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CHINA DAILY | HONG KONG EDITION Wednesday, March 4, 2020 | 19 SPORTS SOCCER MAJOR EXPECTATIONS MLS bullish about global growth despite still lagging well behind North America’s biggest leagues s Major League Soccer launched a milestone 25th season over the weekend, the mood wasA not one of reflection and cau­ tious optimism but bold, even outrageous, predictions of a future empire. Not content to eventually become one of the most success­ ful leagues in North America, MLS has set its sights on sup­ planting England’s Premier League and Spain’s La Liga as the world’s top soccer product by the time it celebrates its 50th anni­ versary. A splashy 25th season kickoff event on Wednesday at a posh Manhattan hotel overlooking Central Park was not meant as a celebration of the past but of the riches that lay ahead, so there was no need to dwell on a troubling bottom line which is written in red ink. While all indicators are trend­ ing upwards, MLS remains a largely unprofitable venture. Only a handful of the 24 teams made money last year and even commissioner Don Garber con­ cedes the league will remain a money pit until a new media­ rights deal is negotiated some­ time before the current one expires at the end of 2022. “I don’t think any owner wants to run a business that is not mak­ ing money,” Garber told Reuters. “Clearly we are expecting that our media contracts will increase. It FC Dallas fans celebrate during their team’s 2­0 home victory over the Philadelphia Union at Toyota Stadium after the new Major League Soccer season kicked is a very unique time in the land­ off last weekend. MLS says its young and diverse fan base is particularly appealing to its media partners. USA TODAY SPORTS scape of media. “We are entirely upside­down compared to all the other leagues. Media as it relates to our reve­ nues is frankly the smallest piece of the puzzle and I believe going I think the MLS will forward that will change.” be one of the top After 25 years, an impressive list of deep­pocketed investors, sports leagues in including NFL owners the New the United States. I England Patriots’ Robert Kraft (New England Revolution) and think it will be on the Atlanta Falcons’ Arthur Blank par with the best (Atlanta FC), are still betting on what MLS might one day leagues in the world, become. the Premier League, The league will add another six Serie A, La Liga.” teams by 2022 and roll out seven new stadiums custom­built for Inter Miami co­owner David Beckham chats with his team’s Jorge Mas, MLS is increasingly able to attract high­profile figures such as soccer, with owners throwing goalkeeper and captain, Luis Robles, on Feb 25. AFP Inter Miami co­owner Montreal Impact coach Thierry Henry. AP even more money into academies and infrastructure. improve and we can compete three league will really at the end 2013 inked a 12­year, $4 billion competitive marketplace with “I do believe, in the new world, Certainly no one present at the with those leagues for the best of the day come down to money deal for Canadian media rights the NHL negotiating a new US media companies are going to New York kickoff could claim players in the world, I think 25 and whether we will be able to alone. broadcast deal in 2021 and NFL need Major League Soccer as MLS lacks ambition. years from now you will see the compete for players.” The NBA in 2014 announced a rights coming up for auction in sport content more in the future David Beckham and Jorge MLS as potentially the best Media rights will be the fuel nine­year, $24 billion rights deal 2022. than they have in the past,” said Mas, co­owners of MLS’ newest league in the world.” that drives MLS ambition. with ESPN and Turner Sports, Garber, however, believes the Garber. addition, Inter Miami, expect Los Angeles FC managing MLS counts itself among while, according to CNBC.com, MLS can offer something the oth­ “Secondly, we have an audi­ their club to one day be a global owner Larry Berg had the same North America’s major sports the NFL pulls in about $7.5 billion er leagues cannot: access to the ence that delivers something brand in the world’s best league. message. leagues alongside the NFL, NBA, annually for its media rights, 18­34 demographic coveted by that most other properties “I think the MLS will be one of “I think we definitely have the MLB and NHL. including $2 billion for Monday advertisers. don’t. It’s very young, very the top sports leagues in the Unit­ demographics in our favor and I However, when it comes to Night Football games. A 2017 Gallup poll cited in MLS diverse, therefore our media ed States. I think it will be on par think we will pass baseball and media rights, MLS is still playing Garber will be seeking some­ promotional material found that partners will need us more with the best leagues in the hockey to become the number in the minor league coming to the thing that will put MLS in the its popularity with the 18­34 age tomorrow more than they have world, the Premier League, Serie three sport in the US behind foot­ end of an eight­year, $720 million same league when negotiations group was up 11 percent, while in the past.” A, La Liga,” said Mas. ball and basketball,” said Berg. deal with FOX, ESPN and Univi­ begin. the NFL, NBA and MLB were all “As the economics of the league “Whether we can be a top­ sion. In comparison, the NHL in MLS will find itself in a very down. REUTERS.

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