MLS this weekend announced plans "to add four more teams," a move that would expand the league to 28 clubs and "appear to strengthen Sacramento’s bid for a slot," according to Dale Kasler of the SACRAMENTO BEE. The league "didn’t establish a schedule for expansion." The MLS BOG on Saturday "announced their support" for a Miami site proposed by David Beckham's group, and with Miami "finally getting on track, league owners turned their attention to the next phase of expansion." MLS Commissioner Don Garber "has been clear" that Sacramento was a "serious candidate for a spot once the Miami situation was clarified." Saturday’s announcement "made no mention of Sacramento or any other cities that have expressed an interest in a team, such as St. Louis and San Antonio." But Sacramento is "widely considered to be a top candidate" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 12/6). ESPN FC's Jeff Carlisle noted the league's current expansion plans "calls for 24 teams" by '20, with Atlanta United FC, LAFC and Minnesota United FC "joining in the next three years and Miami taking a step to becoming the 24th team." That will "already make MLS the largest top-flight league in the world." But Garber said that he "hopes to make the league even bigger" (ESPNFC.com, 12/5). Garber during halftime of last night's MLS Cup said, “When we talked years ago, we thought that we needed to get to 20 teams. Then we set 2020 as 24 teams. We'll be at 24 teams by 2018. So many cities around the U.S. and Canada that want to support Major League Soccer, so we need to basically accommodate that. We’ll go to 28. We don’t know when" ("MLS Cup," ESPN, 12/6).
OTHER LEAGUE ISSUES: In Seattle, Matt Pentz noted additional items "approved during Saturday’s meetings," included the league taking a "two-week break" during the '16 season for the Copa América Centenario tournament from June 2-14. Also, the BOG was "provided an update on possible real-time video review ... and will continue to evaluate a plan for the future." Finally, all matches during the final weekend of the '16 regular season "will be played on the same day and in the same time slot" as part of the league's "Decision Day" initiative (SEATTLE TIMES, 12/6).
MONEY MATTERS: Garber said MLS continues to lose money, as club owners are “still in the investment mode.” He noted there are a “handful of teams that make money,” but the “vast majority of them lose money.” Garber: “Part of that is because they're investing so much in the necessary components of growing this league. Youth development is not something that is a profitable venture today. Stadiums are not yet turning a profit. Training grounds and other infrastructure that's being invested in is not something that's turning a profit. Our revenues today, on an enterprise basis, don't cover our expenses” (SPORTS.VICE.com, 12/4).
DON'T FORGET ABOUT US: Garber noted the league is “not spending as much time as we need to” in Canada. He said, “It’s very important that everyone in Canada knows that. And while they might not think this all the time, we do think of our responsibility to grow the game in Canada like we’ve been able to do in the United States and ensure the Canadian clubs have the same opportunity to be successful as their U.S.-based counterparts.” In Toronto, Kurtis Larson noted Canadian players “count as ‘international’ or import players, meaning they’re constantly fighting for roster spots with players from every other country.” Larson wonders if it is possible to "give MLS clubs an incentive" to sign Canadians. Garber said, “It would be a great way for us to shout out loud our desire to do everything to have the game grow in Canada. But we are very focused on doing everything we can to not have more rules that are outside the salary budget-type programs. At the end of the day, the Canadian player needs to get better. The MLS clubs in Canada need to do their part to ensure that happens” (TORONTO SUN, 12/5).
WHAT'S COMING NEXT: In Orlando, Paul Tenorio notes tomorrow afternoon will “signal the introduction of a new era in MLS: the first day of free agency, albeit in a limited form, which has never before existed in the league.” Free agency “exists only for players 28 years old or older who have at least eight years experience in MLS.” However, it “may be the second class of free agents and not the first that reveals how free agency will change MLS.” Free agency “might also introduce a trade market that has never existed in MLS” (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 12/7).
