Comments on: Rough Times For Soccer in the US? http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/rough-times-for-soccer-in-the-us/243 Daily Analysis of Major League Soccer Sun, 21 Mar 2010 06:29:05 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: dave http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/rough-times-for-soccer-in-the-us/243#comment-226 dave Fri, 30 May 2008 03:55:30 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/rough-times-for-soccer-in-the-us/243#comment-226 I have to agree with Jonathan, a lot of the business criticism here is a bit wide of the mark. Yes it would be better if MLS were getting wider TV exposure, and yes it would be better if average attendance was going up faster, but overall MLS is on much sounder financial ground than it was ten years or even just five years ago, and talk about moving franchises is not warranted. I can testify from personal experience that the situation in New England is one of benign neglect. There is effectively zero marketing of the Revs. I constantly run into sports fans here who are entirely unaware that the Revs even exist. Yes a soccer specific stadium accessible by Boston public transport would be nice, but the stadium situation is not the only problem. MLS is getting closer to becoming profitable because of new owners getting into the league (in San Jose, Houston, Colorado, Toronto, Seattle, Salt Lake, etc) and the building of SSS that will make clubs financially viable long term. The problem in New York is simply on hold until Red Bull Park can be finished. The problems elsewhere aren't due to new owners, but to old owners (Kraft, AEG, HSG, etc) who are more interested in their other businesses (football or entertainment/concerts, etc). I am grateful to HSG, AEG, and the Krafts for keeping MLS going for so long when things looked bleak, but at some point they need to step up with whichever club is their remaining MLS club, and put some real effort into marketing it and running it properly. We know they can do it, they just haven't really bothered to. I have to agree with Jonathan, a lot of the business criticism here is a bit wide of the mark. Yes it would be better if MLS were getting wider TV exposure, and yes it would be better if average attendance was going up faster, but overall MLS is on much sounder financial ground than it was ten years or even just five years ago, and talk about moving franchises is not warranted.

I can testify from personal experience that the situation in New England is one of benign neglect. There is effectively zero marketing of the Revs. I constantly run into sports fans here who are entirely unaware that the Revs even exist. Yes a soccer specific stadium accessible by Boston public transport would be nice, but the stadium situation is not the only problem.

MLS is getting closer to becoming profitable because of new owners getting into the league (in San Jose, Houston, Colorado, Toronto, Seattle, Salt Lake, etc) and the building of SSS that will make clubs financially viable long term. The problem in New York is simply on hold until Red Bull Park can be finished.

The problems elsewhere aren’t due to new owners, but to old owners (Kraft, AEG, HSG, etc) who are more interested in their other businesses (football or entertainment/concerts, etc). I am grateful to HSG, AEG, and the Krafts for keeping MLS going for so long when things looked bleak, but at some point they need to step up with whichever club is their remaining MLS club, and put some real effort into marketing it and running it properly. We know they can do it, they just haven’t really bothered to.

]]> By: dave http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/rough-times-for-soccer-in-the-us/243#comment-634 dave Fri, 30 May 2008 02:55:30 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/rough-times-for-soccer-in-the-us/243#comment-634 I have to agree with Jonathan, a lot of the business criticism here is a bit wide of the mark. Yes it would be better if MLS were getting wider TV exposure, and yes it would be better if average attendance was going up faster, but overall MLS is on much sounder financial ground than it was ten years or even just five years ago, and talk about moving franchises is not warranted. <br><br>I can testify from personal experience that the situation in New England is one of benign neglect. There is effectively zero marketing of the Revs. I constantly run into sports fans here who are entirely unaware that the Revs even exist. Yes a soccer specific stadium accessible by Boston public transport would be nice, but the stadium situation is not the only problem. <br><br>MLS is getting closer to becoming profitable because of new owners getting into the league (in San Jose, Houston, Colorado, Toronto, Seattle, Salt Lake, etc) and the building of SSS that will make clubs financially viable long term. The problem in New York is simply on hold until Red Bull Park can be finished. <br><br>The problems elsewhere aren't due to new owners, but to old owners (Kraft, AEG, HSG, etc) who are more interested in their other businesses (football or entertainment/concerts, etc). I am grateful to HSG, AEG, and the Krafts for keeping MLS going for so long when things looked bleak, but at some point they need to step up with whichever club is their remaining MLS club, and put some real effort into marketing it and running it properly. We know they can do it, they just haven't really bothered to. I have to agree with Jonathan, a lot of the business criticism here is a bit wide of the mark. Yes it would be better if MLS were getting wider TV exposure, and yes it would be better if average attendance was going up faster, but overall MLS is on much sounder financial ground than it was ten years or even just five years ago, and talk about moving franchises is not warranted.

