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Chester, a major league city
Nobody is snickering anymore.
Oh, sure, they’re going to put a stadium in Chester. Then they’re going to lure a Major League Soccer franchise to play there. Yeah, right. Right after they open a horsetrack and casino in the city.
What? They already did that? Oh.
Jay Sugarman is certainly not snickering. Who’s Jay Sugarman? You might not know him now, but you likely will soon.
Sugarman is the CEO of an outfit called iStar Financial. It’s based in New York City. We’re talking some very big money.
Sugarman spent yesterday in Delaware County. He wasn’t here to play the slots at Harrah’s.
Sugarman is the deep pockets behind an effort that looks increasingly like it is going to bring professional sports to Delaware County, specifically to the increasingly glittering Chester waterfront.
They held something of a summit yesterday at the Media Courthouse to go over the effort to lure a Major League Soccer franchise to town.
Also on hand was Don Garber. Who’s he? Oh, just the commissioner of the MLS.
Sugarman is hooking up with James Nevels, the man who until about a month ago headed the Philadelphia School Reform Commission. He’s also the founder of the Swarthmore Group financial firm. Also involved is real estate developer Robert Buccini, owner of the Buccini/Pollin Group.
They met with county officials yesterday and laid out their plan. They have a site. They’ve got the money. They’re working on a package of state aid. Some of the numbers still need to be ironed out, but this is not just pie-in-the-sky.
This looks increasingly like it is going to happen. Major League Soccer currently has 13 franchises. It wants to add two by the end of the year.
How do you think the county – as well as the city of Chester – would like to find this under their tree: Chester, Pa., a major league city.
As the front page of our print edition says today, "Ain’t that a kick."
A lot of people bet against the racetrack ever coming to fruition in Chester. A lot of people were wrong.
Now it looks like a major league franchise is coming to town. Don’t bet against it.
Oh, sure, they’re going to put a stadium in Chester. Then they’re going to lure a Major League Soccer franchise to play there. Yeah, right. Right after they open a horsetrack and casino in the city.
What? They already did that? Oh.
Jay Sugarman is certainly not snickering. Who’s Jay Sugarman? You might not know him now, but you likely will soon.
Sugarman is the CEO of an outfit called iStar Financial. It’s based in New York City. We’re talking some very big money.
Sugarman spent yesterday in Delaware County. He wasn’t here to play the slots at Harrah’s.
Sugarman is the deep pockets behind an effort that looks increasingly like it is going to bring professional sports to Delaware County, specifically to the increasingly glittering Chester waterfront.
They held something of a summit yesterday at the Media Courthouse to go over the effort to lure a Major League Soccer franchise to town.
Also on hand was Don Garber. Who’s he? Oh, just the commissioner of the MLS.
Sugarman is hooking up with James Nevels, the man who until about a month ago headed the Philadelphia School Reform Commission. He’s also the founder of the Swarthmore Group financial firm. Also involved is real estate developer Robert Buccini, owner of the Buccini/Pollin Group.
They met with county officials yesterday and laid out their plan. They have a site. They’ve got the money. They’re working on a package of state aid. Some of the numbers still need to be ironed out, but this is not just pie-in-the-sky.
This looks increasingly like it is going to happen. Major League Soccer currently has 13 franchises. It wants to add two by the end of the year.
How do you think the county – as well as the city of Chester – would like to find this under their tree: Chester, Pa., a major league city.
As the front page of our print edition says today, "Ain’t that a kick."
A lot of people bet against the racetrack ever coming to fruition in Chester. A lot of people were wrong.
Now it looks like a major league franchise is coming to town. Don’t bet against it.
posted by Heron's Nest at
7:40 AM
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