***MLS to Announce Bidders Tomorrow***

[the biologist]

Seven teams are in with a bid:

1- Atlanta

2- Miami

3- Montreal

4- Ottawa

5- St. Louis

6- Portland

7- Vancouver

Announced a few minutes ago on Extra Time

(http://web.mlsnet.com/index.jsp)

[CanadianSoccerFan]

http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldFootballNews/idUKB22480120081015?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0

Claure even let slip that the name would be Barca Miami (cue gag reflex!).

[Luis_Rancagua]

We need a French translator for this one. Very interesting article in the French speaking "Le Journal de Montréal". If I understood it correctly, the article mentions that certain bids are classified NOT too serious. This includes Ottawa, Atlanta and Miami.

--------------------------------

Six rivales pour Montréal

Martin Smith

16/10/2008 09:19

Le Journal de Montréal

Sept groupes, représentant trois villes du Canada et quatre des États-Unis, sont officiellement engagés dans la course pour obtenir une des deux concessions offertes par la Major League Soccer pour son expansion de 2011.

Le président, Mark Abbott, en a fait l'annonce depuis le quartier général de la MLS à Manhattan, hier en fin d'après-midi, après que soit passée l'heure limite de dépôt des dossiers de candidature.

Comme indiqué dans l'édition d'hier du Journal de Montréal, on retrouve Ottawa et Vancouver, en plus de Montréal, sur les rangs des villes situées au nord du 45e parallèle tandis qu'au sud de cette latitude habituellement utilisée pour définir la frontière entre le Canada et les États-Unis, on retrouve Atlanta, Miami, Portland et Saint Louis.

En examinant ces candidatures, il ne faut pas oublier qu'elles ne sont pas aussi sérieuses les unes que les autres puisque le système d'enchères (bid) retenu par la MLS permet à des groupes de tenter leur chance au cas où...

Des groupes apparus récemment, voire à la dernière minute, tels ceux d'Atlanta, de Miami et d'Ottawa, pourraient même avoir été «invités» par la ligue à faire acte de présence pour mousser artificiellement l'intérêt en vue de l'expansion de 2011 et ainsi justifier le prix d'entrée de 40 M$ maintes fois mentionné par le commissaire Don Garber.

Portefeuille, stade et marketing

Lors de sa courte présentation d'hier après-midi, Abbott a énuméré les trois critères primordiaux qui gouverneront l'analyse des dossiers : «la solidité du groupe de propriétaires, le plan pour un stade et le potentiel de marketing», a-t-il indiqué.

À première vue, il n'y a que des grosses pointures au sein des promoteurs.

Au chapitre du stade, les trois groupes représentant une ville déjà établie dans la USL-1 ont une avance sur les autres et apportent également une valeur ajoutée avec leur expérience de gestion, de liens avec la communauté du soccer et avec le milieu des affaires.

Quant au potentiel de marketing, Abbott a précisé que la MLS n'avait aucune crainte face à une expansion au Canada «après avoir vu l'énorme succès engendré par le lancement du FC Toronto».

L'analyse du contenu des dossiers des sept groupes intéressés par l'expansion de 2011 sera suivie par une recommandation au comité d'expansion.

Une des données les plus importantes sera sans l'ombre d'un doute le prix d'entrée que seront prêts à payer les divers groupes. À ce sujet, il convient de rappeler la philosophie qui guide le groupe montréalais.

«On veut vraiment jouer au plus haut niveau, mais pas à n'importe quel prix», a souvent répété Joey Saputo.

La MLS est actuellement formée de 14 équipes auxquelles se joindront les clubs de Seattle en 2009 et de Philadelphie en 2010. L'objectif avoué est de se rendre à 20 concessions avant 2012.

Le président Abbott a de nouveau affirmé que le choix des deux villes retenues pour l'expansion de 2011 sera annoncé au plus tard en mars 2009.

