Ill. Bus. Journal Article-City, developer confident that St. Louis will follow Philadelphia into MLS

Discussion in 'St. Louis City SC' started by mitchs3, Apr 28, 2008.

  1. mitchs3

    mitchs3 Member

    Jan 17, 2007
    STL
    From the April 2008 Illinois Business Journal. Sorry to post in full, but this publication only has certain of its articles available online, and this one isn't available. Obviously still just words, but encouraging based on some things Cooper says about the investment situation and also hopefully allays some fears some had that the Mayor's death would stifle the process.


    Illinois Business Journal, April 2008 (Copyright)

    City, developer confident that St. Louis will follow Philadelphia into MLS

    By ALAN J. ORTBALS

    With the death of Mayor Stan Schaeffer last month, Collinsville is more focused than ever on bringing a Major League Soccer team to town.
    Both developer Jeff Cooper of Saint Louis Soccer United LLC and community development/TIF director Paul Mann agree: The feeling in the community is to complete this project as a legacy to the late mayor.
    “This is a legacy project for him," said Cooper. "It was the one project that he knew would be his stamp on Collinsville, and so we're certainly trying to live up to that legacy. I know that the city council's very concerned with that. Everybody is united behind his (Schaeffer's) vision for Collinsville, and certainly his vision for this project, so we feel very good about going forward knowing that it's the one thing that he wanted to see happen. We’re obviously extremely sad to see him go before we could make it a reality, but I think everyone is committed, in the mayor's memory, to making the development a reality."
    City leaders were discouraged recently by the selection of Philadelphia for the 16th MLS franchise, but they were not surprised. Cooper said that he had expected it but that he also expects that St. Louis will be next.
    According to published reports, Philadelphia became the frontrunner in the search for an MLS expansion team after Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell promised $47 million in state funding. The $115 million stadium will be built on land donated by the city of Chester, Penn. And will be part of a $500 million complex including shops, condominiums and restaurants. The team owners are putting up $80 million with $30 million coming from Delaware County and $10 million from the Delaware Rive Port Authority.
    "We are very, very confident that we're going to get the 17th team in Major League Soccer," said Cooper. "We're on the verge of completing our new ownership group that Major League Soccer asked us to put together and everybody should be hearing some good news in the relatively near future."
    Cooper said he has been meeting with a variety of potential investors. Some have been referred to him by the league office; others have simply heard or read about the opportunity and have sought him out; and still others are people that he has approached on his own. The Philadelphia franchise will be owned by a group of six investors.
    Cooper said he expects the MLS to expand to 20 teams and that Atlanta, Miami, Vancouver, Las Vegas, New York City and Montreal – along with St. Louis - are the main contenders for the remaining franchises.
    Mann said everything has been done that can be done at this point. The pre-annexation agreements have been approved. The property acquisition is in its final stages. The zoning and land use changes have been passed. The tax increment financing and business districts have been approved and the city of Collinsville is working with the Illinois Department of Transportation on the proposed roadway improvements to Horseshoe Lake Road and the 1-255-Horseshoe Lake Road interchange. Those improvements include a bridge passing over the drainage ditch that runs parallel to Horseshoe Lake Road and the bike trail, providing the main entrance into the development.
    The redevelopment agreement between the city and the developer needs to wait until Cooper is awarded the franchise, according to Mann. That agreement will specify what is to happen when, who will be paying for it and the various other obligations of the parties. Cooper says he expects quick resolution of the redevelopment agreement once he gets the 17th franchise.
    "The redevelopment agreement is basically just a restatement of all of the prior agreements that we've already passed through the city council, so that ought to be an easy one to get through," Cooper said. 'We've agreed to every major point with the city already. So the redevelopment agreement is almost finalized and we look forward to getting that passed by the city council here in the near future as well."
    Mann agrees. He says the city is moving forward as if it already has the team, and that the city council and staff is more determined than ever to bring this project to fruition.
    "Stan (Schaeffer) certainly got the momentum going," Mann said. "No one could've done their jobs without him. He set the example for growth and development and then allowed the staff to carry out those principles. I think you can see the results. The city now has a pro-growth attitude. The thinking is: Let's look big picture. Let's carry on Stan's legacy and help promote economic development."
     
