Posted in MLS by Soccer Experts Blog - World Soccer - Yahoo! Sports on February 8th, 2008
The
English Premier League's plan to go global by staging top-flight matches in
other countries has drawn divided opinions in the U.K.,
but what could it mean for the U.S.
game?
Major
League Soccer deputy commissioner Ivan Gazidis chose his words carefully when
speaking to Yahoo! Sports on Friday. He will wait to see full details of the
proposal before giving his official stamp of approval.
That's
not stopping us from taking a look at the pros and cons for MLS if some of
England's finest teams strut their stuff in America once a year from 2011
onward.
THE
PROS
1.
Timing. The Premier League is looking at a single weekend in January for its
round of overseas matches. As such, it would not cut across MLS's schedule,
which would be in the middle of its offseason at that point.
2.
Profit. Soccer United Marketing, or SUM (MLS's marketing arm), would be almost
certain to get involved if a Premier League game was held in the United States.
With interest likely to be strong, it could prove to be a real moneymaker for
SUM and the league.
3.
Relationship. Having Premiership games in America would help forge a closer
relationship between MLS and the EPL. Such close ties could only benefit MLS as
it seeks to establish itself further internationally over the next few years.
THE
CONS
1.
Precedent. MLS would be left wondering, "Where does it all end?" A
couple of English league matches per year would not pose much of a problem, but
if Spain, Italy and other
major leagues followed suit, MLS could fall into danger of being overshadowed
within its own country.
2.
Comparison. The quality of MLS is improving, but of course, it is still a long
way removed from the glittering array of talent on display in the Premiership.
Would English league games in the U.S. lead to greater overall interest
in soccer? Or would it lead to fans saving their money for EPL matches rather
than supporting the domestic product?
THOUGHT
OF THE DAY
"I
would be very surprised if it stayed one game a season. Eventually we will see
two, three or even more going abroad – and I don't like that" – Portsmouth manager Harry
Redknapp.
Here are some Related Links:
Pros and cons of a British invasionHou knows where for Gerard?Sirk’s Notebook: Crew 2, Toronto 0
Posted in MLS by Soccer Experts Blog - World Soccer - Yahoo! Sports on February 8th, 2008
The
English Premier League's plan to go global by staging top-flight matches in
other countries has drawn divided opinions in the U.K.,
but what could it mean for the U.S.
game?
Major
League Soccer deputy commissioner Ivan Gazidis chose his words carefully when
speaking to Yahoo! Sports on Friday. He will wait to see full details of the
proposal before giving his official stamp of approval.
That's
not stopping us from taking a look at the pros and cons for MLS if some of
England's finest teams strut their stuff in America once a year from 2011
onward.
THE
PROS
1.
Timing. The Premier League is looking at a single weekend in January for its
round of overseas matches. As such, it would not cut across MLS's schedule,
which would be in the middle of its offseason at that point.
2.
Profit. Soccer United Marketing, or SUM (MLS's marketing arm), would be almost
certain to get involved if a Premier League game was held in the United States.
With interest likely to be strong, it could prove to be a real moneymaker for
SUM and the league.
3.
Relationship. Having Premiership games in America would help forge a closer
relationship between MLS and the EPL. Such close ties could only benefit MLS as
it seeks to establish itself further internationally over the next few years.
THE
CONS
1.
Precedent. MLS would be left wondering, "Where does it all end?" A
couple of English league matches per year would not pose much of a problem, but
if Spain, Italy and other
major leagues followed suit, MLS could fall into danger of being overshadowed
within its own country.
2.
Comparison. The quality of MLS is improving, but of course, it is still a long
way removed from the glittering array of talent on display in the Premiership.
Would English league games in the U.S. lead to greater overall interest
in soccer? Or would it lead to fans saving their money for EPL matches rather
than supporting the domestic product?
THOUGHT
OF THE DAY
"I
would be very surprised if it stayed one game a season. Eventually we will see
two, three or even more going abroad – and I don't like that" – Portsmouth manager Harry
Redknapp.
Here are some Related Links:
Pros and cons of a British invasionHou knows where for Gerard?Sirk’s Notebook: Crew 2, Toronto 0
