Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Tim Nelson

Mpls. appears certain to win Major League Soccer franchise

Minnesota United v. Swansea
Minnesota United FC defenseman Greg Jordan scores against Swansea on July 19, 2014, at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minn.
Andy Clayton-King | Getty Images

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Updated: 5:45 p.m. | Posted: 2:46 p.m.

Major League Soccer is in "advanced discussions" with former United Health CEO Bill McGuire to award him a top-level soccer franchise this year.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber confirmed the league's intentions in a statement on the league's website today.

"We are in advanced discussions with Bill McGuire and his partners in Minnesota to bring a Major League Soccer expansion club to the Twin Cities and are particularly excited about their plans for a new soccer-specific stadium that will serve as the club's home," Garber said.

McGuire currently owns a minor league soccer franchise, the North American Soccer League's Minnesota United. Major League Soccer cited McGuire's plans for a new outdoor stadium that would cost between $100 and $150 million.

If a new sports stadium is built, it would be the state's third in 10 years. But if the immediate reaction of state lawmakers is any indication, it likely would not receive state funding.

Word of the league's pick came as state officials reiterated their opposition for public subsidy for the project.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, has warned that backers of a Major League Soccer franchise should not ask the Legislature for public money for a new stadium.

There was a similar reaction in the Minnesota House. Speaker Kurt Daudt and House Majority Leader Joyce Peppin said there will be no public money for a MLS soccer stadium.

Gov. Mark Dayton commended the people working to bring major league soccer to Minnesota, but added, "I am told by legislative leaders that there is very little support for state assistance in building another pro sports stadium. Thus, I would advise that any new soccer stadium would need to be privately financed."

Although Hennepin County officials have said that the sales tax for Target Field is running ahead of the debt payment for that stadium, and could theoretically help pay for another stadium, key lawmakers are opposed to that option.

Daudt, R-Crown, and Peppin, R-Rogers, said they won't support legislation that authorizes Hennepin County to use taxpayer money for a soccer stadium.

The state and the city of Minneapolis just put $498 million into a new $1 billion NFL stadium for the Minnesota Vikings — which came with a five-year exclusive offer to host pro soccer in the new facility. However, that did not guarantee the Vikings a top-level soccer team, which could only be awarded by the New York-based MLS.

One of the Vikings owners, Mark Wilf, said in a statement that the team had offered an ideal situation in a stadium set for completion in 2016 and a plan funded by the public and private sectors.

"The new multipurpose stadium also would have accommodated the length of the MLS season and the growth of the sport in this market," Wilf said.

However, Wilf said the Vikings are pleased to see that the MLS believes in the Minneapolis-St. Paul market.

The league has 20 teams. Major League Soccer officials have said they would like to expand to 24 teams by 2020.

Garber said the leaque plans to evaluate a potential expansion beyond that. The league is on track to announce another expansion city within 45 days, he said.