We all know that if MLS's FO had it's way, Galaxy with Beckham starting would be in the MLS Cup, for the higher attendance, higher media attention, and higher ratings. That most likely will not happen, but that shouldn't stop MLS from making the game an event worth selling out rather than depending on hoping a certain team makes the final. What if MLS Cup 2007 is between two teams without a DP, and not DC United? What should the league do to still ensure a sellout 40k crowd if that happens? Here's some ideas... --------------- - I REALLY think the league should spend their money on a major halftime entertainment name , and announce them at least 2 weeks before the playoffs. No offense to all the They Might Be Giants fans on BS, but that definately won't cut it. Here's realistic halftime ideas that may spur up ratings and attendance: 1. U2. They're major soccer fans, did the World Cup song for ABC last year, and probably would love to be a part of the growth of soccer in America, and that would definately help 2. Van Halen. They just got back together, and it would be huge if their first television performance in over 20 years is at the MLS Cup. 3. Shakira. Widely popular in America and worldwide. Would also be so hot, the Super Bowl would never be able to touch it. 4. Daddy Yankee. Major cult following, and mad appeal in every hip hop station in America. Would probably be a big show for both english and spanish television 5. Green Day. Not afraid of a party. And whoever they would have had back in the day as the halftime, use for the pregame and/or postgame show ---------------- Have a watch party at the main bar/restaurant of every Supporters Group in MLS, have cameras in each one, and show the reactions of the fans across the nation as everyone's watching. That'd really promote the league ---------------
They should use the blimp they like to keep stored in LA (excellent shots from that camera last night). And more confetti. (promote the shield, too.)
I don't think it matters too much. It's hard to make a big deal out of it when NFL football is on. I've met people who turn the Final Four off to watch MLS regular season games and I have also met people who turn soccer off to watch football. There are just a lot more of the ones who put football first on Sunday.
More memorable games. Better games - better championship games. Last time the Galaxy won MLS Cup - my favorite game was Rapids vs FC Dallas. I was surprised - but that was a good game. The final between the Gals and the Revolution - was good but not on the same level.
But if MLS doesn't do anything to make MLS Cup an event to watch, with a soccer game included (which is basically what the Super Bowl is today), you'll end up with ratings of less than 2.0 again, which is just horrible for a major championship in America. And I think ratings for 2006's MLS Cup was 0.6. MLS has to do something about it; at least entertainment wise.
Since the game is in November they should hire a helicopter to drop live turkeys on the crowd. That would certainly make an "event".
Trade Beckham to one of the teams playing. hahaha not really. I think a group towards a younger demo would be better like All American Rejects, Foo Fighers, or Weezer. But I don't think many people will watch it just for the halftime band.
The MLS Cup SHOULD be in primetime! It's incredibly stupid to have it on the weekend during football season since everyone will be thinking about either the NFL or college football games. There are so many crap shows on TV so ABC can sacrifice 1 night of Caveman or some stupid crap to show the MLS Cup!!
i like some of the ideas you put out there for the MLS Cup, but the CUP is usually on a sunday right in the heart of NFL season... so MLS should move the day to a week day maybe a thursday or friday ??? if they do it on a sunday do it at night probably around 6 or 7 easten time. as for halftime talent, a list is cool but i think for more money for my buck ill find a up and coming artist especially if their album is due out or just put out anew track thats topping the charts, also get some one that more younger people can relate. i like how univision has the republica deportiva pregame from last yr, if a english pregame show can be done it would be nice.... also if MLS can do what the nFL does for the Super Bowl is have the interactive carnivals (NFL Experience) that would be nice too, also have a annual awrds show or celebriti allstar game, or something make it a 3 day party like all star weekend... i dont know some thoughts thats all..
I'm not sure everybody understands how expensive some of these bands' booking fees are. U2? That ain't a cheap date.
here's the deal: schedule wise, MLS Cup is NEVER going to be a big deal -- as long as we have a summer schedule. the game is on an NFL Sunday, FFS. MLS Cup is always going to be a small-time event, as long as it's in the fall, amidst this crowded sports landscape. I work in sports media, and the key to these "big" one time events is one thing: hype. you need a good couple weeks of newspaper articles, TV news stories, TV commercials, internet presence and you need SportsCenter on site, giving previews the week of. but this time of year, every major city's media is focused on one thing: football. we're never gonna get any media attention in THE LEAD UP to the game. that's how you make it a big event, you get at least a solid week of hype. the way it's presented now, MLS Cup might get a mention the DAY OF, but that's not good enough for a "marquee event." As long as we have our MLS Cup in the fall up right up against NCAA FB, NFL FB, and start of the NBA season ... it is doomed. you guys that support the fall schedule all say that MLS can't compete against these sports. well guess what? MLS Cup has to compete against them. and it loses. and it loses big. i don't want to turn this into a scheduling argument, but i just want to address the original poster and say, there is no chance to make MLS Cup a television event as it's currently set up. that's the reality kids. unless you switch schedules and have it in may or june. in november, you're just not gonna get the long, extended hype you need to really make this game a huge event and get the word out that the game actually exists.
Um, that is what ESPN and FSN are for. Not too many sports are shown on the week nights on network tv. Even NFL football has moved to ESPN. They aren't going to cut off network tv to show a soccer game that no one cares about besides a small portion of soccer fans. I also don't think it matters what night the game is played because last year there were college football games that were played on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The NFL also played on Sunday and Monday. Football is played pretty much every night of the week now. The only way a weeknight final could work is if the higher seed got home field advantage which I think they should do anyway.
Please, nothing could save a Chivas USA/Kansas Citry Wizards MLS Cup Final. MLS is holding their breath that LA,DC, or NY makes the game, and rightfully so.
yellowcard blows id love to see interpol, muse, wolfmother, etc i think theyre all gettable or the greatest musician ever GIRL TALK
We can both agree on Muse. [youtube]ndtR3Xer2OE[/youtube] [youtube]OEH31TREuZg[/youtube] Though i bet a bunch of people on here would complain they aren't big enough or good enough Daddy Yankee would be good like the original poster said..... [youtube]svs95b_BfWU[/youtube] .... but both of these acts will cost a bit more than Bowling For Soup. Not in the U2 range but not cheap either.
if MLS market it like they do Beckham they can get some decent attention.. mLS has not been doing it well over the yrs
hopefully. ESPN markets the UEFA CL final like a good 10 days before hand, and they tried to build up hype that way. for MLS, i don't even know if they've ever marketed the MLS Cup even one DAY beforehand. it's hard to get a good rating, when no one knows it's even going on.
They can't market it because every sports network, magizine, and paper is focused on football at that time of the year. Don't stress over it. Just enjoy the league and be thankful we have one.
tell that to the euro snobs i have it good redskjins and DCU what else you can ask for loloo .....maybe some extra catsup on my fries lolool
That's the thing though; MLS league organizers need to do things to build hype into the event to the point where no matter who's playing in the final, there's a reason to watch. With the extra media coverage they've been getting because of the DP signings, this year's the perfect opportunity to do certain things to ensure that RFK Stadium will still sellout, and more people look forward to watching the Cup on tv. ANd it doesn't matter what time of year the Cup is; if it's not a media-drawing event, it will not get high ratings. MLS will always be competing for ratings with other sports in America, because professional sports are going on here 12 months a year. That shouldn't stop the league from making a splash somehow.
Exactly. Not anyone can book them. But if anyone could book a band like U2 and afford them, I'm sure it would be a concert-making company like AEG. Obviously, U2 would be a much bigger draw than They Might Be Giants. Go for it. BTW, I agree with all the posters earlier; MLS CUP HAS to be Primetime on ABC.