I wonder though if this attitude is actually perpetuating the image of the MLS as a lesser league when compared to European leagues.
If the MLS seriously intends on becoming a competitive soccer league then not only will they need to increase revenue and players salaries but they will have to fight off the poaching of their own homegrown talent.
The best example I can provide would be one of MLB small market teams that scout, draft, and then develop players only to see them sign with big market clubs such as the Yankees, Angels, or Red Sox.
By constantly losing young talent a team or league in the instance of MLS, is unable to build their brand and is therefore seen as a farm system to the bigger teams or leagues.
What can MLS do to bring the necessary revenue to be able to both keep its own talented youth players as well as compete for European players that are in the prime of their careers instead of promoting farewell tours of former soccer greats?
MLS is no more a development league than others around the globe. It is not unusual for clubs in the EPL or La Liga or others to sell young talent for a profit.
ReplyDeleteAll clubs except the super wealthy must do this to survive.
As MLS implants itself as a permanent fixture in the N. American sports landscape(a long process), the talent level rises albeit slowly.
As to how to keep more of the US talent at home, TV money. Plain and simple. All you need to do is compare the TV revenues to the other major sports in the US and you see where the 'big' money is. Given the latest MLS ratings, it's going to be a long slow process to build TV revenues to a level that will permit a big boost in salaries.
As an example, the smallest TV package among the 'big 4', the NHL, has US and Canadian TV revenues, exclusive of local deals, of over $170M. MLS's package... around $20M.
My two cents.