Entering its fourth season, MLS "has lasted longer than
some of its detractors predicted," according to Bill Ward of
the TAMPA TRIBUNE. While attendance and TV ratings aren't
"great," the play "continues to improve, the second
expansion is on the horizon and the league's millionaire
investors have made written commitments to fund" the
reported losses of more than $60M with $100 million for "at
least another five years." Ward: "Slowly, MLS is making
progress along an American road littered with the remains of
others who have tried and failed to sell soccer as the
nation's fifth major professional sport." MLS Commissioner
Doug Logan "even" wants to "stick with MLS after his
contract expires next year." Logan calls '99 the "Year of
No Excuses," as the league won't have World Cup competition,
has more weekend dates/TV exposure, and has new stadiums in
both Columbus and Tampa. Logan: "There's nowhere to point
the finger now but at ourselves. We have so many things
going for us this year we have to accept the responsibility
of our successes and failures" (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 3/14).
EXPANDING ITS HORIZONS: In Houston, Richard Dean wrote
that Houston "is expected" to be one of two cities awarded
an expansion MLS franchise when the league increases to 14
teams for play in 2001. Houston Soccer Ventures Int'l
President John Cape "is interested" in bringing a team to
the city and "has signed a confidentiality agreement" with
MLS, "limiting what he can say on the matter." The Univ. of
Houston's Robertson Stadium will meet MLS requirements, a
75-yard-wide field with grass, when its renovation is done
in September (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 3/15).