I can testify from personal experience that the situation in New England is one of benign neglect. There is effectively zero marketing of the Revs. I constantly run into sports fans here who are entirely unaware that the Revs even exist. Yes a soccer specific stadium accessible by Boston public transport would be nice, but the stadium situation is not the only problem.

MLS is getting closer to becoming profitable because of new owners getting into the league (in San Jose, Houston, Colorado, Toronto, Seattle, Salt Lake, etc) and the building of SSS that will make clubs financially viable long term. The problem in New York is simply on hold until Red Bull Park can be finished.

The problems elsewhere aren't due to new owners, but to old owners (Kraft, AEG, HSG, etc) who are more interested in their other businesses (football or entertainment/concerts, etc). I am grateful to HSG, AEG, and the Krafts for keeping MLS going for so long when things looked bleak, but at some point they need to step up with whichever club is their remaining MLS club, and put some real effort into marketing it and running it properly. We know they can do it, they just haven't really bothered to.

]]> By: marco etcheverry http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/rough-times-for-soccer-in-the-us/243#comment-210 marco etcheverry Sat, 24 May 2008 22:01:01 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/rough-times-for-soccer-in-the-us/243#comment-210 [...] [...] [...] [...]

]]> By: Justin http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/rough-times-for-soccer-in-the-us/243#comment-190 Justin Wed, 14 May 2008 00:26:27 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/rough-times-for-soccer-in-the-us/243#comment-190 Patience is key. Lets see where the league ends up after the new CBA is reached after the 2009 season. Many changes will occur that will effect on field performance. 3-5 clubs will be soon moving into SSS within the next 1-4 years which will make the club's viable on a business end. Agreed, Columbus and New England should be drawing more fans. MLS is right where it needs to be absent bumping up the developmental/senior min so these players can consider themselves actual professionals. Patience is key. Lets see where the league ends up after the new CBA is reached after the 2009 season. Many changes will occur that will effect on field performance.

3-5 clubs will be soon moving into SSS within the next 1-4 years which will make the club’s viable on a business end.

Agreed, Columbus and New England should be drawing more fans.

MLS is right where it needs to be absent bumping up the developmental/senior min so these players can consider themselves actual professionals.

]]> By: Justin http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/rough-times-for-soccer-in-the-us/243#comment-633 Justin Tue, 13 May 2008 23:26:27 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/rough-times-for-soccer-in-the-us/243#comment-633 Patience is key. Lets see where the league ends up after the new CBA is reached after the 2009 season. Many changes will occur that will effect on field performance.<br><br>3-5 clubs will be soon moving into SSS within the next 1-4 years which will make the club's viable on a business end. <br><br>Agreed, Columbus and New England should be drawing more fans.<br><br>MLS is right where it needs to be absent bumping up the developmental/senior min so these players can consider themselves actual professionals. Patience is key. Lets see where the league ends up after the new CBA is reached after the 2009 season. Many changes will occur that will effect on field performance.

3-5 clubs will be soon moving into SSS within the next 1-4 years which will make the club's viable on a business end.

Agreed, Columbus and New England should be drawing more fans.

MLS is right where it needs to be absent bumping up the developmental/senior min so these players can consider themselves actual professionals.

