Crew fans are in open conflict with Chair Anthony Precourt, who is threatening to move the team to AustinTwitter
The relationship between some MLS teams and their supporters groups has "never been more charged" as the league begins its 23rd season, according to Graham Parker of the N.Y. TIMES. In Columbus, fans are in "open conflict" with Crew Chair Anthony Precourt, who is "threatening to move the team" to Austin. Meanwhile, the Red Bulls in January "took the extraordinary step of revoking official recognition of one of their oldest supporters groups, the Garden State Ultras." The relationships between teams and the supporters' groups have "always had a certain tension built into them." But the emergence of a "genuine independent supporters culture has been viewed as a necessary step toward credibility, and it remains vital to the league’s vision of itself." However, managing the "dance between 'organic' support and a strong league office can be delicate" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/4).
MONEY MATTERS: In Seattle, Geoff Baker noted the Sounders' streaming deal with YouTube TV is for "less than seven figures annually, though it is part of an overall push by the Sounders to grow revenues incrementally through means other than attendance." The club last year hired outside WME-IMG to "seek a new jersey naming-rights deal that could grow that revenue by at least" another $2M annually once their current Microsoft Xbox contract -- worth about $5M per year -- expires after this season. Teams with "better jersey deals include" Toronto FC, NYCFC, the Galaxy and LAFC. Toronto FC and NYCFC "were 1-2 in league payroll last season, and the Sounders were No. 7." Payroll "hasn’t been as big of a factor in MLS as other pro sports, such as baseball, but the league softening its salary cap again this offseason could signal more of a coming disparity between big spenders and thriftier clubs" (SEATTLE TIMES, 3/4).
