just saw on sports center: arena's new contract at $700,000 per for 4, and mls plans to add 2 new teams with plans to add 2 more later. no dates or cities stated.
Just got a call from MLS Detroit that he saw this on Sportcenter. Looks like this rumor is getting some legs and running with it. Shouldn't this thread be in MLS News and Analysis seeing as how this has made it onto Sportcenter?
http://espn.go.com/soccer/news/2002/1010/1444280.html Talks about Arena's deal, but no expansion info.
This rumor has definitely taken legs. When I saw Sportscenter say MLS has "announced" a two-team expansion, I practically threw up my late night beer. I wonder if there aren't a few people upset with Mr. Lieweke's comments at this point (although all he said was there would be "announcement" of expansion "within a year), and whether MLS in typical fashion will come out red faced on this one.
The more I think about it, the more I believe this is just some atypical shoddy reporting by ESPN. Not even the Arena deal is a done deal, but if you watched Sportscenter you would have never guessed, as they broadcast it as if the contract was already signed and there had been an official announcement. But hey, at least they were talking some soccer.