View Full Version : Hint about possible MLL expansion St. Louis or Salt Lake team
temporary1357
09-30-2005, 08:50 PM
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/ci_3074428
It's a very vague line that stuck at the bottom, but we don't get this type of MLL rumour often.
Checketts said just before RSL's launch in the spring that he's "always looking for what's 'next,' " mentioning Major League Lacrosse as an ownership target.
Checketts is the owner of Real Salt Lake (MLS) and looks to be the new owner of the St. Louis Blues. Although it doesn't list cities, I would find it unusual for this guy to have a MLL team outside of the cities he's already in because of the small presence of the league. While I would like to see a team in St. Louis, between the two cities, it's more likely that he would choose Salt Lake, because he's in the process of building a soccer stadium by 2008 (the next MLL expansion), and he wouldn't pay rent in STL when he can just have the team in his own building.
wilsontopowell
09-30-2005, 10:38 PM
i heard there expanding to 2 teams in 2008 so that maybe?
laxrat22
10-01-2005, 01:18 AM
i think it was an IL article that mark posted in a thread awhile back that said they have already locked the 2 team for 08 but arent saying who yet but sources close to the league say san diego and dallas
wilsontopowell
10-01-2005, 12:39 PM
i think it was an IL article that mark posted in a thread awhile back that said they have already locked the 2 team for 08 but arent saying who yet but sources close to the league say san diego and dallas
hmmmm maybe theres expansion beyond those 2 teams?
temporary1357
10-01-2005, 12:47 PM
There is no lock, just that they were the leading candidates (though I'd applaud MLL if they did secure expansion 3 years in advance). But seriously, Checketts is a powerful and experienced sports guy, and if he wants an MLL team, MLL would do everything to bring him in.
Lax101
10-01-2005, 01:17 PM
Raine/Dan will be happy about this...
laxrat22
10-01-2005, 05:03 PM
There is no lock, just that they were the leading candidates (though I'd applaud MLL if they did secure expansion 3 years in advance). But seriously, Checketts is a powerful and experienced sports guy, and if he wants an MLL team, MLL would do everything to bring him in.
http://insidelacrosse.com/page.cfm?pagerid=2&news=fdetail&storyid=97030
The league plans to add two more teams by 2008. MLL Commissioner David Gross said they have already signed the two cities that will get teams but would not comment which cities those were. Other sources close to the situation say that Dallas and San Diego were among the front-runners for 2008 expansion. thats from the IL article
GBaschski
10-01-2005, 08:07 PM
Salt Lake? That's hard to believe...but then again, we're supposed to be expanding into Dallas next year.
Seriously, MLL...let's get back to the East Coast a little bit.
fenwicklax89
10-01-2005, 10:39 PM
Salt Lake? That's hard to believe...but then again, we're supposed to be expanding into Dallas next year.
Seriously, MLL...let's get back to the East Coast a little bit.
and deprive the rest of the nation? lets not be greedy now. the east coast already has 6
It's so true. I live 15 minutes away from Salt Lake on an average day, so that would be awesome. Still haven't gone to a Salt Lake Real soccer game, and don't plan to, but lacrosse, I'd totally hit that up. It's not worth driving to Provo (an hour unless I feel like going 85 the whole way) to watch BYU, a pretty good team, play club teams. But hey, this would be pretty awesome. Lacrosse is growing quickly out here. In about 10 years we've gotten 35 varsity teams, and the skill level is a little better than lowly Vermont.
stinisonfire
10-03-2005, 11:48 AM
I doubt San Diego would get a team. That would make 3 teams in CA.
SDS416
10-03-2005, 12:02 PM
Just to add a few things-
I can independently confirm the Dallas franchise being awarded. There was some strong interest for a team sooner, but some logistical matters regarding a stadium to use delayed the process.
Looks like a dead lock at this point. The particulars involved from an ownership standpoint are on VERY solid ground, so immediate profitability is of no concern.
temporary1357
10-03-2005, 03:10 PM
Just to add a few things-
I can independently confirm the Dallas franchise being awarded. There was some strong interest for a team sooner, but some logistical matters regarding a stadium to use delayed the process.
Looks like a dead lock at this point. The particulars involved from an ownership standpoint are on VERY solid ground, so immediate profitability is of no concern.
Would this franchise involve Lamar Hunt and/or Pizza Hut Park?
