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NASL expansion in Canada


Obinna

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But doesn't it tell FIFA that we are still very developmental in terms of football culture, while at the same time trying to bring, in my opinion, the most prestigious sporting event in the world here? Not saying it matters a lot, but you never know. Depends on who is on the board and their impressions. It's not that easy to win a World Cup bid.

We are in developmental stages. The WC is usually awarded to further development in the winning country. It rotates continents, so depending on the rotation, you'll either see great gains or incremental progress depending on the prior commitment to the game in that country.

Anyway, I'd imagine acting on a new league in 2014 would be to the benefit to the CSA and to its application for an event held 2026. The type of infrastructure required for a WC would need a partnership with CFL stadiums not the league we would be building.

If you go to the FIFA site and research the distrubution of GOAL and FAP spending you'll see FIFA provides funding to all members regardless of economics and state of the game. The majority of spending has been in Africa though.

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We are in developmental stages. The WC is usually awarded to further development in the winning country. It rotates continents, so depending on the rotation, you'll either see great gains or incremental progress depending on the prior commitment to the game in that country.

Anyway, I'd imagine acting on a new league in 2014 would be to the benefit to the CSA and to its application for an event held 2026. The type of infrastructure required for a WC would need a partnership with CFL stadiums not the league we would be building.

If you go to the FIFA site and research the distrubution of GOAL and FAP spending you'll see FIFA provides funding to all members regardless of economics and state of the game. The majority of spending has been in Africa though.

Actually that's not true anymore, the continental rotation thing. The newest rules are that you can't host it if your continent has hosted it within the last 2 cycles. By that logic, in 2026 Asia and Europe will not be eligible. But then so far the opposing bids seem to be coming from Mexico and the USA, so it's them we have to give a better bid than, as yet. But you are correct they do not seem to be bothered much by the state of development in the country, in fact looking as countries with less soccer culture as an opportunity to expand the game.

But you have to think they look at all sorts of extraneous factors. But you all know a lot about that, especially talking about the KEY point which is infrastructure.

My worry with Canada is showing them that the game can have the attendance it needs. The USA is proving it has the potential to do it time and time again. And their proximity to both Canada AND Mexico could make them that much more appealing. They could rightly say that by hosting it in America, you will hit the fans of both Canada and Mexico.

Mexico would argue they are closer to the Central American countries that qualify. Their bid could be negatively influenced by the fact they have already seen their share of World Cup action. The trend seems to be to give the action to places that haven't seen it yet. And THAT is where Canada would shine.

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But doesn't it tell FIFA that we are still very developmental in terms of football culture, while at the same time trying to bring, in my opinion, the most prestigious sporting event in the world here? Not saying it matters a lot, but you never know. Depends on who is on the board and their impressions. It's not that easy to win a World Cup bid.

Well, the examples I have pasted above were from projects in Portugal, Sweden and Finland - so because they received that funding does that mean they are very developmental in terms of football culture?

As DigzTFC has said, all members receive some funding now and then, some projects just get more publicity than others.

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Regardless of all the Bitching the FA did about been fitted up over the 2018 bid, one thing that does hold true about the Russian award was that its probably the last of the truly underdeveloped Soccer markets in Europe, notwithstanding a bid form the Balkans in the next European Rotation.

Of course a bid from England would be perfect, but that was the problem with them bidding. No real scope for developing, save for Bristol City/ Rovers getting FIFA cash to build a new stadium and perhaps some development of Devon and Cornwall region.

As it stands England's on permanent standby to host if any Awarded bid collapses anyway, principally because it could pull together a summer tournament in a matter of weeks. Heck there are three to five stadiums in Yorkshire and the North East alone that hold 40K+

As for MK Dons.. <SPITS> all they need is to Put the seats in!

All joking apart one would have to consider Canada, with its huge domestic amateur program to be on FIFA's radar for the Big Show. They would not have awarded so many of the, erm, "Undercard Tournaments" if they were not interested, would they?

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Well, the examples I have pasted above were from projects in Portugal, Sweden and Finland - so because they received that funding does that mean they are very developmental in terms of football culture?

As DigzTFC has said, all members receive some funding now and then, some projects just get more publicity than others.

Portugal: Definitely not. Sweden: Not really. Finland: Yes.

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Joe Petrone was on Anthony Totera's Red Card and mentioned Winnipeg as almost a certainty next to his Calgary bid.

I'm still learning about Petrone, I don't know a lot about him. But recent events have me admiring his entrepreneurial attitude and passion about soccer in Canada.

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Joe Petrone was on Anthony Totera's Red Card and mentioned Winnipeg as almost a certainty next to his Calgary bid.

****ing A! I was in IGF last week during training camp for the BB. Place is a amazing. That alone can make all the difference when bringing in a new team/sport to a community.

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Having just seen the Bombers play a pre-season game (highlights) developing that stadium into a venue for an NASL team would be exceptional. Yes, it's very large for NASL standards, BUT, they can tarp off sections to bring the fans close together to create atmosphere. I imagine Winnipeg would develop a supporters section and off they are running. The issue would of course be stadium rental and corporate sponsorship, outside of ownership. Additionally would other NASL teams approve the travel costs before allowing them to enter etc. BUT, adding Winnipeg, Hamilton, and Calgary would give Canada 5 NASL level teams, and as such open the door for a Quebec City and Regina team possible. (can you say Canadian league?)

