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pirate · 03-03-2008, 07:21 PM

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER COMING TO PHILADELPHIA IN 2010
Team Helps Kick-Start $500 million Chester Waterfront Development Project

Get in on the Excitement – Reserve Your Season Tickets Now!

CHESTER, PA (February 28, 2008) – Major League Soccer today awarded its 16th team to Philadelphia, igniting a celebration among thousands of passionate soccer fans all across the Delaware Valley and beyond. MLS Commissioner Don Garber made the much-anticipated announcement in Chester, where the team will play in a new, 20,000-seat stadium beginning in 2010.

“We are thrilled to welcome Philadelphia to Major League Soccer,” said Commissioner Garber. “The addition of Philadelphia brings one of the most passionate sports markets in the country into the League and provides a natural rivalry with several of our clubs in this region of the country.

“This was a long process to finalize an expansion team for Philadelphia, and it was the vision of the ownership group and government officials in Pennsylvania that made this new team a reality,” Garber added. “We look forward to seeing passionate soccer fans providing an electric atmosphere at the new stadium in Chester.”

The stadium that will be home to the Philadelphia MLS team will be built at the foot of the Commodore Barry Bridge – part of a larger $500 million entertainment, retail, residential and business-development complex covering more than 60 acres along the historic Chester waterfront.

“Major League Soccer is truly a league with the wind behind its sail,” said lead investor Jay Sugarman, CEO of iStar Financial. “I am very excited to join the distinguished list of existing MLS owners and to help steer major league soccer into one of America’s great sports cities. We’re going to build a first-class organization on and off the field and we will create a development that makes the community proud.”

The ownership group – Keystone Sports and Entertainment, LLC – says MLS Philadelphia will be a team this region is certain to embrace. A group of more than 1,500 local soccer fans already have banded together to support the new team. The “Sons of Ben” – named for Philadelphia icon Ben Franklin – presented the ownership group with traditional football scarves.

“It’s all about the fans and the community,” said Nick Sakiewicz, CEO & Operating Partner. “And this ownership group is passionately committed to doing things in a major-league way. It will be the people’s team, with a world-class stadium. You’ll see a work-hard-play-hard mentality that will showcase attractive, winning football with a determination that Philadelphia-area sports fans demand and will be proud of.”

In addition to Sugarman and Sakiewicz, Keystone Sports and Entertainment, LLC is comprised of Swarthmore Group Chairman James Nevels, Philadelphia attorney William Doran, and Christopher and Robert Buccini and David Pollin, founding partners of The Buccini/Pollin Group, which is leading the development of the waterfront project.

“This team and this overall development is exactly the kind of kick-start Chester needs,” said Nevels. “People from all walks of life came together today here in Chester with great anticipation, not only for the new Major League Soccer team coming in 2010, but also for the resulting job-creation project that is going to change lives in this community. This ownership team is committed to giving back to this community. And I am truly honored to be a part of it.”

Today’s announcement comes less than one month after Governor Edward G. Rendell announced the state’s commitment of $47 million to support the $500 million public-private Chester waterfront development project. In October 2007, Delaware County joined with the City of Chester to dedicate $30 million toward the development.
“I look forward to having a Major League Soccer team play in the Delaware Valley because it will have a lasting and positive economic impact for both the region and the entire state,” Governor Rendell said. “When an MLS team chooses to locate in Pennsylvania, it demonstrates that our efforts to rebuild the state’s economy are paying dividends by producing new tax revenues and creating good jobs.”
Also attending today’s announcement were Senator Dominic Pileggi, Representative Thaddeus Kirkland, Chester Mayor Wendell Butler, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and representatives from Delaware County Council.

Philadelphia’s name, logo and colors will be unveiled at a later date, along with the coaching and administrative staff. For more information and season ticket availability, call 1-877-MLS-2010.

ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer is the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and features many stars from the United States and around the world. The League’s 13th season kicks off March 29. The 14 teams in MLS are: the Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Chivas USA, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Kansas City Wizards, Los Angeles Galaxy, Red Bull New York, New England Revolution, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes and Toronto FC. The League’s 15th team, Seattle, will begin play in 2009, and 16th team, Philadelphia, will begin play in 2010. For more information about MLS, log on to the League’s official web site at Major League Soccer: Home: The Official Site of Major League Soccer

03-03-2008, 07:21 PM	#12 (permalink)
pirate TS Member pirate is Offline Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 277 vCash: 500 Rep: Rep Points: 37	MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER COMING TO PHILADELPHIA IN 2010 Team Helps Kick-Start $500 million Chester Waterfront Development Project Get in on the Excitement – Reserve Your Season Tickets Now! CHESTER, PA (February 28, 2008) – Major League Soccer today awarded its 16th team to Philadelphia, igniting a celebration among thousands of passionate soccer fans all across the Delaware Valley and beyond. MLS Commissioner Don Garber made the much-anticipated announcement in Chester, where the team will play in a new, 20,000-seat stadium beginning in 2010. “We are thrilled to welcome Philadelphia to Major League Soccer,” said Commissioner Garber. “The addition of Philadelphia brings one of the most passionate sports markets in the country into the League and provides a natural rivalry with several of our clubs in this region of the country. “This was a long process to finalize an expansion team for Philadelphia, and it was the vision of the ownership group and government officials in Pennsylvania that made this new team a reality,” Garber added. “We look forward to seeing passionate soccer fans providing an electric atmosphere at the new stadium in Chester.” The stadium that will be home to the Philadelphia MLS team will be built at the foot of the Commodore Barry Bridge – part of a larger $500 million entertainment, retail, residential and business-development complex covering more than 60 acres along the historic Chester waterfront. “Major League Soccer is truly a league with the wind behind its sail,” said lead investor Jay Sugarman, CEO of iStar Financial. “I am very excited to join the distinguished list of existing MLS owners and to help steer major league soccer into one of America’s great sports cities. We’re going to build a first-class organization on and off the field and we will create a development that makes the community proud.” The ownership group – Keystone Sports and Entertainment, LLC – says MLS Philadelphia will be a team this region is certain to embrace. A group of more than 1,500 local soccer fans already have banded together to support the new team. The “Sons of Ben” – named for Philadelphia icon Ben Franklin – presented the ownership group with traditional football scarves. “It’s all about the fans and the community,” said Nick Sakiewicz, CEO & Operating Partner. “And this ownership group is passionately committed to doing things in a major-league way. It will be the people’s team, with a world-class stadium. You’ll see a work-hard-play-hard mentality that will showcase attractive, winning football with a determination that Philadelphia-area sports fans demand and will be proud of.” In addition to Sugarman and Sakiewicz, Keystone Sports and Entertainment, LLC is comprised of Swarthmore Group Chairman James Nevels, Philadelphia attorney William Doran, and Christopher and Robert Buccini and David Pollin, founding partners of The Buccini/Pollin Group, which is leading the development of the waterfront project. “This team and this overall development is exactly the kind of kick-start Chester needs,” said Nevels. “People from all walks of life came together today here in Chester with great anticipation, not only for the new Major League Soccer team coming in 2010, but also for the resulting job-creation project that is going to change lives in this community. This ownership team is committed to giving back to this community. And I am truly honored to be a part of it.” Today’s announcement comes less than one month after Governor Edward G. Rendell announced the state’s commitment of $47 million to support the $500 million public-private Chester waterfront development project. In October 2007, Delaware County joined with the City of Chester to dedicate $30 million toward the development. “I look forward to having a Major League Soccer team play in the Delaware Valley because it will have a lasting and positive economic impact for both the region and the entire state,” Governor Rendell said. “When an MLS team chooses to locate in Pennsylvania, it demonstrates that our efforts to rebuild the state’s economy are paying dividends by producing new tax revenues and creating good jobs.” Also attending today’s announcement were Senator Dominic Pileggi, Representative Thaddeus Kirkland, Chester Mayor Wendell Butler, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and representatives from Delaware County Council. Philadelphia’s name, logo and colors will be unveiled at a later date, along with the coaching and administrative staff. For more information and season ticket availability, call 1-877-MLS-2010. ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer is the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and features many stars from the United States and around the world. The League’s 13th season kicks off March 29. The 14 teams in MLS are: the Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Chivas USA, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Kansas City Wizards, Los Angeles Galaxy, Red Bull New York, New England Revolution, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes and Toronto FC. The League’s 15th team, Seattle, will begin play in 2009, and 16th team, Philadelphia, will begin play in 2010. For more information about MLS, log on to the League’s official web site at Major League Soccer: Home: The Official Site of Major League Soccer