It could be an early Christmas present for the Tristate.
We will find out one month from today if FC Cincinnati will be making the move up to Major League Soccer. One of the top soccer journalists, who works for Sports Illustrated is reporting that the decision will come at MLS league meetings on December 14th in New York City. Grant Wahl also reports this morning that the league has narrowed the list of cities that applied from twelve down to just three.He reports that the two new franchises will be awarded to either Sacramento, Nashville or Cincinnati.
You can read Grant Wahl's column for Sports Illustrated by clicking here.
FC Cincinnati has checked off another important item on its resume by signing Mercy Health as a major sponsor however unlike Sacramento and Nashville, there is no deal in place yet for construction of a brand new soccer specific stadium. The ownership group is looking for a public partner to put up 100 million dollars of the 250 million dollar cost but it has been a tough sell at Cincinnati City Hall. Mayor John Cranley on Bill Cunninghams show on Newsradio 700 WLW said that he will not allow city tax dollars to be used for the stadium, however he would be willing to invest city dollars on infrastructure improvements around the proposed site in Oakley. While time is running out for FC Cincinnati to have a deal in place, the Mayor tells Newsradio 700 WLW that he does not have the sense that there will be any announcements any time soon.
Listen to his interview with our Bill Cunningham by clicking here.