MLS possibly in Portland

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Coincidently, Miami just dropped out today because of "market conditions", and they had the backing of FC Barcelona.

http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2009/03/02/daily44.html

Miami is no longer a bidder for one of two Major League Soccer franchises, according to an MLS announcement.

That leaves just four cities — Portland, Ore.; St. Louis; Ottawa, Ontario; and Vancouver, British Columbia — in the running for the two franchises. The news removes a significant hurdle for the remaining expansion bids.

Miami’s bid was considered by many to be a front-runner due to the involvement of F.C. Barcelona, one of the world’s largest and most prestigious professional soccer clubs. The club – backed by R. Marcelo Claure, CEO of Miami-based Brightstar Corp. – would have played initially at Florida International University, and had expressed interest in fielding a team in 2010 instead of 2011.

MLS said in a news release that, because of “adverse market conditions,” it isn’t feasible to launch a franchise in South Florida in 2010. Miami is now the third bid to be removed from consideration due to financial concerns. Expansion bids in Atlanta and Montreal were also withdrawn.

A Portland task force is to issue a report to the city council in which it recommends the city support a plan to finance $85 million in stadium projects to support an MLS franchise. Merritt Paulson, owner of the Portland Timbers of the United Soccer Leagues and the Portland Beavers AAA baseball club, has offered to pay the $40 million franchise fee for one of the new MLS clubs. But, he has asked for city help in financing upgrades to PGE Park for the soccer club, and a new baseball park for the Beavers, to be located either in Lents or at the Rose Quarter.
A draft of the task force’s recommendation to the council includes a host of conditions. They include the requirement that Paulson’s Shortstop LLC issue a financial guarantee to repay city-issued bonds, and that the firm seek private sources to fill a $20 million to $40 million gap between the available public financing sources and the cost of the projects.
Paulson told the Portland Business Journal last week that no gap exists, and that he’s working with the city “on a deal that has zero impact to taxpayers.”
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If Paulson can back the bonds, why not just pay upfront and take the area taxpayers off of the hook?

As I was saying about public money being used...
 
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PapaG said:
If Paulson can back the bonds, why not just pay upfront and take the area taxpayers off of the hook?
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Why should he? The city owns the stadium. Merritt Paulson and his clubs are tenants. As long as it stays that way, the city stands to benefit from a refurbished stadium and a more financially viable tenant.

Paulson is asking the city to invest in an opportunity that he can help secure, and ensuring that no taxpayer will be on the hook for the money under any worst-case scenario.

And if you are such a concerned citizen, why didn't I see you at the numerous city council meetings on this or at the open hearing in front of the state legislature?

-Pop
 
It doesn't make sense for Paulson to sink his own money in a facility that he wont own. Any one with a brain and a mind for business knows this deal is a win win proposition. It is just a case of whether or not the City Council is going to be a forward thinking entity that encourages business and economic growth or they are going to continue to put their tail between their legs and remain with the status quo. Oregon has the 5th highest unemployment rate in the country. This plan would bring around 600 full time jobs. Are they tremendously high paying jobs? No. But they are jobs.
 
SodaPopinski said:
Why should he? The city owns the stadium. Merritt Paulson and his clubs are tenants. As long as it stays that way, the city stands to benefit from a refurbished stadium and a more financially viable tenant.

Paulson is asking the city to invest in an opportunity that he can help secure, and ensuring that no taxpayer will be on the hook for the money under any worst-case scenario.
And if you are such a concerned citizen, why didn't I see you at the numerous city council meetings on this or at the open hearing in front of the state legislature?

-Pop
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I'm not saying I'm for or against MLS coming. I just don't think it would be a good business move, and it puts Portland taxpayers at risk by having a single source back public bonds. Everything isn't always black/white, and taking the current economy into consideration seems like a valid concern before putting taxpayers on the hook for up to $45 million while at the same time Portland schools are even further cutting days.

You seem to be upset at my opinion, and I'd back this 100% if it is 100% privately financed.
 
