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[ZooCougar]

http://nypost.com/2017/09/25/nycfc-set-to-battle-islanders-over-belmont-park-site/

 

[meyers7]

http://nypost.com/2017/09/25/nycfc-set-to-battle-islanders-over-belmont-park-site/

Hmmmm, could get interesting.

 

[LIuconn]

Throw some match day LIRR service a la Foxboro for Pats games and we may be onto something here

 

[kibblesnbits]

Throw some match day LIRR service a la Foxboro for Pats games and we may be onto something here

Virtually guaranteed regardless of which proposal is accepted. Belmont has a 4 platform station on a spur off the main line of the LIRR. You could have a train waiting after each game/match for all of the main branches, including in-bound to Penn.

 

[HuskyHawk]

They won't risk their cash at the possibility of relegation. @LIuconn nailed it in his comment above; short and sweet. There is always going to be a "what's in it for me?" attitude from owners. It's their money on the line, I guess, so who am I to tell them differently?

Oh yeah, I'm the fan who they're making money from....

Why shouldn't there be? They made investments based on being in the league. That was the deal they signed up for. If you took the media deal, you'd need to pay back the entry fee to those owners, at a minimum. Those who built stadiums would also be at significant risk of significant financial loss.

I'm not saying that relegation wouldn't help, but it would require a completely different financial structure to the one that MLS was founded on. They'd need to end MLS and start a new league.

 

[Waquoit]

Why shouldn't there be? They made investments based on being in the league. That was the deal they signed up for. If you took the media deal, you'd need to pay back the entry fee to those owners, at a minimum. Those who built stadiums would also be at significant risk of significant financial loss.

I'm not saying that relegation wouldn't help, but it would require a completely different financial structure to the one that MLS was founded on. They'd need to end MLS and start a new league.

All true, but... They should find a way to make it work. The league is stagnant, it's as good as it's going to get under the current model, "incremental improvement" is a myth. Without taking steps now I can't see how the league grows. They can a few add teams and pocket the franchise fees, then what? That ponzi scheme article was a real eye-opener to me.

 

[ZooCougar]

Why shouldn't there be? They made investments based on being in the league. That was the deal they signed up for. If you took the media deal, you'd need to pay back the entry fee to those owners, at a minimum. Those who built stadiums would also be at significant risk of significant financial loss.

I'm not saying that relegation wouldn't help, but it would require a completely different financial structure to the one that MLS was founded on. They'd need to end MLS and start a new league.

Realistically, even 4 Billion isn't enough to pay back franchise fees and set up relegation parachute payments.

 

[UCFBfan]

I still think they should set up Promotion/Relegation in the lower levels. See how it plays out over a few years and then look at it for the highest level. If I were Tv networks I'd even consider suggesting that MLS and the USSF consider this if they want a better TV deal next go round.

Interest in MLS is there but the product has leveled off which is not a good thing because it's not watchable.

I know this is all wishful thinking and I can't foresee any network saying what I mentioned above. I also don't see the owners of any MLS club being ok with possibly losing their investment and voting for relegation.

However, I really do believe that interest at the lower levels would increase and could possibly show the MLS that they could increase fan interest more by having pro/rel.

The interest won't stay there forever if teams continue with their current product.

I know it's all wishful thinking but there's really no reason lower tier leagues can't implement pro/rel

 

[Waquoit]

I know this is all wishful thinking and I can't foresee any network saying what I mentioned above. I also don't see the owners of any MLS club being ok with possibly losing their investment and voting for relegation.

I think they are going to lose their investment eventually anyway without pro/reg.