| Reds owner now thinking of MLS Montreal bid |
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| Thursday, 27 March 2008 | |
 MONTREAL (AP) - Liverpool co-owner George Gillett has teamed up with the owner of the local second-division team Montreal Impact in a bid for a Major League Soccer franchise, Impact president Joey Saputo said Wednesday. "I can confirm that we are in discussions with Gillett Entertainment Group as well as with Major League Soccer to bring an MLS franchise to Montreal," Saputo said in a statement. "However, I am currently in no position to share any more details, since doing so would jeopardize the process." Montreal La Presse reported that they hope to call the team Montreal FC and begin play in the 2009 season. The two would split the US$30 million (€19.1 million) franchise fee as well as a US$12 million (€7.64 million) expansion of Saputo Stadium from 13,000 to 20,000 seats. The privately financed facility near Olympic Stadium in the city's east end is set to open this season. The report said Gillett's company and Saputo informed MLS of their interest in a letter on March 12. Gillett became majority owner of the Montreal Canadiens ice hockey team in 2001. In 2007, he teamed with fellow National Hockey League club owner Tom Hicks of the Dallas Stars to purchase Liverpool. The Impact play in the First Division of the United Soccer Leagues, a group of leagues that comprises second, third and amateur divisions across the United States and Canada. However, there is no promotion or relegation between the USL First Division and MLS. |
