Crap Shoots Don't Sell Soccer Tickets

Reflecting (with a few pangs of remorse as a reluctant DC United supporter) on the Sounders victory in the US Open Cup final, I was struck by a new analogy in the battle to free our soccer from the debilitating franchise model:

Despite a long history - going back well before soccer was a gleam in the eye of American franchisers - Crap shoots have never drawn big crowds.

So, despite offering $12 tickets and $2 Bud Lights, DC could only draw some 17k to a national final match.

Granted, in the case of the Open Cup, this isn't the best analogy, as it is the closest thing we have to the real thing here in the states.  Indeed, MLS execs and owners must breathe a sigh of relief whenever the contest is between two MLS "first division clubs"... but suspend these criticisms for a moment.

It's not the sport itself that can't draw an American crowd.   International friendlies were selling out major US stadiums over the summer. And Seattle, at least until they become subconsciously aware of the micromanaged franchise system under which their club operates, can still sell out the bottom of Qwest Field.  (probably the top, too, but MLS brass frown upon such individual initiative).

No, there's something about MLS that many soccer fans can't quite put their finger on - but it's there lurking somewhere in their brain stems.  Some force, pushing down on all clubs.  Something homogenizing the game, canning it, manipulating it, and turning it into a roll of the dice.   The problem is, it's hard to recognize it.  We live in country in which pro sports franchise is the norm.  Direct comparisons are difficult as the franchise system monopolizes our pro sports.  When correctly manipulated to generate parity, the franchise model seems to work pretty well for our domestic and/or internationally dominant leagues.  And while these sports may not reach as many fans as possible, but they do guarantee a small group of owners and executives a paycheck.

But with soccer, by instituting a tightly run closed corporate franchise all you're doing is setting a standard of play from the top, trading parity for quality product, and neutering every club through salary caps, squad size limits, player allocations in a league sealed off from the real free and competition that occurs in every other soccer nation.

Yes, we are a soccer nation.  More American kids have played it than any other for 25 years running (kudos again to NASL) and those international friendlies sell tickets like hot cakes.

I want to see behemoths like ManU and the Cosmos develop.  I like the underdog story of Fulham beating Man U, or the Rowdies, Sounders or Timbers sticking it to the Cosmos. Indeed, I argue we wouldn't have soccer mania in Portland and Seattle without the Soccer Bowls that similarly named clubs engaged with the Cosmos empire.  When combined with the relegation battles that will keep the bottom end of every league exciting, and the promotion battles that will energize every lower league. it will be a fantastic product - but it will not come without a fight.

It will be interesting to see how long the MLS honeymoon lasts in the great wet northwest.  Portland lands next year,  and they will undoubtedly contribute to the distribution of wealth - upon which the franchise model is founded - from the land of Gates and Hewlett and Packard to the rest of MLS malaise nation.  Portland and Seattle fans will help keep Kansas City, Denver and the Red Bulls alive, and the franchise model will keep them in the first division.

The average attendance record for MLS was set in 1996.  Despite Seattle's slew of fans, it's not gonna touch that record this year.  How long can a crap shoot draw crowds and TV viewers in a world of real, open leagues featuring promotion, relegation and autonomous clubs fighting it out for glory with every asset at their disposal? 

Let's intervene before it's too late.

Yes it's going to be a rough battle to separate this sport from the franchise monopoly.  Yes they are going to say we just don't get it. Yes, we're going to need to come out in force to pry it out of their insular, franchising hands.

If you do get it, sign up at

www.soccerreform.us