Peddie: We've already paid $10 mil for the franchise

[pc4th]

http://torontosun.com/Sports/OtherSports/2006/03/12/1484064-sun.html

We have a few things going for us. First of all, we have all the resources we need. We've already paid $10 million for the franchise. Secondly, we will have a stadium at the CNE that will seat 20,000. We will also host the world under-20 championship which will focus sports fans' interest on soccer, and so, of course will the interest reach fever pitch with the 2006 World Cup in Germany."

[Captain Canuck]

Nice article. However either George Gross has forgotten about the NASL Metros & Blizzard or he believes that they didn't succeed in promoting soccer. If the latter I think he's wrong, but it may just be a bit of bias on his part since I believe he used to work for the Toronto City team in some capacity.

Also might have been nice for him to mention that the team will be fielding a lot of Canadian players, rather than give off the impression that this is going to be some international all-star team.

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

Think George Gross was the guy in charge of publicity for Steve Stavro's team so it's a case of blowing his own trumpet. :) The fact that the expansion fee has already been paid is good to know. Next big thing will be seeing some concrete poured once this year's construction season gets into full swing.

[warthogfutbal]

Yep,

I can see the type of coverage that the Bell Globe media affiliates will provide MLS soccer in Toronto - "The MLS season concluded, congratulations to whoever won!"

With regard to the other media outlets, Toronto's MLS coverage will reflect the quality of catering and ancillary freebies to be provided just for showing up.

btw, pretty sure Peddie expensed the lunch with Georgie boy, nice (cough) article, although I'm retty sure the MLS information was already known.

What would have been really interesting to know is, when it got down to the subject of soccer, whose knee was Peddie sitting on when he was being interviewed by Mr Gross?

[Toronto Red]

Yep,

I can see the type of coverage that the Bell Globe media affiliates will provide MLS soccer in Toronto - "The MLS season concluded, congratulations to whoever won!"

With regard to the other media outlets, Toronto's MLS coverage will reflect the quality of catering and ancillary freebies to be provided just for showing up.

btw, pretty sure Peddie expensed the lunch with Georgie boy, nice (cough) article, although I'm retty sure the MLS information was already known.

What would have been really interesting to know is, when it got down to the subject of soccer, whose knee was Peddie sitting on when he was being interviewed by Mr Gross?

In all honesty, I think that Rogers Sportsnet will get on board. I am not sure about the relationship between MLSE and Rogers but there are plenty of Leafs and Raptors games on Sportsnet.

It might be an interesting battle between TSN and Sportsnet though!

[SweetOwnGoal]

Yep,

I can see the type of coverage that the Bell Globe media affiliates will provide MLS soccer in Toronto - "The MLS season concluded, congratulations to whoever won!"

Brunt is a Bell Globe Globe media employee and he gives the beautiful game more than a fair shake--although it is fair to suggest that he tends to focus on the Chelseas of the world.

That said: 1) Toronto MLS will get the type of coverage it deserves (a lot in the beginning; it will earn it after that.).

And 2) For someone who talks with such certainty, you really have very little idea what you are talking about.

Troll away...........

[metrofan89]

Sounds like you guys have people in charge who know what there doing.

[Blizzard]

Think George Gross was the guy in charge of publicity for Steve Stavro's team so it's a case of blowing his own trumpet. :) The fact that the expansion fee has already been paid is good to know. Next big thing will be seeing some concrete poured once this year's construction season gets into full swing.

I think he was the team's general manager. Certainly more than just media relations. Those must have been fun times, at least at first when the stars were still allowed to come over.

[Blizzard]

Sounds like you guys have people in charge who know what there doing.

We can only hope. Thankfully, it is a succesful organization (off the court and ice anyway).

[warthogfutbal]

In all honesty, I think that Rogers Sportsnet will get on board.

Hopefully, but the $64,000 question is, will a major (regional) network pickup MLS?

Rogers works for me….
The EPL/Soccercentral pkg creates a transition for the close season, i.e. MLS featuring our Toronto ????. It also doesn't hurt that Ben Knight does a decent job with online soccer features as well. And, Mr. Knight does a good job on the Rock (NLL), of which I happen to think is where the MLS is more comparative to with regard to the pro sport market in Toronto. Finally, Rogers has a nice NLL package so I think it's a good fit.

It might be an interesting battle between TSN and Sportsnet though!

On TSN -
MLS isn't mainstream enough for TSN, and MLS is still purely regional (from a Canada wide perspective). Yes, TSN picks up Euro games, Champions league -but interest is huge amongst the diverse regional/national soccer community -I think we can agree that the same interest in Champions league won't be extended to MLS. I also happen to think TSN is cheap.

