Sunday, June 10, 2007
MLS starts to reap the rewards
After 11 completed seasons, average Major League Soccer gates were 15,509 in 2006, which was higher than at any point in the history of its forerunner, the NASL, where the average was 3,163 in 1971. NASL gates peaked at 14,201 in 1980, and that despite the star-spangled, capacity-pulling antics of the Cosmos.
Current MLS gates are only a few thousand behind England's Championship, which has just registered a 50-year high of 18,221 people per game.
Incredibly, the MLS had never been paid by a television broadcaster before this season to screen games. Rather, the MLS paid the channels to carry games.
Now, there are big-hitters on board, including ESPN, the Fox Soccer Channel, the influential Spanish-language Univision and the high definition network, HDNet. Together they have signed deals to 2014 worth £100m. Small fry in England, but rather good from zilch last year. And now the TV folk have a vested interest, promotion should create a virtuous circle.
Investors demonstrably see potential, among them billionaire Stan Kroenke, owner of the Colorado Rapids and suitor of Arsenal. In the past two years alone, he and his fellow owners have invested £500m in the MLS, much of it in facilities.
Ten franchises already play in or are building dedicated " soccer-specific stadiums", seen as pivotal "roots" for growth. MLS plans to expand to 15 teams by the 2008 season and 16 by 2010.
Current MLS gates are only a few thousand behind England's Championship, which has just registered a 50-year high of 18,221 people per game.
Incredibly, the MLS had never been paid by a television broadcaster before this season to screen games. Rather, the MLS paid the channels to carry games.
Now, there are big-hitters on board, including ESPN, the Fox Soccer Channel, the influential Spanish-language Univision and the high definition network, HDNet. Together they have signed deals to 2014 worth £100m. Small fry in England, but rather good from zilch last year. And now the TV folk have a vested interest, promotion should create a virtuous circle.
Investors demonstrably see potential, among them billionaire Stan Kroenke, owner of the Colorado Rapids and suitor of Arsenal. In the past two years alone, he and his fellow owners have invested £500m in the MLS, much of it in facilities.
Ten franchises already play in or are building dedicated " soccer-specific stadiums", seen as pivotal "roots" for growth. MLS plans to expand to 15 teams by the 2008 season and 16 by 2010.
