MLS Future Expansion Series: Atlanta

The MLS going to the south?  We all know the two team that were located in the southeast folded.  Don Garber himself has said that the league can't be deemed national unless there is a team in the south.  I already have stated that Orlando is way out in front for a team a in the south.  This doesn't satisfy the non-Florida southerner.  Some people don't even consider Florida part of the south.  The most logical other choice for a team in the southeast is the southern capital, Atlanta.  Atlanta is the largest metropolitan area in the south and it's relative central location allows it to pull from other states metropolitan areas.  The question is whether a major league soccer franchise can survive in the south.  The south is riddled with numerous pro franchises but not a lot of them have great attendance figures. 

This is evident when you see the Tampa Bay Rays chasing a title with empty seats still around.  It has been said many time that the south is a college football region.  Soccer is not nearly as popular in the southern United States.  There are many college soccer teams that have dropped their programs or never even made a program.  I know your probably thinking then why is this guy talking about Atlanta?  Atlanta is the largest metropolitan area without an MLS franchise.  This enormous population center is just screaming off the map for a team there.  The owner of the Atlanta Falcons, Arthur Blank, has submitted an expansion bid in 2008.  He later withdrew the offer because a stadium deal could not get done.  The question, as in Minnesota, is if he really is serious and committed to get a franchise.  There are many people saying that he is only pushing an MLS team  to get a new stadium for his Falcons.  There are a lot of unknowns for the city of Atlanta.  The people who are pushing for a team cite the influx of Hispanic immigrants in the city.  They believe that they will increase the support of the team.  Atlanta already has a pro soccer team in the new NASL, the Atlanta Silverbacks.

Silverbacks Park

The Silverbacks do not sell out their games but they do have a decent fan base.  Atlanta also does have some pro soccer history.  They hosted the original NASL Atlanta Chiefs.  The Chiefs did get a decent amount of support.  The overall size of the Atlanta market is to big to think that they won't get an MLS team eventually.  The money is also there if Arthur Blank gets his stadium wishes.  We all know that new stadiums don't just go up without a hitch.  There is still numerous government issues and problems associated with a new state of the art stadium.  I feel that Atlanta may just be too big of a risk for MLS right now in 2012. For more information or to join the cause check out ATLwantsMLS.com.