But, given that TSN and MLS share the same ownership pool, it ought to be an interesting outcome.

Woodbridge and BCE Announce New Ownership Structure for Bell Globemedia
http://www.otpp.com/web/website.nsf/web/bellglobemedia
Teachers' and Torstar Join as New Shareholders
Woodbridge to increase position to 40%
BCE to maintain 20% interest and receive $1.3 billion in cash
Torstar and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan each to acquire 20%
BCE and Bell Globemedia enter new agreement for innovative content distribution

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE)
58% Ontario Teacher's Pension Plan
15% Bell Globemedia
14% TD Capital Group
13% Kilmer Sports Inc.,


and for SweetOwnGoal

Ya Brunt's a decent read and does a good job over a wide variety of topics. Unfortunately for me I can't recall any soccer articles, but then I usually only read the Globe 2/3 times a week. I like Toronto's diversity, including the multitude of word weasels so I try to read all the dailies.

In response to your 1st point: One can hope; but given the pi$$ poor coverage that the Rock receive in spite of their overall success, I'll remain pessimistic. I'll chalk it up to lacrosse not being enough of a mainstream revenue generating type sport, exceptions to City TV & Sportsnet.

And Duane, in response to your 2nd point: I can't say that I'm sorry to have hit a nerve.

[warthogfutbal]

Thankfully, it is a succesful organization (off the court and ice anyway).

That it is!

Here's hoping they make $ available to fund a worthy and credibe club, off and on the field.

[Blizzard]

That it is!

Here's hoping they make $ available to fund a worthy and credibe club, off and on the field.

I'm not as up as I should be on how the centrally controlled MLS and the club ownership work together on playing personnel but certainly the league is more involved than in the more conventional sports leagues that we are used to so I hope that together MLS and MLSE will make the team a worthy and credible club, off and on the field.

cheers

Blizzard

[SweetOwnGoal]

And Duane, in response to your 2nd point: I can't say that I'm sorry to have hit a nerve.

Ok...I was likely a little too pi$$y there. Sorry about that.

However, I still think you might be a tad bit too negative about things that have yet to even happen.

[warthogfutbal]

Ok...I was likely a little too pi$$y there. Sorry about that.
it's your point of view, I had no problems with it - no worries.


However, I still think you might be a tad bit too negative about things that have yet to even happen.
You have a valid point, and again I have no problems with your p-o-v.


Let me go to the closest and line up the skeletons:

The quick and the easy ones. Did you ever go to Varsity Stadium when the MNT played there - on more occasions than I care to remember I was wondering who the home team was? Look at the teams in the CPSL, the OSL, the T&D - its driven by ethnicity and its turning towards the youth game. When do people in Toronto get excited about futbal? When does Toronto's mainstream media get excited about futbal? Last summer I had the strength to stomach 3 stynx games. Toronto Rockets, Toronto Blizzard, the CSL, the NASL.......

The obvious no-brainers. OSA/CSA - no need to say anything further.

Toronto is a rich soccer city with a history of the game! I'm excited about MLS coming to Toronto. I'd like to see MLS survive and prosper in Toronto for many many years.

However, futbal & Toronto are not synonymous let alone as harmonious as hockey & Toronto, or the Argoooooos or even basketball & Toronto are.

Now, MLSE (with the aid of the CSA) is gonna take a stab at pro soccer in Toronto.

These are some of the same people who allowed the Raptors to wallow for 10+ seasons!
These are some of the same people who have not secured a Stanley Cup since 1967!
These are some of the same people who hired Rob Babcock!
These are some of the same people who hired Glen Grunwald!
These are some of the same people who hired Isiah Thomas!
These are some of the same people who hired John Ferguson Jr.
These are some of the same people who hired Waters/Dryden/Smith to oversee a GM named Quinn.

MLSE will ask how high when the Teacher's Pension Fund says jump!

I'm confident that I'm on solid ground with sufficient cause to be negative, not "a tad bit too negative."

I think I'm over the top.

I have more confidence in Lucy not pulling the football away when Charlie Brown steps up to kick that point after, compared to MLSE/CSA promoting a successful MLS team!

MLSE has a season+ to make some very important decisions and I'm grateful that they have not yet rushed out and signed a local stiff to oversee the soccer operation!

I'm so hopeful that they do go out and sign a Brian Colangelo type executive to oversee the MLS operation - it would reduce my negativity count exponentially.

[Blizzard]

MLSE has a season+ to make some very important decisions and I'm grateful that they have not yet rushed out and signed a local stiff to oversee the soccer operation!

