FCB Miami: MLS not yet convinced by Miami bid

author: Michelle Kaufman
source: Miami Herald
date: 30 November 2008
editing: fcbtransfers.blogspot.com





Major League Soccer executives apparently still need some convincing that Miami will support an MLS team. Marcelo Claure, the Bolivian cellphone mogul trying to bring MLS back to Miami, was in Carson, California, last week with his partners from Spanish club FC Barcelona, and they made their pitch to MLS owners.

Claure said that the meeting went "really well", that everyone seemed excited about Barcelona's backing and that he left feeling Miami is "a frontrunner for an expansion team". But, he said, owners asked to see more proof of local fan interest and a plan to spruce up FIU Stadium to make it look "more professional".

MLS Commissioner Don Garber was in Miami last week scouting the stadium and the market. Miami is one of the nation's most soccer-crazed cities, but it remains to be seen whether those fans will support a U.S. pro team. Six cities are bidding for teams (Montreal withdrew its bid), and MLS executives met with the ownership groups from Miami, Vancouver, Ottawa and Portland late last week. Atlanta and St. Louis are also in the running.

"They said they want to see more support from people here, and there was some concern about the stadium not being up to par with other MLS stadiums," Claure said. "They want better press boxes, more amenities, and they had questions about the artificial turf, which we told them is the best turf there is."

Claure, who owns Miami-based Brightstar Corp., will embark on a media blitz next week "to get our name and face out there". He urges South Florida soccer fans to register and put down season-ticket deposits on the group's website (miamifcb.com). More than 6,000 fans had signed on as fans as of Thursday, and 2,000 of those were interested in season tickets.

Miami's bid is hurt because the previous South Florida MLS team, the Miami Fusion, folded after four years in 2001. Claure, whose group is putting up a $40 million expansion fee, insists this team will do better because it will be based in Miami rather than Fort Lauderdale, because the demographics fit better now and because Barcelona, one of the world's top soccer brands, will have its fingerprints on the club.

"No, Miami is not a city where people support the team whether they are in first place or last, but if you put a good show on, people in Miami will come," Claure said. "Miami people are very picky, but if there's a first-class product, they'll pay, and there is no better style of soccer than what Barcelona plays. We will be their sister team, and we will be entertaining."

Claure believes the Miami team could become "the Yankees of MLS", with fans all over the world. "We have the No. 1 soccer brand in the world, we have the money, we have a stadium ready to go that is comfortable for what we need," Claure said. "I will be very disappointed if they don't give us a chance. I feel confident in this bid, and I am acting and planning as if we are going to have a team in 2010."

Garber discussed the expansion meetings in his state of the league address last Friday. It's hard to read much into his diplomatic comments, but one can deduce that Ottawa and Vancouver had outstanding presentations, but Miami would be a more attractive market if Claure's group can ease the owners' misgivings.

The Miami bid intrigued Garber, but he said he wanted to research more. "If we go back to Miami, we'd better be sure we get it right," Garber said. "Barcelona could make investments in lots of different countries but they believe in developing the sport here. Miami had a smart and focused bid and there are no stadium issues there, but Miami has long been a challenge for professional sports."

Claure said he and his group will work tirelessly through the next few weeks and meet with MLS officials again in late December. An announcement is expected by mid-January. The league is expected to add two teams by 2011.

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