Philly to get MLS Soccer Team $150m from Rendell

Ed Rendell is ready to give $150m to Philadelphia for a Stadium and MLS franchise.

The Philadelphia area is looking to add an expansion MLS team in 2009. The Chester waterfront seems like an likely position for the PA taxpayer financed stadium.

I believe Philadelphia makes perfect sense for the MLS. It's almost a done deal that they will receive one of the two new MLS teams starting in 2009. If a team moves into Philly, it would end Pittsburgh's chance to ever have a top level soccer team. With teams in Columbus, Toronto, Philly, & DC, there will be no chance for Pittsburgh to pick up a franchise. If I could own one type of sports franchise I would without hesitation choose an MLS team. Once you're in the MLS, you're not dropping down to a lower division as in soccer-mad foreign countries. The league is structured in such a way teams are on pace to cash in big time, and soccer's gaining US popularity doesn't hurt either. In a decade from now I would except an MLS franchise to fetch $200-300 million, easy.

Also were to can I apply for a $37m wiffleball stadium to built in Western Pennsylvania. With the Governor giving away all this taxpayer money, $37m for a wiffleball stadium seems like bargain.