(07-25-2017 03:03 PM)runninjoe Wrote: (07-25-2017 01:28 PM)arkstfan Wrote: (07-25-2017 10:11 AM)chiefsfan Wrote: It's just not going to work here. As Arkstfan noted, it works in Europe because the Clubs came before the leagues. Many times a relegated club who starts nearing bankruptcy is saved by a few Wealthy fans, who simply buy most of the shares and start again. MLS doesn't have that kind of support.
Bolton was relegated in 2012, forced into involuntary bankruptcy in December of 2015, worked out of it and got hit with another involuntary bankruptcy last week.
You will never be able to convince me that promotion/relegation is not the better system. Every game becomes important. Who is watching the bottom of the table like Minnesota United play Real Salt Lake besides the people at the game? Does the putcome even matter ? As a consumer I don't watch it unless I'm desperate, just as I don't watch the NBA regular season. I will always opt for Bundesliga, Premier League, or La Liga over MLS all of which I can watch easily.
For every bankruptcy like Portsmouth there is a club like Eibar whose moneyball style of getting under the radar loans and team style of play is refreshing. Being a fan of a small FBS team I can't see how you could not support Promotion/Relegation.
Better system for whom?
You understand that if pro/rel arrives the salary cap dies and then you fill your little heart with all the NYFC, NYRB, LAG, LAFC you can stand. Isn't it funny that while Americans are whining about not having pro/rel, the top clubs in Europe are toying with the idea of a break away that won't have pro/rel because they can maximize their TV revenue and not risk having their huge investment fall apart.
Tell me exactly how you convince Orlando or any other city to plow millions into a stadium when the team might be playing third division when it opens?
Chelsea once sold for $2 because it was broke. They got lucky and ended up with a good owner. Oh but pro/rel teams don't move. Ask Wimbledon fans about that. Leeds United bounced right back didn't they?
Rangers one of the greats of all time in Scottish football went under despite having only one serious competitor.
Pro/rel isn't what makes European leagues better. The ability of the owners to spend more in a market where there is no concept that there would be leagues in other sports with similar popularity is what makes it work.
You have an MLS team in Minneapolis, you are competing for ticket dollars with the Vikings, TWolves, Wild, Twins, Gophers football and Gophers basketball. In London, you are competing against other soccer clubs for ticket sales.
If a sports net misses on the local soccer league, they don't have much left to offer subscribers.