Garber state-of-the-league address(NYC2)

[southpaw817]

The possibility for a second team in the New York market remains a strong one as Garber identified Queens as a potential home for another team.

"Ever since the league started we've always wanted a second team in New York," Garber said. "It was part of the founding principles of our league.

"We've been in very active discussions with a potential ownership group to try to achieve that," Garber said. "Those discussions have been with the Wilpon family and the New York Mets."



Pretty much the same things that we have heard but it is nice to see that this is still on the table months later.He also said that there is a "perfect storm"coming together in Queens.He seemed very excited at this possibility.

[shonuff85]

this is the first time that the Wilpons were mentioned by the commish and not some rumor in the sports section or on BS. i see this as a sign that maybe, just maybe, we are getting close to seeing this thing happen.

[Michael K.]

"We have 13 million people in the N.Y. area and it certainly can support two soccer teams. We’re making progress in discussions with investors. But it is difficult and expensive building facilities with new stadiums going up for the Giants, Jets, Mets, Yankees and Nets. But we’re confident we can achieve a second team in New York in a short period of time.

"We’ll probably have 17th and 18th teams in 2010 and then probably stop there to ensure all teams are successful."

http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/16/q-a-mls-commissioner-don-garber/

[southpaw817]

"We have 13 million people in the N.Y. area and it certainly can support two soccer teams. We’re making progress in discussions with investors. But it is difficult and expensive building facilities with new stadiums going up for the Giants, Jets, Mets, Yankees and Nets. But we’re confident we can achieve a second team in New York in a short period of time.

"We’ll probably have 17th and 18th teams in 2010 and then probably stop there to ensure all teams are successful."

http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/16/q-a-mls-commissioner-don-garber/

Good find,these are very good quotes coming from The Don himself.

[usbfc]

When Garber mentioned the NYC team having a stadium being used year round, what does that mean?

Year round for soccer? A situation like Toronto? FieldTurf? Pimping out the stadium so the owners can get more money?

If FieldTurf, I say 'NO' to NYC2.

[NYC_COSMOS]

I just heard the SOL by Garber and he said that the stadium would be built in the parking lot. With a parking gargage connecting to the highways. I'm about to listen to it again because I think that I might have been mistaken. Can someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

[DoctorK]

http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/16/q-a-mls-commissioner-don-garber/

Thanks for that!

This sentence is very interesting: "Red Bull is supportive, very supportive of having a local rival." I think that's great, and I wonder if RBFO are having any say in terms of where that local rival might play (would they groundshare, if only on an interim basis?).

As is this statement: "We have 13 million people in the N.Y. area and it certainly can support two soccer teams. We’re making progress in discussions with investors." Note the plural! The Wilpons aren't the only ones talking with MLS; Queens isn't the only location in the region where a second franchise might be located.

As you've said before, Michael, the quicker this is resolved the better.