Tony Parker, who has a minority share in OL Reign, says they want to move the franchise from Seattle (Tacoma) to Miami.OL Groupe initially targeted Miami for possible expansion before buying Reign. This will not go over well in SEATAC. Shouldn't go over well at NWSL HQ, either. https://t.co/IZqzGeaJZJ— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) December 18, 2020
These are the things that I'll never understand about US soccer: suddenly moving a franchise at a 5.000 Kms distance and cutting out everything that had been built in that environment. Even in basic economics they say that there are intangibles tied to the so-called milieu and that moving a company from its original location is not without consequence. I am so glad that I live in Europe.
Europe isn't immune to it either... The case of Wimbledon (the soccer team(s), not the tennis tournament) comes to mind easiest. One of the guys from my local rec team says something similar happened back in Italy not too far from his hometown, but I don't remember the details of that one. FWIW, Lyon have apparently very quickly gone into "correction" damage control: Update: A team source says there is no truth to the Reign looking at Miami. The Reign are in the process of trying to build a training center in Tacoma and re-up their lease at Cheney Stadium. It's unclear why Tony Parker spoke about Miami. Expecting a statement soon. #NWSL— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) December 18, 2020 The statement also acknowledges that OL "executive members have projects in the Miami area... [that] have no impact on OL’s plans for the future of OL Reign." Statement mentions new training center, renewing lease at Cheney, still looking to secure Tacoma stadium. #NWSL— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) December 18, 2020