http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/mls/news/2001/07/30/stadium_future_sa/ MLS lost exactly $34,424,199 in 1999. If anyone has any more specific figures, post 'em here.
http://web.archive.org/web/20030628154228/www.mlsnet.com/content/99/0422tickets.html Season tickets: 1998-38,863 1999-41,463 Code: MLS SEASON TICKET COMPARISON - 1999 TO 1998 Team % compared to '98 Columbus Crew +49% Tampa Bay Mutiny +51% Colorado Rapids +28% Miami Fusion +26% D.C. United +20% Chicago Fire +4% MetroStars -5% Los Angeles Galaxy -11% New England Revolution -11% Kansas City Wizards -13% Dallas Burn -25% San Jose Clash -31% TOTALS +7%
http://www.socceramerica.com/article.asp?Art_ID=14039 Season Ticket Sales: Colorado 1996-2,205 1997-990 Columbus 1996-9,078 1997-6,477 Dallas 1996-2,605 1997-1,562 DC United 1996-3,031 1997-3,534 Kansas City 1996-4,115 1997-2,899 Los Angeles 1996-3,226 1997-2,882 Metrostars 1996-8,581 1997-7,760 New England 1996-5,220 1997-6,728 San Jose 1996-2,808 1997-3,358 Tampa Bay 1996-1,126 1997-1,704
http://www.socceramerica.com/article.asp?Art_ID=53346 http://www.socceramerica.com/article.asp?Art_ID=52408 Season Ticket Sales: Kansas City 2000-2,067 Overall 2000: "lagging behind last year's" "A month before the start of the season, Tampa and Dallas had sold less than 1,000 season tickets. Columbus led the pack with approximately 7,500."
http://www.socceramerica.com/article.asp?Art_ID=53958 Season Ticket Sales: 2001-41,206 as of 3/16/2001 League officials have trumpeted an increase of 16 percent over last season in season-ticket sales (41,206 as of March 16). Garber says by the start of the season he expects the league to break its all-time record of 43,782 set in 1999. Which means the 2000 final total: about 35,500 And, the 1999 total I previously quoted was not the final total. Overall Season Ticket Sales 1996-41,995 1997-37,893 1998-38,863 1999-43,782 2000-35,500 (estimate) 2001-41,206+ (probably closer to 44-45,000)
http://www.socceramerica.com/article.asp?Art_ID=53844 http://www.socceramerica.com/article.asp?Art_ID=53899 http://www.socceramerica.com/article.asp?Art_ID=55805 http://www.socceramerica.com/article.asp?Art_ID=52507 http://www.socceramerica.com/article.asp?Art_ID=562133284 http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/11369565.htm Season Ticket Sales: Colorado 2000-1,400 (estimate) 2001-about 3,000 (as of early March) Kansas City 2003-6,000+ (did we ever get a final number?) 2004-4,914 2005-2,700 (so far. not sure when the cutoff is) San Jose 1999-3,400 2000-about 4,000 Higher season ticket sales in 2001 than 2000. 2002 Overall: Up 5% (March 2002) Unclear if this is up over the final 2001 total or just the total through March 2001. I would assume the former.
Also from this: "'With 18,000 paid, we'd be making money,' says Sakiewicz, whose organization pays nearly $1.5 million each season to use the Meadowlands." This answers a question I had asked recently about the Metros rent.
