So unless things have changed recently, Don Garber's contract is actually expected to expire at the end of this season. http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/...-Garbers-Deal-As-Commissioner-Through-14.aspx http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110...missioner-don-garber-signs-new-four-year-deal Now, personally I think he's done a pretty amazing job, and would be shocked if his contract were not extended. However...WHAT IF? What if, Garber decided that he wanted a change of scenery and wanted to take on a new challenge? If that were the case, who do you feel would be a good fit to take over his reigns and be the new commissioner? Actually, better yet...do you feel that a new commissioner would need to stay the course regarding Garber's direction and vision? Or do you feel that he would go a slightly different track to take the lead in a new direction with the BOG's blessing? I'm interested in your thoughts.
There's absolutely no way he doesn't extend his contract. He's the one who's been at the forefront of all the expansion talk and I would fully expect him to see that through.
Personally I'd prefer someone who is more of a genuine soccer guy ... Garber has lots of strengths but soccer itself was never one of them. Sure he's gotten better over time ... and he certainly has soccer guys around him. But I feel there's a little lacking in the way he communicates soccer issues. I'm talking about specifically things like league competition structures, roster rules, transfer markets, player development and coaching. He still sounds like an NFL guy when he talks about these things and isn't very comfortable with the concept of soccer being a global sport that marches to the beat of a different drum. Where I appreciate his work is definitely the business side. He's done fairly well bringing investment into the league, sponsors, TV partners, stadium development etc ...
Are you sure its not the other way around, and you aren't entirely comfortable with America marching to the beat of a different drum in regards to soccer? We were always going to be a different animal. We always needed to be a different animal.
This is true ... but I think there is a little disconnect between Garber's presentation and a traditionalist like me who was a soccer fan long before MLS existed. A lot of it is just optics not necessarily substance. For example Garber always seems bewildered anytime anyone suggests that roster rules could be more simplified and transparent. Like it's the craziest thing he's ever heard. Anyways I'm just picking nits. Overall his work has been good ... especially in relationships with owners and municipalities. I think he does some solid political heavy lifting to move the league forward in expansion and stadium development. I don't see him as an amazing commissioner though in other areas. If he decided to move on I think the league should aim much higher today. Someone with more global experience who could move MLS forward into the international arena. Someone who will prioritize MLS clubs in international competitions more. Someone who will push harder to find a balanced competition format that doesn't change from year to year. Get it right the first time instead of trial and error. Also someone who is more willing to integrate into the international player market norms. The other big challenge for the next 10 years or so is to fix the franchises that still seem stuck in MLS 1.0. We need to find a way to spark more involvement from some of our absentee owners. There needs to be a stronger vision for branding and marketing IMO. This idea of just slapping FC or SC on anything to make it sound European is pretty shortsighted. There also needs to be a little stronger push to open nurture supporter culture at some of the franchises who still have overly restrictive policies. I could go on ... point is there's a lot of work to be done to move this league forward. As far as its come it's still very much in its infancy stages. Sometimes Garber seems to play it safe IMO. I'd like to see some new blood in there that will shake things up a little.
Merritt Paulson, a guy until 2007 had no experience with soccer, is now on the USSF board. Having a soccer resume means little to the "top brass".
Being a "soccer guy" means pretty much what you want it to mean. Don Garber's been the head of a first-division soccer league for more than ten years, but some people say he's not a soccer guy. Somebody like me, who's a soccer fan but has never been involved in soccer in any formal capacity other than the park district, some people consider a soccer guy because without thinking about it I use words like "pitch" and "kit" instead of "field" and "uniform."
"soccer guy" isn't the first thing that springs to mind when people say "pitch and kit instead of field and uniform...
Garber has 2 big tests this year. The CBA and the new TV deals. If both of those can be handled successfully I'd give him a vote of confidence. TV deal especially is complicated since the new ratings momentum on NBCSN is going to raise expectations a bit. If 12 months from now there's games on FS2 in standard definition with Brian Dunseth in the booth and 25K ratings it would be hard to defend his job performance.
I think people have forgotten that Garber started his sports career by trying to sell NFL to Europe. I think Garber stays, especially on the eve of launching NYC FC and Beckham's team. (I don't want to owners to settle, but I think Garber is finally starting to see some fruits of labors).
tim lieweke is the perfect fit as the next MLS CEO when don garber decides to step down- just look what he did to the Galaxy and now is doing with TFC he has a passion for soccer, articulates his vision in exciting but concrete terms for the media and soccer supporters, has kept his word on improving the product in 2 major markets, is fully committed to growing soccer in Canada and the USA and has a solid connection with MLS owners whenever i hear lieweke speak, i see a MLS Commissioner in the making and he would certainly be an excellent replacement whenever garber decides to move on
He would be awesome, but he is the same age as Don, so assuming Don sticks around for another 10-15 years, it wouldn't be a great fit at that point. You want a commisioner who can set a vision for at least a decade and see it through. Besides, Leiweke is a superstar CEO, he's probably currently making at least 5 times more than Garber's 3 mil a year, including stock options. I suspect he's outside of MLS price range.
Really ....Nothing you could think that he has done wrong .... How about the wild card in MLS Cup ? ... I rest my case ..... How about a minor league system for MLS? ........Now MLS Clubs are affiliating themselves with USLPro team but that took to long to develop How about deviating from the plan of Soccer specific stadium and going with NFL pro style stadium in New England, Seattle and DC United ..... Now a report came out today that 22nd MLS expansion team will be place in Atlanta and they are going to share space with NFL - Atlanta falcons ...
SSS bandwagon started much later than NE and DC, even Seattle with CenturyLink going up early in the decade. In fact Atlanta will be the first team since Vancouver to move into an NFL/CFL stadium knowing what we know about SSS. Since most poeple dont complain about Vancouver, maybe the criticism against Atlanta is unfounded.
Well lets keep an eye out of Minnesota United FC because if they cannot get a soccer specific stadium - they may play in the New NFL Stadium been build for Minnesota Vikings opening in year 2016/2017 Article from MLS Soccer web site ...... http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...n-garber-gives-update-leagues-expansion-plans Meanwhile, Garber gave more details on a market he has referenced previously: the Twin Cities, where apparently the league has had talks with a potential ownership group. “That opportunity is one that we're excited about as we believe we need more teams in the Midwest,” the Commissioner said. “I think if Minneapolis as a market that can continue to show the support that they've had for the NASL club [Minnesota United FC] and if they continue to make progress on a number of different stadium opportunities, there's a real opportunity there.”
I believe United will try to find a way to purchase the land by the Farmer's Market first and if they can't they probably play in the new Vikings stadium.
Those 2 things are completely independent from each other since it's 2 different ownership groups. Personally I don't think the Vikings bid is serious. I haven't heard anything from that camp for about 18 months. Last time I heard any real chatter was when they were still lobbying for support for their stadium plan.
The Vikings said in a press release on their website in December they were in negotiations with tMLS.
Well shit ... Here's to those talks falling apart. Got no problem with an NFL bid when there's no other option, but that Farmer's Market stadium plan just makes the mouth water ...