tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4577094464393024958.post-25721199163655531122008-07-24T10:48:00.011-04:002008-07-24T12:18:22.334-04:002008-07-24T12:18:22.334-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://paulbish.co.uk/wp-content/images/wxmfans.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://paulbish.co.uk/wp-content/images/wxmfans.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />This is in response to the editorial below. We at MLSR are not of uniform opinion on this and this writer strongly disagrees. Here is why.<br /><br />Today MLS Commissioner Don Garber is expected to <a href="http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=3b7c2eed-dac1-4396-9d2c-44a746fde3d1">announce a firm expansion plan which would include 20-24 clubs.</a><br /><br />The question is this: Once MLS has 24 clubs what does it do with the other investors who might want in?<br /><br />The conventional wisdom is further expansion.<br /><br />Just let 'em in right?<br /><br />Wrong.<br /><br />If MLS does decide to go to a single table as has been rumored then expanding beyond 20 or 24 would make the schedule too long.<br /><br />One needs to understand the reasons promotion and relegation happened in other countries to understand why it is inevitable here.<br /><br />Promotion and relgation were a solution to a problem that has not existed in the US. The problem of having too many suitable clubs and not enough spots in the league to accomodate them.<br /><br /><br />Once demand for entry into MLS outstrips supply of spots in the top flight then the solution of pro/rel becomes relevant.<br /><br />The conventional wisdom that it wouldn't happen is based on a league that 10 years ago had to go begging for investment. We are no longer that league. Just a few short years ago the idea that new clubs would come into the league selling out the capacity of their stadiums and there would be billionairs clamoring for MLS clubs would have been considered at best, extremely optomistic.<br /><br />Now is a new day. <br /><br />Evidence?<br /><br />LA Galaxy jerseys outsell every other team and sport in this country.<br /><br />Toronto FC has a waiting list of for people wanting season tickets<br /><br />Seattle has already sold 16,000 season tickets and likely to also have a waiting list come 2009<br /><br />DC United ratings on local TV higher than the baseball, Washington Nationals<br /><br />All this leads to new investors wanting in MLS.<br /><br />Indeed, should a limit of 24 clubs be imposed then the natural and most logical thing for MLS to do would be to open up a 2nd division within its business structure (rather than try to absorb the USL) in order to let in new investors. An MLS2 if you will with similar but less lucrative TV and sponsorship deals.<br /><br />Buying into MLS at that point would mean buying into the possibility rather than the certainty that you could be in the top flight and thus give these new clubs something to work hard to achieve: MLS1 status.<br /><br />MLS is not the NFL. It is not baseball, nor basketball either. It is a soccer league. As such its system should conform to the standard way soccer leagues are run around the world.<br /><br />One of the reasons MANY of us are fans of this game is due to its international nature. The fact that it is played the same way all over the world.<br /><br />The reason so many pine for promotion and relegation in MLS is precisely because promotion and relegation are part of the game EVERYWHERE in the world, not just in Europe.<br /><br />Soccer is a game which has international standards and rules governing it. However it is also one with shared international themes. <br /><br />We all eye the passionate fans of the sports in other countries and wish we saw more of that here but let's be honest. There is not a lot on the line for missing the playoffs.<br /><br />The passion of fans week to week all around the world is partly due to the fact that every game matters. Every point counts on whether your club stays up in or goes down from the top flight.<br /><a href="mms://a1503.v115042.c11504.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/1503/11504/v0001/mlbmls.download.akamai.com/11504/2008/open/allstar/072308_mlsasg_commish_presser.wmv"><br />MLS Commissioner Don Garber is aware of this</a>, as is Deputy Commissioner and Garber's likely successor, Ivan Gazidis. <br /><br />They also are keenly aware that this is an issue which has kept fans of soccer in the US from becoming MLS fans. Imagine for a moment if those who passionately and monetarily support clubs like Manchester United, Boca Juniors, or even Everton and Tigres, in the USA decided to support their MLS clubs.<br /><br />That is the dream. And that is a dream that will only come about from a raise in the credibility of MLS amongst those fans according to the statements made by Don Garber in yesterday's State of the League Address.<br /><br />MLS is one of only two leagues in the world without promotion and relegation. The other one, the far younger, Australian A-League <a href="http://australian-a-league-update.blogspot.com/2008/05/ben-buckley-plans-for-promotion-and.html">recently discussed plans for a promotion and relegation system.</a><br /><br /><br />You can bet MLS suits are watching this closely for if the A-League, a far less stable league financially than MLS, in as competitive sports market as Australia can adopt promotion and relegation then MLS with it's billionaire owners can as well.<br /><br />In Australia soccer is behind much bigger sports such as Aussie Rules Football, Cricket, two codes of Rugby and motorsports in terms of popularly. In other words it is a market not unlike the US and the A-league has far less well heeled investors queuing up to invest.<br /><br />American investors understand promotion/relegation.<br /><br />One need only look at the amount of American investors involved in owning, operating or investing in clubs in England.<br /><br />Indeed MLS or "would be" MLS investors such as Jorge Vegara, Stan Kronke, Dietrich Mateschitz, Paul Allen, George Gillett, and David Beckham already understand it.<br /><br />More importantly, American soccer fans understand promotion and relegation and it is one reason many are fans of the game overseas.<br /><br />It is the reason that 60-80,000 turn our to watch storied teams from other leagues where it exists. It is also why many have stayed away from MLS.<br /><br />Don Garber has explained that the league is going to be aggressive in pursuing and converting these fans, many of which are unfairly dubbed "Eurosnobs" to MLS fans. <br /><br />The reason is simple. They already get the game, their dollars are currently supporting the sport, albeit overseas and they are an easier convert than Joe Six Pack American Sports fan who takes what Jim Rome has to say as gospel.<br /><br />For MLS to gain new fans in America it will have to become as Garber suggested, more credible and relevant in the eyes of these fans.<br /><br />Expansion makes the league more relevant to those currently without a team.<br /><br />Promotion and relegation makes the league more credible to those who are fans of the international game.<br /><br />The day when a Fire jersey is as revered among these fans as a Celtic or Club America one is when MLS has arrived. And that will only happen when MLS becomes a meritocratic league like every other one in the world and adopts promotion and relegation.<br /><br />The Australian A-League knows this. And MLS knows this. When they will be prepared to implement it is the only question.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />--RK for MLS-Rumors.net</span><br /><br />Disagree? Then have at it below in the comments.MLSRnoreply@blogger.com