If I remember correctly, wasn't soccer an excuse for ownership to get the jail site and use it for something else? Which is why the Fords were added to use Ford field in the bid instead of the jail site? IMO Detroit is dead and a long shot to get in MLS. Sweet bid til the end when Ford field was considered.
It was all a classic bait and switch from Dan Gilbert. Just when it looked like all the ducks were lined up in a row regarding the jail site, where MLS helped them out, Gilbert announces a partnership with the Ford family to use Ford Field for the team to play on, which did not sit well with Garber and the league. Had they stuck with the jail site, Detroit would have easily been welcomed into the league. It's not over for Detroit though. If someone comes up with the cash and a stadium for a team to play in, they will be more than welcomed into MLS, seeing as it's a market they've long coveted. But as far as the Gilbert bid is concerned, they're name is mud to Garber!