Furball said:
It doesn't make sense for Paulson to sink his own money in a facility that he wont own. Any one with a brain and a mind for business knows this deal is a win win proposition. It is just a case of whether or not the City Council is going to be a forward thinking entity that encourages business and economic growth or they are going to continue to put their tail between their legs and remain with the status quo. Oregon has the 5th highest unemployment rate in the country. This plan would bring around 600 full time jobs. Are they tremendously high paying jobs? No. But they are jobs.
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600 full-time jobs? Perhaps during the construction phase, but how does an MLS team bring 600 full-time jobs for any sustainable period?
 
Furball said:
It doesn't make sense for Paulson to sink his own money in a facility that he wont own. Any one with a brain and a mind for business knows this deal is a win win proposition. It is just a case of whether or not the City Council is going to be a forward thinking entity that encourages business and economic growth or they are going to continue to put their tail between their legs and remain with the status quo. Oregon has the 5th highest unemployment rate in the country. This plan would bring around 600 full time jobs. Are they tremendously high paying jobs? No. But they are jobs.
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600 full-time jobs? Perhaps during the construction phase, but how does an MLS team bring 600 full-time jobs for any sustainable period?

Also, I'm still not sure how the city investing money into a league that has not once shown a profit in 14 years is a lock-solid move. Why not push for a real big-league opportunity such as the Oakland A's? That would be forward-thinking. The MLS is a B- or C- league in the world of FIFA.
 
PapaG said:
Even ESPN is giving up on the league.
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ESPN2 will carry an MLS game of the week, which will air on four different nights during the season. The weekly matches will occur on Thursdays (10 times), Saturdays (eight times), Wednesdays (six times) and Fridays (three times)."




:rolleyes:
 
OddEnormous said:



ESPN2 will carry an MLS game of the week, which will air on four different nights during the season. The weekly matches will occur on Thursdays (10 times), Saturdays (eight times), Wednesdays (six times) and Fridays (three times)."




:rolleyes:
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They no longer have a "Showcase" night due to horrendous ratings, which makes it all the more difficult for people to plan to watch the MLS. Good luck renewing the deal for the same amount. RIF
 
PapaG said:
They no longer have a "Showcase" night due to horrendous ratings, which makes it all the more difficult for people to plan to watch the MLS. Good luck renewing the deal for the same amount. RIF
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You keep making points that aren't backed up by your own evidence. It's pretty weird.
 
PapaG said:
That's about what I expected from you. At least you improved your spelling.
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Excellent comeback. Looks like you've won the debate.

:rolleyes:


You should have said something like "What if all the banks burn down then who will cover it?"
 
OddEnormous said:
Excellent comeback. Looks like you've won the debate.

:rolleyes:


You should have said something like "What if all the banks burn down then who will cover it?"
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Why would I say that? Do you know the Paulson's current financial situation?
 
PapaG said:
Why would I say that? Do you know the Paulson's current financial situation?
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It's not like he passes them a little folded up note that says "I swear to God I will cover the bonds."

it's obviously a deal that needs to be struck with the city on how backing the bonds is guaranteed.

- The Bonds are covered by Paulson. NOT THE TAXPAYERS. END OF. I do not know how yet BECAUSE THAT HAS NOT YET BEEN AGREED UPON. I never said they should start building tomorrow. If they strike a good deal that is fair to the city with guaranteed backing, then do it. If not then don't.

- Using Miami as evidence that the league is not working is a little foolish. Unless Miami teams are a step away from a Championship NONE of the teams are supported well. Miami is a terrible market and they've already lost 1 original MLS team.

- The league is not profitable across the board... Does not mean it will fold. I believe there is talk that 20 of 30 NBA teams are going to lose money this year.

- Saying ESPN is giving up on the league and then posting an article with ESPN2s new MLS schedule on even more nights was pretty funny. There's lots of shows that do not work in prime time and are successful elsewhere. I for one was shocked they ever tried it. I never thought that sport would work in prime time.
Operating costs for the league are not that great. The players make next to nothing. They don't need a MASSIVE TV contract to survive... but they will probably need a decent one.

- 600 jobs are 600 jobs. Yesterday 7000 people showed up for 500 jobs at Dodger Stadium. At this point I don't think it really matters to people that these jobs aren't career changers. I do enjoy republican poo-pooing new jobs though with the high employment rate. Great stuff. I'm sure it's much appreciated by those who are unemployed today.

- Finally, I don't actually really care if you think it's a good idea or not. I don't even know who you are.
I just found it funny that your opinion even when you were given answers was still IMO uniformed.

