Expansion Rumors Megathread
- Thread starter MagnusPax
- Start date
Ford Family have joined MLS group and will no longer build a SSS, but use Ford Field.
Pretty disappointing.
Detroit bid now puts MLS team at Ford Field
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/ne...id-mls-soccer-franchise-ford-field/107274674/
Pretty disappointing.
Detroit bid now puts MLS team at Ford Field
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/ne...id-mls-soccer-franchise-ford-field/107274674/
is that what all this was about? i seen too many articles etc about this. i thought they said temporary....or is it "temporary" like us ?
The league really can't accept another NFL stadium. I don't think it'd be temporary... they're eyeing more like Seattle and Atlanta. But this will be more like Seattle and New England. Atlanta isn't perfect, but the stadium was at least designed as both a soccer and a football stadium... separate entrances, locker rooms, etc. etc. The Detroit proposal, as I understand it, would just be plopping another MLS team in a football stadium so an NFL team can secure more revenue. I'm really hoping the non-NFL owners in MLS can start pushing the ball in the right direction with this kind of stuff...
problem is real estate...not every city can get a SSS either on time or at all, whether due to red tape or lack of money ( i mean we technically should not even have a team but garber wanted NYC2 so he looked other way) so not every ownership group will be SSS.
i do think though that at this point you can sort of pick and choose your expansions....its not like in mid 2000's were team was desperate for anyone to join, but in the other hand if MLS really wants that market then they will bend the rules
If MLS gives Detroit an OK on Ford Field, why would anyone else build SSS's? It's clearly not a requirement then, and it's a nine-figure expenditure.
I still wouldn't be surprised to see them admitted, but not this December.
I still wouldn't be surprised to see them admitted, but not this December.
It's like we're reverting back to MLS 1.0 except we have the crowds of MLS 3.0 (at least in Seattle and Atlanta), which combined puts us at MLS 2.0 which is still two steps behind MLS 4.0.
I figured we would see more people trying to capture that Seattle and Atlanta magic. Personally, I'd love to see bigger stadiums, bigger crowds and more revenue as that is needed to reach the league's stated goal of being a top league by 2024?
The only question is if they can actually capture that magic.
My other concern is even more scheduling issues during the post season.
The only question is if they can actually capture that magic.
My other concern is even more scheduling issues during the post season.
*THAT MIAMI MLS ANNOUNCEMENT IS COMING ANY DAY NOW
*no it’s not
*no it’s not
I can't decide what to make of this Detroit news. They still have a giant market and incredibly deep pockets. But this leaves a really bitter taste in my mouth.
I think most would agree that Sacramento, Cincinnati, and Nashville are still currently in the top four. Would you oust Detroit on their stadium flip flop? Who would you select instead? Phoenix? Tampa?
I think if Phoenix corrects their shallow pockets during 2018 by adding a very deep pocketed investor to the group, they could steal Detroit's spot despite the league needing more teams in the Midwest. I'm not sure who else is in the running as of now. Raleigh's stadium progress seems slow and the path too long. Just about everyone else not mentioned is out for now, with some slight hope in San Diego.
I think most would agree that Sacramento, Cincinnati, and Nashville are still currently in the top four. Would you oust Detroit on their stadium flip flop? Who would you select instead? Phoenix? Tampa?
I think if Phoenix corrects their shallow pockets during 2018 by adding a very deep pocketed investor to the group, they could steal Detroit's spot despite the league needing more teams in the Midwest. I'm not sure who else is in the running as of now. Raleigh's stadium progress seems slow and the path too long. Just about everyone else not mentioned is out for now, with some slight hope in San Diego.
Nashville and Cincinnati do. If you let Detroit in before either of those, it's possible that could throw a wrench into those bidders' plans.
They would have to get Titans and Browns on board respectively and they haven't shown any signs of willingness of doing that. Fords did.
Not sure why the Cleveland Browns would be willing to let FC Cincinnati play at their stadium.
And on this note, Nashville received its stadium approval.
http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-s...ets-boost-from-initial-$275m-stadium-approval
Detroit would just be one more artificial turf field. No thanks.
Remember that both Seattle and Atlanta built their stadiums with soccer in mind. Soccer was key to getting the referendum passed in Seattle and Blank was all in on both sports. Look at DC and New England by contrast. Situations are not nearly as good.
Remember that both Seattle and Atlanta built their stadiums with soccer in mind. Soccer was key to getting the referendum passed in Seattle and Blank was all in on both sports. Look at DC and New England by contrast. Situations are not nearly as good.
Send a message. Let in other teams that have SSS and pass on Detroit until they either bring a SSS to the table or make significant modifications to Ford field.
I'm truly torn over this. On one hand, it seems to make Detroit's bid drastically worse. No SSS despite a clear directive from the league, and it would be a really bad signal to other expansion bids about their potential nine-figure infrastructure investments.
On the other hand, Detroit is now in play to field a team in 2019. Rumblings indicate MLS now wants at least one team to come in that year to fill the spot held open for Miami and/or balance the league with Columbus moving from the East to Austin in the West. In addition, they just added a third super wealthy owner who has decades of pro sports experience.
There's so many unknowns with just over a month before the expected announcement. I'm going to start making assumptions to clear things up a little:
1. Columbus Crew to Austin is happening in 2019. There doesn't seem to be a will or a way for MLS to stop it. PSV is contractually allowed to do it, the owners won't block him, and politicians in Austin seem welcoming so far. San Antonio's potential lawsuit is a wrench, but should be able to be taken care of.
2. Miami is still stuck. Progress has been made with the stadium site, and the legal challenge already lost. Last word, however, was they are still seeking on additional major investor.
3. MLS will want to admit at least one team in 2019, possibly two, given the above.
Despite Detroit's curveball, I think most people would agree that Sacramento, Detroit, Nashville, and Cincinnati are still the four clear frontrunners. Phoenix and Tampa can't be written off yet though. And Raleigh could come into play with some good development in 2018.
So who comes in and when?
If MLS has essentially settled on the four frontrunners, I have to believe they will choose FC Cincinnati first to begin in 2019. It's the perfect trade with Columbus' departure from Ohio that year, and more importantly, they are easily the most prepared bid east of the Mississippi to begin MLS play in a year. They have a great temporary venue and are the only one with a full staff, roster, fanbase, and corporate partners.
The second team should be Sacramento. The bid has everything. Zero issues and basically no drawbacks to choosing it. They will be given the full, desired two years to make the jump, beginning play in 2020.
The next few steps depend on how MLS feels about Detroit's stadium amendment, and Miami's progress. If they want another team to come in with Sacramento in 2020, it could potentially be any of Detroit, Miami, or Nashville. That announcement could even be made this December, with three teams added. Else during the summer to give the organization 18 months to prepare.
If I had to bet, I would say MLS delays and negotiates with Detroit, eventually letting them in at Ford Field, but paying at least $200 million in expansion fees. I'll be bold and say Nashville is announced next summer instead of in December 2018. And Miami will finally get their shit together and come in with the last group.
2019 - Cincinnati
2020 - Sacramento, Nashville
2021 - Detroit, Miami
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