20 Questions with Garber - St. Louis Mentioned

[Sport Billy]

ST. LOUIS – St. Louis is another front-runner for future MLS expansion. You have probably read in local media reports where we are speaking with a potential ownership group in St. Louis. This potential ownership group has visited many MLS stadiums and had a large group attend the 2006 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game. They have identified a potential site for a stadium in just outside St. Louis, and local officials from that city recently visited Pizza Hut Park.

Where is "just outside St. Louis?" Sounds like Illinois to me.
Anyone know anything?

Of course he mentioned about 12 other teams.

[olderandwiser]

Collinsville, perhaps?

Seems it's difficult to get into the mid-size city markets politically, so go outside the city limits within a "reasonable" distance to a local government that's willing to take the chance. Still wondering how and if that might work in Milwaukee. Just an uneducated guess.

[fhnkeeper03]

Or St. Charles...

[nobody]

If this happens, it's likely gonna be outside the city, so either Illinois or the county. Frankly, I'm torn. The county sites are so far out, you would actually get to an Illinois site more quickly from the heart of the city, so Illinois would be better for me.

Then again, I've lived in Illinois quite a bit and am more familiar with it than the county, so I don't have the problem with crossing the river that is pretty well-established in St. Louis and would hurt attendance. For some reason people who live in St. Louis will drive 45 minutes to some mall in a distant suburb, but as 'em to drive 15 minutes across the Mississippi and they get all confused.

How much more the river would hurt attendance than having to go way out into the county is hard to say. The county may be full of soccer moms, but I don't think we've seen that translate into soccer fans anywhere else, so banking on filling the place with 12 year olds in the county ain't really too realistic in my view. You've probably got more adult soccer fans who may actually want to see a professional team closer to the city.

One more bonus of the Collinsville site I've seen mentioned...by the horse races...is that there is a very well-established Mexican community in Fairmont City which is growing quite rapidly and begins within blocks of the racetrack.

Botom line though is we're hearing talk about Illinois sites because the money seems to be coming from some Illinois folks. If St. Louis had some folks with cash stepping in and asking about a team, we wouldn't even have these conversations. But, as long as the money men are from Illinois, it remains a very real possibility.

[Atarian]

ST. LOUIS – St. Louis is another front-runner for future MLS expansion. You have probably read in local media reports where we are speaking with a potential ownership group in St. Louis. This potential ownership group has visited many MLS stadiums and had a large group attend the 2006 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game. They have identified a potential site for a stadium in just outside St. Louis, and local officials from that city recently visited Pizza Hut Park.

Where is "just outside St. Louis?" Sounds like Illinois to me.
Anyone know anything?

Of course he mentioned about 12 other teams.

Where did you hear about this? If its true, why the big secret on potential sites? I am sure its going to be the east side ( cheap land).

[Sport Billy]

Where did you hear about this? If its true, why the big secret on potential sites? I am sure its going to be the east side ( cheap land).


http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=419851&highlight=20+questions+garber

[CSMAC]

Just wondering if anyone saw this post on another expansion thread here called "Interesting Conversation". Don't know if the guy's legit, but just a morsel of info that might interest this group:

_______________________________________________________________
I was lucky enough to be one of the presenters of the Supporter's Shield to DC United earlier this evening. The shield is a great story and one that separates MLS and soccer from other Leagues and sports. Its our own traddition that should be preserved.

Actually, while I was down there I had a very interesting conversation with one of Garbers special assistants for expansion. Clearly, expansion is moving ahead and I got a real sense that St. Louis, Philadelphia and San Jose were far and away the front runners for the last three spots up through 2010. In particular, they are very bullish on the chances for San Jose to be back in MLS with the strong commitment from the Oakland As owners.

He also said that MLS has substantially more interest from potential ownership groups than ever in its history. The League was particularly interested in establishing footholds in the Northwest and Southeast to develop a truely national footprint including Seattle/Portland and Atlanta. However, given a number of factors it may be a while before MLS can get the right mix of Ownership and Stadium to make these happen.

The one other interesting thing was that the KC ownership change and Stadium push was a considerable effort, and represented a great relief to the League.
_________________________________________________________________

[Sport Billy]

Just wondering if anyone saw this post on another expansion thread here called "Interesting Conversation". Don't know if the guy's legit, but just a morsel of info that might interest this group:


Yeah, I saw that - I still do not know why we are kept in the dark.
I mean, why not come out and say:
"We've made such and such proposal. The MLS has set a deadline of XXX by which they will name an expansion city. Other posible cities include X, Y, Z."

