From MLS Confidential: This makes it sound like SUM had a chance at the ManU tour. But I'm not sure if that's accurate. Also, ChampionsWorld is promoting the Barca match at the Razor. Sachin
The ManU tour is what...four games? If MLS-SUM can't get the right to FOUR GAMES, or a TWO-WEEK tournament like the Gold Cup, do you think that is a bad omen for a "soccer channel" TV network?
The way the MLS Confidential piece sounds, it sounds like SUM passed on the events. I can understand passing on the Gold Cup, but the ManU tour? Strange. Sachin
I think it's highly possible that we might not know the whole story behind that. That story also said that someone lost like $2 million on the women's Gold Cup. Big surprise. When you get 6k in the Rose Bowl, that'll happen.
Where do you get "can't get the rights" from "sit on the sidelines" and "no serious attempt was made to acquire"? Sounds like they made conscious decisions not to be involved in at least one of the events, maybe both. The Gold Cup is a money pit in the U.S. While I wish they were doing it instead of Inter-Forever, I'd prefer them to do things that make money, not lose it. As far as the ManU tour, it is something that totally disinterests me personally, so I couldn't care less if they were involved unless it meant a quick buck. I'm interested in seeing SUM promote American soccer.
Inter/Forever don't just have broadcast rights, they actually promote the matches too. I'm guessing SUM don't want to get into that business. As for the ManUre tour, why should AEG (errr...SUM) risk losing money on something which doesn't promote their properties?
Isn't the point that if they were involved, then there would have been more chance of the visiting teams taking on MLS teams whilst they were here? (with the resulting publicity etc)