Important Dispatch

-- Stadium Group bidding to build a Stadium at Willets Point, but may be pipped by the Wilpons -- 

When the expected bid did not come back in October 2007, the Borough Boys have had a tough job. Many people lost interest in NYC expansion as probably lost faith in our group. The reality was on that day no one knew what kept the bid from being placed. We had a choice. Should we hang it up or continue the job we set for ourselves on a cold January afternoon in Sunnyside.

We kept moving - first order was to stop going in our pockets for something that seemed a bit further off and the second was to continue to reach out to people about bringing professional soccer to New York City. In that time we met with potential owners of a USL club. We went to the Brooklyn Borough President’s office ourselves and met with Marty Markowitz and his staff to pitch a stadium for a USL side in Coney Island.  That idea was turned down, but we began working on a location in Red Hook.  We pursued an investor group.  We brought the President of the Long Island Rough Riders to inspect the site.  As you might imagine, however, cajoling investors and government to part with tens of millions is no easy task, but we’ve been trying. 

Frustrated by having so little control over our dream, Leo, one of our founding members took it a step further and created a Joint Venture to build a MLS sized stadium in New York City. Gathering an impressive list of partners who have successfully built MLS stadiums, they put together a plan for a facility located at Willets Point in Queens.  The Borough Boys have spent the better part of the last year and a half helping him with these plans and actually trying to build a stadium for the club themselves.

The Borough Boys successfully reached out to Paul Kemsley and had interaction with him and facilitated a meeting between Mr. Kemsley and Leo. So yes, we have been in close contact with the man who now owns the rights to the Cosmos. Mr. Kemsley was very supportive of the stadium plan that Leo had put together.

The stadium joint venture is still active and in the mix but now there is a competitor. We believe Fred Wilpon is back in the stadium mix.  We have specific information about this beyond the article in the New York Daily News which suggests that they are more active then they let on to Michael Lewis.    

We can tell you this for sure - whoever builds a stadium, we will continue to be the official supporters club for the New York City MLS team.  It’s been acknowledged by the Front Office. We will offer our assistance in creating public support for this team. The Borough Boys still have the ear of KEY political personnel and we will try to win their support for a soccer team in New York.

Hey, it’s all we can do. We might have been over our heads and I am sure there are some who said, "These guys are out of their minds" but since day 1 we have said, we will do ANYTHING to bring soccer to New York City, especially east of the river and all we have been trying to do is back those words.

So to you all, no matter what happens the next year is going to be very interesting and quite possibly our dreams will come true. Those who have been with us from day one and have stuck with us, THANK YOU and please continue to support our movement because at the end of the day this is about the beautiful game of soccer and we want our team. A team that we will support whole heartedly.

Mr. Kemsley, Mr. Garber and even Mr. Wilpon if you are out there. We are your supporters, we are your season ticket holders and we are here to help. Our message is clear, This is Cosmos Country!