What I'm going to say (when read the way we read message board posts in our minds) is going to sound critical angry, but it's not meant to; I am legitimately interested in your answer. Do you have any data to back up your guess? I've heard a lot of these sorts of numbers thrown around--anywhere from 12K - 20k--and no one seems to have any idea what the average players in NASL makes. (It's likely going to be much higher than USL-Pro, so I will actually be a little critical of you there.) As to the question of Traffic's "endgame," I'd assume that it's either a formal development contract with MLS or to earn a big payoff through some sort of affiliate program. And whether you like Traffic or not, if that's the case, then their gain is our gain (though in a different sort of currency). I hope Traffic gets this sorted.
Given that the question is whether it sums to as much as Ronaldinho makes, I think using a highball estimate is appropriate. (I can believe 18K average for NASL starters. No way the bench warmers are making that.)
Several times both USLPro and NASL teams have added the little bullet in their press releases "Player contracts are not disclosed" WHY? We all can read the NFL, NBA, MLB (and the minor leagues associated with those major leagues) saleries but US soccer seems to think it is a state secret. Speaking to members of both the Rowdies and the Lions my educated guess is $60K for player/ coaches; $30K for two or three starters per team; $20K plus room and per diem for most players and some bench warmers making $300 a week for the season. I think the $18K per year AVG. for both leagues is a good number. And the point being made that the salery of one bench warmer in the EPL would support both leagues is valid. Also, I would not compare the OCSC with other USL Pro teams though.
Interview with Aaron Davidson: -strong ownership groups are in contact - No worries from Traffic about NASL - 4 strong expansion teams by 2013? http://www.blogtalkradio.com/miamiultras/2011/11/29/miami-ultras-al...
Thanks for the link. I really didn't expect to be surprised by anything he said, and I was pretty much right until that 4 expansion teams possibility. The other thing that was encouraging to me was that the NASL (or at least Davidson) are still open to partial public ownership models. Public ownership of the club was one of the original selling points for the Minnesota Stars, and I was extremely disappointed when they nixed it.
At a guess (and this is really just a guess, which I expect to be proven partially wrong about): - one of them is Ottawa, and the other three are domestic (keeping the 75% rule) - one of them is the Cosmos - one of them is in Baltimore (and I hope not, since that will probably be an MLS market soon) - one of them is a current USL Pro franchise (I'd bet on Orlando)
Well USSF does state that one owner must be worth 25 Million (may be 15 not sure) so any partial ownership would still need 1 big money guy making most decisions, I do believe that is what doomed the original Minnesota stars ownership.
It would be awesome to get Cosmos and Orlando, if Orlando goes to NASL it will blow-up in USL faces having a team in Tampa with no rivals.
Maybe. But I doubt it - Ottawa's already been announced publicly, and the standards require another three domestic teams before they can do that.
While not directly involved in the early days of the teams by any means, I keep up (via the Internet) with a few people who were. I was told by one supporter (now a resident of Florida) that in the end, there was just too much red tape to cut through even before the new standards were in place. I'd love to see an owner come in with 51% or more stake and open it up to fan support. I don't even have the money right now, but if you offered me the opportunity to buy a share in the team along with my season ticket package, I'd be in.
I've never tried to snag an autograph from a visiting player or coach before, but I'd be moderately tempted to try.
USL (with exception of Orlando) pay scale is lower than NASL, but the 2 are comparable. NASL may be 10% higher with an occasional "franchise" player making significantly more than other top players on club. USL Coach typically makes 40-60K and assistant 30-40k with options to run camps, training sessions, academies etc. to make extra $. Top players make about 30-40k, experienced starters/reserves 20-30K, practice players and newbies 15-20k. Players also get housing and all their gear. Some players can earn additional 2-5k income coaching youth or academy teams. Team payrolls increase every year to improve quality and attract boarderline MLS players or internationals. With a complete roster (24-25), the annual payroll and living allowances can be $500-600k (average $25k) plus coaches pay. Add some staff and the club can approach $750k in pay, housing and other allowances. REMEMBER HOWEVER, THESE ARE ANNUALIZED SALARIES. PLAYERS MAY ACTUALLY ONLY RECEIVE PAY AND HOUSING DURING SEASON SO ACTUAL COST TO TEAM CAN ROUGHLY BE HALF THE STATED AMOUNTS AND ALLOWANCES UNLESS A PLAYER HAS MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT AND WORKS FOR TEAM (COACHING-CAMPS) IN OFF SEASON. Throw in travel, per diems, referees, stadium rental, gear, advertising, insurance, etc. and the annualized budget can easily top $1 million. Sell 3,000 tix for each of 24 home matches at $10 and your revenue reaches about $720k.
Additional points of interest - he mentions 20 NDAs (non disclosure agreements I'm assuming) or more if you count investors interested in existing teams. I guess this is intended to show that their are a lot of parties kicking the tires to see if they are really interested in joining the NASL. The NDA in my experience is just a formal protection when two parties are sharing confidential info and shows the start of serious consideration by the potential investor(s). He confirms that there are multiple parties interesting in becoming minority owners, majority owners, or minority then converst to majority owners of the Traffic held teams. Finally, he confirms if situation was right they'd sell the Strikers. Good interview. Thanks for posting it WSW.
It should also be pointed out that there's no reason to publish salaries when they're such paltry sums. It's bad business because it makes your franchise look dinky. And there are plenty of "undisclosed fees" in MLB, the NFL, NHL, and NBA. Often they're withheld for much different reasons than DII or DIII teams would withhold them, but they do exist.
Twenty, huh? Sounds like a number he pulled out of thin air. Until the other parties of these alleged NDAs come forward, that's all this is: alleged.
The point of a non-disclosure agreement is to not reveal what you find about each other to the public when sizing things up for possible investment or purchase. You can say WHO you have an NDA with, you just can't say anything about what you discover if it is covered by the NDA.
