The SBP Archives - Your less than frequent dose of SBP!

Sports franchises and Ottawa are usually a dangerous mix, unless of course it's related to hockey. The Ottawa Lynx, Rough Riders/Renegades, Rebel have all been sent their walking papers as fans headed elsewhere to spend their entertainment dollars.

So a small article in the Sun about a new Major League Soccer franchise potentially coming to town caught my attention as Senators owner Eugene Melnyk was mentioned in the same article. Now this is important, because I really think this is the only way something like this would have a chance here. Melnyk's name would automatically give legitimacy to any new franchise attempting to make Ottawa their home. No doubt, the success of the FIFA under 20 World Cup held last year in Canada caught the attention of MLS organizers and they are also visiting Vancouver and Montreal about having MLS expand in those cities as well.

Now Frank Clair stadium needs to be rebuilt or perhaps torn down and the city still hasn't decided what they will do with the area known as Lansdowne Park (even replacing it with condominiums have been discussed). Add to the fact that a conditional CFL franchise has been given to Ottawa once they find a new football stadium to play in...and let's not also forget it's pretty much been universally declared the Senators home @ Scotiabank Place isn't exactly in the most accessible area of town. So with all these factors...are you thinking what I'm thinking?

Let's take a wrecking ball to Landsdowne Park. Let's have Eugene Melnyk, the owners of the potential CFL franchise (who own Minto Developments amongst other things) and the city combine to make a world-class sports facility right in the heart of Ottawa (maybe there's room in Lebreton Flats?). Let's make a place where pro football, soccer and hockey can be played and fans don't have to lament the thought of a one hour traffic-jam once the game is over. A lot of hurdles would need to be cleared, but I really think if everything came together on this, the fans would show up and these ventures can be successful.

I want to also add when the Ottawa Renegades first needed a new owner to save it, Melnyk publicly stated he would not take over the franchise as his name was mentioned in rumours several times. But when talks of MLS officials visiting Melnyk to discuss a new franchise here, a simple "No comment" was offered when asked about this visit. So...does MLS really have a chance here in Ottawa?