To answer this concern.... They apparently missed the MLS deadline because they were too busy finalizing the NWSL side! X-D https://www.indomitablecitysoccer.c...ento-expansion-team-will-enter-league-in-2022
Happy to hear it's happening. Brings the NWSL up to 12 teams for 2022. San Jose & Utah Royals join in 2023?
Nice hustle from @cameronsalerno1 hustling this one out.Big news for sports fans!https://t.co/GPT4bYapkY— Jim Patrick, Eclectic Tweeter (@SacSports15) January 12, 2021
Hmm.... I'm curious about this tea... Happy to welcome your org to the @PUMA family! 🤗❤️ https://t.co/0BXnJOyir0— California Storm (@CalStormSoccer) January 13, 2021 The Storm and Oakland Tweeting at each other hours after the Republic got the NWSL nod? Is this drama? X-D
Well, Oakland is out now due to territorial rights. Now sure if the Storm can still be attached somehow. Still waiting on an official press release from the league.
We're still quite low on Sac details at the moment, but here's probably the best summary of what is know at the moment (published Friday): https://www.indomitablecitysoccer.c...-we-know-sacramento-nwsl-team-ron-burkle-2022
Breaking: Jill Ellis headed to Sacramento https://theathletic.com/news/jill-ellis-sacramento-nwsl-mls/xQ4FHsdRKBYI She had been previously touched as a potential new coach for DC United, but that fell through. She will be working with both of Sacramento's two D1 teams (MLS and NWSL).
I mean, yeah, it has been for quite a while... I'm not sure about thread renaming processes here, unfortunately. Of course, considering this thread has mostly been a "it seems close, but we don't have confirmation" masterclass, maybe we can just start a new thread for when we get *actual* 2022 news, such as announcing a coach, a brand, or - heck - even finally getting that official press release out.
Sacramento MLS is now officially on hold. Primary owner has pulled out of the deal. Impact on NWSL team not yet apparent. https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article249560508.html
Wow... on one hand, considering how big MLS expansion deals are, I'm kinda shocked it's fallen through this late in the game. OTOH, the Sac group seems to have a history of missteps and coming-up-short-s.... FWIW, the Sac group has already been paying into NWSL for a while, it seems: 1365466872313954307 is not a valid tweet id I'm not sure why the stadium would be a big issue... What they currently have would be fine for NWSL, no? ==EDIT== Found another from Meg, we might not have much to worry about: Does not sound like we will get a #NWSL statement tonight on Sacramento — but based on the phone calls I've had with a number of folks around the league, general sense is that this might not affect their expansion efforts on the women's side.— Meg Linehan (@itsmeglinehan) February 27, 2021
The real question becomes one of facilities. Without an MLS team, the stadium and training facilities that the NWSL team were planning on aren't likely to get built, and Burkle's commitment to his portion of the NWSL team has to be questioned.
If things fall through, I wonder if that group wanting a team in Oakland might come back into the picture
With Ron Burkle pulling out of plans to bring MLS and NWSL teams to Sacramento, a host of possibilities have now reopened in both leagues. What this means for Sacramento, MLS, and the NWSL, by @samstejskal, @jeffrueter, @PaulTenorio and @itsmeglinehan:https://t.co/zVe3PnqT6P— The Athletic Soccer (@TheAthleticSCCR) February 27, 2021
https://www.beyondwomenssports.com/?p=2410 Equalizer soccer reported that post NWSL Challenge Cup, the NWSL expansion fee rose to $2 million. On the MLS side, Forbes reportedthat Burkle and Sacramento investors paid $200 million. They could be considering their next move in sports investment. If this is the case, a lack of a statement from the NWSL; in the almost 24-hours post, MLS announcement makes sense.
....my *god*, someone needs to get a proof editor for that site. That article gets close to unreadable in places...
In some related news: SacRep owner Kevin Nagle is still in for MLS. SacRep president Ben Gumpert is stepping down after 4yrs. No clue what either of those means for NWSL.