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With all parties involved in yesterday’s #SacSoccerSummit releasing pretty dry and empty statements afterwards, it seems that at the very least, Kevin Nagle’s SSEH and Republic FC are continuing to hash out a deal to present a unified bid to Major League Soccer.
MLS President and Deputy Commissioner Mark Abbott said as much in an interview with league-run ExtraTime Radio yesterday afternoon (29:10 mark).
Listen to the rest if you like, but it’s more of the same. In contrast with the statement released by Republic on Wednesday, it sounds like MLS fully expected to receive only part of what will eventually be a complete bid for Republic to join the league, and is content to give Nagle and the club time to come to a business agreement.
It’s conceivable, however, that the league is granting this courtesy to Sacramento because it has no intention of selecting the Indomitable City for expansion this year.
From someone who would know: "The MLS bid was submitted. That is the most important part of this. No application, no MLS." 1/4
— Evan Ream (@EvanReam) February 2, 2017
"WS will probably get less than he wants, KN will probably pay more than he wants. But in the end, they will sort it out." 2/4
— Evan Ream (@EvanReam) February 2, 2017
"Need to get it sorted out ASAP. MLS does not really want to be in Sac. Everyone from fans, staff, and players have forced the issue." 3/4
— Evan Ream (@EvanReam) February 2, 2017
"[MLS is] looking for any excuse to say no." 4/4
— Evan Ream (@EvanReam) February 2, 2017
I have every reason to trust Evan’s reporting, but you be the judge.