One shot deal for PDX?

[GOALSeattle]

http://www.oregonlive.com/timbers/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/1220842518305100.xml&coll=7

Paulson, also the owner of the Portland Timbers (who play soccer in a league one level below MLS), pointed to fast-rising valuations of MLS franchises as proof of the league's health. The $40 million expansion fee he is willing to pay is four times what owners of Toronto FC paid to join the league last year. With prices escalating, he said, pursuing MLS beyond the current round of expansion is unlikely.

"Our opportunity really, especially given what the valuations are doing, is in this next round," Paulson said.

Just what I didn't want to hear.

Is this a pressure tactic to get the funding?

[j66j66]

Is this a pressure tactic to get the funding?

FWIW, he's consistently said this, regardless of the reasons.

[GOALSeattle]

What does this say, if anything, about Paulson's bid, then?

To me it says he's underfunded if he isn't willing to pay 10-20 million more to stick in the race.

At least that is the appearance he's giving.

That's why I suggested he's just trying to 'light a fire' under PDX politicos.

As a comparison, there has been no "2011 or bust" talk from Vancouver or Montreal, has there?

[Hierarchyfive]

I think it is to light a fire under the City.

Although I don't like how MLS continues to talk about raising expansion fees for these spots to 50 million. Seems like moving the finish line during the middle of the race.

They seem to think that since they have a few fish biting they can just extort the hell out of them. If they keep raising the fees then they might wind up without any fish in the boat. (Although I think all 4 will wind up in the boat.)

[Eckstoss]

What does this say, if anything, about Paulson's bid, then?

To me it says he's underfunded if he isn't willing to pay 10-20 million more to stick in the race.

At least that is the appearance he's giving.

That's why I suggested he's just trying to 'light a fire' under PDX politicos.

As a comparison, there has been no "2011 or bust" talk from Vancouver or Montreal, has there?

Come on. It's negotiation and St. Louis is using the same tactic. Doesn't mean Paulson will try for a later round at $50m+, but using negotiation tactics like these does not mean Paulson isn't busting at the seams with investor capital.

[GOALSeattle]

Not the same at all.

STL is saying (via press) that they want the same expansion fee that they would have gotten back when they started their process / got local stadium approval. STL is referring their comments directly at MLS HQ.

It sure appears that Paulson is aiming his comments at local PDX officials. "Not sure if we can make it when the fee goes higher, so better get us the stadium funding we need now or PDX could miss out."

No way should Paulson expect at this point that he can 'put pressure' on MLS HQ to pick Portland 'now' because they won't have the money later. (If that is what you are suggesting he is trying to do.)

[Asprilla9]

No way should Paulson expect at this point that he can 'put pressure' on MLS HQ to pick Portland 'now' because they won't have the money later. (If that is what you are suggesting he is trying to do.)i'm not sure what the poster was originally asserting (or implying), but I don't think ANYONE in their right mind would think that (what you wrote) would be a reasonable ploy for Paulson to make. it only weakens his position.

as others have pointed out though, this whole "one shot deal" is pretty much how Paulson has framed it, consistently. it's one of two things: he's either trying to pressure the PDX politicos or he is weak. that's it. and I don't mean he's personally weak, i mean he's weak as a potential owner, and as a result PDX is weak as a potential MLS city.


If MLS HQ sees that you are so small-time and underfunded, so as you can only put together a one-shot bid .... then they'll probably feel that you're not big enough and wealthy enough to run an MLS team successfully once you get it. MLS doesn't just look at this by the year, they look at it from a 10-15-20 year perspective.


I have no idea what is behind this, but I'm hoping that Paulson is just pressuring the city of Portland.

[beersoup]

On the whole, the article is pretty positive as far as the MLS is concerned. Which isn't always the case.