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As it currently stands Oklahoma City FC were today granted use of TAFT Stadium ahead of a USL focused group.

In essence this is prelude to them been accepted into the NASL for 2015.

http://newsok.com/article/3853730

from the article.

"Upon formal approval on July 25, 2013, Oklahoma City will become the smallest market in the NASL. The NASL is the second highest tier in the United States soccer pyramid, with 12 teams in its league."

From the comments

... currently a 4th division PDL amateur team. Joining NASL is moving up to pro.

Hope for the Highlanders promoting to NASL yet Ted?;)

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As it currently stands Oklahoma City FC were today granted use of TAFT Stadium ahead of a USL focused group.

In essence this is prelude to them been accepted into the NASL for 2015.

http://newsok.com/article/3853730

from the article.

"Upon formal approval on July 25, 2013, Oklahoma City will become the smallest market in the NASL. The NASL is the second highest tier in the United States soccer pyramid, with 12 teams in its league."

From the comments

... currently a 4th division PDL amateur team. Joining NASL is moving up to pro.

Hope for the Highlanders promoting to NASL yet Ted?;)

I'm starting it now: #FCLondon2NASL :P

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For all the talk about Calgary and Winnipeg I think it's more likely that the next team goes to Hamilton. Winnipeg and Calgary don't have any money behind them at this time.

Bob Young bid on the NASL franchise that went to Ottawa and was an investor in the Caroline NASL franchise. So when you combine a brand new stadium, an actual interested & experienced sports owner and a large soccer community to draw from - Hamilton will have the stronger business case. The big question is the economics of the NASL.

This will give Ottawa an in league rival as well as a natural "friendly" rivalry in TFC.

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For all the talk about Calgary and Winnipeg I think it's more likely that the next team goes to Hamilton. Winnipeg and Calgary don't have any money behind them at this time.

Bob Young bid on the NASL franchise that went to Ottawa and was an investor in the Caroline NASL franchise. So when you combine a brand new stadium, an actual interested & experienced sports owner and a large soccer community to draw from - Hamilton will have the stronger business case. The big question is the economics of the NASL.

This will give Ottawa an in league rival as well as a natural "friendly" rivalry in TFC.

I don't mean to rehash this from the Edmonton boards, but my concern with that thinking is that it seems pretty clear the NASL wants it's next group of franchises to be based more on the western side of the continent. It seems likely that if Winnipeg and Calgary don't become options, it's not to the benefit of Hamilton at this point. Rather, it would mean they decide on Albuquerque or Oklahoma City or Las Vegas as a better option instead.

I can't see them starting more eastern franchises at this time given their current line of thought, but I'm not exactly in on the meetings obviously...just my personal hunch.

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I don't mean to rehash this from the Edmonton boards, but my concern with that thinking is that it seems pretty clear the NASL wants it's next group of franchises to be based more on the western side of the continent. It seems likely that if Winnipeg and Calgary don't become options, it's not to the benefit of Hamilton at this point. Rather, it would mean they decide on Albuquerque or Oklahoma City or Las Vegas as a better option instead.

I can't see them starting more eastern franchises at this time given their current line of thought, but I'm not exactly in on the meetings obviously...just my personal hunch.

The NASL may have some preferences as to which cities they would like to be but if any city has a financially solid owner, an acceptable stadium and a decent prospect of good attendance they will be granted a franchise. They are not in any position to be picky if the important criteria for a successful franchise are met.

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The NASL may have some preferences as to which cities they would like to be but if any city has a financially solid owner, an acceptable stadium and a decent prospect of good attendance they will be granted a franchise. They are not in any position to be picky if the important criteria for a successful franchise are met.

Yet I have a hunch they will be picky based on geographic criteria. I suspect a bias towards western expansion. But I mean, even if their next three teams ARE out west, it's not like my point will be proven. As well, they could be the most financially solid owners, and acceptable stadiums. But those criteria haven't necessarily stopped them in the past.

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Yet I have a hunch they will be picky based on geographic criteria. I suspect a bias towards western expansion. But I mean, even if their next three teams ARE out west, it's not like my point will be proven. As well, they could be the most financially solid owners, and acceptable stadiums. But those criteria haven't necessarily stopped them in the past.

NASL is still a small struggling league that needs more teams and in particular more successful teams. They have absolutely no ground to stand on to be picky based on geographical location. MLS is near its maximum size, is getting good attendance and has teams in most regions of the US. They can afford to be picky. NASL is still in survival mode and any city that presents a well financed deal with a good plan will be approved. If Hamilton does so they will get a franchise end of story.

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NASL is still a small struggling league that needs more teams and in particular more successful teams. They have absolutely no ground to stand on to be picky based on geographical location. MLS is near its maximum size, is getting good attendance and has teams in most regions of the US. They can afford to be picky. NASL is still in survival mode and any city that presents a well financed deal with a good plan will be approved. If Hamilton does so they will get a franchise end of story.

Yet the fact that many of the locations being discussed are out west leaves them room to pick those markets, which are also viable. If they plan to have teams across the country, they will need to build rivalries. There are a lot more factors to consider when looking at long term viability of the NASL. If Hamilton's bid is attractive enough, they will get a franchise, I agree.

But I don't think they will be one of the next few franchises to appear, no matter. My hunch is strong, he is looking west, and the next two or three franchises announced will be western ones. Then they may look back at Hamilton after that.

It wouldn't be the first time that people in high up positions got married to an idea, and got headstrong about it. I sense that here.

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