Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber announced last week during the MLS All Star Game that the league would be expanding to 24 teams by the year 2020. Who will these additional 4 franchises be? We reached out to a number of people in the know from prospective MLS cities and asked them, why their city? It's a series we're calling MLS2020. You can join in on the conversation on Twitter using #MLS2020. Next up, we talk to the guys from ATLwantsMLS about Atlanta, Georgia.
Total-MLS (TMLS): The league has released a number of criteria that they will base their expansion decision on. Let’s hit on each of the criteria.
Committed and engaged ownership: How does the current ownership of the Atlanta Silverbacks feel about bringing MLS to Atlanta and what have they done to make their intentions known? Are there any other potential ownership groups who could step forward to bring in a MLS franchise?
ATLwantsMLS (ATL): Based on what we've heard, the ownership of the Atlanta Silverbacks is not interested in having a MLS team. There was actually an article in the Atlanta Business Chronicle a few months ago that had some pretty independent quotes from both the Silverbacks/NASL and Falcons/Arthur Blank camps. Arthur Blank appears to be the front runner for future ownership after he publicly expressed interest in 2009/2010 and it's no secret that he wants an MLS team to fill up his new stadium in the future.
TMLS: A comprehensive stadium plan: Are there any discussions or plans in place for a soccer specific stadium in the Atlanta area?
ATL: In one word: no. Although there's already two soccer specific stadiums in the Atlanta area (Atlanta Silverbacks Park and KSU Stadium), both stadiums have logistical and infrastructure issues in expanding to a necessary size for an MLS team. It's our understanding that the request from Major League Soccer for a "soccer specific" stadium is negotiable, as it appears there is an expectation for the new Falcons stadium to include an MLS team based on internal documents that have been made public. We also believe that the success of the Seattle Sounders in their shared stadium has made it a possibility for future MLS teams to be successful in a non-soccer specific stadium.
As fans, we do think the atmosphere is maximized in a soccer specific stadium and hope that if fan atmosphere is an issue in the new Falcons stadium, a new soccer specific stadium can be developed.
TMLS: Demonstrated fan support for professional soccer in the market: How has the fan support in Atlanta been for the Silverbacks and how do you think it would be affected by a MLS franchise coming to town?
ATL: The Silverbacks have had a growing fan base since they relaunched as an NASL team a couple of years ago. This is partly fueled by fielding a winning squad along with organization from supporters groups. There has been an attitude shift in this city regarding the team and quite a few of the games this season have been sold out.
TMLS: Support from sponsors, television partners and other constituents: What support does Atlanta have in place from these parties?
ATL: One of the key strengths in Atlanta receiving a MLS team is the strength of the corporate environment in this city. From Coca-Cola and UPS to Home Depot and Delta, Atlanta is filled with many large corporations who would invest in soccer sponsorships to build their global brands. A Coca-Cola executive once told me about their views on soccer: "there are almost 200 countries in the world and you can find only two things in each country: soccer and Coca-Cola". These brands would love the opportunity to showcase their home city to a global audience and would support the team through sponsorship. Many of these brands formed the Atlanta Soccer Cabinet to showcase the city during the failed World Cup Bid.
TMLS: Geographic location: We all know about the lack of a MLS team in the southeast. What makes Atlanta a good location for expansion?
ATL: Atlanta is considered to be the "capital of the south" and has a great environment to support a top-level soccer team. First, it is the largest media market in the western hemisphere without a top-level professional soccer team. Second, it has a very diverse international community with a very vibrant passion for the sport. Third, with Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, it is considered to be an international gateway for this country. Finally, youth participation in the sport is VERY high with one of the highest participation rates in the country.
TMLS: A strategic business plan for the launch and successful operation of the club: With a NASL team already in place, how will Atlanta continue this plan and make it successful in MLS?
ATL: We see one of three scenarios taking place to make this happen:
1. New ownership buys out the Silverbacks organization.
2. The Silverbacks fold/disband and new ownership starts from scratch.
3. Both a future MLS organization and an NASL team will both exist and compete in the city.
Out of these, we feel that the first option is preferable, as this has been a successful model in other cities.
TMLS: Finally, why should Atlanta be chosen for a MLS expansion franchise and what are the chances it does happen?
ATL: We tell everyone that three things need to happen for Atlanta to receive a MLS bid:
1. Ownership needs to exist that are willing to pay the expansion fee and build a successful team
2. A stadium needs to be available
3. A fanbase/market needs to support the team
The ownership will most likely be Arthur Blank and the stadium should be delivered in 2017-2018. It is up to us, the fans, to make sure that we show Atlanta is ready for an expansion team. With these three things, we feel it is very likely that Atlanta is a front runner to receive a future MLS team.
We'd like to thank ATLwantsMLS for their time and if you have any comments or questions you can tweet us or ATLwantsMLS and use #MLS2020. You can also read more about Atlanta's chances at expansion on the ATLwantsMLS site.
(image courtesy of Mexsport)
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