Watch CBS News

Sacramento Group Pitches MLS Future For City To League In New York City

NEW YORK CITY (CBS13) — Mayor Kevin Johnson was in New York on Thursday to make a case for the city to land a Major League Soccer franchise.

Sacramento is one of three cities being considered for the opportunity. Each sent their representatives to Thursday's meetings in Manhattan with league officials.

The city is hoping to ride its soccer wave after breaking USL Pro attendance records during the Sacramento Republic's run to the league title in its inaugural season.

"Let me just start off by saying it's awesome to be able to come to New York and tell our story," Johnson said.

He emerged from his presentation to MLS owners with confidence. After the two-hour presentation inside the league's headquarters, Johnson gave fist bumps to founder Warren Smith and lead investor Kevin Nagle.

CBS13's Steve Large asked Nagle if he had enough money to satisfy the league's decision makers.

"The answer is one resounding yes," he said.

Nagle and Johnson also said expansion committee members raised no concerns with their presentation. The Sacramento group made their pitch before Las Vegas and two separate bids from Minneapolis groups.

"We don't have anything disparaging to say, we wish them well," Johnson said. "I think they're all worth getting an MLS franchise but we get a chance to talk about what were doing in Sacramento and try and lay out a compelling case and we do that relatively effectively."

Johnson and Republic leadership left MLS headquarters unsure when they will be asked back.

"The commissioner and the owners need to figure out their process," he said. "What we want to do is be ready when called upon. That's all we can do and we need to keep plugging away."

MLS isn't saying when they'll have a final vote on which city to award an expansion franchise. The committee will recommend its preferred city to the league's full board of governors, who will discuss it on Dec. 6.

The league will deliver the news with a press conference in the city that is selected. League officials have previously stated a decision isn't likely until 2015.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.