MLSnet: MLS meets with the media

one thing i liked is that while graham jones doesn't think much of mls, he wants 2 teams in la


go figure

 

Garber is sharp, no doubt about it. He's been a very good commissioner IMHO.

This sort of thing still bothers me though...

“So it's not that we have been suffering from having a poor performing team on the field (in New York/New Jersey), but I will say that we are certainly anxiously looking forward to Bob's tenure, and hope he has a successful season.”

A successful season for the Metros means that someone else is losing (that's the funny thing about keeping score).

I understand the sentiment and I don't even disagree that it will put money in the pockets of Mssrs Kraft, Hunt and Anschutz faster if the Metros win -- I just believe that a commissioner should be neutral regarding the outcome of the competition.

 

i think it's more in line with this...


rapids and revs have never won anything, but they each have been to the final of the us open cup and mls cup


metros have never been to a final

 

We have got lots of activities in our grassroots marketing efforts, both targeting Anglo and Hispanic soccer fans involved into being fans of our local teams and our local markets.

Guess Don doesn't want to target the Brothas! I guess people who look like Eddie Pope, Earnie Stewart, Tim Howard and DaMarcus Beasley aren't part of the market MLS is targeting.

I doubt this really is the case, I just think Don should be more careful in his choice of words.

 

I was thinking the same thing, but extending it along to the Polish community in Chicago and other ethnic groups. The Hispanic market is key, but they should be careful not to alienate other groups in that pursuiit.

 

I'm pretty sure that if you add Garber's comments today to all the other statements made over the years and put today's quote in its full context this isn't what he's suggesting.

Plain and simple, MLS wants the team in NY to win.

 

of course they do. Every league wants the NY team to win because it is the biggest market. Biggest market=most potential fans=highest potential television ratings=highest potential $$$. Its just smart business.

 

"In New Jersey the Harrison project is still alive. Clearly the real estate market is perhaps at its worst in the last five to six years. So it has been difficult to finalize the last aspect of that deal which is the relationship with the real estate development partner that will team up with us and the city of Harrison and Hudson County. But those negotiations are ongoing and continue and we're still optimistic that we'll be playing in a new stadium in the years to come.”


Did this quote scare anyone else...sounds like more bumps in the road for the stadium in harrison

 

That way he can ignore MLS twice as much with no extra effort on his part.

 

There will be an announcement in 90 days

 

I think it means exactly what it says. A big name team (like the Metros theoretically could be) achieving success could possibly do a lot for the leagues exposure, appeal, and prestige. besides the metros are loosing scads of money every year for the league right now, and it'd be nice (from a business perspective) to turn this around. Like it or not, that's the way it is.

And yes, Garber should probably be a little more guarded in these remarks - because he is, from a competetive (rather than a business) standpoint, a neutral party.

But we should all know what he's thinking, as a glance at the off-season activity will tell you.

 

Thank you Don Garber. It is nice to know what is going on at MLS HQ. Sure we don't know all, but we do have some idea, and now more stuff for discussion on Bigsoccer.