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#1421 BSLMikeLowe

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Posted 14 June 2022 - 05:18 PM

I think overall MLS is really remarkable for what they have achieved. 

 

I think they have done a good job, for the most part, up to now. But I think they are at an important inflection point WRT how they grow. More to the point, they cannot continue to rely on expansion fees as a major source of revenue. They're at 28 right now, with St Louis and (maybe) Sacramento on the way next year. How many more viable markets are there before expansion becomes little more than a Ponzi scheme?

 

The most obvious area for growth is in TV viewership, and as I discussed earlier in this thread they really need players/teams that will draw viewership on a national level. That's one area where AppleTV+ could help...anyone in the US should be able to watch any game they want, if they are willing to pay for it. But since this deal is locked in for the next decade, their revenues are likely baked in for that long (unless there's some sort of revenue-sharing arrangement with Apple that hasn't been reported). If they can still cut a deal with ESPN/FOX, and for a shorter period like 5 years instead of 10, that could give them a needed opportunity to go back to bidding at least part of their TV rights sooner, which could be great.....IF they can get the growth in viewership they need. But like you said, that will come down to them being able to have more marketable names/stars, which they don't seem to embrace at this point.



#1422 BSLMikeLowe

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Posted 14 June 2022 - 07:12 PM

For anyone who cares about this sort of thing, this article in The Athletic does a great job of breaking the deal down based on what is known at this time.

 

Since it's paywalled, I'll list a couple points:

 

1. There apparently will be revenue sharing with Apple once subscriptions pass a certain number. What the magic number is and how much will be shared is unknown as of now.

 

2. MLS will produce all of the games shown via Apple. This will definitely eat up a chunk of the money they get from Apple. Estimates say it could cost around $60m per season.

 

3. This will still result in a meaningful overall increase in TV revenue. Estimates put it at an extra $5m per team each season. While the article doesn't specifically state so, I assume this includes the loss of local TV deals, since unlike most sports leagues that money was pooled and evenly distributed among all the teams.

 

4. ESPN, FOX and Univision are still in the mix to cut a deal with MLS to show games, so the Apple deal isn't 100% exclusive (though it sounds like any games shown on linear networks could be simulcast on AppleTV+).


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#1423 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 26 June 2022 - 04:29 PM

ESPN: Gareth Bale to LAFC reaction: MLS move for Wales star ahead of 2022 World Cup

https://www.espn.com...-2022-world-cup



#1424 BSLSteveBirrer

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Posted 26 June 2022 - 08:00 PM

This is awesome for the MLS. Now THE best thing LA could do is to bench his ass for the rest of the season so he goes to Qatar totally out of game fitness.  LOL

 

Just as a reminder, sure you all know, that the US and Wales play each other as our first match at the WC on Monday November 21st.



#1425 DuffMan

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Posted 09 July 2022 - 09:39 PM

Wayne Rooney has had discussions with DC United about taking the HC job.

#1426 DuffMan

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Posted 11 July 2022 - 08:10 AM

Wayne Rooney has had discussions with DC United about taking the HC job.

Well that didn't take long, Rooney to coach DC is a done deal.



#1427 BSLSteveBirrer

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Posted 19 July 2022 - 05:28 PM

Hey all here's my midseason look back at the MLS thus far. Lets discuss.

 

Thanks,

 

Steve

 

https://baltimorespo...ason-look-back/


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#1428 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 24 July 2022 - 09:02 AM



#1429 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 11 August 2022 - 08:58 AM

https://www.espn.com...ped-leagues-cup



#1430 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 16 August 2022 - 01:47 PM

ESPN: MLS Power Rankings: An LAFC Supporters' Shield looks inevitable



#1431 BSLSteveBirrer

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Posted 01 September 2022 - 07:20 PM

I think sports fans in the US tend to judge the interest in a sport by comparing attendance and tv revenue against other sports in the US. And that isn't wrong at all. But I also think that it doesn't paint the whole picture.  Take a look at the average fan attendance in the MLS compared to the Big 5 European leagues. MLS is right on par with all but the EPL. And no league touches the EPL.