SDS416
10-03-2005, 04:04 PM
Won't confirm the names of the financial principles as I am not sure if some of the investors are silent partners in the matter or not, but you have the venue correct.
temporary1357
10-10-2005, 10:58 PM
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=117053
From what I hear from Real Salt Lake fans, the chosen site for the stadium will probably be Sandy, UT. So Dan, how would Sandy be for a possible MLL team?
mx255
10-11-2005, 12:48 AM
I doubt San Diego would get a team. That would make 3 teams in CA.
San diego is the best lacrosse west of the east coast. I am unsure why they put the team in la and not san diego. There are like 50 HS teams there and they are hosting the first four this year. tillman johnson and all kinds of pro guys live there already. Part of the reason rotelli wasn't held is that he is the west coast rep for cascade. He lives out there. As much as the east coast hates it, lacrosse is bigger
temporary1357
10-11-2005, 01:16 AM
I am unsure why they put the team in la and not san diego.
There's a simple reason: AEG (the owner of the LA franchise) owns the Home Depot Center.
At this point, MLL has to pander to ANY rich owner that is even thinking about investing in MLL. The league is in no position to pick and choose its cities.
temporary1357
10-12-2005, 08:23 PM
Real Salt Lake's stadium deal will be finished this month and will open 2007-2008. If RSL's owner has hinted at getting an MLL team, I believe he will go after one since he needs to fill dates at this stadium. and his ownership group is looking into owning multiple sports teams across leagues. Here are some renderings of this 20,000 seater which is a few miles south of downtown Salt Lake.
http://real.saltlake.mlsnet.com/images/2005/10/12/eH2Kck4U.jpg
http://www.mlsnet.com/images/2005/10/12/YJrGwJFS.jpg
laxrat22
10-12-2005, 11:33 PM
San diego is the best lacrosse west of the east coast. I am unsure why they put the team in la and not san diego. There are like 50 HS teams there and they are hosting the first four this year. tillman johnson and all kinds of pro guys live there already. Part of the reason rotelli wasn't held is that he is the west coast rep for cascade. He lives out there. As much as the east coast hates it, lacrosse is bigger
the reason they picked L.A. was as temporary said the owners and its a bigger sports market, it may not be the biggest lacrosse market but it is the biggest sports market, and i see more east coast fans hitting up L.A. games over SD just because it brings in more tourism, even though SD is a much cooler city.
and you're right we do have our fair share of pros here and they are all pretty invovled with the lacrosse community here. at the camp i went to at sdsu tillman showed up the 1st day just to hang out and work w/ the goalis before he had to fly back east for a game. i'm suprised he was held because he was planning on playing for L.A. or at least thats what he wanted
faacjb
10-17-2005, 12:23 PM
I think a pro team would do very well in Utah. At the youth level (K-8th grade) we are growing at something like 20 to 30% per year. In the Thunder league, where I coach, we have gone from 5 teams to 9 in two years. The adult league added some teams this summer as well. If we get a team, I will definitely be taking groups of players to the games. As for the Sandy location, it's great fo me. It's 5 minutes from my house.
goaliedude13
10-26-2005, 08:50 PM
im gonna be so pissed off if they make a stl team in 2008 cause i graduate that year and will prolly be done with lacrosse
laxrat22
10-26-2005, 09:05 PM
im gonna be so pissed off if they make a stl team in 2008 cause i graduate that year and will prolly be done with lacrosse
and since you're outta high school this means you have to lose all you're interest in lacrosse
masterlocke21
11-22-2005, 09:26 PM
[QUOTE=temporary1357]Real Salt Lake's stadium deal will be finished this month and will open 2007-2008. If RSL's owner has hinted at getting an MLL team, I believe he will go after one since he needs to fill dates at this stadium. and his ownership group is looking into owning multiple sports teams across leagues. Here are some renderings of this 20,000 seater which is a few miles south of downtown Salt Lake.
man that would be soo sick to get a team in salt lake. all you eastern guys dont know what it feels like to have one in ten people at your school even know what lacrosse is and even less know we have a team. lacrosse will explode (it already is) in utah if this team really comes.
Laxhawaii
11-23-2005, 03:00 AM
a team would be cool in SD it would help bring in more player. I'm moving there to help coach a HS team that i grad from and i remember lax was pretty big in SD then.
WHEELAX2
11-23-2005, 07:13 AM
cough cough.. Dallas ans St. Louis
laxrat22
11-24-2005, 12:28 AM
a team would be cool in SD it would help bring in more player. I'm moving there to help coach a HS team that i grad from and i remember lax was pretty big in SD then.
alright another sd resident (or soon to be) on the forums. what team are you going to be coaching