South Jersey MLS: News and Media Thread

[Ubiquitous One]

Since our last thread was closed, perhaps this thread would suffice for posting new information and subsequent media reports for South Jersey's MLS team as it is made public (rumors are good, too).

As you probably already know, The Milestone Group has been picked as the developer for the Rowan West project (:

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/12684224/

And, of course, recent word is that the team may be playing as early as 2007, with alternate sites across the Delaware.

http://www.nj.com/news/gloucester/in...510.xml&coll=8

Post more news as it comes in.

[Ubiquitous One]

Unavailable in online editions, this letter to the editor of mine was recently published in 'The Gloucester County Times,' a paper which has been on top of developments concerning the team. Keep positive letters in support of this team going out various news outlets and newspapers, if you would.


"In March, I was taken aback by Rowan University’s announcement that the school is partnering with Major League Soccer to bring a franchise to Glassboro by 2009. Though this surprised me, I am certain that MLS will succeed in Gloucester County for a variety of reasons: youth soccer in South Jersey is very popular, a new soccer specific stadium that is part of a massive restructuring of Rowan would be a major attraction, South Jersey and Philadelphia are ethnically diverse areas, including some groups who support soccer in droves, and South Jersey would support its first and only professional sports franchise. For Glassboro and Gloucester County, a new soccer team would most likely mean an increase in tax revenue from the thousands of fans who travel to the area for matches, then stay and spend money by visiting businesses and establishments in the area. A new team in Glassboro may very well mean that the U.S. Men’s soccer team will make it their east coast home, and we will be able to see emerging stars on the national team in their prime at the same time that soccer grows in the national imagination and the U.S. team makes continued inroads into someday winning the World Cup. Finally, since some of the infrastructure issues connected with this team may need to be paid for with New Jersey tax dollars, and since New Jerseyans will probably make up the majority of fans who attend matches, this team should not have a Philadelphia team name and instead should be called something akin to “FC South Jersey” or “New Jersey Atlantic.” I encourage my fellow South Jerseyans to get behind Rowan’s efforts to attract this team and support any legislation that provides needed funds for infrastructure or other costs."

[Ubiquitous One]

One further caveat not in the Gloucester County Times is that, according to a update from Phillysoccer.com, the Milestone Group "is the master developer for the Soccer Stadium is also the OWNER/INVESTOR for the new MLS team in the Philly market!!!!" If true, this is just one more piece of the Rowan West plan materializing...

(The 4 May Gloucester County Times article can be found here):
http://www.nj.com/news/gloucester/index.ssf?/base/news-1/114673777944510.xml&coll=8

[SoccerPrime]

Oh its true. Unless Milestone incorrectly wrote an entire page of the proposal.

Why else would their proposal state that they (Milestone) would place a team in Philly in 2007 and 2008?

If they weren't the Investor/Operator why would they have to place the team somewhere while they build the SSS?

Good times!

[Lobezno1]

Thanks to Matt (Ubiquitous One) for the posts.

It truly will be interesting to see what name is decided upon for the team, as the person in the letter to Matt's editor states his point of view about not having Philadelphia in the team name.

I for one think the team will do alot worse, meaning lose alot of possible "Philly" fans, if they do NOT use Philadelphia in the name. This is building up to be a huge fight.

[Kaiser]

If they can get started in 2007, it makes some sense to me with Inter Toronto FC also joining MLS in 2007. It would be a cool concept for MLS Philly to play it's home games in different venues across the del valley. On the positive this could build it's fan base in different areas, like allentown, delaware, they can come to scranton, play at Lehigh a couple times. Sure the stadiums are small but on those nights when you'll only get 8 - 10,000 these locations are perfect for 1 - 2 matches a season for 2 years.

[Z010 Union]

If they can get started in 2007, it makes some sense to me with Inter Toronto FC also joining MLS in 2007. It would be a cool concept for MLS Philly to play it's home games in different venues across the del valley. On the positive this could build it's fan base in different areas, like allentown, delaware, they can come to scranton, play at Lehigh a couple times. Sure the stadiums are small but on those nights when you'll only get 8 - 10,000 these locations are perfect for 1 - 2 matches a season for 2 years.

I respectfully disagree, there is not a way that is worse than this to make MLS look Minor league. For friendlies, maybe, for league matches you need destination viewing with a dedicated season ticket base.