http://www.virtual-soccer.com/metro02/metro629.html http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/us/news/2003/04/01/mls_quotes/ http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCN/is_4_24/ai_78538316 http://www.intermark.com/rapids/rp020128.html http://www.sptimes.com/News/120701/Sports/MLS_also_exploring_co.shtml http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/mls/wizards/2001-06-19-wiz.htm http://kc.wizards.mlsnet.com/MLS/kcw/about/ http://www.mesoccer.com/articles/soccer-article-184.htm http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=4754008&BRD=2263&PAG=740&dept_id=461593&rfi=6 http://www.s-t.com/daily/03-98/03-15-98/e10sp196.htm Season Ticket Sales: Chicago 2000-3,350 (estimate) 2001-4,300+ (Before season opener. Guessing around 4,500 overall?) 2002-4,700 to 4,900 (Before season opener, estimate) 2004-up 14%, (compared to same date in 2003, as of 3/16) "Season ticket sales in 2001 also jumped to a record 34%." I'm guessing that means that it's 34% over the 2000 total, so I've put that one down as 4,500/1.34, or around 3,350. Colorado 1998-up 135% (3/15/98) 2002-up as of 1/28. ...who are now 166% ahead of 2001 season-ticket sales figures for the upcoming 2002 season compared to last year at this time." Columbus 2000-7,765+ (3/8/00) Dallas 1998-up 140% (3/15/98) 2001-set team record 2002-up 10% DC United 2000-4,758+ (3/8/00) 2003-7,100 (per Stephen Goff, as of 4/16) 2004-7,000 Kansas City 2001-4,000 (estimate) 2003-6,710 (exact) Miami 2001-up 15% Still, they (and Tampa Bay) "ranked among worst." Metrostars 2000-3,130+ (3/8/00) New England 2000-3,938+ (3/8/00) Tampa Bay 1998-up 200% (3/15/98) 2001-ranked among worst Overall In 1998: In the notorious weak spots, however, Tampa's season-ticket sales are up 200 percent, Colorado's increased 135 percent, and Dallas' are up 140 percent. From MLS season preview piece, 3/15/98. 2000- "Season ticket sales are lagging behind last year's totals, but they cannot be evaluated until May 1, when teams have played at least two home games apiece. As of March 8, the top four teams in season tickets were Columbus at 7,765, United at 4,758, New England at 3,938 and New York/New Jersey at 3,130." So, apparently two home games for each team is the cutoff date. Ok. In 2001: "Season ticket sales are up in every market" 2003-up slightly "Season ticket sales have grown slightly from last year in all of our markets." (Doesn't mean all teams have increases.) "L.A. has exploded past its numbers last year..." Money News Written after 2001 season: "Tampa Bay, according to published reports, costs MLS $1.5-million per year." Hey, here's the book I need. Has current season ticket data for every pro team. That would be interesting to see.
http://www.majorleaguesoccer.com/content/99/1120awards.html http://www.3rddegree.net/archives/2001/news01a.htm http://www.3rddegree.net/archives/2002/news02.htm http://63.147.65.175/rapids/raps0405.htm Season Ticket Sales Overview: Chicago 1998- 1999-up 4% 2000-3,350 (estimate) 2001-4,500 (estimate) 2002-4,800 (estimate) 2003- 2004-up 14% (around) 2005- Colorado 1996-2,205 1997-990 1998-1,350 (estimate) 1999-1,700 (estimate) 2000-1,400 (estimate) 2001-3,200 (estimate) 2002-5,000 (estimate) 2003- 2004- 2005- Columbus 1996-9,078 1997-6,477 1998-6,500 (estimate) 1999-10,000 (nearly) 2000-7,765+ (3/8/00) 2001- 2002- 2003- 2004- 2005- Dallas 1996-2,605 1997-1,562 1998-2,700 (estimate) 1999-2,150 (estimate) 2000-2,850 (estimate) 2001-3,100 (estimate) 2002-3,400 (estimate) 2003- 2004- 2005- (not sure about these numbers, especially 1998 which affects the following years) DC United 1996-3,031 1997-3,534 1998- 1999-up 27% 2000-4,758+ (3/8/00) 2001- 2002- 2003-7,100 2004-7,000 2005- Kansas City 1996-4,115 1997-2,899 1998- 1999-down 13% 2000-2,067 2001-4,000 (estimate) 2002- 2003-6,710 2004-4,914 2005-2,700 (so far) Los Angeles 1996-3,226 1997-2,882 1998- 1999-down 11% 2000- 2001- 2002- 2003-way up 2004- 2005- Metrostars 1996-8,581 1997-7,760 1998- 1999-down 5% 2000-3,130+ (3/8/00) 2001- 2002- 2003- 2004- 2005- Miami 1998- 1999-up 26% 2000- 2001-up 15%, among worst New England 1996-5,220 1997-6,728 1998- 1999-down 11% 2000-3,938+ (3/8/00) 2001- 2002- 2003- 2004- 2005- San Jose 1996-2,808 1997-3,358 1998-4,450 (estimate) 1999-3,400 2000-4,000 (estimate) 2001-up 2002- 2003- 2004- 2005- Tampa Bay 1996-1,126 1997-1,704 1998-3,400 (estimate) 1999-4,800 (estimate) 2000-1,000+ (1 month before season) 2001-among worst If anyone can confirm these numbers, or has any other concrete info, please let me know.
