- March 26, 2015
- 1:10 pm
- Sara K. Gramata
- no comments
MLS Expansion
Today’s post is from Travis Hanauer in the Sports Media class:
Major League of Soccer (MLS) continues to show positive signs the league is picking up momentum. Evidence of league growth is shown by club owner’s willingness to spend big money on international stars, a new CBA, free agency, and expansionary teams.
Don Garber, MLS commissioner has visions to expand the league from 20 teams to 24 teams by the end of 2020. Atlanta has already been granted an expansion team which is set to join the league in 2017. Los Angles Football Club has aspirations to join the league by 2017 as well, however there is still a degree of uncertainty as to when the club will actually enter the league as the club still seeks opportunities to build their own soccer-specific stadium. On March 25th, 2015 the MLS announced that North American Soccer League (NASL) club Minnesota United will join the league as an expansion team, and the team will be formally known as Minnesota United FC Dark Clouds. Owner Bill McGuire has ambitions to build an outdoor stadium in the Farmers Market area of downtown Minneapolis.
With only one expansionary spot left, a decision from the MLS will likely come down to two bids. David Beckham’s owned Miami team, however this is contingent on identifying and building a stadium site located in downtown Miami, and USL team Sacramento Republic.