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SBD/March 15, 2011/Research and Ratings
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Sports Execs Split On MLS Expansion, Feel League Needs More Domestic Stars
As the '11 MLS season gets underway tonight, sports industry execs have mixed feelings about the pace of the league's expansion, according to results from a Turnkey Sports poll taken in February. Forty-four percent of execs said MLS expansion is right on track, followed closely by 40% saying expansion is moving too quickly. Execs feel Miami will be the market most likely to be named home to the league's next expansion team. When asked what MLS most needs to reach the next level, 21% of respondents said it needs more domestic stars, while 18% felt the league needs better TV contracts (THE DAILY).
Which of the following best describes MLS' pace of expansion?RESPONSE %Right on track 44%Moving too quickly 40%Moving too slowly 2%Not sure/No response 14%Which of the following does MLS need most to reach the next level?RESPONSE %More domestics stars 21%Bigger/better TV contracts 18%U.S. men's national team to win World Cup 17%Better quality of play 13%More publicity 9%More international stars 7%More time 5%Soccer-specific stadium for each team 3%More sponsor support 1%Not sure/No response 6%Which of the following is most likely to be named the next MLS host city?*CITY %Miami 24%Atlanta 11%San Diego 11%St. Louis 10%San Antonio 8%Baltimore 6%Phoenix 4%Minneapolis/St. Paul 2%Nashville 1%Not sure/No response 23%* Excluded from the list are Vancouver and Portland, which are set to join the league this season, and Montreal, which is poised to begin play in '12. N.Y., a candidate for a second team, was also excluded from the list.
