ST. LOUIS (AP) β Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber says St. Louis will be a top contender for the next round of expansion, probably in 2020, if the city’s stadium plans are fulfilled.
The MLS is set to add Atlanta, Los Angeles, Minneapolis and Miami as it expands to 24 teams by the end of the decade. Garber said Tuesday he anticipates no franchise moves at this time.
Garber met Tuesday with Gov. Jay Nixon, mayor Francis Slay and leaders of the group seeking to build a new stadium downtown that would ensure a continued NFL presence. He also spoke at a fan forum at Cardinal Nation just outside Busch Stadium. He said stadium approval would be needed for the MLS to consider St. Louis.
Garber said he didn’t think it would be a problem assembling an ownership group in St. Louis. Expansion fees have skyrocketed in recent years.
