For non subscribers here's another detailed write up http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2017/04...eking-to-have-franchise-agreement-voided/2752
What scares me about this is that it's an unwanted distraction from the main goal, which should be the MLS bid. Hopefully, a settlement can be reached soon...before MLS' decision later this year on the first two expansion slots.
That's understandable but they're separate matters. Edwards just wants what is his. Same thing with the Strikers suit. MLS will recognize this.
So the referendum for the stadium passed, this puts the Rowdies a step up for MLS compared to several other cities. http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/788104?referrer_id=2824806
This vote was certainly exciting and had you told me ten years ago that something like this would happen I wouldn't have believed it. People are very protective of the waterfront. The vote shows that Edwards did a great job communicating his stadium vision to the city, that the design is in line with what people want for the waterfront, and that the advertised price is right (foremost)! I think the Rowdies are still a borderline bid. I don't think the proximity to Orlando is an issue because that should be a positive. There is a lot of misinformation out there about the TV aspect to that. I think the Rowdies should be concerned about the Beckham situation in Miami. Before you laugh hear me out. Consider the following: - It has been three years and counting and the league is still exhibiting patience with the process there - The city has land they're waiting to sell to complete the project. They're just waiting on Beckham - The hold up seems to have been initial investors. Just this past week Beckham announced his first big money investor. That should move the process along now. - Garber has chosen this year as the year to either make things happen or move on. Not coincidentally they are choosing new expansion sites this year. If the Board of Governors is unhappy with the ownership structure Beckham now has to present then I would think that bodes well for the Rowdies. However if they are happy then I would think the wheels will start moving again on Miami, which would be bad for the Rowdies. I don't think the league would be well served having three teams in Florida. - Considering all the attention and excitement about #MLS2StPete and whatnot I'm surprised at the drop in attendance after the Orlando City B game. It is back to 2016 levels. I wonder what kind of message this sends. Not trying to be positive or negative. Just trying to look at this through a clear lens.
I don't think the league would be well served with five teams in California. Florida deserves three by comparison.
I agree with your remark about five California teams. That is a big leap of faith. I don’t know that market though so I’ll stop there. I’m open minded and I’d love to be convinced otherwise but I’ll elaborate on my reservations on three Florida teams. There are lots of reasons why it would work. Florida has the population for three teams. There are three separate and distinct markets where it could work. The TV matters can be sorted out. Population is growing in Florida. But despite the rapid growth in the number of MLS team over the last decade there will come a time where they reach a cap and that number stops growing. For the league to reap the most benefit for the number of teams operating in MLS I would think that they would want to extract maximum value from all possible places. If the league has teams operating in Orlando and Miami then you could argue that is decent enough coverage to try and market those teams to the entire state. What if a third Florida team came at the expense of having a presence in Michigan or North Carolina? I’m just saying that there isn’t a definitive enough answer to that question that would make me think there isn’t cause for concern. Even if the numbers play out in Florida’s favor, MLS values the intangible aspects that the fan culture in the popular markets are providing. Regardless of which city’s application you’re speaking about that has to be something they are considering carefully behind the monetary reasons. Selfishly I would love three Florida teams. It would make things a lot of fun and provide lots of matches all within driving distance to watch.
Agreed, but Sacramento is as sure of a bet as there is in the MLS expansion derby and San Diego is a market long coveted by the league. Combined with the new LA team, that would make five teams in California. For the record, I don't think Tampa Bay's bid is contingent on what happens in Miami. Now that the stadium is approved it's more about the rest of the package, including Bill Edwards.
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/rick-baker-files-for-mayor-of-st-pete/2323132 Interesting news today. Baker has been a part of the application process throughout. Mayor Kriseman has not. Kriseman has affixed his face on the Tropicana Field redevelopment proposal for baseball. These two projects have nothing to do with each other but it does seem interesting that each candidate has personal interest in what could be perceived as competing projects.
@tampabayrowdies: Our @opencup journey starts on Tuesday night against the @ArmadaFCU23 at Al Lang. Call (727) 308-5203 tomorrow (Monday) to get FREE...
http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/884809?referrer_id=2909153 Rowdies’ 2018 preseason opener only two days away. The Rowdies will take on FC Cincinnati at 3:30 on Saturday afternoon at IMG Academy in their first outing of the year. For the 13 returning players on the roster, this preseason has felt like none before. For the 10 new members of the team, the excitement and sense of belonging is growing quickly.
Ian Thomas @byIanThomas News in @sbjsbd this morning: The Tampa Bay Rowdies are being put up for sale by owner Bill Edwards
Not quite. Mr. Edwards is looking to expand the ownership group of the Rowdies. Not sell the team. http://www.tbo.com/sports/2018/02/12/report-rowdies-are-for-sale/
"In order to be in MLS it takes an ownership group, so all we're doing is trying to put together an ownership group," Edwards said. "There's been a high degree of interest from people who want to be part of the ownership group. I would still be involved no matter what league we are in. I'm not running away at all." Hoping Jeff Vinik is interested. He would be a great owner to partner with. He has turned TB Lightning into a top notch hockey club that sells out every week.
MLS was never happening with Edwards alone. That is the most glaring hole in our bid. Hopefully he's right in that there's plenty of suitors. Definitely hoping for Vinik but he might have his hands full with Channelside. Might the Glazers have an interest as a response to City and NYCFC?
Glazers would be great addition to the group as well, but just depends on how much they value the game here versus their stake in Man U. Ideal situation would the get both Vinik and Glazers on board. That would surely open MLS's eyes.
Best thing that could happen is Vinik buy the team outright. Fcuk the Glazers and MLS is never having an owner like Bill Edwards in the league. No chance Rowdies get in until he's gone.
Haven't decided on getting 2018 Rowdies season tickets yet? Let our players help you make the easy choice! Make sure to call 727-222-2000 between 8-9pm tonight and they'll be on the phone taking your calls.
.@HunterGorskie and Georgi Hristov want you to pack stands on Saturday night for our home opener! TIX: 727-222-2000 / https://t.co/NWp4Q9rapE pic.twitter.com/xAvEAAdNdW— Tampa Bay Rowdies (@TampaBayRowdies) March 21, 2018
How many teams around the world, can say they play in a great location like the Rowdies do? Not many.