Expansion Rumors Megathread

Arizona provides a stadium plan and begins to separate from the pack for spot #27. Also has a new billionaire investor out of China.

https://www.si.com/soccer/2018/03/15/phoenix-rising-mls-expansion-stadium-renderings

https://www.phxrisingfc.com/news_article/show/897524?referrer_id=2717359

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The mist only works in dry climates. In NY it would just amp up the humidity and make people miserable.
Not true. It depends on the wet-bulb, dry-bulb, and dew point readings for the day. NYC can be a very humid city, but a cooling mist will still provide a cooling effect.
 
2019 - Cincinnati
2020 - Nashville, Detroit
2021 - Miami, Phoenix

Giving Miami another year as they search for yet another stadium site. Moving up Detroit because their stadium is ready, if they are chosen. At this point, #27 and #28 should be between Phoenix, Detroit, and Sacramento. Sacramento needs an investor, Phoenix needs to secure land, and Detroit needs to convince MLS they are actually committed to spending money on the team and weren't just using the MLS bid as a pawn in their real estate game.

Will be interesting to see if any dark horses rise over the summer/autumn. San Diego, St. Louis, and North Carolina FC seem like the most likely dark horses to have a shot.
 
I could see MLS letting Detroit in and letting them play at Ford Field. It's tough to turn down two of the wealthiest people in the Upper Midwest.
 
I could see MLS letting Detroit in and letting them play at Ford Field. It's tough to turn down two of the wealthiest people in the Upper Midwest.

I think that's exactly what will happen, unless there's some indication behind the scenes that the group will be super stingy with their spending despite their wealth.

Of the 12 groups to submit bids over a year ago, a grand total of ONE is ready. It may be Detroit or nothing for MLS by next winter.
 
news out of nashville :

Nashville MLS owner: Scrapping fairgrounds stadium plan would cost city team.

https://www.tennessean.com/story/ne...-stadium-plan-would-cost-city-team/466246002/

As well it should. They were jumped to the front of the line based on the stadium plan being in place. No stadium plan, no team. And in a fair world, it should also cost the city millions in damages.

Interesting to see that one of the council members proposing a change is doing so because he wants the stadium in his district, instead of where it’s supposed to go. I guess that’s a rare example of IMBY fucking things up.
 
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Miami situation seems to be back to a complete unknown regarding a stadium site.

Time to pull the franchise and let another city take that spot.

http://www.miamiherald.com/latest-news/article208859599.html
I'm not saying I thought/think Miami is a good idea, and someone please correct me if I'm mistaken (exceedingly possible), but my take is that they have the site in Overtown area lined up as a possibility / back up and could move forward there. But now that the Mas brothers are involved in the ownership, the whole group thinks they can do better, so they're exploring other options in the meantime. I don't think that means that they couldn't still build the stadium in Overtown if that's their only choice. Maybe I've missed an article or ten, though... things are always in flux with this Miami situation.

That being said, there were/are probably 5+ other markets that are more deserving and ready than Miami. But then again, MLS gave Beckham that deal and without it Beckham never came, and without Beckham the league very very likely isn't where it is today, and those other markets aren't seeking entry to MLS....
 
The overtown site is likely a nice bargaining chip to use if they want public lands elsewhere. Overtown gets housing, Beckham gets nice public land for stadium. No other way they get decent public land without some type of way for officials to sell it as a fair deal.