Major League Soccer announced the appointment of sports and
entertainment marketing exec Doug Logan as the league's
Commissioner, President and CEO. Logan replaces former CEO Alan
Rothenberg as overseer of MLS' day-to-day operations. Rothenberg
assumes the role of Chairman. Prior to joining MLS, Logan was a
sports marketing and event management consultant, with clients
including the NBA and SMG Management. Logan also served as
President of OCESA in Mexico City -- an entertainment company
promoting concerts, shows and sporting events. There, he ran the
CBA Aztecs, which he currently owns and operates now as the San
Diego Wildcards. Rothenberg: "We now have a senior management
team in place which provides the range of skills necessary to
assure MLS success" (MLS). In DC, Steven Goff notes Logan
"freely admits he knows little about the sport" (WASHINGTON
POST, 11/22). In L.A., Grahame Jones notes Rothenberg will
retain his "substantial financial investment." FIFA President
Joao Havelange attended the press conference; he will also attend
MLS' opener on April 6 In San Jose (Grahame Jones, L.A. TIMES,
11/22). Logan reported his son's reaction to the new job: "But,
Dad, you don't know anything about soccer" (USA TODAY, 11/22).
OTHER MLS NEWS: MLS also announced Univision will televise
26 matches as the league's exclusive Spanish-language TV partner.
Also, Kwik Goal will be MLS' official Field Equipment Supplier,
and North American Sports Camps will join the MLS in offering
youth soccer camps across the U.S. in '96 (MLS). MLS Deputy
Commissioner Sunil Gulati notes 88 players have been signed, with
negotiations ongoing with 12 World Cup players. Gulati said all
coaches will be in place by December 15 (Alex Yannis, N.Y. TIMES,
11/22).
THE INDOOR GAME: The CISL has heard proposals from five
different parties interested in '96 expansion teams. Among the
cities are New York, Indiana, Orlando as well as two
international applications from England and Scotland. The CISL
Board of Governors is expected to make a final decision regarding
the franchises by mid-December. It is likely the CISL will
expand with two U.S. teams, with the international sites used for
exhibitions (THE DAILY). New Haven could be the next city slated
for NPSL expansion in '96-97, joining Philadelphia and Toronto.
New Haven, which hosts a Buffalo-Chicago neutral site game on
Friday, has applied for a franchise (Doug Brown, Baltimore SUN,
11/21).