The MLS has to have a deadline by which they have to name a team so they can build a stadium and do all the other things necessary to play by 2008.

I cannot believe the MLS won't even disclose the date by which a team will be named.

Let's face it. The MLS is never going to be anything more the the NHL is now where cities with teams care about it and other cities don't.

It just shocks me that a league desparate for fans has a commisioner who just spouts off anything. Think about it. The MLS has already stated that it wants to hold at 16 teams by 2010. They already have 13 teams.
That leaves three expansion spots. When asked about expansion, Garber names 12 possible cities. 12 cities for 3 spots. Then, when you consider that they sorta kinda promissed the Bay Area and Phili teams, that leaves 10 cities for 1 spot.

What a joke.

Other cities (KC, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Phili) have made public their plans but the "proposed" owners group in St. Louis never gives any details.

How do they expect a city to get excited about the MLS and a St. Louis team if they take this "if we get one, then we'll let you know" attitude.

TO THE PROPOSED GROUP:

Tell us - the people that are going to buy the tickets - what your plans are.
If your not organized enough to have plans then shut-up and quit wasting my time. How can we support this without knowing what we are supporting?

Do I want an MLS team in ST. Louis - YES
But If this groups plan is to play in Wentzville or Clinton county, IL or some other far out of the way place - Then I hope they fail miserably and some other "proposed" group makes a better plan.

Sorry, far the rant, but I want to know where, why, how, when, who of a proposal before I support St. Louis getting a team. I do not want St. louis getting awarded a team and the owners have a crap plan and we lose that team two years later never to get one again.

It's kind of like Phoenix - yes, they wanted a team, but I'm sure they didn't want Bidwell. All we know about the "proposed" group is that it includes an attorney with lots of cash and a sports exec. with NFL ties from Florida - big deal.

[pemurill]

I agree that this cloak and dagger method the Saint Louis expansion group is doing is ridiculous. Like the last post said, how can I get excited and get others excited (potentially help by writing letters and the like to local politicians/editorials in the local paper) if we have no information to go off of!!!

Also it amazes me that with the committment recently by MLS to develop youth programs (academies if you like) that none of the local clubs have given a whiff of news or information. I mean if the expansion group is successful don't they have to set up a youth system i.e. take over an existing club or provide an umbrella that all youth clubs work under?

I would assume with all the soccer centric activity in the next few months we should find something out, either locally or nationally. A coulple of dates coming up are-

(National) November 2006- MLS Cup, normal place where some big announcements or at least news is delivered

(Local/National) December 2006 - Final Four/College Cup NCAA. Also Metro United FC is sponsoring the College Classic (major college recruiting tournament) with pretty much all of the top ranked youth clubs participating (Saint Louis SC) is also involved

(Local/National) March 2007 - US Youth Soccer Association is having their annual meeting in March

[pemurill]

And since there hasn't been any news, I wanted to throw out a brief checklist of things that the expansion group would have to do to get a team and what information has been released.

Owner/Investor: This seems to be the clearest part of the Saint Louis expansion teams assets. Michael Hugyue, Jeff Cooper, other local executives as well. They have met on various occasions with MLS execs. The actual known visit to Saint Louis involved a Fleishman-Hilliard Exec, Bill McDermott, and other local people. I believe Mayor Slay was involved as well. This team seems committed just cannot get any real information out of them!!!

Stadium: There has been a lot of speculation and little information to add. Here is a brief pro and cons for mentioned sites.

[I]Illinois (Collinsville):
Pros: Cooper is a major proponent of Southern Illinois and would fit his M.O. of trying to develop this region sports wise. Already Cooper is a major investor of Fairmount Park, his main office is in East Alton, IL and there is a lot of relatively cheap land.

Cons: The two bridge Saint Louis mentality of not wanting to cross two bridges negates Saint Charles families (again these are generalities but seem to hold true). Also West County would probably be a stretch at times.

West County: This was mentioned in passing by a few sources (cannot remember off top of my head)
Pros: Depending on the exact location, I am going to use Sportport in Maryland Heights or Chesterfield Valley as two possibilities. This would be very easy for a vast majority of Saint Louis metro residents to get to. Major highways can be an advantage as well.

Cons: Property values are much higher comparatively to Illinois and other mentioned locales. Not sure which local municipalities are interested and also could they actually afford to take on the burdens of a major stadium

City Saint Louis: The options seems to have come and gone as there has been no mention lately of this being an option however it would be ignorant not to mention
Pros: Most centrally located place for a stadium with relatively easy access to all Metro Residents. Possibly advantageous tax breaks and could create a "wrigleyville" environment for game days

Cons: Property values very high in spots, finding enough ground could be an issues depending on neighborhood.

