MLS concerned after COVID-19 takes bite out of 2020 revenue
4 years, 3 months ago

MLS concerned after COVID-19 takes bite out of 2020 revenue

The Hindu  

Major League Soccer suffered nearly one billion USD revenue hit compared to last year due to COVID-19 but is hopeful 2021 will bring a reprieve as it plans to launch its new season on schedule next March, Commissioner Don Garber said on Tuesday. “We are concerned about what this will look like leading into 2021 and are working at figuring out how we can manage through that,” Garber said during his annual State of the League Address ahead of Saturday's MLS Cup final between Columbus and Seattle Sounders. “I am very, very hopeful that 2021 will be a way better year than '20 because I don't think any business can sustain the kind of impact that we sustained in 2020 for two years in a row.” Garber said MLS hopes to kick off its 2021 season by early to mid-March but is exploring different models and timeframes given the uncertainty with the COVID-19 pandemic. we are not going to know that and have to set a schedule prior to that.” Garber also said he was concerned about where MLS's three Canadian teams will play in 2021 given the current travel restrictions in place stemming from the pandemic.

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History of this topic

MLS Embarks on 30th year with a 30th team, a crowded schedule and, yes, more Messi
1 month, 1 week ago

MLS Embarks on 30th year with a 30th team, a crowded schedule and, yes, more Messi

Associated Press  

While the main attraction is still Lionel Messi, it’s perhaps fitting that for Major League Soccer’s 30th season the league is welcoming its 30th team. Led by winger Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, San Diego FC is among the teams to watch this year, along with the expansion club’s first opponent, the defending MLS champion LA Galaxy. The Galaxy won their sixth …

Players and coaches among those who favor seeing MLS shift to an international calendar
1 month, 1 week ago

Players and coaches among those who favor seeing MLS shift to an international calendar

Associated Press  

As Major League Soccer readies to open its 30th season, some players and coaches are advocating for a fall-to-spring calendar, a major move that would align the league with its international counterparts. Complicating matters is Major League Soccer’s already crowded schedule — and top players called in and out of their national teams during the busy summer months. There’s also …

MLS commissioner looks ahead to a busy next 2 years as the league concludes its 29th season
Trending News
3 months, 3 weeks ago

MLS commissioner looks ahead to a busy next 2 years as the league concludes its 29th season

Associated Press  

As Major League Soccer prepares for its championship game on Saturday, the league is also looking at how to best position itself for growth as high-profile events descend on the United States over the next two years. The United States will host the FIFA Club World Cup next year before co-hosting the men’s World Cup with Canada and Mexico in …

MLS Commissioner Don Garber’s contract extended through 2027
3 months, 3 weeks ago

MLS Commissioner Don Garber’s contract extended through 2027

Associated Press  

Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber’s contract has been extended by the league’s Board of Governors through 2027. The league confirmed the extension on Wednesday ahead of this weekend’s MLS Cup final between the LA Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls. Garber introduced the league’s marketing arm, Soccer United Marketing, encouraged construction of soccer-specific stadiums and spurred the growth …

MLS’s Don Garber on World Cup and why U.S. is ‘the ATM of the soccer world’
1 year ago

MLS’s Don Garber on World Cup and why U.S. is ‘the ATM of the soccer world’

New York Times  

By Tom Bogert, Pablo Maurer, Jeff Rueter and Paul Tenorio Major League Soccer’s positioning as the Copa America, men’s Club World Cup, and men’s World Cup all arrive in the U.S. was a theme this week as The Athletic sat down with league commissioner Don Garber and other executives at MLS headquarters in New York City. “All of this creates …

MLS and Apple announce all-access docuseries chronicling 2024 season
1 year, 2 months ago

MLS and Apple announce all-access docuseries chronicling 2024 season

Associated Press  

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Apple TV and Major League Soccer are expanding their collaboration, announcing Thursday that the looming MLS season will be chronicled in a new all-access docuseries similar to the ones that have given fans a deep, different look at golf, auto racing and tennis in recent months. The league is entering the second year of a 10-year …

