This link was posted in a different forum: www.cybersoccernews.com/mls/020928garber_story.shtml. It is an interview with Don Garber in which he states, among other things, that there will be three or four investment groups at MLS Cup in Foxboro, and that MLS has been talking with all of these groups for a few months now. According to the Commissioner, we will be hearing more and more progress. Anybody care to speculate about where these groups are from and who the main money men are in these groups? One would have to think that either Tulsa, OKC or both will be there. What about Paul Allen? Where else and who else might be interested enough in possibly investing in MLS to attend MLS Cup?
To be honest, I have no idea. I would assume one of the is Express Sports from OKC. Here's another thought: I wonder if there are investment groups that would invest in the league as opposed to individual teams? If the league can line up funding outside of the teams, that would lower the burden of proof on expansion. Sachin
My guess is groups from: 1) Oklahoma City 2) Seattle 3) North Carolina 4) Dallas A Dallas group hasn't been mentioned, but with the possibility of a stadium there may be some curiosity from a place that has a lot of billionaires. BTW, go to: http://www.forbes.com and click on the drop down selection for the top 400 richest Americans. You'll notice that most NFL owners do not make that list, and that Phillip Anschutz is wealthier than all of them. You'll also notice that there are a ton of them from New York and California (not surprising) but also a lot from Dallas and the Tampa/Central Florida area. A good stadium solution would likely bring an owner to either or both of those top 20 markets. -Tron
Why do you say that? Don Beaver had a deal in place to buy the Minnesota Twins and move them to Winston-Salem. The only thing that stopped it was the voters not approving a sales tax increase to build the stadium. Jim Goodnight, owner of SAS, has billions. And would have more if he ever took the company public. SAS has signed on to be the stadium sponsor of the Carolina Courage's stadium in Cary. There are also ownership groups for the Hurricans, Panthers, and a new one for the new Hornets that Charlotte is getting. Plus there are a LOT of Bank Of America and Wachovia executives who could put together an ownership group if they wanted to.
Uh, except for Paul Allen that is. Of course we can argue whether or not the Seabags are truly an NFL team.
People like Tim-MAY! Krause would be my guess ... http://www.jsonline.com/sports/socc/oct02/85257.asp