:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53044875/usa_today_9289813.0.jpg)
Amid reports that Sacramento Republic were left out of Tuesday’s MLS expansion bid for the city and the subsequent statement from the team, reporters took to their phones to listen in on an MLS expansion conference call. Thankfully, there was some information on what in the world is going on with the Sacramento MLS bid.
We have gathered what we could from the twittersphere and now present it to you.
First, despite everything, MLS deputy commissioner Mark Abbott downplayed the drama of the situation.
Abbott: "I'd like to minimize some of the brouhaha surrounding [the Sacramento situation]."
— Neil Morris (@ByNeilMorris) February 1, 2017
Abbott on Sac situation: "I think it's fairly straightforward."
— Paul Kennedy (@pkedit) February 1, 2017
One thing that has become clear is that there are two separate Sacramento groups, one with Warren Smith and the Republic, the other with Kevin Nagle.
Nagle & Republic are different groups. Garber involved in discussions. Nagles group submitted, Republic didnt. But discussions ongoing.
— Cincy Soccer Talk (@cincysoccertalk) February 1, 2017
Abbott: Ongoing discussions for some time b/w Nagle and Warren Smith on joint big for MLS exp. MLS was involved.
— Neil Morris (@ByNeilMorris) February 1, 2017
Abbott: recently became clear SRFC couldn't resolve differences prior to application deadline. Discussions on joint bid cont.
— Neil Morris (@ByNeilMorris) February 1, 2017
Abbott: MLS will allow those Sacramento discussions to take place. He doesn't see a problem ...
— Neil Morris (@ByNeilMorris) February 1, 2017
Predictably, since Abbott and MLS are allowing discussions between the Republic and Nagle’s group to go on, he was not interested in saying whether or not the Republic potentially not being involved hurt the bid in any way.
Abbott won't say whether Sac bid without @SacRepublicFC will hurt bid. Wants process to play out.
— Paul Kennedy (@pkedit) February 1, 2017
Abbott also confirmed what Evan Ream reported last night, that Don Garber did in fact work with two separate Sacramento groups last fall as a mediator and that there is still no agreement.
Mark Abbott confirms Garber was working with two Sac groups last fall. No agreement at this point.
— Paul Kennedy (@pkedit) February 1, 2017
Paul Kennedy had an interesting takeaway on the call in regard to how to look at each of the sides.
One way to look at Sac: fight is from positions of strength key to any MLS bid: 1. Finalized stadium plan (SS&EH); 2. Soccer support (SRFC).
— Paul Kennedy (@pkedit) February 1, 2017
More on the Sacramento bid may be coming later today in a press conference with Mayor Steinberg.
Sacramento @Mayor_Steinberg talking to media at 3:30 about confusing MLS bid. Says we won't allow a private biz dispute get in way of MLS.
— Judy Farah (@newsbabe1530) February 1, 2017
See anything we missed? Let us know in the comments below.