Vancouver Mayor to meet with MLS

[Johnnie Monster]

Sam Sullivan is in NY today to meet with the league...

"I'm not going to be addressing the details of the bid, but what I am going to say is that Vancouver loves soccer and that we want the franchise," said Sullivan. "If it comes right down to a close battle between bids, it's possible that me being there could be helpful. I'll do what I can."

http://www.whitecapsfc.com/archive/feature10070804.aspx

[the shelts]

Good job Mr. Mayor.

Vancouver has been verbally promissed a team. They have hand delivered the application to MLS HQ.

[Johnnie Monster]

You know, I never even thought of that. I just assumed he was there for some glad-handing and wheel greasing, but it never occurred to me that he might actually be delivering the bid in person.

[Sport Billy]

Vancouver has been verbally promised a team.

When?
By whom?
Link?

[the shelts]

When?
By whom?
Link?


When?........August 12 2007
By whom?.........Don Garber
Link?............This is all I have for a link (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showpost.php?p=14631500&postcount=18)


Sport Billy, as you know, we've been through this before. It seems that everything positive for Vancouver is seen by you to be a negative for St. Louis. You may even be right. Maybe it is down to St. Louis.

Thing is you hoping that Vancouver will fail and St. Louis will succeed will not mean that will happen.

You've gone and convinced yourself that this is the case and you simply are re-inforcing these notions by continually posting this.

[Sport Billy]

When?........August 12 2007
By whom?.........Don Garber
Link?............This is all I have for a link (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showpost.php?p=14631500&postcount=18)


Not that again.
It was posted on MLSNET that St. Louis would get a team. That was over a year ago.
Seattle was sent a letter saying they were "next". - They didn't get a team for 8 yrs after that.



Sport Billy, as you know, we've been through this before. It seems that everything positive for Vancouver is seen by you to be a negative for St. Louis. You may even be right. Maybe it is down to St. Louis.

Thing is you hoping that Vancouver will fail and St. Louis will succeed will not mean that will happen.

You've gone and convinced yourself that this is the case and you simply are re-inforcing these notions by continually posting this.

Not at all.
I've said Vancouver will be a good city for MLS - but not in a non-revenue controlled temporary stadium. So I don't see it happening now.

How is a non-revenue controlled temporary stadium compared to a revenue controlled SSS in other cities a "positive for Vancouver"?

I admit that I have no idea what MLS will do - they've proven time and time again that they are absolute whores. You can't trust a whore.

But I can give my opinion on what I think will happen even if it includes why Vancouver is a bad choice right now but maybe not in the future.

At least I didn't come on here and make some ridiculous statement that "St. Louis is in - count on it"

[KingsCountyFC]

spouting off unverifiable "facts" about expansion doesn't make you an expert on who's next.
I'm not saying you are wrong, i'm saying...just because we question things like that, doesnt' mean we hate Vancouver....
Whenever you recieve inside information, It seems less credible when you blab it all over some soccer nerd forum.

[Quakesfan92]

As a neutral member in this party, I believe Both St. Louis & Vancouver deserve the final expansion franchise's. Last year I was overjoyed when It was announced my Earthquakes would return to the MLS.

I support Sullivan's ATTEMPT to Personal guarantee his City a franchise, before his Mayorial term ends.... re-elect the man Vancouver!
In 2011 I see as the first Expansion team being St. Louis as they take the final spot in The Eastern Conference(Who I think should be named Crusade, due to St. Louis's stautue looking similar to the historic figures)

And Vancouver's Whitecaps as the second and final Western Conference team, BC Place would be the temporary home of the franchise for it's first few years till the waterfront stadium is approved and begins construction.

But one question I have for Vancouver,Is can you get 18,000 plus fans to show up for an MLS match against someone else besides the LA Galaxy & David Beckham?

[Johnnie Monster]

I'll put it to you this way.

The Whitecaps currently play in a dilapidated suburban stadium in the middle of one of the worst areas for traffic congestion in Metro Vancouver. Further to that, you can add in a horrible lack of parking, unfavorable transit access and a complete lack of post match dining / entertainment venues anywhere in the area.

Swangard capacity is just shy of 5,800. In spite of all these challenges, they sold 95% of all seats through 15 home games, 2 CL qualifiers and 2 playoffs thus far. The USL championship final is also expected to be oversold on Sunday to allow standing room only.

Now... as I see it:

Put the **USL** Whitecaps in BC Place in its present horrendous condition, and attendance will hit a solid 10,000 per match by virtue of the fact they've moved downtown from the 'burbs.

Put the **USL** Whitecaps in BC Place with the top to bottom refurbishment planned for 2009 (including reconfigured seats down to pitch level), plus the retractable roof planned for 2011, attendance will hit 12,000 per match.

Put the **MLS** Whitecaps in the totally revamped BC Place, and I am certain you will see the same season ticket base as Seattle and Toronto.

We've supported this club for close to 35 years, less two years off following the NASL collapse. This team isn't just a new fad for Vancouverites... it's been a part of our history for three generations.

Vancouver will be one of the cornerstone franchises of the MLS if given the opportunity. It's the oldest pro club in North America, and it deserves a better league than the one it is in.

When MLS gives teams to Denver, Columbus, KC, RSL... it's downright maddening that we're not there. To me, none of these are historical "soccer hotbeds" like we are. No offense to the fans in those cities intended, I'm just sayin' none have the history we do.

[Sport Billy]

Johnnie, I think you are right.
I've never doubted Vancouver's potential success in MLS.
I just question the wisdom of a temporary non-revenue controlled stadium.

Ignoring my bias towards wanting St. Louis in for a moment, I would still much rather see Vancouver enter MLS in a new waterfront SSS in 2013 then see a club with a proud history half-ass it's way for two seasons.

[GOALSeattle]

I would still much rather see Vancouver enter MLS in a new waterfront SSS in 2013 then see a club with a proud history half-ass it's way for two seasons.

I wonder what Earthquakes and Wizards fans would say to that one. ;)

[gregro]

I wonder what Earthquakes and Wizards fans would say to that one. ;)

You can add Houston to the list as well. ;)

I would like to see St. Louis and Vancouver both get awarded franchises. (St. Louis next).

If Vancouver had a guarantee of getting their own stadium, The new BC place could work well in the interim. From what I have seen the lower bowl would be great for atmosphere. The Whitecaps will draw 20-25k per game.

With that said, I think ownership would have to work out a deal where Vancouver could somehow maximise earnings on revenue to make the deal palitable while playing at BC Place.

[Mr. Bandwagon]

When?........August 12 2007
By whom?.........Don Garber
Link?............This is all I have for a link (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showpost.php?p=14631500&postcount=18)


Sport Billy, as you know, we've been through this before. It seems that everything positive for Vancouver is seen by you to be a negative for St. Louis. You may even be right. Maybe it is down to St. Louis.

Thing is you hoping that Vancouver will fail and St. Louis will succeed will not mean that will happen.

You've gone and convinced yourself that this is the case and you simply are re-inforcing these notions by continually posting this.

All you have is a link...to another post by you? :rolleyes:

Honestly, that is one of the worst made up rumors I've seen on BigSoccer. Sorry but that's not even worth posting.

[WhiteRockk]

All you have is a link...to another post by you? :rolleyes:

Honestly, that is one of the worst made up rumors I've seen on BigSoccer. Sorry but that's not even worth posting.

What a little bastard, eh?

Anyways... Vancouver just has more punch to the bid I see them getting in before portland and maybe even St louis as well.