9/19 "MLS is like Triple-A baseball "

kpaulson · Sep 19, 2003

Soccer Column - Canuck Globe and Mail

Twellman returns, but Revolution all tied up - Boston Globe

Revolution Notebook: Twellman back in the game - Providence Journal

Point made by Garlick - Rocky Mountain News (Does this mean the Salt beats the Bazooka?)

Garlick stops penalty kick for tie - Denver Post

Soccer OK, even without WUSA - Boulder Daily Camera

Burn will name new GM Friday - Dallas Morning News

Time to Move Beyond Their Cause's Effects - LA Times

Host U.S. Team Is the Clear Favorite - Jerry Trecker LA Times (sorry-- this article might have been posted earlier this week)

stinky · Sep 19, 2003

from the rocky mountain news article

"I had a little bit of time to see it, that always makes it easier," Garlick said. "This team battles. We defended like dogs, guys were just fighting and tackling and doing great things."
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we will not die like dogs, we will fight like lions.

kpaulson · Sep 19, 2003

Veteran Phelan has eye on title - Charleston Post and Courier

Nicol's star was in alignment - Boston Globe

Twellman, Revs just miss: Failed PK results in tie with Rapids - Boston Herald

Netminder Brown wants more - Boston Herald

Near-misses leave Revs fit to be tied - Providence Journal

Getting around hurricane might disrupt travel plans - Cbus Dispatch

mpruitt · Sep 19, 2003

from the LA times story

these numbers are amazing!?

The eight-team WUSA had $40 million to start — eight sponsors put in $5 million each. That money was supposed to last five years. At the end of the first year, league executives went back to the sponsors. The $40 million was gone.

"The financial losses were close to $60 million the first year," said Dan Courtemanche, the WUSA's vice president of communications and business development. "The losses were down to about $24 million in year two and between $17 million and $20 million in year three." Courtemanche said that between the first and second years, the league's office staff was cut from 35 to 17. In the first year, the WUSA employed two public relations agencies and an advertising agency. "People still remember the full-page ads in USA Today with Brandi Chastain and Mia Hamm," Courtemanche said. "At the end of the first year, after the league went back to its sponsors for more money, the board of directors began meeting monthly. The way the league operated changed drastically."
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MtMike · Sep 19, 2003

So, the WUSA spent $100 million in year one?

I mean, the fact that you overspend your budget by 250% right off the bat kinda sets the tone for the stability of the league.

superdave · Sep 19, 2003

It's gotta be more spending, but a lower percentage, because they got something from ticket sales, local sponsorships, etc.

FlashMan · Sep 19, 2003

Originally posted by MtMike
So, the WUSA spent $100 million in year one?

I mean, the fact that you overspend your budget by 250% right off the bat kinda sets the tone for the stability of the league.
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I think it means they had $40 million to start out with and they burned through $40 million plus another $20 million.

At least I think that's what it meant.

Then they lost another $24 million; then another $17 to $20 million.

Voi-la!! $100-$104 million!!

Anthony · Sep 19, 2003

Originally posted by kpaulson
Soccer OK, even without WUSA - Boulder Daily Camera

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This writer is with a Cincinnati paper. She wrote this about the WWC:

Several people in this office even bought in, although it's worth noting that none of them work in the sports department.
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I know we cry and moan too much about the "soccer haters" in the press, but this line I think says volumes about the problems soccer (not just women's soccer) faces.

Rocket · Sep 19, 2003

I'm basically a couch potato nowadays, but I sure wouldn't have minded being part of this pickup soccer game:

Heather Mitts was in Arizona when she heard there might be a new women's professional soccer league. Lucky for her, there was a group of Mexican-American men who, while still in their work boots, waged a lively match late every day on the vacant lot at the end of the street. Because there was no better game around, the future cover girl of the new league's Philadelphia franchise became one of them as the sun went down; without the work boots, of course
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http://www.dailycamera.com/bdc/sports/article/0,1713,BDC_2398_2275841,00.html

purojogo · Sep 19, 2003

Originally posted by FlashMan
I think it means they had $40 million to start out with and they burned through $40 million plus another $20 million.

At least I think that's what it meant.

Then they lost another $24 million; then another $17 to $20 million.

Voi-la!! $100-$104 million!!
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Peanuts when compared to this (NHL losses)
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=1619309
From this thread....
https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=73106

MtMike · Sep 20, 2003

Originally posted by superdave
It's gotta be more spending, but a lower percentage, because they got something from ticket sales, local sponsorships, etc.
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Doh sorry about that.

Hey, is that what they call "Voodoo economics?"

harttbeat · Sep 20, 2003

MLS is like Triple-A baseball

but where did MLS is like Triple-A baseball come from? If so, Triple A baseball ain't bad for a baseball league. At least it is better than the Japanese league.

Goodsport · Sep 20, 2003

Donovan will help with youth event - San Francisco Chronicle

Tejas · Sep 20, 2003

Originally posted by Goodsport
Donovan will help with youth event - San Francisco Chronicle
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24-hour "tournament and slumber party".

I predict this will devolve into something involving several arrests and Landon needing tetnis shots.

harttbeat · Sep 21, 2003

Originally posted by Tejas
24-hour "tournament and slumber party".

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i think he's really looking forward to that party ... ask KC