  2. Adiaga_2

    Adiaga_2 Member

    St. Louis City SC
    Aug 30, 2007
    St. Louis
    Club:
    Kansas City Wizards
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Ill. Bus. Journal Article-City, developer confident that St. Louis will follow Philadelphia into

    Thanks for posting the article.

    It's nice that the Coop is able to get a little friendly airtime or ink every few weeks to keep up everybody's optimism.
     
  3. Calcio69

    Calcio69 New Member

    Jan 25, 2007
    CHADDS FORD PA
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Ill. Bus. Journal Article-City, developer confident that St. Louis will follow Philadelphia into

    Can we trust a man named "AJ Ortbals"?
     
  4. PopsKrock

    PopsKrock New Member

    Jul 18, 2007
    Belleville
    Club:
    AC St. Louis
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Ill. Bus. Journal Article-City, developer confident that St. Louis will follow Philadelphia into

    I forgot to post this earlier. The most important part of the article has to be Cooper saying that the league has been putting him in touch with possible investors. We had all questioned whether MLS was really helping hi out at all.
     
  5. jasontoon

    jasontoon Member

    Jan 9, 2002
    Seattle, WA
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Ill. Bus. Journal Article-City, developer confident that St. Louis will follow Philadelphia into

    Between this MLS expansion saga and his rabid Hillary boosterism, I've had about enough of Ed %$#@! Rendell.
     
  6. Calcio69

    Calcio69 New Member

    Jan 25, 2007
    CHADDS FORD PA
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Ill. Bus. Journal Article-City, developer confident that St. Louis will follow Philadelphia into

    Just what might this represent?
    I'm sheltered. ;)
     
  7. PopsKrock

    PopsKrock New Member

    Jul 18, 2007
    Belleville
    Club:
    AC St. Louis
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Ill. Bus. Journal Article-City, developer confident that St. Louis will follow Philadelphia into

    It rhymes with orange.
     
  8. Calcio69

    Calcio69 New Member

    Jan 25, 2007
    CHADDS FORD PA
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Ill. Bus. Journal Article-City, developer confident that St. Louis will follow Philadelphia into

    Oh, OK. :eek:
     
  9. RedRover

    RedRover BigSoccer Supporter

    Aug 15, 2007
    Re: Ill. Bus. Journal Article-City, developer confident that St. Louis will follow Philadelphia into

    Perhaps they'll name the new stadium Schaeffer Field in his honor, once the franchise is finally delivered to St. Louis.
     
  10. 400lb Gorilla

    400lb Gorilla Member

    Sep 1, 2006
    Missouri
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Ill. Bus. Journal Article-City, developer confident that St. Louis will follow Philadelphia into

    I imagine the field naming rights would be sold to the highest bidder, put perhaps Schaeffer end, or Schaeffer stand might work.
     
  11. TomEaton

    TomEaton Member

    Mar 5, 2000
    Champaign, IL
    Re: Ill. Bus. Journal Article-City, developer confident that St. Louis will follow Philadelphia into

    They'll sell the naming rights to the stadium, but you could still name the field itself. Here at the University of Illinois the football team plays in Memorial Stadium, on Zuppke Field. On the other hand, I've always thought that was sort of confusing.
     
  12. StlSpursFan

    StlSpursFan Member

    Jan 29, 2008
    Da 314
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Russia
    Re: Ill. Bus. Journal Article-City, developer confident that St. Louis will follow Philadelphia into

    door hinge!
     
  13. Redhawk1

    Redhawk1 Member

    May 12, 2006
    Re: Ill. Bus. Journal Article-City, developer confident that St. Louis will follow Philadelphia into

    Nice article, but I still wonder exactly what is going on. Every day that goes by and every month that goes by with NOTHING announced really makes you think. Don Garber can make any statement that he wants (like "it's not a matter of IF, but WHEN"), but maybe it's just that - a statement. It doesn't mean anything until the package is delievered.

    We might all be sitting here next spring still waiting for something to happen. You just never know, but I wouldn't exactly believe in everything that comes out of Garber's mouth.

    There's been nothing mentioned recently from the major St. Louis media outlets as far as an update of Cooper's situation is concerned. Nor has anything been said about the new WPS team that's scheduled to begin play next spring. About the only mentioning of Cooper's status is on the Saturday Soccer Report because it's sponsored by St. Louis Soccer United.

    Maybe Cooper is close....maybe he isn't, but it would sure be nice to see some sort of update from a major media outlet. I don't know the exact figures, but I was told that he needs to come up with a HUGE amount of money to seal the deal.

