I recently wrote an article about improvements the MLS needs to make so that it could become a more important league. I got somewhat of mixed feedback. A few said that I was right and a few said I was clueless as to what I was talking about. If you haven't read the article here it is.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/45328-the-mls-needs-improvement
There was one person though who really wanted to debate this issue. Here's the debate in unedited form. DON'T READ THE COMMENTS BELOW THE ARTICLE UNTIL YOU"RE DONE THIS ARTICLE!
Jonothan: Thomas - I appreciate that you took the time to write an article about Major League Soccer. This is a great opportunity to discuss the league and the beautiful game. Before I respond further to your article, I would appreciate if you would answer the following questions.
1. What MLS team do you support?
2. How many MLS games have you attended?
3. How long have your been following MLS?
Me: DC United (and LA Galaxy
I've only been able to actually go to 5 games...I travel alot so I don't stick around in one place for long
I've been following the MLS since 2002.
Any questions?
Jonathan: Allow matches to be seen on public TV: I'm not sure about all metropolitan areas who host MLS teams. I do know that in Houston - almost all Houston Dynamo games are broadcast free on local television stations in both English and Spanish with the exception of Superliga games which are broadcast only in Spanish. All games are also broadcast on local radio in English and Spanish. Glenn Davis hosts a two hour broadcast "All Dynamo Access" for two hours every Monday. This show is also available over the internet. He also broadcasts a half hour "Dynamo Soccer Report" every Friday evening. I have seen evidence of similar broadcasts . Games are also broadcast on HDNet, ESPN, ABC, Telefutura and Fox Soccer Channel. Games are also available on the Direct Kicks package and on the internet.
Me: I'd like to see the cities that do have teams show it on TV. The problem is though, that not enough fans stay at home to watch it on TV! I've never seen a game on ESPN, I've always seen it on ESNP2. Didn't I say that it was on FOX Soccer? Not everyone is willing to pay for soccer packages by the way.
Jonathan: Change owners: I think you may be a little behind the times on this one. While it's true at when the league was formed there were only a few owners (mostly Hunt Sports Group and Anschutz Entertainment Group). MLS owes a lot to these groups as they are they one's who kept the league afloat in the early years. The league is now mostly diversified. There are a number of international owners. Here are the current MLS owners: (I'm too lazy to include that list. Just go look at it later.)
Me:
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