It’s never a dull moment being a Major League Soccer fan. Another thrilling week of action is in the books and a new wave of MLS expansion news is upon us. MLS head muckety muck, Don Garber, dropped a hint on Monday that the league will possibly (likely) expand beyond the current 24 teams set for 2020. Initially, he put a cap of 24 teams by that time period but I imagine if Garber says the league is considering such a move eventually that will translate to “we WILL be expanding beyond 24 teams.” Why wouldn’t they? More revenue, more exposure, bigger national footprint, and oh yea, did I mention more revenue? With expansion fees booming at upwards of $100 million that alone is plenty of incentive to keep expanding.
MLS 2020
Sports Illustrated soccer writer, Brian Straus, reported over the weekend that the North American Soccer League’s, Minnesota United, will be granted the expansion side for the Minneapolis market, beating out a bid led by the Minnesota Vikings ownership group. Such a move will bring MLS officially to 23 teams. With 20 teams currently in operation and Atlanta coming on board in 2017, then LAFC shortly thereafter, the aforementioned Minneapolis market brings our count to 23.
As for who gets that 24th and “final” spot? The David Beckham led Miami bid is the hands-on frontrunner, though it has been an up and down roller coaster ride for Becks. With typical Beckham hype and fanfare he stated in early 2014 he was working on bringing a team to Miami. The press conference was less an announcement of this being guaranteed, and more of a rallying cry to garner support from the public and Miami government officials. Not much movement has been reported since. Miami-Dade County officials have turned down multiple proposals for building a stadium on waterfront property. Last we heard things were supposedly heading in a favorable direction. Whatever that means?!
While Miami is the front runner to land team number 24, several other markets have stepped up to the plate as well, most notably Sacramento, California. Just today, Sacramento Republic FC of the USL announced they have secured just north of 9,000 season tickets. Big news and a power play for the franchise, as that exceeds several current MLS clubs. Sacramento has also been working diligently on building a soccer specific stadium downtown. In the ever competitive world of MLS expansion, Sacramento has jumped to the top of the heap.
With all of this competition running rampant, don’t be surprised to see upwards of 30 teams in MLS within the next 10 years. Don Garber and company are going to strike while the iron is hot. Let’s take a look at the Top 5 possible expansion markets (in alphabetical order), including the good, the bad, and final verdict…
Austin, Texas
The Austin Aztex (yes, that’s how it is spelled) competes in the USL and has been very successful in the USL PDL division. Within the last year city officials have researched the viability of an MLS team in the area.
PROS: The city leaders genuinely being interested in pursuing an MLS franchise cuts down the red tape and bureaucracy faced by Beckham and company in Miami. Austin’s populous is the recipe for success in American soccer, with a booming 18-34 male demographic, and a trendy, hip vibe to the city. With a lack of major professional sports franchises in the market, the competition for fans and sponsorship is minimal.
CONS: Austin is only the 49th largest media market. Let’s not forget the heat either. FC Dallas and Houston have trouble attracting European players due to the extreme heat. Austin would probably fall into that same category.
FINAL ANALYSIS: This is a prime market for an MLS team. Austin and Portland, Oregon are often compared to each other. Much to each other’s chagrin Austin is generally considered the Portland of the South (likewise for Portland regarding Austin), and the Timbers are one of MLS’s crown jewels. Austin could very well be the next Portland-like franchise. The young, educated, hip and trendy demographic is the precise fan base that has propelled Portland, Seattle, and Kansas City’s franchises into being the most rabid. Austin could very well be in that mix if a deep pocketed ownership group steps up.
Charlotte, North Carolina
The Eagles of the USL Pro league have been in town for over 20 years but were recently bumped down to the USL Development league, to make way for the Queen City’s new franchise, the Charlotte Independence. Team owner Jim McPhilliamy is staunch in his belief of propelling the Independence to MLS.
PROS: The city is the 24th largest media market in the country, making it one of the largest not currently in the league. Similar to Austin, Charlotte has morphed into a “destination city” of sorts where young, ambitious, educated individuals from around the region are moving in droves.
CONS: Jim McPhilliamy does not possess the financial backing to pay an expansion fee. He would need to join forces with a large financial backer to bring his dream to fruition.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Charlotte is a booming market often overlooked. Downtown has a thriving financial district, and an ever growing populous. The Carolinas should have an MLS team and Charlotte is prime real estate.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indy 11 is an upstart NASL team led by soccer executive, Peter Wilt. The team kicked off their first campaign in 2014 with tremendous community support and supreme ambition. A downtown stadium project is in the works, and if you haven’t seen the renderings of the stadium I highly recommend you do. What a beautiful complex! Google it!
PROS: Peter Wilt is a highly regarded executive in the US soccer community. Indianapolis is an underrated sports market as their current major pro sports teams (NFL’s Indianapolis Colts and NBA’s Indiana Pacers) are always near the top in attendance. And with over 10,000 fans per game last season, Indy 11 was number 1 in the NASL. It also doesn’t hurt that Indy is a top 25 media market.
CONS: The Midwest region is getting a tad crowded, especially now with Minneapolis all but assured a franchise. Add Columbus, Chicago, and Kansas City, and Indianapolis may be one outside looking in when it’s all said and done.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Indy 11 is positioning themselves well. Personally, I’d love to see this market be granted a team. Peter Wilt is the Team President; he was the architect for Chicago Fire when they were granted expansion to MLS in 1998. The fan base has been nothing short of phenomenal. Having over 7,000 season tickets projects Indianapolis is a legitimate contender for an expansion team. The ownership group is pressing hard to bring top level soccer to town. I’d love to see a regional rivalry between Chicago, Columbus and Indy.
