The "Thoughts That Don't Require Their Own Thread" Thread XII

In 2017 MLS teams spent $210m in player salaries.
The MLS Salary Budget allowed for $85m.
Teams spent an additional $80m through DP exemptions.
Which means teams used $45m in TAM/GAM to buy down contracts

— Tutul Rahman (@tutulismyname) January 9, 2018

Click on the twitter blue bird (view on twitter) in the upper right corner for the whole thread which contains even more interesting data.

 

I went out to dinner in Boston recently and who was at the next table over but Bob Kraft himself. He was out to dinner with his grandkids so I refrained from bothering him.

Seeing him brought out conflicting emotions that battled each other - my inner pats fan was excited. Inner revs fan was a mix of dejected and frustrated.

 

The Inner-Decent-Human-Being in me does not like to bother famous people when they are out in public. I once saw Nancy Kerrigan out with her kids, and I recognized her, she looked at me, knowing that I recognized her, but I quickly turned away. She was just a mom out with her kids and does not need some jamoke, giacuce, stugatz or mamaluke (or any combination thereof) coming up to her and saying, "Do you know who yew are? I seen ya on the Tee-Vee once!"

On the other hand, I once saw Jonathan Kraft at the dealership getting his car serviced. I asked him if the Revs were going to sign any big-name players (this was in an off-season a few years ago). He was taken aback, probably because no one ever asks him anything like that, but he just kind of gave an awkward laugh and said "we'll see..." as he walked out the door.

 

Rex Ryan popped up on my ESPN Boston page, predicting a Titans upset over the Pats. Is he still obsessed with Bill, still an attention whore, or just an idiot? Probably all three.

 

I don't know which story made me laugh harder: The Steelers trash-talking the Pats about the AFC Championship, then going out and losing to the Jaguars, or this:

Landon Donovan coming out of retirement again with Liga MX's Club Leon
January 13, 2018, 11:30AM EST
Ian Quillen

 

It sounds like an MLS place will cost FC Cincinnati $350m, which the owners are willing to pay themselves.

Stadium $200m
Entry fee $150m

Meanwhile, the local govts are willing to pay $52m for infrastructure etc.

Oakley site appears nailed on - traffic study to be done.

— Bob Williams (@WilliamsBob75) January 19, 2018

 

956158091619459074 is not a valid tweet id

 

Oh may-in! That is absolutely horrible. The original Columbus Crew badge is better than that!

 

Not wild about the Leeds badge, but it's still better than ours. Put it this way, the next time someone comes up with a new badge that takes flack, they'll be claiming it's worse than ours not Leeds'.

 

I'm always amazed at live pro/college sporting events about how much stuffing people's faces is an integral part of the experience - especially with kids. Like, can't anyone go to a game without a trashy meal being a part of it?

 

Yeah, but the prices for Falcons' tickets went up way more than the dollars they save on the food. "Maybe your upper deck ticket costs $20 more per game than it did in the building that used to be next door, and you now have to pay a $1,000 PSL just for the rights to buy those more expensive tickets, but look, $2 hot dogs!"

My neighbour had season tickets for over 30 years but had to give them up because of the ludicrous PSL prices.

 

Saw this in another thread, applicable to all threads on this board. A truism I felt worth noting.

It wins the internets today.

 

The Breakers are folding.

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/...erations_will_not_compete_in_nwsl_this_season

 

US women's soccer needs to find a new formula - following the US male sport franchise model isn't working.

I think they should create a sort of "Champion's League" out of all-star teams from regional leagues. Every other week or so, the best players in one regional league would face off against another region's elite. In between, they'd play with their local teams. Player's would get bonuses for their selection to each CL league game.

That would have the effect of supporting local teams, boosting large pro participation nationally and giving all players (including the elites) many matches over the year. And, it would provide a showcase to a much wider array of talent, allowing players to emerge that haven't been spotted by "the system".

It might not appeal (immediately) to the elite USWNT players, but could end up providing their best opportunities over time. We'd probably have to live with some of the stars going over to Euro leagues in the short-term.

One of the flaws in each of the attempts to build an elite women's league is that they are trying to create it from the top, rather than build interest/participation from bottom up. At least MLS had many years of regional leagues to build upon - and even they had enough stumbling blocks where they almost didn't make.

 

He's too busy with the Overwatch league and gassing up the jets for the Super Bowl to care about a USFL franchise that he thought had left Boston back in the 80s.

 

This video combines two important things in my life. The human rain storm that my wife creates each summer around or extended family bonfire each summer and the run the Revs made to the cup.

 

Wow, that was pretty cool! The Revs should get that group to come in and do that before a game. Forget about that 19th century drinking song they always have someone butcher before every game.

 

There has been a bunch of tweets out today indicating that some investor group may be trying to step in and save the day. No announcements, just speculation (although it seems to be somewhat informed speculation).

 

I herd the puzzling announcement on WERS this morning that this spring would be "the Breakers' last season." Does this mean that they are going to give it one more shot and then fold? I hope they manage to stay afloat, but I guess that serves me right for listening to a college station for news...

 

They are done
http://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/#nwsl-announces-boston-breakers-to-cease-operations
http://www.bostonbreakerssoccer.com/statement-from-boston-breakers

 

I just came across this article again in another thread, from nearly 4 years ago, “The Krafts are the worst owners in the league,” http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2014/03/25/bob-kraft-worst-owner-new-england-revolution/4/.

The thing that struck me most about re-reading it was that, other than a few details, nothing really has changed. Sure, there was the signing of Jermaine Jones and great Cup run, and some of us had hoped that Ebeneezer Kraft had learned a lesson, but we know now that was just a temporary aberration. Even the comments on the Brigadoon Rainbow Unicorn Stadium are things you might have heard them say yesterday.