MLS and Apple announce all-access docuseries chronicling 2024 season
1 year, 2 months ago

MLS and Apple announce all-access docuseries chronicling 2024 season

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Apple TV and Major League …

MLS won’t add a fourth designated player post-Messi: Don Garber
1 year, 3 months ago

MLS won’t add a fourth designated player post-Messi: Don Garber

New York Times  

On the eve of MLS Cup, MLS commissioner Don Garber issued his annual State of the League remarks and press conference. There will be some exciting things that we’re going to announce next week, but all that needs to go to group of owners, and we don’t have plans for a vote for a fourth DP.” What it means: While …

MLS commissioner Don Garber discusses expansion, Apple TV deal and more in exclusive interview
2 years ago

MLS commissioner Don Garber discusses expansion, Apple TV deal and more in exclusive interview

New York Times  

As Don Garber enters his 23rd year as the commissioner of Major League Soccer, the league is at a pivotal moment in its history. Nashville SC CEO Ian Ayre once called the idea of MLS owners voting for promotion and relegation akin to “turkeys voting for thanksgiving.” “This is the ‘never say never’ thing,” said Garber. “They don’t have to …

MLS commissioner won’t rule out promotion, relegation system for league in future
2 years ago

MLS commissioner won’t rule out promotion, relegation system for league in future

New York Times  

MLS commissioner Don Garber is willing to concede that at some point in the future promotion and relegation may exist in the United States, but also suggested he sees no way “that it works today.” “This is the ‘never say never’ thing,” Garber said. That might exist at some point in the future, maybe way after I’m no longer the …

Apple, MLS announce 10-year streaming partnership
2 years, 9 months ago

Apple, MLS announce 10-year streaming partnership

Daily Mail  

Apple's foray into live sports took a big step forward Tuesday as the tech company announced a 10-year partnership with Major League Soccer reportedly worth at least $2.5 billion. 'This Apple TV deal with MLS has no blackout restrictions,' tweeted sports radio personality Evan Roberts of New York's WFAN. San Jose Earthquakes forward Cristian Espinoza goes down when he is …

MLS agrees to 10-year broadcast deal with Apple worth $2.5 billion: Sources
2 years, 9 months ago

MLS agrees to 10-year broadcast deal with Apple worth $2.5 billion: Sources

New York Times  

Major League Soccer has agreed to a new broadcast agreement with Apple that multiple industry sources pegged at 10 years, $2.5 billion. Any matches broadcast on ESPN, Fox, Univision or any other linear networks will also be shown on Apple TV. Apple TV matches will not be shown on local television networks, meaning MLS fans will need to subscribe to …

Out of balance: As 2021 ends, MLS continues to show that improving quality of play isn’t top priority
3 years, 3 months ago

Out of balance: As 2021 ends, MLS continues to show that improving quality of play isn’t top priority

New York Times  

MLS is achieving what it wants. Even by the league’s wacky standards, this year was especially off-the-wall, with teams at the lower end of the wage scale dominating their higher spending counterparts during the regular season. Yet despite having a comparable level of salary spending, it’s reasonable to say that those high-spending MLS teams would struggle over a course of …

One year on from COVID-19 enforced shutdown, US sport inching back to normalcy
4 years ago

One year on from COVID-19 enforced shutdown, US sport inching back to normalcy

Firstpost  

Los Angeles: One year after Covid-19 sent sport across North America grinding to a halt, professional leagues and tours are inching back towards normalcy after absorbing a multi-billion-dollar financial hit. “If vaccines continue on the pace they are, and they continue to be as effective as they have been against the virus and its variants, we’re hopeful that we’ll have …

