Nick Fish is on the right track: pair MSL with the new Women's Soccer league. the support for women's soccer in Pdx would be strong, i believe; i'm pretty sure i'd go, given how great the UP teams have been. season tix packages for both teams would be a great idea, and a good sell.

i can't help but think Nike would love to support a women's team in Pdx.

Yes! Yes soccer! Go Timbers! Fuck Seattle Sounders!

Girls know about shrinkage, right?

Hooray, this sounds more sensible!

MUCH more sensible and what he should've done from the start.

Rent prepayment? That just sounds like he's giving money he already owes. And, what happens in the years that he doesn't have to pay?

JimmyP - Yeah, it's giving money he already owes, but it allows the city to not have to put up bonds for those funds. If the city bowrrowed that money using bonds then Paulson would repay it with rent down the line. It's a net zero situation but doesn't incur indebtedness on the city's books.

Jimmy P -

If the team/league goes belly up, then CoP has already got the money in the form of pre-paid rents and the stadium improvements are paid for.

For those years when the team is playing and the rent is already pre-paid (years 2018 through 2025)then the city will still collect on the 7% ticket tax from events held at the stadium. In other words, the risk is removed and the city still gets to share in the upside.

Jimmy P -

If the team/league goes belly up, then CoP has already got the money in the form of pre-paid rents and the stadium improvements are paid for.

For those years when the team is playing and the rent is already pre-paid (years 2018 through 2025)then the city will still collect on the 7% ticket tax from events held at the stadium. In other words, the risk is removed and the city still gets to share in the upside.

tabarnhart - Yes, the added benefit of a WPS team, plus the Timbers U23 PDL team could play there too.

As I said early in the game, I support MLS as long as City financing and risk is minimal and no URA funding is used.

It is interesting that Paulson was able to come up with 8 million and prepayment in rent so easily. If he had just fessed up and ponied up from the start a whole bunch of wasted time and negative connotations on the part of the public for this project could have been avoided.

And I'll say it again, thank the F god for Fritz and Fish on Commission. Leonard and Adams (as well as their staff) are a bunch of doofuses that can't come up a solid plan or negotiate didly with the private sector, so they should both stop trying and leave it to the adults with talent. The fact that Adams was, until last week, still seriously advocating to use URA funds that should be earmarked for blighted neighborhoods illustrates that Adams still sucks as mayor in my book.

Still, go MLS!

Fuck Brentford!

Good.

Now let's see people give a fuck about soccer...at $38 a head.

i'll be there Cunty! season tickets for me and my wife and kid.

fu**ing great news.

You and the 35 other people in the "Army". Have fun!


While it lasts...

"While it lasts..."

Never have I been so terrified by an ellipsis. Please don't leave us hanging Chunty McHutchence, please let us know to what those ominous dots refer! I'M SCARED OF NOT KNOWING!

Oooh, they're playing "hooligan" on the internet. Adorable.

Keep running your mouth, "Chunty."

While you can...

Could you please rephrase that in the form of a tasteless banner?

http://theoriginalwinger.com/2009-07-08-se…

Oh that's right: suicide-- it's hilaaaarious.

this is starting to make some sense now. dude has the money, he should be paying for this shit, not us.

They should have called that rich family's bluff a long time ago, but this new deal sounds on target to keep the city's money safe. Still, I give thanks for the situation because it showed how Sam Adams is an unfit mayor for putting the city's money at risk when he shouldn't have.

Soccer is cool... but I'm saving my money for the Trailblazers dog! Lexus level, here I come!!!

This sucks. There isn't one single person in this entire city that gives one shit about either soccer or baseball. Not one person. If the city just refuses Paulson's money and leaves things as is, both the Timbers and Beavers will move or disband when their lease expires in a year. Best result for everyone! We have the great opportunity here to easily kill both teams if we just do nothing and don't take his money. Argh. There's no reasonable reason the city should allow Paulson to give it millions and millions of dollars to allow sports to grow in Portland. So frustrating.

Yeah, it would be cool if every sport had a foothold in Portland; I even thought that the WNBA would have been a winner, but when investors don't jump at the chance to get involved it really spells big trouble before it starts. Profiteers follow profits, so if the profits were there, wouldn't they all jump at the chance to make a buck?

Some of Portland loves soccer, and hopefully it will flourish, but I wouldn't bet on it with my $$$.

I'm still wondering why anyone should give a shit if "this reporter may even support this deal"

Hey Matt,

1 You aren't a reporter

2.You proved that by enjecting the status of your opinion into the story

3 Why should we give a rats as what you think?

You are really pathetic.

Does Nick Fish not know there is already a professional womens team?