[nas] Ultimatum given to Vergara?

>From MLS Confidential:
>>
1. DEADLINE: Commissioner Don Garber says he wants everything in place by MLS 
Cup 2003 (Nov. 23) if CD Guadalajara owner Jorge Vergara is to have a team in 
MLS by 2004. Chivas president Ivar Sisniega visited San Diego last week to 
begin 
discussions about using Qualcomm Stadium, home of the NFL Chargers and MLB 
Padres, for the 2004 MLS season. The Padres are about to move into a new 
baseball stadium.
Qualcomm, formerly known as San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium, was home to the NASL 
Sockers from 1978 to 1984. The facility has hosted CONCACAF Gold Cup games and 
numerous club and national team friendlies.
MLS senior vice president Mark Abbott, whose myriad duties include overseeing 
leases and stadium contracts, was also in San Diego last week.
League officials are concerned about starting up a new team on relatively short 
notice, hence the setting of a Nov. 23 "deadline" if an 11th team is to play in 
San Diego for the 2004 season.
MLS and Vergara have reached agreement on terms and  conditions of him joining 
the league as an operator-investor. But many details remain to be resolved.
Vergara has said he'll be traveling to Spain later this month to continue 
negotiations on a purchase of La Liga club Atletico Madrid. Talks had slowed in 
early summer as Vergara's discussions with MLS heated up.
>>
Should I be concerned about the imposed "deadline?" Garber made a lot of noise 
when he made this announcement and now he's giving his new "partner" a 
deadline. What if Vergara doesn't meet the deadline but insists on moving 
forward with a new MLS team in 2004? Knowing what he knows about MLS finances, 
is it possible he'll play hardball with Garber on setting a date? If so, who's 
gonna blink first and what would be the fallout? Should be interesting...

Ed




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