From Deadspin: Is MLS a Ponzi Scheme

[ZooCougar]

Also, what is happening with the proposed national training center in KC?

That seems encouraging, especially if they staff with a lot of Euro, SA coaches

USA Soccer is flush with $$, would like to see huge investments in player development

And really the USMNT tag is more of a clever way to get Kansas City to build Sporting an $80M practice facility. The USL and NWSL teams will inherit the legacy facility.

National soccer training center set for December opening in Kansas City, Kan.

 

[JSM1970]

Yes, but Neal Patterson, Cerner founder and maybe billionaire, is a Soccer junkie and probably loves having a legacy tied to USMNT success and KC.

And really the USMNT tag is more of a clever way to get Kansas City to build Sporting an $80M practice facility. The USL and NWSL teams will inherit the legacy facility.

National soccer training center set for December opening in Kansas City, Kan.

 

[ZooCougar]

Yes, but Neal Patterson, Cerner founder and maybe billionaire, is a Soccer junkie and probably loves having a legacy tied to USMNT success and KC.

He just died. Definitely a Billionaire. Cerner's headquarters is basically right next to the stadium.

When those guys bought the Wizards the nailed it with the rebrand.

 

[ZooCougar]

I assume MLS is just positioning itself for 2024. With more teams/larger footprint, better chance of getting a good TV contract. And if that happens, then they can focus on upgrading talent.

It's easy to criticize the league as being Nth-rate, but what alternative business model would be better?

Single Entity is for roller derby and lingerie football leagues. One could really easily make the argument that MLS is managed competition.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

One could really easily make the argument that MLS is managed competition.

Possible managed competition aside, it's interesting to read occasional articles suggesting some European leagues are observing salary-management practices of the NFL, NBA, and even MLS. Totally different birds, but possibly some lessons to be learned ...

 

[ZooCougar]

Possible managed competition aside, it's interesting to read occasional articles suggesting some European leagues are observing salary-management practices of the NFL, NBA, and even MLS. Totally different birds, but possibly some lessons to be learned ...

Are there leagues where teams direct talent to their rivals in order to sell more tickets in stadiums other than their own? That's MLS in a nutshell.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

Are there leagues where teams direct talent to their rivals in order to sell more tickets in stadiums other than their own? That's MLS in a nutshell.

Nope, but there sure have been reports of leagues interested in possible ways to contain costs. Not necessarily wacked out MLS methodologies, but North American sports salary-cap models, potentially even some MLS-ish stuff, could well be part of containing some European inflationary salary growth. Time will tell ...