The Don's Thoughts

[Rick O'Shea]

Some interesting comments on MLSnet.com under the "Commissioner Speaks". Amongst other things, he says "we continue to be impressed by the Saputo family's commitment to the sport in Montreal. I believe Montreal is a very viable MLS market and I plan to keep in regular contact with the Saputos as we continue to develop our expansion plans".

It sounds as if the door is rapidly opening again.

[RedRover]

What's interesting is that Garber went out of his way to mention Montreal's progress. Montreal would be a great addition to the league and a fierce rival with Toronto FC. Something the league needs to build upon. Let's just hope Joey Saputo doesn't screw the pooch on this one again.

[soccerfanatiq]

Well Red i'm happy you're that optimistic, sometimes he (Saputo)does great moves sometimes not so great ! But yes it would be an other angle for North American soccer to had Montreal to MLS. I mean from French and Italian rich back ground of Montreal, instead of the more English and Hispanic wich is the case now.

[sportie1]

when-- not if-- montreal joins mls depends on the $$$$$$$ for the saputo stadium upgrade to increase seating capacity and suites, washrooms, concession stands-- IF saputo gets some financing from the city and provincial government by the fall, 2009 (and i think they will get between $ 10-15 mill CDN as the government has $$ for such projects to stimulate the job market), then the joining becomes a hot item-- like 2011-2012, depending on when the stadium upgrades are done-- 2010 is just too optomistic and not viable -- with vancouver and portland to be sure-fire impact winners for mls like TO and seattle have been, and hopefully philadelphia will be, adding montreal will be another HUGE coup for Don G and mls-- mls are getting the right idea-- finding credible owners and a soccer-loving passionate fan base are critical for their success and long-term profile-- GO MONTREAL!!

[nick]

I'm very surprised no one has talked about this in the news and analysis board, but Garber in an interview with Forbes Sports last week practically annouced that Montreal will be the 19th team starting in 2011.

Garbers phrasing was telling in talking about how good Montreal looks to MLS and that he talked about having 3 Candian Teams together in 2011. He also said that the 20th team would not come into the league any earlier than 2012 and then went about identifying candidates other than Montreal for that 20th slot implying Montreal was already in the League.

Here's the link, http://wvhooligan.com/2009/07/31/the-don-speaks-to-forbes/

Note that the most interesting comments on expansion occur after the break.

[soccerfanatiq]

Thank you Nick for sharing this inside, but the Don said the same about Ottawa for awhile.So I won't beleive it until he announced it live on MLS website or an MLS official event.

[evangel]

Thank you Nick for sharing this inside, but the Don said the same about Ottawa for awhile.So I won't beleive it until he announced it live on MLS website or an MLS official event.

Ne never mentioned Ottawa in this kind of manner. He essentially gave Montreal a conditional expansion spot here.

[nick]

Thank you Nick for sharing this inside, but the Don said the same about Ottawa for awhile.So I won't beleive it until he announced it live on MLS website or an MLS official event.

I disagree. I have never heard or seen the same kind of language used in reference to Ottawa that I've heard used about Montreal particularly in this interview.

I've met and talked to Garber a number of times. He is very careful in the words he uses.

The discussions that have been going on with Mark Abbot and Joey Saputo are very telling. It seems they have reached an agreement in principle in terms of expansion fee and stadium expectations. Its now up to Montreal to demonstrate progress on what has been agreed.

It's my opinion that as soon as Montreal signs an agreement with the Government on Stadium funding, this is a done deal. Like anything else it could still fall apart but I get a feeling this is really, really close.

In the past I think Montreal really felt that MLS would make an exception for them in terms of fees because of the potential of the Montreal market. MLS exploded that myth last expansion. I also think that Saputo was fine with the USL until his biggest rivals all moved to MLS. Saputo is really motivated and MLS has shown that if you have the cash and deep pockets, Garber has a spot at the table.

Soccerfanatiq, I completely understand the "I'll believe it when i see it" position. There is nothing wrong with that but there are too many elements on both sides of the table that suggest this deal will get done.

[sportie1]

does any1 know how, who and when it is possible for the decision as to whether or not saputo stadium gets the government $$$$$$ for renos?

since the basic integrity of the stadium is already done, my assumption is that there will be less delays to get construction going-- its not like starting from scratch-- so maybe 2011 is possible as long as the renos start sometime this Fall after the mls season

i wonder how the montreal winter will affect the renos-- its not like having to start from scratch

[nick]

Well, well. It looks like the Vancouver Sun and the National Post are now reporting the Garber interview with Forbes.

Sportie1.
I think the story now is where are the discussions with the Government on Stadium renovation.

Saputo had mentioned earlier that the Government had come to him (not the other way around) in looking at the possibility of a $25+ Million dollar renovation of the Stadium, following the success in Toronto and the successful negotiations in Vancouver.

[soccerfanatiq]

Well done Nick with this scoop of yours, now every sports stations in Montreal talks about that forbes interview. It might trigger something up here. Thanks again for that info !!