacramento, Ryan Lillis notes Sacramento Republic "plans to add new investors to its roster of owners." Hewlett-Packard CEO Meg Whitman "recently opted not to move forward with an investment in the team after agreeing to join the ownership group earlier this year" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 11/30).
TASTE OF REJECTION: In Raleigh, Luke DeCock notes the omission of the USL North Carolina FC-led bid offers "some clarity to just how far this market has to go to catch up." The downtown Raleigh stadium plan "needs to be on more solid ground." NCFC Owner Stephen Malik yesterday said that negotiations "continue, but at some point, there’s going to have to be tangible progress." Malik: "We sort of knew, frankly, when we took on the challenge of the state government property, the timelines weren’t 100 percent in our control. At the same time, we thought it was worth the challenge." The Triangle’s two existing pro teams -- NCFC and the NWSL Carolina Courage -- will "have to demonstrate a better base of community support" (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 11/30). USL Phoenix Rising COO Bobby Dulle said that although Phoenix was "not selected to receive an MLS expansion bid, the club is expecting to share important news regarding its future as soon as January." Dulle: "We're going to continue to work and enhance our bid and do everything in our power to bring MLS soccer to the valley. There is news we'll be sharing in early 2018 regarding stadium plans and things as it relates to our MLS bid." Dulle: "We've been working behind the scenes to put forth our best effort to represent the state and bring home an MLS franchise" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 11/30).
NOT SURPRISING: In Charlotte, Katherine Peralta notes the city's exclusion "isn’t completely surprising." In October, Charlotte’s bid "essentially fell apart when city and county leaders failed to reach an agreement on public-private financing" of the proposed $175M soccer facility. SMI President & CEO Marcus Smith has "not said whether he will submit another bid to land a team in Charlotte" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 11/30). In St. Louis, Lisa Brown notes the city's failure to be a finalist "wasn't a surprise." In April, St. Louis voters "rejected a use tax on businesses to help fund a downtown soccer stadium," and a league spokesperson "called the vote at the time 'a significant setback' for the St. Louis bid" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 11/30). ESPN.com's Jeff Carlisle noted MLS also said "discussions continue to progress" as it relates to David Beckham's effort to bring a team to Miami. That effort has been "separate from the ongoing expansion bid." Beckham's group has "acquired the land necessary for a stadium." However, sources said that a lawsuit from local landowner Bruce Matheson has "pushed back final approval from MLS, and could delay the process by several months" (ESPN.com, 11/29).