]]> By: RSE http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/rough-times-for-soccer-in-the-us/243#comment-187 RSE Mon, 12 May 2008 17:50:47 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/rough-times-for-soccer-in-the-us/243#comment-187 As someone who lives in Boston, I think the Revs get such low attendance because it is a giant pain in the ass to get to the stadium. I look at Toronto, and their stadium fills up every week because the young, soccer savvy city crowd can get there on public transportation. It takes an hour to get to Gillette from Boston if the traffic is light, and for week night games, the traffic is never light. If the Krafts actually invested in a soccer specific stadium within reach of the T, then I have a feeling that attendance would suddenly be a non-issue for the Revs. Too bad the Krafts have decided to invest so much in making Foxboro bigger to make more money from the Pats, rather than sinking a little cash into building a stadium that would actually benefit the Revs. My point is, don't suggest that NE should lose its team. MLS just needs to force the Krafts to build a soccer-specific stadium within public transit reach of Boston, or else make them sell the Revs to an owner who is actually committed to making the team a success on its own, rather than just another way to make money off their giant stadium when it's not football season. As someone who lives in Boston, I think the Revs get such low attendance because it is a giant pain in the ass to get to the stadium. I look at Toronto, and their stadium fills up every week because the young, soccer savvy city crowd can get there on public transportation. It takes an hour to get to Gillette from Boston if the traffic is light, and for week night games, the traffic is never light. If the Krafts actually invested in a soccer specific stadium within reach of the T, then I have a feeling that attendance would suddenly be a non-issue for the Revs. Too bad the Krafts have decided to invest so much in making Foxboro bigger to make more money from the Pats, rather than sinking a little cash into building a stadium that would actually benefit the Revs.

My point is, don’t suggest that NE should lose its team. MLS just needs to force the Krafts to build a soccer-specific stadium within public transit reach of Boston, or else make them sell the Revs to an owner who is actually committed to making the team a success on its own, rather than just another way to make money off their giant stadium when it’s not football season.

]]> By: RSE http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/rough-times-for-soccer-in-the-us/243#comment-632 RSE Mon, 12 May 2008 16:50:47 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/rough-times-for-soccer-in-the-us/243#comment-632 As someone who lives in Boston, I think the Revs get such low attendance because it is a giant pain in the ass to get to the stadium. I look at Toronto, and their stadium fills up every week because the young, soccer savvy city crowd can get there on public transportation. It takes an hour to get to Gillette from Boston if the traffic is light, and for week night games, the traffic is never light. If the Krafts actually invested in a soccer specific stadium within reach of the T, then I have a feeling that attendance would suddenly be a non-issue for the Revs. Too bad the Krafts have decided to invest so much in making Foxboro bigger to make more money from the Pats, rather than sinking a little cash into building a stadium that would actually benefit the Revs. <br><br>My point is, don't suggest that NE should lose its team. MLS just needs to force the Krafts to build a soccer-specific stadium within public transit reach of Boston, or else make them sell the Revs to an owner who is actually committed to making the team a success on its own, rather than just another way to make money off their giant stadium when it's not football season. As someone who lives in Boston, I think the Revs get such low attendance because it is a giant pain in the ass to get to the stadium. I look at Toronto, and their stadium fills up every week because the young, soccer savvy city crowd can get there on public transportation. It takes an hour to get to Gillette from Boston if the traffic is light, and for week night games, the traffic is never light. If the Krafts actually invested in a soccer specific stadium within reach of the T, then I have a feeling that attendance would suddenly be a non-issue for the Revs. Too bad the Krafts have decided to invest so much in making Foxboro bigger to make more money from the Pats, rather than sinking a little cash into building a stadium that would actually benefit the Revs.

My point is, don't suggest that NE should lose its team. MLS just needs to force the Krafts to build a soccer-specific stadium within public transit reach of Boston, or else make them sell the Revs to an owner who is actually committed to making the team a success on its own, rather than just another way to make money off their giant stadium when it's not football season.

]]> By: Dan http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/rough-times-for-soccer-in-the-us/243#comment-180 Dan Sun, 11 May 2008 06:57:22 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/rough-times-for-soccer-in-the-us/243#comment-180 It is disappointing to see mainstream broadcasts of the mls declining while the quality of play is increasing. The new international players you mentioned Schelotto, Beckham, Gallardo, along with many other great domestic players are a lot of fun to watch. In my opinion the mls is arguably more watchable soccer from a fan point of veiw than ever before. And it is a shame to see media attention and broadcasts at such a low level. With all the upside of new ownerships and more money and quality players in the league, it is still rarely featured outside of soccer specific media. The mls needs more media coverage to reach a wider audience. I realize these things feed off each other, more interest and fans attract more coverage, but it requires a great deal of effort for a US fan to even casually follow the mls because of the lack of media coverage. The longer it takes for the the league to obtain media coverage the longer it will take to become mainstream. It is disappointing to see mainstream broadcasts of the mls declining while the quality of play is increasing. The new international players you mentioned Schelotto, Beckham, Gallardo, along with many other great domestic players are a lot of fun to watch.

