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MLS Announces Expansion Plans

November 21, 2003 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


TORRANCE, Calif. (Friday, November 21, 2003) – Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber made a number of announcements concerning MLS expansion at the annual MLS Cup News Conference held at the Torrance Marriott on Friday afternoon. In reaffirming MLS’ plans to expand by two teams in 2005, Commissioner Garber announced that Cleveland, Ohio-based businessman Bert Wolstein (biography attached) has signed a letter of intent to become the investor-operator of an expansion MLS team.

Following an announcement made at the 2003 Pepsi MLS All-Star Game, Chivas owner Jorge Vergara has finalized an agreement with MLS, signing a letter of intent to enter the League in 2005. In addition, the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Okla., a suburb of Oklahoma City, has begun an extensive renovation plan on its 20,000-seat soccer-specific stadium in a bid to land an MLS expansion team.

“Bert Wolstein becomes our third new investor in Major League Soccer in the last four months, something which we are obviously very excited about,” said Garber, referencing the additions of Jorge Vergara (August) and Kroenke Sports Enterprises (September) to the MLS investor lineup. “Bert represents the best in what we look for in an MLS owner – a gifted businessman with a dedication to quality in all his endeavors, combined with a passion for our sport. We are proud of the foundation we have built for professional soccer in the United States during the last eight years, and look forward to a bright future for MLS, empowered by the commitment and vision of our investors, fans, players and administrators.”

Garber also announced Wolstein’s commitment to construct a soccer-specific stadium in the Cleveland area. Wolstein is continuing to accept proposals from communities in the Cleveland metropolitan area to serve as the home to the new team and stadium. Along with John McGill, Wolstein is a principal in the Heritage Development Company and was represented at the MLS Cup Weekend by Cleveland Force President, Paul Garofolo. To date, Garofolo has handled the negotiations on behalf of Heritage Development with Major League Soccer, the City of Cleveland and the County of Cuyahoga.

“We are excited about the opportunity to be associated with such a quality group of ownership as those who have been operating Major League Soccer,” Wolstein said. “We have watched with interest over the years as MLS has taken the important steps to achieve the level they have reached as a league. Their vision for soccer specific stadium construction, the creation of Soccer United Marketing and the efforts to bring the game forward through television, while maintaining an affordable sport for the fans of the game truly bodes well for the future of Major League Soccer. We look forward to being a part of MLS and finalizing the negotiation with the City of Cleveland and the County of Cuyahoga on a soccer stadium and our future as a part of the league.”

Chivas Signs LOI, Meets With Leaders of Interested Cities

Chivas owner Jorge Vergara remains in discussions with several interested markets for a 2005 expansion team following his finalized letter of intent. With its entrance into MLS, Chivas aims to tap into its Mexican heritage by fielding a predominantly Latin team. Commissioner Garber firmly noted that Chivas USA will operate its new team within the framework of the existing MLS player rules and regulations.

“Chivas is a world class soccer organization with a passionate, competitive and immensely successful owner in Jorge Vergara,” Garber said. “MLS is the ‘League for a New America’ and by adding the storied Chivas brand to our League it strengthens and reinforces our commitment to be reflective of the fans we serve. We welcome them to MLS and look forward to shortly finalizing plans for their new home in the United States.”

University of Central Oklahoma Commits to Stadium, Enters Discussions With Local Investor Group

The University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Okla., has made a strong statement about its intent to land a MLS expansion team by beginning work on a 20,000-seat, soccer-specific stadium on its campus. The extensive renovation of Wantland Stadium has already seen the completion of a regulation-size soccer field, state-of-the-art lighting and a scoreboard. This complements the existing infrastructure of access roadways and 6,500 parking spaces. A second phase of construction will see the completion of the seating area, including club seats and luxury suites, major league locker facilities, an expanded press box, and the inclusion premium sound system. The renovated facility is being designed by the Kansas City-based architecture firm, CDFM2, and will be ready for play for the 2005 MLS season.

"Our University, its student body and the entire community are very bullish about bringing a MLS expansion team to our campus," said Steven Kreidler, Vice President of Administration for the University of Central Oklahoma. "We have proven the seriousness of our intent by moving forward with the stadium project and are now in active discussions with a local investment group to operate the team."

“The University of Central Oklahoma has made a resounding statement about its desire to obtain an MLS expansion team,” said Garber. “By building a first-class stadium they gained instant credibility with our expansion committee and we look forward to meeting with the local investor group in the near future”.

MLS Cup Weekend culminates with the League’s eighth championship game, MLS Cup 2003, between the Chicago Fire and San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday, November 23 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California (live on ABC Sports at 3:30 p.m. ET).

Recent MLS signee Freddy Adu will be interviewed during the broadcast.

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