ClevelandMark
19 Apr 2006, 11:58 AM
:confused: Likelihood of a new MLS Team in Cleveland :confused:
ClevelandFC
19 Apr 2006, 12:02 PM
:confused: Likelihood of a new MLS Team in Cleveland :confused:
If Cleveland politicos are involved? < 10%.
Without their "help"? 66%.
ClevelandMark
19 Apr 2006, 12:07 PM
You are the lightening replier! I did not even get a chance to vote yet! :D
Big-Time Crew Fan
19 Apr 2006, 07:09 PM
The powers-that-be have been way too quiet!
I am hopeful that the fact that there has not been a lot of news generated is a good sign. Hopefully our new "owners" are putting the pieces of the puzzle together in offices and board rooms rather than in the newspaper.
It seems apparent so far that there is significant muscle behind the ownership group and a well-thought-out plan. That sound of crickets that you hear is Cleveland ownership telling Garber to try and keep his mouth shut so that the process can play out behind the scenes without unnecessary drama in the newspaper and in public forums by NIMBYs and politicians wanting to extort the team (or make a name for themselves).
All of the negotiating leverage is lost when the announcement is made in advance of the details being worked out. Examples: Metros and the (sorry) state of NJ (Zoffinger and whoever might be governor-of-the-year, etc.); San Jose; hopefully not Houston and RSL.
On the other hand, if it is not a fait accompli then the politicians see obtaing the new team and stadium for their city as a potential source of revenue, community pride, political feather in their cap, etc. Examples: hopefully KC's new stadium situation where you have communities competing for the bid and willing to make concessions and be allies in getting the stadium accomplished. Chicago went about it the same way. These two teams had the disadvantage of having only the leverage of taking the team away which is a negative motivator and, frankly, not much of a threat in the eyes of some people (see: San Jose politicians).
We have the positive leverage of being perceived as the-next-big-thing and saying, "Don't you want your community to rake in the windfall that we are offering you?" That is a good motivator that I am hoping will work to our advantage.
So, yes, I am very optimistic (at least unless we hit a snag along the way.).
BulaJacket
22 Apr 2006, 08:41 PM
My vote would be between absolutely and completely unsure....
probable / likely