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We were just sent the following press release. Note that tomorrow is the deadline for expansion bids for this round.
Oct 14, 2008 12:08 ET
Grassroots support plans to bring Major League Soccer and world-class stadium to Ottawa
Melnyk prepares to deliver official bid to MLS selection committee
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Oct. 14, 2008) - In the four weeks since Eugene Melnyk, owner of the National Hockey League's Ottawa Senators and Senators Sports & Entertainment, launched his plan to bring a Major League Soccer (MLS) team to Ottawa and pursue the construction of a world-class, soccer-first stadium, support has been received from the grassroots soccer community, soccer associations, general public and market surveys. Today, Melnyk and Senators Sports & Entertainment will formally submit their bid to MLS for an expansion franchise for Ottawa for the 2011 MLS season.
"When we officially launched our bid on Sept. 16, I believed it was imperative that to bring an MLS team to Ottawa and build a stadium of this scope and calibre required, among other things, broad community support," said Melnyk. "I know we have a strong operational management team and a solid business plan, and now we know the community is behind us."
To help educate and rally the city to support his vision, Melnyk launched a Bring the World to Ottawa campaign as a way of calling upon the Ottawa-Gatineau communities for their collective support in helping make the stadium and MLS team a reality. Details on the campaign are available at www.BringtheWorldtoOttawa.ca.
"We've had 7,000 supporters alone register on our website," added Melnyk. "Thirty one soccer clubs from the heart of our region have come on board, including Ottawa South United, one of the largest clubs in Canada. In addition, the Ontario Soccer Association and the Eastern Ontario Soccer Association, the governing bodies for soccer in Ottawa and the province, are giving us a vote of confidence."
A survey conducted for Senators Sports & Entertainment indicated that one in seven adults in Ottawa were likely to buy season tickets, almost one-half would become a fan or supporter and one-half are likely to buy individual game tickets.
Participation registration for soccer has also proved shown it as the dominant sport in Canada with 44 per cent of children playing soccer, up from 32 per cent in 1998. Hockey is the second-best in terms of registration at 26 per cent. Ottawa's participation rate alone has increased 34 per cent since 1999.
"We have also been in discussions with City of Ottawa officials in how we can assist in their process of reviewing how to rebuild their stadium infrastructure," added Melnyk. "We believe soccer needs to be part of the long-term viability and solution to support a vibrant stadium."
In July of this year, Ottawa was short-listed by MLS as one of nine North American cities that would be considered for two expansion teams to enter the league in 2011.
Do you think Ottawa is a good choice? Who would be your top two expansion cities?
NO, NO, NO!
Seattle, Philly, Vancouver, St. Louis, Portland, Montreal in that order. And Move Chivas to San Diego.
No chance.
If you're coming to Canada, it's gotta be 1) Montreal...2) Vancouver. St. Louis, Miami, and NYC are still way ahead too.
It's sad when Ottawa puts out one of the strongest bids out of any city. They the motive, ownership and support. Not to mention...a sick stadium.
Why can't we find that in the US or even bigger CA cities?
St. Louis and Maimi for 17th and 18. Potland and Vancouver for 19th and 20. Then New York and Las Vegas.
St. Louis is definitely in. You know Garber wants the midwest to succeed. Vancouver is probably going to get the last spot.
LAS VEGAS??? You've got to be kidding me. Unless it's an indoor stadium with natural grass, similar to where the Arizona Cardinals play, it ain't gonna happen. Way too hot, and soccer is not a hot weather sport.
Miami? What a waste.
"A survey conducted for Senators Sports & Entertainment indicated that one in seven adults in Ottawa were likely to buy season tickets, almost one-half would become a fan or supporter and one-half are likely to buy individual game tickets."
Super Duper cool...they could build the MLS's the first 100k+ stadium. 1 out of every 7 adults in Ottawa would buy season tickets, that's like a lot of people. That rocks. Almost one half maybe would maybe become fans wow thats awesome.
I've grown to accept the possibility that maybe St. Louis isn't getting a team right now. Personally, I'd like to see the stadium in the state of Missouri, rather than generating tax dollars and revenue for Illinois, but that's just me.
Anywho...I think Portland and Montreal are next.
As for other cities in the future for consideration, I'd have to say:
Vancouver,
St. Louis (maybe by then),
NYC2 (provided Red Bull Park actually draws a crowd),
Ottawa (if they can pull if their plan to perfection),
and Las Vegas.
I have no problem with having two or three Canadian teams in a 20-team or 18-team league.
NEW YORK CITY !!!!
well, with tomorrow as the deadline and only two cities with official bids in right now, I wouldn't be surprised if Portland and Ottawa are the two to be in by 2011....
I seriously hope STL gets their bid in. We've been dragged around by MLS for the past two or so years, and we're ready and waiting.
Sad thing is that, according to an "insider" on BigSoccer.com, one of the cities considered major candidates (they didn't actually name it) won't be submitted thanks to the financial crisis.... God, I hope it wasn't STL....
But anyway, congrats to Ottawa for getting big support in a (relatively) small market. Good luck!
What better way for Canada to establish itself as a soccer (football) nation than by dropping anchor in their nation's capital. It could make for a neat rivalry with D.C. United.
With that said, I believe Montreal Impact is in a much better position to be awarded an expansion slot. They've got a brand new stadium in Stade Saputo, an opportunity to establish the first all-Canadian rivalry in MLS, a roster that would likely translate well to MLS, and they've been awesome in the Champions League thus far. Frankly, momentum is on their side.
With Montreal as my first choice, my second would be Miami. With Miami comes an opportunity for a rebirth of MLS in Florida and an opportunity for positive European influence in the American soccer community, in a brand new shared stadium no less.
Portland's and Vancouver's weak stadium bids are a red flag for me. St. Louis has become something of a non-factor. Las Vegas and Atlanta are barely even on the radar at this point. A first "real" NYC club is a neat idea, but I'm not sure how much support it has at this point. And, Ottawa, while a good idea, would create an odd number of Canadian clubs, something I'm not so sure the league wants. Also, Ottawa might not have enough support just yet.
*Forgot to use my signature*
What better way for Canada to establish itself as a soccer (football) nation than by dropping anchor in their nation's capital. It could make for a neat rivalry with D.C. United.
With that said, I believe Montreal Impact is in a much better position to be awarded an expansion slot. They've got a brand new stadium in Stade Saputo, an opportunity to establish the first all-Canadian rivalry in MLS, a roster that would likely translate well to MLS, and they've been awesome in the Champions League thus far. Frankly, momentum is on their side.
With Montreal as my first choice, my second would be Miami. With Miami comes an opportunity for a rebirth of MLS in Florida and an opportunity for positive European influence in the American soccer community, in a brand new shared stadium no less.
Portland's and Vancouver's weak stadium bids are a red flag for me. St. Louis has become something of a non-factor. Las Vegas and Atlanta are barely even on the radar at this point. A first "real" NYC club is a neat idea, but I'm not sure how much support it has at this point. And, Ottawa, while a good idea, would create an odd number of Canadian clubs, something I'm not so sure the league wants. Also, Ottawa might not have enough support just yet.