 

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#1432 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 15 September 2022 - 01:41 PM

ESPNNYCFC tops Atlas as MLS wins Campeones Cup



#1433 BSLSteveBirrer

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Posted 29 September 2022 - 08:53 AM

MLS is growing by most any metrics but if you want to see something eye opening check this out!

 

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#1434 BSLSteveBirrer

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Posted 04 October 2022 - 09:05 AM

Big matches tomorrow for teams shooting for the playoffs then Sunday is Decision day. I'll have a playoff preview out next week.

 

https://www.mlssocce...-this-wednesday

 

Shocker of a season for Seattle. Not to mention NE. Think overall its a good thing for MLS .....some of the expansion teams are really coming on (Cinn and Austin).



#1435 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 08 October 2022 - 09:55 AM

CBS Sports: MLS Decision Day: final playoff spots to be booked on Sunday

https://www.cbssport...-of-the-season/



#1436 BSLSteveBirrer

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Posted 11 October 2022 - 05:47 PM

MLS Playoffs anyone? And just to prove the old axiom that "its the playoffs and anything can happen"  Haifa beat mighty Juventus 2-0 in UCL today......LOL

 

https://baltimorespo...line-is-firsts/


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#1437 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 14 October 2022 - 09:47 AM

MLS Draws Record Attendance for 2022 Season

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

 

 

Soccer’s popularity is picking up steam across the globe, and this year’s Major League Soccer regular season was a clear sign of its growth in North America.

The league hosted more than 10 million fans during the 2022 regular season, marking the highest ticket revenue clubs have ever generated — and far exceeding the record 8.6 million fans in 2019, according to Forbes.

Atlanta United FC led the league’s average attendance with 47,116 fans, while Charlotte FC broke the single-game attendance record when it hosted 74,479 fans at the start of the season.

 

On Disney networks, viewership reached 356,000 for people aged 2 and up — the league’s highest average ever. FOX Deportes and ESPN Deportes had a 13% year-over-year viewership increase, and TSN in Canada saw an 8% increase.

MLS recorded increases in merchandise sales, viewership, and online engagement. 

  • The league added 600,000 net followers on social media platforms, a 65% year-over-year increase.
  • Sales for jerseys launched in 2022 on MLSstore.com increased 10% from last year.
MLS Movement

MLS isn’t slowing down.

Next year, the league will add a new team — St. Louis City SC — and start a new, exclusive media deal with Apple reportedly worth at least $2.5 billion.

 

“It’s all with a view to the 2026 World Cup being here, Canada, and Mexico, and the ability to really draft off that incredible moment, which will be the biggest sporting event the world’s ever seen at that point,” said David Bruce, MLS senior vice president of brand and integrated marketing.


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#1438 BSLSteveBirrer

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Posted 18 October 2022 - 06:13 PM

First round is over. So how'd we do?

 

Predicted winners: Cin, NYCFC, Montreal, Nashville, Dallas, Austin.

 

Results: Cin, NYCFC, Montreal, LA Galaxy, Dallas, Austin

 

So not bad only missed on LA vs Nashville but I did call that a toss up.

 

Maybe I missed my calling as a sports handicapper.....LOL :mrgreen:  :mrgreen:


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#1439 DuffMan

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Posted 21 October 2022 - 09:20 AM

Watched the first 20 minutes of Cinci and Phily last night.  Absolute embarrassment.   Embellishment,  flopping, acting, you name it these guys were doing it.  Disappointing to see that kind of nonsense in MLS.   The only highlight was one of the coaches had a replica oscar statue that he was waving at one of the opposing players after he was "injured" on a "foul".


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#1440 DuffMan

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Posted 24 October 2022 - 07:08 AM

Austin and Dallas last night was much more entertaining.  Great atmosphere for that one.


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