I know it's been discussed elsewhere, but Commissioner Garber included Atlanta in MLS' list of potential expansion markets: http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20080724&content_id=175344&vkey=pr_mls&fext=.jsp Discuss. IMO - I honestly hope they will consider the importance of expanding their brand in the US, and even in a region that is currently being ignored by the league. More likely they put one in Canada, and one in the US.
I'm guessing St. Louis and either Montreal or Vancouver, or New York, if Wilpon gets his stuff together and puts in a bid. According to the article I read in the AJC, ATL wouldn't be ready until 2012 (at least the stadium wouldn't be).
I hope Garber announces expansion to Atlanta and Vancouver at MLS Cup 2008. Then they'll reveal what Jacoby has really been developing in Hapeville
As far as a stadium is concerned, the Gwinnett Braves broke ground on their stadium a few months back and will be playing in it next season. I know this is a minor league team but it will be similar capacity to a potential MLS stadium. If the right people get involved it could happen.
This isn't good news. It seems that the competition has really heated up from Canada. St Louis, despite not having $$$, seems to be the odds-on favorite, but money talks. Maybe the time for the Atlanta version of the Sons of Ben is more necessary than ever.
this is time when we should all start to band together and get a supporters group started up so we can show MLS that we are worth expanding too and not just because we are a top 10 media market!
I've thought all along that Garber is using the Canadian cities as a way to make the other US cities step up. I just don't see MLS choosing a second Canadian team, at least anytime soon. Thats why I hope Sir Arthur gets his behind in gear on this thing. Garber has stated several times that the league wants a presence below DC, and with Atlanta's location, Latino population, and media, those are all big pluses. My biggest hope: A downtown stadium location....no suburbs, pleeease.
Yess! this is as close as we have been so far! If it's not now, its never. MLS2ATL, give us a situation report. Is the newsletter on hiatus? Is the website rekindled? Can we find a better name than Atlanta Olympic or Atlanta Locomotive!? T H E Y H A V E A L R E A D Y B E E N D O N E B E F O R E . We all know that I have been a staunch supporter of 'Atlanta Firebirds'. My primary argument has been: "The coolest thing that the league would actually do", however I see good in the league and they may do better. Whatever the name, the fan club etc. we need to get our feces coagulated post haste.
Look, guys. All the talk is great but it is going to take someone to suck it up and start this damn thing. We've been talking about doing it for 4 years. I was trying to get something off the ground, but my partner bailed and then I moved to DC. Just do it already and people will follow. Don't worry about quibbling over a name because, in case you haven't noticed, these freaking polls are getting us nowhere. Start a website with a generic name, find some writers (I'll volunteer), sign up members, and then let the ones that are actually contributing to the group decide on its direction. Wake me up when someone else steps up.
I really hope the stadium is inside the perimeter and as close to downtown as possible every day i drive by that abandoned home depot in buckhead and just imagine that it the future home of our stadium! i hope its not just a pipe dream cuz it just seems TOO perfect of a place for a stadium (not for selfish reasons, well kinda!)
Wow. I think I soiled myself from laughter after reading half of those posts. Wish I was around back then to have participated in that.
We have a deadline to find out if Atlanta is really in this. http://blog.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2008/08/good_friday.html *MLS has announced the process for the next round of expansion, which will determine two new teams in 2011: a. Submit application by Oct. 15. b. Await an announcement late this year or early next year.
God i hope we get it...honestly, i think the main teams we are going against are St. Louis, Vancouver, and possibly Montreal.
We won't get it. I think they are going to wait two years after the last expansion. Then after that, they will see if they can expand.
] oh that area near lindbergh// way too smal loolo Parking can be a issue plus city of atlanta probably would site it cause it wont make any money like the area near the old home depot??
start with the media for one, and attending more silver backs game two... more of that you might get a mention on 790 the zone
I'm going to take the Arthur Blank group at their word and that is that an announcement is not planned for a few months and that a new team would not be ready until 2012 (not the next group, but not bad either). Now a new little tidbit that is pure coincidence, but... Arthur Blank's group said an announcement would not be ready for a few months. In the Atlanta Business Chronicle this week they said that GM is going to announce the winning bid for the plant property at 285 and 85 near Buford Hwy in either Oct. or Nov. That puts everything exactly as stated, and when you factor in tearing down the plant... the stadium not being ready until 2012 is not unreasonable.
I'm sure that Herndon can be used as a temporary stadium, while a real one gets built. SJ is doing the same thing...as is KC...
True, I won't argue the fact that it could happen. Especially since the quote from Sullivan said that a stadium would not be ready until 2012, not a team would not be ready. However, were I Garber I would want the stadium to be ready day one.