Although packed with other stuff and clearly biased, Kenn Tomasch's MLS Antitrust Case transcripts might be a good place to look: http://www.kenn.com/soccer/mlscase/
http://soccer365.com/US_NEWS/MLS/page_95_49778.shtml http://66.221.11.74/mls/crew/020418week5.shtml http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cach...ticket+sales"+-antonio&hl=en&client=firefox-a http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=globe&page=soc-mls/news/AHN2488703.htm http://www.stpetersburgtimes.com/News/030701/Sports/Mutiny_seeks_to_disco.shtml Season Ticket Sales Overview: Columbus 1996-9,078 1997-6,477 1998-6,500 (estimate) 1999-10,000 (nearly) 2000-7,765+ (3/8/00) 2001- 2002-7,316 (down slightly) 2003- 2004- 2005- Updated with 2002 number. DC United 1996-3,031 1997-3,534 1998-up 1999-up 27% 2000-4,758+ (3/8/00) 2001-7,000 (slightly more) 2002-6,460 2003-7,100 2004-7,000 2005- Two interesting bits of info: "This year's increase in season ticket holders marks the sixth time in seven years that D.C. United has shown growth in its season ticket base since the inception of the league in 1996." It appears that 2002 was the decrease. "The league tabulates season ticket numbers until June 1, 2003." New England 1996-5,220 1997-6,728 1998- 1999-down 11% 2000-3,938+ (3/8/00) 2001- 2002-5,284 2003- 2004- 2005- Added 2002 number. Also, 5,284 in 2002 was the third best, behind CLB and DC, so every other team must be below that. Actually, everyone else must be less than 5,143 (see sportsnetwork.com article). Tampa Bay 2001-down slightly 2002 Overall-Up 2%, 4/16, according to Lamar Hunt. 2004 Overall-"Season ticket sales have increased for the second straight year." So, 2002 must have finished as a down year (probably very slightly). Or, maybe the up 2% was in reference to the 10 remaining teams sales' from 2001 to 2002, and not the overall numbers.
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/8337545.htm http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/latest_soccer_news/usa_soccer/mls/390704.html Season Ticket Sales: Just a few bits of info: Kansas City Before 2003, 1996 was team record. San Jose 2004-up 15%
A few from there, bUt I'm sure there's more; Ken Horowitz paid $20 million for the Fusion. From 1996 to 1998, player salaries were 28% of revenues. Median salary in 1999 was $47,100.
