Garber Still Says St Louis/Cleveland next

[Z010 Union]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/10/AR2006051001890.html

I thought Milestone had made more of an impact. Is Garber using the old smoke and mirrors to allow them time to get everything set? Or are we looking 2009 dead in the face?

[Looper121]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/10/AR2006051001890.html

I thought Milestone had made more of an impact. Is Garber using the old smoke and mirrors to allow them time to get everything set? Or are we looking 2009 dead in the face? St. Louis and Cleveland. I still don't like the Cleveland idea, yet. I think it would be awesome to have the rivalry thing going with Crew. It seems MLS is going 'Starbucks' on this one.

[SoccerPrime]

Its a little confusing.
Here's my take:
#1- Dan Steinberg, the reporter, is not quoting Garber directly, just referencing earlier material.

#2-Garber is stating the "MLS party line" on expansion...ie Cleveland or St Louis with Toronto in 2007.

#3-All is doom and gloom and Philly will have to wait til 2009.

Let's just hope its #1 or #2. I emailed Steinberg for clarification.

[AshfieldK]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/10/AR2006051001890.html

I thought Milestone had made more of an impact. Is Garber using the old smoke and mirrors to allow them time to get everything set? Or are we looking 2009 dead in the face?
This doesn't contradict the quote which Philly 2007 speculation is based on.
Milestone University Investments, LLC., a subsidiary of The Milestone Group, is looking to bring either an expansion or relocated MLS franchise to alternative venues in Philadelphia in 2007 and 2008 while a soccer-specific stadium is built, according to a proposal the company submitted to Rowan University.

[SoccerPrime]

I like Steven Goff's take on things:

Germantown, Md: Steve,
Kudos again for your scoop on the player salaries.
The Commish Garber was on y'all's radio station this morning. It sounded as if he were at the station, rather than calling in from NY. Is he in town for something other than talking up the league?

Steven Goff: Thanks, Germantown.
Garber is in Washington today as part of his travels around MLS to meet with players, coaches, club officials, etc.
We have a reporter there and, if he makes any news, we will write about it. However, it might be more MLS fluff.

[SoccerPrime]

Dan Steinberg, the reporter in question here, politely emailed me back.

He said:
I'm new to MLS, filling in for our regular beat writer while he prepares for the World Cup. But yeah, that's what Garber said. He said Toronto is No. 13, either St. Louis or Cleveland is No. 14 and there are several cities vying to be 15 and 16 including Philadelphia, Milwaukee, the loser of Cleveland-St. Louis and one more that I'm forgetting.

I don't know Garber at all and I'm not privy to any behind the scenes negotiations, but that's what he said yesterday.

Great, now I am depressed. :(

[Dave Brull]

You have to look at which point in the expansion process each city stands (akwardly written I know)

To the best of my knowledge, aside from the stadium has any investor stepped forward for St. Louis or Philly? Cleveland has an investment group which has had contact with Garber since 2004 and which has recently moved forward with its plan to have a MLS-usable stadium ready to go into place for 2008. Based on that, tell me which city is the most feasible for the 2008 slot Milwaukee is the only other city I am hearing about that could challenge for the 2008 slot.

[AshfieldK]

To the best of my knowledge, aside from the stadium has any investor stepped forward for St. Louis or Philly?
It's my understanding that the Philly investor is potentially Milestone.

Also, MLS can't really speak officially on anything related to Philly 2007 until July 1.

SoccerPrime - is this right?

[GUTuna]

Its a little confusing.
Here's my take:
#1- Dan Steinberg, the reporter, is not quoting Garber directly, just referencing earlier material.

#2-Garber is stating the "MLS party line" on expansion...ie Cleveland or St Louis with Toronto in 2007.

#3-All is doom and gloom and Philly will have to wait til 2009.

Let's just hope its #1 or #2. I emailed Steinberg for clarification.

He was quoting Garber. The full transcript of Garber's Q&A can be found here:
http://unitedmania.matchnight.com/umindex.cfm?page=ARTICLE&show=18913

[SoccerPrime]

You have to look at which point in the expansion process each city stands (akwardly written I know)

To the best of my knowledge, aside from the stadium has any investor stepped forward for St. Louis or Philly? Cleveland has an investment group which has had contact with Garber since 2004 and which has recently moved forward with its plan to have a MLS-usable stadium ready to go into place for 2008. Based on that, tell me which city is the most feasible for the 2008 slot Milwaukee is the only other city I am hearing about that could challenge for the 2008 slot.


I know your new to this forum, but the only reason we are jacked up about Philly MLS right now is that the developer of the new stadium, Milestone, was also mentioned as the new investor/operator for the team.

