MLS Expansion: San Antonio Scorpions Switching Ownership Is Game Changer

By Phil Naegely | Mar 24, 2015

As it is expected that MLS announces NASL side Minnesota United FC as the latest MLS expansion side on Wednesday, reports surfaced on Monday night that fellow NASL side San Antonio Scorpions may be switching ownership. According to the San Antonio Business Journal, “the Scorpions could be close to netting new ownership.”

“We all recognize this is a marathon and not a sprint.” – Gordon Hartman

With MLS Commissioner Don Garber stating last week he would be heading to Miami to meet with David Beckham, this news adds to the stakes to become the 24th team. It appears MLS is doing everything it can to make Miami apart of the next MLS Expansion round. Therefore, Miami and Minnesota would be the 23rd and 24th team. The league has also stated it will explore going past their original intentions of capping it at 24 teams. This planning and follow-up decision will take place during 2015, yet MLS didn’t announce or set a strict timeline.

When it comes to San Antonio, it appeared the only thing MLS from adding a third Texan squad was their ownership news. As the SA Business Journal reports, “Gordon Hartman’s effort to secure new ownership for the San Antonio Scorpions has entered a second phase. The San Antonio entrepreneur, who has engaged Citigroup to help identify qualified suitors, says the list of candidates has been narrowed and the next step is to secure a final group or individual and negotiate a deal.”

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Hartman was apart of the development of Morgan’s Wonderland, which is a theme park that caters to individuals with special-needs and their families, and the planning and building of Toyota Field, the stadium of the Scorpions. The Scorpions donates their profits as they are run like a non-profit instead of keeping a profit like other professional sports teams. This is one of the reasons why MLS has been hesitant about San Antonio despite having interest in the Alamo City.

Interest in the NASL side would help their bid for a third team. This would put them up for competition against Miami and USL side Sacramento Republic.

“We have a variety of groups interested,” Hartman told San Antonio Business Journal on Monday. However, he did not put a timeline on when actual negotiations with prospective new ownership might begin. We all recognize that this is a marathon and not a sprint.”

It could be awhile before San Antonio is announced as a MLS team, but this interest from other ownership groups should get Garber and company’s attention. With a soccer specific stadium already built and interest in place, the league should pursue this option when a new ownership group is confirmed. The team’s transition would be made easier given that the stadium is already built and they already have plans to expand the stadium if they become a MLS side.

Likewise, this would add another geographic rivalry within MLS. With fellow Texan sides Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas, it would add another great geographical battle within the league. Likewise, Don Garber stated to Fox Sports’ Alexi Lalas that the league is exploring the Midwest region given their is no teams in the region. While San Antonio is in the South, some would stat they are considered apart of the Midwest.

This news should not be surprising given recent developments within MLS expansion. Moreover, this is a game changer for San Antonio and their chance to become a MLS squad. Just like with Sacramento, it appears it’s when, not if they become a MLS side. The league will seriously have to consider expanding past 24 teams and maybe give up on Beckham’s Miami expansion plans given their is less opposition from the Sacramento and San Antonio bids than his.

For now, it appears to be a waiting game as this will be more of a marathon than a spontaneous decision by the league.

Quotes courtesy San Antonio Business Journal

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