Comments on: USL’s Letter from Tim Holt to Players from TOA Franchises http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2009/10/06/usls-letter-from-tim-holt-to-players-from-toa-franchises/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:33:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Aaron Frederickson http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2009/10/06/usls-letter-from-tim-holt-to-players-from-toa-franchises/#comment-1978 Aaron Frederickson Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:52:23 +0000 http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/?p=10033#comment-1978 Brian, you are doing a great job! Keep up the great work. Brian, you are doing a great job! Keep up the great work.

]]> By: CoconutMonkey http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2009/10/06/usls-letter-from-tim-holt-to-players-from-toa-franchises/#comment-1972 CoconutMonkey Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:29:54 +0000 http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/?p=10033#comment-1972 Sagantosu man! Only the coolest Division2 team in Kyushu! I hear ya Chris. I'm not sure how a 3rd league would survive completely on it's own. Kartik mentioned a possible outcome where the TOA and USL would form a Premiership style agreement. Where the top clubs would have more power and control over TV rights and marketing, but they would still have a formal relationship with USL. One of the best aspects of USL is the fact that it operates a proper football pyramid. And I think you really do need that if you truly want teams and players to develop over the long term. How would a 3rd league/corporate entity operate in that respect? Sagantosu man! Only the coolest Division2 team in Kyushu!

I hear ya Chris. I’m not sure how a 3rd league would survive completely on it’s own. Kartik mentioned a possible outcome where the TOA and USL would form a Premiership style agreement. Where the top clubs would have more power and control over TV rights and marketing, but they would still have a formal relationship with USL.

One of the best aspects of USL is the fact that it operates a proper football pyramid. And I think you really do need that if you truly want teams and players to develop over the long term. How would a 3rd league/corporate entity operate in that respect?

]]> By: Chris http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2009/10/06/usls-letter-from-tim-holt-to-players-from-toa-franchises/#comment-1964 Chris Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:06:12 +0000 http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/?p=10033#comment-1964 A new league formed by the TOA will only have the same problems and will ultimately fail. These owners must have forgotten that the USL rescued the ALeague (APSL) by absorbing them in 1997. A league with only a handful of teams is going to struggle. The USL has the ability and history to revamp things on a regional level which can cut down on some of the costs for a pro franchise. As well the USL was right in sending out the email to the players since they are under contract to the league. These are franchises which chose not to renew their membership so technically the players are now free agents. If I was a player I would not sit around waiting for these individuals teams to come through as I would be looking out for number one. You have to keep in mind that this is division two soccer (minor league) and that generates little interest in the national media here in this country. It is hard enough for MLS to get media attention. Hopefully everyone will come to their senses and we will have USL1 soccer in 2010. A new league formed by the TOA will only have the same problems and will ultimately fail. These owners must have forgotten that the USL rescued the ALeague (APSL) by absorbing them in 1997. A league with only a handful of teams is going to struggle. The USL has the ability and history to revamp things on a regional level which can cut down on some of the costs for a pro franchise. As well the USL was right in sending out the email to the players since they are under contract to the league. These are franchises which chose not to renew their membership so technically the players are now free agents. If I was a player I would not sit around waiting for these individuals teams to come through as I would be looking out for number one. You have to keep in mind that this is division two soccer (minor league) and that generates little interest in the national media here in this country. It is hard enough for MLS to get media attention. Hopefully everyone will come to their senses and we will have USL1 soccer in 2010.

]]> By: Brian Quarstad http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2009/10/06/usls-letter-from-tim-holt-to-players-from-toa-franchises/#comment-1960 Brian Quarstad Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:29:01 +0000 http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/?p=10033#comment-1960 Aaron, I think you have the scenario backwards.... :) It is a strange situation indeed. We could be seeing the beginning of something really big in the US in some new form of soccer league or the way a league is run allowing owners more power. Than again, this could just be a big power struggle that in the end both sides kiss, make up and move on with life. Whatever ends up happening, its sure causing a lot of drama at the moment. What's also interesting about this is big media has still not picked up on the story, leaving it to bloggers, amateur soccer writers and a smaller professional online sites like the Indy Weeks web site, to report the story. Parties involved in this dispute have been very open to talking to those of us who are actually interested enough to cover the story. The primaries in general, perhaps Tim Holt aside, aren't jaded enough yet with media to be guarded. And to be honest, I think those who have been reporting on this issue have been pretty doggone accurate in their reporting and I've not really seen anything slanderous or poorly reported. SagantoWho? :) Aaron, I think you have the scenario backwards…. :)

It is a strange situation indeed. We could be seeing the beginning of something really big in the US in some new form of soccer league or the way a league is run allowing owners more power. Than again, this could just be a big power struggle that in the end both sides kiss, make up and move on with life. Whatever ends up happening, its sure causing a lot of drama at the moment.

What’s also interesting about this is big media has still not picked up on the story, leaving it to bloggers, amateur soccer writers and a smaller professional online sites like the Indy Weeks web site, to report the story. Parties involved in this dispute have been very open to talking to those of us who are actually interested enough to cover the story. The primaries in general, perhaps Tim Holt aside, aren’t jaded enough yet with media to be guarded. And to be honest, I think those who have been reporting on this issue have been pretty doggone accurate in their reporting and I’ve not really seen anything slanderous or poorly reported.

