While the rest of Soccer Nation moves forward a step (see Seattle and Philly), good old NEO moves back two. http://www.the-news-leader.com/news/article/3218561
Really have to look at the local leaders on this one. Back to square one. Mayor of Cleveland, why not step up and see if you can work with the Wolsteins? Why not stick a stadium in the Flats and redo the whole place?
This is what it takes to get a team - Vision and Leadership. Watch this announcement from Chester, Pennsylvania and imagine it happening in Cleveland. Take an economically depressed area, invest in infrastructure, add an international sport with appeal that cuts across ethnic and economic lines and you get what these guys have here. It takes guts. http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer.aspx?id=128ef2ab-c9da-4d98-b2d7-bc43f128b822
Having worked for Wolstein a few years ago, I can say this guy will never, EVER finalize a deal in which he will lose money. No true businessman would... no matter how much he says he loves soccer (which isn't even his 1st,2nd or 3rd favorite sport). He is/was merely following his father's footsteps in owning a team. He's a tough guy to work for and expects to make money on every deal. This one wouldn't be any different. As a businessman, he has my upmost respect. As a human, well, like I said, he's tough guy to work for and I'll leave it at that (although he does donate a ton of money to various charities). It would have to be a sweetheart deal for his family to get back into the pro soccer business. Unless someone else steps up, it'll be awhile before we see a MLS team in Cleveland...especially one owned by the Wolsteins.
Does anyone know if the Wolstein's approached any other community regarding a SSS or if they are still negotiating in Northfield. If it is dead don't you think they should have had a press release. This way they could remove us from the expansion forum. I remember a few years ago they dropped Cleve from the forum just to bring it back.
I'm not sure they would have had such a release. You can't just say never on anything, really. They could start back up in a year or whatever. But it does seem you all have gone the way of Oklahoma, which no longer has a forum. Like I ramble, things do change.