On a related note, I wonder if the 3rd incarnation of a women's pro league is going to adopt that business practice. (I know that this was referring to one of Blatter's comments about women's soccer)
I do wonder at the comment. MLS is a league that is seriously in pursuit of building a stadium in NYC for a potential ownership group. That is entirely different than a league that had to fold 2 teams in Florida.
Has Blatter ever been to an MLS match or at least one in the last few years. I am not sure there is any advantage to proving him wrong or impress him but maybe the owners or league should reach out and have him over to games and talk to him about the league. However, maybe it is just best to wait it out until he is replaced by someone more reasonable and in tune.
Among team sports, basketball is ahead, even if you limit it to kids aged 7-11: http://www.nsga.org/files/public/2011vs2001_Youth_Participation_website.pdf
I think the low youth participation rates are a bigger problem. People just come to the sport too late to become world class. The National Exercise Walking Federation really needs to start an academy system. And every local exercise walking club should have a reserve team.
The thread title is a bit misleading (by including "MLS" specifically/only). Perhaps this topic would be better served in a broader "soccer in the USA" forum or context.
No no no. I just assume that Don Garber, being the clever man he is, just lies to Sepp about the stadia here in the States. That way, all their hard work is protected from Fifa's meathooks. Do you really want him to come here and find that MLS teams play in their own stadia, thus blowing our cover for not switching schedules? The man is losing his grip on reality. No need to straiten him out. Of course, this theory only works if Gulati is on the take. Seems reasonable, no?
Exactly. I'm not fond of his leadership, but I think you've accurately stated what he said here and none of it seemed surprising or especially controversial to me. I do think it's fair to note, however, that if FIFA officials really expected MLS to catch other U.S. professional leagues in 18 years time, that simply was not a realistic goal and suggests they didn't really understand how difficult this would be.
Twix was stating that you used the word "Never" in your MLS will never be in the top leagues rant. Which I think is the wrong word as well. The way MLS is built you can honestly sit there and tell me 70 years the league is not going to be in the top 3 in the world? That most kids in 2050 will prefer watching Chelsea at 7am on a Saturday morning over going to RSL on Saturday night when the quality is going to be the same? The problem with Sepp is he lacks vision. He doesn't see the need for building a league on a solid foundation. It's all about spending way beyond your means to get instant gratification. This league to work has to take generations to become the best. I think most owners and the Commish are willing to wait.
The Chronicles of Erik XII The old man slowly slid into his chair, maintaining a stern look aimed at the functionaries before him. The men where from Tippeligaen, a region in the northern most reaches of the realm. It had been known to them that they had committed some offense, for which they had been summoned by the Lord himself, Emperor Seppicus Blatt Assadus. The seriousness of the occasion was only betrayed by an intermittent flow of drool making its way onto the Givenchy toga worn by the emperor. Also present at this summons, was Consul Michel Plat from the village of Ini. Consul Ini was a hard nose man who had betrayed his native Gaul, and rose from the ranks to eventually lead the empire's greatest legions. Sensing his lord's tenor, Consul Ini broke the silence while indicating he wished to approach. "If I may Lord, these men may appear rustic, but they are loyal subjects of your eminence. They're just unfamiliar with our refined manners. Besides, they don't have much money. I suggest you go easy with them." "I see. But don't they even have the Tele in Tippeligaen? asked Seppicus. "Yes, I believe they call it TV2, but I have yet to see an account of it." "Bring the ledger." barked the old emperor. A smartly dressed man with a strange occidental look appeared shortly, carrying an over-sized book. After a quick inspection, the man gave, in the manner of an apology, a summery of all Tributes offered by Tippeligaen. These were mostly what the locals called the "Rosenborg" sacrifice. "I see, I see. We must change these primitives. These Rosan-what-ever sacrifices just won't do." And with that, Seppicus turned his attention to the Tippeligaens. With that, the emperor explained how all his subjects were to operate on an "Empire schedule", meaning the colder months of the year. The Tippeligaens were understandably alarmed, for they had long done business during the summer because of their harsh winters. Seeing their obvious distress, Consul Ini asked if they would submit to the emperor's will. "Yes, yes, of course. It's just that we will have to abandon one village to the far north. It's small, but the village of Tomso has a herd of reindeer that comes through their area during the winter. They largely subsist on these animals. It wouldn't be impossible for them to offer tribute at such a time.." Emperor Seppicus genuinely looked puzzled by what the Tippeligaens had just said. "No, no, this is no good. We need more tribute, not less. Consul, what is to be done?" For a good amount of time, Consul Ini paced the room in thought while the Tippeligaens awaited their fate. "Ahah" exclamed the Consul. "Sire, do you remember our attempts to convert the Barbarians of Americania? That they couldn't be bothered with the empire because every winter they where invaded by giants who would throw balls made out of pigs? If you recall, their great chief, Donaxius Garberus said he had yet to defeat the giants around Seattas and Pax Englandia. Once done, they would send tribute. Well sire, once all the reindeer around Tomso have been killed, the Tippeligaens will be free to send tribute." "This is wise, and shall be so" decreed Seppicus. So witnessed by Erik
15 years comes pretty quick. 15 years ago, ratings for this league's Final weren't too different than now. Despite the Beckham effect and all the hype surrounding his last game, plus a more favorable time slot away from pro Gridiron, ratings were not a leap from 1997. Neither is this league's position in the CONCACAF. I'd bet the house that your prediction will be dead wrong.
To the OP, why would you post anything from MLSTalk. You think the site has the best interest of MLS?.. The answer is no.
I get the impression that Seppy thought plopping a first division league in America would instantly cause a full 4-5 tier fully integrated system with sold out stadia and massive tv ratings. He has no idea of the difficulties of the American market, and how absolutely amazing the development of mls actually has been in this relatively short time. I don't think he realizes how most Americans don't just ignore soccer, but actually dislike it. He has no clue how hard it is to change CULTURE here. This takes generations. And the whole fall to spring thing is arbitrary, as another poster said. It leads me to believe Seppy does not understand that our climate here ranges from Scandinavia to Iberia.
I hope so but it my gut says MLS never will. Soccer is gaining popularity though, so the chance isn't 0% but it's still low IMO. Unless American and Mexican teams are invited to the Champions League and you have enough growth to justify a higher cap. Money is a big factor obvisouly, but so is playing at a high level. A majority of players want UEFA CL and $$$. Sepp is a dumbass I agree, but MLS has a long way to go. It needs to be the best league in North America before it can become a top league in the world. Then again it depends on how one defines a "Top League." The sooner Blatter is out as president, the better. Unfortunately the same crap at FIFA will continue.