[MasterShake29]

Thanks to Matt (Ubiquitous One) for the posts.

It truly will be interesting to see what name is decided upon for the team, as the person in the letter to Matt's editor states his point of view about not having Philadelphia in the team name.

I for one think the team will do alot worse, meaning lose alot of possible "Philly" fans, if they do NOT use Philadelphia in the name. This is building up to be a huge fight.

Not to rehash too much, but my opinion is:

1) The first part of the name is "South Jersey". I believe that they'll be the majority of the fan base.

2) The second part of the name is some kind of reference to Philadelphia (like the 76ers, except that's taken by some poor excuse for a basketball team). The crest can be as well.

3) Philadelphia's flag is sky blue (right?) and New Jersey's is golden. The uniform can have both elements (or one be the home uni and one the road uni?)

4) The team indeed markets to Philadelphia as well as southern New Jersey, and Delaware as well.

I think that's a reasonable approach.

[Z010 Union]

Not to rehash too much, but my opinion is:

1) The first part of the name is "South Jersey". I believe that they'll be the majority of the fan base.

2) The second part of the name is some kind of reference to Philadelphia (like the 76ers, except that's taken by some poor excuse for a basketball team). The crest can be as well.

3) Philadelphia's flag is sky blue (right?) and New Jersey's is golden. The uniform can have both elements (or one be the home uni and one the road uni?)

4) The team indeed markets to Philadelphia as well as southern New Jersey, and Delaware as well.

I think that's a reasonable approach.

1) I think it could be 45 jersey 45 penn 10 de - IMHO Branding the team with a geographical name, unless it's Philly will alienate some fans - TriState, Atlantic, Ocean, Independence are safe - Jersey, South Jersey are not

2) Team nicknames - who needs 'em

3) Sky Blue and Gold/light yellow are perfect colors for the club

4) If they can achieve the market penetration that DC has in MD and VA they will be immensely successful

[SoccerPrime]

I have no idea what the team's name will be, but its obvious they want to be the Philly MLS team, of course the Philly metro MLS team, but Philly nevertheless.

I agree that S. Jersey fans will be a big chunk of the fanbase but MLS has stated very often and early on that they are working on this project with Rowan because they want in on the Philly market.

Okay, I know how much we like to debate this, but lets try to stick to S. Jersey news/media and debate the name on the "Name" thread.

[MasterShake29]

1) I think it could be 45 jersey 45 penn 10 de - IMHO Branding the team with a geographical name, unless it's Philly will alienate some fans - TriState, Atlantic, Ocean, Independence are safe - Jersey, South Jersey are not

Philly will alienate some people too. A "regional" name will probably alienate more people because it will sound stupid. Well, Deleware Valley might sound ok, but that's about it.

45/45/10 is wishful thinking I believe. I wonder what New York's distribution is. I think most on those boards would say it's more skewed toward (gasp) New Jersey. I would expect this team would experience similar results.

2) Team nicknames - who needs 'em

We do. 98% of professional teams in this country have them. Selling soccer is hard enough, there's no reason to make it harder.

And last comment on this in this thread, in my opinion, you can call the team South Jersey and still acknowledge you're in the Philadelphia market. The NJ Nets and NJ Devils will tell you they play in the NYC market (and those teams even win stuff).

[Lobezno1]

I respectfully disagree, there is not a way that is worse than this to make MLS look Minor league. For friendlies, maybe, for league matches you need destination viewing with a dedicated season ticket base.

I agree with Bryan, in order for the team to NOT look MINOR LEAGUE, all the home games should be played in 1 stadium (preferrably the Linc)!

[AshfieldK]

1) I think it could be 45 jersey 45 penn 10 de
33, 33, 33

FC New Jerpennsylaware

[Ubiquitous One]

Some quotes from Mark Abbott and others about the Glassboro project and its feasibility for 2007 are in today's K.C. Star:

"MLS has tentative plans to bring a Philadelphia team into the league as an expansion franchise in 2009 but hasn’t planned on putting a team there next season, according to MLS president Mark Abbott.

“It’s not something that we’ve thought about or focused on,” Abbott said. “Our whole focus in this market (Philadelphia) is to get that new stadium built and to have the team play in that new stadium.”

