Why are the MLS so anti some announcers? In the past I have listened to Derek Rae, Mike Hill, Eddie Mighten , Tommy Smyth, and Seamus Malin. I have always been impressed with the enlightened way they announce a game. I am not saying I always agree with what they say, but they do a nice job. I got to wondering why we never see any of them on MLS or National team games. So I did a little snooping, and asked a few questions! seems like MLS wants no part of anything that might tie MLS to England. They have never really tried to sign players from the UK. They don't like announcers like the ones mentioned, because they have accents, which represent that area. OK I said what about Ray Hudson; I am told Ray tries very hard to distance himself from his accent. Apparently some of his statements about England during the World Cup, plus the fact, that he always refers to the US as our lads etc etc, have him in good standing with the MLS suits. Many other questions were asked so I will sum up here. Derek Rae got work until his Scottish accent came back, then he was out, even of the WC picture. Mike Hill, Seamus Malin were in because ESPN sent them to France in 1998, it would have looked bad if they were dropped by MLS. Tommy Smyth is an ESPN International icon so they fought for him, and as a comprmise, Eddie Mighten was left out. These answers make a lot of sense; I keep asking the same question? Can the MLS be so " racially biased"? That they only want Americans involved, so then I have to ask if this is so, why should anybody support such a dumb group of people?
Could it be that all these announcers don't want to announce for MLS for what they are paying? I would think they can make much more announcing EPL and Champions League than MLS.
That's very interesting. I've noticed MLS doesn't go to the UK scouting much. I'm sure they have players throughout, England, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Wales have players in some divisions who would like to play for MLS for less than the maximum salary. I think MLS doesn't want a bunch of british people involved because that's what non-soccer fans think of when they think of soccer. They think of Britian. But what about the true soccer fans who would like to see some very talented English players or Scottish or Irish or whichever. Also, the announcers mentioned above are very good. If MLS is that concerned over British influence in MLS, perhaps they could compromise by letting some British guys do some play by play and let and American do the analyzing. That way it shows that Americans do know about soccer. It sounds to me like MLS should worry much more about fans who like soccer but not MLS like you said above, than fans who don't care about any of this.
I cant belive more people were not intrested in this thread. We see so much about how bad Jack and Ty are, to me the basic question is, why are the International guys not used. I think Red Lass made a lot of very telling points. Points about the player selection, where they come from really points out that MlS is biased. I am ashamed to admit thats the way the league is run. This is very evident, so why do we ever hope to attract the so called" Eurosnobs". I use that term in a friendly manner. This idea of having a league , which will have soccer mom fans , is a definite no go. To build the league we need some quality player and some quality announcers. Who care wher they are from in the world .Does MLS not want to be part of the world game, seems to me they want to reinvent the game. Which in itself is not a bad way to go, execpt the people in charge have no background in the world game. Two good instances to show that they have no idea, is the Mathis and Beasley situtations. Lets get the e-mails going to the league and ESPN. Its our league, isnt it time we had input in the running of it.
Get your facts straight! Maybe few people comment because they recognize red lass got her facts mostly wrong. MLS does not unilaterally hire the announcers--the clubs are responsible for their own broadcasts (in conjunction with the local broadcastor) and the networks are responsible for the national broadcasts. (MLS is consulted and can object, but not make the decision). So Jack Edwards, a full time ABC/ESPN employee, had the inside track over Mike Hill/Seamus Malin. Is accent considered? By some people perhaps, but Seamus Malin got hired by a local station because he was the best available, not as part of a cover up of a MLS conspiracy. As for Ray Hudson running away from his accent, are you serious? I suppose his flirtation with Gazza, and Dalglish before that, was meant to hide his Geordie roots? I suppose Steve Nicol has been forced to hire a voice coach, too? As for players, each team scouts on its own, MLS does not have a centralized scouting pool (just bureaucrats to draft the contracts). And of the few international players added this year, two come from playing in the UK: Steve Morrow and Ronnie O'Brien. Last year it was John Spencer and Ian Bishop. How many international players do you think MLS signs in a year? If you are going to make accusations of prejudice you might first learn the facts, rather than making them up as you compose your post.
I am amazed that you would accuse someone of not knowingn the facts. You are the one who made them up. As I saw it the mention of announcers had to do with ESPN, so how does regional TV get involved. MLS picks the announcers for ESPN games, because its what they call a time buy. As for Ray Hudson I heard him say Brazil were like racehorses, and England like donkeys. Something that was not true, and even if it was you would keep it to yourself. Ray better find a name for DC , if England are donkeys, then DC must be led by a jackass. Oh you make good reading about how players are signed. Well if you have all your facts true, explaine how so many Latin players are signed , and by the way you were the only one who mentioned that they had to be Internationals. I for one would not dream of getting Gazza. I can tell you in the English 2 nd div , Italys Seria C, Spains 2 Div and so on there are lots of good player who would make a huge impact. How much did Jari Litmanen cost Ajax, Pierre Van Hoydonk cost PSV I million euros which is about 900,000 dollars, dont tell me that these players would not make and impact in the MLS. One last question for you how much did Luis Hernandes cost LA, if the player are gotten the way you said so how did this happen.
Right on RD11, it a disgrace the way the MLS is run. They only seem to care about Latin fans. Thats fine if it worked they have tried for 7 years and it has not ,why not try something else .Have the Metro Stars had UK player not really, I know they have had many from South America, and as of now non of them have worked out. Its time the MLS look at their operating ways , and devise a new formula. I think it all wrong, please dont tell me the playoff system is good. How many games had to be played to elimanate 2 teams, and whats this playoff format . What is it 5 pts or something, someone stayed up all nite thinking that one up. As for the National announcers they are awful , Jack is going we hear ,so how can they keep Ty in a job. This will be the 2nd PxP guy he has outlived, did the ratings get better. I think not ,so isnt it time somebody said , Ty is part of the problem as well.