Apologies for the lack of post yesterday, I was travelling back from Orlando and didn't get
access to my computer. It makes sense to start with Orlando, which is now a center of MLS
activity. We have previously reported on the upcoming meeting between Comissioner Garber and
supporters of an Orlando franchise and on the Disney Pro Soccer Classic currently ongoing at
Disney's Wide World of Sports.
Less than two weeks until First Kick and the pace of preseason is starting to pick up. The
various tournaments started up over the weekend with MLSSoccer.com offering high quality streaming
of matches. Various team Twitter accounts used the matches as an opportunity to reach out to fans
by providing updates and play-by-play of the games.
We wrote last week about a key final hurdle for the stadium project in San Jose. The team has
cleared that hurdle, thanks to a unanimous vote upholding the planning permit. The vote by the
San Jose Planning Commission upheld earlier action by the same board in December. However,
concerns raised by a neighbor to the project required additional action.
As Major League Soccer gets ready to open the season, we thought it would be worth taking a
quick look at a number of business topics overhanging MLS that are bigger than just one season.
We'll start with expansion.
When this blog started, expansion was probably the biggest business story looming over the
league.
The Philadelphia have reached out to fans to announce that only 352 pairs of season tickets
remain available for 2012. The outreach effort is aimed at selling full 18 game seats for all
Union home matches. The packages do not include the All-Star Game but does entitle purchasers to
have "priority access" to tickets for the event.
Over the next few days, Major League Soccer teams will be continuing their preseason preparation
for the 2012 campaign. A number of those teams will be gathered in Orlando, Charleston or Tucson
as part of the Disney Pro Soccer Classic, Carolina Challenge Cup or the Desert Diamond Cup. Each
of the events feature multiple MLS teams performing in intimate venues in small tournament
set-ups.
The last full week of February is upon us and the MLS season is just three weeks away. Here
are some business stories from the weekend to get your Monday off to a great start. In San Jose,
plans to build a $60 million stadium for the Earthquakes is continuing to creep forward.
According to this article from the Mercury News, the stadium plan is set for a final vote on
Wednesday night by the local Planning Commission.
Time for some quick hitters from the world of soccer business. The Sports Business Journal is
reporting that the Soccer Stadium, a network of soccer specific venues (made up of a number of MLS
franchises and the Rochester Rhinos), has realized some significant success though its effort to
jointly book concerts.
The Columbus Crew have announced a five year partnership with Barbasol to serve as the team's
jersey sponsor starting in 2012. Two years after Glidden departed front of the Columbus kit, the
team managed to secure a long term partnership with a venerable American company with a long
history of involvement with the sports world.
It is Valentine's Day, so no new post tonight while we attend to other matters. Back in the
Summer of 2010, we interviewed Rocky Harris of the Houston Dynamo about the team's marketing and
promotional efforts. What a difference a couple of years makes. Back then there was no stadium,
the All-Star Game against ManU was on the horizon and Superliga was still a big deal.
It has been a while since we looked at stadium construction around the league, but today,
Houston's rising downtown digs is the sole edifice in our sights. Officially, the Dynamo's new home
is called BBVA Compass Stadium. The 22,000 seat stadium will host its first Dynamo match on May
12, 2012. The stadium will be shared with Texas Southern Football and other local events.
The big soccer game on American soil over the weekend involved the Women's National Team, which
packed more than 20,000 people into FC Dallas Stadium as part of a 2-1 victory over New Zealand.
That is a big number for a friendly game against a non-big name opponent, especially given the
fairly cold temperatures in the Dallas area.
Time for some quick hitters from around the soccer business world. We'll start in Colorado,
where the Rapids have taken a unique step to promote season tickets and reward their best
customers. The team's 2013 jerseys will include the names of its 2012 season ticket holders woven
into the shirts.
Amazingly enough, Footiebusiness is about to start its 4th year of covering the business of
American soccer. It has been a great ride and one that I hope to continue to enjoy and
improve. When I started the site, I had no idea how long it would last, whether there was any
interest in the business aspects of American soccer or whether anyone would read what I wrote.
Ever Winter, Major League Soccer releases its schedule for the upcoming season. In addition to
setting out the slate of games, the initial release sets out the national television schedule,
establishes breaks for FIFA dates and gives fans an opportunity to plan their Summer of soccer.
We thought it would be worthwhile to talk to Brad Pursel, Major League Soccer's Vice President of
Club Services about the process of putting together the league schedule.
Most of the United States was focused on the "other football" this weekend, but there were still
some soccer business stories coming out over the last few days. We'll start with FOX's broadcast
of the Manchester United/Chelsea match over the weekend. Once again, the network offered an EPL
match over network television via a live broadcast.
When I started this site back in 2009, I had expected the site to devote a significant amount of
ink to the transfer market and the finances involved in buying and selling players. Over time the
focus has shifted to marketing, promotions, broadcast and other business issues facing soccer in
the United States.
