Seven Groups Submit Applications for a Major League Soccer Expansion Team
Published on October 15, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK (Wednesday, October 15, 2008) - Seven prospective ownership groups from markets throughout the United States and Canada have submitted an application for a future Major League Soccer expansion team, MLS President Mark Abbott announced today on the League's official web site, www.MLSnet.com.
MLS intends to add two more clubs in the next few years, bringing the League to 18 teams. Seattle Sounders FC begin play next year as the 15th team in MLS, and Philadelphia will join in 2010 as the League's 16th team.
The following ownership groups, listed in alphabetical order by market, submitted applications to the MLS office in New York City prior to the League's 5 p.m. ET deadline today:
Ownership Group Market
Arthur Blank Atlanta
FC Barcelona and Marcelo Claure Miami
The Saputo and Gillett Families Montreal
Eugene Melnyk Ottawa
The Paulson Family Portland
Investment group led by Jeff Cooper St. Louis
Greg Kerfoot, Steve Nash and Jeff Mallett Vancouver
The MLS expansion application required prospective owners to provide information such as details about the applicant's proposed ownership group, stadium plan and financing, and an analysis of the potential expansion market.
The applications will be reviewed by the League office and the MLS Expansion Committee. An announcement regarding which markets will receive the next two expansion clubs will take place during the fourth quarter of 2008 or the first quarter of 2009.
The League will not conduct media interviews about the expansion applications until after all of them have been reviewed in detail. In the coming weeks, a media teleconference call will be scheduled to answer questions.
The MLS Cup Playoffs begin Oct. 30 and culminate in the championship game, MLS Cup 2008 on Nov. 23 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., broadcast live on ABC and TeleFutura at 12:30 p.m. ET.
Major League Soccer Stories from October 15, 2008
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- LA Galaxy to Face Queensland Roar in Brisbane, Australia on December 11 - LA Galaxy
- Earthquakes Play Houston Wednesday, October 15 in Must-Win Match - San Jose Earthquakes
- Seven Groups Submit Applications for a Major League Soccer Expansion Team - MLS
- Dynamo playoff tickets go on sale - Houston Dynamo FC
- Real Salt Lake Weekly Update - Real Salt Lake
- FCD Defeats Tigres 3-2; Loses Rio Grande Plate on Penalty Kicks - FC Dallas
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