Future of MLS: bleak
So where does that put the future of Major League Soccer, the best league in the country?
Unloved by its countrymen, who’ll be watching the best leagues in the world, not the MLS. Ignored by the rest of the world, who’ll be doing the same. Watched by no one but the locals, like a minor-league baseball team.
Folks, this is not a good future for Major League Soccer.
Via east-lake.net
10 comments
A compelling argument . . .
Probably the best thing that could happen to MLS, as far as quality goes, is for it to become a purely Hispanic league . . . trying to be all things to all people is just a bad business model. Focus on your most passionate customers . . .
just some thoughts.
Arguing that the MLS has no future because a few eurosnobs can watch “better” games on TV is like arguing no one will engage in intercourse any longer cuz they can watch “better” sex on tv.
Allen– I’m not sure that analogy works here. The comparison is not between watching soccer and playing soccer. The comparison is between watching mediocre soccer on a screen and watching brilliant soccer on a screen.
If fans have a choice between seeing a Broadway production of a play versus a high school production, I’m guessing that the vast majority will choose to watch the Broadway version.
But what about the choice of watching the Broadway version on TV versus the high school production in person?
kj:
I think that’s closer to the reality of it but in the case of MLS, you can only watch the high school production in a few cities. Everyone else will choose the Broadway version on TV.
This argument is quite frustrating. The fact that after a decade this argument is actually happening goes to prove that the MLS is a viable league.
Don’t forget all of the leagues in Europe (those that are in fact better in quality than the MLS) are over 100 years old and teams have been around for at least three generations.
The MLS is an infant (in comparison) league and and many around the world (especially in England) would state that the MLS would compare to the Coca-Cola Championship in the UK. I would say that the top 5-6 teams in the MLS would very well compete at the top of the table and fight for promotion into the Premiership.
To put this in perspective - the quality of soccer between the top 5 teams of the Championship and the bottom 5 of the Premiership is quite equal - actually many of these teams get promoted to the Premiership one year - get relegated back down again the next year or two - and then bounce back up again shortly thereafter.
Because of this - the top teams of the MLS would probably not only be equal to the top tier Champtionship teams, but would also be equal to the bottom tier Premiership teams as well.
So lets ask this question - would you run to your local pub or make change your schedule to make sure that you were home to watch Watford v Sheffeld last season? These are two teams in one of if not the best league in the world. Or do most people yearn to watch those teams fighting for the title, Champions League and UEFA Cup? I would think the ratings for the Man U - Chelsea - Arsenal matches on FSC, drew many more than the more average teams and when you watched the matches - the quality was noticeable as well.
Lets give the MLS credit - its a young league - its quality is decent - not stellar YET. But we have had some bigger signings this year - and some that weren’t over the hill. You couldn’t say Angel is past his prime, even Beckham still is a quality player and was a key player in Real’s title this year. You will see many more big name signings and these players will help increase the quality and when we have the chance to look back and have three generations of family members following their favorite MLS team - our league will be just as good if not better than others around the world.
Well stated, Chris Campasano.
Within the analogy to English football, it should also be noted that the Premier League is only about 15-20 years old, splitting off when the owners complained (successfully) that they needed more worthwhile competition - it was really on the elite teams that had a case and is a reason for the revolving door for many teams between Championship and Premiership season after season.
Another point to be made is that MLS is maturing to become on par with many of the smaller European leagues (Sweden, Denmark, Austria, etc). The key difference at the moment is money (generated and paid to players). As average salaries rise and more liberty is taken with DP types of spots, we will start to see the Central and South American players that leave their home country leagues for the Bundesliga and League One clubs begin to consider moving to the US instead. If we are able to beat out the Paris-St. Germain’s of Europe for the next, young Ronaldinho (even if he moves on to an elite European club - which is likely) then the world will begin to take notice and many more Beckhams, Angels and Blancos will leave for the US and possibly earlier in their careers. We can then hope for a mix of young fledgling foreign talents mixed with late 20s stars from European football and an environment ripe for the development of US players.
Dont forget that its been a long time since we have had a new large scale league in America. Its going to take some time for the MLS to grow up, we are decades behind European leagues in soccer so I think its to be expected that we have some maturation to do. We just need to give the league a chance, it isnt going to just happen over night.
The MLS has no future because its not built right. American sports are based on monopolies and soccer will not work in that fashion. If the MLS is to become something real, something big, it needs to have a relegation system that allows large and small teams to hope for a future. it shouldnt be based on drafts and the ability for teams to sit in last place until they are moved to another city or hope they get lucky with a draft pick. there should be no rules, no salary caps, no foreign player limitations, and support the idea that a team from some hole in the country can grow and become something special with a little hope and good scouting.
Roberto and Chris make great points but Ronaldinho type players are always gonna want to go to PSG because they can hope for euro citizenship and get noticed by Barca or Man Utd.
I promise that there are many many fans of soccer in the U.S. What needs to be done is make it open competition. Each team is a company and they must find the interest of their fans.
i would love to be a chicago fire fan but i just dont see a reason to be. they are mediocre and their investments are mediorce.
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