MLS held its All-Star Weekend in Columbus, and the East
All-Stars defeated the West All-Stars 9-4 before a sellout
crowd of 23,495 Saturday at Crew Stadium (THE DAILY).
MAKING PROGRESS: On Friday, MLS Commissioner Don Garber
gave his "State of the League" address and said MLS "has
made great strides in our five short years. While you have
heard this before, let me remind you again that it took the
NBA 29 years to average 10,000 fans per game. We are not
nearly satisfied at where we are today. And there is much
work to be done before we achieve our goals. ... Speaking of
goals, we've established ours. It is to be among the best
soccer leagues in the world. It's a big dream and one that
will take time, but we firmly believe it is achievable. ...
I can't think of another sports league in America that has
as much opportunity as [MLS]" (THE DAILY).
OFF THE FIELD PROGRESS, TOO: While Garber said, "The
quality of our player pool and performance on the field
continues to improve," he added, "It's no secret that
corporate America believes in MLS. We have secured more
than $140 million in long-term sponsorships and there
continues to be a great deal of interest from corporations
looking to become involved with the league." Garber noted
that MLS ratings are up 3% on ESPN and 19% in men 18-34.
Though MLS' rating "is down slightly" on ESPN2, Garber added
that ratings are 37% higher in men 18-34 from '99. Garber
didn't offer specific numbers. Garber: "For the first time,
our key demographic ratings on ESPN2 are equal to [MLB],
greater than the NHL's and significantly higher than the X
Games. ... We're pleased with the progress we've made with
television, but we still have a long way to go" (THE DAILY).
STADIUMS "KEY" TO GROWTH: Garber said another "key
challenge" is stadium development. Garber: "Crew Stadium is
the pride, and envy, of everyone in [MLS], but we need more.
The Los Angeles Galaxy has a firm commitment to build a new
stadium and their plans clearly will up the ante on design,
construction and fan amenities. The MetroStars and Chicago
Fire are also making progress. We are also very excited
about the new Foxboro Stadium" (THE DAILY). Garber,
interviewed on ABC during Saturday's broadcast, noted Crew
Stadium and said, "This really is the future if you look
around and see what we can do when we have the right
environment" ("MLS All-Star Game," ABC, 7/29). In N.Y., Alex
Yannis called Crew Stadium "as much a star as the athletes
on the field, providing as it does the intimacy and superior
sight lines of a European soccer arena" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/30).
MLS Investor/Operator Philip Anschutz "presented" his L.A.
stadium plans to the MLS BOG Friday (WASHINGTON POST, 7/29).
EXPANDING ITS REACH: Garber said league expansion is an
"important priority. ... We believe that there are a number
of markets that have a great tradition of professional
soccer and strong grass roots support that deserve an MLS
team. ... We will expand by two teams by 2002. We are
targeting a second team in the New York Tri-state area as
well as a second team, likely in either Philadelphia or
Atlanta. We are in active discussions with potential
investors for Tampa and Dallas, as well as potential
expansion in Houston, Seattle, Rochester and Sacramento for
expansion in 2004" (THE DAILY). In Newark, Colin Stephenson
cited MetroStars Investor/Operator Stuart Subotnick as
saying that if the NY/NJ-market is awarded a second team it
"could eventually lead" the MetroStars "to change their
location name" from NY/NJ to "just" NJ. But Subotnick
added, "If [the MetroStars] stay in the Meadowlands, and the
second team is in Connecticut, there's probably no reason to
change" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 7/29). CNNSI.com's Michael
Lewis: "As for a second team in the New York market, you
would think the league would want to spread out the league
to all four corners in this country and not put a team so
close to the MetroStars." Lewis noted that Subotnick and
MetroStars co-Owner John Kluge "have had their eyes" on a
second NY team on Long Island, the Shea Stadium area or CT.
In a "test game" for the Long Island market, the MetroStars
drew 5,183 fans their U.S. Open Cup match against the Mutiny
Tuesday at the Mitchel Athletic Complex, below
"expectations" of 8,000. Subotnick: "No real money was
spent marketing the game. Looking at the crowd we got, it
was very encouraging. It's a viable location. We can
develop a fan base there" (CNNSI.com, 7/28).
2001, A SPACE ODYSSEY: USA TODAY's Jose Alfredo Flores
writes that L.A., San Jose and Dallas are all "bidding to
host" the 2001 All-Star Game (USA TODAY, 7/31).
