Sports Betting Articles
MLS Expanding to Philadelphia
By: Cindy Ferguson
After a long period of 30- years absence from the sports world, the US men’s professional soccer, or Major League Soccer and MLS for short, is going to expand to Philadelphia.
During a press conference held on Thursday, February 28th Don Garber, commissioner of the MLS, announced the leagues 16th team is going to be a Philadelphia team that will be located around the area of Chester, Pennsylvania. The new franchise team will form part of the league beginning on the 2010 season.
The team’s owner is Keystone Sports & Entertainment, LLC, which is a group of investors led by Christopher and Robert Buccini who are the co-founders of the Buccini/Pollin Group and Jay Sugarman, the chief executive of iStar Financial. Former chairman of the Philadelphia School Reform Commission, James Nevels, also forms part of the group along with well known Philly lawyer, William Doran. Last but not least MLS veteran and ex-employee of the New York Red Bulls, Nick Sakiewicz, has his hands involved with the new team too.
Chester Stadium is the Philadelphia stadium and was built specifically for soccer playing. The stadium is located on Chester cities water front along the Delaware River, which is southwest of the Commodore Barry Bridge. So far the project has received a $30 million commitment for the Delaware County and $47 million from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The stadium counts with 18,500 seats and if all of the funding for the stadium is approved; it will be an extremely important part for development along the waterfront. Future plans include a river walk, entertainment, retail and residential development.
According to state officials the new club is a vital part of the $414 million revitalization effort for the Waterfront of Chester, which is currently struggling economically. Harrah’s slot casino has recently opened at the nearby horse racing track to add to the entertainment of the community.
Governor Ed Rendell mentioned certain criticism from Philly residents regarding the use of public funding for the stadium, but set some tranquillity emphasizing the fact that the benefits of the stadium are way much more greater the risk.
Further information regarding the team name, head coach and team colours are yet to be announced as well as their first game date. Although; the team has not started to play it has had fans for over a year now and they are known as the “Sons of Ben” who also petitioned the MLS to expand into the Philadelphia market and they even sang their anthem “Four Leaf Clover” at the press conference and they closed the event by presenting scarves to the owners.
The MLS expansion process is still undergoing and has not yet chosen its 17th and 18th clubs. St. Louis is said to be the next city the MLS has in mind and the league also mentioned its interest in the cities of Atlanta, Detroit, Las Vegas, Miami, Montreal, New York, Portland and Vancouver. Seattle is to join in the 2009 season along with the MLS’s next pick.
About the Author
Cindy Ferguson is a high-ranking sports writer in the Sports Betting industry. Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety on your site; make sure to leave all links in place and do not modify any of the content.
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