(Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents Phoenix Rising FC.)
By Harrison Campbell | Cronkite News, Phoenix Business Journal
With its population and demographics, Phoenix seems like an obvious destination for a first-division soccer team. Its popularity in the Valley was affirmed Thursday with the announcement that Bally Sports Arizona will broadcast 32 of the Phoenix Rising’s 34 regular-season matches this year in the USL.
Last year, MLS commissioner Don Garber identified Phoenix, Las Vegas and San Diego as the top candidates for the league’s 30th team, which won’t start playing until 2023 at the earliest.
But then, on Jan. 20, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported the MLS had entered into an “exclusive negotiating agreement” with billionaires Wes Edens, a co-owner of the Bucks, and Naseef Sawiris to bring a team to Las Vegas. The Review-Journal reports they “will now work together, focusing on market analysis and planning for a practice facility, corporate offices and stadium.”
While it looks fairly certain the Las Vegas bid will prevail, nothing is set in stone. Before Las Vegas, Sacramento was originally slated to be Major League Soccer’s 30th team before its lead investor pulled out of the deal, shelving the project.
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