Our View - Time to Throw in Towel on Elk Grove's Pro Soccer Dream

December 3, 2014 |

In their increasingly fickle, some might say flaky, behavior, the Major League Soccer (MLS) once again deferred its decision on what city's would be granted an expansion franchise.

At an owners meeting yesterday, MLS Commissioner Don Gerber said the league will not make its decision on where it would expand until mid-2015. The league had indicated earlier that a decision would be made as early as this Saturday.

For those following MLS's decision making process, this is not the first time they have yo-yo'ed on when it will announce which city will be awarded a franchise. Why the delay - is this wavering indicative of some operational or hidden financial problem with the league?

[On a side note, although I am not a professional soccer fan, I have watched portions of several televised MLS games this fall with an eye on how many seat were filled. In my unscientific observation, every game revealed lots of empty seats. Granted, these observations were made when MLS was competing against NFL and NCAA football games. Nonetheless, unless there is some seismic changes in Americans' sports viewing habits, it seems unlikely MLS will overtake the NFL or NCAA football anytime in the near future.]

Elk Grove has allowed itself to be  held hostage by MLS 

Commissioner Don Garber while nearby city's are 

gaining a competitive forging ahead in edge in the race 

for tournament and tax dollars. 

Closer to home, even though the MLS has not specifically mentioned Elk Grove in its announcements, city leadership insists that the city is still in the hunt. In a story posted on Fox 40's website, a city spokesperson expressed confidence the investment group hoping to locate the franchise in elk grove it will be awarded the franchise.

So if Elk Grove is still in the hunt as city leaders insist, does this mean the other proposal for competitive fields is frozen until MLS renders its decision? Building a stadium and building competitive athletic fields are two entirely different endeavors.

So our Mayor and city council members need to take a hard look at its pursuit of the MLS. Do we really have any chance of getting the soccer stadium? Furthermore, is it something that a majority of taxpayers would support given the money problems of other MLS teams?

Given that Roseville-Rocklin-Lincoln have announced their plans for competitive soccer fields to help attract tournaments and all the tax dollars that come with it -  does this sound familiar - Elk Grove's hopes of capturing this lucrative trade will be severely diminished, if not forever lost to the South Placer County cities as we allow ourselves to be held hostage by Don Gerber and the money-losing MLS.  

We urge Council Member Pat Hume to resurrect his plan presented last June (see video below) to kill Mayor Gary Davis' pro soccer scheme, Council Member Steve Detrick to change his vote and for Council Member-elect Steve Ly to immediately exert his independence from Davis' mentor-ship lest he be forever beholden to his influence and kill his own political future and identity. 

The time has come to put this delusional and taxpayer-dangerous plan to rest.