    And while all of this is happening, maybe Garber has already changed his mind about St. Louis or expansion in general. We have San Jose this year, Seattle next year, and Philly in 2010, and maybe that will be it for a while.
     
  14. Wmpann

    Wmpann New Member

    Nov 13, 2006
    St. Louis
    Re: Ill. Bus. Journal Article-City, developer confident that St. Louis will follow Philadelphia into

    I also got upset about the time to take it slow comment last month and felt like that did not help our situation. I am hoping that saint louis looks to good to pass up because it can take center stage between chicago, kc, columbus and the texan teams. A nice central conference if you ask me. It would even be nice just for them to say yes with the inaugural season in 2012 or later.
     
  15. Redhawk1

    Redhawk1 Member

    May 12, 2006
    Re: Ill. Bus. Journal Article-City, developer confident that St. Louis will follow Philadelphia into

    I feel the same way, but I seriously doubt the league will announce anytime soon for us to begin play in 2012?? Any announcement this season is way too early for that. IF the league grants us a team for 2010, I expect to hear something soon....meaning this season. This season may even be too early to announce that we'll start in 2011. For instance, Cooper can probably get his stadium built for 2010 with a decision anytime before the end of the calendar year. So if the league says YES this year, why wait til 2011 or later???

    The thing is we have NO CLUE how close Cooper is to securing other investors to satisfy MLS. For all we know, he may have a deal done tomorrow....or he may not even be close. I just don't like it because NOTHING has been reported either way.
     
  16. PopsKrock

    PopsKrock New Member

    Jul 18, 2007
    Belleville
    Club:
    AC St. Louis
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Ill. Bus. Journal Article-City, developer confident that St. Louis will follow Philadelphia into

    I'm hearing nothing but positive chatter right now. I think our next deadline is the all-star game.
     
  17. Wmpann

    Wmpann New Member

    Nov 13, 2006
    St. Louis
    Re: Ill. Bus. Journal Article-City, developer confident that St. Louis will follow Philadelphia into

    I was thinking that they would not want to dilute the player pool. So they can tell us now and Cooper can start building and everything will be ready for new season in the far future. It is an illogical idea but i just want to hear some sort of progress.
     
  18. IlliniOnFire

    IlliniOnFire Hostile AND Abusive

    Oct 8, 2006
    Southern Illinois
    Re: Ill. Bus. Journal Article-City, developer confident that St. Louis will follow Philadelphia into

    not really... it was always named Memorial Stadium, the field was named in honor of Zuppke in the (iirc) early 60's after his death...

    of course, starting this season every piece of Memorial STadium is going to have a name... they are selling the naming rights to the towers, to the press box, to the great halls, everything... to pay for the renovation
     
  19. Redhawk1

    Redhawk1 Member

    May 12, 2006
    Re: Ill. Bus. Journal Article-City, developer confident that St. Louis will follow Philadelphia into

    We're probably not going to hear about any progress until JC has solidified his ownership group. Then his package will be signed, sealed, and delivered to MLS. From there, it will up to Garber and Co. to decide if/when we get a team.

    My worries are about Garber. Even if JC finds more investors, Garber and MLS might still say NO....and give some bogus reason that they just don't want to expand right now. I mean anything can happen, but I still wouldn't believe every single word Garber says about expansion. We all thought we were getting a team back in the fall for the 2009 season. That didn't happen. Then it was between us and Philly, and looked what happened. So now Garber says we're next, but I'll believe it when I see it.

    In the meantime, life does go on in St. Louis without MLS. But really nothing has changed because we've never had an MLS team. Unfortunately we don't have ANY form of pro soccer in St. Louis right now. From what I'm hearing, we have a better chance of getting the Steamers and the MISL back next season than we do getting an MLS team.
     
  20. Sport Billy

    Sport Billy Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 25, 2006
    Re: Ill. Bus. Journal Article-City, developer confident that St. Louis will follow Philadelphia into


    Why are you such a troll?
    Everyone knows that you are from Chester and now live in KC and support the Wizards.
    You have some infatuation with the kids sport of indoor soccer and you're bitter that St. Louis doesn't want indoor and they don't want teal.

    But why do you keep trolling the St. Louis forum?

    We get it, you don't think we will get a team. Ok.

    But your a troll.

    Eleven days ago you said:
    Now you are saying Garber's not going to give us a team.