Basically you don't want it to happen, so no matter what answers you are given you'll just shift the subject
(see your "What if Paulson can't back the bonds" after you were told it was not taxpayers/city paying the bonds which you thought was the case.)

You may have final word now, because I don't really care that much anymore.



:cool:
 
OddEnormous said:
It's not like he passes them a little folded up note that says "I swear to God I will cover the bonds."

it's obviously a deal that needs to be struck with the city on how backing the bonds is guaranteed.

- The Bonds are covered by Paulson. NOT THE TAXPAYERS. END OF. I do not know how yet BECAUSE THAT HAS NOT YET BEEN AGREED UPON. I never said they should start building tomorrow. If they strike a good deal that is fair to the city with guaranteed backing, then do it. If not then don't.

- Using Miami as evidence that the league is not working is a little foolish. Unless Miami teams are a step away from a Championship NONE of the teams are supported well. Miami is a terrible market and they've already lost 1 original MLS team.

- The league is not profitable across the board... Does not mean it will fold. I believe there is talk that 20 of 30 NBA teams are going to lose money this year.

- Saying ESPN is giving up on the league and then posting an article with ESPN2s new MLS schedule on even more nights was pretty funny. There's lots of shows that do not work in prime time and are successful elsewhere. I for one was shocked they ever tried it. I never thought that sport would work in prime time.
Operating costs for the league are not that great. The players make next to nothing. They don't need a MASSIVE TV contract to survive... but they will probably need a decent one.

- 600 jobs are 600 jobs. Yesterday 7000 people showed up for 500 jobs at Dodger Stadium. At this point I don't think it really matters to people that these jobs aren't career changers. I do enjoy republican poo-pooing new jobs though with the high employment rate. Great stuff. I'm sure it's much appreciated by those who are unemployed today.

- Finally, I don't actually really care if you think it's a good idea or not. I don't even know who you are.
I just found it funny that your opinion even when you were given answers was still IMO uniformed.

Basically you don't want it to happen, so no matter what answers you are given you'll just shift the subject
(see your "What if Paulson can't back the bonds" after you were told it was not taxpayers/city paying the bonds which you thought was the case.)

You may have final word now, because I don't really care that much anymore.



:cool:
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I never said I didn't want it to happen. I just think it's small-time thinking and won't have much of a sustained impact, and as the article I posted stated, there does seem to be a gap between the public obligation and the private money backing it, so I'm not sure how I was "told" that there is no potential taxpayer exposure to this deal.

What I think is funny is that you seemingly didn't read a single thing that I posted, judging by your lengthy and ill-informed response. How ESPN slotting the MLS in at random times is better than having their own night baffles me, but it's your opinion I suppose.
 
PapaG said:
What I think is funny is that you seemingly didn't read a single thing that I posted, judging by your lengthy and ill-informed response. How ESPN slotting the MLS in at random times is better than having their own night baffles me, but it's your opinion I suppose.
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Jesus Christ!!!! I did not say it was better!

fer fuck sake man!

:grin:
 
The equivalent to hoopshype, MLS-rumors.net reports Vancouver BC and Portland will receive MLS franchises.


Vancouver and Portland will be granted MLS franchises later this month, according to a highly placed MLS source. The failure of Miami to secure the backing of Barcelona has effectively ended the expansion race. Ottawa remains at play for 2013 and will go into that bidding process as the likely frontrunner if it approves a soccer specific stadium in April.
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- mls-rumors.net (you have to scroll down a bit)

PGE_Park_Rendering.jpg
 
Fez said:
The equivalent to hoopshype, MLS-rumors.net reports Vancouver BC and Portland will receive MLS franchises.


- mls-rumors.net (you have to scroll down a bit)

PGE_Park_Rendering.jpg
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Awesome news if it's true!
 
Fez said:
The equivalent to hoopshype, MLS-rumors.net reports Vancouver BC and Portland will receive MLS franchises.
Click to expand...

I hope the financing is there for a long-term economic impact for Portland. Vacouver isn't even an NBA city, as history tells us.
 
Isn't there a vote by the City Council later today?
 
If MLS games are on Thursday, theres another 1500- 2000 extra people in attendance who are mostly college students going for the cheap beer. Bring it on!
 
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