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It's clear that the Miami-Barca (Miami FCB) entry into MLS is going full speed ahead. Regardless of what side of the issue (and it is a controversial one) you come down on you may want to read the following excerpt from an article.
Courtesy of Bloomberg:
Dec. 1 (Bloomberg) -- Barcelona, soccer’s third-richest team by sales, has a 90 percent chance of co-owning a Major League Soccer franchise in Miami, Chief Executive Officer Joan Oliver said.
The 2006 European champion bid for one of two available franchises in October. It’s competing against six groups, including one from Montreal involving Liverpool co-owner George Gillett and another in Portland, Oregon, headed by Merritt Paulson, son of U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.
“If it’s confirmed, we expect to make a profit in the second year,” Oliver said in an interview in London. “However, we are making an investment in our image, not financially. It won’t cost us any money.”
Seeking to boost its sales in the U.S., Barcelona would become the first European soccer club to own an MLS franchise. Barcelona plans to share ownership with Miami-based Bolivian Marcelo Claure, chief executive officer of Brightstar Corp., a telephone maker. He and other sponsors would cover the start-up costs of about $40 million, according to the Spanish club.
After its team toured the U.S. several times, Barcelona is seeking a new marketing impetus, Oliver said.
“We are pioneers and if turns out well other clubs will follow us,” Oliver said.
Miami is 100% ready. Vamos Miami FCB.
I don't think that Miami is a great choice simply because of the stadium, but if they are going to be in the league, dear god don't call them Miami FCB or Barca Miami. It makes MLS look like a joke.
They could put teams in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Troy, New York and Central Falls, Rhode Island and I'll be happy as long as they don't put any more teams in freakin' Canada.
There's no way MLS is stupid enough to put another franchise in S. Florida. That region cannot and does not support professional athletics.
I know eh 12:17.. why would a league actually want profitable teams!?!?!
told ya.
I'm a MIAMI ULTRA and I'll take FCB Miami... but I prefer FC Miami or Miami FC. DEFINATELY NO BARCA MIAMI!!!!!
as for the other bid, I strongly support Portland or St. Louis, both markets need a team.
Barca Miami would be a joke... I am a Canadian and dont want to see another Cdn team yet because the 1 city that can do it got dropped (Montreal).
St Louis and Portland are both really good choices.
Red Bull is the first Euro club to buy into MLS.
Just sayin'
Curtis
More of a company than a club...just saying.
"I'm a MIAMI ULTRA and I'll take FCB Miami... but I prefer FC Miami or Miami FC. DEFINATELY NO BARCA MIAMI!!!!!"
DO NOT SETTLE FOR "FCB Miami" It is equally as much of a joke name. Don't take anything less then Miami FC or FC Miami. And don't let them use their crimson and navy colors that have nothing to do with Miami.
"Miami is 100% ready. Vamos Miami FCB."
Yes Miami is 100% ready. Except for the fact that they have no SSS, have no proven fan base, very unflattering numbers down for season tickets, want to play in an unfinished college football stadium, on turf, with football lines and are lacking concessions and numerous other amenities.
Aside from all that, they are 100% ready!
i agree miami isnt ready for a team, dont have a fan base or own their stadium...
if they name it something like barca miami, it will make mls look like a joke.
Has MLS truly learned nothing from the Chivas USA debacle? When will they finally realize that they need to build their own identity, not try to import them.
St. Louis and Portland for 2011!
Why don't you want another Canadian team?
We are all brothers, our countries names differ, but beyond that we are pretty much the same.
Don't hate Canada, we share everything else in the world, why wouldn't we share football?
Heck, like us, you even had French regions. Only differences is you've taken away the French language aspect in those areas and adopted Spanish as a second language in other areas.
I love all the people saying FCB Miami will make MLS look like a joke.
Because having ChivasUSA, RedBull NY, paying peanuts to players, playing with turf and in huge football stadiums, having no tv audience, getting crushed in international competition hasn't made MLS look like a joke.