    You also said:
    You were asked to elaborate, but you haven't done so.

    You continue to challenge St. Louis' ability to attract a crowd.
    Asking:
    When was the last time KC drew a crowd of 20,000 plus - but they are still in the league?

    You continue to insult our efforts saying:
    If you have hard evidence, post it. Otherwise, your posts are simply trolling.

    Why do you keep saying "we" and "us" - you are not a St. Louis supporter, you are a troll.

    As a MOD, I am giving you warning to stop trolling the St. Louis forum.

    BTW, we do have pro-soccer - St. Louis Lions PDL.
     
  21. Redhawk1

    Redhawk1 Member

    May 12, 2006
    Re: Ill. Bus. Journal Article-City, developer confident that St. Louis will follow Philadelphia into

    Whoa whoa whoa....I NEVER....EVER said Don Garber wasn't going to grant JC a team for St. Louis. I simply said you never know what's going to happen and your guess is as good as mine. In fact, I hope JC does get a team, which would make for a great Midwest Division along with KC, Chicago, and Columbus.

    Just tell me why the soccer heads in St. Louis don't support the Wizards more than they do. KC is less than 4 hours away and with most of the games on weekends, there should be a great deal of fans come out to KC for the games. Afterall, the Wizards are the ONLY MLS team in Missouri.

    In regards to the Lions....great team with a great coach. Tony Glavin has done a fantastic job with building that team.
     
  22. Sport Billy

    Sport Billy Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 25, 2006
    Re: Ill. Bus. Journal Article-City, developer confident that St. Louis will follow Philadelphia into

    Yes, you did - "Nice designs.....but are they for the new WOMEN'S team....or for the MLS team that's NOT coming to St. Louis???"

    I've been to Wizard games -
    It actually made me hate American soccer while I was there.
    7000 people filling up 10% off a stadium.
    Gridlines
    The name is horrible. Now that Mutiny and Fusion are gone, it's the worst name (save RSL) in the league.
    The rainbow is lame.

    KC is making progress - new stadium, no rainbow, etc.

    But why it hasn't been supported is because for the last 12 years, it epitomized everything that is/was wrong with American soccer.

    I'm not about to support Chicago and I supported Columbus because I could not bring myself to support the embarrassment that WAS KC.
     
  23. PopsKrock

    PopsKrock New Member

    Jul 18, 2007
    Belleville
    Club:
    AC St. Louis
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Ill. Bus. Journal Article-City, developer confident that St. Louis will follow Philadelphia into

    I have attended a Wizards game as well. I even presented a modicum of support with my purchases of some gear. I think I can expand upon the reasons why St. Louis does not support a team in Kansas City though. The most simple answer is, "because they play in Kansas City." I live in Illinois but I don't support the Bears/Cubs/White Sox/Fire. Why? Because they are on the other side of the state, a region with absolutely no ties to my hometown.
     
  24. McGinty

    McGinty Member

    SKC/STL
    Aug 29, 2001
    Club:
    Sporting Kansas City
    Re: Ill. Bus. Journal Article-City, developer confident that St. Louis will follow Philadelphia into

    That's a tad bit harsh. However, don't underestimate just how much Hunt Sports Group really screwed things up. We're all glad that Lamar Hunt showed so much dedication to soccer in this country, but HSG's efforts (and not just with the Wizards) really leave much to be desired. OnGoal has done a fine job in turning things around.

    As to why St. Louisans don't support KC, the problems in Arrowhead, especially the circus atmosphere they created with the lame sound effects piped in, sure didn't help. Plus, KC was never really a glamor team in this league, especially compared to Chicago. Finally, St. Louis and Kansas City may fall within the geographic boundaries of Missouri, but St. Louis and KC never really had any sort of collective identity. Many St. Louisans and Kansas Citians couldn't care less about being "Missourians".
     
  25. Redhawk1

    Redhawk1 Member

    May 12, 2006
    Re: Ill. Bus. Journal Article-City, developer confident that St. Louis will follow Philadelphia into

    But if St. Louis wants an MLS team so bad, and the local soccer fans are so starved to see high level pro soccer, don't you think more folks from The Lou would make the short trip to KC for a few games? It's not like it's a full day's drive to KC. It's only about 3 and a half hours. Just like the supporters groups that made a showing at the MLS SuperDraft in Baltimore.
     

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