Price for MLS team going up

The cost to land a Major League Soccer expansion team in Portland is quickly climbing.

The new entry fee: at least $40 million. That’s up from the $30 million MLS is charging ownership groups in Seattle and Philadelphia to bring their cities franchises in the next two years.

The league’s increased buy-in price is putting pressure on potential franchise owner Merritt Paulson to secure a deal before costs escalate further. The owner of the Portland Timbers and Portland Beavers sports teams plans to present his full proposal for MLS to city leaders as early as June.

– Excerpt from The Oregonian, April 30, 2008