CANDIDATURES EN VUE DE L'EXPANSION 2011 DE LA MLS

1 > ATLANTA Arthur Blank

2 > MIAMI FC Barcelone et Marcelo Claure

3 > MONTRÉAL Saputo et Gillett

4 > OTTAWA Eugene Melnyk

5 > PORTLAND Famille Paulson

6 > SAINT LOUIS Jeff Cooper

7 > VANCOUVER Greg Kerfoot, Steve Nash et Jeff Mallett

http://www.canoe.com/sports/nouvelles/archives/2008/10/20081016-091900.html

[Bxl Boy]

It says that Miami, Atlanta and Ottawa could have been invited by the MLS to make a bid, just to justify a higher entry fee

[Luis_Rancagua]

quote:Originally posted by Bxl Boy

It says that Miami, Atlanta and Ottawa could have been invited by the MLS to make a bid, just to justify a higher entry fee.

So does this mean that Montreal and Vancouver could be the likely candidates to win bids...

[Canuck Oranje]

This all leads me to believe there are some other pieces not public yet.

On Marcelo Claure, he has been living in the Miami area for some time so he is hardly new to the area. But if you read about this guy, he is very good at bringing in the best people to manage a project, again pointing to some yet unknown pieces. Having said all that, he does strike me as a Mark Cuban/ Jim Balsillie type of owner so he may be a little too flamboyant for the MLS old boys.

quote:Originally posted by Jeffrey S.

I am no expert on the Miami or Florida market, but if it is not working now and has struggled in the past, the only one of the big four US states to fail at the attempt to implant quality pro soccer, you have to wonder why. It looks easy, it should work, but obviously there is something else happening there.

And a bunch of Catalan and Bolivian suits flaunting new money and platitudes about Latino-Spanish connections are not going to be the ones to figure it out. Still, Barça has made worst mistakes with its money, hell, we bought Overmaars for the cost an MLS franchise, recently voted one of the worst signings in the last 20 years at the club (along with Winston Bogarde, who at least was fun to watch hack away).

[Vic]

Pardon the cut/paste, good read though:

10/15/2008 6:28 PM

McCarthy's Musings: Growth Potential

Montreal heads the list of seven cities hoping to land an MLS team in the next round of expansion. Goal.com's Kyle McCarthy breaks down the prospective contenders.

By Kyle McCarthy

The much anticipated day has arrived. Start placing your bets now. It's expansion season.

For seven cities across two countries, hope pushes you onwards. For those of you in Queens or Las Vegas, the time to wonder what has gone wrong has now arrived.

For pundits like me, it's time for a snap judgment on which two cities have the best chance of landing a team when the selections are announced later this year or early in 2009.

The criteria outlined by the league are as follows: strength of ownership group, stadium plan and market attributes.

Mindful of those criteria, here is how I see things as they stand right now.

1. Montreal – The Saputo and Gillett families

Expandable stadium in place? Check. Stadium located within city limits? Check. Stadium on public transportation? Check. Well-funded owners with soccer experience? Check. Largest city on the list? Check. Largest Canadian city on the list? Check. Multicultural fanbase? Check. Successful USL franchise? Check. Fierce rivalry with league's most supported team? Check. Said rivalry within a six hour drive? Check.

Dock them for giving away tickets to USL games and having a rather spartan facility if you want. Even with that, Montreal is by far and away the leader in the clubhouse.

2. Portland – The Paulson family

Portland isn't the largest city on the list. The Paulsons aren't the wealthiest prospective owners. But the Timbers do play in a quaint stadium inside city limits almost directly off the highway and could likely get a sweetheart lease deal from the city and the Paulsons have a commitment to the sport. PGE Park would need some work to prepare for soccer and would need to relocate the AAA team sharing the stadium, but it's doable. History shows the market will support the team and there is an established rivalry with Seattle. Yet the strongest case for Portland is that MLS wants another team to partner Seattle in the Northwest and can't have...

3. Vancouver – Greg Kerfoot, Steve Nash and Jeff Mallett

If Vancouver were located inside the the United States, it would be second on this list. There is little chance – or there should be, considering the considerable American interest – of the league expanding to two Canadian cities in this round of expansion. This is a strong ownership group with significant experience in the soccer community. If Kerfoot can somehow get his stadium built downtown, then the league has to revisit the situation. But three Canadian teams appears one too many with the league perched at 18 and Montreal has more to work with than Vancouver.

