I think they had the money, the investors probably just wised up and realized they were never going to make any money so they pulled the plug.
Was the stadium $400 million or was that the price for the entire development? It was my understanding that the stadium was the anchor in a much larger development project that included apartments/condos and stores?
While I was being facetious, I do think that if they had the backing of, say, a Barcelona and were in the throes of building a quality 25k venue then I wouldn't put it past MLS to listen. Bottom line, the Cosmos didn't have/want to pay the money to MLS so they were their own obstacle to entry. Agreed, though clearly some people feel that way or else they wouldn't be banging on about being left out.
I'm not so sure they had the money. Laying off people or closing the business is one thing, delaying or failing to pay out paychecks that are already owed is another.
I think he may be surmising that the Arab investors pulled out, and when that happened OBrien and company simply couldn't cope with the losses. They very well may have had the 400 mill pledge early on when they were selling the snake oil to them.
Yep that's my theory as well. I think the Saudi's cut funding after last year which would coincide with the cut of payroll and the signing of cheaper players.
Well, we should know more in 24-48 hours, but the speculation train is moving pretty fast. If they DIDN'T tell the league they were suspending operations, the guy in Miami jumped the gun.
The backing of Barcelona wouldn't create additional real estate for a stadium in NYC. I think that land is the problem, not money.
All aboard! Whatever the final outcome, I'm expecting an ESPN 30 for 30 segment about what is transpiring right now
Been there, done that Brookhattan F.C. - also known for a time as Galicia-Honduras Bronx United Brooklyn F.C. Brooklyn Field Club Brooklyn Giants Brooklyn Hakoah Brooklyn Hispano Brooklyn Italians - also at times called Boca Juniors & Inter SC Brooklyn Morse Dry Dock Brooklyn Robins Dry Dock Brooklyn (St. Mary's) Celtic Brooklyn Wanderers Hollywood Inn F.C. IRT Rangers New York Celtics New York Clan MacDonald New York City F.C. New York Cosmos New York Eagles New York F.C. New York Football Club New York Generals New York Giants New York Hispano New York Americans became New York Hakoah New York Hungaria New York Inter New York IRT New York/New Jersey MetroStars - became Red Bulls New York Thistle New York Thistles New York United - became New York Greeks then New York Apollo Queens Bohemians Todd Shipyards West New York Burns Club Professional soccer at a baseball stadium, who woulda thunk it?
Missed NY Astros from the mid 70's. Might as well toss NYAC in there also even though technically they are head quatered just outside city lines. Hot the heck did you miss NY Centaurs!
please add: New York Apollo Staten Island Vipers New York HOTA: http://www.nyhota.com/Default.aspx?tabid=183277
Then that coincides with the business plan of the operation that should be clarified up front, because the likes of Yankee Stadium cannot be the long-term answer but they got a pass because of the financial clout behind the badge. Bottom line, the Cosmos ownership has been their own obstacle.
Apollo are in there under New York United. I'll add SI. I saw that but couldn't find the location. I didn't check NPSL. I still can't find the New York Astros. I can find the Worcester Astros, the Boston Astros and the North York Astros. I didn't check the A-League/APSL 1995-2003 edition. - There's also the Long Island Express in Queens.
Exactly. We've seen how far the backing of Man City has gone in that regard. The only reason they have a home in the boroughs is that the Yankees own half the team.
Down go the Cosmos... http://www.empireofsoccer.com/the-end-cosmos-terminate-all-player-contracts-56098/
This could go in a number of places, but I'll just put this here: http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-s...-divisions-mls-not-to-blame-for-nasl-troubles
Garber isn't wrong. NASL had too many cooks in the kitchen pulling too many directions and half of them were trying to fake it til they made it and got caught with their proverbial pants down at the end of the day.