Update, 3 p.m. Tuesday: A press release says the efforts to bring Major League Soccer here are backed by the league and Commissioner Don Garber, who recently announced plans to grow to 28 teams and identified Detroit as market of great interest.
The handout says:
Gores and Gilbert, both graduates of Michigan State University with substantial sports, business and investment holdings in the region, issued a joint statement: “Detroit is rising and we know firsthand the power of sports to lift a community and drive a civic renaissance. We are very excited about the prospect of bringing Major League Soccer to Detroit and building an ownership group that represents a cross-section of investors.”
The MLS commissioner plans to meet in Detroit this week with the potential ownership group to discuss possible expansion plans, which include building a downtown stadium.
Original article, Tuesday morning:
Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert and Pistons owner Tom Gores hope to bring a Major League Soccer to Detroit, the Detroit Free Press reports.
Vince Ellis of the Freep reports that duo's plans include building a soccer stadium at a site that has yet to be determined.
Citing a "person with knowledge of the situation," Ellis reports that the most favored site is the unfinished Wayne County jail site on Gratiot near Greektown, which is owned by the county. Other possible sites include land near the Detroit riverfront or the Corktown area.
The area currently has a minor league soccer team, Detroit City FC, which was playing at Cass Tech High School. It now has plans to play at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck.
Currently, Gores has the only major league Detroit team -- the Pistons -- playing outside the city.
