Photo by ISIPhotos.com
By JOHN BOSCHINI
It's long been a nearly foregone conclusion that if New York is to receive a second MLS franchise, it would be under the banner of the once-defunct New York Cosmos. But MLS Commissioner Don Garber said that the MLS isn't totally sold just yet on making the Cosmos a future franchise.
"We're in discussions with the Cosmos but also with other ownership groups," Garber said during a conference call this afternoon. "We've got to continue to ensure that any group we can speak to seriously about MLS expansion needs to have the financial capabilities, long-term vision and the capability to get a stadium built and developed."
Garber also said that he had a great amount of respect for the marketing ability of the New York Club. The Cosmos recently acquired two youth clubs, one in Queens, NY and the other in Los Angeles, and hired Manchester United great Eric Cantona as director of soccer. MLS Executive Vice President Dan Courtemanche told the BBC that the MLS would most likely add a second team to the New York market for the 2014 season.
Here are some more stories to round out your Tuesday.
ROMA ON THE VERGE OF A SALE
AS Roma has confirmed the club has received several offers to take over the Italian side. Intapetroli, the current owners of Roma, refused to confirm the number of offers on the table but reports out of the Italian media say around five offers are currently being considered. The reports also say that the most serious offer was made by and Abu-Dhabi based investment firm representing, among others, Boston Red Sox part-owner Thomas DiBenedetto. The offers will be weighed by Unicredit bank and no timetable for a decision has been announced.
DYNAMO WAIT ON TAX REBATE DECISION
The Houston city council is currently weighing a tax rebate that could refund the Houston Dynamo up to $3 million in sales' tax breaks as part of the club's proposed $60 million stadium. The proposed stadium, which would also host Texas Southern University football games, is set to open in the spring of 2012. The city council is expected to vote on the proposal on Wednesday.
UEFA WARNS CLUBS OF LOOMING FAIR PLAY LAWS
The day after the close of a wild and very expensive transfer window, UEFA issued a strongly-worded statement reminding clubs of looming financial fair play regulations.
"UEFA is aware of the recent transfer activity across Europe and is confident that clubs are increasingly aware of the nature of its financial fair play regulations which require them to balance their books," the statement read.
Most in danger of violating these rules, which go into effect in the fall of 2012, could be Chelsea who announced yesterday losses of nearly 71 million pounds for the 2009-2010 season before spending a combined 75 million pounds on Fernando Torres and David Luiz.
RAILHAWKS SELL BRANDING RIGHTS ON EBAY
In another bizzare twist in the Carolina Railhawks' tumultuous offseason, the 2010 USSF Divison 2 finalists were forced to auction off their logos, mascots and website via, of all places, eBay. For $14,999, the still unknown highest bidder bought the trademark for a club in crisis. Last December, Carolina's owners dissolved and the NASL was forced to take ownership with the Railhawks having their D2 sanctioning revoked.
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What do you think of tonight's stories? Could the MLS really see a New York franchise that isn't the Cosmos? Excited about Roma's impending sale? Worried some of the top teams might be shut out of the Champions League?
Share your thoughts below.
So far, the Cosmos franchise seems like another NYC MLS disaster in-waiting .. hope Garber keeps them in check.
The Carolina Rail Hawks trademark and all other intellectual properties were bought by Traffic (yes, the Brazilian company that basically owns the NASL). All but guarantees there will be a team in Raleigh this summer. Traffic also owns Gale Agbossoumonde’s contract, seems they could really boost the leagues finances by selling him to a team in Europe. He would certainly boost the league’s profile, but that would be a waste of money and talent.
The sad Railhawks story is continued evidence that D2 soccer has not succeeded in the U.S. A few of the best D2 clubs have joined MLS (Seattle, Portland, Vancouver, Montreal), but the vast majority have dropped to D3, taken time off to rebuild, or folded. I expect the new NASL to face many of the same challenges as the former USL First Division. I think the only way D2 will work long-term is if it’s part of MLS, perhaps as a reserve league. Oh, and you can forget about promotion/relegation. It ain’t ever gonna happen in North America.
Garber: Hey, ‘Cosmos’, until you come up with a check for $75 million (isn’t that the new fee?), MLS doesn’t care what you do to promote your team.
Doing cheap things to promote your team: jersey deals, ‘big name’ annoucments and coast to coast Academys tells me that the ‘Cosmos’ don’t have the funds to enter MLS.
Considering the fame and history of the Cosmos, I would consider it a disappointment if they could not be brought into MLS. I hope they make the financial criteria to get approved. My bet is Garbers comments are just posturing. It damages other potential bids if he concedes to early. What if a better bid comes to light? But my gut feeling is they are in. Too many positives.
Maybe Byrne can open up a chain of massage parlors to pay for the stadium. That is his field of experise afterall
Umbro, Nike whatever, The facts are the Cosmos aren’t entering MLS until they are Adidas, plan and simple. I know it is an easy fix but they are out until it is fixed
Mark Zuckerberg should buy Roma. 😀
+2
absolutely. time to renew my barra membership for this year and put my CD9 jersey in my “shopping cart”. haha