SagantoWho? :)

]]> By: CoconutMonkey http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2009/10/06/usls-letter-from-tim-holt-to-players-from-toa-franchises/#comment-1956 CoconutMonkey Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:16:13 +0000 http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/?p=10033#comment-1956 Ooo, good stuff Brian! Man, this is a strange situation. To be honest, I'm not quite sure I totally understand USL's corporate structure. Hopefully, the teams in the TOA read their contracts thoroughly. If these players are in fact contracted to the league, not their club, and have become free agents, what's to keep them from signing somewhere else? This could be a perfect opportunity for the bigger MLS clubs to have a little buy-a-thon. Oh well, IN OTHER NEWS! Sagantosu is in the hunt for promotion into J2 this year! Only 6pts out of the 3rd position! W00t! Ooo, good stuff Brian!

Man, this is a strange situation. To be honest, I’m not quite sure I totally understand USL’s corporate structure. Hopefully, the teams in the TOA read their contracts thoroughly.

If these players are in fact contracted to the league, not their club, and have become free agents, what’s to keep them from signing somewhere else? This could be a perfect opportunity for the bigger MLS clubs to have a little buy-a-thon.

Oh well, IN OTHER NEWS! Sagantosu is in the hunt for promotion into J2 this year! Only 6pts out of the 3rd position! W00t!

]]> By: Aaron Frederickson http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2009/10/06/usls-letter-from-tim-holt-to-players-from-toa-franchises/#comment-1954 Aaron Frederickson Wed, 07 Oct 2009 05:52:58 +0000 http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/?p=10033#comment-1954 So I hear USSF, USL and TOA are meeting in NY? If Inside MN Soccer agrees to pick up the tab, I would be glad to go to NY and file reports about these important meetings. I promise to prepare some great news articles--just as long as I can also go watch the Twins vs. Yankees! So I hear USSF, USL and TOA are meeting in NY? If Inside MN Soccer agrees to pick up the tab, I would be glad to go to NY and file reports about these important meetings. I promise to prepare some great news articles–just as long as I can also go watch the Twins vs. Yankees!

]]> By: Brian Quarstad http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2009/10/06/usls-letter-from-tim-holt-to-players-from-toa-franchises/#comment-1949 Brian Quarstad Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:18:34 +0000 http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/?p=10033#comment-1949 Thanks Steve. Its good hearing from you. Coconut Monkey, (love that name) Here is something to follow. They are going to be speaking with lawyers to get their opinion on it. http://www.indyweekblogs.com/sports/2009/10/06/usl-roundup-holt-letter-published-ussf-brokers-nyc-meet-and-greet-hammerheads-no-longer-in-usl-2/ Thanks Steve. Its good hearing from you.

Coconut Monkey, (love that name) Here is something to follow. They are going to be speaking with lawyers to get their opinion on it.

http://www.indyweekblogs.com/sports/2009/10/06/usl-roundup-holt-letter-published-ussf-brokers-nyc-meet-and-greet-hammerheads-no-longer-in-usl-2/

]]> By: CoconutMonkey http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2009/10/06/usls-letter-from-tim-holt-to-players-from-toa-franchises/#comment-1948 CoconutMonkey Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:10:49 +0000 http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/?p=10033#comment-1948 Looks like the lawyers will have a field day with this. It seems like USL is overstepping their authority on this one, although it's hard to say that for sure without seeing the "USL Standard Contract for Players" or the USSF Player Registration Rules & Regs first. Looks like the lawyers will have a field day with this.

It seems like USL is overstepping their authority on this one, although it’s hard to say that for sure without seeing the “USL Standard Contract for Players” or the USSF Player Registration Rules & Regs first.

]]> By: Steven Beauregard http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2009/10/06/usls-letter-from-tim-holt-to-players-from-toa-franchises/#comment-1947 Steven Beauregard Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:07:29 +0000 http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/?p=10033#comment-1947 I just want to thank you for all the information you have been providing us about the TOA/USL situation. It's most appreciated. Steve I just want to thank you for all the information you have been providing us about the TOA/USL situation. It’s most appreciated.

Steve

]]> By: Fuggle http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2009/10/06/usls-letter-from-tim-holt-to-players-from-toa-franchises/#comment-1946 Fuggle Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:43:41 +0000 http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/?p=10033#comment-1946 Interesting. The letter states the teams have "formally discontinued their franchise participation in the USL First Division" - from the published reports, at least the ones I've seen, the teams simply didn't renew. Maybe I've missed something, and I'm sure the actual lawyers will play with this one, but I imagine there's an argument to be made there that failure to renew is not the same as formal discontinuation of participation. Interesting. The letter states the teams have “formally discontinued their franchise participation in the USL First Division” – from the published reports, at least the ones I’ve seen, the teams simply didn’t renew. Maybe I’ve missed something, and I’m sure the actual lawyers will play with this one, but I imagine there’s an argument to be made there that failure to renew is not the same as formal discontinuation of participation.

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