Sacramento, California
Sacramento Republic FC has taken not only the USL by storm but also MLS executives. The clubs rise from obscurity to expansion rockstar has been nothing short of remarkable.
PROS: Sacramento Republic FC… Nothing more need be stated.
CONS: I can’t think of any. Maybe something along the lines of “Does MLS want a fourth team in one state?” Oh, they do?! Moving on then.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Sacramento is making a lot of noise to be the next MLS franchise. The club was the darling of the USL last season, and just today announced that they have reached 9,000 season ticketholders. That’s more than several MLS clubs. With such support and progress for a soccer specific stadium in the works this market is a slam dunk. The club also recently announced “Operation Turnkey” in which the organization will operate as if they are in position to land an expansion team even if they necessarily aren’t. In other words, “MLS when you decide to expand beyond 24 teams, we are number 25. Thanks!” Smart move!
San Antonio, Texas
The Scorpions opened a beautiful 8,000 seat soccer specific stadium in 2013, having the ability to expand to 18,000 with MLS in mind. Ownership has been in talks with MLS and at one point the Scorpions seemed to be a favorite to land a franchise, but the rise of Sacramento and Minneapolis have knocked S.A. down the pecking order.
PROS: San Antonio is one of the top teams in the NASL, as they were number 1 in attendance during the NASL 2013 season. Toyota Field is ready to expand to the size requirements MLS desires. Ownership has been very ambitious with MLS in mind from the start.
CONS: Would MLS want to have 3 (or possibly 4 with Austin) teams in Texas? Probably, but it is worth questioning. San Antonio is only the 37th largest media market in the country.
FINAL ANALYSIS: San Antonio just makes too much sense. After Sacramento, and Team Beckham, San Antonio has to be next in line. MLS loves and wants regional rivalries, well FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo await your arrival.
Honorable Mention
Las Vegas, Nevada: MLS has kicked around the idea of Vegas for years but nothing ever materialized. While LV has its detractors, this could be a prime untapped market. The NBA, MLS, and NHL have all considered Las Vegas, though it seems the gambling and perceived “wild-wild west” mentality have prevented leagues from pulling the trigger. An innovative ownership group could change that and be the first to start the domino effect.
Nashville, Tennessee: Nashville FC joined the NPSL in 2014 as a supporters owned franchise (I am proud to say I am an “Out of Town Member” by the way). Nashville FC is truly a grassroots franchise started by locals who wanted to see professional soccer thrive in the Music City. Until recently the southeastern region had zero MLS franchises. The League has made it a point to reverse that trend, opting to place franchises in Atlanta, Orlando, and likely Miami. Nashville would be another step in the right direction to cover this region.
New York City, New York: I am sure many of you read this, scratched your head, and said “WHAT??” I am being serious. Yes, I am aware the market currently has two teams in NYCFC and the Red Bulls but the New York Cosmos are a big fish in a small pond. They operate as if they are already at the top of the heap, and I can only fathom they are doing that for one of a few reasons; 1) They simply want to be the biggest fish in a small pond. 2) They envision MLS eventually having promotion / relegation and they’d be positioned for promotion from the start. 3) MLS could be the first professional league in America to have three teams in one market. It may sound farfetched but the Cosmos have something going on there.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: OKC has Energy FC playing in the USL. OKC officials are looking to establish the market as a truly “major league” city and with only one major sports team (Oklahoma City Thunder of the NBA) an MLS team would be a step in that direction.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: A truly underrated soccer city that has had the Riverhounds as a minor league franchise since 1999. Murmurs have been circulating for years about a team in the Steel City. In fact, Steel City SC has a nice ring to it for a rebranding if you ask me.
Raleigh, North Carolina: The Carolina Railhawks are one of the premiere teams in the NASL. They have a beautiful soccer specific stadium with a capacity of around 10,000. A move up to MLS sounds great on paper, and while I believe the Carolinas deserve a team, I’d give the nod to Charlotte first and foremost.
Rochester, New York: It’s a small market but has a great soccer specific stadium and loyal following for the Rhinos soccer team. In the mid-2000’s Don Garber, stated he wanted to find a way to make Rochester an MLS side. Unfortunately, attendance dropped for the Rhinos and other major markets came into the fray. This dream is all but dead.
Saint Louis, Missouri: St. Louis has been a candidate for an MLS team since the league was founded. The city even recently launched a task force to seek out the viability for a stadium and team. Many soccer pundits consider Saint Louis to be the unofficial soccer capital of America. With a rich soccer history, and a bevy of talent that permeates the United States Men’s National Team and MLS, having a team in the market should be a given but without a well-financed investor a franchise will never come to the forefront.
San Diego, California: On paper, San Diego seems perfectly logical for an MLS franchise. With its rich soccer history, beautiful weather, a heavy Hispanic populous, and massive youth soccer system but much like Saint Louis and Austin, an ownership group has never materialized.
Question
What markets would you like to see granted an expansion team? Should the league expand beyond 24 teams? Why or why not? Let me know your thoughts on here or via Twitter @mikecrosky.
