Menu
Leagues and Governing Bodies

MLS Team Execs Forecast League's Eventual Expansion; Southeast Region A Possible Target

MLS Sounders GM & minority Owner Adrian Hanauer does not think the addition of NYC FC will be the "end of the story" when it comes to league expansion, according to Joshua Mayers of the SEATTLE TIMES. Hanauer said, "How and when the next expansion happens, I couldn’t say, but there are certainly a lot of big, important markets left in this country." Hanauer: "I know most leagues around the world have 16, 18, 20 teams, but this is just a different beast in North America. When you look at the size of Canada and the United States put together, to compare that to another league around the world and suggest that we should have 20 teams, as well, I just don’t think is realistic long-term." He said expanding into the Southeast "is another step along the way." Hanauer: "It’s just clear that there’s a big fan opportunity, big television opportunity that just doesn’t exist today" (SEATTLETIMES.com, 5/23). Rapids President Tim Hinchey said he thinks having 20 teams "is a great number," but he added, "No doubt, we’ll be at 24 by 2022." Hinchey: "We can’t not be in the southeast. I think Orlando is pretty serious. I’ve heard they’re very solid. They’ve been connected to Stoke City." He noted Orlando City Soccer Club Owner & President Phil Rawlins is "very well funded." In Denver, Nick Groke noted the Tampa Bay Mutiny (one of the original 10 teams in MLS in '96), and the Miami Fusion (which joined in '98), "both disbanded in 2001." MLS contracted back to 10 teams in '01, and the league has "moved slowly to get back to 20 teams." Hinchey: "I like Don Garber’s pragmatic approach. I like that we walk before we run. They’re learning from the franchises that struggled" (DENVERPOST.com, 5/23).

TAKING A BIG STEP FORWARD: The DENVER POST's Groke writes NYC FC "represents a giant step forward for MLS" as the announcement "alone probably increased the value of the league and its teams significantly." Hinchey said having the Yankees and EPL club Manchester City behind NYC FC will "move the needle commercially in MLS." Groke notes NYC FC "becomes only the second MLS team with direct ownership ties to the English Premier League -- joining the Rapids." Club Owner Stan Kroenke also owns Arsenal. Hinchey: "This continues to show the long-term success of MLS. And I think it will help with television rights. It's not just about growing the league, it's about growing the sport" (DENVER POST, 5/24).

EUROPEAN VACATION: In N.Y., Jack Bell reported for the first time since '05, a team from the U.K. "will not ... play a collection of stars from Major League Soccer in the 2013 all-star game." The league "has yet to announce who the opposition will be, but probably will in the next few weeks." It also is unlikely that La Liga club Real Madrid will be the All-Star Game opponent, as the club "is part of the Guinness International Challenge Cup" (NYTIMES.com, 5/21).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: May 3, 2024

Seismic change coming for NCAA? Churchill Downs rolls out major premium build out and Jeff Pash, a key advisor to Roger Goodell, steps down

Learfield's Cory Moss, MASN/ESPN's Ben McDonald, and Canelo

On this week’s pod, SBJ’s Austin Karp has two Big Get interviews. The first is with Learfield's Cory Moss as he talks about his company’s collaboration on EA Sports College Football. Later in the show, we hear from MASN/ESPN baseball analyst Ben McDonald on how he sees the college and professional baseball scene shaking out. SBJ’s Adam Stern shares his thoughts on the upcoming Canelo-Mungia bout on Prime Video and DAZN.

SBJ I Factor: Molly Mazzolini

SBJ I Factor features an interview with Molly Mazzolini. Elevate's Senior Operating Advisor – Design + Strategic Alliances chats with SBJ’s Ross Nethery about the power of taking chances. Mazzolini is a member of the SBJ Game Changers Class of 2016. She shares stories of her career including co-founding sports design consultancy Infinite Scale career journey and how a chance encounter while working at a stationery store launched her career in the sports industry. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2013/05/24/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/MLS.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2013/05/24/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/MLS.aspx

CLOSE