August 5 – New York Cosmos have been warned that they still faced a long struggle to be given a franchise to play in Major League Soccer (MLS) despite the razzmatazz that has accompanied their relaunch.
Pele is the figurehead of the revitalised Cosmos under English businessman Paul Kemsley, the former vice-chairman of Tottenham Hotspur, who now owns the name.
Don Garber, the Commissioner of the MLS, has made no secret of the fact they want to have a team in the heart of New York City so the Cosmos would appear to offer the perfect solution.
But he said: “Right now the Cosmos are a soccer brand.
“If they want to achieve their ultimate goal, they’re going to need a team.
“That’s why they are so interested in continuing to pursue an opportunity in New York.
“It’s way too early to see how this thing plays out.”
Garber is in regular contact with Kemsley (pictured far right), however.
He said: “I speak to Paul Kelsmely all the time.
“From the months that he bought the trademark to obviously the activities this weekend.
“Whether or not they are engaged is still way, way too far [too early] to make a prediction.
“I’m a big fan of Paul.
“I know all his partners very well.
“I think its great to have the Cosmos in whatever [incarnation] it comes back relaunched because I think it’s been the heart and soul of the soccer community here.”
New York, though, seem set to be the 20th team in the MLS, taking their place alongside the New York Red Bulls, who have made their debut in the League this season but are based in New Jersey.
Garber said: “I think so.
“I certainly hope so.
“I know there’s been a lot of talk the last couple of days.
“We’re working hard to get that second team in New York.
“I would like that to be our 20th team.
“There’s lots of interest.
“I think there’s lots of engagement going on now with various owners looking at particular sites.
“We’ve been in very, very preliminary discussions with the city.
“With all of this activity with all of this excitement with soccer in this community, It’s hard to imagine that we can’t get it done.”
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August 2010: New York Cosmos relaunched with aim of playing in MLS