MLS expansion deadline for the formal bid (Oct 15)

[Luis_Rancagua]

Guys, with 24 hours remaining, it appears that Ottawa and Miami-Barcelona have both submitted their formal bids to enter MLS in 2011. This information comes directly to us from MLS Rumors.

Has anyone here heard yet from Montreal, Vancouver, Portland, St. Louis, etc...

[Guest Jeffery S.]

Had posted there was no news on this from here, but have to change. It IS in the papers today. I am surprised as no one has asked the opinion of club members, who have to approve the budget.

That said, 20 million US is only 5% of our annual budget, and Nike would throw in a huge chunk just to have us there (could they, or is there already a standard shirt deal in MLS?).

Here is a Miami Herald article.

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/story/725684.html

This is a translation of part of the MARCA article out today, the original has small small errors and imprecisions but is basically alright:

http://www.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/1a_division/barcelona/es/desarrollo/1175127.html

Barcelona will try to enter MLS in 2010

Barcelona will present in Miama an offer before the MLS to become co-owner of one of the two new teams that will participate in the league starting in 2010, a project shared with the Bolivian businessman Marcelo Claure.

The President and General Manager of Barceloa, Joan Laporta y Joan Oliver, will make the official presentation in Miami of the Catalan club's project for one of the two franchises, which are also being opted for by clubs in Portland, Montreal and Las Vegas. Barcelona has already reached an agreement with the Bolivian cell phone entrepreneur Marcelo Claure to create a company to try for a new MLS team to be based in Miami.

A club with references to the Catalan team

Barcelona has already been in contact with the University of Florida to use their stadium as the official home for the new team, which does not have a name or crest or team colours, although

Barcelona will try to ensure that it has "clear references and identifying marks" of Barcelona, Miami, Catalonia and "the Americas", according to the information provided by the club.

The club's goal is to consolidate its position in the American market, after having made the first step with the signing last May of a strategic agreement with MLS to promote the Barça brand in the United States. This agreement sets out various commercial and sponsorship activities, besides ensuring the club's participation in at least six friendly matches over the next 5 years, two of which will be held in the month of August.

[Johnnie Monster]

Uhhh Jeffrey, Barca is in:

http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/noticies/club/temporada08-09/10/n081014105562.html

Vancouver sent the mayor to meet with Don Garber last week, and the Whitecaps bid is also on the way to the Big Apple.

Portland has already submitted, and I believe Ottawa is doing so today.

Any news from Montreal??? St. Louis??? Atlanta???

A poster on BS indicated he had info that one of the major players has pulled out due to the credit crisis.... I'm guessing St. Louis, but it could be any of those three above.

[CanadianSoccerFan]

I'll bet it's St. Louis as well. They were really shaky financially to begin with.

[Luis_Rancagua]

Guys, the news is coming in as quickly as possible into the news room. MLS Rumors is now reporting that Arthur Blank, owner of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons, has recently submitted his bid for an MLS franchise with only 24 hours remaining on the countdown.

Com'on Joey Saputo, make your move now...

[Vancouversoccerman]

I posted this in the USL forum, but I'll mention it here. Global TV is reporting that there will only be one bid from Vancouver for a team, and it will be from the Whitecaps. They said that the Aquilini group, which owns the Vancouver Canucks, have opted not to bid for the MLS franchise.