http://www.soccertimes.com/wagman/2001/feb09.htm http://www.soccertimes.com/wagman/2000/oct26.htm http://www.soccertimes.com/wagman/1998/dec18.htm http://www.soccertimes.com/wagman/1998/nov13.htm http://www.soccertimes.net/mls/2003/sep23.htm Salary Cap: 1997-1.5 1998-1.57 1999-1.65 2000-1.73 2001-1.7 I believe the salary cap increased by 5% each year, for a while. From 2000: General league overhead and player's salaries are shared expenses among all the owners. So-called "game-day" expenses are split, half becoming a general league expense -- split among all the owners -- and half the responsibility of each team's specific owner-investor. Revenues, likewise, are also split. General league revenue from sponsors and the national TV deal -- if there is really any revenue yet from that source -- go to the league to offset general expenses and player salaries. Half of game-day revenues also go to the league, with the other half remaining with the individual owner-operator, a split that also applies to local sponsors and local broadcast deals. This revenue stream is meant to offset the individual team's overhead -- coaches, front-office staff, training facilities, marketing, etc. Team Purchases: LA-bought by AEG in 1998 for $26 million. CHI and MIA paid a $5 million expansion fee. I think Horowitz lost about $20 million (at least), I believe he only paid the $5 million for the actual team.
Average salary in 1996 was approximately $70000 (gulati11) MLS paid the A-league $500,000 in 1997 and 1998, and smaller amounts in 1999 and 2000, for the cooperation agreement they shared. (gulati08) Minimum salary was $24000 from 1996 till 2004; currently $28000. Maximum salary was $175000 in 1996 (gulati11), $192500 in 1997 and 1998 ("Mutiny hoping to add 2 top players", 1997, "Galaxy trades Campos to Chicago", 1998), currently $270000 (?) Total player acquisition costs (salary and transfers) for year 1 of MLS were $26 million. (gulati11) Median salary was $33993 in 1996 (openstate01) 1996 salary cap was widely reported at $1.13 (or 1.193) million; a signficant majority report it at 1.3 million in 1997. "The league also has done a credible job of marketing itself to national sponsors, garnering an estimated $ 50 million in corporate support from the likes of Anheuser-Busch, American Honda, FujiFilm, AT&T, MasterCard and American Bandai -- all in for a minimum of $ 2 million a year." ("Everything ready for launch of league", 1996) "We're delighted with the television numbers -- nearly half a million households for ESPN and ESPN2, with outstanding numbers for the 18-34 male market," Logan said, "and 350,000-400,000 for Univision, where we are outdrawing regular Mexican League games." ("MLS encouraged by first-half results", 1996)
Salary structure, going on my numbers: Code: Min Max Cap 1996 24,000 175,000 1,130,000 1997 24,000 192,500 1,300,000 1998 24,000 236,750 1,570,000 1999 24,000 255,000 1,650,000 2000 24,000 260,000 1,730,000 2001 24,000 270,000 1,700,000 2002 24,000 270,000 1,700,000 2003 24,000 270,000 1,700,000 2004 24,000 275,000 1,700,000 2005 28,000 275,000 1,800,000 The salary numbers are terribly reported - there's absolutely no agreement about how much the maximum is, with several numbers being thrown around each year; however, they're all pretty close to each other, and should be within $5000 of the reported max. It seems the cap hasn't risen since 2001?
http://www.soccertimes.com/wagman/1998/dec18.htm Wagman said that the cap was 1.5 in 1997. I also thought that the cap was raised slighty recently, to about 1.8?
I know he does, but I think he's wrong. "New cap size: Logan reiterated that the team salary cap (now $ 1.3 million) would increase modestly but declined to announce a figure." Superstar Valderrama, Harkes, Wynalda top MLS trade rumor list November 12, 1997 "The team salary cap rose from $ 1.193 million in 1996 to $ 1.3 million in 1997. The top individual salary is $ 192,500, up from $ 175,000. The lowest remained at $ 24,000." Logan: Salary cap set for now October 21, 1997 "The players' union also has challenged MLS' single-entity structure and its $ 1.3 million salary cap." Caligiuri joins L.A. for game May 21, 1997 "In order to attract more high-caliber foreign players, the fledgling MLS had raised each team's salary cap to $1.3 million, from $1.193 million in 1996, it was reported March 23." MLS Season Opens April 17, 1997 etc. I believe I saw one reference to a 1.4 million salary cap, but Wagman's was the only 1.5. (perhaps he needed a thread like this.) On another point, while the cap technically wasn't raised between 2001 and 2005, the addition of developmental rosters in 2002 probably added $100,000 or so to the cap, and another 40,000 or so when the league expanded from 4 to 6 slots.
http://www.aroundrr.com/Sports/Feature/index.asp?story=19&page=4 http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/latest_soccer_news/usa_soccer/mls/392334.html http://www.mlsnet.com/content/99/weekly0406.html http://columbus.crew.mlsnet.com/MLS/coc/load.jsp?section=about&content=history99 http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cach...s"+mls+-antonio+fusion&hl=en&client=firefox-a http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3143680 http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cach...antonio+"miami+fusion"&hl=en&client=firefox-a http://www.sfo.com/~csuppes/Soccer/USA/MLS/MilwaukeeRampage/mls53199.asp http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/michael_lewis/news/2001/01/18/lewis_throwins/ http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/michael_lewis/news/1999/07/30/metros_woes/ More bits of info on season tickets: 1998 CHI sold 1,300 by December 1997. I would guess 3-4,000 as the final total. 1999 CLB set league record: 9,282 DC "optimistic about hitting 5,000" (3/16) MIA-1,536 2000 MET-2,700 This contradicts the earlier number I had. Maybe it's for full season tickets? 2003 MET up 8% 2005 SJ record for second straight year Also, I read that Bora's contract with the Metros was $500,000 a year? Is that right.
http://tampabay.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2001/01/01/story5.html?page=2 TB 2001: 1,200 by xmas, up 50% (but as per earlier notes, still among league's worst)
Some more stuff (sorry, no citations): In 1998, MLS moved its $3 million advertising budget to Dieste and Partners (of Dallas). In 1996, MLS licensing was worth between $26 and $30 million, with apparel accounting for 60-70% of sales, headwear 10%, and misc. the rest. In 1997 and 1998, licensing was worth $36 million, in 1999, $30 million. Alternatively, in 1998 NASCAR licensing was worth $925 million, 1.44 billion NHL, and 3.1 billion NFL. The Miami Fusion were above $1 million in sponsorships in 1999 (apparently unlike 1998). Dallas's Cotton Bowl/Southlake fiasco: The Cotton bowl lease required $15000 per game when crowds were below 15000, $20000 for larger crowds; Dallas paid Southlake $1 per ticket sold, with a minimum of $7000 per game. The team received 50% of net profits from concessions and parking at the Cotton Bowl (all, I believe, at Southlake). Through 2001, the Mutiny paid $20000 a game to use Raymond James Stadium. They signed a new lease in 2001, that would have had them paying $30000 in 2002, which would rise steadily to $50000 in 2006. Rent on the Mutiny offices at the stadium was $50000.
Just for reference sake, here's the season ticket sales. I didn't note which were estimates, I think it's just too much information to deal with: Code: [u]1996 1997 1998 1999 2000[/u] Colorado 2205 990 1350 1700 1400 Columbus 9078 6477 6500 9282 7765+ D.C. United 3031 3534 . 5000 4758+ Dallas 2605 1562 2700 2150 2850 Kansas City 4115 2882 . . 2067 Los Angeles 3226 2882 . . . Metrostars 8581 7760 . . 3130+ New England 5220 6728 . . 3938+ San Jose 2808 3358 4450 3400 4000 Tampa Bay 1126 1704 3400 4800 1000+ Chicago . . 3500 . 3350 Miami . . . 1536 . Average 4200 3789 3239 3649 2958 [u]2001 2002 2003 2004[/u] Colorado 3200 5000 . . Columbus . 7316 . . D.C. United 7000 6460 7100 7000 Dallas 3100 3400 . . Kansas City 4000 6710 4914 Los Angeles . . . . Metrostars . . . . New England . 5284 . . San Jose . . . . Tampa Bay . Chicago 4500 4800 . . Miami . Average 3434 . . .