4. Miami – FC Barcelona / Marcelo Claure

External pressures will play a role here. The rest of the world likely expects Barca to land a team just because the Catalan giants want one. It won't be that easy. Soccer failed here once before and Miami FC hasn't exactly thrived in the second go-around. Admittedly, the demographics are better this time around, the ownership group is stronger and there is some groundswell for the move around the league because of the market size and the local political support. But combine the iffy history with the university-owned stadium – which is slated to expand to an unworkable 45,000 by 2011 -- and signs point to no this time, even if the league should establish a presence in the Southeast.

5. Atlanta – Arthur Blank

Blank is a wealthy investor willing to fund a team and a stadium complex in Atlanta. There are few bad words to say about Blank or his commitment to professional sports in Atlanta. That's the good news. The bad news is that the market just doesn't seem particularly interested and the complex would likely have to be located somewhere out in the suburbs, according to an Atlanta Business Chronicle story.

6. St. Louis – Investment group led by Jeff Cooper

Cooper has admirable tenacity. He has fought for this project for years. Having a committed owner like Cooper would be beneficial to the league and St. Louis remains an attractive market. Despite the positives, there are two fatal flaws with this bid: (1) there is a significant evidence to show that Cooper does not have deep enough pockets – mystery investors or not – to play at this level and (2) the proposed stadium complex would be located across the river in Collinsville, Ill. On other lists, this bid will end up closer to the top, but those flaws can't and should not be overlooked.

7. Ottawa – Eugene Melnyk

The league just won't expand to suburban Ottawa with better options in larger American cities, especially when the city has little soccer pedigree.

Kyle McCarthy writes the Monday MLS Breakdown and blogs frequently during the week for Goal.com. Contact him with your questions or comments at kylemccarthy@gmail.com.

Source: http://www.goal.com/en-us/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=914457

[Keano]

quote:Originally posted by Vic

Pardon the cut/paste, good read though:

10/15/2008 6:28 PM

McCarthy's Musings: Growth Potential

Montreal heads the list of seven cities hoping to land an MLS team in the next round of expansion. Goal.com's Kyle McCarthy breaks down the prospective contenders.

By Kyle McCarthy

The much anticipated day has arrived. Start placing your bets now. It's expansion season.

For seven cities across two countries, hope pushes you onwards. For those of you in Queens or Las Vegas, the time to wonder what has gone wrong has now arrived.

For pundits like me, it's time for a snap judgment on which two cities have the best chance of landing a team when the selections are announced later this year or early in 2009.

The criteria outlined by the league are as follows: strength of ownership group, stadium plan and market attributes.

Mindful of those criteria, here is how I see things as they stand right now.

1. Montreal – The Saputo and Gillett families

Expandable stadium in place? Check. Stadium located within city limits? Check. Stadium on public transportation? Check. Well-funded owners with soccer experience? Check. Largest city on the list? Check. Largest Canadian city on the list? Check. Multicultural fanbase? Check. Successful USL franchise? Check. Fierce rivalry with league's most supported team? Check. Said rivalry within a six hour drive? Check.

Dock them for giving away tickets to USL games and having a rather spartan facility if you want. Even with that, Montreal is by far and away the leader in the clubhouse.

2. Portland – The Paulson family

Portland isn't the largest city on the list. The Paulsons aren't the wealthiest prospective owners. But the Timbers do play in a quaint stadium inside city limits almost directly off the highway and could likely get a sweetheart lease deal from the city and the Paulsons have a commitment to the sport. PGE Park would need some work to prepare for soccer and would need to relocate the AAA team sharing the stadium, but it's doable. History shows the market will support the team and there is an established rivalry with Seattle. Yet the strongest case for Portland is that MLS wants another team to partner Seattle in the Northwest and can't have...

3. Vancouver – Greg Kerfoot, Steve Nash and Jeff Mallett

If Vancouver were located inside the the United States, it would be second on this list. There is little chance – or there should be, considering the considerable American interest – of the league expanding to two Canadian cities in this round of expansion. This is a strong ownership group with significant experience in the soccer community. If Kerfoot can somehow get his stadium built downtown, then the league has to revisit the situation. But three Canadian teams appears one too many with the league perched at 18 and Montreal has more to work with than Vancouver.

