Wizards? Seattle wants a 2006 club

[sounderfan]

The latest speculation around the internet is that MLS will hold off its next expansion until 2007 at the earliest as the league waits for the San Jose and KC situations to resolve.

This means a likely all-out bidding war will reward Lamar Hunt for his recent announcement to sell the Wizards.

All parties hoping for a 2006 expansion club would either have to wait, or will have to jump into the Wizards bidding derby.

It would seem that Seattle/Hanauer would thus be considered as a possible interested party---their 'target date' for MLS has been 2006...with no desire to stay in the USL even one day longer than that.

[GMan Eric]

This means a likely all-out bidding war will reward Lamar Hunt for his recent announcement to sell the Wizards.



Dunno, has there ever been a bidding war for an MLS franchise? Don't think the league has quite got THAT far yet... And especially when San Jose are pretty much in the same boat, permanent-ownership wise.

[sounderfan]

Interesting how in this article from earlier this year the writer mentions Seattle as a 'candidate' for a relocated SJ or KC. Hanauer shrugs off any knowledge of such a thing. I'll bet he has some knowledge now, though. ;)

http://www.kingcountyjournal.com/sited/story/html/168405

JULY 14, 2004:

While Seattle might seem to be the front runner for 2006 -- especially if Hanauer and his group elect to make that nonrefundable deposit -- it isn't the only candidate on the short list for that year. Philadelphia and Houston, who were considered among the main contenders for a 2005 expansion slot, are expected to be in the running. So are Portland, San Antonio, Rochester, Atlanta and Toronto.

Seattle's courtship with MLS has been ongoing for several years. Even prior to the ballot issue to tear down the Kingdome and build Seahawks Stadium, former league commissioner Doug Logan said that if the stadium was built, the city would receive a team.

That became a moot point when Logan was replaced as commissioner in August 1999 by Don Garber, who remains in that post today.

One other possibility factoring into the league's geographic landscape are reports that two current teams -- the San Jose Earthquakes and Kansas City Wizards -- might be moved because of attendance and stadium issues. But there's nothing firm in that regard now, and at any rate, Hanauer doesn't see relocation being part of the Seattle equation.

``I honestly know less about that than anyone in the country,'' Hanauer said. ``I've had absolutely no conversations about that.''

[Delta Blues]

Interesting how in this article from earlier this year the writer mentions Seattle as a 'candidate' for a relocated SJ or KC. Hanauer shrugs off any knowledge of such a thing. I'll bet he has some knowledge now, though. ;)

http://www.kingcountyjournal.com/sited/story/html/168405

JULY 14, 2004:

No kidding. What a lying sack of sugar. If he know's less than anyone in the country, that would include me. There's NO WAY he knows less than me. I'm sure all of you would agree! ;) He's a lying sack.

[sounderfan]

From my source at the KC Star, Jan. 14, 2005:

Adrian Hanauer again said he's been in contact with John Wagner of the Hunt Sports Group and he's still interested in joining MLS in '06, a year ahead of the next planned expansion. But he said he hasn't submitted any information to the Hunts.

[LMoroney]

The Wizards would certainly fit well into the Emerald City wouldn't they? Now where's that darned yellow brick road... ?

[sounderfan]

Jan 16 KC Star


Wizards fans can take heart, because two local ownership groups have expressed interest in the team, according to the Heart of America Soccer Foundation. That's the nonprofit group working to keep the Wizards in town.

“Both cleared the first hurdle as far as financing is concerned with HSG, so they definitely have the cash for a successful bid,” Greg Cotton, of the Heart of America Soccer Foundation, wrote in an e-mail message. “They are in the process of analyzing the financial information provided by the league (which was withheld until their ownership potential was confirmed) and working on bids for submission to Lamar. Both are very optimistic and committed to keeping the team in KC.”

Wagner added that the sale has generated plenty of interest but declined to give specifics.

At least three cities outside of Kansas City have been seen as potential new homes for the Wizards. Two would like to have a team by 2006, which would work well for the Wizards. Hunt probably won't keep ownership of the team beyond this season and the next round of MLS expansion is not expected until 2007.

San Antonio mayor Ed Garza said he's spoken with three “solid” ownership groups in the last month, and he is committed to bringing an MLS team to his city by next year.

“In terms of have they made any overture to the Hunt Group, I'm not sure on that,” Garza said.

Adrian Hanauer, who is working to bring MLS to Seattle, said he, too, would like to have a team by 2006, but added he has not submitted a bid to Hunts Sports Group. However, he's been talking with the group.

“I speak with John Wagner on a fairly regularly basis,” said Hanauer, who is president of the A-League's Seattle Sounders.

Meanwhile, Rochester Rhinos owner Frank DuRoss had meetings last week with Kansas City's HOK Sport+Venue+Event regarding the A-League team's soccer-specific stadium, which is due to open in August.

That, of course, would mean it will be ready for a full season of soccer in 2006, whether it's the Rhinos or the Wizards.

DuRoss has had conversations with the Hunts but didn't say whether that included buying the Wizards.

complete article here:
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/10656231.htm

[GMan Eric]

No kidding. What a lying sack of sugar. If he know's less than anyone in the country, that would include me. There's NO WAY he knows less than me. I'm sure all of you would agree! ;) He's a lying sack.

That's why he's good at Texas Hold 'em...

[thepundit]

stop saying Texas! you can talk about Texas all you want once WE get a team!

[Soccerwarrior71]

I think the city Major League Soccer should look next for expansion is Seattle--I think you have to promote the Sounders to Major League Soccer. I think Seattle is a big Soccer city and would most definitely support Major League Soccer in that city. There are a few cities I would most definitely expand to. Seattle and Portland, OR, are two cities I would look at in the west. Eastern Conference cities are much tougher to think about, although I would love to see a team in St. Louis. I most definitely love the idea of putting a team back in Seattle though. I just cant understand why Seattle doesn't have a D-1 pro soccer team. Thanks for letting me share my thoughts.

[thepundit]

i knew you East Coast types knew your footie. we don't get very impressive attendance numbers in USL-1 though, as much success as we've had. i definitely think the Sounders play better, more flavorful soccer than some of their MLS counterparts, playing more of an on the ground game than many of the kickball-addicted top flighters. it's a product that could be successful if we were gifted with an MLS squad, though there's no telling whether we would retain the traditional Sounders style or not, or just conform with the bruising MLS style.

[GMan Eric]

stop saying Texas! you can talk about Texas all you want once WE get a team!

The reference was to a poker game called "Texas Hold 'em" that Adrian Hanauer plays in high profile tournaments. Not to any city in Texas.