Johnnie Monster Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 A CBC reporter apparently mentioned to a Southsider/Voyageur (I won't name him unless he's cool with coming forward) at last night's Caps game that Steve Nash has called a press conference for Friday. I talked to two Caps employees about this, but they're not spilling (not denying it either though). Given the tight-lipped, "we know something but can't say a word under penalty of watching re-runs of Lilleyball" look they gave me, something is definitely up. Now one one hand, Nash has a big charity event coming up as part of his fitness club's 1 year anniversary... he could just be plugging the fundraiser. On the other hand, given the timing of everything going on right now, this could also be a formal announcement of an official partnership with the Caps MLS bid. Or both? Note I said "bid," because I think (unfortunately) we're still a few months away from actually receiving a franchise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winnipeg Fury Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 Nash helping out at home MATTHEW SEKERES AND PETER MALLETT From Thursday's Globe and Mail July 23, 2008 at 11:23 PM EDT Steve Nash, the two-time NBA most valuable player, has teamed up with Vancouver Whitecaps FC owner Greg Kerfoot in a bid to bring Major League Soccer to Vancouver for the 2011 season, sources told The Globe and Mail yesterday. Multiple sources said that an announcement of the bid is expected this week after the MLS's all-star game in Toronto. Yesterday, a representative of the Victoria-raised Nash, a soccer aficionado, said the point guard was "hopeful" that an announcement about the Vancouver proposal would come tomorrow. "We have potential ownership groups from multiple Canadian cities [in Toronto this week] and Steve Nash is one of them," MLS vice-president of marketing and communications Dan Courtemanche said. "We've had numerous discussions with Mr. Kerfoot and the Whitecaps, with Mr. Nash and multiple discussions with the Saputo family [of Montreal]." Nash's younger brother Martin is a midfielder with the Whitecaps. Meanwhile, MLS commissioner Don Garber publicly mentioned Ottawa yesterday as a potential expansion city in a nod to Eugene Melnyk, the owner of the NHL's Senators, who has recently expressed interest in landing a team. Previously, Montreal Impact owner Joey Saputo and Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett said they would combine efforts to bring MLS to an expanded Saputo Stadium in Quebec's most populous city. Both the Whitecaps and Impact compete in the less prestigious United Soccer Leagues. The flurry of Canadian interest in MLS franchises comes amid a report on Vancouver radio station Team 1040 yesterday that Garber is set to make a significant announcement today concerning the league's expansion plans. "At our board meeting [today], we'll review a very comprehensive expansion plan that will really outline our plans for the next two expansion rounds," said Garber, who added he is speaking with "multiple Canadian markets about future expansion: Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver." The Vancouver report said that after the board meeting, Garber would announce plans to raise the ceiling on the number of franchises in the league, which has been 18, to as many as 24 by 2014. It also said that Garber would identify Montreal and Vancouver as expansion "priorities." Garber did not acknowledge those plans during his state-of-the-league address yesterday and said the league was in "no rush" to expand. But an insider said the league would be foolish to artificially suppress membership, given that interest is widespread and that lucrative expansion fees hang in the balance. Garber said that he would reveal further expansion plans by November 23, the date of the MLS Cup, to be held in Carson, Calif. The league will add its 15th and 16th franchises in the next two years as Seattle and Philadelphia join the circuit in 2009 and 2010, respectively. After that, the plan calls for at least two more franchises, and possibly four, by 2011, which is the year both Montreal and Vancouver are targeting. In Ottawa's case, sources said yesterday that Melnyk has held preliminary discussions with MLS officials and that the nation's capital is a long-range target for a potential fourth Canadian franchise before 2014. Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi declined to comment about the Nash-Kerfoot partnership or any forthcoming announcement. The Whitecaps plan to move into a refurbished B.C. Place Stadium in 2011 and have held meetings with the owner, PavCo, a provincial Crown corporation, about making the stadium more soccer-friendly. "We believe it will be a much more intimate building than it is," Lenarduzzi said. The viability of potential Canadian expansion franchises will depend on their ability to drive revenue both inside stadiums and on television. Garber is meeting this week with potential sponsors and national television partners to gauge how Montreal and Vancouver stack up in those regards. It has been reported that Montreal's bid for a team is further along than Vancouver's, but it is a fluid process and could change, depending on what Garber and his officials learn about revenue streams. "We understand that this country is very passionate about the sport, but that passion is not enough," Garber said. "We need to make sure that it makes good business sense to expand here in comparison to adding those teams down in the United States." Garber has also said there is serious interest from U.S.-based investors in Atlanta, Las Vegas, Miami, New York, Portland and St. Louis. Soccer insiders have estimated it could cost potential investors between $30-million (U.S.) and $40-million for a new franchise. Toronto FC, which joined the league in 2007 under the ownership of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, paid $10-million for its expansion rights. Yesterday, a spokesperson for the Impact confirmed the club is still in discussions with the league over a joint Saputo-Gillett venture. Saputo, the Impact owner, has indicated his desire to complete plans for the $12-million (Canadian) expansion of recently christened Saputo Stadium to 20,000 seats from 13,000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 I had a chance to briefly speak to Steve last night at the MLS All-Star Party (wonder what he was doing there?), and he was really coy about Vancouver and MLS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tractor Boy Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 Go Nash Go, or should that be Go Caps Go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masster Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 Johnnie. I don't have a problem with you naming me. What the CBC reporter said though (this was last night, Wednesday) is that there is a rumoured press conference on Friday. If indeed that is the case, I'm sure the media will be made aware today. The fact that Steve is in Toronto now though can only be good news! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masster Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 The pacific region section of Sportsnet.ca has a web poll asking...What would be the best things for sports in BC? The options are: NBA returns to Vancouver - 38% MLS expanssion team - 33% Return of AAA baseball - 15% Molson Indy comes back to Vancouver - 15% Go vote for MLS expanssion team! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tractor Boy Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 ok, time to vote.... Poll Results You have already voted in this poll. Thank you for your participation! Sportsnet.ca poll question: What would be the best thing for sports in B.C.? 37% NBA returns to Vancouver 33% MLS expansion team 15% Return of AAA baseball 15% Molson Indy comes back to Vancouver Total votes cast: 547 damn...you can only vote once, unless you clear your cookies [:I] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpg75 Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Rudi I had a chance to briefly speak to Steve last night at the MLS All-Star Party (wonder what he was doing there?), and he was really coy about Vancouver and MLS. He's taking part in the festivities. Today my friend Hasib who is acting as photog. for Canucks-Abroad got to play with Nash and Craig Forrest in the media tournament. Lucky bastard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masster Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 It is official. Whitecaps are holding a press conference tomorrow at 11:00am PST and Steve Nash is expected to be a part of it. Apparently TEAM 1040 will carry the press conference live. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snake Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 im not going to divulge my source. take it as you please. one of the reasons that vancouver is being fast tracked into MLS is that steve nash will be bringing over michael owen and thierry henry into the squad for 2011. thats why steve nash is being brought on board,his network of friends. remember you heard it here first Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piltdownman Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 Nash was on the cbc durring the all-star game. Is is officially part of the ownership group. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VPjr Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 this stuff gets more and more interesting every day. good things are happening in Canadian soccer these days....FINALLY! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnnie Monster Posted July 25, 2008 Author Share Posted July 25, 2008 quote:Originally posted by snake one of the reasons that vancouver is being fast tracked into MLS is that steve nash will be bringing over michael owen and thierry henry into the squad for 2011. I'll tell ya Snake, you sure know how to get the tongues wagging on the boards, don't ya? Not sure how they would get around the single DP rule though if this is true. Maybe the Caps organization pays them peanuts, and Steve-o pays the boys out of his own pocket to keep them off the books? lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snake Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 it'ss be one or the other for sure i was told they would try to get both. i wonder what the salary cap will be in 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footy Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 quote:Originally posted by snake im not going to divulge my source. take it as you please. one of the reasons that vancouver is being fast tracked into MLS is that steve nash will be bringing over michael owen and thierry henry into the squad for 2011. thats why steve nash is being brought on board,his network of friends. remember you heard it here first Aww to have Hienry in Vancouver would be magic ... I guess we can only dream at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vancouver Fan Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 quote:Originally posted by snake im not going to divulge my source. take it as you please. one of the reasons that vancouver is being fast tracked into MLS is that steve nash will be bringing over michael owen and thierry henry into the squad for 2011. thats why steve nash is being brought on board,his network of friends. remember you heard it here first Compared to Toronto I wouldn't say Vancouver is being fast tracked but if that is what it takes then great. Maybe we can also get David Edgar to follow Owen from Newcastle. That would make Alan Errington happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youllneverwalkalone Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Johnnie Monster Not sure how they would get around the single DP rule though if this is true. You can trade for a second. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Designated_player#Current_Designated_Players Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ed Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 From the Caps site, they are officially going after one of the two franchises in 2001. http://www.whitecapsfc.com/archive/feature07250801.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 quote:Originally posted by snake im not going to divulge my source. take it as you please. one of the reasons that vancouver is being fast tracked into MLS is that steve nash will be bringing over michael owen and thierry henry into the squad for 2011. thats why steve nash is being brought on board,his network of friends. remember you heard it here first As an act of welcoming and friendship into MLS, TFC will gladly trade Jeff Cunningham to you guys for Thierry Henry. You can't go wrong with a wily vet striker who knows the league and has scored 99 goals in his illustrious career. Henry is unproven at this level and thus we will take him and the risk that accompanies him off your hands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearcatSA Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Rudi As an act of welcoming and friendship into MLS, TFC will gladly trade Jeff Cunningham to you guys for Thierry Henry. You can't go wrong with a wily vet striker who knows the league and has scored 99 goals in his illustrious career. Henry is unproven at this level and thus we will take him and the risk that accompanies him off your hands LOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest speedmonk42 Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 What time is this thing supposed to happen? