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The potential new Canadian Premier League is already attracting interest from afar, according to Anthony Totera.
Totera, who presents the Red Card soccer show and has been a prominent supporter of the new division, claims that a “well-known” European club is interested in forming a CPL team in Ontario.
Sources confirm to me seconds ago that a well known club from Europe has shown strong interest in joining CPL #CPL
— A. Totera (@4totera) November 2, 2016
Just off the phone with more news in regards to CPL that European club would look to set up shop in Ontario #CanPL
— A. Totera (@4totera) November 2, 2016
European sides have increasingly looked to link themselves with clubs in emerging markets in recent years. Manchester City have been particularly aggressive in this regard, forming clubs in New York City and Melbourne as well as investing in Japanese side Yokohama F. Marinos.
Individual owners have also looked to expand their sporting empires; D.C. United co-owner Erick Thohir also owns Inter Milan, while Colorado Rapids owner Stan Kroenke took over Arsenal. Then there is Red Bull, the sports drink giant that has clubs under its name in Austria, Germany and MLS.
It is a useful tool for new leagues not only from an investment perspective, but also in terms of potentially attracting established players. The Montreal Impact were able to loan forward Matteo Mancosu, for example, as a result of Joey Saputo’s ownership of both the Impact and Mancosu’s parent club Bologna in Italy.