Courtesy of HOK
Major League Soccer announced today that it plans to select its next two expansion teams between April and September of next year, with the teams expected to take the field in 2020. Given that timeframe, "Sacramento and St. Louis likely will be teams No. 25 and 26," writes Sports Illustrated's Brian Straus. "Those cities appear to be further ahead than the competition, with investor groups finalized and stadium plans in motion."
"We're in an excellent position to be awarded one of the two new MLS franchises in 2020," ownership group SC STL chair Paul Edgerly said in a statement. "I like our chances."
Those chances rest in part on whether next April city voters approve $80 million in public funding toward a new stadium. In a conference call Thursday night, SC STL officers stressed that if public funding is not approved, there's a high probability that an MLS franchise will not come to St. Louis.
"I'm not saying that's a guarantee," said SC STL vice chairman Jim Kavanaugh. "There is a possibility that we would look at other alternatives...But it's highly probable that we would not move forward [if the proposed $80 million in public financing does not pass]."
Along with community support, MLS will also consider St. Louis based on sponsor commitment for jerseys and stadium naming rights. The league also announced a $150 million expansion fee, which SC STL is expected to cover. Although the ownership group projected a $200 million expansion fee, Kavanaugh said that would not change the amount they're seeking for public subsidies.
SC STL officers contend that the stadium would contribute to economic development, attract visitors, and host other events, such as concerts and amateur sporting events.
Still, some St. Louisans remain skeptical of financing a new stadium, especially in the wake of Rams owner Stan Kroenke moving the NFL team to L.A. after a failed effort to build a new St. Louis stadium with help from public financing.
"I'm not a Stan Kroenke," said Kavanaugh. "I grew up in North County. I played soccer here... One of the reasons I really like the investor group that we put together is everybody has the same mindset. It's not only smart business people, but people that want to give back to the community."
This week, the city introduced legislation that, if approved, will appear on the April ballot. The legislation would increase the sales tax in the city by one half of one percent. If that bill is approved, a second bill would ask voters whether money allocated from the increase would fund construction of the MLS stadium.