Hate it or love it, it's a done deal FBC MIAMI FTMFW!!!!!!!!!!
This is a complete joke. They want the team to play on Florida International's turf field?
Miami cannot support this team. I feel bad for the Barcelona reps who think this is going to end well.
Heads up kids, Soccer United Marketing (SUM), which, ahem, is owned by MLS, is the soccer marketing outfit that handles the World Cup for ABC/ESPN, International friendlies on U.S. soil, as well as lots of other lucrative stuff. SUMs profits may be what makes being involved in MLS ownership attractive these days. Oh yeah, they also handle all marketing and promotion in the U.S. for FCB.
FCB, by whatever name, in Miami is a further development of an exsisting partnership.
Just sayin'.
Steve the Arsonist
SO MANY CRY BABIES OUT THERE. I LOVE IT. WE WILL SEE YOU IN MIAMI IN MARCH 2010.
I don't think MLS really will appreciate them already saying that it is pretty much a done deal.
NVM i can't believe the ceo said this.
FCB miami is not a joke
and name like Redbull NY is a joke.
Imagine the coca-cola New York Yankees.
Seriously, thats where the joke is
London, you must be joking. All brothers? No. Not with you guys.
Vamos Miami........... FCB
He said that because he looks down at MLS.
It (giving Barça a team) will make Garber and MLS look even more like a joke
Can't find a better place, but I saw this on the 'net
Chelsea's Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka and Sunderland's Djibril Cisse and El-Hadji Diouf are among the stars invited to attend a huge Christmas party hosted by hip-hop artists Lil Wayne and Akon. However, their clubs have banned them from attending the Florida bash. (The Sun)
Is footie the new hip thing in South Beach? If so, will Barca get their names to go see the hip-hoppers?
In January 2002, the league announced the end of its two Floridian teams: Miami Fusion and the Tampa Bay Mutiny.This was for financial reasons.
Two teams failed! Yes for finacial resons ...which means no one went to the games!
Stick with the other expansion bids they have a fan base that will pay to go to the games!
How about some Miami Pride!
All I see is a bunch of Barca wannabes
You guys are a bunch of Barca cock sucking wannabes! The 2010 bid is over and Philly won assholes.
The best Barca could do would be 2011 and that has not happened yet. Portland St Louis Atlanta and Vancouver are all in the bidding process for 2011. It would not be a good idea for MLS to require a bid from potential teams then award someone a team to start in 2010.
Florida failed twice and does not deserve a team!
We see you in Miami in 2010.
I love you all the attention. Just wait when MLS announce expansion Miami in 2010.
Miami we are with you.
Chicago Fire
Miami MLS will happen. It is a done deal.
jealousy and cry babies..
This FC Dallas fan supports the Miami Ultras and Barca. Hope you get your team!
I hope all bids are considered fairly. Florida has lost 2 teams in this decade do they deserve another?
Does Miami have any pride or heritage? I guess not if the fans are going to call the team Barca Miami! Its another Chivas fuck up!
You right it is another chivas fuck up!
Waaaaaaaah....waaaaaaah....waaaaaaah....a lot babies need their diapers changed =P
FUCK BrcaMiami!
Not anti-MLS Miami...anti-BarcaMiami!
Fuck all the haters...there has NEVER been a team IN Miami...they played in Ft lauderdale which is ummmmmm another fucking city which is quite a drive for a loooooot of ppl (45-1hr...even farther for people who live in South Miami)
AND are some of u really comparing what Chivas de Gudalajara has tried with chivas usa to what fucking FC BARCELONA WILL do...a team that sells out football stadiums every time they come here, plays and wins champions league, top 3 richest clubs in the WORLD...no offense but i think their people/staff might be a little better than chivas de guadalajar's AND Laporta has been quoted saying FC BARCELONA will look over all football operations and oh having Soccer United Marketing behind u can't hurt either
"And u know a hater can't staaand a goddamn winner" -Katt Williams
Miami... where sports teams go to die.
Pony You are a total idiot.