Seattle to get MLS expansion team

bedir than average · 11-09-2007, 07:55 PM

Soccer | Seattle gets Major League Soccer franchise | Seattle Times Newspaper

I will be at the pre-announcement party on Monday, as I'm off work already.

GOALSeattle.com News & Commentary Blog: Something's brewing at The George and Dragon...

This is one of the happier things that could happen for me and sports.

Habsfan84 · 11-10-2007, 09:14 AM

This leaugue is groing fast across North America.

Wiggen · 11-10-2007, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bedir than average

Soccer | Seattle gets Major League Soccer franchise | Seattle Times Newspaper

I will be at the pre-announcement party on Monday, as I'm off work already.

GOALSeattle.com News & Commentary Blog: Something's brewing at The George and Dragon...

This is one of the happier things that could happen for me and sports.

Couldn't agree more, Bedir. As a Sounder season-ticket holder in the good old days at the Kingdome, I am very excited by this news. The pleasing thing to me is that there is some big money involved with the new franchise. I'm pumped!

bedir than average · 11-10-2007, 03:23 PM

Big Money? You think?

Paul Allen has a 25% share
Adrian Hanauer has 25% and he knows soccer talent having built the USL-1 multi-champion Sounders
Joe Roth has 50% a billoinaire Hollywood mogul

Unless the previous reports are trumped by a fourth owner, likely a hollywood actor scheduled to be at George & Dragon

Wiggen · 11-10-2007, 07:31 PM

You'd be speaking of Mr. Carey?

bedir than average · 11-10-2007, 07:32 PM

I actually have heard that there is someone else in town right now that also makes sense, but who has been less vocal. I'll be there, as I don't work on Vet's Day, or the observance in this case.

But yes, MrCarey is the one most rumored.

Wiggen · 11-10-2007, 07:55 PM

One guy who comes to mind, although I've never heard him mentioned as a possible owner, is Jon Stewart. He's obviously a big soccer fan and a big backer of the league.

bedir than average · 11-10-2007, 08:02 PM

Not who I have in mind, but a great addition.

Its the Talk Soup guy who is a Mercer Islander

bedir than average · 11-11-2007, 01:13 PM

4 design concpets MLS Seattle

Some design concepts that were rejected a few months ago.

bedir than average · 11-13-2007, 08:37 PM

Awesome time at the George&Dragon where Drew Carey announced that we would be a democratic club in a great progressive town. (there's a joke in there by the way). Fans will have the opportunity to buy into the club and have a vote on who the best Pres of Operations would be.

No more long term contracts of ineffective GMs/PresOps. No Matt Millen for MLS in Seattle

bedir than average · 11-18-2007, 07:52 PM

Well, in just about four days, Don Garber announed at his state of the league address before MLS CUP '07 (won by the Dynamo) that MLS Seattle has exceeded expectations with over 5,000 season ticket deposits.

No colors, No Name, No coach, No Players

Just a GM, a reputation and the world's game coming to Qwest.

24,500 would be a sellout with the current configuration.
The Hawks Nest would add 3,000
Luxury boxes at either the field or upper level havent' been included yet.

bedir than average · 11-29-2007, 08:38 PM

Latest update on what I know

Over 8000 deposits, putting my four in tomorrow so should have an official number then

Hanauer went to China scouting players and building up his network there

Season ticket goal is to have most in MLS

Timeline
Mid Spring for Name/Colors/Logo
Late Spring/Early Summer for Broadcast Announcement
Fall for Coach/Players

WingsForDinner · 11-30-2007, 02:29 AM

Wow, that's good news on the 8,000 tickets without so much as colours or a crest to go on (speaking of which, the second of those 4 preliminary designs looks perfect for a Seattle-based team...leave the logo as-is and change the colours slightly and that would've been a perfect uni).

Also, to Seattle ownership: If you're scouting in China -- don't you dare touch Yang Changpeng or Zhou Laio, there's still hope for them in Bolton yet!

bedir than average · 11-30-2007, 08:35 PM

Well, I finally scraped together the plans and dollars for four seats - brother, best friend, me and an spare to shuffle around as needed. I'm quite a sports fan, but due to a prior job (sports radio producer) and after that a lack of funds in the entertainment budget I have never purchased more than 6 tickets to any team in a season. I will now be getting 20-27 seats (a third of the amount & some teams grant season ticket holders rights to non-league matches).

