Detroit named top 4 finalist for MLS expansion team

Posted on November 29, 2017

Detroit has been named one of four finalist cities for two Major League Soccer expansion teams, the league announced Wednesday morning.

The team behind the Detroit bid, Dan Gilbert and Tom Gores, are scheduled to make formal presentations to MLS Commissioner Don Garber on Dec. 6 in New York.

Winning cities are expected to be announced before the end of the year.

The other competing finalist cities are Cincinnati, Nashville and Sacramento. The finalists are among 12 markets that submitted bids in January for expansion teams.

Arn Tellem, who is vice chairman of the Detroit Pistons and is leading the bid process alongside Gores and Gilbert, said in a statement that the team is excited to be named a finalist.

“Dan Gilbert and Tom Gores, together with the Ford family, create a powerhouse group that is unprecedented in professional sports and secures a perfect stadium location in the heart of Detroit’s central business and sports and entertainment districts,” he said. “Sports franchises have a unique ability to unite and inspire people. Bringing a team downtown will further energize Detroit’s urban core and impact the community both on and off the field.”

To continue reading the full article on Crain’s Detroit Business click here.