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MLS, Bundesliga Agree To
Wide-Ranging Partnership
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MLS and the German Bundesliga have reached an agreement to share experience, expertise
and best practices on an ongoing basis. The relationship will facilitate collaboration
between the two leagues in areas such as player development, broadcasting logistics,
new media developments, marketing strategies, stadium design and corporate governance.
Reps from parallel departments in the leagues will communicate during the year
and travel to see each other’s work in person (
MLS). The AP’s Lisa Orkin
Emmanuel reports the deal “may also include exhibition games or tournaments in
the United States, but no players or funding will be exchanged.” Bundesliga CEO
Christian Seifert said that his league will “get American expertise on salary
caps and club ownership strategy,” and will “give advice on safety and lighting
in stadium construction.” The German league, which has its own TV production company,
will “teach the MLS about producing soccer matches.” MLS Commissioner Don Garber:
“We'll work on what the specifics of the relationship will be in the years to
come. This is part of our outreach to get closer to the world globally. ... I
think you'll see more programs like this starting in the years to come” (
AP,
3/13). Seifert said, “We initiated discussions with [MLS] because of the impressive
progress it has made since its inception in 1996.” He added of new media, “Establishing
the Bundesliga brand in the U.S. is very important to us and we feel that broadcasting
our game on GolTV is a great start” (
WASHINGTON EXAMINER, 3/14).
