|
|
The MLSE chief also spoke about plans for
a roof at BMO Field
New details emerged late Thursday night of Toronto FC’s newest Designated Player targets after Tim Leiweke, the president of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, met with Toronto FC supporters.
Two names stood out at the end of the night: Emmanuel Adebayor and Antonio Cassano.
In a meeting at Real Sports Bar and Grill with Toronto FC Supporters Group SG111, Tim Leiweke, along with Anton Wimmer, the club’s Director of Ticket Sales and Service, Tom Pistore, the VP of Sales and Service, and a few other Toronto FC employees, shared a talk with SG111 and outlined some of their plans for Toronto’s next Designated Player signings.
RedNation Online spoke with two members of SG111 – Chris Schuler, a long-time Toronto FC supporter, and group founder Mark Ferris. According to the two, Leiweke said Toronto FC is closing in on two DP signings, one from the English Premier League, the other, from Italy’s Serie A. Both players are national team players, who will be playing in the World Cup for their respective countries. The two players are within the age range of 30-31 years old and are being courted for long-term, four-year contracts.
According to Schuler, one of the players Leiweke hinted at is Spurs forward Adebayor.
“After we went though our business with the supporters group, he said ‘I’d like to ask you guys some questions,” said Schuler. “He said ‘you’re all EPL fans, big soccer fans, why don’t you throw out some names for who you think would make a huge splash over here?”
“I was the first one to speak up,” Schuler continued. “I suggested Dirk Kuyt. He said ‘no, no, think bigger.’ He stressed the fact that these two guys would be playing for their countries in the World Cup this summer.”
“One of our guys there absolutely hates Emmanuel Adebayor and said ‘you’re not talking about Emmanuel Adebayor, are you?’ and Leiweke just sort of sat there and nodded and looked at him. It was a very singular moment where we were convinced.”
Ferris believes the second player to be Antonio Cassano, though his name was not brought up during the initial discussion. Schuler and Ferris said Leiweke stated both players being targeted by Toronto FC were out of favour with their current teams.
Cassano is famous for being out of favour with his club teams, and is also an Italian international. Already, Leiweke had told Next Sport Star’s Anthony Totera during a phone conference that the club was seeking an Italian international.
Cassano is also within the age range outlined by Leiweke, and is a potential option for a spot in the FIFA World Cup with Italy, who look set to qualify in Group B of UEFA qualifiers.
However, if current World Cup Qualifying results stand, Adebayor won’t be packing his bags for Brazil anytime soon.
Based on the current standings in round two of qualifiers in CAF, Togo won’t be making it to Brazil. Togo is currently last in Group I of World Cup Qualifying with only four points. Cameroon sits in first with 13.
Whether Leiweke is aware of this fact or not is yet to be seen, but Schuler stands by his statement, saying, “that was the one name that really seemed obvious that he was chasing.” Both Adebayor and Cassano are under contract beyond this season.
Ferris, however, believes Leiweke would not make that mistake, opening the door for other potential players. Schuler mentioned Tottenham’s Jermaine Defoe as a potential target.
It was previously reported that Toronto FC had $25 million to spend on DP players from the board, but Leiweke is seeking more funds in order to sign these targets, according to Schuler. Leiweke said the club would spend $16 million per year on DP players and require more money from the board, to the tune of more than $40 million.
Toronto FC are hoping to announce these signings in January, but the players involved are expected to join the club after the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, should the deal be completed. No contracts have been signed and talks are still in preliminary stages.
Toronto FC announced a payment plan for season seat holders that would allow for renewing members to reserve their tickets until January and put money down when they feel convinced the next season will be worth it.
Leiweke and the rest of Toronto FC’s contingent believe these DP signings will be the key for ticket renewals in January.
Ryan Nelsen and Leiweke will be spending three weeks in England and Italy to court their targets.
Another talking point between the two parties was that of BMO Field. Recently, the stadium has been a hot topic amongst fans due to statements made by Leiweke about the potential of sharing with CFL side, the Toronto Argos.
The first point worth noting was the building of a roof at BMO Field. According to Schuler, Leiweke said he had travelled to Portland and Kansas to assess the stadiums. Schuler said that while no time frame was given for a potential roof, progress had been made.
Leiweke also made it clear that while he would not be ruling out the potential for the Argos to use BMO Field, any such decision would not affect the current Toronto FC experience.
This included a statement from Leiweke that natural grass would not be replaced at BMO Field. Ferris said that grass would at least be guaranteed at BMO Field for the next few years. Ferris said Leiweke understood that grass was a big part in attracting DP level talent.
SG111 was founded in early 2013 by Ferris and is made up of former members of the Red Patch Boys, U-Sector and various other supporters groups. The group first met with Toronto FC to discuss the Justice for Matt campaign.
|