4. Miami – FC Barcelona / Marcelo Claure

External pressures will play a role here. The rest of the world likely expects Barca to land a team just because the Catalan giants want one. It won't be that easy. Soccer failed here once before and Miami FC hasn't exactly thrived in the second go-around. Admittedly, the demographics are better this time around, the ownership group is stronger and there is some groundswell for the move around the league because of the market size and the local political support. But combine the iffy history with the university-owned stadium – which is slated to expand to an unworkable 45,000 by 2011 -- and signs point to no this time, even if the league should establish a presence in the Southeast.

5. Atlanta – Arthur Blank

Blank is a wealthy investor willing to fund a team and a stadium complex in Atlanta. There are few bad words to say about Blank or his commitment to professional sports in Atlanta. That's the good news. The bad news is that the market just doesn't seem particularly interested and the complex would likely have to be located somewhere out in the suburbs, according to an Atlanta Business Chronicle story.

6. St. Louis – Investment group led by Jeff Cooper

Cooper has admirable tenacity. He has fought for this project for years. Having a committed owner like Cooper would be beneficial to the league and St. Louis remains an attractive market. Despite the positives, there are two fatal flaws with this bid: (1) there is a significant evidence to show that Cooper does not have deep enough pockets – mystery investors or not – to play at this level and (2) the proposed stadium complex would be located across the river in Collinsville, Ill. On other lists, this bid will end up closer to the top, but those flaws can't and should not be overlooked.

7. Ottawa – Eugene Melnyk

The league just won't expand to suburban Ottawa with better options in larger American cities, especially when the city has little soccer pedigree.

Kyle McCarthy writes the Monday MLS Breakdown and blogs frequently during the week for Goal.com. Contact him with your questions or comments at kylemccarthy@gmail.com.

Source: http://www.goal.com/en-us/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=914457

Really interesting points....

because I'm a homer

[Luis_Rancagua]

What are the chances of accepting all 3 franchises: Vancouver, Montreal and Portland...

[Richard]

^ Wouldn't surprise me in the least if MLS awarded more than two franchises this time around considering the number and quality of the bids they have received.

[Ivan]

^ Me either. Plus Montreal, Vancouver and Portland would have 2 years to improve their rosters, which are already reasonably strong.

[MegasAlexandros1555362277]

^ It's not quite that simple. If any of those 3 get in, they can't just take the roster at that time and just say it's now their MLS roster. Although I'm sure many of the players will continue on into the new MLS incarnation of the team, they will have to make them sign MLS contracts, follow all the MLS roster rules, bring in some new guys to replace some of the USL players who won't cut it at MLS level. Take the example of Seattle. So far, Le Toux has been the only signing from their current roster. For sure there will be a few more, but expect to see a roster with significant changes next summer for the Sounders.

Bottom line: I don't really think having a team you can improve over the next 2 years is necessarily a strong factor in the decision making process here. I'd say the 3 bids you mentioned are front runners based on the other criteria like infrastructure, ownership group and market viability.

[ag futbol]

I really like the way the author has layed out that article. I can only hope that MLS thinks about things in that rational a manner. My fear is that they will pull an NHL and accept low quality bids like St. Louis which effectively puts a stadium in the middle of nowhere which won't draw fans. Ask Colorado about that one if you must. SSS or not, the rapids are a bust.

[Richard]

^ I agree, MLS criteria will be biassed heavily towards criteria like impact on league TV revenues, market viability, ownership group and capital resources, stadium facilities and where existing clubs such as Montreal and Vancouver are concerned, pedigree, brand recognition and management experience. The actual player rosters fielded in the first MLS games will be very different from the current USL lineups.

[Richard]

^ I agree, MLS criteria will be biassed heavily towards criteria like impact on league TV revenues, market viability, ownership group and capital resources, stadium facilities and where existing clubs such as Montreal and Vancouver are concerned, pedigree, brand recognition and management experience. The actual player rosters fielded in the first MLS games will be very different from the current USL lineups.

