Garber Stresses League's Growth, Improvement In N.Y. Times Q&A
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Garber Discusses League's Growth
Ahead Of Sunday's MLS Cup |
MLS Commissioner Don Garber, in advance of Sunday's MLS Cup, participated in a wide-ranging Q&A with the N.Y. TIMES' Jack Bell in which Garber said the league "is doing fine," as the quality of play "continues to improve." Garber said the business side the season will be "remembered for even greater success in Toronto, incredible momentum in Seattle, the return to San Jose and the anticipation for additional future expansion and the opening of Rio Tinto Stadium in Utah." Garber added team values "are increasing," and the league's relationships with its broadcast partners "continue to get stronger." When asked how the current economy will affect MLS, Garber said, "We have to be smarter, more efficient. But I go to bed at night knowing our owners are committed. How will the economy affect us? The obvious answer is sponsorship. Like all leagues, we will be under stress as companies struggle with their marketing expenditures." When asked if the joint bid between Brightstar Communications CEO Marcelo Claure and Spanish La Liga club FC Barcelona for an expansion club in Miami is a "slam dunk," Garber said, "They have taken it to the next level in Miami and it is a compelling aspect to the whole concept. I'm on my way to Miami this week to tour the stadium and meet with Marcelo Claure." When asked if MLS could "ever switch to basically a European schedule" with a break in the middle of winter, Garber said it would "cost us millions of dollars." Garber: "We wouldn't be able to have a business. Basically that decision, if we were to schedule that way, we'd have to fold ... the league because we couldn't afford to do it." The league is in the final year of its CBA, and Garber said there is no progress to speak of, noting the two sides are "going through some challenging times" (NYTIMES.com, 11/18).
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