Comments on: Nike Should Takes its Share of Blame in TOA v USL Mess

By: Jane

Jane — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 14:23:33 +0000

The former USL fan has got it right. For those few of you who criticize the owners as being wrong, greedy,etc. you should note that the owners lose money every year. So ask yourself the question. Do owners enjoy losing money? or just possibly do they care about elevating the level of soccer in the U.S.? The latter of course.

So why are they in a fight with NuRock? Could it possibly be they feel they can do a better job of elevating soccer in the U.S.?

You vote.

By: quaid

quaid — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 07:21:59 +0000

They should combine the MLS, USL and NASL in 3 leagues and play competitive soccer games. The problem with US soccer is that it s really boring and hasn’t reached to the competitive level. I don’t understand why they can’t form 3 or 4 leagues like everywhere else. We have money and talents also, the foundation but they still can’t play it as it is supposed to be played. They should learn from NASL and MLS past experiences, and start thinking about the game itself more than about their profits because soccer is supposed to be the poor nation and people game.

By: Former USL Fan

Former USL Fan — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:16:42 +0000

I think NuRock should be encouraged to sell their rights, but for a loss. NuRock has to assume responsibilty for bad business practices. Not listening to your team owners is just irresponsible and negligent. This fact alone will reign heavy against NuRock in court. It seems that the NASL is united in their stance against NuRock. Fans are behind the TOA and the NASL.

NuRock has done nothing for soccer in America and cannot claim the TOA is ruining a reputation it doesn’t have. The past achievements and success of the USL are credited to the TOA (NASL). The USSF needs to demonstrate that they are the governing body of soccer in America and not NuRock USL.

NuRock can keep the 3 letters (USL) they bought from NIKE, but they can’t buy e respect of soccer fans!

GO NASL!

By: Jane

Jane — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:48:13 +0000

Tom is absolutley correct. Nike could give NuRock’s money back and reset by selling to the owners.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:49:49 +0000

We should cut Stephen some slack. Put yourself in his shoes. He loves his Timbers and sees the whole USL/TOA-NASL struggle as potentially jeopardizing their 2010 season. Portland hasn’t done anything wrong and is kind of caught in no-man’s land since all they want is to maintain the status quo for one year until they make the jump to MSL.

By: Super Rookie

Super Rookie — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:27:33 +0000

I find Stephen’s comments annoying and biased.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:49:02 +0000

BQ – absolutely correct. Interesting to see how much interest either of the big guys might have in the possible new entity.

By: Brian Quarstad

Brian Quarstad — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:20:43 +0000

Just a quick correction Tom, MLS is sponsored by Adidas. But I totally get your point and it’s a good one.

By: Brian Quarstad

Brian Quarstad — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:25:18 +0000

Interesting numbers Tom.

I’m not even sure what Nike could do at this point. It may be too far down the line.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:43:04 +0000

Nike has annual sales of almost $20B (that’s billion with a “b”) – $50M a day. If the $5M sales price (2.5 hours of sales) is accurate then that would be 0.00025 of their annual revenue – and a headache. This may be near and dear to our hearts, but it was never even a blip on their radar screens. They spend more time marketing Ronaldo and Rooney then they probably do on the MNT & MLS combined.