Stone said that he believes MLS is gone from San Diego if the SoccerCity initiative failsPOPULOUS
In the battle to take over the San Diego's Mission Valley stadium site, Measure G, the San Diego State-backed initiative, "leads with 55 percent of votes in favor of the campus expansion," while rival Measure E, the SoccerCity initiative that involves FS Investors and Landon Donovan, "trails with just 29 percent," according to a front-page piece by Van Grove & Weisberg of the SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. Votes are "still being counted." Should both initiatives receive more than 50% approval, the "measure with the most votes will prevail." If neither receives more than 50%, San Diego would "likely solicit proposals for redevelopment." Measure G proposes to change the city's "municipal code so that the city can sell the land" to SDSU. San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer would be "responsible for negotiating the sale price and terms, with any deal first requiring an environmental review and City Council approval." SoccerCity Project Manager Nick Stone said, "We overwhelmingly believe Major League Soccer is gone from the city of San Diego if we lose, which is sad." SDSU AD John David Wicker said he is "optimistic" about the school's opportunity to buy the stadium land, and said that an MLS franchise would "still be in play" should Measure G succeed. Wicker said the school will "reach out" to the MLS and USL to discuss "potential partnerships that might be available." He added, "We're not going to go out and buy a team, but we are looking to engage the MLS and see if they have an ownership group in mind for San Diego" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 11/7).