At least 8,600 down so far.

bedir than average · 12-02-2007, 02:49 PM

GOALSeattle.com News & Commentary Blog: Chasing the Dragon: Seattle MLS and Asia

Quote:

The week before Seattle MLS was officially born Adrian Hanauer was in China scouting players, getting 'the lay of the land,' and making connections with soccer people in the giant Asian country.

Last week Major League Soccer announced the creation of the "Pan-Pacific Cup" to be held in Honolulu next February. Two MLS teams will play clubs from the Japanese J-League and the Australian A-League. The Korean K-League may be involved in future competitions.

At a press conference two days before MLS Cup commissioner Don Garber cited Seattle as an "MLS gateway to Asia," and noted that the Pan-Pacific Cup might one day be played in Seattle.

Continues at link

My comment is below

A few things of related interest would be looking at the Asian Footballer of the Year Award. While China gets a lot of hype and Japan has a fairly strong league (likely stronger than MLS and with more top talent in Europe) there is a lot of strength in the Arabic speaking Asian countries.

Japan has 5 AFY, Iran 4 (no hope for a US team to get those) Saudi has 4 has well, Korea at three and China/Iraq/Qatar each with one.

Fan Zhiyi has himself the award and is still active. He has played some in England and Scotland, but is currently in China. He's older (turning 40 in 09) and so not likely to be worth a DP.

Personally I think that MLSinSeattle should pursue some of the good young talent playing in Qatar or Kuwait. Both countries have a strong middle class, have strong political connections to the USA and have talent. It is even possible that good but not great player would be worth just an international slot at high salary rather than a DP.

Though Khalfan Ibrahim might be worthy of a DP as he would be 21 in the first season. At 18 he won the AFY and Qatar's best young player, at 19 he won the Player of the Year in the Arab World.

I'm generally in favor of using the DP on a hot young, rising star who could perform on the International stage rather than a fading Euro.

But I wouldn't be surprised if of the 7 international signees 5 are from Japan/China/Korea. I'm just hoping that Adrian looks a little deep, and particularly to places that would use a friendly connection to our region.

11-09-2007, 07:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
bedir than average Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Starbucks Posts: 7,815	Seattle to get MLS expansion team Soccer \| Seattle gets Major League Soccer franchise \| Seattle Times Newspaper I will be at the pre-announcement party on Monday, as I'm off work already. GOALSeattle.com News & Commentary Blog: Something's brewing at The George and Dragon... This is one of the happier things that could happen for me and sports. __________________ What's been posted on FanHome since you've been away? Click here to see "You're only so sure you're right because they're so sure you're wrong." Orson Scott Card in Xenocide

11-10-2007, 09:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
Habsfan84 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 3,519	This leaugue is groing fast across North America. __________________ FanHome Members Remember to Keep Posting on FanHome [where fans connect]. Guests Please RegisterFor Access to a Great Forum

11-10-2007, 03:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
bedir than average Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Starbucks Posts: 7,815	Big Money? You think? Paul Allen has a 25% share Adrian Hanauer has 25% and he knows soccer talent having built the USL-1 multi-champion Sounders Joe Roth has 50% a billoinaire Hollywood mogul Unless the previous reports are trumped by a fourth owner, likely a hollywood actor scheduled to be at George & Dragon __________________ What's been posted on FanHome since you've been away? Click here to see "You're only so sure you're right because they're so sure you're wrong." Orson Scott Card in Xenocide

11-10-2007, 07:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
bedir than average Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Starbucks Posts: 7,815	I actually have heard that there is someone else in town right now that also makes sense, but who has been less vocal. I'll be there, as I don't work on Vet's Day, or the observance in this case. But yes, MrCarey is the one most rumored. __________________ What's been posted on FanHome since you've been away? Click here to see "You're only so sure you're right because they're so sure you're wrong." Orson Scott Card in Xenocide

11-10-2007, 08:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
bedir than average Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Starbucks Posts: 7,815	Not who I have in mind, but a great addition. Its the Talk Soup guy who is a Mercer Islander __________________ What's been posted on FanHome since you've been away? Click here to see "You're only so sure you're right because they're so sure you're wrong." Orson Scott Card in Xenocide Last edited by bedir than average : 11-11-2007 at 01:12 PM. Reason: accurcacy

11-10-2007, 07:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
Wiggen Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,294	You'd be speaking of Mr. Carey?