[the biologist]

There's one interesting statement made by Martin Smith in his JdeM article:

La MLS est actuellement formée de 14 équipes auxquelles se joindront les clubs de Seattle en 2009 et de Philadelphie en 2010. L'objectif avoué est de se rendre à 20 concessions avant 2012.

Which translates in: "MLS currently includes 14 teams which will be joined by Seattle in 2009 and Philadelphia in 2010. The admitted objective is to hit the 20-franchise mark before 2012."

Really ??? Has anyone ever heard something about that ? 'Cause I don't know where this come from. Someone previously stated on the board that the announcement almost made it clear that there's gonna be only 2 more teams in 2011, but what about 2012 ?

That could confirm the assertion that NY2 didn't bid for 2011 because they know they're gonna have another chance in 2012, giving them more time to develop their project appropriately.

[Canuck Oranje]

I also wouldn't discount the possibility of moving a franchise or two. Or current MLS partner/owner or two wanting an exit.

I would also echo Richard's comments above.

[bettermirror]

I highly suspect a 20 team league to mirror the English Premier League. Hopefully they go to single-table as well. They will continue to try and market is as a summer-version of the BPL for sure without claiming the player quality.

With all of these bids and all of that money on the table, why in heavens name would an AMERICAN business (or any business for that matter) accept less than A THIRD of the money they could make. Hmmmmm, 80 million or 160 million? Not a tough call for the league or the investors. They are at 14. Guaranteed to go up to 16 in 2 years. Stated they will add 2 out of 7 bids taking the league to 18. No reason they won't accept 4 out of 7 bids and cap at 20. With 20 teams, they would then HAVE to increase youth development, and the team budgets to bring in a higher quality player.

Who am I kidding, they need to improve player development and team budgets now too!!

[SteveBeau]

Here is an article on ESPN about the 2011 expansion

"Montreal in pole position for one of the expansion spots"

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=582785&sec=mls&root=mls&&cc=5901

[the biologist]

So, Kyle McCarthy puts Mtl on top of the list, then Ives Galarcep do so, who's next ? [8D]

[Ivan]

quote:Originally posted by MegasAlexandros

^ It's not quite that simple. If any of those 3 get in, they can't just take the roster at that time and just say it's now their MLS roster. Although I'm sure many of the players will continue on into the new MLS incarnation of the team, they will have to make them sign MLS contracts, follow all the MLS roster rules, bring in some new guys to replace some of the USL players who won't cut it at MLS level. Take the example of Seattle. So far, Le Toux has been the only signing from their current roster. For sure there will be a few more, but expect to see a roster with significant changes next summer for the Sounders.

Bottom line: I don't really think having a team you can improve over the next 2 years is necessarily a strong factor in the decision making process here. I'd say the 3 bids you mentioned are front runners based on the other criteria like infrastructure, ownership group and market viability.

Yes I realize it is not that simple, yet I still think it remains a distinct possibility. We are talking an additional $80 million currently on the table. In what looks like tough economic times ahead, MLS would be silly not to consider it. The down side of course is player depth and quality which they could in turn justify by the relative success of the Impact and W'Caps. They could also help to fix the depth issue by increasing the salary cap which would keep some of our better young players here, and attract some in Europe back. Having another $80 million in the bank ($5 million per team) would help do so.

[An Observer]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/soccer_america/10/17/mls.expansion/?eref=sircrc

SI basically puts Vancouver top

[Michael Crampton]

quote:Originally posted by bettermirror

With all of these bids and all of that money on the table, why in heavens name would an AMERICAN business (or any business for that matter) accept less than A THIRD of the money they could make. Hmmmmm, 80 million or 160 million?

Well, one consideration would be that with further expansion any league wide revenues from television or sponsorship would have to be split among more teams. Unless the expansion teams add more than they take away in those areas, or at least add more to the ticket revenue pool that they send to the league (2/3rds of gate?) than they get back in salary, then the short term money of expansion fees has to be weighed against the necessity of subsidizing more teams. That's the biggest negative to more Canadian expansion for MLS: will more clubs here, even if they're successful, positively contribute overall league revenues more than a slightly less successful American market?

