AT: …Where are we now in the process of Canada having its own league?
VM: First of all we have every right to establish a pro league. National federations don’t run pro leagues, but we’re in a unique situation in which we don’t have one. We obviously have two US based leagues that are plying their trade in our country -- and first of all congratulations to the Fury for getting to the NASL Soccer Bowl and even our three MLS teams had a very good season, all three of them – but as it relates to us…we’ve been, really, for the last two years and a bit working on a project. You can appreciate that all angles when we are looking at the possibility of having our own pro league it’s quite important that the business plan and the proposition is done in the right way where A) you have the right type of ownership that comes to the table and 
that the plan is sustainable. To think that a team or a league can just be stable by putting butts in seats is not realistic. There has to be a different approach to it – the MLS has seen that as well, taking a different approach on how they conduct business and we’re looking at it very similarly that way and I think if we (follow) our plan and speaking to the groups that have shown interest already I think we might be in a position over…the next two years to push forward on this project.
AT: Do you look at having teams coast to coast? Do you look at having ten or less? Ten or more? What is your target in that area?
VM: …I Think the perfect number from a target perspective -- obviously it’s not a number that, I mean you can probably do it with less and you can probably do it with more obviously – a perfect number is always eight…we look at it from the perspective that you want the quality people. You don’t want just a number. It’s not so much a number that you’re looking for, it’s the quality behind the number. For us that’s really important that we have the right partners who step up to the table so that we can fulfil I think a demand that’s there for Canadian content.
AT: In the last couple of years League1 Ontario has kicked off here in Ontario and I’ve been part of it and I’ve been privy to to seeing some great young players – men and women his year – go on to success whether in NCAA or for clubs whether overseas or hear – congratulations to Cyle Larin of Orlando winning Rookie of the Year, he played with Sigma – how have you, from afar seen League 1 Ontario. What have they done that you liked. And is there something that you can take from that and implement with your own League1 when hat kicks off.
VM: …hats off to the OSA, hats off to yourself and Dino Rossi and Ron who have really been champions of League1 and the same goes in the Quebec Premier with guys like (?) out there. I think that’s a layer of p[lay that is very, very important. Even, God willing, if we get our own league up and running obviously we’ll still have the MLS in play as well. I think it’s a stepping stone that is required. If you look at football around the world I mean you have Serie A, Serie B, Serie C, Liga Pro, there’s no reason why we couldn’t have very similar type – obviously not the quantity you have in those countries and we just don’t have the sheer numbers, but in terms of a structure League1 and the Quebec Premier League are very important as a stepping stone for these young players to find their way forward, where it be in the professional ranks or, as you say, in the NCAA.
You can watch the full interview here. And should.
To add to the interview what CSN has been told in recent weeks is that the hold-up is a lack of appropriate investor in both Vancouver and Toronto. The CSA fels that it would be foolish to launch without a presence in those two markets.