11-10-2007, 07:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
Wiggen Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,294	One guy who comes to mind, although I've never heard him mentioned as a possible owner, is Jon Stewart. He's obviously a big soccer fan and a big backer of the league.

11-11-2007, 01:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
bedir than average Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Starbucks Posts: 7,815	4 design concpets MLS Seattle Some design concepts that were rejected a few months ago. __________________ What's been posted on FanHome since you've been away? Click here to see "You're only so sure you're right because they're so sure you're wrong." Orson Scott Card in Xenocide

11-13-2007, 08:37 PM	#10 (permalink)
bedir than average Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Starbucks Posts: 7,815	Awesome time at the George&Dragon where Drew Carey announced that we would be a democratic club in a great progressive town. (there's a joke in there by the way). Fans will have the opportunity to buy into the club and have a vote on who the best Pres of Operations would be. No more long term contracts of ineffective GMs/PresOps. No Matt Millen for MLS in Seattle __________________ What's been posted on FanHome since you've been away? Click here to see "You're only so sure you're right because they're so sure you're wrong." Orson Scott Card in Xenocide

11-18-2007, 07:52 PM	#11 (permalink)
bedir than average Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Starbucks Posts: 7,815	Well, in just about four days, Don Garber announed at his state of the league address before MLS CUP '07 (won by the Dynamo) that MLS Seattle has exceeded expectations with over 5,000 season ticket deposits. No colors, No Name, No coach, No Players Just a GM, a reputation and the world's game coming to Qwest. 24,500 would be a sellout with the current configuration. The Hawks Nest would add 3,000 Luxury boxes at either the field or upper level havent' been included yet. __________________ What's been posted on FanHome since you've been away? Click here to see "You're only so sure you're right because they're so sure you're wrong." Orson Scott Card in Xenocide

11-29-2007, 08:38 PM	#12 (permalink)
bedir than average Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Starbucks Posts: 7,815	Latest update on what I know Over 8000 deposits, putting my four in tomorrow so should have an official number then Hanauer went to China scouting players and building up his network there Season ticket goal is to have most in MLS Timeline Mid Spring for Name/Colors/Logo Late Spring/Early Summer for Broadcast Announcement Fall for Coach/Players __________________ What's been posted on FanHome since you've been away? Click here to see "You're only so sure you're right because they're so sure you're wrong." Orson Scott Card in Xenocide

11-30-2007, 02:29 AM	#13 (permalink)
WingsForDinner Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 338	Wow, that's good news on the 8,000 tickets without so much as colours or a crest to go on (speaking of which, the second of those 4 preliminary designs looks perfect for a Seattle-based team...leave the logo as-is and change the colours slightly and that would've been a perfect uni). Also, to Seattle ownership: If you're scouting in China -- don't you dare touch Yang Changpeng or Zhou Laio, there's still hope for them in Bolton yet! __________________ Bolton Wanderers: 9(w) - 10(d) - 19(l) = 37(pts) Dallas Stars: 45(w) - 30(l) - 7(otl) = 97(pts) ----------------------------------- New To FanHome? Please Register For Your Free Account Today! Be Sure To Read: FanHome Community Standards Moderating: Football / Futbol / Soccer, NHL General, and NHL Pacific Division

11-30-2007, 08:35 PM	#14 (permalink)
bedir than average Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Starbucks Posts: 7,815	Well, I finally scraped together the plans and dollars for four seats - brother, best friend, me and an spare to shuffle around as needed. I'm quite a sports fan, but due to a prior job (sports radio producer) and after that a lack of funds in the entertainment budget I have never purchased more than 6 tickets to any team in a season. I will now be getting 20-27 seats (a third of the amount & some teams grant season ticket holders rights to non-league matches). At least 8,600 down so far. __________________ What's been posted on FanHome since you've been away? Click here to see "You're only so sure you're right because they're so sure you're wrong." Orson Scott Card in Xenocide