re: MLS Expansion Thread: Teams 25-28 Up for Grabs (12 applicants)

About Sacramento,


This is the crest of Sacramento Republic FC, designed by the supporters:





And the squad is dressed in old glory red:





This is a one minute YouTube clip that introduces the club.

This is a twelve minute YouTube clip that really gives you a sense of the organic support of the club. You see the supporters, the streets, the rallies, the shops, the club offices, and the founder.

The club is highly successful and has been involved with its supporters from the beginning. The supporters selected the name, the crest, and the colors of the club. The main supporters group is the Tower Bridge Battalion. Sacramento Republic fills its small stadium to the maximum, averaging almost 11k per match. When they have moved matches to nearby Sacramento State, they fill that stadium to the maximum of over 20k. They have 10k season ticket holders.

This is Warren Smith, the founder, owner, and president:



Smith is a successful businessman who made a living in the communications and technology fields. Over a decade ago, he founded the Sacramento River Cats and helped make them the highest grossing minor league baseball club in America. He is a millionaire. However, he is not super rich; he does not have many millions. He cannot build a stadium nor can he pay an expansion fee. So he sought investors for Sacramento Republic's MLS bid. Smith added about a dozen new investors, including UFC fighter Urija Faber, Jed York of the 49ers, and Kevin Nagle of the Kings.

Sacramento's mayor, former NBA player Kevin Johnson, became a valuable parter in the aspirations of the club. A complete plan was drawn up for a beautiful, modern stadium to be built downtown in what is known as the Railyards. Urban development was planned all around the stadium. Everything was set up to hit the ground running as soon as the club received the green light from MLS in what became known as Operation Turnkey.








This is leading investor Kevin Nagle:



Nagle has many, many millions, having made his fortune in the pharmaceutical industry. He delivered the application for MLS under the name of a corporation that he controls. There was no mention of Sacramento Republic FC and Warren Smith was not present. Nagle then announced the addition of investor Meg Whitman, former political candidate and Hewlett-Packard CEO:




From the Sacramento Bee:

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Barely 24 hours ago, Sacramento appeared to be a leading candidate for a Major League Soccer expansion team. On Wednesday, the city’s MLS bid was plunged into chaos amid a dispute over control of its minor league team, Sacramento Republic FC, and the Republic FC brand.

Simmering behind the scenes for months, a rift between lead investor Kevin Nagle and Warren Smith, the team’s founder and president, erupted in public when Smith accused Nagle of violating his agreement with the club by formally submitting a bid to MLS that omitted the Republic brand. Nagle, however, said he doesn’t control the team or the rights to the Republic brand – and hasn’t yet been able to close a deal with Smith to secure control. That meant he had to submit the expansion bid without Republic’s stamp on it to meet a Tuesday deadline set by MLS officials.

Read more here: https://www.sacbee.com/sports/mls/article130037494.html#storylink=cpy

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Speaking to reporters at City Hall, the mayor said he met with Nagle and Smith when the issue arose several months ago and thought a deal had been worked out, only to see it collapse.

“The best deals break apart two or three times” before being resolved, he said, recalling his days brokering budget agreements as president pro tem of the state Senate.

For now, at least, the two sides appear to be approaching a state of war. Republic FC issued a blistering statement accusing Nagle of violating his agreements with the team.

Read more here: https://www.sacbee.com/sports/mls/article130037494.html#storylink=cpy

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In response to Republic FC’s remarks, Nagle repeated his commitment to making a deal with Smith.

“We have always been and are committed to finalizing a compelling partnership and we will work with all parties in good faith to ensure this happens,” he said in a prepared statement.

Read more here: https://www.sacbee.com/sports/mls/article130037494.html#storylink=cpy

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The reaction of Sacramento Republic:





The reaction of Tower Bridge Battalion, from their twitter account:

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TBB has, is and always will be @SacRepublicFC 'til we die. All of the money @KevinNagleMLS has to offer won't change that.

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This week wear your TBB or SRFC gear, post a photo & tag @Mayor_Steinberg @RepublicFCPrez @KevinNagleMLS @thesoccerdon #NoRepublicNoParty

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Disregarding the club loved by the fans doesn't exactly show them respect. #NoRepublicNoParty

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Warren Smith, from his twitter account:

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Republic is more than just a name. It is the essence of both why and how we built Sacramento Republic FC – for our fans, by our fans.

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Supporters groups from all over America, including those of fellow aspiring clubs like Saint Louis and Cincinnati, are tweeting their support for Sacramento Republic FC and Tower Bridge Battalion. From the St.Louligans:

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Even in St. Louis, a competitor city- we agree. #NoRepublicNoParty. @SacRepublicFC is THE team in Sacramento.

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This is fascinating to watch and makes you realize just how far soccer has come in America at the grassroots level, in an organic manner.

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Next most likely sounds like Detroit

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Ugh. Why? What about them (and San Diego) says that soccer would be supported there?

Why not Cincinnati? They clearly support soccer there.

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Why not Cincinnati? They clearly support soccer there.

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Relatively small market. Instate team already (Crew). Lack of intagibles.

Looks like Sacramento is back on track.