Personally I hope the league goes for the markets that have the best chance at solid local fanbases - MLS is a niche league that still relies an awful lot on its gate receipts - instead of worrying about their imaginary national audience but I can understand why they might differ. Like was mentioned above let's hope we don't see another NHL develop... a wildly (financially) successful TFC being held back by a salary cap meant to stabilize teams in poor markets would be even more Leafs-like!

As an aside I find it nearly impossible to see the league adopting a proper single table as it blasts past 16 teams. That was really the only number that would be appropriate for such a system based on the timeframe (April-October) that the league competes in. As they push to 18 or 20 or even 24 eventually I think it virtually garuntees that conferences won't be disappearing... unfortunately.

[An Observer]

My rating for what it is worth based on four factors (ownership group, media market, stadium and fan base)

1. Montreal

Onwership group: yes, deep pockets with experience in NA and Europe

Media market: yes, #2 in Canada = 15th in the US (bigger than Portland and St. Louis

Stadium: yes, have an expandable if basic stadium with no dependencies (ie. public money/approvals)

Fan base: yes, Impact generate good numbers; should only be increased by playing in MLS

2. Miami

Ownership group: Yes, very solid with Barcelona increasing league profile in Europe

Media Market: Yes, #7 in the US

Stadium: ?, temporary solution with Florida university but no long term firm plans

Fan base: ?, Fusion failed and Ft Lauderdale Strikers were not solid in the old NASL

3. Vancouver

Onwership group: Yes, deep pockets with star category

Media market: ?, 3rd in Canada = 24th in US (similar to Portland but way smaller than other US cities)

Stadium: ?, similar to Seatle but don't own the building and much depends on unseen drawings of a redeveloped BC place

Fan base: Yes, demonstrated in USL and in the NASL before that

4. Atlanta

Ownership Group: yes, they have a big time NFL owner

Media Market: yes, 9th in the US and after Miami the largest US city out of the MSL

Stadium: ??, no announced plans and reports suggest it needs public money which is not guaranteed

Fan Base: ??, Silverbacks not greatly supported in USL, nor were previous teams in NASL

5. Portland

Ownership Group: ?, not nearly as deep as the others in Paulsen unless his Dad becomes majority owner (and he's go other things on his mind)

Media Market: ?, similar to Vancouver but only 23rd in US

Stadium: ??, almost a no as relient on public money and no real decent temporary solution other using an existing baseball park

Fan base: Yes, the Timbers draw well in USL as they did in NASL

6. St. Louis

Ownership Group: ??, almost a no as there seems to be no money men behind this group

Media Market: Yes, at 18th good but not comparable to Miami or Atlanta and even Montrael is bigger

Stadium: ?, has city agreement to build but can they finance it, and what is the temporary solution if that fails

Fan base: ?, assumed to be a yes as America's soccer hotbed but no USL and bad track record in NASL

7. Ottawa

Ownership Group: Yes, very deep

Media Market: ??, would 45th in the US next to Hartford and Buffalo

Stadium: ?, has plans but needs public support

Fan base: ?, sure Canadians may support soccer more than Americans but no track record.

So on this basis, I would suggest Montreal and Miami. The first ticks all the boxes, the second is an entry back into the 9th largest US market with deep pockets and star quality. If they go for 4, Vancouver should be in with one of Atlanta or Portland (or St. Louis if only because Garber seems to believe in that market).

[Michael Crampton]

quote:Originally posted by ag futbol

I really like the way the author has layed out that article. I can only hope that MLS thinks about things in that rational a manner. My fear is that they will pull an NHL and accept low quality bids like St. Louis which effectively puts a stadium in the middle of nowhere which won't draw fans. Ask Colorado about that one if you must. SSS or not, the rapids are a bust.

Yes, very interesting that he ranks St. Louis so low. If you were to listen to many Americans St. Louis would seem like an automatic pick. He seems to be arguing that they're thinking with their hearts rather than their heads which is exactly what we're accused of.

What would happen to the Whitecaps if both their regional rivals and national rivals end up in a different league? Not that MLS is likely to consider this but it would seem to virtually kneecap the club. Here's hoping that it either doesn't happen or Kerfoot is prepared to ride it out.