I'm so hopeful that they do go out and sign a Brian Colangelo type executive to oversee the MLS operation - it would reduce my negativity count exponentially.

Well, that does bring up a very good question. Who are the potential candidates out there? A few might suggest names from the past (ie Clive Toye) but obviously that isn't really on.

Who are the young and bright sports executives that know soccer and that can lead an expansion team into the future?

[SweetOwnGoal]

Well, that does bring up a very good question. Who are the potential candidates out there? A few might suggest names from the past (ie Clive Toye) but obviously that isn't really on.

Who are the young and bright sports executives that know soccer and that can lead an expansion team into the future?


I've been thinking a lot about this lately. We know a couple things: 1) MLSE has money. Lots of it. and 2) When it comes to soccer in Toronto, there is always an instinct to go after a big name from the old country.

As far as #1 goes, recent Leafs history has shown us that MLSE will spend money (it just doesn't seem to know how).

As far as #2, in the past teams have tried to do the Cosmos thing--get a Pele at the end of his run. Most of us agree it's a mistake, but understand why it gets done. So, I've been thinking, it might make sense for MLSE to split the difference. Instead of going after a washed-up player, spend the bucks to bring in a bigger name manager from Europe. Easier said than done, of course, but not impossible--especially if MLSE overspends.

A name brand manager would give them credibility from the get-go from the College St. crowd. And, I think, it's far less risky to bring in an international manager than it would be to bring in international players. To me, I say fill the seven international spots up with young Americans (that could be developed and used as trade bait) and spend your scouting, player development and salary budget on Canada. Toronto MLS has an advantage in that it has uncontested access to Canada for at least three years. How successful it is will depend on how much it takes advantage of that.

[Toronto F.C.]

"Well, that does bring up a very good question. Who are the potential candidates out there? A few might suggest names from the past (ie Clive Toye) but obviously that isn't really on.

Who are the young and bright sports executives that know soccer and that can lead an expansion team into the future?"

This is great finally a chance to specualte!!!
(1) Do the Leafs hire someone from within the organization?
(2) Do they look at budding sports exec's from the Argos / Rock/ Jays etc.?
(3) Someone (not sure many exist) from within the OSA/CSA structure?
(4) Someone from Adidas/IMG or another sports related executive?
(5) Someone making waves in MLS - Real Salt Lake for example hired Steve Pastorino from Chicago, and Chivas hired Wilt Haskel from the Galaxy.
(6) Craig Forrest has a fantastic reputation and instant recognition (not sure about the educational resume)
(7) Gerry Gentile the tech exec. who tried starting the CUSL
(8) If the Milwaukee thing doesn't work out someone like PETER WILT would be well recieved here.
(9) Canadians having worked in US Soccer /MLS - (a guy by the name of ????Sanderson was a higher up with AEG a few years back - If I recall correctly he was born in Canada).
(10) The people at the Montreal Impact & Vancouver Whitecaps have done tremendous work over the years. Not sure if I lived in Vancouver, Toronto would be my first choice to live and work but you never know.
(11) Ex-Blizzard star Roberto Bettega (still owns property here I believe) I'm sure would love a challenge of working with only $2million per year vs. whatever he has at his disposal with Juventus in Turin :). A bit of stretch on Bettega but I'm excited!!!

Great times are these for long suffering Toronto Soccer fans!!!

[Captain Canuck]

Well Frank Yallop's National team contract is up at the end of this year.....

I think the GM should ideally be Canadian & knowledgeable, in order to have Canada's best interests at heart (part of the purpose for the MLS team given the Canadian roster & to know what Canadian talent is around or is buried somewhere in a German reserve outfit, like Toronto's Maycoll Canizalez). It isn't a requirement in my book, but ideal, if such a candidate exists. I feel there is less of a need for a Canadian coach, by comparison.

[SweetOwnGoal]

"(6) Craig Forrest has a fantastic reputation and instant recognition (not sure about the educational resume)


I think getting Forrest on board in some capacity should be a priority--maybe in some type of community affairs/PR position. Not sure if he's ready to be upper management yet though.

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

(11) Ex-Blizzard star Roberto Bettega (still owns property here I believe) I'm sure would love a challenge of working with only $2million per year vs. whatever he has at his disposal with Juventus in Turin :). A bit of stretch on Bettega but I'm excited!!!

Roberto Bettega has already had to deny a rumour along those lines FWIW:-

http://www.corriere.com/viewstory.php?storyid=45809

Personally think Frank Yallop would be the ideal candidate given that he knows both MLS and Canada's existing pro level pool of players inside out. The CSA may have other idea, however.