USL selling - MLS isn't buying

[EPJr]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/25/sports/soccer/25goal.html?_r=2

[SonuvaHenx2]

MLS buying the USL would be great.
A relegation/promotion system like those in Europe could increase the level of competition.
They already compete against each other in the US Open Cup (much like all levels of clubs participate in the FA Cup and Carling Cup in England).
Seems to me that its a perfect fit. Can't see why MLS isn't interested.

[appmaj]

It would be great...maybe generate interest in more markets

[mcveyrl]

What if Traffic is successful in buying USL?? Would they have enough oomph to make USL competitive with MSL? Or are the successful (and mildly successful markets) only interested in MSL?

[TexasTerror]

Would the fans be interested in seeing promotion/relegation? Could it turn off fans from the MLS? I've just never been sure promotion/relegation would work, but it's wildly successful in other countries and it's amazing how many people were excited to see Man U go down to that team that hadn't been in the top league for 40 odd years...

[GannonFan]

Would the fans be interested in seeing promotion/relegation? Could it turn off fans from the MLS? I've just never been sure promotion/relegation would work, but it's wildly successful in other countries and it's amazing how many people were excited to see Man U go down to that team that hadn't been in the top league for 40 odd years...

There's not enough markets in the US for a promotion/relegation system. MLS needs as many quality franchises as it can get, and it can't really afford to have its better supported ones being relegated and potentially harming, fatally even, those franchises. This country just isn't ready for that kind of system.

[appmaj]

Would the fans be interested in seeing promotion/relegation? Could it turn off fans from the MLS? I've just never been sure promotion/relegation would work, but it's wildly successful in other countries and it's amazing how many people were excited to see Man U go down to that team that hadn't been in the top league for 40 odd years...

IMO...It would be good for small markets...teams going up. But places like NY, LA, DC the threat of going down could kill their teams

[EPJr]

MLS is interested in cherry picking the league of its best teams; Seattle last year, Portland and Vancouver in 2011, and Montreal the year after that.

[ISUMatt]

yea say if Chicago or Houston would get relegated...how many people would show up to those games in the following year...Not enough to profit Im sure!!

[EPJr]

Nurock Soccer Holdings LLC Announces Purchase of USL from Nike, Inc.

Atlanta, Georgia (Aug 27th, 2009) - NuRock Soccer Holdings LLC ("NuRock Soccer Holdings") today announced that it has acquired United Soccer Leagues ("USL") from NIKE.

NuRock Soccer Holdings, based in Atlanta, is led by Rob Hoskins and Alec Papadakis. NuRock Soccer Holdings is currently a USL franchisee with a Premier Development League operation in Atlanta and rights to acquire two USL First Division teams in Atlanta, Georgia and Birmingham, Alabama marketplaces, respectively.


http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3894684

[EPJr]

http://tbrowdies.com.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/News/TOAtitle.jpg

This is currently on the front page of the Tampa Bay Rowdies (http://www.tbrowdies.com/). The fallout from NuRock purchasing NuRock has brought up St. Louis Soccer United is involved with the Team Owners Association. In the above picture is logo I think appeared on some websites a while ago with the name St. Louis United SC. Interesting to see that image appear again.

[EPJr]

OWNERS OF PROFESSIONAL SOCCER TEAMS IN ATLANTA, CAROLINA, MIAMI, MINNESOTA, MONTREAL, ST. LOUIS AND VANCOUVER FORM NEW PRO SOCCER LEAGUE TO BEGIN PLAY IN 2010

Nov. 10, 2009 – The owners of the Atlanta Silverbacks Soccer News Topics, Carolina Railhawks, Miami FC, Minnesota Thunder Soccer News Topics, Montreal Impact Soccer News Topics and Vancouver Whitecaps Soccer News Topics, formerly of USL-1, together with St. Louis Soccer United today announced that they have formed a new professional soccer league to play in the United States and Canada beginning in April 2010.

The team owners yesterday submitted an application for sanctioning of the new league as a Division II Men’s Outdoor Professional League by the United States Soccer Federation. An application for sanctioning as a Division I League will be submitted to the Canadian Soccer Association shortly and applications to other sanctioning bodies in the region will be submitted as needed.

[T-Dog]

What's going on in the USL?