From the Dugout: Issue 2

MLS is not in trouble. I repeat, MLS is not in trouble. Maybe this is why we're fans. We don't spend millions of dollars a year; we speculate at will over the fate of the teams that do.

Question: "Do you really think smart owners like Anschutz and Hunt would pour millions of dollars each year into a hopeless venture?"

Answer: Not in a million years. These men have been around the block so many times they don't even know where it is. Here's a hint: most rich people are frugal. It's how they got to where they are today. They didn't make money by pouring it down the drain. Sure, a mansion is a viable expense. Buying long-term shares in the XFL would not be considered a viable venture. Hunt, Anschutz, et. al bought into the MLS because they believe it can work. If at any time this belief wavered, they would probably get the hell out of Dodge.

Question: "If we're in so much trouble, then why are there plans to build new stadiums in Chicago, LA, and Colorado?"

Answer: Take a hint. If the league were in that much trouble, then the idea of soccer-specific stadiums would not even be contemplated. Do you think Lamar Hunt just says, "Here, take $25 million and build me a stadium that I'll never use in a city that I don't even care that much about." Wrong answer. He built the stadium to make the Crew financially viable. They will be within the next few years, which will eventually help Hunt recoup his investment.

Question: "Ok, so maybe we aren't in that much trouble. If that's the case, then why don't we spend some more money on players? The salary cap is too low, and the minimum player salaries are atrocious."

Answer: To remain viable, a venture must cut out the unnecessary overhead. The NASL proved that undeniable star power was unnecessary. If Pele couldn't save the NASL, then Figo will not save MLS. Therefore, a logical conclusion was reached: "We won't pay ridiculous amounts of money for star players unless we are stupid enough to be conned into it." Frankly, the signing of Lothar Matthaus is the worst piece of business MLS has ever done. Yeah, they got exposure from it, but they gained nothing on the field. That money would have been better spent on two Mark Chungs rather than Matthaus. On the player salary issue, it again brings us back to expenses. Where is a guy like Preki going to go after his contract expires? Everton and Red Star aren't options anymore. Why spend $250,000 a year on a guy who would eventually play for $100,000? It just doesn't make sense. It's about evaluating the best possible application of your resources. On the minimum salary issue, it's way too low. Dogs can't live in Silicon Valley on $24,000 anymore.

Question: "Alright, so the players are ok, and so are the owners, but what about ticket sales? Can't we ever improve on those?"

Answer: To be very concise, yes. Ticket sales will improve with two things: marketing and on-field product. It's amazing how poor MLS is at marketing. You would figure with decently talented businessmen at the helm, they would be able to find a way to market the league. It's the Achilles heel of the league more so than the on-field quality.

Question: "I'm starting to follow you now, but if ticket sales will go up with on-field quality, why does MLS just spend more on foreign players and Americans abroad?"

Answer: Maybe you aren't following me at all. What kind of sense does it make to improve the product in the short term? Yes, ticket sales may increase if we bring in El Matador, but you're also increasing your expenses. Chances are that your expenses will outweigh good old Luis. It may give long time fans something to cheer about, but how many Americans know Landon Donovan? Not many. At this stage, MLS is a developmental league. We sell players abroad to make money. If MLS becomes a profitable venture for the majority of the league's teams, then we will start to attract better players by being able to offer higher salaries and a more competitive league.

Question: "So if the owners want to advertise more, why don't they just add more teams?"

Answer: Do you remember the phrase "Quality isn't quantity"? It applies two-fold in this instance. First, most franchises do not come close to balancing their books. Throw in a couple of LA to Rochester flights, and you've got yourself a financial mess. Sure, you'll add home dates, but you'll more than likely have to schedule them during the week. That almost always brings down attendance. Second, the American-based talent base is not equipped for two more teams. If we could bring back all of the Americans abroad, we could fill a couple of teams. With the average talent level in the A-League (somewhere between poor and abysmal) so low, MLS can't find the 32-34 Americans they need to fill rosters. The teams would be filled with retreads like Dan Stebbins and Don Gramenz ala 1998. This can't help the league. If we expand two or three years from now, rather than in 2002, the American talent base will have matured enough to help to at least fill most of the gaps for the two new teams.

Question: "Why do the owners insist on having the MLS Cup playoffs?"

Answer: I see MLS Cup as a cousin of the League Cup in England. It's a poorly attended cup that holds little value. I think the reason it was implemented was correct: Americans need a final winner in everything. We need a grand finale to cap off the year. MLS Cup was designed to do that. Unfortunately, the crowds have been lackluster, and the fields have suffered. I would like to see the MLS season ended before MLS Cup with the emphasis centered on the season rather than a poorly attended run-up to a Cup final game.

Question: "How will World Cup Qualifying affect MLS?"

Answer: Well, you'll get to see reserves step up and fill the hole left by the Popes and McBrides. Players like Mamadou Diallo, Marco Etchverry and Carlos Valderrama don't have to worry about qualifying. For the Revs, the effect will be small. It's not likely that either John Harkes or Joey Franchino will see significant time with Nats during the campaign. However, we will likely lose William Sunsing now that the Costa Ricans have woken up and joined us in the Hexagonal. Somehow, I think we'll live.

Question: "Finally, Will MLS survive?"

Answer: Without a doubt in my mind, I say yes. Soccer is a niche sport in this country. If you market the game in the correct manner, you can make money. I hope to be watching MLS until I die, which hopefully is not tomorrow. I doubt you'll be able to get all the Scum..erm...Manchester United fans into the stadiums, but if MLS can find a way to appeal to all the ethnic groups, it will survive.

It must survive.