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmcmurph Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Johnnie Monster I'll tell ya Snake, you sure know how to get the tongues wagging on the boards, don't ya? Not sure how they would get around the single DP rule though if this is true. Maybe the Caps organization pays them peanuts, and Steve-o pays the boys out of his own pocket to keep them off the books? lol You mean like the San Francisco 49ers did with Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Steve Young? Sort of legally off the books type of stuff. Guaranteed endorsements etc? Lots of ways around it if the owner wants it. Becks gets paid 10 million for soccer and makes 40 million a year in endorsements. Each team can have up to 2 DP but they would have to buy the rights to the second from one of the other teams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmcmurph Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Rudi As an act of welcoming and friendship into MLS, TFC will gladly trade Jeff Cunningham to you guys for Thierry Henry. You can't go wrong with a wily vet striker who knows the league and has scored 99 goals in his illustrious career. Henry is unproven at this level and thus we will take him and the risk that accompanies him off your hands Can we make the deal contingent on Cunningham actually scoring his 100th before 2011? [}] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishman Posted July 26, 2008 Share Posted July 26, 2008 From tsn.ca... VANCOUVER - NBA superstar Steve Nash, one of the country's most visible athletes, is joining the reclusive owner of the Vancouver Whitecaps in a bid to buy a Major League Soccer franchise. The Whitecaps hope to bring an MLS team to Vancouver when the league grants two new franchises in 2011. Nash wouldn't say how much money he is spending. It's estimated a franchise could cost between US$30 and $40 million. "I'm investing my own money, a considerable amount," the Phoenix Suns' guard told a news conference Friday via telephone from New York. "While I will definitely be far from a majority owner I will have a stake in the club. "For me the money is part of it. It's only a token of the passion and commitment that I have to see the club come to Vancouver." Nash will become a partner with current Whitecaps' owner Greg Kerfoot. The two make a strange pair. Raised in Victoria, Nash is a two-time NBA most-valuable player whose face is splashed across television and newspapers. Besides his abilities on the court, he's also heavily involved in charity work. His younger brother Martin is a midfielder with the Whitecaps. Kerfoot, born and raised in Burnaby, B.C., made his fortune with an information software management company. He is notoriously media-shy and did not even attend the press conference when he purchased the Whitecaps in 2003. He also didn't attend Friday's news conference which drew Vancouver's mayor plus provincial and federal politicians. A huge soccer supporter, Kerfoot funded a residency program for the national women's team, paying each player $20,000 a year out of his own pocket. The Whitecaps currently play in the United Soccer League's first division. MLS commissioner Don Garber has said the league's goal is to reach 18 teams. The league's board of governors approved the addition of two teams by 2011. The MLS currently has 14 teams, with Seattle becoming the 15th team next season and Philadelphia joining in 2010. Garber confirmed the potential expansion teams are Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Atlanta, Las Vegas, a second team in the New York area, Portland, and St. Louis. Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi said the team's 35-year history, dating back to the days of the North American Soccer League, makes it a natural choice to advance to the MLS. "We believe the MLS is the best league in North America," said Lenarduzzi. "What we'd like to do as a club is be able to show that were are one of the best club sides in North America. "We do have a history of success as a professional soccer franchise. We feel, from an organizational prospective, we meet all the requirements to be one of the two MLS franchises awarded." Including Nash only enhances the Whitecaps chances, said Lenarduzzi. "It's a no-brainer," he said. "He has such a great reputation and a great credibility. He's just like the guy next door despite of all the success he has had. "He loves British Columbia, he watched the Whitecaps. Him associating himself with our bid has to give us an edge on other franchises that wouldn't have that kind of individual." Nash hinted he would remain involved with the Whitecaps even if the team doesn't succeed in its bid to join the MLS. "If it doesn't become a reality I'd still want to support the Whitecaps," he said. "We would have to look at what is going on but I'd love to still be a part of it either way." Growing up Nash was a good soccer player but he doubted if he would ever play for the Whitecaps when his basketball career is over. "I think my ownership stake would be revoked if I tried to suit up for the Whitecaps," Nash laughed. "I am going to be a very vocal owner at the games, in the stands, in my seat. "I really see myself as just being a superfan, being a fanatic of the team." Martin Nash has no reservations over his brother becoming his employer. "I don't think that would be a problem," he said with a smile. "It's an exciting day for him more than anything. To be on the ownership side is great and we'll see how it goes." The Whitecaps currently play in 5,288-seat Swangard Stadium. The team plans to move into 59,000-seat B.C. Place Stadium once a new, retractable roof is installed after the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The Whitecaps also will continue to pursue plans to build a 20,000-seat stadium on the Vancouver waterfront. Landing an MLS team in Vancouver won't be a free kick. Joey Saputo, president of the USL's Montreal Impact, said he will bid on a franchise for the city. The MLS has also met with Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk to discuss a possible team in that city. Toronto FC became Canada's first MLS expansion team in 2007. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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