Saputo has apparently realized it's now or never

[evangel]

Saputo always seemed lukewarm about joining MLS. Today's article, however, shows a different Saputo:

Saputo Wants Government to Help MLS Bid (http://sports.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090415.wsptsaputo15/GSStory/GlobeSportsSoccer/home)

"It's something we never looked at and it's something we'll have to, or else we're going to see the train pass again and that's something we can't let happen," Saputo said Wednesday at a team banquet.

[Daniel from Montréal]

$25m for expansion of SS and he pays the expansion fees.

Seems more realistic than the previous bid.

Not the best timing, but hopefully our governments can come through, especially when you consider that Toronto got $65m for BMO Field and Vancouver will be playing in an Olympic-renovated BC Place (I'm sure a couple of millions were thrown in for a soccer configuration).

[soccerfanatiq]

I was wondering why Montreal didn't ask for any public foundings, While you look at what Vancouver and Yoronto received from our tax money ,and what ottawa also asked. Compare to them Montreal is a Bargain deal ! Now all we need is the Montreal mayor support , if he could stop trowing money at his crooked counselors and spend at the right place instead.
We could revive the Olympique stadium Area, and build something nice for canadian soccer. I think we have same the potential as Seatle !We could with a good team in good league get an average assistance of 20 000 or more! Montreal as to go MLS ,altough am not totaly sold to this idea, for soccer expansion troughout eastern Canada and please forget Ottawa, i'd rather cheer for Toronto first

[zidja]

The government (some branch of it) already gave him some of the most ideal land available and the foundation of the old stadium that was there for free, in addition to whatever benefits it might give to the impact directly (tax rebates, direct sponsorship) or indirectly (through quasi-government sponsorship like the partnership with Hydro Quebec). I'm not a believer that Saputo's latest request for money will be too successful, especially if it leads to pricing out the very people supporting the club now. And his mention that other cities get stadium money from the government "So there's nothing wrong with thinking we should do the same" sounds as pathetic as "But Jimmy's mom lets him stay out til midnight!" Good luck getting the government to pony up the cash you should have offered last fall, especially a) "ITTET" and b) if someone shows this year's MLS attendence stats to someone in power.

[VioletCrown]

The government (some branch of it) already gave him some of the most ideal land available and the foundation of the old stadium that was there for free, in addition to whatever benefits it might give to the impact directly (tax rebates, direct sponsorship) or indirectly (through quasi-government sponsorship like the partnership with Hydro Quebec). I'm not a believer that Saputo's latest request for money will be too successful, especially if it leads to pricing out the very people supporting the club now. And his mention that other cities get stadium money from the government "So there's nothing wrong with thinking we should do the same" sounds as pathetic as "But Jimmy's mom lets him stay out til midnight!" Good luck getting the government to pony up the cash you should have offered last fall, especially a) "ITTET" and b) if someone shows this year's MLS attendence stats to someone in power.

Nevertheless, it is a very slight improvement over his "MLS needs us more than we need MLS," and "We want in MLS, but MLS teams aren't worth nearly as much as you're asking."

It gives me hope that he's inching toward a place where this might actually happen. There's still quite a bit of time before the next set of teams are announced.

Not that I want to see any more really good teams leave the USL, but Montreal would be an awesome addition to MLS.

[Chef Medeski]

MLS? Hmmm..... With Vancouver and Toronto in it, its pretty hard to say no. If we go in with St. Louis, I think that would be cool. Plus we'd finally get 2 Major League teams back in Montreal. I mean you know there is something wrong when Vancouver will have more Major League teams as you, and you tie with Edmonton, EDMONTON? I mean come on!

[soccerfanatiq]

Look at Dobson's article from sportsnet :http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/blogs/2009/04/23/dobson_impact_back_on_radar/
It's very interesting !