The extension of the MLS in Las Vegas would be interesting

LOS ANGELES – Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber said the league is “really intrigued” by Las Vegas as a possible expansion market, and will continue to focus on the city as it seeks to determine the 30th MLS team.

Garber spoke with ESPN at MLS Works Community Day at Charles R. Drew Middle School, where a new mini-pitch was unveiled, one of more than 600 that have now been built in all the countries. The project was built with help from the US Soccer Foundation, LAFC, as well as community and educational leaders, including rapper Stix.

After the event, Garber told ESPN that MLS had spent “a lot of time” in Las Vegas.

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“This market, it continues to explode from the point of view of population growth,” he said. “We have seen the success of certainly the [NHL’s Vegas Golden] Knights and great events. We tested a few events with the Gold Cup final. The League Cup final will be there. The Gold Cup final sold out within minutes. Las Vegas is an interesting market. We want to secure our 30th team so that we can have a fully enlarged league by the World Cup in 2026, so we will continue to focus on that market. “

A recent report by Athletic said Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Wesley Edens is among those trying to bring an MLS expansion team to Las Vegas. Edens, along with his co-owner of Aston Villa, Nassef Sawiris, recently filed a trademark application for the name of the villains of Las Vegas. Garber declined to label Edens as the top contender to bring an expansion team to Las Vegas. Knights owner Bill Foley and a band led by Renaissance Cos. have also expressed their interest. But Garber made no secret of his admiration for Edens.

“I wouldn’t say that there is [leading candidate] at this point, “Garber said of the competing offerings in Vegas.” Wes Eden is one of the most respected investors and operators, and clearly a really, really successful sports team owner. I happen to like him very much personally. We were intrigued by the possibility that there might be with him, but it’s far too premature to talk about it more than that. “

Las Vegas has emerged as one of the top contenders for MLS expansion after Ron Burkle refused to go ahead with a proposal to bring an expansion team to Sacramento. The city of Sacramento and the owners of the USL championship side of the Sacramento Republic continue to try to recruit a lead investor, but when asked if any candidates have emerged, Garber said, “Not at this time. “.

Garber added, “Sacramento is not as active as it has been the last couple of years, but I still think Sacramento will be a good MLS market.”

Reached by phone, Sacramento Republic President and CEO Todd Dunivant said, “We continue to look for a lead investor, we continue to be active. We continue to believe that Sacramento is a great market for MLS.”

Garber also mentioned that San Diego remains a candidate for expansion. A stadium referendum with MLS expansion in mind was rejected in 2018 in favor of a competing project backed by the state of San Diego. MLS had discussions with the university earlier this year about the possibility of playing a 35,000-seat Aztec expansion team, which is slated to open in September 2022.

“San Diego continues to be an important market for us,” Garber said. “We lost the key vote, which was unfortunate, but that doesn’t take away my confidence in the market.”