Well soccer fans - It's time to get excited! We now have a Major League Soccer team in our town.
Toronto FC.
Carve this name in your soccer psyche. One day Toronto FC will be as synonymous to North American soccer fans as the Leafs or Raptors are to their fans. That's our goal.
What does that mean for you the soccer fan?
Three things:
1. You're guaranteed great soccer.
2. You're guaranteed a great time in a new state-of-the-art soccer stadium.
3. And you'll be connected to a soccer club that's led by enthusiasts, who will make this Canadian franchise, THE soccer franchise that others will emulate.
Picture this:
May 11, 2007 --- opening day in Toronto.
20,000 diehard soccer fans.
In a stadium that will have the energy and electricity of a Rolling Stones concert.
Our goal is the ultimate soccer experience, with a team that will make you proud that Toronto now is part of a top notch league. Toronto FC is part of Major League Soccer, and will play against teams like:
The Los Angeles Galaxy
DC United
The Chicago Fire
Red Bull New York
Teams backed by strong owners like Phil Anschutz, Lamar Hunt, Robert Kraft and Stan Kroenke. Owners who are first and foremost diehard and dedicated sports fans.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Toronto FC will be the real deal! Today names like Beckham, Henry, Ronaldinho, Zidane, and Rinaldo get soccer fans excited.
In the next few years, names like Adu, Johnson, Vet and De Rosario will become household soccer names in Toronto. Players who epitomize what the game is all about. Players who will excite you, our fans and keep you coming back.
This entire experience now belongs to you,
Soccer fans
Soccer players
Soccer parents
Soccer coaches
Toronto provides the perfect backdrop where North American soccer can thrive for 2 reasons:
#1. Our Fans; and
#2 Our Diversity
Let me explain -
More than 825,000 Canadians play soccer.
Out of which 700,000 are kids. In Ontario alone there are 420,000 members of the Ontario Soccer Association and many of them are coaches, convenors and parents. Astounding numbers that continue to grow.
Thanks to our relationships with the Canadian and Ontario Soccer Associations and thanks to a great new soccer facility that belongs to the community.
We've ensured the next generation of soccer players will have a league to play in, and a team to aspire to. Our diversity is the second reason we know MLS Soccer will prosper in Toronto. The love of soccer has grown with each and every generation. Diehard fans will always remain loyal to their home country teams --- whether it is Italy, Portugal, France, England, Germany or Brazil.
These fans will hit the streets during the height of world cup fever in the next two months. Who can forget the Danforth during Euro 2004. Who can forget St. Clair & College Street when Italy won the World Cup.
But these fans also want to see great quality soccer, LIVE.
Toronto FC will deliver that. And still enable them to remain connected to their teams and their communities. To that end, we have formed an advisory committee of community leaders and soccer enthusiasts who love the game and want to see it continue to grow.
People like:
Ex national team player and soccer broadcaster, Craig Forrest
Lenny Lombardi of the Italian community and CHIN,
Alex Franco of Portuguese TV & Radio,
Elias Koutinas of the Greek media community,
And Dick Howard from FIFA,
Just to name a few; people tirelessly promoting the game and Toronto FC.
This collaboration and support will ensure North American soccer thrives in Toronto. This collaboration and support also represents a major commitment to our community in 2 ways:
#1. City Building
#2. Community Leadership
Building this stadium and investing in this team are an excellent example of a private/public partnership driving economic growth together, and improving the quality of life in our community.
Our commitment to responsible community leadership will continue with Toronto FC. Just as the Leafs, Raptors and Marlies are known for their great work in the community, so will Toronto FC players and coaches.
Our soccer development and education programs will make a positive difference to tens of thousands of GTA fans, young and old alike. A positive difference in leadership and accessibility, and helping kids make the right choices.
We're dedicated to investing in those who play soccer and those who want to play soccer.
And that ladies and gentlemen, is Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment's promise to soccer fans in Toronto. Toronto FC and the National Soccer Stadium represent an investment in our great city on many levels. And for all of those reasons, we can't wait to bring MLS to Toronto, and get started.
We look forward to seeing you at the new stadium in May of 2007 for Toronto FC's opening night.
I know Gerry (Dobson)will be there. Back to you.
