FIFA, USSF block goals; U.S. pro Soccer can’t score with sports fans
The increased instability of professional Soccer in the U.S. is part of its natural progression towards what is best for the sports fan. As leagues emerge, submerge and merge, executives continue to try to solve Soccer’s puzzle for success.
Part of the difficulty for so many involved in the investment of professional Soccer in the U.S. is defining what is ‘success.’ Interestingly, it’s not part of the same definition of ‘success’ for owners of other professional sports teams.
The major difference being that other sports franchises don’t have to rely on the approval of outside organizations to help gauge the success of their teams or leagues. All approval and legitimacy comes strictly from the fans.
For all sports besides Soccer, there is only one dilemma for business owners. Is it more important to make money or win championships?
Winning championships or making money is the business model that sports franchises have followed for years. But, it is not the formula for professional Soccer in the U.S. Their business model has always been to find approval from outside entities first, and than set about trying to win championships or make money.
What U.S. pro Soccer has not figured out is that the success made by NASCAR, the NHL, the NBA, MLB and the NFL was mostly predicated on the fact that they were orginals and have not allowed outside influences to impact their goals of mixing the chase for a championship while trying to make money or the chase to make money while trying to win a championship.
Not being sanctioned by the USSF is a blessing in disguise for USL and the NASL. They must embrace their new found freedom and search out what will bring them their best model for success. With a strike looming in MLS, this blessing couldn’t have come at a better time.
Those who think that they must count on the USSF and FIFA for sanctioning in order to be successful are mistaken. Those most closely associated with pro Soccer in the U.S. are still not listening to the sports fans for guidance. Sports fans continue to be ignored. Their voice is not heard.
Other than the occasional blog, is there anyone or anything representing the sports fan when it comes to making Soccer successful in the U.S.?
K:
I’m a little confused by this. Are you saying that second-division soccer should attempt to go ahead unsanctioned? FIFA then bans you for life, meaning no potential foreign pro league play, and you’ll never get the chance to play for your national team, either. I know you know this, but you’re argument leaves this out as an opportunity cost for “embracing their new found freedom.” Can you clarify this?
I will address some of this on another blog, but yes, I am suggesting that any league should follow the bottom line, the dollar. Any league should put making money as its #1 priority. And making money in sports has always been associated with satisfying the emotions of the sports fans.
They cannot go unsanctioned because they would not be able to register their players- I think sanctioning has to do with external factors involving MLS.
OK, but to keep that thought going…
If you want to deliver the best ‘product,’ and if no one will play in an unsanctioned league because it’s a career-killer, how will that “satisfy the emotions of the sports fans?”
who is making the rules for playing pro soccer in the u.s.? what does the law say? Being sanctioned is a term that represents recognition by an outside organization. there is no rule or law anywhere that says these leagues can not move forward and play professional soccer, recruit players, seek higher attendance, sell more concessions, etc…
how do you know players won’t play in a league that is unsanctioned by USSF? what if they are offered lots of money? why would they turn it down? It doesn’t effect their career other than maybe with personal relationships. when they leave the league, they may resume their career with a different league. they are not consistenly punished or ostracized forever.
“how do you know players won’t play in a league that is unsanctioned by USSF?”
I can’t say I ‘know,’ but who the hell would play in a legue that has no money? How do you get money? Get good players. How do you get good players? A SANCTIONED LEAGUE. Unless someone comes in with Howard Hughes like money to bankroll a league where they give up any dream of palying higher than second-divison US soccer and/or never palying for their national teams, you’re living in a fantasy land.
In this case, since we are not creating a sport from scratch w/o competitors for viewers/fans (a luxury the NBA, NFL, etc. had), the Chicken does, indeed, come before the egg.
CVO,
right. you are answering your own questions. the only one I can respond to would be about playing for the national team. it is too narrow-minded to think that it is not possible for a player to make the national team who plays for a club team not sanctioned. Those are two different things, club play and national team play. If the player is great enough, no one would argue having him play on the national team.
Right. I’m answering my own questions, which refute the idea that going unsanctioned is profitable for US soccer. So, again, where does the money come from to start up this new league?
It is possible to still play. You just are unlikely to have players who feature for their national teams, unless the FA’s of players decide to ignore the USSF decision which is possible.
I hear ya, K, but ignoring the USSF will be taken by FIFA as ignoring FIFA, as well, am I right?
As a Timbers fan, I can tell you the Timbers organization does a great job with “listening to the fan”, so there you go; and I can say I’m optimistic about the Timbers playing in a sanctioned league next season. The USSF’s decision is not the end of the process, so please don’t assume that it is.
Hmmm, I think this is the first time I’ve really dissagreed with K. I don’t agree that unsanctioned play will bring freedom of any kind. If anything it will further marginalize lower league soccer, and make it unviable to a lot of players. The issue is not whether sanctioning helps or hinders franchise growth, it is that the sanctionERs are not unbiased individuals who stand in a neutral prosition for the greater good of soccer in this country. instead, they are people who very much have something to gain from the demize of USL/NASL. That is the real problem. Also, I don’t agree $$$ is the prime goal for pro soccer at this stage. The goal is increased fan acceptance and team/league stability. $$$ will folow.
Mitch, I agree with you although I’m one of the unwashed who doesn’t think that USSF/FIFA are bigger than the game. I think everyone would like to see all parties hold hands and sing Kumbaya…as everyone kisses the rings of the USSF and FIFA, of course.
From what I have read, the main problem with teams playing without USSF/FIFA sanctioning is that players will not play and the product on the field will not be worth watching. If that is true and if I was a player, I would be bolting for the door now and hitting the speed dial of my agent. I wouldn’t hang around and see if these other parties get it together…especially since it is mid-season for most places. Have we seen that happen?
At the end of the day, players have to provide for their families and themselves. If they have other options, they would be wise to pull the trigger yesterday (or weeks ago) and find another place to play. Otherwise, they may have to swallow hard and take the money by USL/NASL teams even though they risk being thrown on their National team’s dead player pile (which may not be an issue for a number of players).
There won’t be an unsanctioned league, but if there is, Vancouver, Portland, and Puerto Rico won’t be involved – and Montréal as well – as they all have something to lose (potential MLS player eligibility and participation in FIFA-sanctioned competitions). AFAIK Vancouver and Portland will be allowed to bring a certain number players from their current clubs to MLS with them. Those are/were four of the five best-attended teams in the USL.
There will be a league next season. There’s now demand for a league. And if you need any further proof the two sides are working toward a compromise, the USL dismissed their lawsuit against the three clubs over a week ago.
John, does that mean that if there is no sanctioned league, there is no Timbers soccer in Portland? If not, what happens to the Timbers players and their contracts? Are the Timbers on the hook to honor their contracts?
Did I miss this? Where you heard this? Dismiss the lawsuits? That has to be good news?