Saint Charles County is one final option. However land is going fast and there really is not a location that would be really advantageous at this point. But you never know!

Media Coverage (if we get team): This topic has not been mentioned at all from what I can recall however would have to be something which is planned out.
T.V.: Options are varied. Fox Sports Midwest would be the logical option for most games however would compete with Cardinals during summer. Another option would be WB 11 (or what used to be WB 11). They still have Cardinals baseball as well but would probably have space for MLS's games as well. In the past broadcast Saint Louis Indoor Steamers!

Radio: Biggest oppourtunity would be KMOX 1120 am. Covers virtually the entire United States. As of right now carries no local pro sports teams (covers some Mizzou sports). Other options are KFNS 590, ESPN 1380.

Local Involvement (includes youth academy): MLS going forward wants to be actively involved in the youth game. Saint Louis has a plethora of options. Looking at the obvious, MLS is sponsored by Adidas and two major clubs have adidas partnerships, Metro United of Illinois and Saint Louis Soccer Club. Would seem to be pretty easy to just brand them MLS Saint Louis youth clubs however that would leave out a lot of potential talent i.e. Scott Gallagher, Lou Fusz, others. One options which I think would be best is to Develop the Academy as a ODP equivalent whereby MLS Saint Louis would pick the best players fromt he local clubs and train them in the professional set up and take to high level tournaments again other ODP teams, like the Dallas Cup and possible international events. This would allow the local Youth Clubs to operate as is, but also allows the top talent to matriculate and be seen by the MLS Saint Louis

Wow, this turned into a long post, sorry, but I just want to get some serious discussion about this potential group in place of real news (hopefully get some real news in the near future)!!!!!!

[billikenfan]

Does it ever occur to you guys that it's difficult to get "answers" from the potential St. Louis MLS group because they are too busy putting together a SOLID franchise model that will convince you stubborn soccer folks not to complain about it?

Here is what we know:

- one of the "good guys" in St. Louis area sports & soccer (Jeff Cooper: St. Louis Derby, WPSL River Cities, Brentford FC in England--see Bernie Mikaltz's column for this) and one of the most prolific figures in American professional sports (Michael Huyghue: Axcess Sports & Entertainment) have joined forces to bring real professional soccer to the St. Louis area

- MLS, notoriously stubborn around these issues, is playing poker with St. Louis, Cleveland, Philly, Bay Area--hell, I've ever heard Las Vegas mentioned. Why? Because they have to, genius. The league has just passed a milestone at the 10-year marker, and in order to keep sustaining and growing it, they have to show competition for limited opportunities. It's called capitalism, folks.

- in order to get a team, you need a stadium. Suggesting that the team plays at Soccer Park, SportPort, or SLU is ludicrous. Why? 1) too small, and it would only create the environment of a PDL, college, or U23 amateur team trying to make it to the big leagues. This IS the big leagues, like it or not. 2) No way SLU will ever share its grounds with anyone. Ever. And, frankly, you can't blame them for wanting to maintain the grass. Again, too small anyway. 3) Seriously, people...MLS makes money when the team controls or has a good deal on its stadium. You really think SoccerPark is generously going to share concessions & parking with an MLS team?

- location: geez, you'd think this town already had a team with the luxury of complaining about drive times to the stadium. Want to know why the group hasn't mentioned whether they are trying to put it in the Metro East, West, or downtown? Read the comments on this thread. And, by the way, writing a letter to your state rep does nothing to convince them to spend $60 - 120 million in public money on a soccer stadium. If you want to write a letter, ask them to improve public schools. If you haven't heard anything, it's because the only people who have any clout to make this happen are doing anything and everything they can anywhere they can to put a stadium anywhere someone will let them and finance it.

Seriously, folks. Everyone is excited about this. Maybe you should direct your energy to supporting the Cards in the World Series, the SLU women's team in the A10 tournament, and the College Cup here in St. Louis? The single greatest thing you could do to support the St. Louis MLS effort is to turn out in great numbers to sporting events--especially soccer--in the St. Louis area and welcome whatever news this group brings to us. Especially if it means that we finally get the real deal here in St. Louis after being starved for decades.

[Sport Billy]

Does it ever occur to you guys that it's difficult to get "answers" from the potential St. Louis MLS group because they are too busy putting together a SOLID franchise model that will convince you stubborn soccer folks not to complain about it?

