News: Expansion Bid News - catch all thread

No offense but USL-Pro is a joke right now. Half of the USL-Pro teams are drawing less then 900 per game. If you take out Orlando and Rochester (who hasn't played a home game yet), the league is averaging around 2,017. Then you have to look at presentation. When it comes to streaming NASL is way better then USL-Pro. From top to bottom NASL is a better league then USL-Pro. Plus NASL is still getting loans from MLS. Hell RSL just sent a player to Carolina. So far the USL-Pro becoming a over grown reserve league hasn't hurt NASL at all. If anything it probably made it even stronger.

 

I'm hoping Kroenke sells the Rapids and starts a team here.

.0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001% chance of that happening but I'm all:

 

Does the 20 minute sellout of the City v Chelsea friendly motivate a rich potential owner and the folks at MLS headquarters to get something started? Any predictions?

(Given your amazing soccer history, St. Louis definitely deserves a 1st division club.)

 

I hope some one noticed. Over 48k, the largest attendance at Busch. Full capacity!
Then 3 days later, same 2 teams play in NY City, the largest market in the US, at Yankee Stadium, with a capacity of 51k and only 39k show up.
Yes, the MLS isn't quite the quality of the EPL, but considering the MLS averages 16-18k
per game, I think we could manage that.

 

Wouldn't it make a TON of sense for Sporting KC to help the league bring St. Louis on? For a franchise that's become a crown jewel for MLS can you imagine the interest in a Kansas City-St. Louis derby? It would instantly become one of the most passionate rivalries in the league!

 

define HELP THE LEAGUE? How is Sporting suppose to do this..

 

Robb Heineman should use his influence with Garber to explain why KC needs a geographic rival so badly. That's how they can help.

 

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/colu...cle_6a3309bc-5ff9-52cd-a379-a518869905d7.html

 

"Broader concepts have been discussed behind the scenes — a vision that includes a football venue and a soccer venue on the St. Louis riverfront.

That’s a column for another day."

Bernie, you tease...

 

Trust me Garber knows STL needs one but you guys need the $$$OWNERS$$$

 

No kidding... T_T
At least that elephant in the room is starting to be admitted more openly - the article posted above is the first soccer article I've seen since the Cooper issue that explicitly mentions how that the lack of a rich owner is a HUGE problem in getting a team here.

 

Right, Garber knows the obvious that a derby spells success and it would be wise strategically for KC to exert as much influence as possible in order make sure St. Louis is a front runner. There will be many places vying for the last couple slots.

 

They are the last couple slots if you believe the league is making decisions in order to create a permanent, 34 game 22 home and away inter conference, 6 home 6 away out of conference schedule like the NFL. Next step will be solidifying game times such as 1pm and 4pm Sunday for American football.

 

But I don't think that's how they're making decisions. MLS doesn't care about abstract scheduling concepts - it exists to make money. If 76 teams made long-term, sustainable economic sense, MLS would have that many teams. I don't see anybody at the league office being bothered by the fact that Inter Boise would only play Jacksonville Dortmund once every six years, as long as league revenue and fan support kept growing.

 

MLS would HAVE to stop at 24 though..FIFA regulations. I've been trying to find it online, but I've heard for years that a top league sanctioned by FIFA can't have more than 24..why do you think we'd be the first league to do so.

 

Part of the league becoming successful is consistency. The NFL has been at the same amount of teams for over a decade now along with the other sports leagues here in the states. I can assure a top flight American league no matter how large our country will NEVER have 76 teams.

 

Lets get real people. There has been no indication that MLS will go beyond 24 teams.

And if it does it's not going to be for a loooooong time.

The next four slots are it for a while.
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Not to mention: If STL has problems finding an ownership group/person to put up $50m for a team now, what makes you think STL is gonna be able to find an ownership group/person that is gonna put up $100+M in 5-10 years?

The next few years are crucial for STL's MLS hopes. Lets hope Kroenke gives the Rapids to his son and moves forward on that new riverfront NFL+MLS stadium project.

 

USL Pro on the immediate horizon???

http://www.soccermadeinstlouis.com/..._MISLs_Ambush,_PDLs_Glavin_working_on_it.html

 

Eh, I'm not a fan of USL as an organization, but what with the Lions and Ambush already in place, it makes a lot of sense - and monetarily is probably the only place St. Louis could start in terms of pro ball.

2014 seems really optimistic if they're only starting talks now, though.

 

Congratulations! Therefore, there is in fact interest in pro franchise in STL taking off? Wow, who knew?

I remember Tony Glavin when he played for the Philadelphia Fury and the indoor St. Louis Steamers. Good for him and wish him all the luck!

 

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/nba-pay-two-brothers-500-165704100.html

Sounds like some former St. Louis pro sports owners are getting a huge windfall. Maybe they'd be interested in a soccer team. I don't know if they are actually from St. Louis or not, but I thought it was an interesting story anyway.