Neil Davidson's CP story on the end of the York U stadium plan

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

http://www.canada.com/sports/soccer/story.html?id=9d0c801d-abac-438c-850b-3da8e80bf297

[kwdawson]

What does this mean for an MLS team in Toronto or Canada?

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

It's over, unfortunately. There is no other suitable venue in the Golden Horseshoe on the shores of Lake Ontario other than Ivor Wynne stadium in Hamilton, Ontario and I don't think MLSE would consider that because of the distance from Toronto.

[canadiansoccerrules redded]

It's over, unfortunately. There is no other suitable venue in the Golden Horseshoe on the shores of Lake Ontario other than Ivor Wynne stadium in Hamilton, Ontario and I don't think MLSE would consider that because of the distance from Toronto.

there is still the dome, but would MLSE want to deal with rogers/blue jays?

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

Total non-stater, surely? The Argos are still going to be paying about 50K a game with no parking or concessions revenues AFAIA. That's the sort of rental agreement that caused MLS to lose upwards of $250 million. The break the Argos got from Rogers and the Jays was primarily a guarantee of prime weekend dates.

[Resendes]

What are the chances Rogers might be looking to add there very own MLS team. It wouldn't surprise me, they control almost everything in Canada anyway. The MLS may still come to Toronto with or without Maple Leaf Sports.

[CanuckFan]

It's over, unfortunately. There is no other suitable venue in the Golden Horseshoe on the shores of Lake Ontario other than Ivor Wynne stadium in Hamilton, Ontario and I don't think MLSE would consider that because of the distance from Toronto.
It's over for Toronto but there are actual population centres outside GTA. Some even have a history of supporting soccer.

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

I get fed up with this stuff. I was quite clearly talking only about Toronto and the Golden Horseshoe in the context of the only known serious Canadian bid for an MLS franchise. The Toronto Blizzard could have kept going when the NASL folded (and did in the shape of the Inex Canada team that played an exhibition game series at Varsity Stadium) so the cheap shot about "supporting soccer" is a total joke. There also seemed to be no problem filling the Skydome for soccer last summer.

[MT mojo]

There also seemed to be no problem filling the Skydome for soccer last summer.

Then count Philadelphia and Seattle, among others, in as well if you are going to use that logic.

[DoyleG]

There also seemed to be no problem filling the Skydome for soccer last summer.

With people who wouldn't give a ***CENSORED*** about MLS.

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

With people who wouldn't give a ***CENSORED*** about MLS.

It would only take 10% of them to be interested and MLS would be well on its way to a stable franchise.

[GoodDead]

the game is not respected in anyway shape or form in Canada. Support would come from few Canadian supporters and more from 1st or 2nd generation Canadians cheering country men on the team from their old country.

$35 Million alotted and they still couldn't crack a deal for a stdium in Canada's biggest/richest city? Sad. Too bad for the true Canadian fans. i mean I would love a pro stadium and the ability to watch Canada in it, but Canada in terms of soccer is #2 for me.

[Daniel from Montréal]

the game is not respected in anyway shape or form in Canada. Support would come from few Canadian supporters and more from 1st or 2nd generation Canadians cheering country men on the team from their old country.
[...]
i mean I would love a pro stadium and the ability to watch Canada in it, but Canada in terms of soccer is #2 for me.

Nice synthesis of the situation :rolleyes: .