Comments on: Team Owners Association/USL Update – 11/21/09

By: Erik

Erik — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:16:52 +0000

I fully realize that pro/rel is a ways off and I completely understand that no owner who threw up that kind of cash is going to want that risk. However, that’s also precisely the problem.

Once the league is filled with 18/20 teams, they will protect that ownership fiercely and if I was an owner I would probably want to do the same. Then what happens to all the entrepreneurs who want to get in the market? What happens to the viability of the lower leagues after MLS seeks to solidify its control of the market? Where do all those talented players go who don’t quite make the first cut in MLS? I’d be off to Europe in a heart beat as my chances of career advancement are much better in a d2 or even d3 league that not only has more exposure but also has the chance of promotion. Where there is global competition for players, a franchise system just won’t be able to compete with pro/rel leagues because they can only provide good opportunities for the top division players. More importantly, what drives competition once your franchise is ensured a spot? I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for first Montreal Expos in MLS – how many years did that team suck with no consequence?

You could also consider all the public policy dimensions here as well, not to mention living up to our free market mantra as a society – but that’s for another discussion.

At the end of the day, you’re all probably right that it won’t happen, but I think that will also doom professional soccer in the US to eternal second class status (not that it will be bad, but it will never be the top league in the world). I think it’s pretty hard to argue against the idea that increases in competition will increase the level of play and a franchise system just can’t put that much pressure on teams to compete at the next level.

By: thesuperrookie

thesuperrookie — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:18:33 +0000

Pat, that is exactly what i am talking about.

By: Pat

Pat — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:51:01 +0000

BQ…one word: Swag!

I would happily pony up for an IMS sticker or button at a handsome margin for yourself.

And SR, by “cool scoreboard”, I assume you mean one cool enough to have wheels for portability. One that is 2 feet above the field. And one that works sporadically.

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:05:38 +0000

Brian – did you see the comments from Graber regarding MLS wanting Montreal as the 19th team? Whether it’s USL or TOA, both leagues need to solidify a pipeline of future teams with Portland, Vancouver, and then possibly Montreal moving up into MSL (and we all know St. Louis has previously bid on a team and has a WPS squad). There will need to be some new cities to offset the dilution. If the TOA league does come to life it would appear that they would almost become more of an MLS2 than USL.

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:53:42 +0000

Does Irv have a copy of the contract? There are oftentimes opt-out clauses, etc… which could allow them to walk away. Unless we all know the details it is just speculation on everyone’s part.

By: Brian Quarstad

Brian Quarstad — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:47:21 +0000

Good post Jane. I too have heard that the TOA have a SUM type plan that they would eventually like to move toward.

I’m guessing we will hear something this week from USSF and then the majority of this sniping will be over. There will always be some who are unhappy with the conclusion but we do need to start moving forward one way or another.

Irv says it will go USL’s way and Jane says TOA. Should we do a poll?

By: Irv

Irv — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:37:25 +0000

Kartik is wrong, misled and not responsible when if wrote ..
“if the TOA get the approval from the league, those two teams could then go back to USL to fulfill their contractual obligations and avoid the lawsuit. They would both then join the TOA in 2011.” Kartik DO THE MATH..Tampa Bay has a (3)-THREE year deal to plan USL. If they are leaving its now! not after one year. I expect them both to be sued for breach of contract!

By: Jane

Jane — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:21:42 +0000

few comments based upon previous posts.
1. yes soccer has a long way to go in the U.S. But the only chance it has to grow is expansion. FIFA would like to limit all leagues to 18 teams. MLS is close to the limit and recently has been touting they will go to 20. Either way they are close and soon will be seeing an end to the excessive franchise fee of $35-40M. So how is expansion possible given this?
2. At least the TOA group of owners are not giving up and a broad based Division 2 league will help soccer grow a lot faster than just seeing a couple more MLS teams.
3. yes Austin and Cleveland should never have been allowed in USL-1. Playing games on a high school lined football field was horrible. This is what happens when you have league owners more interested in the franchise fee than sticking with FIFA and USSF standards. From what I hear the TOA will follow the standards of both.

All of us who want to see soccer grow should be rooting hard for the owners. In every sports league in history it was entrepreneur owners who made things happen. They are the ones with the money and the passion. And they are smart enough to bring new teams into their leagues who have the financial resources and committed to following the standards.

And yes Brian I am very familiar with SUM. So don’t think for one moment these TOA guys don’t have a similar plan for commercialization of the new league….which has been the major thing missing under the USL regime whose only interest was the franchise fee.

By: Brian Quarstad

Brian Quarstad — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:09:14 +0000

Thanks Jorey. Some sites ask for donations. I don’t know if I feel comfortable with that. I am of Scandinavian decent after all.

I have had vendors tell me they want to advertise on my site and I need to be more proactive with that but it too takes time and its something I’m finding myself with very little of. To the best that I can figure out, it probably costs me about $500.00 a year to run the site right now and that comes out of my own pocket on top of the fact that I spent countless hours working on the site. So someday some return would be good, at the least to recoup my costs.

My #1 goal which I think you know Jorey from 1st hand experience, is to grow the game in the state of MN. I hope I am doing that by providing a website that is sort of a clearinghouse for information as to what is going on with soccer in the state.

Hopefully, soon, I can get my act together and start adding sponsor to the site.

By: Jorey

Jorey — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:09:47 +0000

Brian you need a link where your faithful readers can donate money to your site/you. Your writing is very good and is greatly appreciated. Do you have anything coming on Dean Johnson, that is still the story that I hope turns in a positive direction. Thanks for you work, and I am serious about donations you deserve it even if you don’t want it.