Here's how Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk operates.
The MLS brass blow into town to kick the tires and see if it really is worthwhile coming to Ottawa. (We know they think its worthwhile coming to Canada because Vancouver is a slam dunk!)
After meeting with city officials to see how much money they can wring out of the public coffers, they jump into a helicopter so Melnyk can give them a bird's eye view of our nation's capital. And wouldn't you know it, touchdown at Scotiabank Place where the media and other interested parties get to quiz both Melnyk and league boss Don Garber on the proposal.
Make no mistake about it: It’s king-sized. Melnyk is sinking tons of his own money into this thing and he is so convinced it will be a roaring success he didn't even bother looking for season ticket down payments in advance as proof.
One thing about Melnyk: History tells us he means what he says, says what he means and does exactly what he says he will do. The curious issue in Ottawa is that this thing is in the hands of the politicians. Should they back the CFL-Landsdowne bid, then Melnyk's chances are gone. If they back Melnyk, MLS will announce an expansion team here pronto. It’s that simple. There will be only one new stadium in Ottawa.
Trust me. These guys from MLS are blown away by the response to their league whenever they come to Canada. It was another full house for this event. They shake their heads in disbelief when they can't get a picture in the paper or a writer on the beat to cover a story in a major American market, but when they come to Canada it’s another world, one in which soccer matters.
The great irony here is that the U.S. is light years ahead of Canada on the pitch, and yet we are a much more sophisticated nation when it comes to knowledge, interest in the game and the future of the league.
I don't know which way this thing will go, but the next couple of months should be very interesting.