Here's an understatement for you. The rivarly between Metrostars and the Cosmos would be absolutely huge. Can you imagine how much die hard Metro supporters would despise the new Cosmos when/if they started up. I think it would be a given that they would get more media coverage. They would get more media coverage in one year, then Metro would have gotten in 10 years. Assuming a 2006 start up date. And who would want to bet that MLS would find a way and the $$$ to bring in a bigtime international player to give the Cosmos that old time 70s feel. Ronaldo anyone? I want to see that game already. April 4, 2006 New York Cosmos at Metrostars 7:30pm Giant Stadium/ East Rutherford, NJ (still)
If the Cosmos are revived they will probably play in that Olympic Stadium thats being talked about on the Upper West Side.
Doesn't Giorgio Chinalia(probably butchered the spelling) own the rights to the Cosmos name? He and Pele were teammates, so perhaps he'll be involved. Also, since the article mentioned that they approached AEG, that probably indicates they'd purchase the Metros and re-brand the team. But at this point talk is cheap. And until there is more information, this is just Pele musing about how great it would be for the Cosmos to be re-born.
Actually, Pepe who coaches Ramapo owns the Cosmos moniker. He was responsable for bringing Pele over.
I think there is an agreement with the leauge and owners that they approve or own new teams in the same city. Nick S was talking about how they (the Metros) were scouting locations for a stadium for an expansion team. If/When New York gets an expansion team they should name it the Cosmos but it shouldn't be some NASL lovefest.
      To watch the San Jose Earthquakes play the New York Cosmos again... ah, that would bring back memories! -G
Cosmos was a great team, so many superstars, they were popular drawing large number of fans, their average attendance was over 40 k. Having said all that, the only way i think Cosmos revival would be beneficial to MLS and US Soccer is by applying as an expansion team in MLS somewhere in the City (as the second NY team , or first as the Metros are in NJ. ). I am against any other form or gimmick with this. Reading the article I come away with the impression that Pele or whomever is behind this might be looking to have " The Cosmos" a team of older superstars or short term contracted players just to make a buck, play a few games against big name clubs during the summer months. God I hope i'm wrong.
AEG doesn't, last time I checked, hold rights to another MLS team in NYC. AEG certainly doesn't own the Cosmos name. That belongs to someone named Pepe Pinton, who apparently is happy to use it for his soccer camps, his $60 History of the NY Cosmos DVDs, etc. He can keep it. Most Brazilians I've talked soccer with are of the same opinion on Pele - fantastic player, a true legend, but he ought not to open his mouth, because little intelligent seems to come of it when he does. Look, among the million things that would ever allow this to happen, there's no stadium in NYC, and even Pele's name is not going to get you one built, not any more than my name is going to get one built, honestly. File this one under 'non-starter'. There are like 18 threads about this on Bigsoccer today....which is the dumbest damn thing I've ever seen.
i dont care who is trying to bring back the Cosmos whether its pele or whoever there cosmos where but they are no long around theres no more unlimited internationals no more unlimited spending its the MLS and to me there is only and should only be one team around METROSTARS let pele go try and start is viagra starting eleven allstars Cosmos where great back then and will always be remembered as a legendary team around the world why do we want to mess up that imagine and have them play in the mls
I've said it before and I'll say it again: unless Franz, Bogie, Eski, Giorgio, etc. wake up 30 years younger tomorrow let the dead rest in peace.
QUOTE]Originally posted by Shabs Why would Pele involve AEG then? [/QUOTE] Just conjecture, but here's why he might. Pele has a soccer enterprise, which is, among other things is sponsoring that "Peace" tournament in S Korea that includes the Galaxy this summer. Assuming that the enterprise wants to expand its soccer reach, the NY/NJ area is a logical place for him to explore. His name is synonymous with a highly valued and underutilized asset, the Cosmos. The current local side, the MetroStars (now there's a clever name, and what a roster!) has not had much impact in the region. In fact, they've never even won the very prestigious MLS Cup. The current owner/operator of the MetroStars owns half the league. He owns an entertainment company. He invested in the NJ franchise hoping to sucker NJ into building him an outdoor concert hall disguised as a soccer stadium. Without the stadium, he may be less compelled to hold on to the NJ team. His current landlord, Giants Stadium, competes against both his soccer and concert enterprises. It's not easy to win when competing with your landlord. If Pele wants to front a soccer entity in NY/NJ, the logical thing would be to approach MLS about the existing team. Why start from scratch? Rename it the Cosmos. Work with Pepe Pinton. If you prefer a SSS near your Brazilian countrymen in the Harrison/Newark area, lobby with the wealthier, influential local business owners and pols to get it approved. In fact, front the real estate consortium to develop the entire site. Then, ask your boss (you are their international spokesperson) for $60 million to build Pepsi Stadium. That is not a lot of money to Pepsi. In return, Pepsi could probably get approval and tax breaks for a facility (bottling plant, etc.) if they wanted. If MLS says no, and if the local second division side happens to get their SSS , Pele could have the inside track to a soccer relationship with Giants Stadium. They would be eager to speak with him. They would tell the MetroStars to not let the door hit them on the way out. Had the MetroStars made any sort of impact by now, there would be little talk of the Cosmos. The "18 Cosmos threads" are a reflection of the soccer void not filled by the MetroStars. Here comes "The Old Tradition."
The Cosmos is now, and will be a name only. Much has changed since the Cosmos went defunct. We now have a salary cap to deal with. You can call them Cosmos, Metrostars or Pigfish it really does not matter. As for the Pepsi connection, I'm with you buddy but I think your behind the scenes ruminations are far beyond the scope of AEG and company.