Re: [nas] Ultimatum given to Vergara?

 Only one comment: 2004 SCHEDULE
It should be the BIG DEAL BREAKER for entry in 2004.
There needs to be firm dates & times for an 11th team to be on board.

Pete Gratton

On Wed, 10 Sep 2003 Buzahn@aol.com wrote:

> >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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