State of the League address [R]

[WarrenWallace]

Here it is:
http://www.mlsnet.com/special/as02/as0802sotl.html

[kasai]

Man talk about being only optimistic. Don, talk about some of the realities as well. How about contraction and attendance woes in a few of your markets.

[Testudo]

http://www.mlsnet.com/special/as02/as0802sotl.html

Very upbeat, of course, with more justification than usual. One more stadium next year and more vague allusions about others (the latter being an annual tradition in these addresses). A powerful focus on attracting more hispanics, both as consumers and as players. The only thing that bugged me was raising the possibility of an expansion team in Toronto. Boo. Let them build their own national championship. A nice job by Garber on the whole, though.

[Northside Rovers]

"The MetroStars ... out-rated the Devils and the Islanders, and are currently averaging 40-50,000 viewers per telecast."

That's pretty cool.

"This weekend, we have a contingent of interested investors joining us from Tulsa, Oklahoma and Cleveland, Ohio. In the past months, we have visited several new potential new MLS markets, including Toronto, Detroit, and San Antonio"

Some new cities in there. Interestingly Tulsa and not Oklahoma City.

"Nike...has recently renewed its commitment for another three years."

Good news.

And hey Kasai: Garber's job is to focus on the positive. There are enough people totally focused on the negatives of MLS (here and in the media) to make sure that stuff gets heard too.

[photar74]

Whoa--Toronto. I had no idea MLS was considering expansion into Canada.

The speech seemed strange to me--particularly when Garber used effusive phrases like "I can't tell you how much this means to the league."

[Soccerdude redded]

Keep dreaming,wake up when it is over. Since the WC, DG lost his head,he sure knows how to make a dark cloud seems like a rainbow. Is this the power of positive thinking or what?. I am all happy for us.

[Parkhead_Faithful]

Originally posted by photar74
Whoa--Toronto. I had no idea MLS was considering expansion into Canada.

Can you do that?
Expand a football league governed by a non american governing body into a foreign country?
What if canada get a professional league up and running?

[hangthadj]

Thought this was well done by Garber...You have to focus on the positive in these speeches and thats what he did. I am definately against Toronto gettin a team, but what the hell.
It's sorta a bummer that LA gets both Marquee events next year, but it does say, "Hey, Dallas, KC, and NJ, look at what happens when you get your own stadium." Not a bad move at all really.
Also like the focus on hispanic-american youth. This combined with reserve teams could be a big step. If some kid in La or Dallas comes up and starts wearing a Galaxy Reserves or Burn reserves kit that could and probably would mean more to him eventually than Pumas or Cruz Azul or whoever. But that idea has been discussed to death already.

[soccer4ever]

A lot of good news! Go MLS!

[Daksims]

Originally posted by Testudo
http://www.mlsnet.com/special/as02/as0802sotl.htmlThe only thing that bugged me was raising the possibility of an expansion team in Toronto. Boo.

I don't mind as long as they keep the same rules. Canadians will have to fill the International spots.

[DML99DML]

I just hope we don't take a step backward by the attendence of the all-star game tomorrow.

I sure hope all the good things he mentioned come about.

[Colin Grabow]

"I want to remind everyone, the roads from all 10 MLS cities lead to CMGI Field and Providence, Rhode Island, host city for MLS Cup 2002."

When did CMGI Field get moved to Rhode Island?

[FWSCKEEPER]

What the hell does Providence, RI have to do with anything for the MLS Cup??????

[Indy_Hotspurs]

Providence is the host city....not the stadium is in Providence. All this means is that the press conferences and team hotels will be in Providence and any soccer city type things they will do in conjunction with the Cup. I heard this a while back.

[soccer4ever]

Originally posted by DML99DML
I just hope we don't take a step backward by the attendence of the all-star game tomorrow.

I sure hope all the good things he mentioned come about.

Good point.

I hope they give all unsold tickets away so that the stadium looks full on ABC.

[soccer4ever]

USM sold out the advertising inventory during the World Cup to 37 advertisers.

[soccer4ever]

Originally posted by Northside Rovers
"The MetroStars ... out-rated the Devils and the Islanders, and are currently averaging 40-50,000 viewers per telecast."

That's pretty cool.

That is almost unbelievable. The WUSA is getting only around 100,000 viewers on PAX (seen in 85 million homes).

He also mentioned the pre-game and post-game show and the fact that the current deal has 3 times more hours than the previous deal.

[Mr Fish]

Originally posted by soccer4ever
USM sold out the advertising inventory during the World Cup to 37 advertisers.

THAT'S great news, also that ADT's World Cup experience sold them on signing up with MLS.

My hope is that DG & pals are pushing hard for the other WC advertisers (and non-MLS sponsors) to get on board with the league as well. Success breeds success!

[soccer4ever]

I am thrilled to announce a new partnership with Radio Unica, the leading national Spanish Language radio network in the country. Radio Unica will produce a weekly MLS show on its network of owned and operated stations during its popular “Unica en Deportes” programming block. The working title for the show is “La Hora de MLS,” or MLS Hour, and it will be supported by daily MLS updates on the network. Radio Unica will also be our partner in bringing MLS Cup to the Hispanic radio audience. As the “League for a New America” and THE sport for Hispanic-Americans, we are excited about the exposure and credibility Radio Unica brings to our sport and I would personally like to thank and recognize Radio Unica’s President, Mr. Jose Cancela, for his friendship and support.

[soccer4ever]

Imagine what the next decade holds!

Thank you for your time and support. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Please e-mail me at mlsgarber@mlsnet.com

I think he does an excellent job.

Do email him!


mlsgarber@mlsnet.com