Start of 2021 MLS season is being delayed two weeks
4 years, 1 month ago

Start of 2021 MLS season is being delayed two weeks

LA Times  

Seattle Sounders and Columbus Crew players line up for the national anthem before the MLS Cup championship match on Dec. 12, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. MLS Commissioner Don Garber said Wednesday the league is anticipating another lean year in 2021, with losses expected to approach $1 billion for a second consecutive season. Speaking in a teleconference with reporters two days …

MLS authorizes player lockout if new CBA deal isn’t reached by Thursday
4 years, 1 month ago

MLS authorizes player lockout if new CBA deal isn’t reached by Thursday

LA Times  

MLS and its players association have agreed to extend the negotiating deadline for a new collective bargaining agreement, but the league added a new element to those talks Friday by authorizing a lockout if a deal isn’t reached by midnight Thursday. The primary issue separating the sides is the length of the agreement, with MLS seeking a deal that would …

MLS season to be pushed back to April; collective bargaining agreement in jeopardy
4 years, 2 months ago

MLS season to be pushed back to April; collective bargaining agreement in jeopardy

LA Times  

Major League Soccer teams will open preseason training camps Feb. 22 and kick off the 26th regular season on April 3, a month later than normal, the league announced Monday. Los Angeles County health authorities did not allow spectators to attend any sporting event in Southern California after March 12 and Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of …

Breaking down MLS’s new CBA proposal after invoking force majeure
4 years, 2 months ago

Breaking down MLS’s new CBA proposal after invoking force majeure

New York Times  

Major League Soccer announced on Tuesday that it proposed extending the current collective bargaining agreement with the MLS Players Association by two years through the end of the 2027 season. That deal, which was agreed in June, included a five-percent annualized pay cut for players in 2020, the introduction of the force majeure clause and the pushing back of the …

MLS to invoke force majeure clause, prompting serious risk of work stoppage
4 years, 2 months ago

MLS to invoke force majeure clause, prompting serious risk of work stoppage

New York Times  

MLS and its players association are set to negotiate a third collective bargaining agreement in the span of 12 months. But, like the other leagues in the United States and Canada, MLS needs to address the ongoing challenges caused by the pandemic and will engage in good faith discussions with our players about ways to manage the significant economic issues …

MLS planning to start 2021 regular season in March despite pandemic concerns
4 years, 4 months ago

MLS planning to start 2021 regular season in March despite pandemic concerns

New York Times  

Major League Soccer intends to start its 2021 regular season in early March, as usual, despite the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic. “Based on the crowded international calendar next year, we are targeting to start our season in early March, as usual,” MLS deputy commissioner Mark Abbott said in a statement. Like all leagues, we are concerned about those restrictions continuing …

MLS delays launch of three expansion teams due to COVID-19
4 years, 8 months ago

MLS delays launch of three expansion teams due to COVID-19

The Hindu  

Major League Soccer has unveiled a revised expansion timeline with three of its four new teams' inaugural seasons delayed by one year due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Charlotte, originally scheduled to begin playing in the MLS next season, will now make its debut in 2022 while St. Louis and Sacramento will begin in 2023 instead of 2022. “We have …

Major League Soccer to restart season July 8
4 years, 9 months ago

Major League Soccer to restart season July 8

The Hindu  

Major League Soccer said on Tuesday it will restart the season after being shut down for almost three months for the COVID-19 outbreak on July 8 with a tournament without fans at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. “We are pleased to team up with Disney to relaunch the 2020 MLS season and get back to playing soccer,” said commissioner Don …

MLS players union ratifies agreement clearing way for return in early July
4 years, 9 months ago

MLS players union ratifies agreement clearing way for return in early July

LA Times  

MLS players approved a revised collective bargaining agreement with team owners Wednesday, avoiding a threatened lockout and clearing the way for MLS to end it COVID-19 suspension and become the first major professional sports league in the U.S. to return to play — early next month in Florida. “I can assure you, our entire industry and really all business globally, …