In my opinion the mls is arguably more watchable soccer from a fan point of veiw than ever before. And it is a shame to see media attention and broadcasts at such a low level. With all the upside of new ownerships and more money and quality players in the league, it is still rarely featured outside of soccer specific media.

The mls needs more media coverage to reach a wider audience. I realize these things feed off each other, more interest and fans attract more coverage, but it requires a great deal of effort for a US fan to even casually follow the mls because of the lack of media coverage. The longer it takes for the the league to obtain media coverage the longer it will take to become mainstream.

]]> By: Dan http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/rough-times-for-soccer-in-the-us/243#comment-631 Dan Sun, 11 May 2008 05:57:22 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/rough-times-for-soccer-in-the-us/243#comment-631 It is disappointing to see mainstream broadcasts of the mls declining while the quality of play is increasing. The new international players you mentioned Schelotto, Beckham, Gallardo, along with many other great domestic players are a lot of fun to watch. <br><br>In my opinion the mls is arguably more watchable soccer from a fan point of veiw than ever before. And it is a shame to see media attention and broadcasts at such a low level. With all the upside of new ownerships and more money and quality players in the league, it is still rarely featured outside of soccer specific media.<br><br>The mls needs more media coverage to reach a wider audience. I realize these things feed off each other, more interest and fans attract more coverage, but it requires a great deal of effort for a US fan to even casually follow the mls because of the lack of media coverage. The longer it takes for the the league to obtain media coverage the longer it will take to become mainstream. It is disappointing to see mainstream broadcasts of the mls declining while the quality of play is increasing. The new international players you mentioned Schelotto, Beckham, Gallardo, along with many other great domestic players are a lot of fun to watch.

In my opinion the mls is arguably more watchable soccer from a fan point of veiw than ever before. And it is a shame to see media attention and broadcasts at such a low level. With all the upside of new ownerships and more money and quality players in the league, it is still rarely featured outside of soccer specific media.

The mls needs more media coverage to reach a wider audience. I realize these things feed off each other, more interest and fans attract more coverage, but it requires a great deal of effort for a US fan to even casually follow the mls because of the lack of media coverage. The longer it takes for the the league to obtain media coverage the longer it will take to become mainstream.

]]> By: Erik http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/rough-times-for-soccer-in-the-us/243#comment-171 Erik Mon, 05 May 2008 23:42:04 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/rough-times-for-soccer-in-the-us/243#comment-171 The Red Bulls are a case of its branding putting off a lot of people, and the franchise hasn't won any honors outside of a La Manga Cup. And that they will remain in New Jersey bothers people as well. There's a lot of reasons people can use to reject this club. But what Red Bull is doing now will lead to payoffs in the future. They are building what will be the best stadium in the country. They are building what will be the best training center, and an academy pyramid that could become second-to-none. If everything they are setting this up to be comes to fruition, then how could they not become a popular draw? First, they'd be winning, and everybody loves a winner, second they'd have an awesome home that is also accessible to the 40-odd percent of people in the region who do not own cars, and third, if they do things right over a long period of time, then people will love the name because of its association with that success. They haven't seen it yet, but I'll play Warren Buffet and make an investment in them now, while the price is low. The Red Bulls are a case of its branding putting off a lot of people, and the franchise hasn’t won any honors outside of a La Manga Cup. And that they will remain in New Jersey bothers people as well. There’s a lot of reasons people can use to reject this club.

But what Red Bull is doing now will lead to payoffs in the future. They are building what will be the best stadium in the country. They are building what will be the best training center, and an academy pyramid that could become second-to-none.

If everything they are setting this up to be comes to fruition, then how could they not become a popular draw? First, they’d be winning, and everybody loves a winner, second they’d have an awesome home that is also accessible to the 40-odd percent of people in the region who do not own cars, and third, if they do things right over a long period of time, then people will love the name because of its association with that success.

They haven’t seen it yet, but I’ll play Warren Buffet and make an investment in them now, while the price is low.

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