View Full Version : Terms of Toronto's deal with MLS (and the CSA)
TopDogg
10 Nov 2005, 12:17 PM
Daniel from the Voyageurs board (known on BigSoccer as "Daniel from Montréal", I believe) posted some of the exclusivity rights that MLSE got from MLS.
Here are the terms for the exclusivity deal given to MLSE and the Toronto stadium, as read in Quebec Soccer:
- MLSE will have exclusive territorial rights for all of Canada up to and including the 2009 season. From 2010 and on, it will be restricted to Ontario.
- The CSA must present 6 national team games every year at the Toronto stadium (this includes all ages and both genders - however, we don't know how a qualifying tournament might be counted).
- The 6-a-year deal has been signed for 2007 through, get this, 2026!
Someone's gonna have to scramble come WCQ10 time...
By the way, two demands MLSE made that were refused:
- Compensation for player call-ups to the national team
- Have the national team technical staff as its own (coaches, trainers, etc.)
The key point IMO is the national exclusivity rights until the end of the 2009 season. With the whitecaps on record as saying that they want to be in MLS within the next five years, it would seem that this deal coincides conveniently with that timeline (remember that Vancouver's stadium is scheduled to open in '09).
Also notice that MLSE wanted Yallop & company to coach the Toronto MLS squad, which the CSA refused.
Minnman
10 Nov 2005, 12:27 PM
Also notice that MLSE wanted Yallop & company to coach the Toronto MLS squad, which the CSA refused.
That's unfortunate. If Klinsmann can live in California and coach Germany, I can't see why Yallop couldn't handle the Toronto coaching job. If there's one thing that MLS needs it's better head coaches.
Old Man!
11 Nov 2005, 12:24 AM
That's unfortunate. If Klinsmann can live in California and coach Germany, I can't see why Yallop couldn't handle the Toronto coaching job. If there's one thing that MLS needs it's better head coaches.
But Klinnsman doesn't also coach the Galaxy.
Blizzard
11 Nov 2005, 01:06 AM
Daniel from the Voyageurs board (known on BigSoccer as "Daniel from Montréal", I believe) posted some of the exclusivity rights that MLSE got from MLS.
The key point IMO is the national exclusivity rights until the end of the 2009 season. With the whitecaps on record as saying that they want to be in MLS within the next five years, it would seem that this deal coincides conveniently with that timeline (remember that Vancouver's stadium is scheduled to open in '09).
Also notice that MLSE wanted Yallop & company to coach the Toronto MLS squad, which the CSA refused.
I'm sure MLSE thought that combing coaching staffs was a neat idea but there is no way the CSA would have gone along with that.
As for the timeline, ya it looks as if it is clearly designed to accomodate potential future Canadian expansion. We can only hope.
Bob Morocco
11 Nov 2005, 01:11 AM
Guus Hiddink
BringBackTheBlizzard
11 Nov 2005, 01:28 AM
I'm sure MLSE thought that combing coaching staffs was a neat idea but there is no way the CSA would have gone along with that.
Have to wonder exactly what Saputo's complaint was over the exclusivity angle given that he has always been vocal in his opposition to MLS's business plan.
Blizzard
11 Nov 2005, 01:54 AM
I'd love to know exactly what his thinking is. I still feel that it has more to do with control than anything else. I recall an interesting comparison table of the changes to the financial relationship between the league and the clubs and I thought that it was more than fair to the clubs.
NASLNUT
11 Nov 2005, 09:25 AM
Looks like a great deal for soccer in Toronto. Toronto gets 6 National team games a year. Looking forward to cheering on the Nats.
Blizzard
11 Nov 2005, 02:49 PM
Looks like a great deal for soccer in Toronto. Toronto gets 6 National team games a year. Looking forward to cheering on the Nats.
So do I. I miss Varsity as a venue and as a historical artifact. I saw some amazing teams there through the years. Apart from the Nats, I look forward to club friendlies like we haven't seen on a regular basis since the NASL era.
TopDogg
11 Nov 2005, 05:17 PM
So do I. I miss Varsity as a venue and as a historical artifact. I saw some amazing teams there through the years. Apart from the Nats, I look forward to club friendlies like we haven't seen on a regular basis since the NASL era.
Varsity is where my love for soccer became apparent.
I have many fond memories of going there as a kid to see the Blizzard play, first towards the end of the NASL era, then in the CSL, then in the APSL.
Hopefully the new Ex Stadium can re-capture some of the magic that seemed to surround Varsity.
narduch
11 Nov 2005, 07:44 PM
My seeds as a Canadian soccer fan were also planted at Varsity.
Supersuperman99
11 Nov 2005, 07:52 PM
But Klinnsman doesn't also coach the Galaxy.
He will one day.
Old Man!
12 Nov 2005, 01:20 AM
Haha, you know you're probably right!
Blizzard
12 Nov 2005, 01:40 AM
Varsity is where my love for soccer became apparent.
I have many fond memories of going there as a kid to see the Blizzard play, first towards the end of the NASL era, then in the CSL, then in the APSL.
Hopefully the new Ex Stadium can re-capture some of the magic that seemed to surround Varsity.
It will be a challenge but here's hoping. One way to bring back some of the Varsity atmosphere would be to lobby for urinal troughs in the men's rooms.
I'm not sure if would be for the best though.
BringBackTheBlizzard
12 Nov 2005, 01:44 AM
The real magic of Varsity was not the stadium itself IMO (place was a dump if truth be told) but the urban close to downtown setting. It's gone. The new place (fingers crossed) will have its own merits like modern amenities, no running track and hopefully a roof over the main grandstand.
jpg75
12 Nov 2005, 01:51 AM
So do I. I miss Varsity as a venue and as a historical artifact. I saw some amazing teams there through the years. Apart from the Nats, I look forward to club friendlies like we haven't seen on a regular basis since the NASL era.
The favourite soccer memory (well, besides playing) of my youth was seeing the Blizzard play Juventus at Varsity.
NASLNUT
12 Nov 2005, 02:02 AM
Varsity brings back many memories. I was really a dump. I can recall when i was a kid it was scary to go down below. It was dreary damp and dirty.
But it was great place to watch soccer. Graet downtown setting. I will always hold a special place for it. Looking forward to the new park.
NASLNUT
12 Nov 2005, 02:18 AM
The favourite soccer memory (well, besides playing) of my youth was seeing the Blizzard play Juventus at Varsity.
I dont recall that game. I recall JUVE playing the Blizzard at the EX.
Blizzard
12 Nov 2005, 04:55 AM
The real magic of Varsity was not the stadium itself IMO (place was a dump if truth be told) but the urban close to downtown setting. It's gone. The new place (fingers crossed) will have its own merits like modern amenities, no running track and hopefully a roof over the main grandstand.
I really do hope we get that roof. Varsity was a dump, no question, but it had charm.
You going to be at the Duke on Sunday?
Blizzard
12 Nov 2005, 04:57 AM
I dont recall that game. I recall JUVE playing the Blizzard at the EX.
Was that the game in 1982 featuring most of the Azzuri. Not a great game, scoreless I recall, but Charlie Falzon hit the post on a long shot. I ran into him several years ago and chatted with him about that close call.