Here is what we know:

- one of the "good guys" in St. Louis area sports & soccer (Jeff Cooper: St. Louis Derby, WPSL River Cities, Brentford FC in England--see Bernie Mikaltz's column for this) and one of the most prolific figures in American professional sports (Michael Huyghue: Axcess Sports & Entertainment) have joined forces to bring real professional soccer to the St. Louis area

- MLS, notoriously stubborn around these issues, is playing poker with St. Louis, Cleveland, Philly, Bay Area--hell, I've ever heard Las Vegas mentioned. Why? Because they have to, genius. The league has just passed a milestone at the 10-year marker, and in order to keep sustaining and growing it, they have to show competition for limited opportunities. It's called capitalism, folks.

- in order to get a team, you need a stadium. Suggesting that the team plays at Soccer Park, SportPort, or SLU is ludicrous. Why? 1) too small, and it would only create the environment of a PDL, college, or U23 amateur team trying to make it to the big leagues. This IS the big leagues, like it or not. 2) No way SLU will ever share its grounds with anyone. Ever. And, frankly, you can't blame them for wanting to maintain the grass. Again, too small anyway. 3) Seriously, people...MLS makes money when the team controls or has a good deal on its stadium. You really think SoccerPark is generously going to share concessions & parking with an MLS team?

- location: geez, you'd think this town already had a team with the luxury of complaining about drive times to the stadium. Want to know why the group hasn't mentioned whether they are trying to put it in the Metro East, West, or downtown? Read the comments on this thread. And, by the way, writing a letter to your state rep does nothing to convince them to spend $60 - 120 million in public money on a soccer stadium. If you want to write a letter, ask them to improve public schools. If you haven't heard anything, it's because the only people who have any clout to make this happen are doing anything and everything they can anywhere they can to put a stadium anywhere someone will let them and finance it.

Seriously, folks. Everyone is excited about this. Maybe you should direct your energy to supporting the Cards in the World Series, the SLU women's team in the A10 tournament, and the College Cup here in St. Louis? The single greatest thing you could do to support the St. Louis MLS effort is to turn out in great numbers to sporting events--especially soccer--in the St. Louis area and welcome whatever news this group brings to us. Especially if it means that we finally get the real deal here in St. Louis after being starved for decades.

Give me a break.

First, if it is so taxing to put together a "solid" bid then shut up about it - don't tell us in the first place. Stay out of the papers, etc. Cooper comes out in the Post stating we are trying to get a team,etc then says nothing for over 6 months. If you are going to stay secret about it then do not even tell us you are trying. Just show up one day and say "hey folks, we have an MLS team." or if we don't get a team no one would know and know one would get upset because their hopes were artificially jacked up.

Second, capitalism??? The MLS has a set fee for expansion. That is not going to change based upon the number of bidders.

Third, no one is arguing against having their own stadium.

Fourth, the various comments on location only exist because silence causes speculation - tells where its going to be and that ends the bickering about where it should be.

Fifth, what does supporting other events have to do with the MLS. We are in an area of 2 mil people and get 3.5 mil at our baseball gaves. If that mattered, we would have had an MLS team years ago.


Look it is quite simple.
All of this should have been handled behind closed doors. If Cooper et al do not want public input, then why announce you are looking in the first place? All their silence has done is caused speculation.

I am on the edge of hoping thier bid fails miserably so a real group of investors could come in but I know that will not happen either.

When you add the pathetic Garber our "proposed owners" you get crap - Garber talks out of both sides of his mouth saying different cities are front runners in different interviews. He talks about announcing something in "60 days", "the near future" etc. This approach makes to MLS look like they've been around 1 yr not 10.

Every other bidding process in sports, NFL, Olympics etc. is organized. Bids must be in by X Date. List will be narrowed to finalists on Y date. And winner will be announced on Z date.

Right now, the MLS' approach is we want to expand, we don't know where, when or how and if something happens to fall together in the future that seems like it might work, we'll let you know. - what a joke.

They are turning fans away from the game.

How difficult would it be for Cooper et al to come out publicly and say we are looking at these three specific locations, if we get a stadium deal worked out, the MLS will let us know by XX/XX/XX if we have a team? - very simple and up front.

You know that date exists, the MLS and the various proposed owners groups have to know by what date an announcement must be made in order to play in 2008. Why not share that date with the public.

Here's a challenge: TO COOPER ET AL.
I pray to God that you know people discuss your proposal on forums like BigSoccer - if you don't, that is very sad. Why not have a rep from your group get on this site, go on a radio call in show, set up a website, etc. and field some questions from your future customers?

