MISL Championships Broadcast live on ESPN2

[Ismitje]

Do we credit the absence of hockey playoffs or great negotiating by MISL?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=330442&cc=5901

[DAGSports]

Do we credit the absence of hockey playoffs or great negotiating by MISL?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=330442&cc=5901
Definitely the former primarily, but also MISL must think they can sell enough ads to pay for the broadcast.

[GutBomb]

The exclusive agreement features MISL Championship Series Finals Game One from U.S. Cellular Arena in Milwaukee on Saturday, May 14 at 9:00 p.m. EST and Championship Series Finals Game Two from Savvis Center in St. Louis on Saturday, May 21 at 7:00 p.m. EST.

The 2005 MISL Championship Series Finals is a two-game, "home and home" series featuring the winners of the Championship Series Semifinals. Should the finalists split their two games, an overtime period with a "Golden Goal" will determine the 2005 MISL Champion.

So if it is a home & home then it is already determined that the 2 finalists are Milwaukee and St. Louis? why play out the rest of the season then?

[hipityhop]

I guess they don't have a playoff structure in indoor soccer...

cancel the rest of the season for a lack of interest and go right into the championship series between st louis and milwaukee.

[MasterShake29]

So the best team in the regular season gets the #1 seed and qualifies automatically. Ok, that makes sense. Then they specify that the three next best teams get the #2, #3, and #4 seeds.

Why not just say the top 4 teams make the playoffs? Am I missing something?

[Kryptonite]

So if it is a home & home then it is already determined that the 2 finalists are Milwaukee and St. Louis? why play out the rest of the season then?


...sounds to me like "neutral site" + "2 game series" = MISL championship.

Very odd, if you ask me.

[aleaguer]

It'll only be "home and home" if Milwaukee and St.Louis make the finals.

And it's looking like they can't both make it, because it's looking like if St.Louis makes it, it'll be as the fourth seed, which means their semifinal opponent would be....dramatic pause...Milwaukee.

But St.Louis might not make it at all. They have to win one of their last two games to get in.

[ddavenport]

Which seems impossible...

[Magpie Maniac]

USA Today article (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2005-04-18-misl-championship_x.htm?csp=34) concerning ESPN2's broadcast.

From the article:
"There are massive substitutions, end-to-end action and more goals," says Mac Nwulu, a spokesman for ESPN. "It's exciting."

More goals than what, Mr. Nwulu? I'm all for more such programming on the tube, but they'd better avoid going down the "new and improved soccer" avenue.

[GutBomb]

USA Today article (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2005-04-18-misl-championship_x.htm?csp=34) concerning ESPN2's broadcast.

From the article:
"There are massive substitutions, end-to-end action and more goals," says Mac Nwulu, a spokesman for ESPN. "It's exciting."

More goals than what, Mr. Nwulu? I'm all for more such programming on the tube, but they'd better avoid going down the "new and improved soccer" avenue.

they will do what they have to to get more viewers. they are a business. they are not out to make you feel better about soccer. they ARE about trying to get casual sports fans to look at commercials and if telling viewers that indoor soccer is more exciting than outdoor soccer gets more eyes on those ads than so be it.

[Magpie Maniac]

they will do what they have to to get more viewers. they are a business. they are not out to make you feel better about soccer. they ARE about trying to get casual sports fans to look at commercials and if telling viewers that indoor soccer is more exciting than outdoor soccer gets more eyes on those ads than so be it.

You, sir, have an uncanny command of the obvious. :rolleyes:

But soccer fans -- and potential ones -- don't need to be talked to by Mr. Nwulu like they're three.

[Lithium858]

Too bad the Sockers had a crappy owner! :(