This information was learned when we read the entire development proposal that they gave Rowan University (Glassboro, NJ) and MLS last week. This proposal also stated that Milestone would operate a new or relocated MLS team in Philly (proper) in 2007 & 2008 until the stadium in Glassboro, NJ was complete.

So yes, as of right now, Philly MLS as a stadium plan, a college/town that wants the stadium and an investor/operator.

But I think Cleveland might be further along in getting money for their stadium project. Philly MLS is still waiting to see if the University will get the money they are expecting from the state of New Jersey.

[SoccerPrime]

He was quoting Garber. The full transcript of Garber's Q&A can be found here:
http://unitedmania.matchnight.com/umindex.cfm?page=ARTICLE&show=18913
No he wasn't. Read my post above: http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8370541&postcount=6

[SoccerPrime]

It's my understanding that the Philly investor is potentially Milestone.

Also, MLS can't really speak officially on anything related to Philly 2007 until July 1.

SoccerPrime - is this right?
That is absolutely correct. Right on.

[Z010 Union]

No he wasn't. Read my post above: http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8370541&postcount=6

Ethan, I believe he was - Steinberg, filling in for Goff, was at the meeting yesterday with Garber and Gazidis when that was said.

[SoccerPrime]

Okay let me repost this then. Garber might be just using MLSspeak, but Steinberg clearly heard it from the horse's mouth:

Dan Steinberg, the reporter in question here, politely emailed me back.

He said:
I'm new to MLS, filling in for our regular beat writer while he prepares for the World Cup. But yeah, that's what Garber said. He said Toronto is No. 13, either St. Louis or Cleveland is No. 14 and there are several cities vying to be 15 and 16 including Philadelphia, Milwaukee, the loser of Cleveland-St. Louis and one more that I'm forgetting.

I don't know Garber at all and I'm not privy to any behind the scenes negotiations, but that's what he said yesterday.

Also here is another report, by different reporters, who heard the same thing.
http://unitedmania.matchnight.com/umindex.cfm?page=ARTICLE&show=18913

BTW the "other" city is San Jose.

[SoccerPrime]

Sorry guys I got all twisted around here.
Yes, Steinberg was quoting Garber directly, as GUTuna mentioned.
My apologies for throwing you all for a loop.

But lets stick to 2 facts here:
#1- Garber and MLS can't say anything about Philly MLS until July 1.
#2- The proposal for Philly MLS says "new or relocated"; so as sad as it is, Philly could get a team, at the expense of a existing MLS city.

[Z010 Union]

As dreadful as it is to imagine, no current city has as many issues as Kansas City. Uncle Lamar's favorites have struggled mightily at the gate - and whether or not attendance has anything to do with a franchise's MLS "worthiness", the city hasn't supported the team. It is a shame for the diehard KC fans, just as it was a shame for the believers in SJ - but it would be more of a shame if the league allowed such a folly to continue. If KC is unable to draw flies, or real investors with stadium plans, I wouldn't mind watching a strike force of Eddie Johnson and Josh Wolff.

Fire Gansler.

[CyphaPSU]

You know, I have been against the idea of the Philly team merely being a relocated MLS side, but the prospects of potentially bringing in a tag team of Eddie Johnson and Josh Wolff is somewhat tempting.

But I'm actually thinking there is a chance EJ ends up in Europe sometime in 2007.

[Rickster]

Sorry guys I got all twisted around here.
Yes, Steinberg was quoting Garber directly, as GUTuna mentioned.
My apologies for throwing you all for a loop.

But lets stick to 2 facts here:
#1- Garber and MLS can't say anything about Philly MLS until July 1.
#2- The proposal for Philly MLS says "new or relocated"; so as sad as it is, Philly could get a team, at the expense of a existing MLS city.

I'm assuming #2 is our most likely option. Therefore, when I kneel down at night to pray for the death of the Temple Owl football program, I will also beg for the demise of the KC Wizards.

[OKTerrific]

If we get an existing team next year, then this whole St. Louis/Cleveland business means absolutely nothing to us, right?

That would mean we could be in competition with San Jose for a team in 2007?


This is starting to look kinda sucky.

[SoccerPrime]

Nothing is set in stone, however it seems likely at this point that St Louis or Cleveland will be MLS's first choice for the 14th expansion team, although its debatable if this team would start play in 2007 or 2008.

Since the Philly MLS proposal calls for a "new or relocated MLS team to play in 2007 AND 2008" then we can only theorize that IF Philly gets a team next season (2007) then it must be a relocated team.

Again its just theory, thats just everything we heard brought together in one thought.