[billikenfan]

"Tell us - the people that are going to buy the tickets - what your plans are.
If your not organized enough to have plans then shut-up and quit wasting my time. How can we support this without knowing what we are supporting?"

In terms of plans: Last time I checked, the group has not come out and given any kind of public confirmation...they are doing precisely what interested franchise owners do when they are looking into an expansion team: meet with the Commissioner, learn about the market, build the ownership group, and meet the criteria for getting a team in the first place (i.e. find a stadium). I doubt they have any interest in your time, wasted or otherwise, based on your comments.

And, by the way, the 20 bucks you'll spend on a ticket are small potatoes compared to the $30 million team and the $100 million stadium. If you think your buying a ticket is some kind of investment that gives you some kind of say or vote, put it in the stock market. This Cooper fella is trying to get a team because he's passionate about the game and passionate about St. Louis. If he wanted your $20, he'd have you as a client, not a fan. Your ticket gives/entitles you 90 minutes of great soccer, not the right to complain about a team that doesn't exist (and, come to think of it, your ticket doesn't yet either, so neither does the validity for your complaining). You don't know what you are not supporting because it does not exist. Only the passion, effort, and interest does.

Want to know why it is in poor taste to set artificial deadlines and state plans before they are fully locked and loaded? See Checketts in Salt Lake.

"Second, capitalism??? The MLS has a set fee for expansion. That is not going to change based upon the number of bidders."

Set fee? In Summer 2005, the price tag was $10 million. One year later, it's $30 million.

Perhaps you should give yourself pause to consider the bigger picture, rather than foaming off at the mouth before recognizing that there is much you simply do not know? And, based on your logic, it's probably better off that way.

[Sport Billy]

"Tell us - the people that are going to buy the tickets - what your plans are.
If your not organized enough to have plans then shut-up and quit wasting my time. How can we support this without knowing what we are supporting?"

In terms of plans: Last time I checked, the group has not come out and given any kind of public confirmation...they are doing precisely what interested franchise owners do when they are looking into an expansion team: meet with the Commissioner, learn about the market, build the ownership group, and meet the criteria for getting a team in the first place (i.e. find a stadium). I doubt they have any interest in your time, wasted or otherwise, based on your comments.

And, by the way, the 20 bucks you'll spend on a ticket are small potatoes compared to the $30 million team and the $100 million stadium. If you think your buying a ticket is some kind of investment that gives you some kind of say or vote, put it in the stock market. This Cooper fella is trying to get a team because he's passionate about the game and passionate about St. Louis. If he wanted your $20, he'd have you as a client, not a fan. Your ticket gives/entitles you 90 minutes of great soccer, not the right to complain about a team that doesn't exist (and, come to think of it, your ticket doesn't yet either, so neither does the validity for your complaining). You don't know what you are not supporting because it does not exist. Only the passion, effort, and interest does.

Want to know why it is in poor taste to set artificial deadlines and state plans before they are fully locked and loaded? See Checketts in Salt Lake.

"Second, capitalism??? The MLS has a set fee for expansion. That is not going to change based upon the number of bidders."

Set fee? In Summer 2005, the price tag was $10 million. One year later, it's $30 million.

Perhaps you should give yourself pause to consider the bigger picture, rather than foaming off at the mouth before recognizing that there is much you simply do not know? And, based on your logic, it's probably better off that way.


A $30mil team and $100 mil stadium is nothing without a lot of $20 paying fans.

[McGinty]

Sport, no potential sports ownership group will ever conduct their business in such an open manner, and I do not blame them.

The new owners of the Wizards played everything extremely close to the vest, and I can assure you that no Wizards fans are upset with that.

[Sport Billy]

Sport, no potential sports ownership group will ever conduct their business in such an open manner, and I do not blame them.

The new owners of the Wizards played everything extremely close to the vest, and I can assure you that no Wizards fans are upset with that.
yeah, I know, but I can dream ;)

[FC Uptown]

I really hope StL gets a team in the next few years and can start
a nice rivalry with us here in Dallas and the scum (joke) in Houston.
Obviously strong ownership ($) is key, public/private financing, and an area of town where you can get a lot approved and have a lot of land for fields and a sss stadium.
Having all those fields is pretty key ($) and all the new places are designed for that (Colorado, RSL, Red Bull)
Toyota Park wasn't designed this way and this is generally seen as a major money hole (mistake) for the team.
Frisco, TX was literally grasslands and not on anyones radar - so sometimes these things end up in places you would never expect.
Good luck!