MLS return risked by labour dispute: reports
4 years, 9 months ago

MLS return risked by labour dispute: reports

The Hindu  

Major League Soccer's return from its coronavirus shutdown could be in jeopardy after negotiations with the players union hit an impasse, US media reported on Monday. ESPN reported that MLS had set a deadline of 12pm on Tuesday to reach agreement on a labor deal or else players could be locked out. The MLS Players Association and the league had …

The Latest: MLS extends training moratorium through April 24
4 years, 11 months ago

The Latest: MLS extends training moratorium through April 24

Associated Press  

The Latest on the effects of the new coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: Major League Soccer has extended its training moratorium through April 24 because of the coronavirus outbreak. ___ The Russian Sports Ministry says a major training base near Moscow has shut down after a coach and an athlete tested “provisionally positive” for the new coronavirus. The …

MLS clubs stage Twitter contest after matches called off
5 years ago

MLS clubs stage Twitter contest after matches called off

The Hindu  

Coronavirus concerns kept the Vancouver Whitecaps and Colorado Rapids from playing Major League Soccer matches, but they still found a way to safely compete this weekend thanks to Twitter. The social media accounts for the teams traded messages late Saturday in a game of Connect Four, which the Whitecaps won after 19 moves. Videos of the US and Canadian national …

Inside the confidential 2016 study that provided the blueprint for MLS’s modern era
5 years, 4 months ago

Inside the confidential 2016 study that provided the blueprint for MLS’s modern era

New York Times  

For almost its entire existence, Major League Soccer has struggled with one fundamental quandary: how does it compete with the world’s best leagues — and how does it do so while remaining financially responsible, a facet of the league’s modus operandi that has kept it around longer than any professional soccer league in U.S. or Canadian history. The study says …

An inside look at why billionaires buy into money-losing Major League Soccer (hint: It’s not really losing money)
5 years, 4 months ago

An inside look at why billionaires buy into money-losing Major League Soccer (hint: It’s not really losing money)

New York Times  

With the addition of Sacramento Republic FC, Major League Soccer will gain a new squad of players, a new stadium, and a new home city to its ranks. Unlike teams, which are mostly limited in their chief revenue streams to game day/merchandise/ticket/corporate sponsorship sales, SUM is free to generate additional significant money through whatever avenues happen to come up as …

Major League Soccer must be a 'selling league' as expansion of tournament looms, says commissioner Don Garber
6 years, 3 months ago

Major League Soccer must be a 'selling league' as expansion of tournament looms, says commissioner Don Garber

Firstpost  

Major League Soccer will look at expanding beyond 28 teams, said Commissioner Don Garber in his state of the league address on Friday, but a shift away from buying talent to producing and selling it will be key to future growth. “We need to become more of a selling league,” Garber told a news conference ahead of the MLS Cup …

MLS: Atlanta United edge out Los Angeles Galaxy as most valuable club in league with record-setting spectator support
6 years, 4 months ago

MLS: Atlanta United edge out Los Angeles Galaxy as most valuable club in league with record-setting spectator support

Firstpost  

Atlanta United drew an MLS playoff record 70,526 fans for a home playoff contest and averaged more than 50,000 spectators a match to top the table thanks to ticket sales. New York: Atlanta United debuted atop the list of most valuable Major League Soccer clubs unveiled Wednesday by Forbes magazine, edging the Los Angeles Galaxy thanks to record-setting spectator support. …

MLS Commissioner Don Garber isn’t celebrating triumphs; he’s too focused on the future
9 years ago

MLS Commissioner Don Garber isn’t celebrating triumphs; he’s too focused on the future

LA Times  

Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber, shown in May 2015, says, “Our best days are probably still ahead.” One reason for the recent success of Major League Soccer is Commissioner Don Garber’s refusal to celebrate past triumphs, choosing to look ahead toward more victories instead. “Our best days are probably still ahead,” promised Garber, who saw Portland open defense of …

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