Here what Garber had to say about the Cosmos in an interview with Sports Illustrated: Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/20...03/11/MLS.Don.Garber/index.html#ixzz1GJu5ekiv --------------------------------- SI.com: The only group publicly aiming to be the 20th MLS team is the New York Cosmos. Garber: Publicly. SI.com: They've hired Eric Cantona, Pelé and Cobi Jones, among others. What are their chances? Garber: I have a lot of respect for what [Cosmos CEO] Paul Kemsley and his partners have done to relaunch the Cosmos brand. They'll be the first to say to realize their goals, they need an MLS team, and we've been in detailed discussions with them to see whether or not that's something that can come to fruition. Before we can do that we need a stadium plan, which we don't have at this point, though we're making progress with the City of New York, which is supporting us on trying to find a suitable location. There are others much less public than the Cosmos who continue to express interest. Sometime by the end of the year we'll have a better sense as to where we're going with the 20th team. But I'm committed to trying to finalize a deal so it can be here in New York. SI.com: The Wilpons are in dire financial straits these days with creditors demanding as much as a billion dollars after the Madoff affair. Now they're trying to sell part of the Mets. The Wilpons have to be out of the running for the 20th MLS team in New York and any stadium at this point, right? Garber: They're not. We remain in discussions with them. I spent almost a day with them this past weekend. They continue to have interest in MLS, and they also have a pretty darn good stadium site. I have a lot of respect for Fred and Jeff Wilpon, and I think there's more to that story that's still to be told. They are good people and real sportsmen. I hope they're able to solve whatever their short-term issues are. But everything with MLS is long term. I'm sure they'll get through their issues, and our decision here is going to be one for a generation. We've got to be sure we've got the right owner for the long term. SI.com: Speaking of which, where is the Cosmos' financial backing coming from? The word I hear is the Middle East. Garber: You'll have to get that answer from them. Certainly we wouldn't be in discussions with them if we didn't think they had the ability to purchase the team and pay what will be a record-setting expansion fee and also fund the construction of a stadium, which will require a significant amount of money. SI.com: What is the current expansion fee price? Garber: It's going to be a heck of a lot more than the last one, which was $40 million [for Montreal, which will debut in 2012].
Garber: You'll have to get that answer from them. Certainly we wouldn't be in discussions with them if we didn't think they had the ability to purchase the team and pay what will be a record-setting expansion fee and also fund the construction of a stadium, which will require a significant amount of money. I dedicate this all those out there in HATERDOM!!!
If this is all true- then lets see some stadium designs and the plan on how this can all be up by 2013! Cant wait for the 23rd Luis - you coming to that?
Garber is already trash talking on the expansion fee. I think it's been expressed to them that the cosmos expect to negotiate the normal expansion fee downward and this is his response. I think that was unnecessary to do in public.
100% agreed. I don't know what that was all about. Garber loves negotiating in public. But sometimes it's uncalled for. The other thing I got from this is the timeline. "End of the year." hmmmmmmm. What to believe? And another thing is clear, Garber loves the Wilpons. I don't think I've ever heard him say anything against the Wilpons....ever. It appears that the Wilpons are seriously involved with Madoff. What does Garber do? Establishes residency on their testicles.
I don't know if to be so optimist because Garber says that with the Wilpons everything with MLS is long term.
You know me, I had to say it. With time I'll calm down. I'm a one sided fan, I don't care for anything but my team. I'm learning to have friends from opposing teams...give me time! lol lol lol
the most imporant things i've gotten out of the SI article, and today's conference calls was that Wilpon is apparently very much in the mix. In the calls, Garber mentioned how it could be possible that Wilpon and "other investors" could be a combination. Just shy of saying, Wilpon/Cosmos.
Garber has his eyes on Bud Seligs seat. Thats why he is always swallowing the Wilpons. However - yea - end of the year - that at least gives us a timeline. To me that says talks are not preliminary like he says. How can they be preliminary when in NOvember you said 6-8 Months and now "end of year" - to me there is movement. ******** - they are in talks with the City according to the Wahl itnerview. Yea - real preliminary Donnie - We know you are still trying to keep other markets interested. I respect Don Garber - he is great - but sometimes he pisses me off with his ********ing riddles. Garber always says shit like that - he never says "well get something done in 3-4 months" - he is cautious and its probably a smart move - dont burn your ass that way. Him saying on a conference call that there is a possibility of "partnering the Wilpons up" to me is the important quote. On the call and with Wahl - we got this from Garber 1- Garber feels the Cosmos have the finances to back this whole thing 2 - He is impressed and had discussions with the Cosmos - they have been positive 3- SPoke to Wilpons who are still interested and have a "pretty darn good piece of land" 4- Possibly partnering the Wilpons up with other investors Signs are pointing to what we have all said. Cosmos+Wilpons+Citi Field Parking lot = 20th Expansion team Now add the Financial backing that is apparently in place. Anything can happen but things looking up.
I know being the Commish of MLB is a prestigious position and it carries its weight as far as power goes but doesn't being the Commish of MLS have a far greater growth potential? The challenge is far superior in MLB, I would guess.
Guy is in his mid life - been traveling the world now and still does it. Your right - MLS has a lot more growth potential but that might not be what he wants. Selig is a busy man and all but really - baseball in a way runs itself. I have to imagine its a lot easier than building a league up from the dire straits he picked it up in.
So you think that Donnie wants to lean back and retire sort of? Hey I'm not knocking the MLB Commish gig, I'm sure many would want it. I was just curious what Donnie's motivation would be.
Chris - dont care what his motivation is - just want this deal to get done http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/soccerblog/the_cosmos_mets_mls_0A3ZbRSsfnZDqiYGvUh8PI
Guys, more news keeps coming in. Garber makes it clear that the Cosmos and the Wilpons (despite the Wilpons recent financial/legal woes) are the only two publicly known groups that are interested in the 20th franchise in New York. However, Garber opened up the possibility that other cities (such as Atlanta, San Diego, Arizona, Las Vegas and Detroit) could swoop in. Please read the 2 articles. By the way, didn't Paul Kemsley stated in an open interview back in January 2011 that both the Cosmos and the Wilpons are working together under an alliance to bring the Cosmos back??? If I do recall, Kemsley said the following: "...the Cosmos set-up the team... and the Wilpons build the stadium." Is this correct??? Hmmmmm!!!!!!! To all those Cosmos haters. Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/AP8535ccb1d9f44cc69de8a0edc83b2096.html Big Apple Soccer http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/sections/mls2.php?article_id=26689 SB Nation http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011...s-expansion-detroit-las-vegas-san-diego-miami
Nick, the probable partnership Cosmos / Wilpons can to mean that the Cosmos probably will be in MLS already by 2013 in Citi Field Stadium and by 2014 in the new sss ?