“We are proud to welcome Montreal, the second largest French-speaking city in the world and a multicultural metropolis whose residents are deeply passionate about the world’s game, to Major League Soccer,” Commissioner Garber said. “Joey Saputo and his family are a committed ownership group that truly loves the game and will provide extensive knowledge to MLS based on their years of involvement in the sport. We believe that both Saputo Stadium and Olympic Stadium will provide a world-class soccer environment for supporters in Montreal and throughout the province of Quebec.”
Joey Saputo spearheads a group of investors, composed of family members who represent their different holdings. For the past 30 years, the Saputo family has played a frontline role in the development of soccer in Canada. First as a sponsor of the Montreal Manic in the North American Soccer League (NASL), it moved on into the 1990s to become owner of the Montreal Impact. The Saputo family has also contributed to the construction of Saputo Stadium.
“After 17 history-making years, our team and sport have reached a new summit today,” declared Montreal Impact President Joey Saputo. “Our team has evolved and our sport is now major. As a Montrealer, I am extremely proud of the acquisition of an MLS team. This is what Montreal deserved: a great league within a great city.”
Throughout the years, the Montreal Impact has become one of the most decorated teams in the United Soccer Leagues, with three championships, namely in 1994, 2004 and 2009. The Impact has also left its mark on the national and international scenes. It captured the Canadian championship title in 2008 and participated in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League.
Montreal becomes the third Canadian team to join MLS after Toronto, in 2007, and Vancouver, which will start its activities in 2011. In its fourth season in the league, Toronto FC has sold out every home game and in 2010, the team has capped season tickets at 16,000.
SAPUTO STADIUM EXPANDED
To meet MLS criteria, Saputo Stadium, the current home of the Montreal Impact, a soccer-specific stadium situated in Olympic park, will be expanded from 13,034 seats to more than 20,000 seats by 2012.
With a natural grass surface, Saputo Stadium was inaugurated in 2008 and constructed at the cost of $17 million. A sum of $7.5 million was offered by the Saputo family, while $9.5 million were financed over a 25-year span.
The expansion project will be financed by the Government of Quebec, which granted the sum of $23 million. This represents a 60% contribution on the entire construction cost, which will amount to $40 million.
“By supporting the expansion of Saputo Stadium, the Government of Quebec contributes significantly to having Montreal move into Major League Soccer (MLS). We are happy to be a major partner in what we can call a success story for Montreal and Quebec,” declared the Minister of Finances and Minister Responsible of Montreal, Mr. Raymond Bachand.
“I would like to thank the provincial government for its support,” added Joey Saputo. “Without their financial support, the acquisition of an MLS team would have been impossible. This is an exemplary partnership, which we are very proud of. I’m convinced that the arrival of MLS will have positive consequences in various levels for Quebec, notably from an economic and sports perspective, as well as for the province’s international visibility.”
Located at a stone’s throw of Saputo Stadium, the Olympic Stadium will also serve as an alternative to present soccer events yearlong and to host major celebrations.
A number of international soccer events were presented at Olympic Stadium in the past two years, including the Impact’s quarterfinal match in the CONCACAF Champions League (attendance: 55,571) and the French Champions Trophy (attendance: 34,068). Montreal will also host on a natural surface installed at Olympic stadium, one of the greatest clubs in the world, AC Milan, June 2, 2010.
ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer is the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. MLS features many stars from the U.S., Canada, and around the world. MLS kicked off its 15th season on March 25, 2010. MLS features 16 clubs each playing 30 regular season matches in 2010. Those teams include Chicago Fire; Colorado Rapids; Chivas USA; Columbus Crew; D.C. United; FC Dallas; Houston Dynamo; Kansas City Wizards; Los Angeles Galaxy; New York Red Bulls; New England Revolution; 2009 MLS Cup Champion Real Salt Lake; San Jose Earthquakes; Seattle Sounders FC; Toronto FC; and, in their inaugural season, Philadelphia Union. Expansion teams in Vancouver and Portland will debut in 2011 and in Montreal in 2012. For more information about MLS, log on to the League’s official Web site at www.MLSsoccer.com.
PHOTOS PÉPÉ
-30-
Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Information: 514-328-3668 (ext. 227)
