Interesting news coming out of Sacramento. The Kings are seriously considering buying the Republic and making a push for MLS. http://www.sacbee.com/2014/08/03/6601050/kings-owners-in-talks-to-buy-sacramentos.html Looks like they want to fast track this. I think it would be awesome if it was to happen.
There are at least two big ramifications for the Quakes. The first is that Sac is technically our territory, and so we presumably would be compensated if this happens. Second, the league likes to encourage local rivalries (fake or not), and obviously this would be analogous to Galaxy/Chivas. I would call it at least semi-Quakes related.
Oh, that's right, you're the one that gets all freaked over the thought of Sacramento making it to MLS.
I doubt the Quakes would try to hinder Sac's entry into the league. Wolff is probably the last person who would cry, "territorial rights!"
We''ll see. I agree he won't try to hinder, but extracting a price is something that a smart business man like Wolff tends to do. I think he'll be reasonable, but also assert the team's right.
The league still wants a 2nd So. Cal team, so, I think the question is what their plan will be if no viable offer comes in before the start of next year. Does the league carry the lame duck Chivas name another year?
I do. Make for an easy road trip and it will be fun hearing the rest of the country whine about another team in California. Plus it means SF won't get a team.
If Sacramento enters MLS then the Quakes will have to start their own USL team or partner with another. Doubt we will find another USL two hours away to send younger players out on loan.
Sacramento entering the league would quickly become THE local derby for us. I've only met them once in a poxy Gold Cup game and I already have a strong dislike for them that I know will escalate into a burning hatred pretty quickly. It's everything to do with us. Big derby = more media coverage = more bums on seats = more dollars into the coffers = more talented players* = More wins! * Doyle notwithstanding.
Two hours to drive to Sacto. About two hours to fly to Arizona, (where Arizona United is), less than that to the Orange County Blues. Not sure what affiliations those clubs may already have, but, I don't think it critical that we have our partner close to us.
I actually think its great to have another rival team close to home. Their fans can come here and we can go there all in a matter of two hours. Don't see how it would be a bad thing at all for the Quakes, MLS or for soccer in Northern California and it will make for a newer NorCal (SJ-Sac) rivalry. Good for them!
Kaval was sounding pretty confident or arogant, at Kezar two months ago. I overheard him tell some friends that Sac would never join MLS cause we "own the rights". Not sure if that is true or he was just hamming it up, like he lies to do.
That argument doesn't hold water: MLS does not have the ridiculous exception to antitrust laws. OTOH, the US antitrust laws have been largely ignored since 1982 (breakup of AT&T)...
This is entirely a franchise issue and has nothing to do with antitrust. I'm not sure what franchise territorial rights the Quakes have but they only have a 75 mile radius around Buck Shaw for Home Grown player rights, which does not include metropolitan Sacramento.
Kaval and Wolff both said they supported a Sacramento MLS run during the pressors/interviews for the USL affiliation. I don't think the Republic ownership (and now the Kings) would be pushing so hard if they legitimately could be road blocked by the Quakes. Whether severance $$$ gets paid based on the percentage of Quakes fans in the Sacto area, who knows?
But, perhaps with MLS being single entity, they would have the right to say where they put their franchises.
If and when they come around with their expansion bid, I'll bet John Doyle will jump ship and be named Sac's new GM....