Milestone’s proposal projected a $16.5 million price tag for a MLS team, according to the Times. Milestone planned to have the team’s interim home at Lincoln Financial Field or Villanova University, sites previously scouted by MLS."

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/14596032.htm

Abbott seemingly wants the stadium already built in Glassboro before having the team begin playing

However, Abbott was cool to the idea of having a team in Philadelphia next year while a stadium is being built

[Sundevil9]

Ubiq, nice find.

“If you take a look at Salt Lake, they’ve played while they’re getting a stadium built out there, but I think (Real Salt Lake owner Dave) Checketts would say that’s not been the ideal situation,” Abbott said. “That’s again why we’re focused on trying to get the stadium up and having a team play in the stadium when it’s open.”

A. MLS isn't interested in paying out the nose for rent in a place that's going to look 3/4 empty.

B. MLS really likes the movie Field of Dreams. To them it's "build it and they'll come", not "start building it, they'll come, and then finish it"

Edit: Overall, I'm not really surprised that they're cool to the idea of relocating another team. And the prospect of expanding again is just not their priority at this exact time.


The Milestone Group wrote in a project proposal that it hoped to invest in the league and bring either an expansion or relocated MLS franchise to Philadelphia while the stadium is being built, according to the Glouster County Times.

Freekin' prarie boys spelled Gloucester wrong.:rolleyes: But it's good kudos for Matt Ralph.

[Z010 Union]

I'm shocked. SHOCKED I tell ya, that the league doesn't want talk about how much the move makes sense. Especially when FC Five Bucks is still trying to misuse STAR bonds.

Some quotes from Mark Abbott and others about the Glassboro project and its feasibility for 2007 are in today's K.C. Star:

"MLS has tentative plans to bring a Philadelphia team into the league as an expansion franchise in 2009 but hasn’t planned on putting a team there next season, according to MLS president Mark Abbott.

“It’s not something that we’ve thought about or focused on,” Abbott said. “Our whole focus in this market (Philadelphia) is to get that new stadium built and to have the team play in that new stadium.”

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/14596032.htm

Abbott seemingly wants the stadium already built in Glassboro before having the team begin playing

However, Abbott was cool to the idea of having a team in Philadelphia next year while a stadium is being built

[SoccerPrime]

I think we all appreciate U-one and even KC Star reporters for their work and posting, but this article is almost word-for-word the same thing that Matt Ralph of the Gloucester News published 2 weeks ago. Including the interview with Abbott where Abbott said essentially the same thing. Matt actually called me and told me about his interview with Abbott. Everything was company doublespeak.

The proposal DOES say that Milestone and MLS want a Philly team playing IN Philly BY 2007. However it doesn't say it HAS to start in 2007.
MLS is just singing the party line by saying "We are focused on 2009".

[Sundevil9]

I think we all appreciate U-one and even KC Star reporters for their work and posting, but this article is almost word-for-word the same thing that Matt Ralph of the Gloucester News published 2 weeks ago. Including the interview with Abbott where Abbott said essentially the same thing. Matt actually called me and told me about his interview with Abbott. Everything was company doublespeak.

I don't think it's a rehash of Ralph's article. And it lays more information on the potential of KC moving (insight that Ralph doesn't have). The only part they got from the Gloucester County Times was the actual bits of the Milestone proposal. The interview with Abbott is original. It's not their fault that he's held his statements in line with what he told Matt. Actually, to me, it's encouraging that MLS isn't saying one thing to one market/reporter, and something different to another.

[SoccerPrime]

I realize that Grathoff posts more of his interview with Abbott, but its essentially the same thing as Ralph's interview with some added "extras" from the reporters own opinion (which isn't wrong).

And yes, the info about a team playing in a non-soccer stadium before the SSS is built has merit. But Philly would start playing in 2007 while ground is breaking on the SSS in Glassboro. Real Salt Lake started at its non-soccer venue while their dreams of a SSS were simply that, dreams. The 2 situations are quite dissimiliar.

Bottom line, we know nothing new, except that KC is surprised that MLS Commissioner is becoming impatient with the apparent lack of progress on a SSS in KC. Big surprise there.

[SoccerPrime]

I emailed Grathoff about the article.
Here was his reply:
"I'm sure the league would love to have a team there (Philly), and if the Glassboro stuff gets done by July 1st, then anything is possible for next year, I believe."

Sounds like exactly what we already knew. :rolleyes: