Please post news and conversation relevant to the current USL First Division and Team Owners Association discussion.
Just to add some "news": Minnesota GM Djorn Buchholz takes position as CEO of Austin Aztex for 2010: http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2009/...jorn-buchholz-take-ceo-job-with-austin-aztex/ Obvious question: Does this say anything about the state of the Minnesota Thunder?
Doesnt Garber give a state of teh league address during the MLS CUp? I think he would talk about the expansion team coming in, the new format for 2010, and the new second divsion MLS..lol... I hope... But for real doesn't he have a speech coming up?? anyone know?
Yes Garber will say something as part of the Board of Governors meetings they have at every MLS Cup (so 3rd week of November). I am 98% sure he will mention nothing about the USL/TOA situation.
I'm 100% sure. But now we're into speculation, which belongs in the other thread. Besides, the MLS Cup is on Nov. 22. The USL AOM is before that, so we'll have learned all we need to know by then.
This guy is dead-on I agree with him: http://cdn.cloudfiles.mosso.com/c58802/KG-10-25-09.mp3 29:35 Tim Holt will be on the show next week should be really interesting.
Basically the former owner of Rochester Lancers back in the day, said NASL was owned by owners and that should happen in USL, the owners rule the league and the commisioner is voted in by the owners.
He also said that USL doesn't do enough for their teams. Though, like most of the interviews with the TOA membership, he only mentioned that the ownership change was what needed to happen. This has been a source of frustration for me for a long time and it really is all this whole dispute boils down to in the end. Only my opinion, but the calls for better marketing, seem something just to mention, no one is specific about anything else that needs to change. The only other thing I've heard is that Miami wanted Marcos or Holt to come stand in the way of Barcelona coming to town earlier this year, which is laughable. It wouldn't have changed a damn thing. Miami, a team owned by a SOCCER MARKETING COMPANY, should be able to do better in that market. It's more laughable that the team owned by the soccer marketing company thinks they'll be able to do any better in that area if they just pick up and play in a different league. Their failure is not USL's fault. I honestly believe the league would be ok with them being gone. At the end of the day I respect the TOA's position of wanting a change in the way the league is run, but I wish the whole "USL doesn't do enough for its teams" talking point would just go away... It's all about ownership change, that's what it's been since August 31. Just say it flat out already. With Minnesota's GM leaving what looks like a sinking ship in St. Paul for a team in USL, more serious questions should be raised about the viability of the core of teams leaving in hopes of greener pastures in a new league... The cracks that were always there are now showing.
Very interesting... We'd heard from Kartik and BQ that it was 48 hours last Wednesday or Thursday... Maybe things spilled in to the weekend. Wonder which way it'll go.
http://internationalsoccernetwork.com/blog/ Just wondering since the two of the tags are "Andrew Nestor" and "Tampa Bay Rowdies" if that's the source and if so does it mean they are going to be breaking away... If it is his source, either horrible slip up or brilliant hint?
All I know is Nestor has been pretty talkative about the subject: Nestor: The entire TOA is considering all its current options. The TOA is a highly committed group with significant resources. All members of the TOA are fully committed to continuing a league next season, whether that be as part of the USL or under some other structure. A different league structure with team owner governance is a possibility that has been discussed amongst the TOA and others in the soccer industry. It’s too preliminary to comment any further on that right now – the primary goal now is to determine how we can best work together to promote and grow the game in North America. It is critical that a league be governed by its team owners. This has been proven by successful leagues around the world, including EPL, NHL, NFL, and MLB. We believe that the USL league structure – which does not support ownership involvement – has been a significant challenge to the growth of USL‐1 to date. It’s clear that many in the soccer world understand this and support the TOA’s mission. Nestor: Our group of clubs has significant resources to grow our individual clubs and the sport in North America. With the right league structure, we believe we can elevate our league and play a critical role in correctly developing the sport in a complimentary fashion to MLS. North America is a large geographical area, and with the sport of soccer trying to stabilize itself here, this is not about rivalry. This is about all clubs and leagues in North America cooperating to grow the game. Nestor: Again, the TOA is committed to using its resources to grow the sport of soccer in North America the right way. That means striving to comply with FIFA standards as much and as quickly as possible taking into consideration the realities of our markets. Our clubs have shown that desire locally with their player development initiatives and understanding of the sport’s history and international standards. Changing our season schedule to match the international schedule is a move we have discussed as a group and will consider. http://www.american11soccer.com/2009/09/five-questions-with-andrew-nestor.html
If that's the case, he's ready to take a significant loss in franchise fees and the rest to go along with the TOA. Can't say the guy's not brave. Though it could just be that he's going to announce where the Rowdies will play next year.
The previous blog post on that site has another interesting morsel: http://internationalsoccernetwork.com/blog/?p=358 If it's true that the TOA has retained Fleishman-Hilliard to handle their PR and marketing, that seems to indicate that the TOA owners are spending money and making plans. F-H is a pretty big deal and they don't come cheap.
Could be a mistake for me to comment on this, but it's nearly 5pm central, and not a word from anyone, Kartik, Inside MN, or ISN. Wonder if we'll hear anything tomorrow.
It's certainly possible this is the case, though given the fact that no statement came out today, like the site reported, I'm wondering if they've been hired or just contacted? Maybe it was mentioned to ISN, and that was construed into something? Kartik and Quarstad seem much better sourced so far than this site - I'm just sayin'.
that link was from a couple days ago, the "statement tomorrow" (which we all know here on Bigsoccer means 60-90 days) was the most recent blog. I guess we will just wait. But for a vocal as the TOA members have been, I think the longer there are no announcements from the TOA camp, the chances of a breakaway are less and less likely.
Right, I agree. Just pointing out that Kartik and Quarstad have been more accurate in their reporting than this site. I agree the longer this goes, the less likely it seems the TOA will breakaway, though if that's the case, Miami won't be back and if recent events indicate anything, Minnesota as well.